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When Apple launched iOS 18 in September, it was perhaps the first time that the company's round number release was the most important iOS release of the year.

That's because the company opted for a slow, staggered launch of its AI (Apple Intelligence) features, most of which weren't available in iOS 18. Today, with the launch of iOS 18.2, nearly all of these features are live on the iPhone, the iPad, and on the Mac.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence on Mac: 5 AI-powered features you can test right now What's launching today, and where?

Apple is launching iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2.

However, these new versions are only available to users who have device and Siri language set to localized English for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.K., or the U.S.

Not all Apple Intelligence features are available in the EU; they will start rolling on the iPhone and iPad in April. The exception is the Mac, where Apple Intelligence features are available even in the EU.

Which new Apple Intelligence features are available today?

In addition to the AI features introduced in iOS 18, and iOS 18.1, today iPhone, iPad and Mac users are also getting:

• Genmoji

• Image Playground

• Image Wand for Notes

• Describe Your Change option in Writing Tools

• Visual Intelligence features for the Camera

• Seamless integration of ChatGPT in Siri, as well as Writing Tools

For a more detailed overview, check Mashable's guide to iOS 18.2 and the Apple Intelligence features you can test now,

Is this all Apple Intelligence has to offer?

Nope. According to Apple, additional Apple Intelligence capabilities will be available in the "months to come."

This includes a more capable Siri with onscreen awareness and the ability for Siri to take "hundreds of new actions" in Apple's own apps, as well as third-party apps. Priority Notifications, which will notify you only of the most important things on your phone are also coming, and Image Playground will get the ability to create images in a Sketch style.

Which devices support these new features?

Apple Intelligence features are available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later, and Mac with M1 and later.

Breakups suck — but they arguably suck more than ever thanks to social media. Before our modern era, people floated in and out of our lives. You might've forgotten someone you've previously dated. If not, at least you couldn't see their daily moves at your fingertips. 

"Social media has changed the way that people naturally come in and out of your life," said the author of I Do (I Think) and the Emotional Support Lady Substack, Allison Raskin. "While it's nice to still see updates from your elementary school friends, it can be uncomfortable to still be privy to the lives of people we've let go for a reason."

SEE ALSO: Hinge unveils new dating concept to help you get more dates in 2025

A childhood friend is one thing, but what about dodging your ex's social media accounts? Mashable asked the experts what to do — and not do — on platforms after a breakup.

Getting over a breakup in the digital age

Before we dive into the dos and don'ts, let's dig into why breakups are so difficult — especially today. There are biological, psychological, and evolutionary reasons behind the pain.

Hormones and neurotransmitters that are active when we fall in love — such as dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, norepinephrine, and oxytocin — also activate when we're going through a breakup according to relationship coach for politicized people and Ph.D. in human sexuality studies, Melissa Fabello. This could be because both falling in and out of love activates our primal need for connection.

For example, dopamine (the "feel good" hormone) is high when we're with a new partner. When we get the "reward," our new partner's attention, we get a hit of dopamine. But during a breakup, we're not getting that reward. You're not getting that dopamine hit, and you may end up feeling off-balance.

"The way that I think social media plays into this so strongly in both cases, falling in love and a breakup, is you have so much access to information," Fabello said. When you have a crush, you check their Instagram posts, stories, what they did for their birthday last year, and such. When you're going through a breakup you can do the same thing, but now the questions change: Are they seeing someone new? Are they happy?

Fabello encourages people going through this to ask themselves: How do I regulate myself enough that I'm making choices around social media that serve me and don't cause the other person harm? Are you hurting yourself by looking through your ex's profile? Are you doing this to upset yourself, or make yourself angry?

DON'T: Creep or obsess over your ex on social media

We're curious by nature, and if you catch yourself looking at your ex's Instagram stories once in a while and having feelings about it, that may not be a big deal, Fabello continued. But are you creating a fake account to check your ex's account because they blocked you? That would be crossing boundaries.

"Don't check their friends' profiles and definitely don't become a detective to find out who they might be dating."

"Resist obsessively checking your ex's profile," echoed eharmony sex and relationships expert Todd Baratz, LMHC. "Don't check their friends' profiles and definitely don't become a detective to find out who they might be dating. This prolongs the healing process and keeps you emotionally stuck," Todd said.

The line is: Are you hurting yourself or someone else with your behavior?

DO: Unfollow, mute, or block if needed

"Unfollow or mute accounts (including your ex’s) that trigger negative feelings," said Baratz, who also suggested following accounts like mental health advocates, wellness pages, or people who inspire self-growth and positivity.

Raskin advised the same. "If you have complicated feelings toward someone who you don't talk to anymore and seeing their posts causes you discomfort or even outright pain, I think it's better to avoid their profiles altogether," she said. "The mute function is a beautiful thing!"

"The mute function is a beautiful thing!"

"Social media is always a distortion of the truth and checking can become obsessive so steering clear of your ex online is the greatest gift you can give yourself as you try to heal. It will also help you establish a new daily routine and move forward faster," she continued. 

SEE ALSO: How to break up with someone in the digital age DON'T: Gossip about your ex

Don't blame, express anger, or post intimate details about the breakup online, Baratz said. 

"Don't make passive-aggressive posts or cryptic messages about your exit," he noted. "It’s not a productive use of your time or emotional energy. Instead, channel your focus toward your growth, which will pay off in the long run."

It's cool to vent to friends privately about your feelings. Doing so in public might bring unwanted attention to both you and your ex, and you might regret it later.

DO: Enlist the help of friends

…well, certain friends. If a friend enables you to check and recheck your ex's feed, or can't stop dishing about your ex's new partner, they may not be the best person to come to when you're feeling out of sorts about the breakup.

Do you have friends who will tell you that checking your ex's Instagram stories isn't a good idea? Will one hold you accountable if you ask them to? Say, if you're talking too much about the breakup, maybe they can send you a certain emoji as a signal to pause and take a second to breathe, Fabello offered.

DON'T: Post thirst traps

Resist posting things intended to get your ex's attention, Baratz said. 

There's nothing wrong with posting a spicy photo of yourself, but reflect on your motives. "Am I being manipulative? Am I being passive aggressive?" are two questions Fabello encourages you to ask yourself. 

With all of these don'ts, also ask yourself whether you're acting like the person you want to be. "Is that the person I want to be in the world?" Fabello asked. "Having a pause to ask yourself is important."

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence will summarise your breakup texts DO: Consider a social media detox

We know that social media impacts our mental health. Baratz pointed out that millennials and Gen Z agree that their biggest insecurity while dating is actually their mental health (32 percent for millennials and 27 percent for Gen Z, according to a recent eharmony report). 

When we're going through a life transition, that can be compounded. "Consider stepping away from social media entirely for a while. A break can help you focus on processing emotions without distractions or comparisons which can cause unnecessary pressure," Baratz said. 

DO: Regulate your emotions

This might be easier said than done, especially if you don't have access to mental health help. But breakups can be devastating: Research shows that "love rejection" can result in depression and, in extreme cases, violence towards oneself or others. 

If you're feeling down, angry, or anxious, know that it's okay — and there is a scientific explanation. "It can be helpful sometimes [to know] the science piece just for the logical part of your brain to be like, 'I'm not crazy. I'm just heartbroken and I'm grieving,'" Fabello said. What's not okay, however, is not keeping your behavior in check. 

If you're able to, talk to a therapist about how you're feeling. You can practice emotional regulation skills like practicing mindfulness or taking a walk. Before you type your ex's name into the Instagram search bar, for example, take a breath. Do you really want to do that right now? Will you hurt your own feelings over what you see?

And if it's really difficult, put stopgaps in place: Block your ex. Sign out of the social media app for a while, or delete it from your phone altogether. Odds are, you're not missing much — except maybe a post from your elementary school friend.

TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA with Sling TV.

It's the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. The Golden State Warriors are looking to end a string of road losses when they face the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston. The Rockets are third in the Western Conference and currently boast a 9-3 home record.

The Warriors are led by Clutch Player of the Year Steph Curry and Draymond Green. The Rockets are led by Jalen Green, who scored 31 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The two teams have faced off twice this season. In an early NBA season matchup, the Warriors outlasted the Rockets 127-121 in overtime. They faced each other again just last week and the Warriors took the win for the second time, in a close 99-93 battle.

When is Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets?

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 11. This game takes place at Toyota Center in Houston.

The game will air on TNT.

How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Rockets basketball game on TNT. 

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Warriors vs. Rockets from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this free live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 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

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app of choice

5. Watch Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 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 gain access to free live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy 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 Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

I may have thrived in a Pink Pilates Princess Strut Phase in this year's Spotify Wrapped, but what about the games I played?

PlayStation announced the 2024 edition of PlayStation Wrap-Up on Tuesday, joining the rest of the tech and entertainment industry in promising to show you exactly, precisely, how you've been spending your time over the last 12 months.

However, users started reporting error messages when attempting to access the Wrap-Up site. Currently, the site appears with a placeholder message saying, "We'll be back soon." Mashable has reached out to PlayStation for comment.

The Wrap-Up site at the time of writing. Credit: Mashable screenshot: PlayStation

When it finally works, the Sony gaming version of Spotify Wrapped will tell you all your gaming achievements for the year, including the games you played the most, how many hours played (own it), trophies, gaming stats by month, and your gaming "style". Were you more of a Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth or Helldivers 2 fiend? Or maybe you loved less juggernaut titles?

SEE ALSO: The 10 best video games you may have missed in 2024

In a blog post, Sony said there are a few new PlayStation Wrap-Up features this year, including "personalized historical statistics, such as the total number of games a player has experienced since creating their account for PlayStation Network, as well as a look back at trophy milestones and personalized recommendations for games that are available on PlayStation Plus Game Catalog."

The company says the Wrap-Up will continue to update until the end of the year — and of course, it will be shareable as a compact summary card.

An example of a summary card. Credit: PlayStation

PlayStation Wrap-Up is only available for PS4 or PS5 players over 18 and who have played "for at least 10 hours between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024." The results will be viewable (when they're eventually up) from now until Jan. 10

Featured Video For You Grow plants from fantasy games with this IRL initiative

Here's what PlayStation also stipulated about PlayStation Wrap-Up:

Users who have not consented to the collection of "Full Data" from their PlayStation 5 system settings in 2024, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign.Users located in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, India, and Russia, who have not consented to the collection of "Additional Data" from their PlayStation 4 system settings in 2024, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign.

This story is developing — we'll update it when we know more about the site's accessibility.

Xbox player instead? There's a Year in Review for you too.

TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with Sling TV.

It's the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. The Atlanta Hawks are looking for their fourth straight road win as they head to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks in the East Quarterfinal. It won't be an easy feat, as the Knicks are fourth in the Eastern Conference and 8-3 at home.

When is Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks?

Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 11. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The game will air on ESPN. Mike Breen is expected to do the play-by-play, while Doris Burke will join him in the booth, and Katie George will handle the sideline reporting.

How to watch Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Hawks vs. Knicks basketball game on ESPN. 

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Hawks vs. Knicks from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this free live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks 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

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app of choice

5. Watch Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks 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 gain access to free live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy 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 Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks in the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $22: As of Dec. 11, the Amazon Echo Pop is on sale for $17.99. That's a whopping 55% off its list price of $39.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00 Get Deal

Gift shopping ahead of the holidays can sometimes feel stressful, especially if it feels like you've missed the boat on Cyber Monday deals. Thankfully, Amazon's still offering some very nice discounts after the big seasonal sale events. If you've had your eye on an Echo Pop to pick up this year, you can grab it at an excellent price right now at the retailer.

Amazon's Echo Pop is currently on sale for $17.99, a massive 55% discount off its list price of $39.99. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is also its lowest-ever price so it's well worth taking advantage of. Not to mention, if this was something you had in mind as a gift idea, Amazon notes that it'll arrive 14 days before Christmas so there's no need to worry about delays.

SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is $60 off at Amazon

We also believe this affordable little smart speaker is worth picking up for your home, whether you enjoy blasting music, catching up on podcasts, or getting lost in an audiobook. In our review of the Echo Pop, writer SaVanna Shoemaker said, "For people who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant, the Echo Pop is a perfect addition to any room in the house."

Amazon has this smart speaker listed as a limited-time deal, so you'll want to act fast to save over 50% on the Echo Pop.

While some deals aren't quite as low as they were during Cyber Monday, there are still some offers worth checking out right now at Amazon. If you have a look through our roundup of Amazon's Cyber Monday deals, you can see if any items you were curious about buying are still on offer.

SAVE $60: As of Dec. 11, the Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) is on sale for $189 at Amazon. This is 24% off its list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $189.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal

The holidays are right around the corner, but there's still plenty of time to pick up gifts at a discounted price. Amazon, in particular, is here to help as they've got some popular items still on sale with notes on when they'll arrive before Christmas. If you've been hoping to pick up an Apple Watch SE 2, whether for yourself or someone you know, it's currently discounted at the retailer and will even arrive in time for the big day.

The Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) is on sale for $189 right now at Amazon, 24% off its retail price of $249. This is a great price for such a sleek smartwatch, and if it's a gift idea on your list, Amazon notes it'll arrive 14 days before Christmas. That leaves you plenty of time to get it all wrapped up.

SEE ALSO: Score a 10th Gen Apple iPad for under $300 at Best Buy

The SE line is Apple's more affordable range of smartwatches, but they're still packed with plenty of great features. This includes the essentials like health, fitness, and sleep tracking alongside safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS. In our comparison of Apple Watch Series 9 vs. SE 2, Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon said, "If you're more fitness-focused, and you don't mind the thicker bezels and lack of always-on display, the Watch SE is a solid choice."

Take advantage of this great deal on the Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) at Amazon.

If you're curious about other Apple devices being on sale after Cyber Monday, it's worth having a look through our list of Apple's Cyber Monday deals. While many discounts won't be as steep as they were during the sale event, there are still some options worth jumping on if they caught your eye.

SAVE $65: As of Dec. 11, the Echo Show 8 is on sale for $84.99 at Amazon. That's 43% off its list price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 8 $84.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal

Even though the Cyber Monday deals are winding down, Amazon is still offering up a few discounts ahead of the holidays. Some of these deals aren't quite as low as Cyber Monday, but they're still definitely worth jumping on if you still want to get some shopping done. Some of Amazon's smart home devices are even still on sale, including the Echo Show 8.

Amazon's Echo Show 8 is down to $84.99 right now for a limited time, 43% off its list price of $149.99. If you've had it on your radar, now's a great time to pick it up. Amazon even has a note on its page saying it'll arrive 14 days before Christmas, so if you want to get it as a gift you don't need to worry about delivery times.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Echo devices — which one are you buying this holiday season?

This smart device is packed with exciting features, too, including spatial audio, an eight-inch HD touchscreen, and a 13 MP camera. It can also operate as a smart home hub for those with several different smart devices around the house.

This limited-time deal won't last for long, though. Pick up the Amazon Echo Show 8 at $84.99 before this deal disappears.

If you want to save on even more devices ahead of the holidays, have a look through our roundup of Amazon's Cyber Monday deals. As mentioned before, most deals won't be quite as low as they were during the sale events, but there are definitely still some offers worth taking advantage of.

Honouring the amount of rodent stars in F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu, Robert Eggers' remake probably has more rats than Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

About 5,000 of them, according to star Nicholas Hoult, who appeared on The Graham Norton Show to unpack the film's wave of rats his character must wade through — some of whom were trained (just some). But who has 5,000 rats to give?

"Who do you call?" Norton asked, miming a phone call. "Do you have 5,000? Yes we do."

"Thank God you called! Finally!" replies Hoult.

On the couch with Sigourney Weaver, Lolly Adefope, and Jamie Oliver, Hoult also spoke about how many times Bill Skarsgard, who plays Count Orlok in Nosferatu, had to be trapped in a sarcophagus in full prosthetics with said rats and added maggots. It was a lot.

Nosferatu hits cinemas Dec. 25.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 11, the Apple iPad 10th Gen is on sale for $279 at Best Buy. This is $70 off its original list price of $349.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 10th Gen $279.00 at Best Buy
$349.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you were hoping to pick up an Apple device during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and worry you've missed your opportunity, Best Buy is here with a little early holiday treat to help you out. The 10th Gen Apple iPad has currently got a nice discount at the retailer.

The 10th Gen Apple iPad (with WiFi) is currently on sale for $279, $70 off its retail price of $349. All colors of this iPad are on sale as well, so you can choose between their selection of vibrant colors including blue, pink, silver, or yellow.

SEE ALSO: Apple Music launches three new radio stations, including Apple Music Chill

This is a fantastic price for such a nice iPad, especially one we consider to be one of the best iPads of 2024. Not to mention, you also get some fun bonuses with your purchase: three months of Apple TV+ for free, three months of Apple Fitness+ for free, up to four months of Apple Arcade for free, and up to three months of Apple Music for free.

This iPad earned a spot in our list of the best iPads of 2024 as our top pick on a budget. Mashable's Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino said, "Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro, it's perfect for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop but don't want to spend a ton of money."

This is a fantastic iPad deal to take advantage of before the holidays. Don't miss out on $70 off the 64GB 10th Gen Apple iPad (WiFi) at Best Buy.

There are a few more Apple deals still hanging around after Cyber Monday as well. If you want to see if some that caught your eye during the sale are still available, have a look through our roundup of Apple's Cyber Monday deals to see which picks are still live.

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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, December 11, 2024:

Across"That's my ___!" ("I LOVE that song!")

• The answer is Jam.

Jay who hosted "The Tonight Show" from 1992–2009 and 2010–14

• The answer is Leno.

Assassin skilled in martial arts

• The answer is Ninja.

Element whose name is found in FARGO, ND

• The answer is Argon.

Boyfriends, quaintly

• The answer is Beaus.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 11, 2024 DownGame with a tower that topples

• The answer is Jenga.

Green-skinned pear variety

• The answer is Anjou.

Sounds from a child after they're told to turn off the TV, maybe

• The answer is Moans.

Currency replaced by the euro in Italy

• The answer is Lire.

Catch red-handed

• The answer is Nab.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

The biologists were ecstatic.

A deep sea mission, undertaken by the Ocean Exploration Trust aboard their 223-foot vessel (E/V) Nautilus, recently spotted four nautilus individuals. Creatures similar to these modern-day nautiloids — swimming mollusks residing in large shells — have been around on Earth for some 500 million years, evolving much earlier than the dinosaurs.

Today, the creatures aren't easy to find. The Ocean Trust explorers have endeavored into the deep sea for 15 years and taken over 1,000 dives with their remotely operated vehicle. But these are the first nautiloids they've spotted.

"It's finally happened," a member of the exploration team said at the beginning of the footage, shown in the video below.

SEE ALSO: Scientists witness stunning, unprecedented carnage in the ocean

This ocean footage, fortuitously taken on the last "grand finale" dive of their season, was captured between 720 and 1,230 feet (220 to 375 meters) underwater. The nautiloids were swimming in a south Pacific Ocean channel off of Palau.

There are six living species of nautilus alive today. They are rarely seen living fossils, and such sightings are only made possible on deep dives, typically with robots. These expeditions turn up completely novel species, too.

"We always discover stuff when we go out into the deep sea. You're always finding things that you haven't seen before," Derek Sowers, an expedition lead for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ocean Exploration mission, previously told Mashable.

"It's so beautiful."

Ocean research organizations are now vigilantly documenting and mapping the deep sea. Scientists want to shine a light — literally and figuratively — on what's down there. The implications of knowing are incalculable, particularly as deep sea mineral prospectors prepare to run tank-like industrial equipment across parts of the seafloor. For example, research expeditions have found that ocean life carries great potential for novel medicines. "Systematic searches for new drugs have shown that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms," notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

At times, the search for what lies below leaves scientists awestruck.

"It's so beautiful," another team member marveled in the video. "Let's stay here forever."

We’ve already highlighted the very best video games of 2024 — the big-name titles everyone’s talking about. But now, it’s time to shine a light on something different.

These games flew under the radar, overshadowed by juggernauts like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. While they may not have had the same massive marketing push, you could argue they’re just as good — maybe even better. In fact, one of these titles made it onto both lists.

SEE ALSO: The best video games of 2024

So, let’s give these hidden gems their moment in the spotlight. Here are the best video games of 2024 that you might have missed.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes This one has such a striking look. Credit: Simogo/Steam

First up is Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, a mind-bending puzzle game with a mildly alliterative title that’s fun to say aloud. 

The less said about this game before you hop into it yourself, the better. All you need to know is that this puzzle game is set inside a black-and-white mansion with fixed camera angles that call back to classic horror games like the original Resident Evil, though you won’t be shooting any zombies here. Instead, you'll solve puzzles. Lots of them. Puzzles will have puzzles inside of them, and they’ll all lead to more puzzles. 

You may need to have a notepad next to you while you play. It’s that kind of game. Have fun!

Ys X: Nordics Ahoy. Credit: Falcom/Steam

Ys X: Nordics isn't technically an indie game like most of the other titles on this list. It comes from a noted Japanese development studio in Falcom, and the Ys series of action RPGs has been around for as long as Final Fantasy. It just doesn't have the same level of prestige, especially in the West. Ys deserves it, though, and selfishly, I want other people I know to play it so I can talk to them about it.

Ys X takes the kind of fast-paced, no-thoughts-head-empty action combat the series is known for and adds tactical, defensive layers on top of it to make it deeper and feel more novel than its immediate predecessors. Series protagonist Adol Christin (he's just a guy who loves adventure and has no other personality traits to speak of) is joined on this adventure by a cool Viking lady named Karja, and together, the two of them sail the high seas trying to break an evil curse, among other things.

It's got great music, an eminently satisfying upgrade loop, and the best seafaring ship combat this side of Assassin's Creed. Don’t miss this one.

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip I love this little dude. Credit: snekflat/Steam

I love video games that you can finish in just one or two sittings. I also love the PlayStation 2-era open-world classic The Simpsons: Hit & Run. 

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip takes only a few hours to complete. You play as a goofy little guy running around a goofy, open-ended town, completing tasks to upgrade his car and ultimately fly to space. Like Hit & Run, it’s a lighthearted, cartoony, open-world driving adventure with very low stakes and an endearing sense of humor. It's a perfect Steam Deck game, too. The only downside is that it's exclusive to PC right now.

UFO 50 Yes, games used to look like this, kids. Credit: Mossmouth/Steam

Eagle-eyed readers may remember UFO 50's placement on our main GOTY list this year. I felt it warranted a second mention.

This is a collection of 50 fake retro games made by a fictional company in the game and by a gaggle of talented indie developers in real life. It spans several eras of classic game design, from obtuse 8-bit adventures to RPGs and more. UFO 50 is a celebration of what games used to be and paints a positive view of what games can be in the future. 

Just check it out, will ya?

1000xResist Another awesome art style here. Credit: sunset visitor/Steam

1000xResist is another one where the less you know going in, the better.

Just know that this unique sci-fi adventure game trades more in compelling narrative than deep mechanics. It's got a killer art style, and the more people I know who play it, the more people I know who insist this is maybe the best game of 2024. Everyone is hopelessly becoming 1000xResist-pilled. 

Thank Goodness You're Here England is a weird place. Credit: Coal Supper/Steam

Set in a fake town in northern England, Thank Goodness You’re Here is a self-described "absurd comedy slapformer" about a traveling salesman who bounces around town, performing random tasks for people and, more generally, just having a silly little time. 

There's not much else to say about Thank Goodness You’re Here, another game that can be completed in one sitting. It's funny, weird, and has a great look. That earns it a spot on this list.

I Am Your Beast Sometimes you just need to let off some steam. Credit: Strange Scaffold/Steam

So far, the games on this list have mostly been skewed more lightheartedly or narrative-focused. I Am Your Beast is not those things, necessarily.

But it is a sick, stylish comic book-like first-person shooter set across a series of tiny sandboxes full of fun and violent ways of dispatching your foes. Want to take guys out by drop-kicking their faces or throwing bear traps at them? Go right ahead. Of course, you can also use guns, but there's more fun in being creative.

Minishoot Adventures Welcome to bullet hell. Credit: SoulGame Studios

"What if The Legend of Zelda was an arcade-style shooter?" is the elevator pitch for Minishoot Adventures, and it's a strong one. This simple little game marries the twin-stick action of many a classic arcade game with adventure games' more exploratory, puzzle-solving elements. 

If that quick elevator pitch doesn't grab you, this might not be your game. But if it does, you should probably check this one out.

Caravan Sandwitch One of the most relaxing games of the year, surely. Credit: Studio Plane Toast/Steam

I love open-world games, but I also love games with low stakes. These two genres don’t meet often enough, but when they do, good things happen. 

Enter Caravan Sandwitch, an open-world adventure set on an alien planet with a small community of eccentric humans for you to hang out with and do stuff for. Almost all of the gameplay in Caravan Sandwitch involves driving a van around a desert and exploring ruins to find scrap and other valuables. Along the way, you’ll uncover a narrative underpinning the whole thing, making the journey worthwhile.

If you like the exploration of Zelda but don’t want to worry about pesky things like combat or failure, this is the game for you.

Rise of the Golden Idol Uplifting! Credit: Color Gray Games/Steam

The sequel to 2022's The Case of the Golden Idol is yet another macabre tribute to PC adventure games of old.

You'll use your detective skills to solve a series of 1970s-themed cases with stylish visuals that can occasionally veer into disturbing territory. Fans of classic adventure games will surely find something to love here.

TL;DR: Save 68% on this cashmere-blend scarf with our holiday sale, available in 16 colors.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lavisha Lavisha Cashmere-Blend Shawl (Beige) $15.97
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Still searching for a great gift for Mom? We know how hard it is to find something she’ll love and actually use, but won’t feel guilty about how much you spent. That’s what makes this cashmere shawl such a great gifting option.

It feels like cashmere, but since it’s blended with other wool, it’s only $15.97 during our holiday sale. Place your order on or before Dec. 15 so it arrives in time for Christmas.

Thoughtful, practical, and snuggly

Moms, grandmas, and girlfriends love these cashmere scarves but don’t shy away from giving one to a man in your life. You could surprise him with one in the color of his favorite sports team.

We have 16 color options available, though the most popular ones will sell out first. Gift Christmas red, flamingo pink, or light coral for those who like making a fashion statement, or pewter gray, ivory, or sand dunes for a neutral shade that goes with almost any outfit.

Check off a holiday gift for her or him at $15.97 when you order the shawl through December 15. No coupon is needed for this holiday sale price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: During our limited-time holiday sale, save 85% on a MagellanTV lifetime subscription — its lowest price ever.

Winter’s creeping in, and we all know what that means — snowy days and way too much time stuck indoors. The weather might keep you from exploring the outside world, but this documentary streaming service helps you discover fascinating stories from history, science, and beyond without leaving your couch.

The real treat? Unlike Netflix, Hulu, and all the other big names, MagellanTV doesn’t charge any fees for their lifetime subscription. Join today at an all-time low price during our holiday sale: $139.97 (reg. $999). 

Like documentaries? You’ll love this

Other streaming services have some, but MagellanTV has thousands of ad-free documentaries. And you’ll get a far deeper selection than just basic ones you’ve already seen — we’ve watched Blackfish, Netflix, so stop recommending it to us.

Here are some current offerings that caught our eye:

• I Shot My Parents

• Diving With Sharks

• John F. Kennedy: Making of a President

• My Mum Talks to Aliens

https://www.youtube.com/embed/frNmrU_PcXQ 

On days when you’re totally snowed in and don’t know what to watch (and there’s nothing good on Netflix as usual), open a playlist. Maybe ‘Cute and Cuddly,’ ‘Wild Weather,’ or ‘The Stay-at-Home Travel Guide’ to set the mood. 

Can you share the subscription? Sure — stream on up to five devices at once.

Stream documentaries for life with MagellanTV, now $139.97 (reg. $999) for a limited time with our holiday sale. No coupon is needed to get this price.

MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service: Lifetime Subscription - $139.97

Opens in a new window Credit: Magellan TV MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service: Lifetime Subscription $139.97
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StackSocial prices subject to change.

Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Get a MacBook.

We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. Most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.

SEE ALSO: Amazon has one pretty good deal on a 2-in-1 laptop ahead of October Prime Day

Although MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with the latest M4 MacBook Pros reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and zippy M-series processors. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale (with the cheapest ones priced around $850 to $999).

After testing out Apple's entire lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams. So, let's start shopping.

Your first big decision: MacBook Pro vs. Air

With today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?

If you're a creative who regularly pushes your laptop to the limit with demanding video and photo editing applications, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iterations are the speediest and most performance-driven yet.

Testing the M1 MacBook Air after its 2020 release. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the super-powered M3 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air will be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you'll be lugging it around wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M3 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.

Which generation MacBook is the best?

This will come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But, whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for just $849.99. That's compared to the $1,249 price tag of the most recent Air, and the $1,599 asking price of the latest Pro.

A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

So, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is coming. Here are the best early deals to shop now. What are the best MacBooks?

After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are four MacBooks worth buying in 2024. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, and who we think would like each model best.

The 10 minutes it takes to manually vacuum a 700-square-foot apartment probably isn't enough to send someone over the edge as far as chores are concerned. While the time-saving factor may be a moot point here, it doesn't completely diminish the appeal of using a robot vacuum in a crowded home.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

It's actually totally plausible that spaces with less square footage get dirty faster because virtually every spot is a high-traffic spot. With that logic, a robot vacuum is absolutely worth it in a small space.

However, it is crucial to not automatically assume that less floor to cover means that the cheapest vacuum you can find will suffice. Cramped furniture arrangements and quick changes between floor types actually call for a vac on the more competent end navigation-wise, or you'll risk arriving home to a bot that got stuck in kitchen chair legs during the first five minutes of cleaning. Before getting into specific robovac recommendations, let's assess the features that would make this a smart purchase.

Do robot vacuums work in small apartments?

While some large, heavy-duty robot vacuums would probably be overkill in a tight space, there are several compact, quiet robot vacuums on the market that make a lot of sense in a small space.

One way to downsize the space a robot vac takes up is to forego the self-empty dock. While forgoing it automatic emptying o save yourself inches on the floor may not be ideal, it'll be a little less damning in a small space, as the vacuum isn't sucking up as much dirt on each cleaning run as it would in a big house. However, finding a super compact auto-empty dock nowadays isn't hard, and many robot vacuums offer the option to buy one separately later.

SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The 2024 guide to deciding which Roomba to buy

If your small apartment has hard floors, a robot vacuum and mop combo is a genius way to downsize chores supplies. This'll save you not only the time it takes to mop manually but also the breath it takes to curse your Swiffer for hogging your scarce closet space. Multiple floor types also make smart mapping and zone labeling a crucial feature, despite the fact that your home may not have many specific rooms to select on a map in the first place.

Not sure which robot vacuum would be worth it in your small space? I've hands-on tested the top contenders in my own apartments over the years and have handpicked the four best robot vacuums for apartments, studios, and other one-story homes in 2024. (While each vacuum's retail price is listed by default, I've also noted the most common sale price in "The Good" sections. And yes, robot vacuum deals can be found throughout the year — not just during a shopping holiday like Black Friday.)

Following Spencer and Jackie — biopic melodramas about Princess Diana and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy — Chilean director Pablo Larraín rounds out his informal trilogy with Maria, another film about a world-famous woman in close proximity to death. His subject this time is the iconic Greek-American opera soprano Maria Callas, and though the film doesn't come together as neatly (or completely) as either of its predecessors, its most powerful moments stand head and shoulders above them, thanks to towering, transcendent work from Angelina Jolie in the leading role. 

Maria is set during the final week of Callas' life, at a time when she lived in isolation, far from the spotlight. As Larraín and Spencer screenwriter Steven Knight imagine these pivotal days, the resulting film is, unfortunately, lesser than the sum of its parts. However, each of those elements is so individually exquisite as to yield material that not only proves incredibly moving, but also provides Jolie with a platform to craft what is perhaps the most complex performance of her illustrious career. 

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix movies of 2024 now streaming What is Maria about? Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." Credit: Netflix

Set in 1977, Maria opens on the day of Callas' death from a sudden heart attack, after her body is discovered in her Paris penthouse. It presents this scene from a distinctly ghostly vantage. As Larraín's hand-held camera peers in on the scene from an adjoining room, it takes on a spectral presence, framing the rest of the film — set during the preceding week — as though it were some kind of desperate letter from Callas sent from beyond the grave.

To put words in a dead figure's mouth can be risky business, especially when so little is known about her final years. But as with with Spencer and Jackie, Larraín's focus is the intersection of private and public lives. His biopics are, therefore, speculative by nature. His last film, the satire El Conde, re-imagined Augusto Pinochet as a vampire, and while Maria certainly doesn't go that far — Larraín understandably has more respect for Callas than for the Chilean dictator — it exists in a similar vein: as a stylized examination of 20th-century history.

In the week preceding her demise, Callas wrestles with trying to regain her voice, which hasn't been at its full power for some time. However, her withdrawal from the public eye has also led her to self-medicate with largely unregulated drug cocktails. The film tips its hands about their effects early on; Callas claims, to her diligent butler Ferruccio (Pierfrancesco Favino) and her housemaid Bruna (Alba Rohrwacher) — her key confidants in the film — that she has a TV interview scheduled with a journalist named Mandrax (Kodi Smit-McPhee), the same name as one of her sedatives. When he arrives, he's never in the same room (or same shot) as anyone but Callas.

That Mandrax is a hallucination is hardly a surprise. In fact, Callas is hyper-aware of her increasing break from reality, though it can't help but read as if it may have been intended as a plot twist in some earlier draft. It takes a number of scenes before Callas' interview with the phantom reporter begins yielding any worthwhile material — which is to say, personal revelations about Callas' past, and ruminations on her fame, which begin to gradually alter the movie's tone and appearance.

Maria tells its story through shifting textures and timelines. Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." Credit: Netflix

Hollywood biopics — especially their oft-parodied musical variety — tend to follow a standard structure, beginning on the precipice of a pivotal, late-career performance before the film unfolds in flashback. Maria upends this trend with distinct narrative purpose, stretching that aforementioned late-in-life moment across the entire film, while condensing Callas' life story to brief flashes of memory.

While the singer's music is central (and ever-present; her actual voice appears just as much as Jolie's), the specifics of her career, and her rise to fame, are of little interest to Larraín. He reduces them to an introductory montage burnt onto grainy celluloid stock, as though these moments from her performances had all been captured in great detail, and therefore didn't need to be the movie's focus. Rather than re-creating public performances, much of the film shifts rhythmically between Callas' past and present, often impulsively, as though it were depicting a haphazard stream of consciousness. This approach certainly has its strengths — the film is in constant motion, so at the very least, it's never boring — but it doesn't always move with purpose, and tends to repeat itself without finding new dimensions to its story.

On the plus side, Ed Lachman's dazzling cinematography makes the movie's present feel wistful. In its 1970s scenes, Maria either reminisces while wandering Paris — scenes which yield moments of musical splendor, where the real world collides with her imagined, operatic  one — or she visits an opera pianist to help her rehearse and re-capture her lost glory. These are painted with the warm tones of a perpetual sunset. The movie may be anchored by these scenes (its numerous flashbacks emanate from her conversations, both real and otherwise), but they're imbued with a senses of finality, and of time running out, as though Callas were keenly aware that she's nearing the end.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch them

Her flashbacks tend to take two specific forms. Like the aforementioned, grainy film footage, moments of public performance — of Callas silhouetted by spotlight — appear as brief, nostalgic recollections as she attempts to sing once again and recapture her lost glory. However, the movie's more complete flashback scenes play out in pristine black-and-white, as though these moments had been more perfectly preserved. This canvas is reserved for a handful of flashbacks to Callas' tumultuous youth (where she's played by Aggelina Papadopoulou), but their crux is the time she spent with the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis (Haluk Bilginer), with whom she had a lengthy affair before his marriage to Jackie Kennedy.

The film presents the aged Onassis as a risible, rankled character, and Bilginer plays him with venomous charisma. However, his frequent presence in Callas' memories never quite feels justified. It's speculated, in dialogue, that they may have been each other's greatest loves, and the film even imagines a wonderful moment of private confession between them, but Onassis only ever feels like an obligatory inclusion, rather than a character whose impact on Callas is deeply felt instead of simply mentioned in passing. However, this and any other flaws the film may have are eventually hand-waved away by its central performances.

Angelina Jolie leads a phenomenal cast. Pablo Larraín and Angelina Jolie discuss a scene on the set of "Maria." Credit: Netflix

A film like Maria doesn't work without its central performances. Apart from Callas, the two characters with the lion's share of the screen time are Bruna and Ferruccio, and though their prescribed roles are set in stone, they offer an intimate, loving perspective on the iconic vocalist.

As Bruna, a woman trained by Callas to be reverential, Rohrwacher allows the character's true feelings (and true concerns) to slip past her fealty. Ferruccio, meanwhile, is far more forthcoming about his objections to Callas' drug use, and while he's often rebuked — sternly, yet calmy — Favino maintains a heart-wrenching adoration for Callas. The real Ferruccio never sold Callas' private stories, even after her death, so while the movie draws on fantastical interpretations of her twilight years, it still does justice to Ferruccio's loyalty, especially in moments when real reporters try to cruelly invade her privacy.

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

However, all this would be for nought had the role of Callas not been perfectly cast and performed. Larraín has tackled real figures before — his historical-fiction Neruda was about poet and politician Pablo Neruda — but his triumvirate of Hollywood biopics have all confronted the impact and allure of fame. Kristen Stewart was a fitting vessel for Larraín's Spencer, a story about a highly misunderstood woman upon whom aspersions were constantly cast. Jolie is a similarly flawless choice, given the degree to which Maria is about the dueling pain and allure of living in the spotlight.

Not just a famous actress, but arguably one of the world's most famous people in the mid-2000s, Jolie has achieved a level of global stardom of which few can even dream. However, her celebrity has been marked by everything from homewrecking accusations to a harrowing public separation involving alleged domestic abuse (her battle with breast cancer has also been a tabloid topic, though she first publicized it herself). In a recent press junket for the movie's Venice Film Festival premiere, Jolie was asked about the degree to which she drew on her personal life for her performance, though she refused to elaborate. However, seeing the degree to which she places her most vulnerable self on screen in Maria, it's clear she doesn't need to. Everything she has to say on the subject is contained within the four corners of the frame.

Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's "Maria." Credit: Netflix

Jolie plays Callas at a physical and emotional low point, and she carries herself as though attempting to juggle the grace and poise of an opera legend with the burdened posture of someone who's given up. She is completely sure of herself when she speaks to other people, but lost in a sea of self-doubt behind closed doors — a duality that Jolie displays not only in different scenes, but within single conversations, as she turns away from and toward her castmates.

Callas is a mess of paradoxes. She's a woman both plagued by yet constantly in search of adulation. She's haunted by her past, but her past is what fuels her music, and accessing the most agonizing parts of her story is of the utmost importance if she's to find herself again. Jolie's performance feels similarly in tune with the actress' own history. The further Callas reaches into her soul, the more the curtain slips; you can practically see Jolie and her character becoming one, crying out in unison for some kind of respite from simply being themselves, and living at their level of constant visibility, no matter how much they love the spotlight. It's heart-wrenching to witness.

However, Jolie goes even further in creating this semi-fictional version of Callas, not just as a real woman, but as a figure practically destined — perhaps even cursed — to be immortalized on screen. The real Callas spoke rather conversationally, and with a more distinctly Greek intonation than Jolie does here. But rather than impersonating her, Jolie instead takes on a classically Hollywood, Transatlantic tone. 

This accent is easy enough to access, but Jolie's masterstroke is what she does with her voice. Not just her singing voice — though she sounds magnificent to this critic's untrained ear — but her speaking voice, which sounds pitched-up, as though it were emanating at a higher frequency through a microphone from the 1940s or '50s. The film may be set in 1977, but the '40s and '50s were Callas' professional peak; what better way to translate her idealized version of herself in cinematic terms?

Callas struggles to stand upright in Maria. Not just literally, because of her drug-dulled sense, but spiritually. The film as a whole may feel scattered, and might lose its way in the middle, but all the while, Jolie is locked in a constant battle to hold her head high — to live (and die) with dignity, while experiencing all the fears and convictions that come with a woman slowly accepting that she may be at the end of her life.

Usually, Larraín loves to show off his production design (with sets this lavish, who wouldn't?), and he loves to make his camera dance, but the smartest thing he does in Maria is get out of Jolie's way at just the right time. During more intimate or subtle scenes, he pulls back on his flourishes so that her performance can dictate the story at its most potent, painful moments. However, on the rare occasions the film's operatic formalism and Jolie's performance align — moments when Callas inches closer to finding herself during her musical search — the result is completely shattering.

Maria debuts on Netflix Dec. 11.

UPDATE: Nov. 20, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EST "Maria" was reviewed on Aug. 30, 2024, out of its World Premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival. This article has been updated to reflect its debut on streaming.

SAVE $1,200: As of Dec. 11, AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K ultra short throw projector is available for $2,799 at Amazon, including a $200 on-site coupon. That’s a $1,200 saving from its regular $3,999 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: AWOL AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K $2,799.00 at Amazon
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What if your living room could outdo your local cinema? The AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro projector offers stunning visuals, immersive sound, and a screen size of up to 150 inches. Right now, it's on sale for $2,799 at Amazon, including a $200 on-site coupon, making it $1,200 off its usual $3,999 price.

The LTV-3000 Pro is different from your average projector. It's a 4K UHD powerhouse with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, delivering breathtaking clarity, rich colors, and sharp contrast in any lighting condition. Its ultra-short throw (UST) design projects a massive display from just a few inches away, meaning there is no need for ceiling mounts or complicated setups.

SEE ALSO: Get 5 years of privacy on 10 devices for only $35 with this VPN

This projector also improves audio quality with integrated center speaker mapping and Dolby Atmos, delivering room-filling sound that feels like it's moving around and above you. Pair it with AWOL Vision's ThunderBeat 4.2.2 surround sound system; you've got a true 5.2.2 cinematic experience.

But the LTV-3000 Pro doesn't stop there. Slip on a pair of active shutter 3D glasses, pop in a 3D Blu-ray, and enjoy theater-grade 3D movies from the comfort of your couch.

Thanks to its triple laser technology and a color gamut covering 107% of BT 2020 and 147% of DCI-P3, you'll see over a billion colors in incredible detail. Even daytime viewing is a breeze with its bright, vibrant output. Plus, it's eco-friendly, using just one-tenth the power of a standard LED TV, so you can enjoy premium entertainment without a premium electric bill.

Whether you're upgrading your gaming rig, creating a home theatre, or wanting the ultimate screen for movie nights, this Amazon deal is hard to beat. With $1,200 in savings and a $200 on-site coupon, it's the perfect time to bring this feature-packed projector home.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 11, Shure SM4 studio recording microphone is on sale for $199 at Amazon — a saving of $69.99 off its regular $269.99 price with accessories.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shure Shure SM4 Studio Microphone $199.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Looking to upgrade your recording setup without emptying your wallet? The Shure SM4 studio recording microphone is your new go-to. Whether you’re a streamer, podcaster, or musician, this microphone delivers mix-ready sound at a price that won’t make you wince. Right now, it’s available for $199 at Amazon — a solid $70 off its usual $269.99 price when you buy the kit with accessories.

So, what makes the SM4 so special? First, it reproduces audio smoothly. Thanks to a 1-inch dual-diaphragm capsule, this mic ensures clean, natural sound with detailed highs and controlled low-end frequencies. Translation: whether whispering or belting out a ballad, your audio comes through crystal clear.

SEE ALSO: Get 5 years of privacy on 10 devices for only $35 with this VPN

Another standout feature is the cardioid polar pattern, which minimizes background noise while keeping your voice (or instrument) front and centre. Got a loud guitar amp? No problem. SM4 can handle sound pressure levels of up to 140 decibels without breaking a sweat. Hence, you get distortion-free recordings no matter how loud things get.

For those who want minimal fuss in post-production, the SM4’s integrated pop filter and shielding against RF interference ensure your recordings are clean from the start. It’s designed to reject unwanted plosives, rumbles, and even interference from your phone or WiFi, leaving you with a professional-grade sound straight out of the box.

And let’s not forget Shure’s legendary durability. Built with rugged, all-metal construction, the SM4 is made to last whether it’s parked in your home studio or on the road. Add a sleek, low-profile design that won’t hog the spotlight in your video shoots, and you’ve got a mic that’s as versatile as it is reliable.

Need accessories? Go for the $269 kit, which includes a pop filter and shock mount for added recording convenience. But if you’re happy with the basics, the mic-only option at $199 is worth grabbing while it lasts.

Bottom line: The Shure SM4 mic doesn’t just talk the talk — it lets you do it better. If you’re ready to level up your audio game, snag this deal from Amazon before it’s gone.