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TL;DR: Harness the power of Apple's M1 Chip for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299) with this amazing deal on a refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD).
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $514.99Looking for power and portability without breaking the bank? A refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) delivers exactly that, offering serious efficiency with Apple's M1 chip in a slim, lightweight design that weighs under three pounds. And right now, one can be yours for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299), a better price than both Amazon and Walmart.
This MacBook Air doesn't skimp on powerIf you need a laptop that delivers both power and portability without weighing you down, the MacBook Air is your perfect match. With its ultra-light design and impressive M1 chip, you get top-tier performance that easily slips into your bag.
Whether editing videos, running complex apps, or tackling everyday tasks, the M1 chip provides the speed and efficiency you need. It's even speedier than Intel-based laptops, with 3.5x faster performance and 5x faster graphics for your apps and games.
The 16-core Neural Engine helps the laptop handle advanced tasks like AI and machine learning, keeping it compatible with the latest technology. It comes with 128GB SSD, offering ample space for your important data and favorite apps.
The 13.3-inch Retina display supports millions of colors, making it ideal for both work and personal use. And its impressive 18-hour battery life lets you get through a full day without a recharge.
Need peace and quiet to work? Don't worry, this model features a fanless design, offering silent operation with no annoying hum.
You're securing this model at a 60% discount thanks to its grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with virtually no sign of use, but you'll still enjoy the deeply discounted price.
Get a 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Air for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299), a better deal than Amazon or Walmart, while supplies last.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
March Madness is nearly over, and we’re finally down to the Final Four games that are sure to have every college basketball fanatic on the edge of their seat. The tournament has been full of thrilling matchups, with many triumphs and upsets as everyone anxiously waited to see which teams would advance.
The Final Four ends with a Duke vs. Houston match determining the second team to progress into the championship game on Monday. Duke is no stranger to the championship, with the Blue Devils having five national titles under their belt. The team wiped out Alabama in the Elite Eight, beating the Crimson Tide by 20 points to earn a spot in the Final Four.
Houston is not to be underestimated after the Cougars beat Tennessee in Sunday’s Elite Eight match, securing a 19-point win that led them to the Final Four. The Duke vs. Houston could swing either way, and fans are clinging to their brackets to see if they made the right pick.
Regardless of whether you’re rooting for Duke, Houston or neither, you’re sure to entertained watching the two powerhouses go head-to-head for a spot in the championship game.
If you want to watch Duke vs. Houston for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Duke vs. Houston?Duke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars starts at 8:49 p.m. ET on April 5. This Final Four game takes place at the Alamodome.
How to watch Duke vs. Houston for freeDuke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars airs on CBS. It is possible to access CBS with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:
DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV
Fubo (seven-day free trial) — CBS
Hulu + Live TV (three-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV
Paramount+ (seven-day free trial) — CBS
By making the most of these free trials, you can watch Duke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.
How to watch Duke vs. Houston from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams of Duke vs. Houston. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of Duke vs. Houston from anywhere in the world.
Live stream 2025 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Visit DirectTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+
Live stream Duke vs. Houston for free from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealMarch Madness is coming to an end after a month of electrifying matchups between the best teams in college basketball. We’ve finally made it to the Final Four, with two games lined up this weekend ahead of next week’s highly anticipated championship game.
The Final Four kicks off with a Florida vs. Auburn match that everyone’s waiting for. College basketball fans nationwide will be tuned in to see who will advance to compete for the national title.
Auburn secured a spot in the Final Four after a nailbiter against Michigan State last weekend. All eyes are on SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome ahead of the Final Four games, especially after his leg injury scare in Sunday’s game. The team was still able to clutch the victory, and many are anxious to see if they’ll take home this year’s trophy.
Florida is locked into the Final Four after beating Texas Tech in a close match last weekend. The Gators walked away with a five-point win to upset the Red Raiders. Florida Guard Walter Clayton Jr. helped lead the team to triumph, scoring a whopping 30 points. Fans can’t wait to see how he measures up against Broome, who’s had a showstopping season.
If you want to watch Florida vs. Auburn for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Florida vs. Auburn?Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers starts at 6:09 p.m. ET on April 5. This Final Four game takes place at the Alamodome.
How to watch Florida vs. Auburn for freeFlorida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers airs on CBS. It is possible to access CBS with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:
DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV
Fubo (seven-day free trial) — CBS
Hulu + Live TV (three-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV
Paramount+ (seven-day free trial) — CBS
By making the most of these free trials, you can watch Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.
How to watch Florida vs. Auburn from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams of Florida vs. Auburn. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of Florida vs. Auburn from anywhere in the world.
Live stream 2025 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Visit DirectTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+
Live stream Florida vs. Auburn for free from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealShopping for a new laptop is a tough task. With the sheer number of options, it's easy to fall into choice paralysis, where making a final decision feels impossible. If you're a creative type who needs a laptop for a very specific purpose — in this case, video editing — the stakes are even higher. Make the wrong choice, and it will really come back to bite you. You'll find yourself with a laptop that doesn't perform and end up in a deep financial hole.
To find the best video editing laptops, we reached out to Denver McQuaid, a creative marketing strategist who is also a seasoned VFX artist and video editor with a large following on Instagram and TikTok.
In an email conversation with Mashable, McQuaid walked us through the process of shopping for a great laptop for video editing. There was one clear winner — the new M4 MacBook Air. Still, it's not the only laptop we have to recommend.
SEE ALSO: The best laptops for college students What makes a video editing laptop "good"?With so many laptops offering wildly different features, it's important to narrow down which ones matter the most. In McQuaid's opinion, there are three qualities that a good video editing laptop absolutely needs: Speed, solid battery life, and a good display size.
Having a laptop that can process tasks quickly and efficiently is paramount for video editing. "[Speed] can be achieved in many ways," said McQuaid, "including RAM, hard drive write speeds, processor clock speed, and graphics rendering." Battery life is pretty self-explanatory — the less time you spend charging, the more time you'll have to actually work on your projects. When it comes to display size, McQuaid said the more you can see, the better. "I edit on a 13-inch [laptop], but often with an external monitor." He travels for work, so he uses a more lightweight laptop with a smaller screen, though he recommends newer editors go bigger. "I don’t regret it, but more screen space is always nice to have."
What are the best laptops for video editing?Like we already said up top, the MacBook Air was the clear winner as the best video editing laptop for most people (and if you want to splurge, you can pick up an M4 Pro). (Are you surprised? Probably not.) While the latest M4 MacBook Air is your best bet, McQuaid told us that even older MacBooks will do the trick. He uses a 2019-era MacBook Pro that predates even the M1 chip, and it still works just fine for his needs. "MacBooks have some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion," McQuaid told Mashable. "The MacBook OS is more user-friendly and ideal for transferring files from computer to phone, or vice versa, especially iPhones."
Of course, we realize that not everyone wants to jump into the Apple ecosystem, so we have recommendations from outside the famous fruit company. Check out our picks below, all chosen with vigorous hands-on testing and expert advice.
TL;DR: Block ads and prevent contact with malware on family devices with a $15.97 AdGuard lifetime subscription.
Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97 at Mashable ShopSet the scene: It's dinner time, and the kids are working on homework. You want to scroll through a recipe blog on your phone to whip something up. One kid needs your laptop to do some science class research.
This could quickly become a digital quagmire where you can't make it through the recipe without another video popping up on screen, and the kids accidentally download malware on your work laptop while researching tree frogs. Or, you could use AdGuard and clean up your family's browsing experience for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN for lifetime access.
How does AdGuard protect my family?AdGuard steps in online when you can't be there. It protects your family with advanced ad-blocking, privacy protection tools, and parental control settings.
When you reduce exposure to harmful ads or malicious links with this lifetime access to AdGuard, you'll be able to:
Eliminate banners, pop-ups, and disruptive video ads to streamline browsing
Hide your data from trackers or activity analyzers as you use the internet
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You can use AdGuard on up to nine devices. It works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. On each device, you can access clutter-free websites and prevent accidental encounters with malware.
Your kids are growing up, and you can't look over their shoulders every second. But you can still protect them from digital threats — from the annoying to the malicious — when you use AdGuard across all your family devices. Get lifetime access to this privacy-protecting ad blocker for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Ruud vs. Draper in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2025 Madrid Open has delivered everything we hoped it would over the last couple of weeks as top players have looked to build some momentum before Roland-Garros. Ruud and Draper have done exactly that, and now they face off in the final.
If you want to watch Ruud vs. Draper in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Ruud vs. Draper for freeThe 2025 Madrid Open final is available to live stream for free on RTVE.
RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2025 Madrid Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Spain
Visit RTVE
Watch the 2025 Madrid Open final for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Musetti vs. Diallo without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Madrid Open before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RTVE?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on RTVE, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Spain
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Ruud vs. Draper in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free with ExpressVPN.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintThe opposite of always.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerNEVER
Hurdle Word 2 hintTo pay money.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSPEND
Hurdle Word 3 hintRemoved from a place.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerTAKEN
Hurdle Word 4 hintA short period of time.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 4 Hurdle Word 4 answerSTINT
Final Hurdle hintA small storage space.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerCUBBY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, May 4, 2025:
AcrossWines that Napa Valley is renowned for, informallyThe answer is Cabs.
The answer is At once.
The answer is Pupils.
The answer is Slip up.
The answer is Teen.
The answer is Caps.
The answer is Atul.
The answer is Bop it.
The answer is Snipe.
The answer is Clue.
The answer is Tenner.
The answer is ESPN.
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 GamesAre 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.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Star Wars: A New HopeThe words are lines in popular Sci-Fi movies.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words the first lines in Star Wars films.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Opening Crawl.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 4Long
Time
Galaxy
Space
Opening Crawl
Planet
Empire
Rebel
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's 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?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: How you'd describe a well-done steak
Green: Playing an instrument
Blue: In a popular Taiwanese drink
Purple: In our solar system
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Qualities of overcooked meat
Green: Play some electric guitar
Blue: Ingredients in bubble tea
Purple: Planets/Dwarf planet with first 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 #6913is...
What is the answer to Connections todayQualities of overcooked meat: CHEWY, DRY, STRINGY, TOUGH
Play some electric guitar: JAM, NOODLE, SHRED, SOLO
Ingredients in bubble tea: BOBA, MILK, SUGAR, TEA
Planets/Dwarf planet with first letter changed: BLUTO, CARS, DARTH, GENUS
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 4Are 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.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 4 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A freshwater fish.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter T appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
TROUT.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 4Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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 Wordle.
Marvel's Thunderbolts* looks to top the box office this weekend, bringing in $31.5 million on its opening day.
SEE ALSO: 'Thunderbolts*' end-credits scene, explained: Who are the New Avengers?That opening gross puts the MCU antihero team-up movie on track for a domestic opening weekend total somewhere between $70 million and $75 million. While sizable, that's still on the lower end of Marvel openings. It's also not as much as this year's other MCU offering, Captain America: Brave New World, which drew an $88 million opening weekend before grossing a disappointing domestic total of $200 million overall.
A smaller opening may not be a problem for Thunderbolts*, though. The movie's grab bag of heroes may not have the same name recognition as Captain America: Brave New World, but stronger reviews than recent MCU projects and more positive word of mouth could propel it to longer legs. (Thunderbolts* currently has an audience Cinema Score of A-, compared to Captain America: Brave New World's B-.)
Speaking of legs, Ryan Coogler's Sinners continues to kill it at the box office, raking in $9.5 million on Friday, May 2, a 27% fall from the week prior. That puts it on track for a $33 million third weekend, even after losing IMAX screens to Thunderbolts*.
If Sinners continues to perform at this level, it won't be long before it takes Captain America: Brave New World's spot as the second-highest-grossing film at the domestic box office. A Minecraft Movie still comfortably sits in the number one domestic spot, while the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 is the highest-grossing film globally (Sinners currently ranks fifth globally).
Still, the fact that an original, R-rated film continues to hold strong at the box office even without premium screens proves that Sinners is on track to be 2025's biggest box office success story.
The conclave to elect a new pope has yet to begin, but President Donald Trump already has a pitch for who should lead the Roman Catholic Church: himself.
SEE ALSO: Apple isn't overly worried about Trump's tariffs. Here's why.On Friday, May 2, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on Truth Social. The official White House X account then reposted the image.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The post comes days after Trump, who is not Catholic, told reporters he should be the next pope.
"I'd like to be pope. That would be my number one choice," he said, before adding: "I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York, who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”
Trump was likely referring to New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, whom he appointed to serve on the newly established Religious Liberty Commission alongside figures like TV personality Dr. Phil and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. According to Reuters and the BBC, Dolan is not on the shortlists of likely successors to the late Pope Francis.
Trump's fan casting of himself as the new Pope sparked waves of reaction on social media, from debates about whether it was facetious or genuine to further memes and AI-generated images.
I’M THE POPE NOW, THERE’S A PICTURE!
[image or embed]
If Trump isn’t elected Pope he’ll call it the most rigged papal election in history.
[image or embed]
Trump’s whole “I want to be pope” thing is a troll but this is still a very odd thing for the president to post in normal times.
[image or embed]
The “Trump for Pope” stuff is clearly meant to Trigger the Libs but most people are just reacting by noting how fucking weird these people are.
— Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:54 PMI do not think this is trolling, I think Trump genuinely believes he should be the pope.
[image or embed]
The pope image isn't the first time Trump has posted fake AI-generated pictures. In the lead-up to the 2024 election, he shared an AI-generated image of Kamala Harris holding a communist rally and an AI endorsement from Taylor Swift.
Buying a new TV is intimidating. Look for one online and you’ll get bombarded with acronyms and numbers. Visit a store and you’ll come face-to-face with a wall of images that are more confusing than helpful. But we all know that once it’s in our living rooms, we’ll spend thousands of hours relying on that screen to transport us to The White Lotus, make sure we’re caught up on Oscar-worthy films, show us all the NFL action, and even serve as a hub for learning basically anything via YouTube.
Since we spend so much time with our TVs, it’s worth doing a bit of research to make sure you’re buying the right TV for your preferences, including budget, made by a trustworthy brand. But instead of opening 57 browser tabs to Google all of the TV jargon, we’ve checked in with home entertainment expert Will Greenwald, a Lead Analyst at PCMag, which Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis, also owns.
SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV dealsFollowing Greenwald’s expertise (he and the PCMag team use high-end equipment to test each TV) and Mashable’s experience, we’ve narrowed down the best TV brands to a list that’s easy to digest. Below, we’ll explain which TV brands excel where and mention a few top picks from each brand to help narrow down your endless options.
Best OLED brand: LGLG makes some of the best OLED TVs on the market today. They offer superior image contrast and close to perfect black levels, and they tend to be great when viewed from an off-angle. The LG lineup of sizes and prices is also noteworthy, allowing shoppers to spend less than $1,000.
Best LG OLED TV LG Evo G5 OLED 4K TV (65-inch) $3,296.99 at B&H Photo VideoWithout wasting any time, Greenwald wrote to Mashable, “The LG Evo G5 is the best OLED TV I've seen yet,” which is truly impressive since he’s tested more than 170 TVs with highly specialized equipment. “If you can afford it, the stunning LG Evo G5 is simply one of the most gorgeous TVs you can buy,” Greenwald explained in his review.
The LG Evo G5 knocks it out of the park in terms of brightness, with super accurate colors. The “G” is LG’s Gallery series, which comes with a slim design meant to be hung on the wall, sitting nearly flush. The modern edge-to-edge screen comes with hardly any bezel.
In terms of gaming, the LG Evo G5 has a 144Hz refresh rate that can reach up to 165Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR). Greenwald’s testing shows input lag of 4.8 milliseconds, which is well below the 10-millisecond threshold considered to be acceptable for gaming. In simpler terms, that’s less than one frame of latency per second.
Size optionsThe LG Evo G5 comes in 55, 65, 77, 83, and 97 inches.
Another pick worth considering LG C4 OLED 4K TV (65-inch) $1,496.99 at WalmartIf you’re looking for an LG TV that’s less expensive than the Evo G5, the C4 is a standout model. Mashable’s sister publication, CNET (also published by Ziff Davis), considers the LG C4, which debuted in 2024, to be an excellent OLED TV. This model is brighter than its C3 predecessor and comes with a 144Hz refresh rate. CNET’s review said, “The LG C4 combines superb picture quality with a price that's not incredibly unreasonable, making it a top dog among its competitors.”
The size range here leans smaller, with the option of 42- and 48-inch versions, which are smaller than the LG Evo G5 goes (the smallest G5 is 55 inches). Of course, smaller means a more affordable price, and the 42- and 48-inch LG C4 come in at under $1,000.
Size optionsThe LG C4 comes in 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches.
Best budget brands: Hisense and TCLYou don’t need to spend several thousand dollars to get a great TV. Budget-friendly options come with plenty of features packed into a high-quality screen, and many options cost less than $1,000. In terms of brands, Greenwald says Hisense and TCL lead the way as the best options that offer affordable prices without skimping on quality. Here are a few picks Greenwald recommends after extensive testing.
Best Hisense Hisense U8N QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $947.99 at AmazonThe 4K QLED Hisense U8N comes with features and a display that feels like it should cost much more. “Hisense once again hits it out of the park with a premium TV that rivals much more expensive competitors,” mentioned Greenwald in his PCMag review, while listing it as a “fantastic value.”
In Greenwald’s testing, the U8N was shockingly impressive, hitting 920 nits in HDR Theater mode and then achieving 2,755 nits when testing with an 18 percent white field. For comparison, the Samsung QN90D (which costs more than double the U8N’s price) only gets to 1,253 nits with an 18 percent white field. Greenwald also mentioned that off-angle viewing of the U8N is pretty perfect with no desaturation.
Best TCL TCL QM8 4N QLED TV (65-inch) $897.96 at AmazonOn Mashable’s list of the best 65+ inch TVs, the TCL QM8 earns the top spot. Finding the balance between affordable price and great image quality, we consider the TCL QM8 to be an excellent option for most people. Greenwald’s testing showed incredible brightness levels thanks to the 4K QLED with HDR content in Dolby Vision. Greenwald also mentioned “very good color performance, and loads of useful features,” which add to the attractively affordable price. “It beats rival Hisense models in peak brightness, so it's the TV to get if you simply want the highest light output.”
Gaming stats are also impressive, with a 120Hz native refresh rate that can reach up to 144Hz with VRR support from AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Input lag is also impressive, measuring just 6.4 milliseconds in Game Mode, according to Greenwald’s testing, which makes it slightly quicker than the Hisense U8N.
The TCL QM8's size options are also impressive, ranging from 65 to a massive 115 inches.
Size optionsThe TCL QM8 comes in 65, 75, 85, 98, and 115 inches.
Best brand for unique features: SamsungSamsung earns the top spot as the best TV manufacturer with unique feature offerings. The brand has several impressive models that wow in terms of performance, plus it's one of the only manufacturers to release 8K TVs (but you don’t need one). Samsung’s The Frame lineup is also noteworthy.
Best Samsung for displaying art Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $1,297.99 at WalmartWithout a doubt, Samsung’s family of The Frame models is what you want if you like the idea of your TV also serving as a digital picture frame. When you’re not watching TV, The Frame can go into Art Mode, giving you access to the library of graphics or giving you the option to display your own photos. Customizing The Frame’s functions is also possible, so the TV (including Art Mode) can power off when it detects no one is in the room. Greenwald also mentions that many libraries and museums offer free high-resolution images of paintings that you can add to The Frame’s library to display in your home.
The overall look of The Frame is meant to be similar to a hanging piece of art, sitting nearly flush with the wall, and the matte finish cuts down on glare while also adding to the overall art aesthetic. Greenwald explained in his review, “You can even set the ambient art mode to display a matte frame around the picture to further improve the illusion. With the backlight set to a moderate level, the effect is striking and stealthy enough that guests could mistake what appears on screen for a framed painting at first glance.” Thanks to these features, he’s ranked it as his top pick for a digital picture frame.
Sadly, Greenwald doesn’t feel that The Frame’s performance as a TV justifies the price. He noted, “For watching videos, the TV's performance is more in line with very good budget models.”
The Frame Pro is an updated version of the original offering, and the nearly wireless design is a cool upgrade. It still needs a power cord, but everything else, like HDMI ports, is stored in a Wireless One Connect Box. Samsung also upgraded to a Neo QLED 4K display with The Frame Pro. But again, Greenwald thinks more affordable options, specifically the Hisense U8N, offer a better value unless you find the Art Mode features worth the cost.
Size optionsSamsung The Frame comes in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches.
Samsung The Frame Pro comes in 65, 75, and 85 inches.
Best Samsung OLED Samsung S95D OLED 4K TV (65 inch) $2,297.99 at AmazonThe Samsung S95D is a great option, performing well in terms of contrast, variety of features, and gaming specs. Greenwald said it has “fantastic contrast and color that OLED TVs typically offer, along with light output that rivals many high-end LED models.” The S95D earned a PCMag Editors’ Choice award thanks to its specs, including almost undetectable input lag. But the real appeal of the Samsung S95D is the picture quality with perfect black levels and detailed shadows, as seen by Greenwald’s testing results.
The included Eco Remote has solar recharging capabilities, which feels like a modern and thoughtful touch on Samsung’s part. Plus, it comes with Samsung’s One Connect Box, which is always welcomed since it moves all connection ports to an external component, allowing for a slimmer design.
Size optionsThe Samsung S95D comes in 55, 65, and 77 inches.
A Samsung OLED to keep an eye on Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV (65 inch) $3,297.99 at AmazonThe 4K OLED Samsung S95F impressed Greenwald when he tested a pre-production version, being the brand’s brightest OLED yet, dethroning its predecessor, the Samsung S95D. The built-in speakers on almost all TVs aren’t worth using (you should probably upgrade to a soundbar), but Greenwald was actually impressed with the advanced speaker system on the Samsung S95F. The 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and acceptable input lag also make the S95F a nice gaming TV option.
Size optionsThe Samsung S95F comes in 55, 65, and 77 inches.
Gone are the days of clip-on pedometers. Now, it's all about tech wearables that maximize your physical potential with round-the-clock vitals monitoring — but I'm not talking about an Apple Watch or Fitbit. The next evolution of fitness trackers is here, and it's the smart ring.
Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.
If you're looking to upgrade your fitness tracker and want to make the leap to a smart ring, we've vetted the most popular models on the market through weeks of testing to find the best smart ring.
Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableSmart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.
You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"
Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.
What's the best smart ring?The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung just launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field. After spending weeks with the device, testing its hype, and comparing it to other devices, we can confidently say it is the best ring.
It offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.
However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some other viable smart ring options.
Please stop killing Pedro Pascal. I've had enough.
Look, even if you played the game and knew Joel's death was coming, The Last of Us's brutal exit for this character was harder to watch because it was Pascal. It's not just because the scene was intense. It's because it also gives Pascal fans PTSD-style flashbacks to all the other times Pedro Pascal has been killed onscreen.
Game of Thrones. Drive-Away Dolls. Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Gladiator II. The list goes on, if you go deeper into his filmography. And it all started with Joss Whedon, whose whole thing is, "Don't get too attached, I'll kill your favorite character." Somehow, even though Pascal just had a bit part on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Whedon was like, "THIS GUY!" Dead.
SEE ALSO: 'Drive-Away Dolls' cast on working with Pedro Pascal's 'head'And it's not just that Pedro Pascal dies onscreen. His eyes get pressed into his pretty head. That head gets cut off. He gets pummeled to a pulp made effectively horrendous looking with just horrific prosthetics — that'll probably win an Emmy for Outstanding Makeup. Props to The Last of Us team. And sometimes he's literally thrown into a meat grinder.
It's just enough. Give us some time for him to smile, give Daddy vibes and warm charisma — and don't kill him. I'm looking at you, Disney! Because you got The Mandalorian Season 2, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the relaunch of the Avengers and more Star Wars stuff. Pascal will have plenty of opportunities to die nobly for a valiant cause. I just need you not to do it. Just give us a breather.
To the Pedro Pascal fans out there who just want a movie where he gets to be cute and charming and not die, we've got The Materialists coming up! It's a rom-com starring Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans. From Past Lives writer/director Celine Song, it has a love triangle — and look at that cast! We love to see it! And Pascal probably won't die! Right? Right?!
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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, May 3, 2025:
AcrossGreiner of "Shark Tank"The answer is Lori.
The answer is Silent.
The answer is Psyched.
The answer is ATM.
The answer is One.
The answer is Neptune.
The answer is Nursed.
The answer is Seer.
The answer is Listen.
The answer is Olympus.
The answer is Rec.
The answer is In House.
The answer is Span.
The answer is Tenner.
The answer is Deed.
The answer is Tre.
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 GamesAre 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.
Shokz has crept up the wireless audio ranks to become a trendsetter in the sporty earbuds category. Releases like the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit Air were complementary pieces to the brand’s excellent bone-conduction headphones. Now, it’s taking a page out of Anker’s and Bose’s playbooks by transitioning into the clip-on earbuds game with the recently launched OpenDots One.
These awesome-looking earpieces are built for outdoor runners who want to enjoy music with the full openness of their environment. The OpenDots One clearly find inspiration from the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, adopting the same earring cuff-like appearance. However, Shokz' version is more durable, lasts longer, and gives Bose’s buds a run for their money in the audio department.
With the good also comes the bad. As expected, the open-ear design lets in a lot of ambient noise, so you won’t hear music completely. The feature set is small, and the touch controls are spotty too.
The drawbacks might be dealbreakers for casual consumers, but for exercisers, who the OpenDots One are marketed toward, these are runner-friendly buds that finish the marathon in convincing fashion.
Scroll down to see why Shokz is a worthy contender for the best workout earbuds.
These aren't your typical earbuds. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds specs and setupThe OpenDots One’s spec sheet isn’t decked out like some of the market’s top-tier sports buds (e.g., Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, Jabra Elite 8 Active), but it’s noteworthy. See below:
Dual Speaker Driver Unit: 11.8mm
Frequency Response: 100 to 20,000 kHz
Dolby Audio support
Customizable EQ via Shokz app
IP54 water resistance (buds only)
Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint technology
10 hours of battery life / 40 hours with wireless charging case
10-minute quick charge equals 2 hours of listening
Colors: black and gray
Connecting the buds is standard procedure. Hold down the pairing button on the back of the case with the lid open, and you’ll enable pairing mode. Once the LED flickers, select the product from the Available Devices list in your Bluetooth settings. My unit paired instantly with my MacBook Pro. Multipoint pairing lets me connect to my iPhone 15 and OnePlus 11 smartphones at the same time.
Downloading the Shokz app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play grants access to all special features. It’s a small amount compared to other challengers. However, what’s given is serviceable.
A flashy, familiar, and functionally transparent designEven though the OpenDots One look exactly like the Ultra Open Buds, they have a more innovative design. There are touch panels on the battery barrels, as well as the soft silicone grip that keeps the buds secure for intense training. I’ve worn them when performing lateral exercises (e.g., jumping jacks, side lunges), and there was no slippage. I don’t recommend them for leisure because they pinch your ears. This can hurt after about three hours of wear, depending on your pain threshold.
The open-ear design is what’s most important. It is clutch for increasing ambient awareness, no matter where you are. Runners can keep tabs on traffic when jogging. I was well aware of cars and emergency vehicles when crossing streets. Bicyclists, chatty pedestrians, and construction sites were also transparent at high levels.
The open-ear design allows you to hear your surroundings. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Some of the best sound I’ve heard on open earbudsShokz isn’t known for its sound quality, but the OpenDots One leave quite the impression. The 11.8mm drivers deliver crisp and lively sound to keep runners fueled on long runs. It’s great having audio personalization via EQ with preprogrammed presets. Each of these represents its audio categories fairly well. There’s also the ability to create your own sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies in the EQ setting, something audiophiles will appreciate.
SEE ALSO: 10 best podcasts to listen to while runningThe electric guitar strums on Hozier’s “Too Sweet” had fantastic reverberation that stimulated a second wind during my 5K run. Enabling the Dolby Audio mode enhanced definition and unveiled the track’s fine production layering; the steady snares and tinny tambourines were pronounced. Upbeat bangers like Mya’s “Best of Me, Part 2” gave me the head-bopping bass I desired, highlighted by punchy drums that blended well with the delicate piano keys. The balanced midrange boosted the singer’s soft, low-note vocals.
The buds are made to let in noise. Therefore, don’t expect to hear every detail when listening in rowdy environments. You can hear audiobooks, music, and videos clearly. It just requires being in a silent setting and playing music at high volume. These are not like typical wireless earbuds. Open-ear buds project audio to the ear, whereas wireless earbuds send audio directly into the ear canal.
Comparing the OpenDots One to other open earbudsI put the OpenDots One up against the most popular sports buds and open buds: the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Audio, fit, and transparency were the three hallmarks I prioritized when comparing models.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 produce superior sound output, thanks to their robust audio specs (e.g., dual-layer drivers, Personalized Spatial Audio) and an in-ear design that passively blocks out ambient noise. The Ultra Open Earbuds have 12mm drivers that provide crisp, full-bodied sound, plus hi-res streaming (aptX Adaptive) over Bluetooth. As for the OpenDots One, they sound better than most bone conduction headphones and open earbuds.
Beats’ signature ear hook design creates the most secure fit of any sports buds out there. Bose’s and Shokz’ clip-on designs are dependable for stability and take up less ear real estate.
Ambient listening is equally great on the OpenDots One and QuietComfort Ultra. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have a strong transparency mode that makes ambient sounds and conversations sound louder and more natural, but their active noise cancellation is disappointing.
Plenty of battery lifeThe OpenDots One generate up to 10 hours of playtime, with the wireless charging case holding an additional 30 hours. This is longer than the Ultra Open Earbuds (7.5 hours/27 hours) and on par with many of Anker’s current open-ear entries. A 10-minute charge can net you two hours of continuous playback. Those numbers held up during testing.
Over the course of a week, I ran with the OpenDots One for six hours and used them specifically for calls. This left me with 30 percent juice. I used the buds moderately (est. four hours) a week later and they had to be recharged every three days. The case didn’t need to be recharged until the third week of use.
Uniqueness presents compromisesAs much as I love the ingenuity behind Shokz’ control scheme, it isn’t convenient or reliable. The silicone grip only accepts double taps (play/pause/call management), and the touch pads only register the two-finger pinch or long-hold gesture. There are no single- or triple-tap gestures available, which would have expanded operation. On top of that, whatever function is assigned to the touch pads (e.g., voice assistant, volume, previous/next track) will be assigned to both buds.
The on-ear controls are nothing to write home about. Credit: Alex Bracetti / MashableThe Shokz app is low on upscaled features. Dolby Audio, multipoint technology, and the Find My Buds mode are nice to have, but you get more from other competitors. The Ultra Open Earbuds boast a hi-res codec and universal spatial audio, while several of Anker’s open earbuds have proprietary 3D audio modes.
Digital assistance works well on iOS/macOS devices, but the feature struggles on Android devices. Google Assistant is effective. It’s Google Gemini that demonstrates poor speech recognition. Most voice commands are either misinterpreted or don’t execute properly.
Lastly, the open-ear design isn’t for everyone. These buds only suit you if you’re some who wants to hear your surroundings during workouts or recreation. The OpenDots One excel at this and dish out impactful sonics at high volume to reduce a decent amount of ambient noise. They don’t completely neutralize external sounds like the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Are the Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds worth it?Yes, but only if you’re an avid outdoor runner or a fitness fanatic who isn’t bothered by the common fracas at your local gym. The OpenDots One dish out satisfying sound that increases stamina when running low on energy, and the addition of Dolby Audio gives music a bit more thump. Battery life is sufficient for about a week of use, depending how long you exercise. The stylish design also stabilizes fit when sprinting at fast speeds.
Those looking for a pair of everyday buds to enjoy their favorite playlists should look elsewhere because the OpenDots One’s open-ear design doesn’t allow for full audio consumption. The lack of special features isn’t appealing either; most standard sports buds come with an ambient listening mode and extra perks (e.g., ANC, shortcut widget, spatial audio).
The Shokz OpenDots One are priced at $199.99 and can be purchased on Shokz’s website, as well as popular online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Shokz OpenDots One $199.95 at Amazon