Apple has announced that it’s reversing its previously announced decision to no longer support home screen web apps, also known as Progressive Web Apps (PWA), on the iPhone. As of Friday, March 1, 2024, EU users will continue to be able to install and use home screen web apps on iOS going forward.
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The home screen web app feature allows users to install certain websites as standalone apps on their iOS devices. This allows users to have quick access to websites, as well as other app functionalities, that may not have an iOS application.
Certain developers and users in the EU who had installed the most recent beta version of iOS were surprised to find that it removed home screen web app capabilities. But they can soon expect an update which restores the feature on their devices. Apple says iOS 17.4, which will be released in early march, will return the functionality to those users.
Why did Apple remove home screen web apps in the EU to begin with?
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a new EU regulation that requires companies like Apple to open up their core platforms in order to spur competition in markets where big tech has overwhelming power and influence.
For example, under the DMA, Apple has been forced to allow alternative marketplaces to compete with the App Store when it comes to distributing apps on the iPhone.
Apple is currently preparing for the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to officially go into effect in the EU this month. Along with the required App Store change, Apple has made other tweaks as mandated by the DMA. However, Apple’s interpretation of these new regulations has resulted in the company making controversial decisions which have sparked criticism from other big tech companies.
Meta, Microsoft, Spotify, and others have blasted Apple for its DMA-inspired app distribution scheme. For instance, developers balked when they learned that they may actually end up having to pay Apple more to put their app in an alternative marketplace than they would have if they just continued to operate within the official App Store.
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Microsoft and Meta have both lobbied to the EU to take action against Apple’s new policies, arguing that Apple’s “malicious compliance” does not uphold the actual intent of the DMA regulations.
When it comes to home screen web apps, Apple previously claimed that the DMA would force Apple to alter its home screen web app rules as well. The company said that due to vulnerabilities and potential malicious uses, it was going to kill off the feature.
“Previously, Apple announced plans to remove the Home Screen web apps capability in the EU as part of our efforts to comply with the DMA,” Apple said in their new statement regarding the reversal of their decision to discontinue PWAs on iOS. “The need to remove the capability was informed by the complex security and privacy concerns associated with web apps to support alternative browser engines that would require building a new integration architecture that does not currently exist in iOS.”
“We have received requests to continue to offer support for Home Screen web apps in iOS, therefore we will continue to offer the existing Home Screen web apps capability in the EU,” the statement from Apple continued. “This support means Home Screen web apps continue to be built directly on WebKit and its security architecture, and align with the security and privacy model for native apps on iOS.”
Apple’s recent response is remarkable as the company previously stated that its decision to just remove home screen web apps was because it had “very low user adoption.” Apparently, the blowback was significant enough for the company to reconsider.
So, Apple has officially reversed course on one unpopular decision that it once claimed was necessary due to the new EU regulations. Time will tell if Apple will decide – or be forced — change its unpopular alternative marketplace policies too.
RIP to Facebook’s News tab. My friend’s moms loved you so much.
Next month, Meta will get rid of Facebook News, its news hub located in the platform’s bookmarks section, in the U.S. and Australia. It already got rid of Facebook News in the UK, France, and Germany, and this move should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been following Meta’s continued attempts to distance its platforms from politics and news.
The company said it’s getting rid of the tab to “focus our time and resources on things people tell us they want to see more of on the platform, including short-form video.” That’s right folks, no more news on Facebook so the platform can spend more time and money on Reels.
SEE ALSO:
Why you might not see news on Facebook or Instagram in Canada
“We know that people don’t come to Facebook for news and political content — they come to connect with people and discover new opportunities, passions and interests,” Meta said in a blog post. “As we previously shared in 2023, news makes up less than 3 percent of what people around the world see in their Facebook feed, and is a small part of the Facebook experience for the vast majority of people.”
You’ll still be able to view links to news articles and follow news publishers on their Facebook pages and accounts. But the news tab garnered millions of dollars in content deals for publishers, which will all be going away. As the blog post said, there will be no new commercial deals for news, and it won’t offer any “new Facebook products specifically for news publishers in the future.”
If you, for some reason, want to download your Facebooks News data, visit your Facebook information in your profile settings.
X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, just became a slightly safer space for its transgender users – even if Elon Musk would prefer his right-wing fans not pay too much attention to it.
On Thursday, tech news outlet Ars Technica noticed that the Musk-owned social media platform quietly added new rules to its “Abuse and Harassment” policies. Under a newly added section titled “Use of Prior Names and Pronouns,” X added policies that protect the site’s transgender users from misgendering and dead naming harassment.
SEE ALSO:
On Threads, users say they’re flooded with pro-life and transphobic posts
The new X policy reads as follows:
“We will reduce the visibility of posts that purposefully use different pronouns to address someone other than what that person uses for themselves, or that use a previous name that someone no longer goes by as part of their transition. Given the complexity of determining whether such a violation has occurred, we must always hear from the target to determine if a violation has occurred.”
Basically, these new rules discourage targeted harassment of individual transgender users by using incorrect pronouns or addressing them by their former name prior to their transition. It should be noted that X is not prohibiting this type of content outright, just making it harder to find.
These new policies aren’t perfect but they are certainly welcome additions to X. GLAAD’s senior director of social media safety Jenni Olson told Ars Technica that while the self-reporting mechanism required by the targeted user is not ideal, X’s specificity in discouraging anti-trans harassment by explicitly creating rules around deadnaming and misgendering is a step in the right direction.
Previous transgender protections removed by Musk
This rule change is an uncharacteristic move for the platform under Musk.
X, then known as Twitter, used to have policies in place prohibiting deadnaming and misgendering of users on the platform.
Those rules read as follows:
“We prohibit targeting others with repeated slurs, tropes or other content that intends to degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category. This includes targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals. In some cases, such as (but not limited to) severe, repetitive usage of slurs, or racist/sexist tropes where the context is to harass or intimidate others, we may require Tweet removal. In other cases, such as (but not limited to) moderate, isolated usage where the context is to harass or intimidate others, we may limit Tweet visibility as further described below.”
Then, in April of last year, just months after Musk acquired the platform, those anti-trans harassment rules were quietly removed from Twitter’s policies.
Further signaling support for the right-wing audience Musk has cultivated over the past few years, the X-owner even went so far as declaring the terms “cisgender” and “cis” to be slurs that sometimes even appear with a warning label on the platform.
Musk receives backlash from the right-wing
X’s new rules discouraging harassment of trans users are a bit weaker than the guidelines it had in place last year. Most notable is the fact that these hate posts won’t be removed nor will users be suspended for publishing them. X will just limit the visibility of this type of content so fewer users see it in their feeds.
Also, interestingly, the new policy doesn’t use the terms “misgendering” or “deadnaming,” even though it does describe what the terms are.
It’s unclear exactly why X has somewhat reversed course. Since Musk has taken over X, the company has lost significant advertising revenue due in part to hate speech permeating on the platform. The move to make X a marginally safer place for even more of its users is also a likely move to make it a safer place for advertisers to spend their money.
However, Musk’s right-wing fanbase have already voiced their disapproval of these new rules.
For example, the owner of the anti-LGBTQ account “Libs of TikTok” Chaya Raichik tested out the new rules by purposefully misgendering transgender influencers and celebrities in a post and telling users to find her on her other account if she gets suspended over it.
“You’re not going to get suspended,” Musk replied.
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Raichik responded by complaining that she will still get “shadowbanned” and lose visibility. When Raichik asked why there needed to be a change, Musk said that the new rules were “just about the repeated, targeted harassment of an individual or person.”
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But, these assurances from Musk were not enough. Right-wing X users continued to complain that their anti-trans harassment wouldn’t be promoted on the platform.
And it appears the right-wing blowback may work, as Musk has already signaled he may relent.
Replying to a user complaining about the new policy leading to “censorship,” Musk replied:
Ready to get a headstart on all your spring cleaning? You’re going to need a great vacuum. As of March 1, you can save up to 27% on select Bissell vacuums and carpet cleaners at Amazon.
Bissell vacuum and carpet cleaner deals
Best upright vacuum deal
Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
$106.44 (Save $12)
Best carpet cleaner for pets deal
Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
$128.64 (Save $46.45)
Best carpet and upholstery cleaner deal
Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
$98 at Amazon (Save $25.59)
Spring is finally on its way, and you know what that means: tidying up the house you’ve left languishing since the dead of winter. Empty those dustbins, change those sheets, and most importantly, vacuum all those nooks and crannies! While you’re at it, vacuum the whole house. Spring cleaning is serious business.
Because it’s serious business, you’ll want to make sure you have a great vacuums and other cleaning tools to handle it all. And now’s a great time to buy one, because over at Amazon, you can save up to 27% on some of Bissell’s best-selling vacuums and carpet and upholstery cleaners.
Whether you want to bring home a new upright vacuum or you need to give your carpets and furniture some special TLC, there are a few great deals you won’t want to miss out on. Who said spring cleaning had to cost you an arm and a leg, anyway?
Best upright vacuum deal
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Credit: Amazon
Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum
$106.44 at Amazon $118.44 Save $12.00
The Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum offers powerful suction with a triple-action brush roll to hoover up pet hair, dirt, and other debris, whether it’s in the path of your vacuum or hidden along the edges and in the corners of your room. It can even loosen pet hair (and human hair) that clings stubbornly to carpet. Vacuum full? Just empty the dirt tank with one button press, and you can get back to vacuuming the rest of your home.
Best carpet cleaner for pets deal
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Credit: Amazon
Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
$128.64 at Amazon $175.09 Save $46.45
Pets are adorable, but they make pet messes. If you find yourself routinely cleaning up after your best furry friend, the Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is a great option to keep your house as clean as you can, or at least until you replace your carpets. It’s a spot and stain cleaner you can use across your carpets, upholstery, and even your car. Its tough scrubbing action and suction means you can work out new and old stains, dirt, and other issues with your carpet as long as you’re willing to scrub. It has a stain tool, stain trapper, and trial size of special cleaner for pet messes to help you get started.
Best carpet cleaner and upholstery deal
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Credit: Amazon
Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
$98.00 at Amazon $123.59 Save $25.59
The Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner can handle a variety of messy situations with gusto, thanks to its self-cleaning hose and spraying crevice tool. You can clean out all those hard-to-reach areas, like the nooks and crannies of your couch that haven’t seen a thorough cleaning in ages. Or the inside of a pet carrier that your furry friend has gotten sick in (don’t ask). With a 48 oz. tank, you’ll be able to clean for a while, and you can take it throughout your home to hit small spots with a cleaning burst or park it in one place for an all-over scrub.
40% OFF: Deep clean without breaking the bank! Shark upright and stick vacuums are up to 40% off at Amazon.
Our top picks:
Best deal overall
Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum
$149.99 at Amazon (save $50)
Best runner-up deal
Shark HS152AMZ UltraLight Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum
$149.99 at Amazon (save $100 )
Best budget deal
Shark NV105 Navigator Light Upright Vacuum
$137.65 at Amazon (save $12.34)
Having a reliable vacuum is pretty much non-negotiable, especially if you have pets. (I have two beagles, and I vacuum twice a day, every day.) But with the prices of vacuums nowadays, finding one that fits your budget without sacrificing quality can be difficult.
SEE ALSO:
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Fortunately, retailers like Amazon and other online stores often offer sales and deals on vacuums, making it easier to find a high-quality Shark vacuum at an affordable price. With spring right around the corner, we’ve noticed several spring cleaning sales popping up on Amazon, with discounts of up to 40% off Shark vacuums.
Here are our top picks for the best Shark vacuum deals you can find on Amazon this week:
You can get a Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum for just $149.99 at Amazon.
This vacuum has powerful suction and a Lift-Away feature that gives you the option to turn your upright vacuum into a portable canister vacuum. It’s also great for deep-cleaning carpets or tidying up hard floors with its brush roll shut-off feature.
With swivel steering, pet hair pickup attachments (like an upholstery tool), and a crevice tool, you can clean your entire home with this versatile vacuum.
Best runner-up Shark deal
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Credit: Shark
Our pick: Shark HS152AMZ UltraLight Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum
$149.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $100.00
Why we like it
You can get the Shark HS152AMZ UltraLight Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum for the same price as the above model.
This corded stick vac is ideal for pet owners who need a lightweight and compact vacuum. It’s only 10 pounds, features a removable hand vacuum that weighs around three pounds and has powerful suction to tackle pet hair and dander.
With a removable dust cup, pet crevice tool, pet multi-tool, and swivel steering, this Shark vacuum is a solid choice for pet parents who are fed up with constant shedding.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Shark NV105 Navigator Light Upright Vacuum is a top-notch vac at an affordable price.
This upright vacuum has over 4,500 Amazon reviews with an average 4.5-star rating. It can easily clean carpets, hardwood, tile, and vinyl floors thanks to its powerful suction and brush roll shutoff feature that allows you to switch between different floor types in seconds.
It also includes a duster, crevice, and upholstery tool to get those hard-to-reach areas.
If you haven’t gotten a PS5 yet, it might be best to wait a few months.
Sony will reportedly release a powered-up “Pro” version of the console as soon as this year. To be clear, there hasn’t been a great deal of solid, reliable reporting on the topic just yet, but rumblings of a PS5 Pro have only gotten more intense as time has gone on.
But what would a PS5 Pro actually entail? Let’s dig in.
SEE ALSO:
PS5 Slim vs. PS5: What are the differences?
PS5 Pro release date
The only (and I mean only) real evidence that we have of the PS5 Pro’s existence comes from Serkan Toto, a gaming industry analyst from Kantan Games. Toto recently told CNBC that he believes a revamped PS5 could be in the works for launch in late 2024. Part of the reasoning for this is that Sony cut its sales forecast for the next fiscal year, perhaps signaling that the PlayStation brand could use a boost in the near future.
Credit: Sony
Toto also mentioned the impending release of Grand Theft Auto VI in 2025 as a good reason for Sony to get new hardware in people’s entertainment centers.
These are simply the words of an analyst who doesn’t work for Sony, so it’s fair to take them with a grain of salt. However, the prediction somewhat lines up with Sony’s past activities with the PlayStation brand. For example, the PS4 Pro came out in 2016, three years after the launch of the PS4. Late 2024 will mark four years since the launch of the PS5.
As we enter the latter half of the PS5’s life cycle, 2024 may be the only year where it makes sense to launch the PS5 Pro.
PS5 Pro price
This is where the lack of solid reporting on the PS5 Pro’s existence becomes difficult to deal with.
Credit: Sony
Since we don’t even know that the PS5 Pro exists, it’s impossible to say how much it would cost. All we can really do is look back on how Sony handled the PS4 Pro, which is actually somewhat encouraging. The upgraded PS4 launched at $399 — the same price the original PS4 launched at three years prior. Perhaps Sony will drop the price of the standard PS5 and release the Pro at $499, the current PS5 price in the U.S. for the model with a disc drive.
Making this a little more complicated is the fact that Sony slightly hiked the price of the PS5 in other markets in late 2022. Sony will have to figure out a way to sell the PS5 Pro at a somewhat fair price without losing a ton of money in the process.
PS5 Pro design
This is another area where all we can do is speculate.
Credit: Sony
Sony has already lightly revised the PS5 post-launch, with the release of the PS5 slim model late last year. That made the console slightly shorter and thinner, but it’s still the same basic design. In all likelihood, a PS5 Pro would go in the opposite direction and be even larger than the already very large standard PS5. That’s the price of increasing horsepower.
One way Sony could alleviate this is by getting rid of the disc drive and forcing customers to buy the separate, detachable disc drive that’s available for the PS5 Slim. That wouldn’t exactly be ideal, but it would make the console a bit smaller.
PS5 Pro controller
When Sony launched the PS4 Pro, it made zero changes to the PS4’s standard DualShock 4 controller. After all, it didn’t really need any. I would expect the same approach to be taken with the PS5 Pro.
Credit: Sony
The PS5 DualSense controller is excellent as is, with the exception of inevitable analog stick drift. I’ve personally gone through like three of the dang things since launch. In a perfect world, Sony would bundle the PS5 Pro with the more expensive DualSense Edge controller, which allows users to easily swap new analog sticks in and out instead of buying a whole new controller when drift develops.
That seems unlikely based on past precedent, but hey, a man can dream.
Sure, they’re small, but that doesn’t mean earbuds are a purchase to be taken lightly.
You’ve probably been listening to music on the go for most of your life. So you know that finding a good pair of earbuds is actually pretty tricky. (I’ve gone through more in my lifetime than I can count.)
SEE ALSO:
The best wireless earbuds: Our top 8 picks for the best sound on the go
Does that mean all earbuds are crap? No. It’s simply not true that bass, noise cancellation, and crisp sound can only be found in fancy over-ear headphones. Some of us prefer our headphones to be a little more inconspicuous and portable.
Since it’s always good to get a personal recommendation, we did some research and pulled out the best earbuds on Amazon. You’ll find earbuds that require a headphone jack or the beloved dongle, wireless Bluetooth earbuds that still have a connecting cord, and the truly wireless earbuds that are as discreet as you can get. Whatever your preference and whatever your price range, you’re sure to find some that don’t suck.
Earbuds versus earphones: What’s the difference?
The difference between earbuds and earphones is actually pretty simple. Earphones typically fit over your ear — if you’ve seen the AirPods Max, you’ve seen what a typical pair of over-ear headphones look like. Earbuds actually fit inside of your ear, like the Powerbeats Pro or AirPods Pro.
You can find fantastic versions of either style; your choice will just come down to personal preference. Earphones typically aren’t as harsh on your ears, featuring soft earcups to prevent soreness, but earbuds are a lot more compact and funnel audio directly into your eardrums. Earbuds can usually get a better seal for enhanced noise-cancelation, too.
Ready to shop? Read on below for the best earbuds on Amazon.
Best for iPhone users: Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 2)
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Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 2)
$189.00 at Amazon $249.00 Save $60.00
Read our full review of Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 2) earbuds.
Who it’s for:
Anyone that owns an iPhone will appreciate Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds, which offer impressive value even considering the relatively high price tag. There are cheaper AirPods available in 2024, but if you care about stellar sound, these are the best earbuds on Amazon for the money.
Why we picked this:
The latest Apple AirPods Pro have some modest improvements over the original Pro model, but the addition of USB-C charging justifies the upgrade in our opinion. And in terms of performance, these earbuds are still the gold standard for Apple customers. They offer impressive battery life, improved active noise cancellation, sweat and water resistance, and all-day battery life (and then some).
Most affordable: Panasonic RP-HJE120 In-Ear Stereo Earphones
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Panasonic RP-HJE120 In-Ear Stereo Earphones
$8.99 at Amazon $9.99 Save $1.00
Who it’s for:
If you’re not looking for over-the-top sound features and just need a pair to get the job done, these are for you.
Why we picked this:
You shouldn’t pick a pair of earbuds simply because of an attractive low price, but that’s not to say that quality earbuds can’t be 10 bucks. The Panasonic RP-HJE120-PPK In-Ear Stereo Earphones have a super comfy ergo-fit bud that’s said to conform to the shape of your ear. If you’re not looking for over-the-top sound features and just need a pair to get the job done, these are for you — though some customers also mention that their noise blocking and bass clarity is pretty impressive for such a low price.
Battery life: n/a | Active noise cancellation: No | Microphone: No
Best earbuds with a built-in remote: Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector
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Credit: Apple
Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector
$15.99 at Amazon
Who it’s for:
They’re a classic for a reason. The earbuds were literally built for your iPhone. Plus, unlike your average pair of $16 earbuds, they do come with an integrated microphone for phone calls.
Why we picked this:
If you want Apple Air Pods but aren’t sure you’re ready for the commitment yet, the classic Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector are a great, inexpensive substitute in the meantime. These wired, lightning connector earphones were designed by Apple for your Apple device. They work with all devices that have a lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later. This includes iPod touches, iPads, and iPhones.
The Apple EarPods don’t have the traditional circular bud design, but the style is actually built around the shape of the ear. Although it depends on the person, they’re supposed to be more comfortable than other earbud-style headphones. There were also engineered to increase sound output and decrease sound loss. In layman’s terms: the’ve got great, crisp sound while limiting outside noises.
The most impressive feature of the EarPods is the built-in remote. With the touch of a button, you can change the volume, pause, play, rewind, and skip audio and video, and answer or end calls.
But, don’t expect these buds to last a while (only a couple of months). Too many bumps to the old lightning jack and these buds will become super glitchy. If you want a pair of earbuds with great remote-controlled features that you know will work with your Apple device, these pair are for you. We recommend getting them directly from the Apple store because unfortunately there are a lot of scams out there.
Battery life: n/a | Active noise cancellation: No | Microphone: Yes
Most secure fit: Power Beats Pro Wireless Earbuds
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Credit: Beats
Power Beats Pro Wireless Earbuds
$199.95 at Amazon $249.95 Save $50.00
Who it’s for:
These earbuds combine Beats quality sound with convenience and comfort. While they work particularly well with iPhones and other Apple products, anyone can appreciate the comfortable fit and big sound.
Why we picked this:
Beats is known for its quality sound and high performance. Of course, these earbuds are no different, bringing you the same sound that you love and your playlist deserves while also offering quality comfort.
Designed for those on the move, the Power Beats Pro totally wireless earbuds are both sweat and water resistant. And with nine straight hours of listening time these earbuds will last long after you leave the gym. Plus, with the charging case you get up to 24 hours of listening.
Battery life: 24 hours | Active noise cancellation: No | Microphone: Yes
Best earbuds for audiophiles: Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3
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Credit: Sennheiser
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3
$187.99 at Amazon $279.95 Save $91.96
Who it’s for:
For music lovers and people who appreciate strong ANC and ambient sound passthrough, these earbuds are our top pick for sound quality.
Why we picked this:
Are you or a loved one a passionate (at times annoying) audiophile? With the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 Earbuds you won’t be complaining about glitchy sounds or subpar bass anymore.
These buds are superior when it comes to customizing your audio experience. You can tailor your earbuds to your specifications by downloading the Sennheiser Smart Control app. They have so many customizable features with the built-in equalizer and pre-sets, like Bass Boost and Sound Personalization. There’s even a guided listening test to perfect your earbuds.
The Adaptive Noise Cancellation mode lets you block out noises for a more immersive music experience — without the distractions. But, in case you’re worried about being too distracted by your music, Transparency Mode keeps you grounded in the real world. You can specify the sounds you want to be alerted to in noise cancellation mode like traffic or alarms.
Many audiophile reviewers love the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 Earbuds for its incredible play time and impressive, customizable features. If you want earbuds with supreme sound that feel uniquely yours, the iconic Sennheiser’s are just what you’re lookin for.
Best budget sports earbuds: Stiive Bluetooth Sports Earbuds
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Credit: Stiive
Stiive Bluetooth Sports Earbuds
$18.99 at Amazon $19.99 Save $1.00
Who it’s for:
If you need a pair of wireless earbuds for the gym that you can afford to lose, then these affordable buds are a smart pick thanks to IPX7 waterproofing. Sweatproof and equipped with a comfortable ear hook, these little guys are great for vigorous workouts.
Why we picked this:
Hey gym addicts: The Stiive Bluetooth Sports Earbuds are a sweat-resistant, durable pair of earbuds great for all your gym needs.
With the ear-hook and earbud design, you won’t have to worry about your earphones falling out during your most strenuous workouts like running, cycling, lifting, and more. They come with four eartip sizes (XS, S, M, and L) to better fit your ear.
These workout headphones can withstand sweat or rain because of the buds’ nano-coating protective tech. Not only do they have authentic sound and bass but, these buds also has a CVC6.0 noise-canceling microphone which helps filter out background noise and capture your voice when answering calls.
For a pair of earbuds under $20 with great sound, a secure fit, and sweat-proof design, the Stiive sports earbuds are a great value for gym bros that want to listen while they workout.
Battery life: 16 hours | Active noise cancellation: No | Microphone: No
Best for commuters: Samsung Galaxy Pro Earbuds
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Credit: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Pro Earbuds
$159.99 at Amazon $199.99 Save $40.00
Who it’s for:
Samsung’s earbuds have everything commuters need for the trek to and from the office (and are great all-rounders in general).
Why we picked this:
The top-of-the-line model from Samsung’s lineup of great quality earbuds, these buds offer a ton of features in two little packages. They’re especially great for taking calls on the go, thanks to call settings including voice detection and background noise reduction that kicks in when you start talking. If you’re just listening to music, a more thorough noise cancellation feature also kicks in to help you tune out when you’re listening to your favorite playlist.
One of our favorite features is Ambient Sound mode, which is a four-level system that lets in different levels of ambient noise from your immediate surroundings, which is great for keeping a bit safer while listening to music and walking or running city streets.
Plus, if you’re a Samsung Galaxy owner, you can pair the two together for cross-device coordination.
After the tremendous three hours of spice, sandworms, and Sardaukar that is Dune: Part Two, you may find yourself with some questions. Given the film’s cataclysmic ending, your biggest one might just be, “What in the world comes next?” Or, “When will director Denis Villeneuve start shooting a third Dune movie, because I need it pronto?”
Unlike Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), I cannot see through the storms of time and give you any foresight on the timeline of Villeneuve’s next moves. (Although he hassaid in an interview with The Hollywood Reporterthat the script for a third Dune is almost done.) As Mashable’s resident Dune-head, what I can do is offer up some insight as to why Paul goes full space despot, clarify any of the more granular questions you may have, and dig into what we can expect from an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah.
From Paul’s fight against Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler) to Chani’s (Zendaya) game-changing final decision, let’s get into the ending of Dune: Part Two.
SEE ALSO:
‘Dune: Part Two’ review: Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi masterpiece soars, then screams to a halt
Paul embraces the role of Lisan al-Gaib.
Timothée Chalamet in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The Bene Gesserit propaganda about the Lisan al-Gaib, a messianic figure who will free the Fremen, haunts Paul throughout Dune: Part Two. If he takes on the title, he could have a better chance at getting revenge on Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV (Christopher Walken) for sanctioning the attack that destroyed House Atreides. Yet he would also be taking control of Arrakis’s indigenous Fremen people, betraying Chani, and kickstarting the holy war he sees in his visions of the future. Due to these visions, Paul spends most of the film fearing his new worshippers and fighting against the inevitable. He knows that if he goes to the south of Arrakis and meets the fundamentalist Fremen living there (a new addition by Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts), there will be no stopping the oncoming jihad.
However, the arrival of the brutal Feyd-Rautha on Arrakis proves catastrophic for the Northern Fremen. When Feyd’s forces destroy Sietch Tabr, Paul realizes that victory will only come if he strengthens his prescience. To do that, he must go south and drink the Water of Life — the spice-rich bile of a drowned baby sandworm — that only Reverend Mothers can drink. Upon doing so, he discovers that his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) is the daughter of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), meaning that he shares blood with the mortal enemy of House Atreides. The revelation unlocks a narrow path forward for Paul to triumph over the encroaching Harkonnens and Imperial forces. But as he tells Jessica, the way they win will be by being Harkonnens — in other words, by being monsters themselves.
So, at a meeting of the Fremen leaders, Paul does the monstrous thing he’d always feared and claims the title of Lisan al-Gaib. By doing so, he asserts his dominance over the entire Fremen population and prepares to use them in one last stand against the Emperor and the Harkonnens.
Paul and the Fremen fight the Harkonnens and Imperial Sardaukar for Arrakis.
Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
Emperor Shaddam IV and his daughter Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) arrive on Arrakis to answer Paul’s play for the throne (and to to scold the Harkonnens for mucking up spice production). Thanks to a massive storm, the Atreides family atomics, and the might of sandworms, Paul and his Fremen forces make easy work of the Harkonnens and the Emperor’s Sardaukar soldiers. In the fight, Paul kills Baron Harkonnen, while Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) takes down Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista).
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But Paul isn’t just fighting for control of Arrakis. He wants the Emperor to face consequences for his attempts to stamp out House Atreides. He challenges the Emperor for the throne, and Feyd steps up to be Shaddam’s champion. The two face off in a knife duel to the death — called Kanly in the books — which Paul narrowly wins. In beating the Emperor’s champion, he also beats the Emperor, therefore allowing him to take his place.
What’s next for the Harkonnens and the Emperor?
Stellan Skarsgård and Austin Butler in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Feyd’s death marks the end of House Harkonnen as we know it, but the bloodline is preserved by Marie, Feyd’s child with Lady Margot Fenring (Léa Seydoux) who is yet to be born. However, since she only appears in Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel Paul of Dune, don’t expect to see her pop up in Dune Messiah anytime soon. The Harkonnens, with all their bald, freaky villainy, are gone.
Don’t think for a second that the good guys have won, though. At this point, Paul is as far from a hero as they come. He takes Princess Irulan as his wife and forces the Emperor to kiss his ring — with a bratty stomp to boot! Despite his show of power, the other Great Houses of the Landsraad aren’t happy about Paul’s rise. They refuse to accept Paul’s ascendancy, at which point Paul utters four chilling words: “Send them to paradise.” Essentially, kill them all. The holy war Paul avoided for months finally begins in earnest.
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Paul’s command to the zealous Fremen is actually a new addition by Villeneuve and Spaihts. In Herbert’s work, the jihad begins in the years between Dune and Dune Messiah, unseen by the reader. Here, the choice to have Paul explicitly declare the war himself emphasizes his turn towards exploiting the Fremen and oppressing the Imperium. It’s only a shade of what’s to come, but it’s horrific enough that Chani leaves him and the Fremen and sets outs on her own.
Where is Chani going?
Zendaya in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
The final shot of Dune: Part Two is not one of Paul embracing his new power, but rather of a furious, determined Chani preparing to ride a sandworm off into the desert, away from Paul and his conquering forces. Her departure marks a major shift from the original Dune, where she stood by Paul’s side through thick and thin.
Even though this ending might be a surprise for book fans, Dune: Part Two does hint at Chani’s new path throughout. She’s more defiant of Paul and more skeptical of the Lisan al-Gaib prophecy, but that doesn’t stop her from loving him. Perhaps most telling is a line shared between them in a romantic moment: “You will never lose me, Paul Atreides,” Chani says. “Not as long as you remain who you are.” Of course, by the end of Dune: Part Two, Paul is no longer the Paul Atreides Chani came to know and love. He’s the Lisan al-Gaib, the Kwisatz Haderach, and her people’s newest oppressor. There’s nothing for Chani but anguish if she stays with him.
So, where is she going now? Again, in Herbert’s work she stays with Paul throughout, so this is a new twist from Villeneuve and Spaihts. Maybe she’ll stay true to her warrior roots and work to fight against Paul. However, since he’s amplified his prescience, and since he has all the Fremen at his back, it will be the most uphill of uphill battles. Could Chani muster up a resistance force of her own?
What’s next for Dune?
The sandworms storm the Sardaukar in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Chani leaving Paul is the biggest switch between Herbert’s books and Villeneuve’s films, yet it helps underscore Paul’s brutal betrayal of the friends — now followers — he’d made on Arrakis. Other than this shift, most of the pieces are in place for Dune Messiah, the second book in the Dune series and the film Villeneuve has proposed as concluding his Dune trilogy. Without getting too deep into spoilers, here’s what you can expect from the rest of Paul’s story.
Dune Messiah picks up 12 years after Paul becomes Emperor. The jihad rages on, the Fremen have conquered much of the universe in Paul’s name, and 61 billion people are dead. Paul attempts to use his powers to steer humanity down the path of least destruction, but there are forces at play against him. The Bene Gesserit have crafted a plot to dethrone him, one that includes the involvement of Princess Irulan. (If you’re annoyed we didn’t get much Pugh in this movie, you’ll be happy to know she’s a major player going forward.) Herbert introduces a new society in the Tleilaxu as well, whose genetic manipulation more or less resurrects a character we lost in the first Dune.
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Paul’s sister Alia Atreides (Anya Taylor-Joy) also plays a much larger role in Dune Messiah, especially considering how little we see of her in Dune: Part Two. Thanks to Jessica drinking the Water of Life while pregnant, Alia has all the capabilities of a fully trained Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother, making her a valuable asset to Paul in his attempts to remain in power.
Then there’s the matter of Chani. She and Paul are still very much together in Dune Messiah, even though he’s married to Princess Irulan. Their relationship, and Paul’s attempts to protect her from harm, are at the heart of the novel. Yet their separation at the end of Dune: Part Two complicates this aspect of the story, and could have bigger consequences down the line, adaptation-wise.
Paul does tell Jessica that he’s foreseen Chani coming to understand his decisions, so there’s a chance they’ll reconcile in Villeneuve’s take on Dune Messiah. But since Paul’s prescience isn’t always accurate, is this vision certain to come to pass? Can Chani really forgive Paul after everything he’s done? Or will Villeneuve depart further from Herbert’s work when it comes to Chani’s fate? We won’t get the answers to these questions until the release of a potential Dune Messiah, so to that I say: “Let the sequels flow.”
The sandworms we see in Dune: Part Twocouldn’t be farther from those we see in the first Dune. Yes, they share the same physical characteristics: a circular mouth, crystalline teeth, thick hide perfect for weathering Arrakis’ brutal desert conditions. But on a narrative level, they serve a different function, shifting from mysterious entities to well-known allies.
“In part one, [the sandworms] are a threat, an invisible threat,” director Denis Villeneuve told Mashable in a video interview. “You hear about them, but you barely see them.”
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For outsiders to Arrakis, sandworms are a hidden threat.
Timothée Chalamet in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Indeed, our sandworm interactions in 2021’s Dune are mostly limited to flashes of their mouths sucking down spice harvesters, or hints of their bodies surging beneath the sand. Part of this is due to the sandworm behavior Villeneuve worked to bring to the screen. “A sandworm will always try to protect itself from the surface,” he said. “It’s a very shy creature. I love the idea that it’s trying to be as invisible as possible, even if it’s a huge being.”
The limited glimpses of sandworms in Dune are also a matter of perspective. As seen through the eyes of characters who aren’t native to Arrakis, like Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) or Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), the sandworms are alien unknowns to be feared. Dune‘s careful withholding of sandworm imagery adheres accordingly to these characters’ points of view and to their unfamiliarity with the desert.
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It isn’t until Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) find themselves in the deep desert of Arrakis that we see a sandworm in full for the first time, looming above the pair as they take shelter on a rocky outcropping. The scene marks a major shift in how Dune treats the legendary sci-fi beast. There’s no more hiding of the sandworm. We linger on this creature for several beats, the film accustoming us to the sight. The message is clear: Paul, Jessica, and the audience aren’t in Arrakeen anymore. They’re in Fremen territory now, and that means worms.
Dune: Part Two builds further on that pivotal sandworm scene. There’s no more obfuscation or mystery surrounding them. Here, we get up close and personal with their scaly, ridged surfaces. Characters ride them through the desert or into battle. At one point, we even meet a baby sandworm kept in a Fremen sietch in order to make the substance known as the Water of Life.
Sandworm familiarity becomes a form of cultural osmosis.
Javier Bardem in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
The new side of sandworms on display in Dune: Part Two is a direct result of Paul’s alliance with the Fremen. As we get to better know the indigenous people of Arrakis, we also understand their perspective on aspects of desert living, such as the sandworms. They view the sandworms — whom they call Shai-Hulud — as a physical manifestation of their god, so they treat them with faithful reverence. Yet they’ve also been able to control sandworms and use them for their own needs, such as transportation. A sandworm can even be a form of garbage disposal: In one darkly funny scene early in Dune: Part Two, the Fremen call a worm to devour the bodies of slaughtered Harkonnen soldiers, leaving no trace of their prior battle.
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The evolution of the sandworm from frightening beast to a familiar part of everyday life is also present in Frank Herbert’s novel. Upon re-encountering Paul after two years apart, Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) is astonished by the Fremen’s ease around the sandworms. “The creature all men on Arrakis fear, you treat it like a riding animal,” he tells Paul. The idea of “all men” really only applies to offworlders who view the sandworms as obstacles for spice production. While colonizing forces like the Harkonnens and Atreides run from worms, the Fremen embrace them.
For Villeneuve, Paul’s proximity to the Fremen and love of their culture gave him a greater opportunity to explore how the Fremen interact with worms. “The more Paul learns about the Fremen culture, the more he wants to be a part of it,” Villeneuve explained. “That really touched me, how Paul wants to immerse himself in a culture and not impose his way, but more become one of them. And one of the aspects of [being a Fremen] is to be able to master a sandworm.”
In Dune: Part Two, Paul finally masters a sandworm.
Timothée Chalamet in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
That brings us to the sandworm centerpiece of Dune: Part Two: the first time Paul rides a sandworm. Not only is this one of the most memorable scenes from Frank Herbert’s original novel, it’s also the closest we’ve gotten physically to a sandworm in this franchise so far. To pull the set piece off, Villeneuve tried to ground it in reality as much as he could.
“All of this was based on my own interpretation of the book, how a Fremen will be able to jump on and harness a worm, and how this could be physically possible,” Villeneuve said. “I wanted the sandworm riding sequence to look as real as possible, as edgy as possible. I wanted it to feel like a motorbike race.” The result is a tense avalanche of sand and spice, where Villeneuve invites audiences to feel every bump and drop in Paul’s ride. We also get to see new details of the worms’ physical forms, like bristles and the sensitive inner sections of their segmented rings.
The scene took months to plan, with the creation of a specialized “worm unit” working to perfect the interactions between humans and sandworms. “[They were] like Navy SEALs dedicated to the exploration of the technique that I wanted to develop,” Villeneuve said. He played coy about the actual technology developed for the scene, though, saying: “I’m always shy to talk about how we shot things, because it breaks the magic in a way. I love people to believe what we’ve done.”
Still, even after perfecting the art of sandworm riding and giving us a deeper look into how sandworms are integrated into Fremen life, Villeneuve revealed there’s more to explore with these iconic inhabitants of Arrakis. After all, we’ve only seen the outside of a worm — what’s going on past those teeth? If Villeneuve gets his way, we’ll find out.
“If there’s ever a Dune Messiah adaptation, I have a great idea,” he said, his face lighting up. “About how you get out of a sandworm.”
With the release of Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve has officially (and successfully!) translated the entirety of Frank Herbert’s Dune to the screen.
Just like with 2021’s Dune, Dune: Part Two makes some major changes from its source material. Some of these carry over from the first film. For example, since we didn’t see any of the storyline where Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) pretends to think Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) is a traitor in Dune, we don’t get any of the in-book fallout from that plot in Dune: Part Two. It’s a solid way to streamline a story with an already-massive scale, a tactic Villeneuve and his co-writer Jon Spaihts continue to use throughout Dune: Part Two.
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However, many of the other changes Villeneuve and Spaihts make in Dune: Part Two help better surface the themes at the core of Herbert’s work — such as Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) being far from a hero — as opposed to taking any meaning away. From cut characters to an expanded role for Chani (Zendaya), here are the biggest ways Dune: Part Two differs from Herbert’s novel.
Characters like Count Fenring get the chop.
Léa Seydoux in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
Villeneuveleft some major characters out of Dune, including Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, and Princess Irulan. Turns out he was just saving them for Dune: Part Two, where they’re played by Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Florence Pugh.
Some characters still didn’t make the cut for Part Two, though. Count Hasimir Fenring, a close friend to the Emperor, is completely missing, although his Bene Gesserit wife Margot (Léa Seydoux) pops up on the Harkonnen homeworld of Giedi Prime. We also lose out on Fremen characters like Harah, who becomes Paul’s wife after he kills her husband Jamis (Babs Olusanmokun). Dune: Part Two drops a character from its predecessor as well. In the novel, Mentat Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson) originally serves the Harkonnens following their attack on the Atreides. Here, he’s completely missing, likely dead by Harkonnen hands. Again, these are all streamlining choices — ones that clear space for the film to dig deeper into Paul’s journey to becoming the messianic figure known as Muad’Dib.
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How do you solve a problem like Alia?
Rebecca Ferguson in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
The strangest part of Dune isn’t the psychotropic space drugs, or the giant sandworms. Instead, it’s Jessica and Leto’s daughter Alia Atreides. After being exposed to the Water of Life in the womb, Alia is born fully conscious and with all the capabilities of an adult Bene Gesserit like Jessica, making for one spooky smart kiddo.
Naturally, it’s a huge challenge to try to bring a toddler who is also a superbeing to a live-action film. Dune: Part Two cheats a bit by never actually having Alia be born. The film opts to keep Alia as a growing fetus who communicates telepathically with Jessica. The only other crumbs of Alia we get come after Paul drinks the Water of Life. He sees Alia all grown up — and played by Anya Taylor-Joy!
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On the one hand, I understand why Dune: Part Two wouldn’t want to introduce us to Alia as a child. That’s a whole new character to throw at us midway through an already-stuffed movie, and given her unnerving nature, there’s a high bar to clear in order to get it right. But as someone who loves the strangeness of Alia — including Alicia Witt’s performance in David Lynch’s Dune — I’m bummed Dune: Part Two chose to play it safer on this particular storyline. What do you mean we don’t get to see a 2-year-old murder Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård)? I guess watching Paul stab him will have to make do.
Alia not being born also accelerates Dune: Part Two‘s timeline. Given Jessica’s pregnancy, the events of the film have to take place over less than nine months. That means that Paul builds a massive following over a span of months instead of the years it takes in the book. (He and Chani have a son during a two-year time jump as well.) He also spends these years fighting through visions of the coming jihad before finally accepting that he is unable to stop it. A more drawn-out timeline may not have translated to film, but it does add to the tragedy that Paul is fighting the inevitable for much, much longer before giving in.
Dune: Part Two ups the religious conflict on Arrakis.
Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
While much of the adaptation changes in Dune involved paring down Herbert’s work, Villeneuve and Spaihts actually make some additions of their own in Dune: Part Two. They introduce the completely new concept of an ideological divide between the Fremen in the North and South of Arrakis. The fundamentalists in the South are fervent believers in the prophecy of the Lisan al-Gaib, and they are quicker to follow Paul. Among them is Stilgar (Javier Bardem), who now lives in the North but who carries his deep faith with him. However, many of the Northerners he leads, including Chani, are more skeptical of the legend. They prefer to believe that the Fremen will free themselves from the tyranny of off-world colonizers.
With this divide, Villeneuve and Spaihts smartly and explicitly lay out Herbert’s criticism of the meteoric rise of charismatic leaders. Much of this criticism comes from Chani herself, who gets a lot more to do in Dune: Part Two than in Dune. She is unafraid to push back against Paul, unlike in the book, where she and the Fremen are fast followers. Here, she reminds her people that the Lisan al-Gaib prophecy, cultivated by the Bene Gesserit over centuries, is just another way to enslave the Fremen. As she says to Paul, “You tell people a messiah will come to control them.”
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Chani’s understandable mistrust of the Lisan al-Gaib prophecy places her in direct conflict with Jessica as well, even though the two share a more supportive relationship in the book. That conflict comes from Jessica actively fanning the flames of Paul’s legend throughout Dune: Part Two. The novel’s version of Jessica is apprehensive of the growing fervor surrounding her son, although she’ll play into the prophecy if it means she and Paul will survive. The film’s version of Jessica also leans into the prophecy for protection, but after her Reverend Mother transformation, she exploits it for power and influence for Paul, hoping it will help him step into the role of Kwisatz Haderach. Up until Paul fully claims the title of Lisan al-Gaib, Jessica is Dune: Part Two‘s clearest manifestation of how people will manipulate faith in order to get what they want.
Chani rides (a worm) off into the sunset.
Zendaya in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
In altering Chani’s role from the novel and making her more critical of Paul, Villeneuve and Spaihts step away from Herbert’s version of Chani, who is loyal to a fault. That change necessitates a completely different ending for Zendaya’s Chani. After all her fighting for her people against oppressors, there’s no way this take on the character would be content with being Paul’s concubine as he marries Princess Irulan and takes over the Imperium. (In other words, for fans of the book, history won’t be calling her a wife.)
Instead, Dune: Part Two ends with Chani leaving Paul as he wages war on the Great Houses. And who can blame her? The man she loves took full control over her people. Worst of all, Chani played a part in helping him get there. Her secret Fremen name Sihaya translates to “desert spring,” a name she hates because of “some stupid prophecy.” That prophecy turns out to be that of the Lisan al-Gaib, which claims that desert spring tears will revive the legendary prophet. When Paul nearly dies after drinking the Water of Life, Jessica uses the Voice to make Chani give Paul her tears, forcing her into the prophecy that has always been hanging over her head. Villeneuve and Spaihts have tweaked this section from the original book. There, Chani (also named Sihaya) does revive Paul, but it is completely voluntary, doesn’t require her tears, and isn’t linked to any kind of prophecy. Her forced part in the prophecy in Dune: Part Two makes for a crushing loss of agency and plants the seeds for her eventual departure.
Said departure brings us into uncharted Dune territory. Villeneuve has spoken about wanting to adapt Dune Messiah, the next book in the Dune series, and a huge element of that story is Chani’s relationship with Paul. Her final moments in Dune: Part Two raise some big questions for this adaptation going forward. Will she lead a Fremen resistance against Paul? Or will she and Paul somehow find their way back to each other? Paul claims that he has seen Chani coming to understand his decisions in the future, but does that mean she’ll rejoin him? And if so, what will Villeneuve do to reconcile that choice with the version of Chani we see in Dune: Part Two? Basically, Chani’s departure has opened up a whole new can of sandworms heading into a potential Dune Messiah. But given how much more complicated Chani becomes in this film, and how much her defiance adds to Dune: Part Two‘s themes and doomed romance, I’m optimistically intrigued to see what comes next for her.
“Send them to paradise.”
Timothée Chalamet in “Dune: Part Two.” Credit: Niko Tavernise
Speaking of Dune: Part Two‘s last moments, let’s dive into Paul’s final choice of the film. After defeating Feyd-Rautha in a duel, Paul takes the throne of the Imperium. However, the Great Houses in orbit above Arrakis refuse to legitimize his ascendancy. Paul’s instructions to the Fremen upon hearing this? “Send them to paradise.” And so the holy war he never wanted begins in earnest, by his decree.
The Great Houses’ defiance of Paul and his subsequent declaration of war are new. In the novel, the jihad begins off-page, in the time jump between Dune and Dune Messiah. But watching the war kick off in Dune: Part Two proves to be a chilling ending, and a tragedy to boot. In embracing the Fremen as tools of war, Paul has transformed into a cruel leader who may be more Harkonnen than Atreides — and is certainly not a hero.
That transformation is in keeping with Herbert’s Dune, which was always a cautionary tale, never a hero’s story. The sentiment of caution is present in his original novel, but he really hammers it home in Dune Messiah, putting any misconceptions about Paul as a hero to rest. With Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve is already laying the groundwork for Dune Messiah and addressing many of its core themes earlier on. The result is bleak, bloody, and a perfect encapsulation of Herbert’s messaging. (But yes, I still miss Alia.)
