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SAVE $50: As of June 6, Bose Ultra Open earbuds are on sale for $249 at Amazon. That's a saving of 17% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Get Deal

Open earbuds are the latest technology to take the audio market by storm. Allowing you to listen to your music and podcasts while also remaining aware of your surroundings is a big safety plus, and they're growing in popularity.

As of June 6, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are reduced to $249, saving you $50 on list price. There are seven colors to choose from, all at the same reduced price.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for over a month: Here are the 3 best pairs

They work by resting just outside your ears rather than fitting inside the ear canal like standard designs. This positioning uses Bose’s open-ear audio technology to direct sound precisely toward your ears, allowing you to hear music clearly without blocking external noise. This type of earbud is fantastic for running, walking, and any outdoor activity where you need to remain aware of your surroundings. They're also water resistant, so there won't be any issues on rainy days.

This design doesn't mean you'll be scrimping on sound quality; in fact, it's quite the opposite. Sound quality is second to none, as is the battery life. Enjoy up to seven hours of play time, and an extra 2.5 hours with the charging case.

Get this deal at Amazon.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• DualSense Edge Wireless Controller — $169.00 (List Price $199.99)

Samsung launched its One UI 8 beta late last week to the Galaxy S25 series late last week. It’s an open beta, so anyone can try it, and that’s exactly what I did. As you’ve no doubt ascertained from the headline, my goal here is to show you all the fun new stuff that One UI 8 is bringing to the table for Galaxy users.

If you want to try the beta yourself, simply download and install the Samsung Members app (assuming you have a Galaxy S25 phone). In the app, you’ll be able to enroll in the open beta. Once enrolled, simply check for a software update — which you can do right from the app — and install the One UI 8 beta. After the phone is updated, reboot, and you’ll be met with One UI 8.

Unlike One UI 7, the beta doesn’t have any massive new design changes, like we expect to see with iOS 26 and Android 16. In fact, I let my wife mess around with my phone a few times over the weekend and didn’t tell her that I was on One UI 8. She never noticed, and I’d wager most folks wouldn’t either. So, if you want a one-line review of One UI 8, I would tell you that it’s all about iterative refinements rather than something new. 

With that said, there are plenty of changes under the hood, and you’re probably curious what they look like. So, without further delay, here are all the new features and updates that come with One UI 8.

Quick Share overhaul Credit: Joe Hindy / Mashable

Samsung's Quick Share function has received a full overhaul. In place of the old version, the new UI includes two screens. One is dedicated to sharing and the other is dedicated to receiving. To it see it, pick a file out of your phone and share it to Quick Share to open the UI and get started.

On the Receive side, your phone will immediately start looking for another phone that has engaged in Quick Share to share a file to your phone. The screen is super basic and easy to use, with a quick link to the Settings so you can change who can and can’t share with you.

For the Send side, the file you want to share is shown and your phone lists nearby devices that can receive the file. Alternatively, you can generate a QR code that briefly uploads the file to Samsung’s cloud servers. Then, the other device can scan the QR code and download the file. In all, it works easily and without much fuss in our testing.

My Files gets per-app filters Credit: Joe Hindy / Mashable

Have you ever downloaded a file and then immediately forgotten where it was or what its name was? This change might help you find it. In the My Files app, you can now filter your files based on which app downloaded them. This works in the Recent files and Download views. Once there, select the app to see all the files — including documents, images, and videos — downloaded by that one app.

Split screen can now split apps 90:10 Credit: Joe Hindy / Mashable

Split screen has always been a polarizing feature. Some folks use it all the time, and some hardly ever do. One UI 8 adds a new trick to the mix that may make it more palatable for the latter folks. The new 90:10 split allows you to mostly hide the second app and give one app most of the attention. You can then flip back and forth between the two by tapping on whichever app is mostly hidden.

To use the feature, put two apps in split-screen mode as normal. The fastest way is long pressing an app in the recent apps menu and then selecting the second app from there. Once done, drag the divider bar until one of the apps is 90 percent showing and the other is 10 percent showing.

The Reminder app has been redesigned Credit: Joe Hindy / Mashable

Reminders are a big deal for people, and Samsung is trying to make its Reminders app the one you pick. The redesign now puts a bunch of categories at the top of the app that functionally serve as organizers for your various types of notes and reminders. Thus, you can quickly see what’s there for today, scheduled for later, or even look over completed reminders.

The app also now houses new types of sample reminders for users to try out as a tutorial for the various things the app can do. Finally, there’s an Add Reminder box at the bottom of the screen that lets you quickly add a reminder. The box will populate with suggestions as you type to help you save time.

Samsung also integrated Reminders with the Calendar app and vice versa. You can use the Calendar app to create or view reminders without needing to open the Reminders app.

A big list of small improvements

For the most part, One UI 8 is an improvement over One UI 7, and a lot of the changes reflect this philosophy. Most of the new stuff I saw in One UI 8 was more or less an iteration over what was there previously. Let’s briefly go through all of those changes as well.

Calendar

On top of the integration with Reminders, Calendar also has some new suggestions while creating events to help make events more quickly. You’ll also be able to drag and drop reminders around on your calendar to reschedule them.

Samsung Internet

Samsung’s built-in browser continues to improve. In One UI 8, the browser now lets you reconfigure your quick menu to get access to features you use most often. It’s very similar to how Microsoft’s Edge browser does it where you can add, subtract, and move options around.

The weather app looks nicer

Functionality remains the same, but the graphics now feature more transparent elements and more realistic-looking imagery.

AI Select

The screenshot feature is now faster to use. You can immediately select an area of the screen when engaging with AI Select instead of having to wait for it.

Enhanced DeX support

Samsung has improved DeX a little bit. When you connect to a device, you can rotate the display 90, 180, or 270 degrees and there are more resolution options for better monitor support.

Samsung Health

The Health app has been revised a little bit as well. You can now set reminders to record your food intake and challenge your friends to distance running challenges. For the running, you can set a distance and then the first friend to hit that distance wins.

Camera

Samsung has added a new option to swipe up or down on the camera viewfinder to access quick controls in Camera faster. You have to enable this in the settings menu before it’ll work. Look for the Swipe Up/down option.

New modes and routines

New preset routines are now available for weather. They can also be customized to meet your specific needs. There are also new actions and integrations for Clock, Calendar, and Samsung Notes.

Profile cards

You can further design and configure your profile card and then send it to other users. Other users will see your profile card when you call them.

Contact history now includes recorded calls

When viewing a contact’s history, any recorded calls are now readily visible and accessible, making it easier to listen on old phone calls.

Secure Folder gets some enhancements

Secure Folder can not prevent hidden apps from sending notifications when you lock them away. The Secure Folder can also now be completely hidden and encrypted for maximum protection.

Accessibility

Samsung has enhanced its accessibility features. There’s nothing too big here, but there are some helpful changes. The Assistant menu has more ways for users to zoom in on their screen, including a pinch-to-zoom and buttons to increase or decrease zoom.

In addition, you can now set your mouse to your keyboard. By pressing the keys on the keyboard, you can move the mouse pointer around. Your keyboard can also be magnified for easier typing, and Bluetooth hearing aids are now easier to pair.

Auracast broadcasts are now easier

The feature allows you to broadcast audio to multiple devices at once. This is now easier to do in One UI 8 with the inclusion of QR codes. You can generate one for other people to scan or scan one yourself to become a part of the broadcast.

Group alarms get a little better

You can now add existing alarms to an alarm group. In addition, you can add alarm groups to widgets on your home screen, which allows you to turn them all on or off with a single tap.

Quicker support at service centers

Going to a Samsung service center is now easier. You can scan a QR code or NFC scan prompts at the service center to quickly share basic information like your name and phone number. Samsung says the data is encrypted and can only be accessed by support staff.

My final thoughts

So, as previously stated, One UI 8 is more of a refinement than a big departure from what you already know.

Overall, the beta seems pretty stable. I haven’t run into any notable bugs, which makes sense since most of the stuff here is the same. For now, I recommend leaving One UI 8 for the official release unless you really want to try out one of these improvements or new features. 

From The Royal Tenenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Asteroid City, Wes Anderson has been fascinated with flawed fathers. These disappointing dads aim to reconnect to their children through cockamamie ploys, be it an odd road trip, a dangerous sea mission, a reckless heist, or a faked cancer diagnosis. Anderson's latest film is actually named for his protagonist's paternal ploy: The Phoenician Scheme. 

SEE ALSO: 'The Phoenician Scheme' review: Wes Anderson does espionage thriller as only he can

Benicio del Toro stars as Zsa-zsa Korda, an unscrupulous robber baron dedicated to building his wealth over all else. That is, until he reunites with his estranged daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), who is readying to take her vows and become a nun. Ushering her into his home and his motley crew of young sons, Korda asks her to become his assistant in pulling together a complicated business scheme — and to be his heir. However, her principles clash with his utter lack thereof, creating a wall he tries to overcome with opulent gifts. But could her faith and advocacy have a bigger impact than his showering her in luxury?

In Mashable's interview with Anderson, he revealed the personal inspirations of this story, how del Toro's influence honed the shape of Korda, and what it means to accept a "secular rosary." 

Wes Anderson's mother inspired elements of The Phoenician Scheme.  Credit: Roger Do Minh / TPS Productions / Focus Features

Sitting down with Anderson in Manhattan, I confessed that I was personally moved by The Phoenician Scheme, as it offers a hopeful look at parent-child relationships that are challenged by a dramatic difference in values. Anderson described Korda as "a brutal, ruthless, unkillable guy, who has no real compunction about double-crossing anybody. He's also happy to lie, or [do] whatever is needed [to get what he wants]." 

This leads to a string of assassination attempts that don't seem to change him one bit. But then Liesl, in her stark white novitiate uniform, denounces his use of slave labor and his scheme to induce a famine in order to lower construction costs. Slowly but surely, Korda begins to shift, confronted by his daughter and a series of religious visions in which she has a key role. Anderson recalled, "There's one line where he says something to the effect of, 'I've just decided to go on her side. I'll be religious, if that's what's right.'"

SEE ALSO: Every single Wes Anderson movie ranked, worst to best

"And I have to say, not to get overly personal," Anderson continued, "but my mother, when it came to the politics of the last 14 years or something like that, she went so far away from everybody else in the family. And I did at one point say to her, 'I think it's better if you just go on our side. Because otherwise, we're just — you're annoyed at us. And we don't even talk about politics, right?' But, um, she didn't do it, though." 

How does Wes Anderson's own father (and father figures) connect to The Phoenician Scheme? Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions / Focus Features

Anderson's father also provided inspiration for the father-child relationship in The Phoenician Scheme, and more broadly in his filmography, which is peppered with failed fathers (and failed father figures) facing their own mortality. 

"I love my father," he said, "But it's probably — he moved out of the house at a certain point. And I'm sure that if we really trace it back to, why do I get drawn to that? What's my personal investment in this kind of story? I guess it must start there. It's something about when he got in his car and moved to another place." 

Anderson continued, "I've always been close to my father, but I've always had a lot of father figures who I guess I've sought out. I've been drawn to them, and I mean, a lot of them have died. My father died. Most of the father figures died. But you know, that's what happens when you become 56 years old." 

How Benicio del Toro shaped Zsa-zsa Korda.  Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions / Focus Features

Anderson wanted to make a movie about a robber baron, a man whose wealth depended on his immorality. And he wanted del Toro, who'd previously appeared in Anderson's vignette-filled film The French Dispatch. 

In a Q&A this author moderated in New York City on The Phoenician Scheme's opening weekend, del Toro revealed he was pleased to work with Anderson again, but he was warned he'd have a lot more lines than he did in The French Dispatch. Receiving 20 pages of the script at a time as it was being developed, del Toro was surprised not only by how many lines he had in the film, but also that he was the lead. He'd initially assumed The Phoenician Scheme would be like The French Dispatch, made up of interwoven shorts. He didn't initially realize he was its leading man.  

Within this answer, both the audience and I got a sense of del Toro's humility and gentleness, the latter of which informed Anderson and co-writer Roman Coppola's approach to Korda. 

Speaking of the notorious schemer, Anderson said, "There's violence around him. And this character is bleeding for half of the movie, one way or another. But when we started working on the script and I started talking with Benicio about it, there's something in Benicio. There was a lighter side of him, a more hopeful side of him that just seemed to kind of want to come out. It was because of our collaboration with Benicio that we started to see this other thing in the character."

Conversely, there's a complexity to stoic nun Liesl too, even before she's under her father's influence. "I mean, as soon as she walks in the door, she's devout and presents herself that way," Anderson said. "But she's a little more stylish than a nun normally would be, even before he offers her a 'secular rosary,' [as] he calls it; it's not like she bounces it back to him. That's already in her, the potential for that. And I think it's already in him, the potential to change his path." 

Anderson continued, "And I even think at a certain point, he realizes that actually his giant business plan is a ritual, a scheme to get her." Anderson added, "Consciously, [Korda is saying], 'If I'm not able to handle this, you [Liesl] need to do this. You're the one I choose. But unconsciously, it might be that he's just saying, 'Can we please do something together? Let's play this game.'"

In that way, even if the scheme isn't going to plan, it's not that bad. Or, as Anderson put it, "So, it's more successful than he might think. You know, his venture is actually not the failure that we would think it is."

The Phoenician Scheme is now playing in theaters everywhere. 

IGN is stepping up this weekend with a major entertainment showcase packed with high-profile reveals and appearances. The two-day event, IGN Live, will stream online, but if you're in Los Angeles, you can catch it live at the Magic Box @ The Reef. Expect panels, giveaways, demos, meet-and-greets, and plenty of hands-on time with upcoming games. (Yes, there's still time to get tickets.)

SEE ALSO: IGN Live 2025 is this weekend: How to buy tickets

With E3 effectively gone, IGN and Summer Game Fest have been working to fill the gap. So, if you're planning to drop by or tune in virtually, here's a look at some of the key names and titles set to take the stage. IGN’s got a running lineup live on its site, but here are a few standouts.

Xbox and Outer Worlds 2 Take the Stage

Xbox is hosting an official watch party at IGN Live, featuring the full Xbox Showcase and a special stream for Outer Worlds 2. Expect first looks and surprise drops.

Squid Game Season 3: First Look

Netflix is dropping an exclusive clip from Squid Game Season 3. Fans attending live get it first.

RAIDOU Remastered Hands-On at Lenovo Booth

Japanese developer Atlus will have RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army playable on-site at the Lenovo booth. This will be a perfect time for fans a chance to experience the Persona 5 developers' 2006 occult cult classic with a modern upgrade.

Norse: Oath of Blood Developer Commentary

A special session will break down the brutal combat and myth-driven design behind Norse: Oath of Blood, complete with dev Q&A.

Animalkind Makes Its Cozy Debut

The upcoming cozy game from Uncommon Games, Animalkind, will show off a new reveal at IGN Live, offering a gentler alternative on a floor filled with high-octane titles.

FBC: Firebreak Live Dev Panel

Developer Mike Kayatta will walk fans through the upcoming FBC: Firebreak, a new entry tied to the Control universe.

Disclosure: IGN Entertainment is a subsidiary of ZiffDavis Inc., which is the parent company of Mashable.

TL;DR: Get one of Apple’s most powerful laptops, a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (2.6GHz Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD), for just $479.99 (reg. $2,399) while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (2.6GHz Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $479.99
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Not many things live up to their hype, but the MacBook Pro is one of them. As Apple’s most powerful laptop, this sleek device is portable without skimping on power.

Right now, you can get a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (2.6GHz Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for just $479.99 — over $1,000 off the usual price — while supplies last.

See what this $480 MacBook Pro has to offer

It can be tough to find laptops that are as portable as they are powerful, but this MacBook Pro offers it all. A 2.4GHz Quad-Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM help you multitask and conquer even the lengthiest to-do lists, and it weighs just 3.02 pounds, making it easy to bring anywhere.

You can tackle work, play, or both simultaneously on the 16-inch Retina display. It’s also equipped with AMD Radeon Pro 5300M GPU, which provides smooth and vibrant visuals if you’re working on more creative tasks like video editing or graphic design.

This model comes with the Apple Touch Bar, a unique feature that offers customizable controls and convenient shortcut access. There’s also a Force Touch Trackpad that gives you precise cursor control, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports to stay connected.

256GB of storage lets you save files locally. And if you need more, there are expandable options that go up to 2TB. You’ll also enjoy 10 hours of battery life on a full charge, so there’s no rush to hang up the FaceTime calls you can make thanks to the built-in 720p FaceTime HD camera.

You’ll save over $1,000 on this MacBook Pro thanks to its grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive in near-mint condition, with virtually no signs of prior use, while you score a deep discount.

Bring home your own MacBook Pro for just $479.99 (reg. $2,399) while supplies last.

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TL;DR: Keep your own personal weatherman in your pocket with a lifetime subscription to Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus, now just $27.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 through July 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Weather Hi-Def Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus: Lifetime Subscription $27.99
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Looking for a weather forecast that can actually prevent you from getting caught in the rain? No judgment if you like piña coladas and that sort of thing, but if you’re hoping to stay dry and on top of your local weather info, Weather Hi-Def Radar is up to the task.

Just in time for summer, you can grab this reliable weather app — complete with future radar — for just $27.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 through July 20.

Rain, storms, or sunshine — this weather app keeps you ready

Knowing an accurate weather forecast can make a big difference in your day. If you like to be prepared, Weather Hi-Def Radar is the app for you. It doesn’t just give you the current weather, but also offers real-time animated weather radar images.

If you’re planning around the forecast, you’ll appreciate the future radar animations on the interactive satellite map. This helpful feature is typically a premium one on other apps, but included in this lifetime subscription.

Weather Hi-Def Radar lets you save multiple locations, making it easy to check conditions at your destination. You can also check out road conditions and barometric pressure readings in specific locations. If you don’t want to save a certain spot, you can also tap the map and see the current weather conditions anywhere.

This app is a must-have for any summer road trips coming up. Just give the app location permissions, and you’ll see the GPS location, direction of travel, and current elevation as you drive. You can also take advantage of the advanced map overlays to be alerted about icy road conditions, tropical storms, wildfires, earthquakes, local air pollution data, and more.

Make the most out of your summer with a lifetime subscription to Weather Hi-Def Radar Storm Watch Plus, now just $27.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 through July 20.

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TL;DR: Learn up to 56 languages with this lifetime subscription to Qlango Language Learning, now just $34.97 (reg. $119.99) through July 20.

The kids have it right — summer should be fun, not filled with learning. But if you want to learn a new language, Qlango can offer both. This app gamifies the language learning process, and right now, a lifetime subscription to all 56 language options can be yours for just $34.97 (reg. $119.99) through July 20.

Turn your summer downtime into language-learning wins

Learning a new language isn’t considered a very entertaining task, but Qlango sets out to change that. It has an engaging question-and-answer format that encourages you to think and respond in your target language. If you get stuck, Qlango gives you a hint to make sure you always keep moving.

Qlango employs a scientifically proven spaced repetition technique that helps boost your understanding, presenting words at strategic intervals meant to help you retain them. They’re also intentional with what they teach — focusing on 6,679 essential words that you need to know.

Choose from 56 different language options, much more than competing apps offer. There are also six different difficulty levels to choose from, so you can start from scratch or refresh your skills in a language you’ve studied before

Qlango offers lesson customization, so you can choose to work on words and sentences, dictation, translation, sentence formation, or matching. And you can set study goals and work at your own pace, so mastering your target language fits into your busy schedule.

Fit in some productive fun this summer with a lifetime subscription to Qlango Language Learning, now just $34.97 (reg. $119.99) through July 20.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Qlango Qlango Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $34.97
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TL;DR: Enjoy power and portability with this MacBook Air M1, now for just $579.99 (reg. $1,499), while limited supplies last.

If you’ve been eyeing a MacBook but cringing at the cost, here’s your chance to score a rare deal on one of Apple’s classic laptops. This MacBook Air delivers powerful performance in a sleek, lightweight build, and right now it can be yours for only $579.99 (reg. $1,499).

Enjoy high-end tech without the high-end price

If you’re looking for a powerful laptop that’s easy to bring along anywhere, you can’t beat the MacBook Air. Weighing just 2.8 pounds, this sleek Apple device delivers impressive performance without the bulk. This particular model comes with Apple’s M1 chip, so it can keep up with everything from streaming Netflix to video editing.

This MacBook Air M1 offers more speed than Intel-based laptops, with an impressive 3.5 times faster overall performance and 5 times faster graphics for apps and games.. It also boasts a 16-core Neural Engine, so it can handle more advanced tasks like AI and machine learning.

Stream, scroll, or game on the ample 13.3″ Retina display. Then save your favorite content right on the device thanks to the 256GB SSD. And if you’re settling in for a good binge-watching session, don’t worry — this model also offers an impressive 18-hour battery life on a full charge.

You’re getting this device at a deep discount thanks to its grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition, with virtually no signs of prior use, while you get it at this sale price.

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Upgrade your daily laptop with this MacBook Air M1, now just $579.99 (reg. $1,499) while supplies last.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2020) M1 MGN63LL/A 8GB RAM 256GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $579.99
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Memes are few and far between in 2025, but there are still some good ones.

Why are memes so rare? Simply put: TikTok. The heart of digital culture has migrated to TikTok, which is a short-form video platform. So there remain memes of a sort — they're mostly called TikTok trends — but the text-and-image-based memes of years past? Those are harder to come by.

Another reason for that? Twitter (RIP). When Elon Musk bought the app and then reimagined it as X, well, that fractured the central text-based social platform. Previously, a meme was born on Twitter, then worked its way to Reddit, then Instagram, then, weeks later, Facebook. With X becoming increasingly difficult to use and less popular, that lifecycle has mostly disappeared.

But memes, to some extent, persist. On TikTok, Bluesky, Instagram, and, yes, even X. We've tracked them closely and collected seven of the best memes of 2025, so far.

1. Trump take egg

Just before President Donald Trump's extreme tariffs sent the U.S. economy into a tailspin, the internet had jokes...jokes about egg. It was a bit of classic internet absurdism, poking fun at people who voted for Trump for lower egg prices...as egg prices skyrocketed.

Trump take egg

[image or embed]

— Sean T. Collins (@seantcollins.com) March 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM

Trump take egg

[image or embed]

— Thor Benson (@thorbenson.bsky.social) March 2, 2025 at 12:11 AM SEE ALSO: The 'Trump take egg' meme is an absurdly layered joke 2. The Duke-White Lotus debacle

It was the (missed) shot heard round the world: Duke crashed out of 2025's March Madness in a stunning chokejob. It was kismet: In this year's season of HBO's The White Lotus, Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) spirals out of control, often in a Duke t-shirt. The memes practically made themselves.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 3. Get me to God's country

Morgan Wallen inspired one of the best memes of 2025 after he stormed off the stage at Saturday Night Live as the credits rolled. He later, hilariously, posted an image of a private jet to his Instagram stories, captioning it, "Get me to God's country."

It was assumed that country star Wallen, who had a previous SNL appearance cancelled for violating COVID protocols and, soon after, faced major ire when footage of him saying the N-word surfaced, was signaling to his fans he was ready to leave the liberal big city. People mostly poked fun at the idea, since, you know, the super-rich guy was leaving NYC in a private jet.

Get me to God's country

[image or embed]

— Hayden Clarkin (@thetransitguy.com) March 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 4. The little French fish

There was a period of time in 2025 when FYPs everywhere were dominated by a little French fish. It was just a little orange fish named Steve. That was really it. But it ruled.

5. The conclave memes

There were few bigger internet moments in 2025 than the conclave to decide the new pope. That seems odd, and it was. But the memes and jokes about the conclave were hilarious and constant. We got Brat edits, fancams, and breathless coverage online. It was great and quite strange.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 6. Holy airball

To keep things on the holy side, TikTok had lots of memes about holy f-ing airballs in 2025. In essence, posters would use the phrase to subvert people's expectations — often in a braggy way.

7. 100 men vs. 1 gorilla

And, finally, we have perhaps the biggest meme of 2025: 100 men vs. one gorilla. The internet has long loved to imagine silly, man vs. animal fights. And in 2025, we really focused on 100 dudes taking on a gorilla. Real scientists even weighed in, which is fantastic. (In general, if the guys stay organized and selfless, they'd win.) It became a meme for days.

SEE ALSO: The internet can’t stop arguing over 100 men fighting 1 gorilla This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The whole gorilla debate was unserious and funny, just how memes should be. So while there are fewer memes these days, we can certainly look forward to a few more good ones before the year is over.

The promise of Robert De Niro playing not one but two infamous gangsters might enough to tempt fans of Goodfellas or the Godfather trilogy into seeing The Alto Knights. But be warned. While the promise of double De Niro is tempting, the movie itself is inexplicable. 

On paper, The Alto Knights sounds terrific. The real-life story of Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, two childhood friends turned rival Mob bosses, is peppered with the classic elements of gangster movies, including macho face-offs, sharp-tongued wives, vicious betrayals, a criminal conspiracy, and merciless, violent murder. Who better to draft such an adapted screenplay than Nicholas Pileggi, the author and co-screenwriter behind Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas and Casino? And who better to headline than recurring Scorsese collaborator/iconic tough guy Robert De Niro? 

However, director Barry Levinson (Sleepers, Dope Thief) makes some absolutely befuddling choices in The Alto Knights. The potential promised by its talent is squandered in a completely confounding gangster flick. 

Why is Robert De Niro playing two characters in The Alto Knights? 

From the start, Vito Genovese and Frank Costello are depicted as very different kinds of gangsters, though they share a similar origin. These Italian immigrants became friends as young men, hanging around the Alto Knights Social Club in 1910s New York City. Associates of the notorious Lucky Luciano, both made their way in the city through criminal enterprises. However, by the 1930s, it was Genovese who was chosen to run the Family — that is, until a double homicide investigation chased him back to Italy. Before he left, Genovese handed the reins to his trusted friend, Costello, expecting to resume control upon his return.  

However, in the intervening decades, Costello's leadership of the Mob was so successful that on top of him becoming obscenely rich, he'd made enough political connections to achieve a sheen of respectability. In The Alto Knights, Frank is a suave philanthropist who attends glamorous charity balls with his wife, Bobbie (Debra Messing), a chic Jewish socialite, on his arm. Meanwhile, Vito is a more Scorsese kind of gangster — close to the streets, gnawing on a cigar, spitting out threats and curse words with equal ease. His wife is a sultry Italian divorcée (Kathrine Narducci) who runs her nightclub with passion and a big mouth. 

Frank is the kind of smooth criminal De Niro has played before, like in Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, where his affluence and polite veneer hide an ocean of sins. Vito is more mercurial, the kind of primed-for-eruption character De Niro played in Taxi Driver or Goodfellas. So there's a curious experiment in having the octogenarian actor attempt to straddle this range of representation that he's managed across decades, all in one film.

Masterfully applied prosthetics distinguish Frank from Vito, as do the voices De Niro uses for them. Frank is more traditionally De Niro, with a low, husky, alert but world-weary delivery. Vito is higher pitched and sharper in cadence; frankly, it feels like a Joe Pesci impersonation. But there are enough shared physicalities in both stride and facial expressions — especially in a couple of scenes where the characters face off — that this double-casting feels like a stunt that doesn't pay off. It's just obvious it's the same guy, but why is less clear.

Perhaps Levinson couldn't decide which role his Wag the Dog collaborator would be best in and so went for both. Maybe he thought this dual-casting would build a message about these mafiosos, something along the lines of how far they grew apart from their common past — sort of a "there but for the grace of God go I" kind of a thing. However, if that were the case, you'd think Levinson would do the same for the flashbacks, casting the same actor to play both Young Frank and Young Vito. Instead, Luke Stanton Eddy and Antonio Cipriano play these roles, respectively, but even calling them roles feels like a stretch considering their screen time. Astonishingly, The Alto Knights engages less with flashbacks than it does with black-and-white staged photographs intercut with archival B-roll and an egregious voiceover that barrels over everything.

The Alto Knights feels like a gangster movie with zero patience for its own story. 

It is a truth universally accepted that gangster movies are allowed to be long. Goodfellas is two hours and 26 minutes. Casino is two hours and 58 minutes. The Godfather Part II is three hours and 22 minutes. Sure, some might grouse, but overall it's understood: That time is required not only to properly unravel the secretive lives and complicated criminal conspiracies of its anti-heroes, but also to allow audiences to experience the intoxicating confidence of being a mobster. For instance, the Goodfellas' long take winding through the Copacabana on Henry and Karen's first date allows us to walk in the gait of a gangster, experiencing the access, the power, and the thrill. Filmmakers need pace and time to build the intoxicating atmosphere that makes murder feel like an understandable trade-off.

By sharp contrast, The Alto Knights races through its story with a cluttered and haphazard structure that seems to predict audience restlessness, and instead causes it. For instance, the movie opens in medias res, with the 1957 attempted hit on Frank Costello. Then, a voiceover from a calm Frank begins to explain what happened next and why the attempted murder happened at all. While you might be wondering if Frank is telling his story from beyond the grave, Levinson leaps to setting up who Frank and Vito are to each other through boring montages of the aforementioned B-roll and uninspired black-and-white flashbacks. It's a dizzying and dull structure that talks down to the audience instead of welcoming them in.

Voiceover can be compelling in a gangster movie, as Goodfellas proved. But here, it seems De Niro is given a third role — not so much as narrator but as a spackler trying earnestly to patch together the broken bits of this story into something sensible. Levinson's gratuitous use of voiceover papers over decades of important events and grisly homicides with little in the passing visuals to land their gravity.

Worse yet, Levinson — or perhaps Pileggi — becomes fixated on cross-cutting sequences, however unmotivated. Ideally, cutting from one situation to the other and back again would increase tension, showing how one incident will impact the other or paralleling how two characters have a shared point of impending threat. But in The Alto Knights, these crosscuts feel less about their relationships and more like the editor was told to trim 20 minutes from the film, whatever it took. So, gone are breaths, beats, and atmosphere. What's left is a gangster movie that feels forcefully sped up, causing few of its blows to land successfully. Which, considering the failed hit on Frank at the film's start, might be darkly fitting! 

To Pileggi's credit, he crafts monologues that harken back to the greatness of Goodfellas and Casino, elucidating from Frank and Vito's perspectives the self-preservation aspect of the Italian Mafia in America. Surrounded by bigotry and rejection, the Mob was built to protect their own. However, while this argument's weak points have room to be explored in his previous films, The Alto Knights gives little more than lip service to these ideas, leaning hard on De Niro's performance as the movie's structure crumbles around him. He is bolstered by a strong supporting cast, including Messing as Frank's shrewd wife, Narducci as Vito's volatile lover, The Sopranos' Matt Servitto as a frustrated Mob lawyer, Death to Smoochy's Michael Rispoli as a fired-up Frank loyalist, and Shōgun's Cosmo Jarvis as an easily flustered minion of Vito's. However, these engaging performances can't save The Alto Knights from sinking under the weight of Levinson's confounding direction. 

In the long run, The Alto Knights will likely be remembered fondly as a bold risk for its central casting gambit. But considering the masterful storytellers involved here and the muddle of a Mafia movie that came from them, it's impossible to imagine The Alto Knights will be known for much more than its big swing and a bigger miss. 

UPDATE: Jun. 3, 2025, 3:54 p.m. EDT This review of "The Alto Knights" was originally published on March 19, 2025. It has been updated to include the latest streaming information.

The Alto Knights debuts on Max on June 6.

The Life of Chuck is a perfect marriage of Mike Flanagan and Stephen King's talents, but not in the way you might expect. 

Both are living legends of horror, with the former creating a bevy of absolutely haunting miniseries for Netflix, including The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher, while the latter is a prolific, best-selling author whose horrific work has spawned such iconic scary movies as The Shining, It, and Carrie. This is Flanagan's third King adaptation, having tackled the kinky and nightmarish Gerald's Game for Netflix in 2017 and The Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep. Despite their shared taste for the scary stuff, their latest collaboration has much more in common with mainstream King adaptations like Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption than any of the above gems.

The star-studded cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston, Matthew Lillard, and David Dastmalchian as well as previous Flanagan collaborators like Karen Gillan (Oculus), Mark Hamill (Fall of the House of Usher), Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass), Samantha Sloyan (Fall of the House of Usher), Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep), and Kate Siegel (Hush). This dazzling ensemble tells a profound yet joyous tale of life and death, but not to worry — there's a bit of spooky stuff in here too. 

What's The Life of Chuck about? 

For those who haven't read King's novella, this movie's story is a mystery for much of its runtime. That's a thrill so rare I won't be ruining the fun with spoilers. So, let's say this: The Life of Chuck begins in a world plagued by catastrophe. Earthquakes are sloshing off chunks of California into the Pacific. Rampant absenteeism has shattered the reliability of society. And the internet is down, even PornHub. 

Incredibly, Flanagan's adapted screenplay paints a world that feels both terrifyingly familiar to our own, yet also speckled with humor. For instance, Dastmalchian, a character actor who is a gift to the horror genre, pops up to deliver a heart-breaking monologue that's gently studded with a great, humane punchline. The witness to these waves of pain and resilient pleasure is Marty Anderson (Ejiofor), a grade-school teacher who is desperately trying to make sense of this new (lack of) order, but is distracted by the widespread advertisement that is the movie's central mystery. 

Charles "Chuck" Krantz (Hiddleston) stares out from billboards and TV commercials, a thin smile on his face. Next to him is a chipper message thanking this seeming pencil-pusher for 39 great years. It seems to be a retirement ad. But why, as the stars themselves begin to flicker out of existence, does Chuck's face appear in suburban windows in a terrible green glow? Flanagan won't answer this swiftly. Instead, he'll unfurl the life of this mysterious ad man in the two following acts. And in this, he and King explore grief with a defiant joy. 

The Life of Chuck is about life in the face of death. 

In the film's opening act, Ejiofor and a cast of characters, including Gillan as his ex-wife, seek meaning and solace in a world ravaged by loss. There's a grim but beautiful sense of community in this shared agony. The latter acts look to the moments before such loss — the day you had a fateful meeting with a stranger; a school dance that changed your heart forever; the childhood curiosity whose impact wouldn't fully hit 'til years later. 

It's a foolhardy endeavor to try to capture a whole life in one movie; look to so many dull and stodgy biopics as evidence. And yet Flanagan manages it by creating a throughline in these moments of meaning. What were the moments that made Chuck's 39 years great? A thread that leads, in one direction, to the end of the world is followed back to a beguiling dance number, in which Hiddleston wows with a buoyant showmanship. This follows back to a childhood tragedy that connects to a moment of grandmotherly bonding, to an after-school activity, and the kind of epic defining moment of hard-won self-assurance that glows bright even decades later. 

Where some films struggle to slip through time to gesture to a complete story (We Live in Time), The Life of Chuck is elegant in its dance from now to then and way back when. The story is rife with tragedy, including natural disasters, death, and even social anxiety. But it's balanced by the undeniable beauty of unexpected human connections through art and conversation. It's a story that weaves about in such an unconventional way that Flanagan demands the audience's trust and patience. But the payoff is wondrous, delivering the kind of soul-emboldening emotional catharsis of King's most heart-felt films, like Stand By Me, The Green Mile, and The Shawshank Redemption. Undoubtedly, The Life of Chuck is not just one of Flanagan's best films yet, but also one of the best adaptations of King's work as well. 

The cast of The Life of Chuck is beyond radiant. 

Ejiofor shoulders the first act with eyes alive with curiosity, hope, and fear. Gillan brings a self-assured grit that grounds this dying world. With a gruff voice and a haunted tone, Hamill plays a grandfather instantly familiar as he is both loving and lost. Dastmalchian, Lillard, and Siegel deliver brief but stirring monologues that hit to the core. Sloyan, who was chilly in Usher, is divinely warm here as a grade-school gym teacher. Hiddleston shines as a common man with an extraordinary life, while Cody Flanagan, Benjamin Pajak, and Jacob Tremblay do a superb job of playing Chuck's younger selves, mimicking Hiddleston's physicality while carving out their own magical moments. 

SEE ALSO: Mark Hamill posts gleeful pic of himself sat next to Stephen King, gets a wholesome response

It's incredible. This is a movie that contains so much that it just shouldn't work. It's easy to imagine an iteration that fell too hard into the darkness, or depended too intensely on treacly sentimentality, or relied on its dashing star power to gloss over some underwritten turns. But The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs, to an unknown beyond. It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender. 

As I write this, The Life of Chuck has no distributor, meaning we don't know if or when it might come to a theater near you. But following a rousing world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, which I attended, this awesome adaptation won the People's Choice Award. While it seems certain it will be bought, here's hoping that acquisition will lead to a theatrical release. There are some movies that really deserve to be seen in a big theater, surrounded by people — a community – tied to each other in the heady experience of cinematic art, and The Life of Chuck is one of them. It is glorious. 

UPDATE: Jun. 3, 2025, 4:32 p.m. EDT "The Life of Chuck" was reviewed out of the world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. This review, originally published Sept. 19, 2024, has been updated to include the latest screening information.

The Life of Chuck is now playing in limited release. It opens in theaters everywhere June 13.

There's an earnest thread of hope in Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme, despite its anti-hero being a monument of corruption. Like many of Anderson's movies (The Royal Tenenbaums, Asteroid City, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Fantastic Mr. Fox), his latest film focuses on a deeply flawed father who is determined to better connect to his brood. The biggest obstacle in his mission is always the man himself. But Anderson finds new flair in this film by playing within a new genre: the espionage thriller. 

Anderson has long been condemned by those critics unmoved by the flattened delivery of his ensembles and his cinematic worlds painted in muted hues of pink and yellow, often condescendingly described as twee. Within these pillars of his style, Anderson has been rigorously interrogating toxic masculinity and how it collides with professional ambition and personal relationships. With The Phoenician Scheme, he brings assassins, spies, poisonous gas, gunplay, and explosions into the mix. These pops of blood and violence are more shocking because of how they visually disrupt Anderson's picture-book aesthetic. Yet, the father at the film’s core might be Anderson's most tender yet. 

The Phoenician Scheme is a father-daughter story.  Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda and Mia Threapleton as Liesl in director Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme." Credit: TPS Productions / Focus Features

Benicio del Toro stars as notorious businessman Zsa-zsa Korda; he has no loyalty to nations, an unfettered ambition for wealth, and a reputation for international scheming and rampant corruption. He also has 10 children, including his eldest and only daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton), who is preparing to take her vows as a nun. Well, that is unless the irreligious Korda has his say. 

Hated by world governments, spy agencies, and business rivals, Korda has the peculiar accomplishment of having survived a series of assassination attempts, including six plane crashes. Fearing his time may be running out, he reconnects with his estranged novitiate to compel her to leave the church and become the heiress to his fortune. But first, she has to be the assistant in his latest enterprise, "The Phoenician Scheme." 

In explaining this complicated building project of tunnels, trains, and dams, Korda presents a number of various shoe boxes, harkening to Anderson's adoration for a static shot of personal relics. (Later, a so-called family reliquary will also relish the delicate beauty of treasured objects.) He'll take her on a cross-country trip through 1950 Phoenicia, during which they'll meet an array of colorful characters, played by the likes of recurring collaborators Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, and Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as new-to-the-troupe members Michael Cera and Riz Ahmed. 

Though Liesl insists she wants a life of simplicity and devotion, Korda peppers her with a series of elaborate gifts, like a bejeweled rosary. Despite her protests, his effect on her can be seen in her changing appearance. Over the course of their adventure, Liesl's all-white novice uniform becomes peppered with color: red lipstick, green eye shadow, vibrant green tights, and a golden dagger. Her effect on her father is slower to show, but more profound, as he begins to question whether slave labor and man-made famines are not suitable business practices after all, and indeed may be "damnable — to hell!"

Benicio del Toro and Mia Threapleton are terrific together. Credit: TPS Productions / Focus Features

It’s more than a generation gap that lies between the two, as Liesl harbors deep resentments against a father too emotionally guarded to accept responsibility for his shortcomings. This emotional disconnect grounds Anderson’s style of dialogue, which sprinkles abrupt honesty and intellectual curiosity in dialogue delivered softly yet sternly. When Liesl accuses her father of murdering her mother, her tone is restrained yet resolute. In response, he may bluster. But his bellowing is typically reserved for business partners in negotiations, where figures of traditional masculinity in formal finery or athletic gear roar sharp and fast at each other, much like the growling animals in Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

Del Toro manages both modes, the softly grumbling patriarch and the hollering con man, with aplomb. As in The French Dispatch, he brings a bedraggled, world-weary texture to Anderson’s script, which silently speaks of a vulnerability beneath Korda's invincible persona. 

Credit: TPS Productions / Focus Features

Threapleton proves a perfect scene partner for del Toro. With her big eyes and naturally frowning face, she ripples with tremors of emotion, ranging from annoyance to curiosity to protectiveness and love. Like her father, she speaks flatly. So even when she says of a particularly gaudy gift, “I love it,” her lack of enthusiasm amuses. But her swift action of immediately using the item speaks of her sincerity. 

This conflict between the aural and visual plays out in several wonderfully throwback bits of comedy. Anderson harkens back to the era of the Great Stone Face, Buster Keaton, with characters facing off against deadly threats with comic physicality and pouncing into action with exaggerated poses of attack despite stoic expressions. Whether facing down another assassin or chasing a familial foe, the film’s stars have a winsome hilarity. Cera in particular, as a tutor besotted by Liesl, is laugh-out-loud funny.

Michael Cera was born to be in a Wes Anderson movie.  Michael Cera as Bjorn and Mia Threapleton as Liesl in director Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme." Credit: TPS Productions / Focus Features

As bug expert Bjorn, Cera is on the sidelines for much of the film, perched in the background with a curly wedge of blonde hair and carrying an array of baggage, a constant reminder Bjorn is but another acquisition of Korda's. Until he is not. 

In his pursuit of Liesl, Bjorn reveals another, more swaggering side to himself. It’s an amusing and surprisingly sexy on-screen makeover. Cera plays both versions of Bjorn masterfully. With his gentle Swedish accent, he has a soft silliness as he earnestly speaks about the wonders of insects or gently tempts Liesl with a cold beer. Later, however, he is the rare truly self-confident Anderson character, an eccentric who owns up to his secrets but refuses to shrink from them. Joining with del Toro and Threapleton, Cera engages in a delicate dance of silliness and sincerity, nailing every step.

Of course, a Wes Anderson movie is always stuffed to the brim with terrific actors in quirky roles. The Phoenician Scheme does not disappoint on this front. It’s a thrill to see longtime collaborators like Bill Murray and Willem Dafoe pop up in a black-and-white series of heavenly visions. Recent collaborators like Bryan Cranston and Tom Hanks pop up for a brief yet splendidly entertaining sequence about bruised egos and competing masculinity. Where some Anderson movies have an actor who can’t quite find the tone and so ends up sticking out like a sore thumb, every piece of The Phoenician Scheme ensemble fits into its peculiar puzzle of corruption and family just right. 

Credit: TPS Productions / Focus Features

Out of the Cannes Film Festival, several critics have condemned this film as one of Anderson’s very worst. Sincerely, I cannot connect to that reading. The Phoenician Scheme employs the pillars of style that have long supported Anderson's stories, while diving more deeply into a tale of a big, powerful man who's trapped by his own stodgy view of what being a man means. It is not Korda’s fleet of sons who might save his soul, but one pushy daughter who can’t resist a bit of shimmer. In that, The Phoenician Scheme becomes a charmingly hopeful tale about how even with our flaws we might find love, family, and salvation. 

The Phoenician Scheme is now in theaters.

UPDATE: Jun. 4, 2025, 2:30 p.m. EDT "The Phoenician Scheme" was reviewed out of the Cannes Film Festival. This article, originally published on May 24, 2025, has been updated with current viewing information.

Dangerous Animals has a killer hook: Jai Courtney stars as a deranged serial killer who uses sharks as his weapon of choice.

It sounds bonkers, like something you'd see in an old Batman comic, in an Austin Powers movie, or on late-night TV, back when the ads were all 1-900 numbers. But props to screenwriter Nick Lepard and director Sean Byrne. They bring blood and bite to this funky premise, delivering a movie that's deep in dread, sweat, thrills, and chills. 

Sure, when sharks swim into horror, things can get pretty gnarly. The all-time classic is Jaws, where the gore of chewed-up human remains is balanced with an engaging character-driven drama. Splashier slaughters came from that seminal film's more vicious offspring, ranging from the shark slasher Deep Blue Sea to more realistic thrillers like The Shallows and 47 Meters Down, with the over-the-top Jason Statham adventure The Meg and the proudly trashy Sharknado film series taking a more gonzo approach to the subgenre.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

Yet, Dangerous Animals isn't of this breed. Instead, sharks in this movie are sort of a bait and switch for something more surprising and far more sinister. 

Dangerous Animals is more serial killer horror than shark creature feature.  Hassie Harrison plays Zephyr in "Dangerous Animals." Credit: IFC Films

Those familiar with Sean Byrne's previous films may not be surprised to discover the sharks aren't the scariest things in Dangerous Animals. No shade to these kings of the ocean. Cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe and editor Kasra Rassoulzadegan masterfully capture and edit shots of sharks swimming with a delicious sense of menace. Some such scenes are so striking in the way they portray the power and size of these creatures that it literally took my breath away. But sharks are not the monsters in this movie. They're just being sharks!

The monster here is Tucker (Courtney), a sun-cooked Aussie who makes a living on the Gold Coast by taking tourists out on his boat to go on shark dives. Sure, many come and go with nothing but a brush with nature and happy memories. But from the film's frightening opening sequence, audiences are made aware of Tucker's dark side. It's not just chum this rugged fellow tosses overboard to the sharks. He feeds them ritualistically, feeling a deep connection to the beasts and taking special pleasure in watching them feast  — on young women, specifically.

SEE ALSO: The angry Australian animal Australians are actually scared of

This is in line with Byrne's brand of horror, which tends to center the terrible things mankind does to its own. The Aussie filmmaker made his debut with 2009's The Loved Ones, which centered on a teen girl taking out her most twisted desires on a kidnapped crush. Then in 2015 came The Devil's Candy, starring Ethan Embry as a family man (and metalhead) who strives to protect his teen daughter from the homicidal urges of a mentally ill (or arguably possessed) old man.

Dangerous Animals feels a natural progression for Byrne, containing the heavy-metal energy of his sophomore film with the sadistic glee of his first. And Courtney proves his pitch-perfect collaborator in making a movie that's unrelentingly twisted and rousingly entertaining. 

Jai Courtney is a rip-roaring force of nature in Dangerous Animals.  Jai Courtney plays a serial killer who uses sharks as a weapon in "Dangerous Animals." Credit: IFC Films

The Australian actor has had a fascinating career, having been floated as a possible predecessor for Bruce Willis in the universally panned A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013. He's appeared in several action franchise movies since then, from Divergent to Terminator: Genisys to 2016's Suicide Squad and its odd 2021 pseudo-sequel. But only the last of these — where he played the wild card DC supervillain Captain Boomerang — gave a sense of the unique dichotomy of Courtney's abilities. 

SEE ALSO: 34 bloody excellent Australian horror movies that'll mess you up (and where to watch them)

Broad-shouldered and handsome, he's a natural fit for the action hero mold. But his performance in David Ayer's Suicide Squad showed Courtney could be funny and get weird with it. It was an exhilarating rush to watch him do just that. In Dangerous Animals, he is unleashed. Forget the serious brooding or dashing swagger of bog-standard leading men. Courtney has something more rare and beguiling, a crooked smile that promises trouble and a wild eye that threatens carnage.

In Dangerous Animals, Tucker's sheer brute force makes him scary. But Courtney, finding the fun in playing such a monster, makes the character instantly iconic. He is so undeniably charming in tourist-pleasing mode that it's easy to see how his prey is lured in. For the free-spirited surfer named Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), the heroine at the heart of Dangerous Animals, he disarms her by offering her a favor — no strings attached. But just as quickly as he can flash his teeth in a smile, he can bite. And this makes Byrne's movie more than just a torrid thriller. 

Dangerous Animals is a mesmerizing horror story about toxic masculinity. 

Tucker loves the sound of his own voice. While keeping women locked away in an effectively sound-proofed cell on his boat, he delivers unwelcomed speeches about the nature of animals. Courtney captures the snarling bravado heard on countless macho podcasts, dropping fun facts about sharks, snakes, and marlins, applying a philosophical varnish to his violence against women. But the visual details of Tucker's ritual, which involves vintage VHS tapes and DIY lures, suggest a more psychological motive rooted in misogyny. And this psychology is just as disturbing as the scenes of violence and slaughter by shark. 

In Dangerous Animals, Byrne and Courtney give us a mesmerizing portrait of toxic masculinity. Tucker compares himself to sharks, because as a man he feels insufficient, especially in the face of women like Zephyr. There's even an implication of impotence that evokes Luis Buñuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz, where a man aspires to murder women but never does so by his own hand. Similarly, Tucker uses sharks to commit his crimes.

Terrifying in a real-world sense, Tucker has mastered hiding his rage until he's out on the sea, where there's nowhere to run. The way he can switch from an affable bogan to a snarling beast is riveting, not only for Courtney's quickness but also because this terrible transformation reflects a common fear women have that any random smiling guy on the street might be a monster just beneath the surface. (See the man versus bear debate of 2024.) 

Remarkably, as thematically dark as Dangerous Animals is, watching it is electrifying and wickedly fun. Whether small-talking with a scruffy local, rigging up a victim for feeding time, or dancing around ritualistically to rock music in red underwear, Courtney is a live wire, sparking so intensely that his villain seems capable of anything.

Cheers to Harrison, who matches his energy with a solid disgust as Zephyr. Together, they build a cat-and-mouse tale that is jolting in the way of Byrne's previous films. Just when you think you know where Dangerous Animals is going, it dives even deeper and darker, and you're left catching your breath.

Simply put, Dangerous Animals is a satisfying, sick, and devilishly smart thriller that will excite you in theaters and stalk you on the way home. 

UPDATE: Jun. 3, 2025, 4:19 p.m. EDT "Dangerous Animals" was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This review, originally published on May 17, 2025, has been updated to include the latest viewing information.

Dangerous Animals is now in theaters.

Earbuds aren't as straightforward as they used to be. While you can still find wired earbuds that plug in and go (you'll even find a pair on this list), the market is flooded with wireless options. Now, you'll find models with advanced noise cancellation to block out the sounds of busy coffee shops and commutes. Plus, a good pair should have a quality microphone so you can take calls on the go. And the good news is, you have a lot of options for quality earbuds.

Prices on earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. And these days, you can get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds.

Our top picks for earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality — but keep in mind, both of these models cost $299. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending $300 on a pair of headphones is a lot to stomach.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out during my daily run

Major shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day are usually the best time to buy these gadgets; however, good deals pop up year-round, and we're particularly good at tracking them.

So, whether you need a pair of cheap wireless earbuds stat or you're ready to splurge on premium noise cancellers, we found the best earbuds of 2025, all tested and approved by Mashable reviewers.

Types of earbuds

There are two types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive to wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

New additions to this guide

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of May 2025, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We also included the Marshall Mode wired earbuds as an option for folks who don't want to worry about battery.) If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendation in 2025. Both of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise-cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Still, this guide includes several other earbuds we stand behind. Apple users may prefer the AirPods Pro, while shoppers on a budget may prefer buds from Marshall or Anker Soundcore. If you need help picking the perfect pair, read on.

TL;DR: Target is selling the Nintendo Switch 2 online in the "early morning" on June 6. Stop what you're droing and get yours now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 at Target Shop Now

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been launched, but it has been predictably difficult to actually get your hands on a console. From June 5, gamers could theoretically purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 for $449.99 and the Mario Kart World bundle for $499.99 — but stock has been hard to find.

Costco was the best place to find stock on June 5, but now it's all about Target. The retailer announced that it wouldn't sell the Nintendo Switch 2 online until the "early morning hours" of June 6. Well folks, that time has come. So stop what you're doing and get your console now.

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a larger 1080p display for sharper gaming, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers, 4K TV compatibility, backward compatibility with most Switch games, and an adjustable kickstand. It's a serious upgrade that Alex Perry says is "awesome" in his day one review.

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 Friday, June 6, 2025:

Across"Oh, for heaven's ___!"

• The answer is Sake.

Ending for "cine" and "multi," in movie theater names

• The answer is Plex.

Pelvic bone

• The answer is Ilium.

"This will ___!" ("Unacceptable!")

• The answer is NotDo.

Excited cry from a kid on the [circled letters]

• The answer is Whee.

DownWhat a ballerina might do on one toe

• The answer is Spin.

Permit

• The answer is Allow.

Richards of the Rolling Stones

• The answer is Keith.

Radiate, as energy

• The answer is Exude.

Stooge with a bowl cut

• The answer is Moe.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

UPDATE: June 6, 2025, 4 a.m. ET — Target is selling the Switch 2 online in the "early morning" on June 6.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been launched. Eager players lined up at midnight launch events, and those lucky enough to get a console are already happily playing Mario Kart World and other launch titles.

From June 5, gamers could finally purchase the Switch 2 console for $449.99 and the Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle for $499.99 — if you could find it in stock. While Costco had inventory available on June 5, Target is the next retailer with confirmed inventory. Target previously announced it wouldn't sell the Switch 2 online until June 6, so all eyes are on Target for the time being.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Buy the Switch 2 console at Target $449.99
Release date: June 6 Shop Now

So, where can you buy the Switch 2 online? Check the latest Switch 2 stock at the My Nintendo Store and official Nintendo retailers and smash that refresh button like it's your first time playing Super Smash Bros.

• Buy the Switch 2 at Nintendo

• Buy the Switch 2 at Walmart

• Buy the Switch 2 at GameStop

• Buy the Switch 2 at Best Buy

• But the Switch 2 at Costco

• Buy the Switch 2 at Target (available online June 6)

Every way to buy the Switch 2 online Credit: Nintendo

To avoid hoarding and reselling, Nintendo and retailers are limiting orders per person. That means you'll need to make an account to successfully place an order. We also recommend reviewing our tips for tracking restocks, and in the meantime, try all the links below.

Place an order with Nintendo

You can't simply go to the My Nintendo Store and buy the Switch 2. To order the Switch 2, you need to log in with an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online account. Once you do that, you can choose either a Switch 2 standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle and then hit the confirm button to "register your interest" in ordering a Switch 2.

Now for the weird stuff. Only Switch Online members who have paid for at least 12 months of service and registered at least 50 hours of gameplay on their Switch consoles can purchase through Nintendo. In other words, you better be a true Switch gamer if you want to buy the Switch 2 this way. If you're eligible and follow these steps, watch your email for an invitation link.

Buy the Switch 2 at Nintendo: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Learn More Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499 Learn More How to order Switch 2 at Walmart

Unlike Nintendo, purchasing the Switch 2 online at Walmart is pretty simple. Technically, Walmart shoppers have been able to preorder Switch 2 consoles on Walmart's website since midnight ET on April 24. In reality, the console has been sold out consistently. However, this week Walmart confirmed that it would have new Switch 2 inventory available online soon, though we don't know exactly when. Our advice? Go to the Walmart Switch 2 listing a few times a day and smash that refresh button.

We'll update this article as soon as we find Switch 2 consoles in stock at Walmart (or anywhere). Walmart also sells a lot of Switch 2 launch titles and accessories.

Buy the Switch 2 at Walmart: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 at Target (June 6)

Target stores opened as usual on launch day, and according to a press release, Switch 2 hopefuls were directed to a "designated queuing location" near the entrance. Target workers reportedly gave out reservation tickets to a lucky few. Buyers were whisked off to the electronics department, where they could finally purchase either the Switch 2 or a Switch 2 bundle.

The company said it will start selling it online "beginning early morning" on Friday, June 6.

Buy the Switch 2 at Target: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Pre-Order Here Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Pre-Order Here How to buy Switch 2 at GameStop

GameStop is the one retailer of the four listed here that's doing things a little bit differently. If you were lucky enough to get a GameStop preorder, you could pick up your console at midnight on June 5. GameStop stores also hosted midnight launch events (though supplies were limited), and gamers can go to GameStop locations to participate in a "Transfer and Trade," where they trade in their original Switch and transfer data to the new console.

You can also try your luck online or sign up to get updates when new inventory becomes available. You can also buy Switch 2 games and accessories at GameStop, including those all-important MicroSD Express cards.

Buy the Switch 2 at GameStop: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Shop Now How to buy Switch 2 consoles at Best Buy

Best Buy joined GameStop in hosting Switch 2 midnight launch parties, but the tents and lawn chairs have been packed away by now. If you weren't one of the chosen ones who got a console at these events, you'll have to rely on the Best Buy website. So far, we haven't seen any inventory available, unfortunately.

As a “high-demand item,” Best Buy customers have to follow specific steps to buy a Switch 2 online:

• Create a My Best Buy account and sign in

• Confirm your location

• Add the item to your cart

• Follow the on-screen prompts and check for available inventory

• If you get a Switch 2 console in your cart, you’ll have 10 minutes to complete the purchase

Buy the Switch 2 at Best Buy: Nintendo Switch 2 console $449.99 Shop Now Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 Learn More Can you buy the Switch 2 at Amazon?

You'll notice there's one major retailer conspicuously missing so far — Amazon. That's because Amazon is not an official Nintendo retailer, so any Switch 2 consoles you find there are likely listed by resellers of dubious legitimacy. However, Amazon shoppers can preorder some Switch 2 titles ahead of the launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Daemon X Machina Titanic Scion Limited Edition $99.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Rune Factory Guardians of Azuma Standard Edition $69.99 at Amazon
Shop Now How to buy the Switch 2 at Staples

As we noted in our Switch 2 preorder guide, select Staples stores will sell the Switch 2 on a first-come, first-served basis starting June 5. Most Staples locations open at 8 a.m., but we recommend showing up bright and early. Staples will also be selling an unnamed Switch 2 game bundle, and we know it's not the standard Mario Kart World bundle. As with other retailers, Switch 2 consoles are currently listed as "Out of stock" at the Staples online store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Staples
Learn More How to buy the Switch 2 at Costco

Are you a Costco member? Then you may be able to secure your Switch 2 at the mega-retailer, which has been one of the few retailers with actual inventory available on June 5. Costco members can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle online starting June 5, though there's a limit of one console per membership (every seven days). As of this writing, the console and Mario Kart bundle are both sold out.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costco Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499.99 at Costco
Learn More Why is the Switch 2 so hard to find in stock?

Simply put, it's a matter of demand far outpacing supply, though tariffs definitely didn't help.

Since opening for preorder on April 24, the Switch 2 has been sold out pretty much everywhere, like the PS5 before it. In fact, so many gamers tried to place preorders on April 24 that they immediately crashed the GameStop, Target, and Walmart websites. That's left many Switch fans wondering how to buy the Switch 2 online. So, if you aren't buying a Switch 2 in person, keep checking this page for the latest stock updates on Switch 2 launch day and beyond.

Still want more information? Our first impressions of the Switch 2 Mashable reporter Alex Perry plays the Switch 2 at a Nintendo event. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Mashable reporter Alex Perry was lucky enough to play the Switch 2 at two Nintendo pre-launch events, and as of this writing, he's hard at work testing his Switch 2 review unit. You can read all about his first impressions and thoughts on Mario Kart World. After playing the Switch 2 for the first time, he had this to say:

From the first second I got to hold a Switch 2 unit, I instantly liked the way it felt in my hands. The 7.9-inch 1080p display (which supports HDR and 120Hz refresh rate) is substantially nicer than the 6.2-inch 720p display on the predecessor console. In addition to a bigger screen, the Joy-Cons also have some added muscle…Doing a cross-country race across Mario Kart World's gorgeous open world without even a hint of loading between tracks is awesome. Seeing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom run at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second is very convincing in person.

You can also read all about the Switch 2 launch titles we're most excited to play.

And if you still haven't secured an order, keep checking this page for updates — and good luck!

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Popular MLB teams

• Green: NFL sanctions

• Blue: Baseball player characteristics

• Purple: Popular games

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: An NL Central player

• Green: Football penalties

• Blue: Attributes for a pitcher

• Purple: Sports, with a letter changed

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #256 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• An NL Central player - BREWER, CUB, PIRATE, RED

• Football penalties - CLIPPING, FACE MASK, HOLDING, OFFSIDE

• Attributes for a pitcher - COMMAND, CONTROL, STAMINA, VELOCITY

• Sports, with a letter changed - BOILING, BORING, GULF, SKIMMING

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Curious how the Switch 2 compares to the Switch 1? Tens of millions of gamers are asking the same question.

Nintendo has officially launched its newest home console/handheld hybrid. You're probably wondering what makes it so different from the original Nintendo Switch console.

After the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 livestream ended back in April, I got to spend several hours playing with the Switch 2 and upcoming games like Mario Kart World and Metroid Prime 4. After nearly five hours of hands-on time then, and much more in the time since, I came away very impressed with the Switch 2, but also concerned about a couple of key factors. Let's dig in.

On the surface, Switch 2 seems like a fairly iterative upgrade. Fortunately, that's not really the case.

Still trying to get your hands on the Switch 2? Check out our updated preorder guide, get ready to preorder via Nintendo, and study up on how to track Switch 2 restocks.

SEE ALSO: How to buy Nintendo Switch 2 online: It's all eyes on Target now Switch 2 is a much more premium-feeling device It looks much more professional than the Switch 1. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

First, I want to focus on the hardware and its new features rather than the software.

The first Switch was a godsend in terms of industrial design compared to the Wii U. However, over time, things like the Steam Deck started to make it feel a little bit like a toy. Personally, the Joy-Cons were always too small for me to use comfortably, rendering it a TV-and-Pro-Controller-only machine in my household. Admittedly, it proved to be a fantastic device for children, but I am not a child, at least not physically.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 specs unveiled: Bigger screen, better performance, and more

From the first second I got to hold a Switch 2 unit, I instantly liked the way it felt in my hands. The 7.9-inch 1080p display (which supports HDR and 120Hz refresh rate) is substantially nicer than the 6.2-inch 720p display on the predecessor console. In addition to a bigger screen, the Joy-Cons also have some added muscle. I still would rather use the new Pro Controller (which feels great, but is functionally very similar to the last one), but I played several games using Joy-Cons and didn't have any comfort-related problems for once.

Nintendo crucially maintained the same level of thinness from Switch 1 to Switch 2, so it's in that sweet spot of "just heavy enough to feel premium and just light enough to feel comfortable." I'd also like to shout out the magnetic Joy-Con attachment mechanism, which instantly shut down any skepticism I may have had about its reliability the second I tried it. It smartly requires you to pull a little release trigger on the back to detach Joy-Cons from the unit, so it seems nearly impossible to do unintentionally. Miraculously, though, inserting the Joy-Cons magnetically works like magic. Nintendo absolutely nailed this aspect of the device.

Featured Video For You Nintendo Switch 2: Hands On Switch 2 has more horsepower, and it shows The new Pro Controller feels great. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

It's no surprise that Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, as that console was underpowered when it launched eight years ago. I can confirm that Switch 2 is noticeably more powerful than the original Switch.

SEE ALSO: My day one Nintendo Switch 2 review: It's here, and it's awesome

Doing a cross-country race across Mario Kart World's gorgeous open world without even a hint of loading between tracks is awesome. Seeing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom run at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second is very convincing in person. The Switch 2 can run Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 at levels that at least seem acceptable. It's definitely not a handheld PS5, but Nintendo forcing what is functionally a tablet to run (some) games at 4K resolution or 120 frames per second (Metroid Prime 4 looks unbelievable that way) is a real sight to behold.

Switch 2 vs Switch 1: You can use a Joy-Con as a mouse The new Joy-Cons are very nice. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

One big new thing is that the Joy-Cons have a mode where they double as computer mice. I don't know if you can literally use one on a PC, but the primary experience I had with them was very PC-like. My main exposure to the Joy-Con mouse support was in a brief demo of Metroid Prime 4, where it...basically played like a PC first-person shooter.

The mouse controls are very responsive and feel right. I do think the Joy-Cons are a little weird to hold with one side facing down on a flat surface, as that definitely caused some accidental button presses at inopportune moments. I'm also not sold on this becoming a regular feature in games after the launch window, or even something I personally want to do, primarily because I don't usually keep a flat surface within arm's reach while I play games. But I can confirm that it works precisely as intended, and as an added bonus, you can just lift up the Joy-Con and resume playing Prime 4 with dual-analog stick controls seamlessly without even pausing the game.

Switch 2 vs Switch 1: Nintendo is going all in on social features The fabled "C" button. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

First announced back at the Direct in April, one of the Switch 2's defining features is GameChat. This is basically Discord, but with some Nintendo seasoning. Up to 12 people can be in a room yapping it up at a time, and up to four people can stream a very choppy-looking live feed of their gameplay to everyone else. I've tried a bit of this already, and I can confirm it at least works. GameChat is designed to be used with an open mic attached to the Switch 2 itself, and it does a pretty good job of eliminating unwanted background noise, in my brief experience. However, you can also just use a headset, if you like.

You can even pre-order a Piranha Plant webcam for your Switch 2.

SEE ALSO: Every Nintendo Switch 2 game you can preorder right now Switch 2 vs Switch 1: The battery life is apparently worse vs Switch OLED

Here is the start of the bad news when comparing the Switch 2 and Switch 1.

More horsepower and a better display also mean more drain on battery, which was confirmed by Nintendo, via Kotaku. (Womp, womp.) It has an approximate battery life of 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on what you're playing on it. Compare that to the Switch OLED, which can range from 4.5 to 9 hours, and it's not looking so hot for the new console. Again, this is something that was impossible to test prior to launch, so we'll need to find out for sure now that the console is actually out. But don't expect amazing battery life from Switch 2.

Switch 2 price vs Switch 1: It's a much larger drain on your wallet It still comes with a dock, of course. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

This is the worst news about Switch 2: It costs $450 to start. There's also a $500 model bundled with Mario Kart World, which actually looks like the more enticing deal because Nintendo has gone wild with game prices this time around. Mario Kart World is a shocking $80 on its own and Donkey Kong: Bananza is $70. There's also a little minigame collection meant to be a tech demo for the console that is, for reasons I cannot fathom, a paid download. Combine all of that with the fact that upgraded "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" versions of old games will come with a price tag for the upgrade, and it feels like Nintendo is nickel-and-diming us a little bit.

I'll grant the company a little bit of grace because of the Trump administration's chaotic tariff policy, but customers who feel the weight of a $500 console purchase justifiably won't give Nintendo the same benefit of the doubt. Regardless of all the upgrades Switch 2 brings, it's $150 more expensive than Switch 1 was at launch. It's not ideal.

UPDATE: Apr. 24, 2025, 3:29 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with additional photos of the Switch 2 and its accessories, as well as new details about the console's social features and preorder launch in the United States.

Elon Musk is contemplating decommissioning SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, responding to President Donald Trump's apparent intent to terminate government subsidies and contracts with the billionaire's companies. It looks like the feud between the former allies has quickly turned vicious.

SpaceX's CEO initially announced that the company would retire its Dragon spacecraft in an X post on Thursday, with Musk sharing a screenshot of a post published on Trump's Truth Social account earlier in the day.

"The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," said Trump in the screenshotted post. "I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!"

"In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately," Musk wrote on X.

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SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft are a family of vehicles designed to carry passengers and cargo. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has previously relied upon them to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Mere hours prior to Musk's announcement, SpaceX posted on X that it was preparing to launch a Dragon next Tuesday.

For a few hours, it seemed reasonable to assume that this launch would now not go ahead. However, Musk then appeared to quickly walk back his decision. Responding to an X user advising him to "cool off and take a step back for a couple days," the billionaire subsequently stated that Dragon will not be decommissioned after all.

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It's unclear whether Musk's initial announcement was sincere, or whether his apparent about-face might be sarcastic. Musk has a history of making flippant comments online with no apparent regard to their consequences. What is clear is that Musk and Trump's relationship is well past the honeymoon phase, and now looks much more like an ugly divorce.

If Trump does terminate government contracts with Musk's companies, it would deal a significant blow to the billionaire. According to a Washington Post investigation, NASA has invested over $15 billion in SpaceX alone. When put together with Musk's other companies such as EV automaker Tesla, his various businesses have received at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies, and tax credits.

Musk and Trump go through messy public breakup Credit: Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images

Musk's relationship with Trump has significantly deteriorated in recent days. The billionaire announced that he was leaving his position as de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last Wednesday, just one day after he criticised Trump's tax bill as undermining its work. The split was presented as amicable at the time, with Trump presenting Musk with a golden key and words of praise. However, their love affair has quickly turned sour.

Musk continued to lambast Trump's bill after his departure from DOGE, arguing that it will increase government debt by trillions of dollars. Strongly disagreeing with the president's characterisation of the proposed legislation as a "Big Beautiful Bill," Musk labelled it a "disgusting abomination" and has been calling for lawmakers to crush it.

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For his part, Trump has claimed that Musk is simply throwing a tantrum because the bill supposedly cut an alleged "EV mandate." The president stated on Thursday that he had asked the billionaire to leave his administration, and that Musk had been "wearing thin."

"I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!" Trump claimed. 

Despite Trump's assertions, he did not abolish any EV mandate as there has never been any U.S. law which makes switching to an electric car mandatory. However, Trump has taken several anti-EV measures since his inauguration, including abolishing incentives encouraging EV adoption, pausing $3 billion in funding for a U.S. charging network, and introducing a $250 annual fee for EV users in his recent tax bill.

Trump's claim about Musk is an interesting contrast to his statements in March, when he praised the billionaire for not complaining about the supposed end of the non-existent EV mandate. The president made the comments while he and Musk co-hosted a Tesla ad on the White House lawn in an effort to boost the company's cratering stock prices.

Tesla's struggling share value has now fallen again amidst Musk's feud with Trump, plummeting more than 14 percent on Thursday to wipe out over $150 billion in value.

"I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago," Trump wrote on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Musk went all-in attacking Trump on Thursday, claiming that the president is linked to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sharing posts calling for him to be impeached. Musk has also hit out at Trump's tariffs on international trade, predicting that they will "cause a recession in the second half of the year."

"Without me, Trump would have lost the election," Musk alleged on X. "Such ingratitude."