Category Archives: Blog

After years of setbacks, Amazon is finally launching its drone delivery service later this year.

On Monday, the tech giant announced that it would be piloting this service in Lockeford, California following approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local officials.

The MK27-2 is Amazon’s newest drone, designed for optimal stability.
Credit: Amazon

Drone delivery service has long been a pet project of Amazon, but it has struggled to obtain liftoff for a variety of reasons. With its sophisticated “sense-and-avoid system,” Amazon says these new drones literally overcome those obstacles. The announcement reads:

Our algorithms use a diverse suite of technologies for object detection. Using this system, our drone can identify a static object in its path, like a chimney. It can also detect moving objects on the horizon, like other aircraft, even when it’s hard for people to see them. If obstacles are identified, our drone will automatically change course to safely avoid them.

As our drone descends to deliver the package into a customer’s backyard, the drone ensures that there’s a small area around the delivery location that’s clear of any people, animals, or other obstacles.

The announcement details how the Lockeford pilot program will provide valuable feedback about how to build this service on a large scale. Amazon also says it will invest in Lockeford’s local community and create jobs.

Once onboarded, Lockeford residents will be able to place an order for eligible products like normal and then wait as a futuristic device descends from the sky into their backyard.

News alert: the follow-up to Rian Johnson’s 2019 murder mystery Knives Out is not, in fact, named Knives Out 2.

Johnson revealed on Twitter that the highly anticipated sequel, set to release later this year, is actually called (drumroll please)… Glass Onion. The announcement was accompanied by a quick teaser that emphasized the film’s stacked ensemble cast, which includes Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Janelle Monáe, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista. Daniel Craig returns as master detective Benoit Blanc.

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We have a lot to thank Knives Out for, from Benoit’s donut hole monologue to Chris Evans wearing that cable-knit sweater. However, aside from the title reveal coincidentally being announced on Evans’s birthday (happy birthday, you mustachioed icon), Johnson made it clear that Glass Onion would be a completely different film from Knives Out.

In a Twitter thread, he wrote:

Something I love about Agatha Christie is how she never tread water creatively. I think there’s a misperception that her books use the same formula over and over, but fans know the opposite is true.

It wasn’t just settings or murder methods, she was constantly stretching the genre conceptually. Under the umbrella of the whodunnit she wrote spy thrillers, proto-slasher horrors, serial killer hunts, gothic romances, psychological character studies, glam travelogues.

When I made Knives Out, that’s what excited me about the prospect of making more mysteries with Daniel as Benoit Blanc – to emulate Christie and have every film be like a whole new book, with its own tone, ambition, reason for being… and (ta dah) title.

So there you have it. Knives Out 2 is dead, long live Glass Onion. We can’t wait to see what Johnson and Benoit Blanc have in store for us next.

It’s never a bad time to bring some more plants into your life.

Taking care of plants can be daunting, but thankfully we can get a little bit of help with technology. In order to help you be your best gardener or plant parent, so we found the best apps to simplify the process.

Whether you are starting a windowsill herb garden, buying some indoor plants, or planting a garden in your yard, these apps will help you figure out how to care for your plants and remind you to care for them.

There will be no dead plants on these app’s watch.

1. LeafSnap

LeafSnap uses artificial intelligence to identify plants. It currently can recognize 90 percent of all known plants and trees. You can take a picture or upload a picture of a plant to the app and it will tell you how to grow it, how much light and water it needs, and much more.

You can download LeafSnap for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

LeafSnap collects user data to improve user experience. It may share user data using an anonymous identifier with Google Ad Services. You can read its full privacy policy here.

Once LeafSnap has identified the plant, it gives you basic information about the plant.
Credit: screenshot: leafsnap

LeafSnap also tells you how to care for plants.
Credit: screenshot: leafsnap

2. Smart Plant Home

Smart Plant Home is an all-in-one gardening app. The most helpful feature is the care calendar. Once you add a plant, the app automatically sets up a care calendar that reminds you to water it or complete other tasks depending on the plant. This can come in handy if you’re prone to killing plants. There is also a searchable problem solver, so you can troubleshoot plant diseases and pests. If that doesn’t work you can send images of plants and plant diseases to horticulturist experts across the world through the app.

You can download Smart Plant Home for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

Smart Plant Home collects user data to improve user experience and “to communicate with you, either directly or through one of our partners, for marketing” among other things. You can read its full privacy policy here.

Smart Plant Home creates a care calendar for plants you add to the app.
Credit: screenshot: smart plant home

An example of the types of actions on the care calendar.
Credit: screenshot: smart plant home

3. iNaturalist

iNaturalist is a social network created by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic. Like LeafSnap, iNaturalist is a plant identifying app, but it also identifies other species such as birds and bugs. When the app can’t immediately identify a plant, it tags the image and then someone in the community can identify it. You can also choose to let the photos and videos you upload to the app be used for scientific purposes. Another fun feature of the app is its searchable map that shows you all the species that have been spotted in an area.

You can download iNaturalist for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

iNaturalist does not sell user data and only collects data to improve user experience. You can read its full privacy policy here.

iNaturalist has a searchable map where you can see what species have been spotted.
Credit: screenshot: inaturalist

4. Planter

Planter helps you plan your garden. You choose the size of your plot and then you can add plants. When you select a plant to add, it tells you information like the depth the seeds needs to be planted, how long it takes to harvest, and how much water it needs. It also tells you which plants are companion plants and which are combative plants and common diseases of the plant.

You can download Planter for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

Planter collects user data and shares anonymized user data with advertisers and third party advertising networks. You can read its full privacy policy here.

When you add a plant to your garden on Planter it tells you how to care for it.
Credit: screenshot: planter

Planter tells you which plants are good companion plants and which are combative.
Credit: screenshot: planter

5. Sun Seeker – Tracker & Compass

Sun Seeker is a comprehensive sun tracking app. It can help you track the sun in your yard to choose optimal planting locations for your plants depending on what kind of light they need.

Sun Seeker costs $9.99. You can buy Sun Seeker for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

Sun Seeker does not sell user data and only collects data to improve user experience. You can read its full privacy policy here.

Sun Seeker is a sun tracking app.
Credit: screenshot: sun seeker

6. Planta

Planta is the perfect app if you’re just getting started on your gardening or plant journey. Planta will give you plant recommendations and care reminders for your plants. It also has a light meter so you can figure out what kind of light different parts of your house or yard have. Unlike Smart Home Plan, Planta organizes your plants by location.

You can download Planta for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

Planta does not sell user data and only collects data to improve user experience. You can read its full privacy policy here.

Planta organizes your plants by location.
Credit: screenshot: planta

7. Terrarium Garden Idle

If gardening really isn’t for you, but you want to get in on the hype Terrarium Garden Idle is the perfect game for you. Terrarium Garden Idle is a relaxing gardening game where you have plants and they create oxygen which allows you to buy more plants.

You can download Terrarium Garden Idle for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

Terrarium Garden Idle collects user data and may share it partners who provide users with personalized advertisements. You can read its full privacy policy here.

You can’t kill plants on Terrarium Garden Idle.
Credit: screenshot: Terrarium Garden Idle.

Step away from the computer. Reclaim your time in the great outdoors.

Whether gathering supplies for a day hike or setting up camp for a while, these days savvy hikers are sure to pack their digital backpacks with apps to bring out the best in their treks.

Don’t forget your gorp, and steer clear of fat bears. Happy trails!

Pro tip: These apps are tailor-made for hiking and the outdoors, but even the tech you rely on every day can be useful out in nature. Google Maps often shows hiking trails, Instagram has some pretty inspiring accounts to follow like @wildernessculture, @theclymb, and @unlikelyhikers, and many smartwatches and fitness trackers measure elevation.

Trails and Navigation Apps

AllTrails

With 12 million downloads, AllTrails is one of the most popular apps out there for planning your hikes. It boasts more than 200,000 trail maps that include helpful photos and reviews. AllTrails’ UI makes it easy to explore and search trails, and there’s a multitude of filter options such as difficulty level and dog-friendliness. Plus, by activating GPS, you can record your route – including pace, distance, elevation and save it or share with friends. For backcountry hikers, there’s also a pro version that allows you to use routes offline.

Price: Free or $29.99/year for AllTrails Pro

Available for iOS and Android

Explore AllTrails massive collection of crowdsourced trails.
Credit: AllTrails

Hiking Project

Like AllTrails, Hiking Project is a crowdsourced database of trails and hiking information. It also has trail reviews, photos, and general information about the hikes, such as distance, difficulty, dog/family friendliness etc. Hiking Project doesn’t have as many trails as AllTrails mapped out (76,000) but perhaps it makes up for that with its detailed descriptions of each trail that makes the app feel like a guidebook. Plus, unlike AllTrails, the Hiking Project’s offline functionality is a free part of the app.

Price: Free

Available for iOS and Android

Hiking Project is like a digital guidebook.
Credit: Hiking Project

Gaia GPS

For all-around use, Gaia is a good map to have on hand. Use it to research trails, navigate with GPS, find a campsite, and even check the weather forecast. The app also features a variety of different map options including topographical, satellite, and NatGeo illustrations. With the premium membership you can download maps and trail info for offline use.

Price: Free or $36/year for the premium plan

Available for iOS and Android

Search, navigate, and camp all with the help of one app.
Credit: Gaia GPS

National Park Service app

Created by the National Park Service, this is the quintessential app for visiting any of the 400+ national park sites. Features include interactive maps, self-guided park tours, and general info about amenities and accessibility. There is also a way to download maps and info for offline use.

Price: Free

Available for iOS and Android

A must-have for your National Park trips.
Credit: National Park Service

Guthook Guides

Guthook has all of the usual trappings of a navigation app: GPS tracking, detailed maps, offline capabilities, etc. But its features were designed specifically for thru-hikers, bringing long-distance hiking into the digital age. Hikers can send updates and share locations with family and friends, look up necessities like water sources and campsites, and access “town guides” which have info that all thru-hikers need to resupply and get back on the trail.

Price: Free to download, but specific trail guides must be purchased

Available for iOS and Android

A thru-hiker’s new best friend.
Credit: Guthook Guides

Spyglass

What sets Spyglass apart from other navigation apps out there is its augmented reality technology. The app overlays a military grade compass that is fine-tuned by your phone’s GPS, gyroscopic sensors, and accelerometer. Spyglass also features a rangefinder to measure distance, a sextant, and an inclinometer for measuring steepness. And when you’re done pretending to be Reese Witherspoon in Wild, Spyglass can also store the location of where you parked your car.

Price: $5.99

Available for iOS and Android

A sophisticated compass you won’t want to leave at home.
Credit: Happy Magenta

Survival/Safety Apps

Cairn

Sharing your whereabouts in the wilderness can mean the difference between coming home safety and not. That’s why Cairn is a hit for hikers. It shares realtime location and progress with your designated contacts and automatically messages them if you’re overdue. Cairn also compiles crowdsourced information about cell phone coverage, so you can know where to check in or get help if an emergency arises.

Price: Free or $4.99/month or $26.99/year for Cairn Premium

Available for iOS and Android

For staying safe and giving your loved ones peace of mind.
Credit: cairn

OutSmart Wilderness

This app is pretty new to the scene, but has received great reviews so far. As anyone who has ventured in the outdoors before knows, things can go wrong, and sometimes professional help is far away. This app helps you assess the emergency with a series of questions and then helps you treat and stabilize with wilderness first aid techniques. The app is also loaded with more general survival and first aid information, so you can be well-prepped for your next big adventure.

Price: Free

Available for iOS and Android

Be prepared for even the worst case scenario.
Credit: Outsmart wilderness

Fun Hiking Apps

Seek by iNaturalist

While hiking is all about enjoying nature, this app actually helps you identify the world around you. Point your phone’s camera at whatever plant, fungi, or animal you’re curious about, and the app’s image recognition technology will identify it. A joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, Seek is designed for kids and families. But really, it’s for anyone who wants to learn more about flora and fauna.

Price: Free

Available for iOS and Android

A high-tech way to learn about your surroundings.
Credit: seek by inaturalist

PeakVisor

So you’ve made it to the peak, and now you’re being rewarded with breathtaking views. But what are you looking at exactly? That’s where PeakVisor can help. Hold your phone camera up to the peak you’re looking at and PeakVisor’s augmented reality feature will identify it for you, and provide details about elevation, distance, and also photos and relevant info from Wikipedia. PeakVisor also has a 3D mapping feature and offline capabilities.

Price: Free or $29.99/year for PeakVisor PRO

Available for iOS and Android

Identify the view while enjoying it.
Credit: peakvisor

Sky Guide

There are plenty of great stargazing apps out there, but this one wins out for its beautiful augmented reality design. Point your device at the sky, and the app identifies planets and superimposes beautiful constellations. Sky Guide will also send you notifications of satellite sightings, astronomy news, and alert you to upcoming astronomical events. And since the best backcountry stargazing often coincides with bad cell service, the app works offline too.

Price: Free or $39.99/year for Sky Guide PRO

Available for iOS but look into SkyView Lite or Star Walk 2 for Android compatible apps

Make the most out backcountry stargazing.
Credit: fifth star labs llc

One of the best and worst things about Google Chrome is the amount of browser extensions you can find in the Chrome store. It’s the best because it gives users almost limitless ways to improve their Chrome experience, but also it’s the worst because you might not know how many great extensions you’re missing out on if you never look for them.

Chrome extensions can do everything, from totally reorganizing your email inbox to filtering out websites with adult content on them. Here’s a small sampling of the more useful Chrome extensions available right now (listed in no particular order).

1. Save to Google Drive

Send screenshots to Google Drive instantly with this extension.
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

This one is fairly self-explanatory and basic, but it’s good at what it does. Save to Google Drive puts a little icon in the upper right corner of the browser that will send whatever you’re looking at to your Google Drive account for later viewing. There’s also an option in the right-click menu for greater specificity.

It works for taking screenshots as well as saving images, audio, or video. Again, there isn’t a lot to this extension, but it’s a quick and snappy way to send something to cloud storage for anyone who might need to transfer things between devices.

2. Sortd

Sortd makes it easy to organize emails into different categories.
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

People were despondent when Google announced its Inbox by Gmail app would be shutting down, and it was understandable. The productivity-focused Gmail alternative gave its users ways to organize their inboxes and prioritize the things that really mattered to them.

The Sortd Chrome extension might not be a perfect replacement, but it works well enough. It seamlessly integrates with Gmail after installation and allows users to drag and drop messages into custom columns. Sortd also lets you take notes and keep a to-do list in a sidebar.

The best part is that it’s easy to go right back to the regular Gmail view for any reason, with the click of a button.

3. Honey

Easily find and sort through coupons using Honey.
Credit: Alex perry / Mashable

Honey is one of the more popular and highly reviewed Chrome extensions around, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fast and simple way to find coupons while shopping online, either through an icon next to the URL or on a centralized website.

The internet has made shopping more convenient in a lot of ways, but it can still be difficult to know if you’re getting the best price on something or not. Honey does the work for you and is a helpful tool for saving money.

4. Chrono Download Manager

Much better than the default downloads view.
Credit: Chrono Download Manager

For as many advancements as Chrome has made over the years, downloading things still isn’t the best part of the experience. Trying to look through images, applications or other things you may have downloaded requires opening a separate tab that isn’t especially well-organized. Plus, that download bar on the bottom of the screen is just plain ugly.

Chrono Download Manager is a nice alternative courtesy of the extension marketplace. Click the extension icon in the upper right corner to get a neatly sorted window with all of your downloads. You can group them by date or type and even preview each download as soon as it’s done.

5. HTTPS Everywhere

Keep your data locked up.
Credit: Pixabay

Browsing the internet can be a risky proposition in 2019. Your data can be harvested seemingly anywhere at any time, and it can be difficult to know which websites are secure or not.

That’s where HTTPS Everywhere comes in. The simple Chrome plug-in allows you to switch any website from the default “http” to “https,” which in layman’s terms means it’s encrypted and more secure. It’s impossible for one browser extension to solve all of the internet’s problems, but HTTPS Everywhere has one job and does it well.

6. I don’t care about cookies

These kinds of cookies are worth caring about.
Credit: Shutterstock / EvaStar

Plenty of websites use tracking “cookies” to store user information from anyone who happens to be browsing them. European data regulations now require those websites to tell you this and ask for your permission. While that may be a good thing, having to do this regularly can get a little annoying.

This Chrome extension isn’t flashy or complicated, as all it does is basically hit the “I agree” button for you on cookie pop-ups. It’s little more than a time-saver, but one that works.

7. Dalton colorblindness extension

The Dalton colorblindness extension is a handy tool for the colorblind.
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Some people don’t have perfect color vision, but the world isn’t built for those people. When objects or images on a website aren’t easily distinguishable for the color deficient, the Dalton Chrome extension is a neat solution.

Situated in the upper right corner of the browser, Dalton brings up a simple menu with options for three different types of colorblindness. Users can pick one and adjust two color sliders to hopefully make whatever website they are looking at more readable. There isn’t a cure for colorblindness, but Dalton might help.

8. Speedtest

Get a quick glimpse at your internet connection with Speedtest.
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

The internet is faster than ever, but it’s still not perfect. Sometimes you might need to check your connection speed before trying to stream a video or download a big attachment. Thankfully, Speedtest makes that pretty easy.

Just click the “Go” button and Speedtest will perform a fast connection test on whichever network you’re using. There isn’t much to it other than that, but if you have questions about your network speed, Speedtest can give you some answers.

9. Tab Suspender

Tab Suspender will lighten your browser’s load.
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

The main problem with tabbed browsing is that it’s easy to fly too close to the sun. It can be tempting to keep dozens of tabs open, which inevitably slows Chrome down to a crawl.

Tab Suspender is a viable solution to that problem. It will automatically suspend any open tabs after a set amount of time to keep things running smoothly. Just go to the tab and click or refresh to bring it back.

10. Grammarly

Grammarly will correct mistakes for you.
Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Grammarly is not a new or obscure Chrome extension, but it is a useful one. Anyone who writes anything knows the terror of unintended typos or grammar mistakes. Grammarly will seek these out and fix them for you.

Obviously, spell-check systems already exist, but it can never hurt to have a more detailed and thorough one.

Editor’s note: Mashable and Speedtest are both owned by Ziff Davis.

Sometimes, you want a movie to make you anxious, to really sink its hooks into you and stress you out — but in a fun way! When you’re in that mood, you need a thriller. Luckily for you, Prime Video has a solid library of movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Whether you want to watch a political thriller or a psychological one, these eight movies are sure to scratch that itch. Plus, they’re all included with an Amazon Prime membership, so you don’t need any additional subscriptions in order to watch them.

Here, in no particular order, are the eight best thrillers on Prime Video.

1. Unbreakable

Samuel L. Jackson in “Unbreakable.”
Credit: Getty Images

It’s easy to overlook this fact, but M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable is actually an origin story for a reality-based superhero (and also his nemesis). Bruce Willis stars as a seemingly ordinary security guard whose life of consistently good health is thrown into question when he survives a deadly train crash with nary a scratch or bruise on him. Is Willis’s David Dunn really that healthy? Or is something more fantastical going on here? Also featuring strong performances from stars Samuel L. Jackson and Robin Wright Penn, Unbreakable ended up becoming the starting point for an eventual Shyamalan-helmed trilogy. — Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Unbreakable is now streaming on Prime Video.

2. Casino Royale

Prime Video has every James Bond movie in its catalog, but if you’re looking for a true-blue thriller, it’s tough to top Daniel Craig’s inaugural 007 movie. Casino Royale ushered in the modern Bond era, giving us a grittier take on Ian Fleming’s iconic spy. In this installment, based on Fleming’s first Bond novel, James Bond has only recently earned the title of 007. His first mission will bring him face to face with the villainous Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) and the enigmatic Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). If you want grounded action, intense thrills, and a whole lot of gambling, Casino Royale is the James Bond movie for you. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Casino Royale is now streaming on Prime Video.

3. The Handmaiden

Park Chan-wook’s psycho-sexual thriller unfolds in three acts, each twisting and reframing what came before it. Set in Japan-occupied Korea in the early 20th century, the film follows Count Fujiwara’s (Ha Jung-woo) plan to con the wealthy Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) by infiltrating her household with handmaid Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri). Sook-Hee and Hideko begin a relationship while the Count attempts to woo the heiress, leading to one betrayal after another. 

When it’s not wildly erotic and filled with deception, The Handmaiden feels almost like a fantasy movie, immersing you fully in Ryu Seong-hee’s production design and Jo Yeong-wook’s score. The cast manage to fool viewers as much as each other, and even the film’s quietest scenes thrum with energy. — Proma Khosla, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The Handmaiden is now streaming on Prime Video.

4. To Catch A Thief

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in “To Catch A Thief.”
Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

You can’t have a “best thrillers” list without the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. To Catch A Thief is Hitchcock at his breeziest — it’s not as frightening as Psycho, or as tightly contained as Rear Window, but it’s still a ton of fun. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly star in this thrilling caper along the gorgeous French Riviera. Grant plays a cat burglar trying to clear his name, and Kelly is the beautiful heiress who becomes tangled in his schemes. They’re the perfect match for this film, which is itself the perfect vacation thriller. — B.E.

How to watch: To Catch A Thief is now streaming on Prime Video.

5. The Report

The Report is a political thriller that is less interested in generating thrills than it is in taking a thorough look at its thorny subject matter: the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the CIA’s use of “enhanced interrogation techniques,” conducted by Senate staffer Daniel Jones (Adam Driver). Writer and director Scott Z. Burns distills Jones’s investigation (and subsequent 7,000 page report) into a film that is gripping and horrifying in equal measures. Particularly upsetting are depictions of the CIA’s torture methods, as well as scenes in which United States government officials attempt to justify said torture. Strengthened by one of Driver’s best performances to date, The Report is an unflinching and meticulous examination of the process to uncover a serious injustice. — B.E.

How to watch: The Report is now streaming on Prime Video.

6. The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Imagine a scenario where one of the top candidates in a U.S. presidential election is actually a brainwashed agent of forces working to undermine American interests. That’s the basic premise of The Manchurian Candidate, a 1959 novel and 1962 film that got a fresh and modernized update in 2004 from filmmaker Jonathan Demme. It stars Denzel Washington as Bennett Marco, an ex-soldier who suspects that one of his former squadmates-turned-candidate for Vice President, Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber), is receiving orders from forces outside the U.S. chain of command. — A.R.

How to watch: The Manchurian Candidate is now streaming on Prime Video.

7. Blow The Man Down

Morgan Saylor in “Blow The Man Down.”
Credit: Jeong Park

Directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, Blow The Man Down is an expectation-defying marvel. Set in a small fishing town in Maine, this darkly comedic thriller goes to some unbelievable places when teen sisters Mary Beth (Morgan Saylor) and Pris (Sophie Lowe) are forced to cover up for a violent crime. Still, the film’s unrelenting atmosphere of realism will keep you hooked on the murder mystery at its center, never letting you distance yourself from the action.

Clever joke writing, stunning cinematography, and a fearless performance by Margo Martindale are obvious draws for this title, but it’s full of quieter moments that are just as memorable. A true hidden gem you’ll be recommending yourself if you see it, this is a good pick for when you want to impress someone with your impeccable taste in suspense. Or even just freak them out a little. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Blow The Man Down is now streaming on Prime Video.

8. Raazi

One of the best mainstream Indian films of the 2010s is Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi, starring Alia Bhatt as a spy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Bhatt plays Sehmat Khan, who is married into a Pakistani family and tasked with spying on them by her dying father (Rajit Kapur).

Raazi contains familiar sequences from any spy movie; the training montage, tense surveillance, and brushes with death — but Bhatt’s performance grounds the toll of espionage in a way that few films do. Sehmat often breaks down after a high-stress encounter or upon seeing the consequences of her actions, the body count of a war purportedly greater than any of the individuals caught in its crossfire. Many Indian films succumb to blind nationalism, but it feels different through the eyes of a younger India and Pakistan, and through characters like Sehmat’s husband Iqbal (Vicky Kaushal) who are never villainized but made real and relatable. — P.K.

How to watch: Raazi is now streaming on Prime Video.

I’m sick of cooking. Not so long ago, I enjoyed it. Cooking was a welcomed way for me to unwind from my workday and slide into my evening.

But lockdown changed things. Work from home meant my home kitchen became less a retreat and more a prison, chaining me to the dogged drudgery of meal prep, cooking, washing dishes, rinse, repeat. I was already using make-your-own meal delivery kits. But the rut and work of them became frustrating, so they rotted in my fridge as I favored takeout or whatever was just on hand and easier. It was in hunger for something else that I found CookUnity, a gourmet meal delivery service that has become more dear to me than DoorDash could ever. 

What is CookUnity? 

Quinoa and Veggie Enchiladas
Credit: CookUnity

Forget the meal-planning kits that send you ingredients and recipes. This is the next step in reclaiming your mealtime. CookUnity allows subscribers to pick from a vast menu of meals, which are then delivered once a week (you pick the day), and arrive ready to be reheated. Most meals only require a stove or microwave and take minutes (like 8-20) to get ready to serve. 

The name “CookUnity” points to the chef-centric focus of this particular prepared meal service. Local chefs design the menu of small-batch meals with sustainably sourced ingredients, and every package includes their names and pictures. So, you can start getting a feel for whose recipes really speak to you. 

Founded in 2016, CookUnity is a self-described “chef collective” that counts itself as the “first chef-to-consumer platform.” Currently, there are more than 60 on CookUnity’s roster, including up-and-coming chefs, established restaurateurs, and cuisine innovators like Akhtar Nawab, Larry & Marc Forgione, Esther Choi, Jose Garces, and Leah Cohen. To hone and prepare their meals, CookUnity provides its chefs with state-of-the-art kitchens in Miami, Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City. Available nationwide, this service allows subscribers to support their local chefs while enjoying great meals at home and low stress. 

CookUnity means variety

K-BBQ Skirt Steak Salad
Credit: CookUnity

When I got fed up with the Hello Apron of it all, I researched a bunch of prepared food delivery services. I wanted something that gave me the variety of getting takeout, but without the cost or daily need to call in an order. While a lot of these services offer varieties on a grain bowl over and over, CookUnity that and much, much more. There are salads, pasta, meat and potatoes, vegan cuisine, and soups. Right now, in the app, I have 170 dishes to choose from for my next delivery. 170!

If this many options seems overwhelming, fear not. The easy-to-use CookUnity app allows you to sort the menu by dietary categories, among them: Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Low Calorie, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Mediterranean, and Pescatarian. Additionally, there are featured selections each month, that include seasonal recipes, holiday-inspired selections, and chef specials — which come with a bit of a price bump. 

What does CookUnity cost? 

Braised Lamb Sabzi
Credit: CookUnity

The meals start at $10.49 per meal but adjust depending on the subscription plan. Subscribers can choose between four, six, eight, 12, or 16 meals/week. If you pick a meal with a fancier item, there’ll be a notice of an additional charge, ranging from $1.99 to $7.99.

For myself, the standard meals have been terrific enough that I’m rarely tempted to go for the gusto with the Chef Specials. However, sometimes you just want something special, like cedar-planked trout with a pumpkin seed pesto. And I can tell you from experience, that extra cash is worth it in flavor. 

How does CookUnity work? 

Split Pea Falafel Bowl
Credit: CookUnity

Pick a plan. Download the app, and you can begin picking your meals. Thanks to the app’s design, it’s incredibly easy to do. Each meal has a picture, and you can click through for details on each dish, including its ingredients, calorie count, and reviews from other users. If you love a meal, click the heart to favorite it, and now you have an additional category to help you choose from that plethora of menu options the following week. Pick your delivery day, confirm your order, and your meals will be on their way. You can even get notifications for when they’ll be delivered, complete with tracking information. 

Personally, our delivery person never rings the doorbell. But there’s no need, as the alert on my phone tells me my food has arrived. 

CookUnity means less mess. 

CookUnity packaging is recyclable and compostable
Credit: CookUnity

Forget all that takeout trash and that pile of dishes. Each CookUnity meal comes in a container that is oven and microwave safe. So, if you don’t want to plate it after it’s cooked – you truly don’t need to. The containers are recyclable, but check your local recycling restrictions to assure your center will process it. Plus, the isolated cooler and ice pack that your meals arrive in can be set out for pick-up on your next delivery day, so it can be reused! 

Another advantage to the microwavable container is that if you don’t finish the portion a meal awards (some are quite generous!), it’s easy to pop the slim cardboard cover back on top your leftovers and stick it in the fridge. I don’t know if this is CookUnity’s goal with the packaging, but it’s worked grand for me, and even kept dirtied Tupperware from invading my kitchen sink! 

Why I’ve made CookUnity a habit

Al Pastor Tacos
Credit: CookUnity

CookUnity has made meal prep one less thing I need to stress over day-to-day. I can make my decisions on my phone, while I’m binge-watching TV or commuting to work. The photos, chef profiles, and variety of dishes make meal prep a chore I actually look forward to. It’s fun to pick out meals for me and my partner. And once I’ve confirmed my picks, I know that my fridge will be full of easy, yummy, and even healthy options for lunch and dinner. 

Forty different cuisines are offered through CookUnity, which invites subscribers to explore flavors and foods they might not be familiar with. But also, being able to pick individual meals means you and your family don’t need to be in the same food mood to be satisfied. On any given night, my partner might go with the Pork Al Pastor Tacos (a big favorite around here) while I might go with the Baked Catfish with Collard Greens. It’s like ordering from multiple incredible restaurants without the hassle. 

CookUnity has made mealtime something I enjoy again, instead of dread. It’s turned my fridge into a treasure trove, reliably stuffed with fresh and delicious food. I am no longer condemned by the rut of routine, be it in cuisine or cooking or stacks of damned dishes. And it’s easier to eat better because I have at my fingertips not only a bunch of options but also the nutritional info needed to make mindful choices.

I’ve been relying on it for months and haven’t looked back. My pans are gathering dust, and I’m fine with that.  

Summer Games Fest 2022 keeps chugging along with Guerrilla Collective’s showcase of indie games returning once again. Simply called “GC3,” the third annual event showcase announced and revealed more than 40 games during its 90-minute runtime. From games that’ll raise your heartbeat to games that’ll warm your soul, we picked 10 games that we thought stole the show on first look.

1. The Fridge is Red

PS1-inspired indie horror games are hot right now. Published by Tinybuild, The Fridge is Red is a collection of experimental first-person horror games that take inspiration from SCP and The Twilight Zone. Accompanying the absolutely wild trailer is a free demo that is out on Steam right now.

2. WrestleQuest

For those who have been craving their own choose-your-adventure wrestling anime videogame — then oh boy do I have a game for you. WrestleQuest is an upcoming pro wrestling role-playing adventure game featuring quests that take inspiration from WWE legends like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and The Road Warriors. Players can expect to grapple up with this one later in 2022.

3. Signalis

Developer rose-engine has announced a release date for Signalis. An atmospheric isometric survival game set on an off-world facility, Signalis looks like a marriage between Silent Hill and Resident Evil all wrapped together with a spooky retro art style. You’ll be able to grab this on PS4 and Steam on Oct. 27.

4. Boundary

If you’re looking for an indie space action game without the bleak survival horror elements, check out Boundary. Developer Surgical Scalpels’ multiplayer tactical shooter offers zero-gravity dogfights with a stunning graphical polish. Although Boundary was announced about a year ago, players will be able to enjoy it soon with the announcement of a playable beta ready for this summer.

5. South of the Circle

South of the Circle is an interesting narrative adventure from developers State of Play, which explores the relationship between two Cambridge academics out in the deep arctic. It’s already out for iOS devices but will be released on consoles and PCs soon.

6. Arkanoid: Eternal Battle

During GC3 there was a segment dedicated to revivals of classic arcade games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. While that was fun and nostalgic, the real standout was Arkanoid: Eternal Battle, a new version of the timeless brick-breaking game now with a versus mode and 25-player battle royale. Was that last addition necessary? No. It is, however, greatly appreciated.

7. Greedventory

Developer Black Tower Basement seems to have crafted a wonderfully dark and comic fantasy world with Greedventory, a pixel-art narrative RPG that tasks the hero with looting and fighting to their hearts’ content.

8. Ugly

A new puzzle platformer from Graffiti Games, Ugly stars a tormented nobleman confronting the traumas of his past. A dark platformer that looks to take inspiration from games like Braid, Ugly should be added to your wishlist expeditiously.

9. Witch Strandings

Coming to a forest near you, Witch Strandings is a top-down open-world game developed by Strange Scaffold. So far, everything about the game is shrouded in mystery, including its announcement, which shows a player getting sucked into the game. Despite not a lot of information to go on, Strange Scaffold promises that Witch Strandings will have meaningful player choices and permadeath. It arrives on Steam on July 7.

10. Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography

Last but not least in this round-up is Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography. Finally, gamers can learn a new language in a fun, creative experience that doesn’t involve a giant green bird breathing down your neck. All bird jokes aside, Shashingo, is an edutainment game that uses virtual photography to teach players the Japanese language and reveal more about the in-game world around them.

NASA wants to believe.

And maybe it will at the conclusion of the latest study the U.S. government’s space agency is conducting. NASA announced this week that it would start a nine-month study in the fall to research unidentified aerial phenomena (or UAPs), with a focus on figuring out how to collect data and use that data to further understand them going forward.

The study will be led by David Spergel, an astrophysicist who is also the president of the Simons Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to scientific research. NASA said it’s still putting together the rest of the research team, which NASA’s press release said will put an emphasis on figuring out which UAPs are natural in origin for air safety and national security. In other words, if you know that the mysterious sky phenomenon is just a quirk of nature, you might be able to plan around it so it doesn’t cause problems.

Of course, the real juice of this story would be the discovery of extraterrestrial life through the study of UAPs, but NASA’s announcement poured some cold water on that idea.

“There is no evidence UAPs are extra-terrestrial in origin,” NASA said.

That’s consistent with what NASA said last year about UAPs it couldn’t explain, but just because there’s no evidence now doesn’t mean there will never be evidence. At the time, NASA said it needed a “more sophisticated analysis” of UAPs with “additional investment,” so at least it got its wishes a year later.

Maybe NASA should add Tom DeLonge to the team for some additional perspective.

Our top picks from Best Buy’s three-day sale, which runs through Monday, June 13 at 12:59 a.m E.T.

• BEST HOME DEAL: Dyson V8 Animal cordless stick vacuum — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• BEST TV DEAL: Insignia 55-inch F50 Series QLED TV — $339.99 $499.99 (save $160)

• BEST SMART HOME DEAL: Sonos Move speaker — $319.20 $399.99 (save $80.79)

Hypothetical situation: You’ve just realized that we’re firmly in June, and in the process of reckoning with the fact that we’re past this year’s halfway point, you realized that’s Father’s Day is just around the corner, you missed that Memorial Day sale you’d meant to shop, and oh — your younger sibling graduates in a week.

If this hypothetical feels a little too real, don’t worry — you’re not as woefully unprepared as you think. Best Buy’s three-day sale for dads, grads, and anyone else interested in scoring great deals has arrived. Through Monday, June 13 at 12:59 a.m E.T. (that’s just after the day ends Sunday night), you can save on tech, home, and even fitness essentials.

Since you might still be reeling over the whole passage of time thing, we’ve narrowed down the best deals category. Though many of these savings aren’t Best Buy-exclusive, they are the best deals out there — and wouldn’t it be easiest to get all your shopping done in one place?

Dyson V8 Animal cordless stick vacuum — $349.99 (save $100)

We love a good Dyson vacuum, and this one is no exception. The V8 Animal is a great all-around vacuum for those living in smaller spaces — like a newly-minted grad moving into their first adult apartment. In addition to the standard vacuum, this vac also comes with four more interchangeable heads for reaching every nook and cranny. As the name suggests, the nylon bristles also do an exceptional job at picking up pet hair.

Insignia 55-inch F50 Series QLED TV — $339.99 (save $160)

Who said a new TV has to break the bank? It’s not all that often you’ll find quantum dot color range for under $350. Pair that with this TV’s mid-sized screen and smart capabilities, and you have a deal that you definitely won’t want to miss. (For those with a slightly larger television budget, there are still plenty of great markdowns to give you that bang for your buck).

Sonos Move speaker — $319.20 (save $80.79)

It is peak backyard barbecue/patio hangout season, and you don’t want to be caught without a speaker that can handle the task. The weatherproof Sonos Move is easy to bring inside and outside thanks to its handle, has great sound quality, and has Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in. Plus, it has great sound quality and 10 hours of battery life, making it the ideal way to listen to your music year-round.

TV deals

• Insignia 55-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K TV — $309.99 $449.99 (save $140)

• Insignia 55-inch F50 Series QLED TV — $339.99 $499.99 (save $160)

• LG 70-inch Class NanoCell 75 Series LED 4K TV — $699.99 $899.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 55-inch Class Q70A Series QLED 4K TV — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 65-inch Class Q80A Series QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• LG 65-inch Class C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $1,899.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 65-inch Class Q70A Series QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)

• LG 55-inch Class C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)

• Sony 55-inch Class BRAVIA XR A80J Series OLED 4K TV — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 99 QNED 8K TV — $1,999.99 $2,699.99 (save $700)

Laptop, computer, and monitor deals

• Lenovo IdeaPad 3 — $329.99 $499.99 (save $170)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

• Lenovo Yoga 9i — $1,049.99 $1,449.99 (save $400)

• MacBook Pro (M1) — $1,149.99 $1,299.99 (save $150)

Headphones deals

• Beats Studio Buds — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds — $199 $279 (save $80)

• Sony WF-1000XM4 in-ear headphones — $229.99 $279.99 (save $50)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 over-the-ear headphones — $278 $349.99 (save $71.99)

• Bose QuietComfort 45 — $279 $329 (save $50)

• Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — $329 $379 (save $50)

Gaming deals

• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Standard Edition — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• PlayStation 5 DualSense wireless controller — $59.99 $74.99 (save $15)

• Samsung T350 Series 24-inch monitor — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)

• Dell S2721DGF 27-inch gaming monitor — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

Smart home deals

• Google Nest Mini (second generation) — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $69.99 $109.99 (save $40)

• Ring video doorbell (2020 release) — $84.99 $99.99 (save $15)

• Sonos Roam speaker — $143.20 $179.99 (save $36.79)

• Google Nest smart thermostat — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Sonos Move speaker — $319.20 $399.99 (save $80.79)

Fitness deals

• Therabody Theragun mini — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Fitbit Sense — $199.95 $299.95 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch4 — $329.99 $379.99 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 (save $70)

• Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells —$379.99 $429.99 (save $50)

• Schwinn IC4 indoor exercise bike — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

Home and Kitchen deals

• Ninja Professional Plus Blender DUO with Auto-IQ — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Dyson Pure Cool Purifying Fan — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70)

• Dyson V8 Animal cordless stick vacuum — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• iRobot Roomba i3+ Evo — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150)

• Dyson V11 Torque Drive cordless vacuum — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

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