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I bought a $140,000 mobile home in a Los Angeles neighborhood where houses cost millions

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:47:43 +0000

I bought a mobile home and rent the space where it sits, and the pros still outweigh the cons five years later.

Lisa Laureta

I purchased my 771-square-foot mobile home in Los Angeles for $140,000 in 2020.
My mortgage and space-rental costs come to about $2,000 a month for the two-bath, two-bedroom home.
I'd love more storage, but I'm grateful I have outdoor space and affordable monthly payments in LA.

I've been living in a 771-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath mobile home (that doesn't move) in Los Angeles for nearly five years.

I purchased it for $140,000 at the end of 2020 and rent the space in the mobile-home park where it sits. The lot price is rent-controlled, so annual increases don't exceed 3%.

Between the rental fee and my mortgage, I pay about $2,000 a month to live here — an especially good deal if you consider just how expensive LA can be.

Houses in my neighborhood regularly sell for upward of a million dollars, and it's almost impossible to rent a two-bedroom apartment in the area for under $2,000 a month — and forget about getting one with perks like in-unit laundry or a dishwasher.

My home now is also far nicer and better-equipped than anything I could afford to rent in the area. I have two parking spaces, a fenced-in yard, in-unit laundry, and a dishwasher.

Although my home isn't perfect, it's comfortable and works with my budget.

I don't have much space, but I make the most of it — especially my yard

I'm so thankful to have my home for several reasons.

Lisa Laureta

One of the best parts of my home is the private outdoor space, an incredible feat in Los Angeles.

By adding camping chairs with cupholders and a projector, my tiny backyard has become an especially great spot for the monthly outdoor movie nights I host with friends.

We drink wine, share snacks, and watch a Hallmark movie on the large pull-down screen that's mounted to the side of my house.

I love hosting friends and spending time outdoors in my own little space.

Lisa Laureta

My home's only real drawback is the limited storage: I have just two closets and a crawl space.

One closet contains most of my clothes, and the other has to hold, well, everything else: bedding for my guest bed, board games, offseason clothes, cat carriers, suitcases, craft supplies, holiday decorations, a Bissell, and much more.

I store my shoes, clothes, and other essentials in a variety of ways.

Lisa Laureta

The crawl space under my house isn't big, but it does at least provide a home for my Christmas tree for the nine or 10 months of the year I don't have it up. (Listen, if you lived alone and put up and took down your tree solo, you'd leave it up for at least two months, too.)

Since storage is lacking, I've tried hard to make the most of the dead space in my home with shelves, cabinets, and furniture that can pull double duty.

I've decorated my house with a lot of fun colors and patterns.

Lisa Laureta

The hallway to my bedroom has my washer and dryer, plus a wall-mounted unit to hold my shoes. Another hallway has a nine-cube storage unit, where I keep a lot of household necessities like tools, extra chargers, and lightbulbs.

I've gotten creative with different storage solutions and designs in my space.

Lisa Laureta

Since my guest bedroom also functions as my office and gym, I've gotten creative to make the space work.

I have a special queen bed that folds into a cabinet and a rowing machine that can be mounted on the wall when not in use. My table can collapse to be just a few inches wide and rolled right out of the room to make space.

It can be a pain to rearrange everything in the room for overnight guests, but it's worth it to have a comfortable spot to host friends and family. Guests get their own full bathroom to use during their visits, too.

Honestly, living with minimal storage doesn't feel so bad when I remember my mortgage payment is less than $900 a month.

At the end of the day, I love my home and am grateful to live in it

I'm so incredibly grateful to have been able to purchase this home for $140,000 at the end of 2020.

Lisa Laureta

My storage troubles and limited space also don't seem like such a big deal when I look at my neighborhood and remember what I paid for my home.

For reference, an adorable 830-square-foot bungalow around the corner from me recently sold for $920,000. It's not much bigger than my place, and it only has one bedroom and one bathroom.

Sure, the resale value of that house is likely going to increase and mine probably won't — mobile homes tend to lose value over time —but I can't imagine shelling out close to a million dollars for a few extra square feet and much higher property taxes.

At the end of the day, we're both living in the same beautiful neighborhood in the great city of Los Angeles — and I'm glad my monthly mortgage payment is as small as my closets.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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The Apple AirPods Max 2 have dropped to their best price yet

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:26:45 +0000

SAVE $39.01: As of May 4, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are down to $509.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 7% or $39.01 and their lowest price since launch.

Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods Max 2

$509.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $39.01

Grabbing a new pair of over-ear headphones in this economy isn't for the faint of heart. Even on sale, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are pretty dang expensive. But this is their biggest discount to date, so it's worth calling out for you Apple fanatics out there.

As of May 4, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are down to $509.99 instead of $549 at Amazon. That's a savings of $39.01 or about 7% and their cheapest price since launching in March.

The AirPods Max 2 are the first proper upgrade to the fruit company's first (and only) set of over-the-ear headphones. It only took six years. The latest release is eerily similar to the original — they look the same, come with the same case, have the same color options, and have the same battery life and price. What's different, you ask? The internal hardware. The AirPods Max 2 now have Apple's H2 chip inside (the same as the AirPods Pro 3), which unlocks better active noise cancellation as well as several smart features. You'll now be able to toggle on/off adaptive audio, conversation awareness, live translation, voice isolation, personalized volume, loud sound reduction, and Siri interactions as you see fit.

If you already have the OG AirPods Max, you definitely should not spend $500+ on the new ones, as they're virtually identical aside from a few new smart features. But if you're an Apple fan shopping for over-the-ear headphones for the first time and you've been saving up, we highly recommend grabbing the new AirPod Max 2 while they're down to their best price ever. Minor upgrade or not, we still think they're pretty great.

COntributer : Mashable https://ift.tt/2nwsSvG

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I've been on over 50 cruises as an employee and passenger. Here are 8 things you should know before booking a trip.

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sun, 03 May 2026 16:47:14 +0000

Even though I'm a seasoned cruiser, before I book, I always research the ports, the ship, and my potential cabin.

Tammy Barr

Since I've been on many cruises as a passenger and employee, I have tips for planning a great trip.
Before booking a cruise, shop around for different deals and look up the local weather and holidays.
Carefully review the details of your itinerary and the placement of your cabin before committing.

Between my many trips as a passenger and several years as a cruise-line employee, I've traveled to every continent and been on over 50 sailings.

Throughout all this time at sea, I've picked up tips for planning the perfect cruise vacation. Here are a few things you should consider before booking your next trip.

Take a close look at the itinerary and how it aligns with your ideal vacation before you book.

Tammy Barr

Obviously, you'll want to book a cruise that stops in places you're interested in. However, you should also pay attention to the ratio of port to sea days in a given itinerary.

For me, the best part of a cruise is being able to see as many places as I can. So, I seek out itineraries that primarily have port days.

Some travelers prefer a cruise that's docked for more than a day in each port, allowing them to really get to experience each stop.

Others prefer an itinerary with fewer stops spaced farther apart, resulting in more peaceful days at sea when you can enjoy the ship's amenities. (On these trips, just make sure the ship has enough onboard activities and perks you're excited about.)

Keep an eye out for holidays and events that may be happening during your trip.

Shi Yalei/VCG via Getty Images

Cruising during the holidays will affect your experience — and there are way more occasions to consider than just ones you celebrate back home.

Before sailing, I always check whether there will be holidays or events happening at each port while I'm there. In some cases, it's really cool to get to participate in local celebrations around the world while on vacation.

However, I've also seen fellow passengers surprised and disappointed when businesses are closed in Sweden on Midsummer Eve or in much of Asia during Lunar New Year.

All in all, doing some research before locking in your cruise dates will help level your expectations.

Before making any plans, look into the arrival and departure times at each port.

Tammy Barr

Ships offering similar itineraries may have departures and arrivals that differ by hours, and these times should be shown on any booking website.

Pay close attention, since the window of time you have will dictate what you can — and can't — do during that stop.

For example, if you're in Spain and need to be back on board at 4 p.m., it will be difficult to finish the long, late lunch typical of the area. However, if the ship leaves at 10 p.m., you'll have time for a long day of sightseeing before needing to return.

Understand your stateroom preferences and look at a deck plan before making your selection.

Tammy Barr

The least-expensive rooms are often listed as "guarantee" or GUAR class. For these, the cruise line will assign you a cabin, often within the category you selected, such as interior or balcony. In rare cases, you might get a free upgrade.

This can be a great deal, but if you're sensitive to sounds, smells, or movement, consider paying to choose your own cabin.

Not every room on a ship is created equal, even those within the same class. Across sailings, I've experienced noise from the ship's dance club, cigarette smoke from a nearby smoking area, and the loud winching sound of the anchor at early hours.

Now, I check deck plans online to see what is above, below, and to the sides of whichever stateroom I'd like to book. Online forums for cruisers can also be helpful for finding information about specific cabins or areas of the ship.

Always shop around.

Tammy Barr

Once you've decided on the cruise you want to book, spend time comparing different offers.

You may find a good deal on the cruise line's website, but a better one could be available through advisors or services like Costco Travel. In some cases, you can score discounted upgrades or extra onboard credit.

Always read the fine print, though, as booking directly through the cruise line may offer different cancellation policies or other protections.

If you have friends who have taken cruises and booked them through travel planners, ask them for a referral. You both may benefit, and a booking agent specializing in cruises may be able to find a deal that you cannot.

Lastly, sign up for email offers with the cruise line you're interested in — perhaps a special discount code will end up in your inbox.

Look ahead at the expected weather at your ports and pack accordingly.

Tammy Barr

A cruise ship can travel a few hundred miles a day and pass through multiple weather systems. Even if it's sunny when you embark, you may need an umbrella for your first port.

I always look ahead at weather trends before booking a trip so I can get an idea of what to expect at each stop. Then, I check local forecasts again right before I start packing for my cruise.

Regardless of the itinerary, it can often be a little colder and windier at sea than on land, so definitely bring some layers.

Prepare for seasickness, which can ruin even an experienced cruiser's vacation.

Tammy Barr

No matter how many cruises you've been on or how confident you are about your sea legs, take precautions for dealing with motion sickness before you board.

The seas are constantly changing, and factors like a ship's size and build, or even your stateroom placement, can affect motion and how your body responds to it.

I suggest you prepare by packing anti-nausea medication and ginger chews, which can help with nausea And if seasickness hits, try managing it by eating green apples (which some cruise workers swear by) and soda crackers, keeping your diet simple, and drinking plenty of water.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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JetBlue is adding 11 routes from Spirit's former Florida hub to 'fill the void.' Here's the full list.

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 02 May 2026 17:47:40 +0000

JetBlue airplane at gate waiting for boarding, Palm Beach International Airport, Florida.

: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

JetBlue says it will "fill the void" created by the collapse of Spirit Airlines.
It plans to fly 11 new routes from Fort Lauderdale, including six all-new destinations.
JetBlue says it expects to operate nearly 130 daily departures from the Florida city this summer.

Just hours after the collapse of Spirit Airlines on Saturday, rival low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways announced plans to add 11 new routes from its — and what was once Spirit's — primary Florida hub, Fort Lauderdale.

With the earliest flight starting on July 9, JetBlue listed six new destinations:

Barranquilla, Colombia — October 1
Baltimore — July 9
Cali, Colombia — October 15
Charlotte, N.C. — July 9
Columbus, Ohio — November 2
Indianapolis — November 2

JetBlue said it also would add new nonstop service from the following cities:

Nashville, Tenn. — July 9
Detroit — July 9
Houston — July 9
Chicago — July 9
Ponce, Puerto Rico — July 9

"This is really tough news for the thousands of Spirit team members affected, as well as the customers who were planning trips on Spirit," JetBlue chief executive Joanna Geraghty said.

"We got to know many of their crew members during our acquisition talks, and we're thinking about everyone whose lives are being disrupted. We want to help fill the void created by this loss."

JetBlue expects to operate nearly 130 daily departures from Fort Lauderdale this summer, marking the largest operation in its history from the airport, with 75% more daily flights than in 2025.

JetBlue is among several airlines offering to help stranded Spirit passengers in the coming days. Carriers like United and Southwest have published price-capped rescue fares on Spirit's former routes; fares are roughly $200-$400, depending on the airline.

Spirit collapsed and ceased operations early Saturday after talks with the Trump administration for a bailout fell through. In its absence, prices on routes it once served but now have less competition will likely go up.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Warren Buffett asked Tim Cook to take a bow in a surprise speech at Berkshire meeting

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 02 May 2026 17:47:39 +0000

Getty Images; Getty Images

Warren Buffett thanked Tim Cook for making Apple such a stellar investment for Berkshire Hathaway.
The investor unexpectedly invited the Apple CEO to take a bow during Berkshire's annual meeting.
While Berkshire has pared its Apple bet, he said that Cook grew their investment to $185 billion.

Warren Buffett trumpeted his Apple bet and invited outgoing CEO Tim Cook to take a bow during Berkshire Hathaway's shareholder meeting on Saturday.

Greg Abel, who succeeded Buffett as Berkshire's CEO at the start of this year, unexpectedly announced that the legendary investor and chairman would say a few words.

Buffett — sitting in the front row and fully embracing his retired status by wearing a sweater instead of his usual suit — began by saying the transition to Abel's leadership had been "100% successful" with Berkshire's new boss "doing everything I did and then some" and "doing it better than I did."

The business icon, 95, then recalled his decision to turn over 10% of Berkshire's resources to a person "not that well known at the time." He was referring to Berkshire's roughly $35 billion investment in Apple between 2016 and 2018, and the tech giant's CEO, Cook, who announced he would step down earlier in April.

Business Insider's Theron Mohamed was watching from the press box of the CHI Health Center in Buffett's hometown of Omaha as the famous stockpicker spoke.

Buffett drew chuckles from the crowd when he joked that Berkshire had turned over management of the money to Apple to make itself "look good," and that was its "preferred way of operating."

He then underscored that Apple has turned that $35 billion, including dividends and both realized and unrealized appreciation, into $185 billion before tax.

"And I didn't have to do a damn thing," he quipped.

Apple remains Berkshire's largest position, despite the company selling the majority of its stake over the past few years.

Buffett then reflected on Apple celebrating its 50th anniversary in recent weeks. He said that Cook "succeeded a legend" when he took over as CEO from visionary cofounder Steve Jobs in late 2011, and that only a "very few percentage points of American investors had even heard" of the new boss.

"When we made our investment and turned over 10% of the resources of Berkshire, we were turning it over for Tim, and I say he's turned that into $185 billion or something pretax," Buffett added, joking that he "won't bother to compare his record to that."

Cook has overseen a massive increase in Apple's market valuation during his nearly 15 years in charge, from around $350 billion to $4.1 trillion as of Friday's close.

He's been widely credited with scaling Apple's manufacturing and distribution of hit products such as the iPhone, improving its global supply chain, and catering to China's mushrooming middle class.

"So I think it's appropriate if Tim would take a bow and our shareholders would say thanks to him," Buffett said.

Cook, sitting a few rows behind Buffett in front of the stage, stood up to cheers and applause, waving and clasping his hands together to thank the crowd.

Buffett has repeatedly heralded Apple as an incredible business and Cook as a world-class leader in recent years.

"Tim Cook has made Berkshire a lot more than I have made Berkshire," Buffett said at last year's meeting.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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New rules for the Oscars: AI actors are out of the race

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 02 May 2026 16:26:37 +0000

The Academy won't be handing over the golden statuette to robots anytime soon.

In new rules announced May 1, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has ruled that AI performances are not eligible for an Oscar. Filmmakers can still utilize AI tools in their submitted works, but only human actors and human-authored screenplays will be considered for the body's highest honors.

The move aligns with AI agreements won during the 2023 Writers' Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes and addresses growing tension over the presence of generative AI tools across artistic industries.

For example, a recent trailer for the upcoming historical adventure film As Deep as the Grave, featuring an entirely AI-generated recreation of the late Val Kilmer, caused widespread furor among fans who recoiled at the on-screen digital likeness. Prior to his death, Kilmer created an AI version of his speaking voice with UK tech company Sonantic. Other celebrities, like Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine, have worked with AI company ElevenLabs to clone their voices, as well.

But while some celebs are getting ahead of their AI counterparts, others are fighting back against nonconsensual deepfakes writ large. Pop star Taylor Swift recently filed for trademark of her voice and image — including the phrase "Hey, it's Taylor." — amid a surge of synthetic AI likenesses of her proliferating across the internet, including ones used in data phishing scams.

The Academy announced additional rule changes for international film and acting categories, generating buzz online after several contentious Oscar campaign races in recent years. For non-English films, a country can now have multiple nominated entries instead of the previous limit of one. Similarly, actors can receive multiple nominations in the same category if their performances rank in the top five.

COntributer : Mashable https://ift.tt/VtJkcIC

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The best TV deals to shop this weekend — Samsung, Hisense, and Toshiba at huge discounts

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Fri, 01 May 2026 17:26:24 +0000

The best TV deals to shop this weekend:

Best Samsung deal

Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F)

$1,067.95 (save $730.04)

Best Hisense deal

Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro)

$899.99 (save $500)

Best Toshiba deal

Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R)

$2,497.99 (save $1,502)

Did you know that spring is the third-best time to buy a TV? I know “third-best” sounds like a scam, but there's a real reason for it. Since CES has officially come and gone, retailers are dropping prices on "older" (i.e., basically brand new) TVs to clear out inventory — and we're even seeing early discounts on the shiny new 2026 models that just debuted at the show.

You can read the full breakdown of how this works in our guide on the best time to buy a TV, but if you're just here to shop, these are the best deals I could find this weekend.

Best Samsung deal

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F)

$1,067.95 at Amazon
$1,797.99 Save $730.04

Why we like it

If you want the deep, inky blacks and vibrant colors of an OLED screen without entirely draining your bank account, this 2025 Samsung model is the one to grab right now.

As of this weekend, the 65-inch S85F is marked down to $1,067.95, from $1,797.99, which is a 41% discount or $730 savings.

For that price, you get a built-in NQ4 AI Gen2 processor that automatically upscales whatever you're watching into sharp 4K resolution using 20 neural networks. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate to keep fast-moving sports and games looking smooth.

Best Hisense deal

Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro)

$899.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $500

Why we like it

Hisense is somehow already offering discounts on its brand-new 2026 lineup, and the price drops are just too good to ignore.

Right now, you can get the 75-inch Hisense U6 Pro Series Mini-LED 4K TV for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount (or an extra $500 in your pocket) on a TV that practically just hit the market.

The Hisense U6 Pro Series uses Mini-LED backlighting, which means the picture stays clear and detailed no matter the lighting. It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate, and Fire TV is built right in, so you can access your fave streaming apps without buying a separate stick.

Best Toshiba deal

Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R)

$2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502

Why we like it

Nobody needs a 100-inch TV (at least, not IMO). But if you have the wall space and are determined to turn your living room into a home theater, you might as well get one while it's discounted.

Like the Hisense above, this Toshiba Z670 Series is a brand-new 2026 release, and it's already marked down to $2,497.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or a $1,502 price cut.

More TV deals this weekend

Samsung 43-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $397.99 ~~$549.99~~ (save $152)
Samsung 65-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $427.99 ~~$629.99~~ (save $202)
Hisense 75-inch U6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $499.99 ~~$1,299.99~~ (save $800)
Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV — $647.99 ~~$999.99~~ (save $352)
Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $999.99 ~~$2,199.99~~ (save $1,200)
Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,249.99 ~~$2,499.99~~ (save $1,250)

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I visited Cozey's only US store to test its best-selling sofas in person

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:47:13 +0000

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The new Cozey pop-up store on LA's Abbot Kinney Boulevard showcases the brand's bestselling sofas and newest offerings, like headboards and washable rugs

Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

Cozey opened a pop-up in Los Angeles. It's the Canadian furniture brand's only US store.
I visited the store to see the furniture, including two sofas the BI Reviews team has tested.
The brand's lineup includes the Gaia sofa, an affordable alternative to the RH Cloud couch.

If you've been shopping for a new couch lately, chances are you've seen Cozey pop up in your search results. The fast-growing Canadian furniture brand has built buzz around their modular sofas, washable covers, and sleek designs that feel more attainable than many luxury competitors.

This isn't the first time Business Insider has looked at the brand. The Reviews team has already tested Cozey furniture at home, including the Shinuk outdoor sofa and the Neptune sofa bed. So when Cozey opened its only US store in Los Angeles, I stopped by to see how the brand's best-selling sofas compare in person.

Inside the Abbot Kinney pop-up, shoppers were comparing fabric swatches, sitting on sectionals, and getting help configuring layouts. It felt less like a traditional showroom and more like a stylish home, with fully staged rooms that made it easier to picture the furniture in real life.

After plenty of sit tests, and with our team's hands-on review experience in mind, these were the sofas that stood out the most.

The Gaia sofa is the one everyone's comparing to the Cloud couch

All of the fabric covers on the Cozey Gaia sofa are removable and washable.

Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

The Gaia sofa is the clear crowd favorite.

It has the oversized, lounge-y silhouette many shoppers love in high-end sectionals, but with more practical features and a more affordable price. The version I saw in store was displayed without arms, which gave it a modern, airy look and highlighted how flexible the modular design can be.

It's built to flex. Depending on your space, the Gaia can be configured as a loveseat, sectional, or larger U-shaped setup. It also comes in multiple fabric options, mostly easy neutrals and richer jewel tones.

Most importantly, it passed my unofficial nap test. The seat is deep enough to curl up comfortably, but supportive enough that you don't feel swallowed up.

Like Cozey's other sofas, the covers are removable and washable.

My take: If you want the plush, oversized look of a designer sectional without the designer markup, the Gaia sofa is for you. If you want a Cloud couch alternative with more substantial arms, check out the brand's Ciello sofa.

The Neptune sofa bed is best for guest rooms, home offices, and small spaces,

The Cozey Neptune sofa bed

Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

BI Reviews writer Jamie David Smith tested the Neptune sofa bed at home, where she found it especially practical for multipurpose rooms thanks to its fast conversion and built-in storage. Seeing it in person reinforced that impression.

It's noticeably firmer than the Gaia, but that works in its favor. This isn't the sofa I'd choose for all-day lounging. It's the one I recommend for a guest room, office, or apartment where your couch needs to work overtime.

Its biggest advantage is how easily it converts from sofa to bed and back again. There's also built-in storage for pillows and blankets, which can save valuable closet space.

The look is streamlined, not bulky, and the washable covers add another layer of practicality.

My take: The Neptune sleeper sofa is one of the smarter sleeper sofas we've tested, especially for people who are short on space.

The Atmosphere sofa is best for flexibility and big families

There were too many people trying out the Atmosphere to get a clean shot in the store.

Cozey

The Atmosphere sofa feels made for people whose homes change often.

It's a fully modular sectional sofa with tool-free assembly, so you can reconfigure it whenever you move, grow your family, or just want a new layout.

Like the rest of Cozey's lineup, it has removable, washable couch covers and optional built-in storage. It's also highly customizable, with multiple configurations and a broad fabric selection.

It's the kind of sofa that can start simple, then grow with you over time.

My take: The Atmosphere sofa is ideal for renters, big families, and anyone who hates committing to one room layout.

Our team has tested Cozey's outdoor sofa

We've tested the Cozey Shinuk outdoor modular sofa under real-world conditions.

Kinsely Searles/Business Insider

Associate editor Kinsley Searles tested the Cozey Shinuk outdoor sofa and praised its comfort, weather-ready materials, and customization options. That consistency across indoor and outdoor categories helps explain why the brand is gaining traction with shoppers looking for a whole-home look.

Read our full review of the Cozey Shinuk outdoor sofa

Why Cozey sofas are getting more popular

After seeing the lineup in person and combining that with our team's real-world testing, the brand's appeal became pretty obvious.

Cozey is offering features shoppers increasingly care about:

• Modular layouts that can adapt to your lifestyle over time

• Washable couch covers for spills, pets, and real-life wear

• Hidden storage to cut down on clutter

• Modern silhouettes that look expensive

• Easier setup than traditional furniture

• More attainable prices than many premium brands

That combination is powerful.

My favorite Cozey sofa for most people

If I were buying a sofa today, I'd choose the Cozey Gaia sofa.

It strikes the best balance of comfort, looks, versatility, and everyday practicality. It feels current, comfortable, and expensive-looking without being precious.

For a home office or spare room, I'd go with the Neptune sofa bed. For growing families, the Atmosphere sofa.

Cozey's other offerings

I was inspired by the organic-looking shelving and plush throw pillows.

Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider

Cozey's momentum isn't just limited to living rooms. The brand also offers washable rugs, shelving and storage, beds, and customizable Sleep Kits that can turn any of their sofa models into a properly-made bed — including a couch-sized mattress topper! — for overnight guests.

Are Cozey sofas worth it?

After seeing Cozey's bestsellers in person, and comparing them to our existing Cozey sofa review coverage, I understand why the brand is growing quickly.

The sofas are stylish, practical, and designed for how people actually live now: smaller spaces, changing needs, overnight guests, pets, messes, and all.

If you've been debating a modular couch or sleeper sofa upgrade, Cozey deserves a place on your shortlist.

Why you can trust Business Insider's furniture reviews

Not everyone can visit Cozey's Los Angeles pop-up, especially since it's a limited-time space. That's exactly why hands-on testing matters.

At Business Insider, we don't recommend big ticket items like sofas based on stock photos, shopper reviews, or spec sheets alone. We see them in person, sit on them, test how they function, asses build quality, compare fabrics, and use them in our real homes over time.

Our team has already long-term tested Cozey furniture, evaluating comfort, assembly, durability, and day-to-day practicality. My visit to the store added another layer: the chance to compare the full lineup side by side, feel the materials firsthand, and see how different models actually scale in real rooms.

That combination matters, because finding a great sofa online can feel risky. That's why our furniture reviews give you answers that specs and measurements just don't cover.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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The Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is at an all-time low price, and Amazon is offer a free cover

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:26:23 +0000

SAVE $400 + GET A FREE ROBOT GARAGE: The Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $1,399, down from the list price of $1,799. That's a 22% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon. Today's deal also comes with a free Mova Robotic Lawn Mower Garage, which ordinarily costs $169.

Credit: Mova

Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn

$1,399 at Amazon
$1,799 Save $400

purchase comes with a free Mova robot lawn mower garage

Somehow, the list of household chores grows during the spring and summer. While we're mostly in hibernation over the winter, the warm weather means heading back into the yard. Unfortunately, there's maintenance to be done out there. If you're not excited about another season of mowing the lawn, consider jumping on this Amazon deal today.

As of April 29, the Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $1,399, marked down from the standard price of $1,799. That works out to a $400 savings from a 22% discount. It's the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. As a bonus, Amazon is throwing in a free Mova Robotic Lawn Mower Garage which ordinarily costs $169.

Like the robot vacuum and mops we have inside to keep the floors clean, the Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower will map your desired mowing area. After that, you can use the app to customize preferences like cutting lengths and the mowing schedule. You can also create zones within your yard and base schedules off those zones. The Mova is even capable of managing two separate maps, a feature that's ideal for homes with a front and back yard that are disconnected. This also works for anyone who owns two properties.

Mova incorporated the ability to choose between grass heights of 1.2 inches up to 3.9 inches. It's designed to mow the lawn in a "U" shaped path, and it'll return to its charging base should the battery run low. Once it's charged up, it can resume mowing where it left off. It's even designed to be capable of mowing in low-light situations.

In case you're worried, the Mova Ultra 2000 has built-in theft protection and will send an alert if it moves outside of the mapped area. You can also check in on real-time tracking for the mower in the app.

In addition to the robot mower itself, Amazon is throwing in a free garage for the robot that covers both the mower and its recharging base. The garage provides protection from harsh conditions like sun or rain, and Mova noted this addition can help extend the robot's life. Ordinarily, the garage costs $169, but it's free today with purchase of the Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower.

Before the grass gets out of control this spring, enlist the help of the Mova Lidax Ultra 2000 robot lawn mower. It's on sale for the best price we've ever spotted at Amazon and it comes with the free garage today. You'll be able to cross one more item off the chore list while earning the title of the most tech-savvy house on the block.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

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Gay dating app Sniffies just got $100 million from Match Group

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:26:31 +0000

Dating app conglomerate Match Group announced yesterday it's making a $100 million investment in Sniffies, a gay cruising app that makes "getting laid as a gay man almost too easy," according to Mashable's review.

The investment is a minority stake in the company and includes the option to acquire the remaining equity in the future, according to a press release shared with Mashable. Founder and CEO of Sniffies, Blake Gallagher, shared on LinkedIn that it will remain led by him and independently operated.

"The product, the tone, and the community will continue to be shaped by the people who use it," Gallagher continued, saying the app can now move faster to make improvements users are asking for while building it by being "grounded in real-world connection, with our community leading the way."

In the press release, Gallagher stated that with Match Group's support, the Sniffies team can improve the product and expand their network while investing in Trust and Safety (a growing issue on dating apps) and giving users what they want.

Sniffies has around three million monthly active users globally, according to the press release, and 20 million messages sent daily. And Sniffies' iOS app only launched last year, only to be pulled from the App Store shortly after.

The investment comes around a year after Match Group acquired sapphic dating app HER, which drew mixed reactions from users. The same is true for this announcement, with a Reddit thread asking, "Are we cooked?", and most comments answering in the affirmative. But how Sniffies changes with this investment is yet to be seen.

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The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box is over $70 off on Amazon

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:26:32 +0000

TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box on sale for $94.32, down from its $167.76 list price. That saves you $73.44 on 24 Jumpstart Boosters, each with 20 Avatar-themed Magic cards.

Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box

$94.32 at Amazon
$167.76 Save $73.44

The Avatar: The Last Airbender expansion has been one of the most fun to hit the Magic: The Gathering trading card game in recent times, and it’s thankfully becoming more affordable in steady price cuts.

As of April 27, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box is on sale for $94.32 at Amazon, down from its $167.76 list price. That’s a 44% discount, saving you $73.44 on the full box. Since this display includes 24 Jumpstart Boosters, that works out to about $3.93 per pack before tax.

For anyone who’s recently jumped into MTG, Jumpstart boxes are designed to make getting into the game as easy as possible. Instead of drafting, deckbuilding, or sorting through a pile of singles first, you just grab two boosters, shuffle them together, and you’ve got a playable deck ready to go.

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Lands are already included, so this is especially useful if you want something that works for quick games, newer players, or friends who like Avatar but haven’t fully fallen into Magic just yet.

This box comes with 480 cards in total, with 20 cards in each of the 24 packs. There are 46 possible Avatar: The Last Airbender-themed pack variants, letting you relive different scenes, characters, and elemental combos from the acclaimed Nickelodeon series. The packs can also be mixed with other Jumpstart boosters, giving you more ways to stretch the format later.

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18 celebrities who moved to Texas on why it's the best place for them

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:47:05 +0000

Glen Powell, Bella Hadid, and James Marsden all live in Texas.

Getty Images

Texas has become one of the top destinations for movers in the US.
Its business-friendly climate and lower cost of living attract people from all walks of life.
Supermodel Bella Hadid and actor James Marsden are among the celebrities who have moved to Texas.

Texas is popular for many reasons.

The second-largest US state is the birthplace of the iconic musician Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter as well as NFL star Michael Strahan and actresses Selena Gomez and Reneé Zellweger.

It's also home to a beloved football team, the Dallas Cowboys, and internationally famous festivals including South by Southwest (SXSW).

Beyond its cultural significance, Texas has a reputation for its affordability, largely due to its relatively lower cost of living and absence of state income tax. This personal finance appeal, combined with a business-friendly environment, has attracted entrepreneurs and their companies over the years.

Word has gotten out — and cities in the Lone Star State often lead lists of top places Americans are moving to.

According to a Business Insider analysis of individual-level data from the Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey, over 668,300 people moved to Texas between 2021 and 2022, the most recent time period for which data is available. This makes Texas the second-most popular destination in the US for movers, just behind Florida, which had about 739,000 inbound movers during the same period.

Several celebrities are among the hordes of movers to Texas. This reflects a broader trend of wealth realignment in the United States, where even the proverbial Joneses are moving to areas where their money goes further and the weather is more favorable.

Consider supermodel Bella Hadid, who moved to Fort Worth, Texas, this year to live with her professional horseman boyfriend, Adan Banuelos. Roseanne Barr and comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan have decamped from LA to Austin in recent years.

Many other stars have also relocated to Texas.

Business Insider has compiled a list of 16 notable celebrities and businesspeople who have moved themselves — and in some cases, their businesses — to the Lone Star State.

The list is presented in alphabetical order by last name.

Roseanne Barr traded the Hollywood Hills for 30 acres in Texas Hill Country.

Roseanne Barr.

Araya Doheny/Getty Images for DailyWire+

Roseanne Barr's son, Jake Pentland, told Us Weekly in June 2025 that his famous mother had traded the Hollywood Hills for Texas Hill Country, a region in central Texas that includes cities like Austin and New Braunfels.

"My mom lives with me, my wife, and my two daughters — she's the best grandma," Pentland told the magazine.

In a separate June interview with Fox News Digital, Barr said living in Texas is a "dream come true" and described what her new life looks like.

"I'm doing a lot of mowing. I've got a really fantastic tractor out here, and I'm mowing," Barr said. "The only problem is I don't clear the trees quite as good as I should, and I'm always hitting a tree and knocking it over, and it always hits me in the head."

Haylie Duff admitted it took a while to realize she could still have an acting career without living in LA.

Haylie Duff attends the LA Premiere of "Mira, Royal Detective" at Disney Studios on Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Burbank, Calif.

Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP

A native of Texas, Duff decided with her fiancé Matt Rosenberg to pack up the kids and leave California once the pandemic hit.

At first, she was nervous that the move would hurt her career.

"I think so much of my fear of moving out of Los Angeles was that my career was there and that I would never work again or something like that," she told Fox News Digital in 2022. "And, you know, I think this has all taught us that Zoom certainly can be a very powerful tool. And we can, you know, very luckily for me, get to continue to work from here, and I get to live near my dad. I haven't lived, here, near my dad in a really long time."

Scott Eastwood loves living in Texas because it "slows life down."

Actor Scott Eastwood.

Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

The son of Clint Eastwood, Scott has been methodically building his own career, showing up in the "Fast and Furious" franchise and Guy Ritchie movies.

During his downtime in Texas, he does everything from fishing to hunting.

"I think that's why people who come to Texas really can fall in love with it," he told Flaunt in 2021 from his home in Austin. "There's more community, people are more neighborly, people are nice. It slows life down a little bit. It's not this fast-paced living in a big city like New York or Los Angeles."

Adrian Grenier's acting career is thriving in Texas.

Adrian Grenier speaks onstage during SXSW.

Gary Miller/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

In 2020, "Entourage" and "The Devil Wears Prada" star Adrian Grenier left the Hollywood Hills for a 46-acre sustainable ranch in Bastrop, Texas, a city about a 40-minute drive southeast of Austin.

While in Texas, Grenier has continued acting and most recently appeared in the short film "Self Custody," about a struggling father who loses a cryptocurrency fortune. The film was shot in Austin, near his home.

In an interview with Page Six in March, Grenier said Texas' burgeoning film and television industry will keep him in the state.

"There's $2.5 billion that the Texas state government just put into film and television projects in Texas," Grenier said. "They're building three movie studios not too far from me. I don't see any reason why we wouldn't just continue to film in Texas."

Bella Hadid said she moved to Texas for her health.

Bella Hadid.

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images

After spending most of her life jet-setting around the world trying to conquer the modeling industry, Hadid decided recently to take some time away from the spotlight.

In early 2024, she spoke to Allure about moving to Texas to focus on her mental and physical health (she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2013), and be with her cowboy boyfriend Adan Banuelos.

"Just as I have styled myself for years now — which I still do — I love being able to do my own hair and makeup, be happy with how I look, and get ready with my girlfriends here in Texas," Hadid told Allure. "We have the best time, and I never feel like I need to do too much."

"For the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face. If I don't feel good, I won't go. If I don't feel good, I take time for myself. And I've never had the opportunity to do that or say that before," Hadid added. "Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am. I am feeling better; my bad days now were my old good days."

Woody Harrelson is lobbying to make Texas a production hub for film and television.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios

Harrelson lived in Hawaii for many years before moving back to his home state of Texas in 2023.

Now in the Lone Star State and living just outside Austin, the actor has lobbied alongside longtime friend Matthew McConaughey to make Texas a hub for film and television production.

In 2025, the Texas House approved Senate Bill 22, which provides $300 million every two years through 2035 to support the local film industry.

50 Cent is a New Yorker, but his primary residence is in Texas.

Curtis Jackson III, also known as 50 Cent

John Lamparski/Getty Images

In 2021, the rapper-turned-television producer and entrepreneur announced on X that he was living in Houston.

Since James Marsden moved to Texas, he lives closer to his mother.

Charley Gallay/Getty Images

The star has enjoyed visiting Austin for decades but finally decided to live there in 2020.

"I love it. I've been coming here for 20 years," he told "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in 2020. "I'm much closer to my mom and everybody. I love it. It's great."

Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick traded California for Texas.

Travis Kalanick.

Theo Wargo/WireImage

The former Uber CEO announced on the daily live video and audio podcast TBPN in March that he had moved to Texas in December 2025.

Kalanick joins a slew of tech billionaires, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who have left California for greener pastures.

Keith Lee fell in love with Dallas' restaurants.

Keith Lee onstage at VidCon Anaheim on June 23, 2023 in Anaheim, California.

Unique Nicole/Getty Images

The former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter turned TikTok food critic has set up shop in Texas.

After living in Las Vegas, Lee relocated to Texas in November 2024. In a December video reviewing the downtown Dallas restaurant The Wicked Butcher, he revealed that he now lives in Dallas.

"One thing I do love about the Dallas food scene — we've been here a month, a month and a half — they do have some nice fine dining restaurants," Lee said.

Matthew McConaughey wanted to be closer to family.

Matthew McConaughey UT

Getty

Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves settled in Austin in 2012 after buying a 10,800-square-foot mansion.

According to a 2024 profile in Southern Living, the move to Texas was initially because of a "family crisis," when he needed to help his mother and two brothers. The couple decided to stay put and raise their three children there.

"Ritual came back," McConaughey said of being back in Texas. "Whether that was Sunday church, sports, dinner together as a family every night, or staying up after that telling stories in the kitchen, sitting at the island pouring drinks and nibbling while retelling them all in different ways than we told them before."

Elon Musk moved to Texas and brought his companies with him.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

In July, Elon Musk vowed to move two of his companies, X and SpaceX, out of California and into Texas. He already moved Telsa to Texas in 2021.

In 2020, Musk announced that he had already moved to Texas himself at The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council summit.

Musk has claimed to own a tiny home in Texas, and records show he bought a house in Austin in 2022.

Shaquille O'Neal has been buying up properties in North Texas.

Getty/E! Entertainment

In 2022, O'Neal bought a 5,269-square-foot home in Carrollton listed at $1,224,000 and sold it in 2024 for an undisclosed amount, though it was listed for $1.7 million, according to Realtor.com.

That year, Chexy Trust, tied to the Carrollton purchase, bought a 4,670-square-foot home in Rockwall County. In 2024, O'Neal opened a branch of his Big Chicken chain restaurant in Fort Worth.

As his footprint in the region grows, he told WFAA he plans to make the area his home base.

"I'm 75% going to move here full time," O'Neal said in June. "I have to see what's going on with TNT next year, but based on that, you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me."

Glen Powell got tired of the lack of freedom living in Los Angeles.

Glen Powell attends CinemaCon 2023.

Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage

The "Twisters" star, who is also a native Texan, moved back to Austin from Los Angeles recently to be close to his family and for his own mental health.

"When all you do is consume movies and entertainment, you could become a little self-aware and maybe derivative of yourself," Powell told USA Today. "Your personal life, there's no sort of freedom there, there's storytelling around that, and I feel like that's just not good for you on the long term."

Jared Padalecki has a soft spot for Austin.

Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Padalecki ditched Hollywood for Texas before it was a trend. The "Supernatural" star, a San Antonio native, relocated from Los Angeles to Austin with his wife, Genevieve, in 2012.

In an Instagram video taken on Austin's 24th Street in 2020, he explained why he loves the city so much.

"Austin brings me a warmth and a happiness and a peace that I have been unable to find anywhere else in my travels," Padalecki said. "I love being here."

Christine Quinn's return to her home state has brought her closer to her family.

Christine Quinn.

Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

In 2025, former "Selling Sunset" star Christine Quinn relocated to her home state of Texas after splitting from her ex-husband, tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet.

Quinn now lives in a suburb outside Dallas with her young son, Christian.

"I am really, really grateful to be living here," Quinn told People in January, adding that she's happy to be closer to family. "I have a sister who lives really close to me, and my son has a cousin. So it's really something that I needed as opposed to the chaos when I was in Los Angeles."

Joe Rogan ended up in Texas once the pandemic hit.

Syfy/Getty Images

Like many other celebs, Rogan left Los Angeles once the pandemic hit.

In a 2023 episode of his popular podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience," he explained why he ended up in Texas.

"Then we went to the lake, and people are playing music and jumping in the water," said Rogan, adding that his kids "were like, 'We want to live here!'"

"That was it. Two months later, I lived here," he said in the podcast episode.

Jamie Lynn Sigler has felt more connected to her craft since moving to Texas.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler in 2020.

Jason Mendez/Getty Images

"The Sopranos" star moved to Austin in 2021 with her family, husband Cutter Dykstra, and sons Beau and Jack.

"I almost feel more connected to my craft and why I love acting," Sigler told The New York Times in 2021. "When the calls come in, it's a beautiful surprise. I'm still on things and I'm still a businesswoman and it's still my career, but I don't feel the pressure around it because we took a stand for ourselves and we made decisions for our families."

Read the original article on Business Insider

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How Critical Role and Dimension 20 conquered the world one campaign at a time

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:26:11 +0000

The biggest hit on the internet right now isn’t a scripted sitcom or a big-budget movie. It’s a group of friends sitting around a table, rolling dice, and creating fantastic worlds for four hours at a time. Shows like Critical Role and Dimension 20 have conquered both the internet and live audiences across the world with their imaginations and hysterical banter.

But cultural phenomenons like these aren’t forged overnight. It takes years worth of Initiative, Charisma checks and Nat 20s for these campaigns to get to where they are today. And we are going to break down why Actual Play sorcerers like Critical Role and Dimension 20 succeeded and how they hit.

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AI is igniting a love affair between Silicon Valley and the consulting industry

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 19:47:52 +0000

Consulting firms and Silicon Valley are growing closer than ever.

Kilito Chan/Getty Images

AI startups are increasingly relying on consultants to distribute their technology to companies.
Working with AI startups has become a key survival tactic for consulting firms.
The result: partnerships galore.

Things are getting serious.

For consulting firms, partnering with AI startups has become a key survival tactic as the technology upends everything about their industry. And for AI startups, consulting firms have become an important channel for distributing their products to companies.

This blossoming love affair between the two industries was apparent in a flurry of recent dalliances.

Google announced Wednesday it was launching a $750 million fund to help consulting firms like McKinsey, Accenture, and Deloitte roll out agentic AI to their clients.

McKinsey and Google have also created a new working group to help companies go from identifying AI opportunities to building and scaling them across the business.

Also on Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI was working with consulting firms like Accenture, Capgemini, and PwC to sell its AI coding assistant, Codex, to companies.

The rationale is simple: AI technology is moving so fast that Silicon Valley and the consulting industry need each other.

Ben Ellencweig, a senior partner at McKinsey who leads alliances, acquisitions, and partnerships for its AI arm, Quantum Black, told Business Insider in an interview that the firm has quadrupled its ecosystem of tech partners since the launch of ChatGPT.

He added that the depth of the firm's relationships and the level of collaboration have "grown dramatically" in the past few years.

He said McKinsey operates an "ecosystem of alliances and acquisitions" with hundreds of contributors, including key players such as AWS, Amazon, Nvidia, and OpenAI, that it leverages to tailor solutions for clients.

Amid the deluge of new products and AI startups, Ellencweig said the firm still adheres to a rigorous vetting process. "There's a bit of a dating period that we get to know each other," he said. "Partnering means a two-way street."

Given the pace of the AI boom, however, he said the firm is more willing these days to team up with smaller companies.

Former McKinsey consultants told Business Insider that these alliances also fill the talent gap needed to marry the raw models coming out of AI labs with the needs of corporate clients.

These consultants said their role is to bring these models to the enterprise level — customizing them with data, adding appropriate guardrails, and helping clients implement them in specific contexts. Many of the models fresh out of Silicon Valley simply aren't enterprise-ready, consultants said.

McKinsey says about 40% of its work now comes from generative AI-related projects. BCG said 20% of its work was AI-related in 2024.

Andy Triedman, a partner at Theory Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on data and AI, told Business Insider that tech startups have long relied on consulting firms to help sell their products to enterprise clients, but are now partnering much earlier as pressure builds to adapt to AI.

Before ChatGPT, he said, partnerships typically happened once startups reached $10 million or more in revenue — about two to four years in. Now, they're forming at the $2 million to $5 million mark, when companies are only 12 to 18 months old.

Triedman, a former Bain consultant, said the AI ecosystem around consulting firms falls into three main buckets: enterprise software startups that partner with consultants to distribute and implement their products, AI-native consulting firms that compete with traditional players, and smaller AI tools that automate core consulting work, which could become acquisition targets for bigger consulting firms.

"It's a mutually beneficial relationship between the two," Triedman said.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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New AI tool seeks to un-AI your writing

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 18:26:11 +0000

A new ouroboros in the tech world has emerged: There's now an AI tool to "undo" AI writing.

Sinceerly is a Google Chrome extension to edit AI-generated (or human-written) emails. The aim is to add in errors that are typically scrubbed away with AI tools and change some of the obvious AI text "tells," like the phrase "not just X, but Y." Em dashes fall into the latter category, too — but as a longtime writer, I'm fond of them and abhor how it's apparently become a signal of AI. Regardless, Sinceerly will kill the em dash, as it states on its website.

The tool has three modes: subtle, human, and CEO. Each render text more and more casual, where "CEO" mode doesn't even have correct punctuation but does tack on "Sent from my iPhone," of course.

Sinceerly is free for three email rewrites and works within Gmail. But if you want to pay $4.99 per month, you get unlimited rewrites, can switch instantly between modes, and can cache results so you can reopen them instantly.

Ben Horwitz, an investment partner at venture capital firm Dorm Room Fund, created Sinceerly, according to the website.

The concept of using AI to generate text, only to have another AI tool make it sound more human, is pretty absurd, but it might be a perfect encapsulation of popular opinion towards AI-generated copy in 2026. (Last month, major publisher Hachette dropped the novel Shy Girl due to allegations that it was AI-generated and/or poorly written.)

It might just be easier to — gasp — write text yourself.

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I caved in and got my son a Nintendo Switch so he wouldn't feel left out. I immediately regretted it.

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:47:27 +0000

The author's son started new hobbies once he stopped playing with his Nintendo Switch.

Courtesy of the author

My fourth-grade son was the only one in his class without a Nintendo Switch.
My husband and I bought him one and set firm boundaries, but still regretted it.
I noticed a shift in my son's priorities to always want to be online.

My 10-year-old son Ezra was the only one in his fourth-grade class without a Nintendo Switch. His teacher had a policy allowing students to pull out their electronics at the end of the day, so Ezra often felt left out when his friends played.

This led to relentless begging. Some of Ezra's classmates even offered to donate to a fund to help him get one.

I was a firm no. I'm not big on electronics and wasn't going to give in to the peer pressure — and I certainly wasn't going to let other kids buy him one.

But when my husband became a full-time teacher at a new school, I wanted Ezra to transfer there in the fifth-grade so they could be together. The dilemma was that Ezra loved his current educational environment. He didn't want to leave his friends and the school where he felt comfortable and made memories.

So, I struck a deal with him — a "Switch for a switch."

I regretted it almost immediately, especially after spending around $300 on the hand-held console. In the end, my husband and I let him stay at his current school for one more year instead, and rebranded the Switch as a combined Christmas and birthday gift.

We set boundaries, but still noticed a shift

My husband and I monitored what Ezra played, sticking to age ratings and avoiding shooter games. We turned on parental controls so that the device would shut off after an hour.

Even with that limit, Ezra seemed to fixate on and feel entitled to that time every day.

"When am I going to get my screen time?" he'd ask, melting down on days it didn't happen.

Road trips were less sweet, too, since he didn't even look up and out the window. "Yeah, cool," he'd say, eyes glued to his screen.

I started to notice that ordinary life no longer excited him the same way. He showed less interest in being outdoors or exploring. More often, he just wanted to sink into his beanbag chair and tune out.

He realized on his own how much time he was spending with it

One day, I caught him playing a game instead of doing his homework, and I took the device away. He didn't ask for it back. Weeks turned into months.

Then, when he was almost 12, he came to me and told me he had played games that his dad and I didn't want him to access, followed by an apology. It's been over a year and a half now, and Ezra hasn't asked for his device back.

When I inquired why, he said, "I gave it up mostly because I subconsciously knew that my life started revolving around it."

He spends his time differently

Now, he plays guitar and piano, draws, bikes, and skateboards with the kids in the neighborhood. Last week, he decided to take up pickleball.

Courtesy of the author

"I have more time to do stuff. More creativity and a longer attention span," he told me. " I get less frustrated when trying new things."

Most research suggests that kids do OK with about an hour of screen time a day. Ezra still gets that — usually by watching TV with his siblings. But now that screen time feels more intentional. It's family time, something shared, rather than something that pulls him away.

We didn't force him to give up his Switch

The fact that Ezra chose to give up his device might say something about maturity and maybe the values we've tried to model. We've talked openly about how screens can create quick, addictive hits of dopamine, and he says knowing that did influence his decision.

If I could go back, I don't know if I would've bought a Switch for him in the first place. But if I hadn't, would he always wonder what it was like? Would he have felt resentful?

Parenting is full of calls like this that you can't fully predict and never feel entirely sure about. But I do know I'm proud of my kid for making the decision to better himself on his own.

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Meta accused of profiting from scam ads in class-action lawsuit

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:26:36 +0000

This week, a class-action lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C. against Meta, alleging that the company deceived Facebook users about scam advertisements and profited from it.

Tycko and Zavareei LLP and Tech Justice Law filed the complaint on April 21 under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act on behalf of the Consumer Federation of America and Washington, D.C. Facebook users. The complaint states that while Meta publicly claims to fight scams, internal documents (published by Reuters in Dec. 2025) show it's making billions off of them.

The documents show that in 2024, Meta projected that around 10 percent of its revenue — around $16 billion — would come from advertising scam and banned products. Users are apparently exposed to 15 billion "high-risk" scam ads each day, per the documents. Meta apparently charged these high-risk advertisers more while rejecting 96 percent of valid user fraud reports.

"Meta has, as a matter of company policy, deliberately profited from rampant, inexcusable harm to users on its platforms," attorney and managing director at Tech Justice Law, Sarah Kay Wiley, stated in a press release. "Meta told its users it was fighting fraud. Internally, it was charging scammers a premium for access to those same users. That is not a failure of enforcement, that is a business model built on predatory deception."

A Meta spokesperson told Mashable, "These allegations misrepresent the reality of our work and we will fight them."

"We aggressively combat scams across our platforms to protect people and businesses — last year alone, we removed over 159 million scam ads, 92 percent of which we took down before anyone reported them, and took down 10.9 million accounts on Facebook and Instagram associated with criminal scam centers. We fight scams because they are bad for business — people don't want them, advertisers don't want them, and we don't want them either," the spokesperson continued.

The complaint comes weeks after Meta announced new tools to fight scams on its platforms like Facebook and Instagram, including working with law enforcement. In recent years, Meta has reportedly rejected ads from legitimate businesses, like the sex toy shop Unbound (until they created fake ads targeted at men) and healthcare platform Daye.

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Trump on prediction markets: 'The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino'

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:47:23 +0000

"I don't like it, conceptually, but it is what it is," Trump said.

Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Trump weighed in on prediction markets — and didn't sound too happy about them.
"The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino," Trump told reporters.
It came after the DOJ indicted a US soldier for profiting off of the Maduro raid via Polymarket.

President Donald Trump sure doesn't sound like a prediction market enthusiast.

Asked on Thursday if he was concerned about the potential for insider trading on prediction markets, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he was "never much in favor" of betting in financial markets.

"The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino," Trump said. "I don't like it, conceptually, but it is what it is. No, I think that I'm not happy with any of this."

"They have all these different sites, they have 'predictive markets,'" Trump continued. "It's a crazy world. It's a much different world than it was."

Reporter: There are also bets being placed on the Iran conflict. People suspect there is insider trading happening. Are you concerned?

Trump: Unfortunately, the whole world has become somewhat of a casino. I don't like it conceptually. It is what it is. pic.twitter.com/t1OPOUWHub
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2026

Trump's comments came shortly after the Department of Justice indicted a US Army soldier who was involved in the planning of the US capture of Nicolás Maduro. Prosecutors say Gannon Ken Van Dyke used classified information to reap more than $400,000 in profit on Polymarket.

That trade caught the public's attention in early January, leading to the introduction of a raft of bills on Capitol Hill to both rein in the industry and protect against potential insider trading.

On Thursday, Trump said he wasn't aware of the indictment, but joked that the case sounded like when Pete Rose, the former manager of the Cincinnati Reds, was caught betting on his own team.

"Now, if he bet against his team, that would be no good. But he bet on his own team," Trump said.

Reporter: There was a special forces soldier involved in the capture of Maduro who was arrested on suspicion of insider trading. Are you concerned that federal employees are betting on these reduction markets and potentially getting rich?

Trump: Well, I don't know about it. Was… pic.twitter.com/zmPNGuVL1s
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2026

Trump previously told The Washington Post that prediction markets are better than "fake polls," referencing the fact that both Kalshi and Polymarket gave Trump stronger odds of winning the 2024 election than traditional polling.

"They predicted me pretty right… by a landslide," Trump said at the time.

Trump's lament about prediction markets, which seemed to echo some comments that Democrats have made about the industry's impact on society, contrasts with the way his administration has approached the industry.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael Selig, the top federal regulator of prediction markets, has moved to defend prediction market companies in the midst of legal battles with states over sports and elections betting.

"It's something that I think is valuable to society," Selig said of prediction markets in a February podcast appearance.

The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., is also financially involved in the industry, serving as a strategic advisor to Kalshi while investing in Polymarket.

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The Bluetti Elite 300 portable power station has hit its all-time low price — act fast to save over $800

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:26:09 +0000

SAVE $870: As of April 23, the Bluetti Elite 300 power station is on sale at Amazon for only $1,129 instead of $1,999. That's a savings of $870 and its best price ever. But as a Lightning Deal, it will disappear before the day is through.

Credit: Bluetti

Bluetti Elite 300

$1,129 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $870

There's a reason (or two or three) why portable power stations have become so popular. From off-grid adventures to unexpected power outages, these devices can serve as nice-to-have companions or true lifesavers. They typically come with steep price tags, but the compact Elite 300 model from Bluetti just got a massive price drop.

As of April 23, Amazon has the Bluetti Elite 300 portable power station for $1,129 instead of the usual $1,999. That's 44% in savings and the cheapest this particular model has ever been, according to our favorite price-tracking tool. There is a catch, though. Since it's a Lightning Deal, the discount will disappear as soon as the timer runs out on the deal page (around 10 hours left at the time of writing) or the inventory tracker reads "100% claimed" — whichever comes first. In other words, if you're interested in this steep discount, grab it ASAP.

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At only 58 pounds, the Elite 300 is the ideal size for portability while camping, tailgating, or simply running backup around your home. Yet, despite its small footprint, it packs in 3,014Wh of battery capacity and 11 different ports for your charging needs. In real-life scenarios, that looks like keeping a diesel heater running for over 40 hours or a 12V fridge cold for 60 hours.

Among its 11 ports are four AC outlets, a TT-30 RV port, a 12V/30A DC output, two 15W USB-A ports, one 100W USB-C port, one 140W USB-C port, and a 120W cigarette lighter port. Practically any power source you need is at the ready.

The Elite 300 is not the cheapest power station on the market, but it does pack a lot of perks. And now that it's 44% off, it's a pretty solid deal.

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Score a free Samsung Galaxy S26 by signing up for Mint Mobiles Unlimited plan

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:26:44 +0000

FREE SAMSUNG GALAXY S26: As of April 22, get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 from Mint Mobile. Get $500 off the Samsung Galaxy S26 with a 12-month Unlimited plan signup (new customers only), plus up to $400 more in savings with an eligible trade-in.

Credit: Mint Mobile

Free Samsung Galaxy S26

$0 at Mint Mobile
$900 Save $900

$500 off Samsung Galaxy S26 with 12-month Unlimited plan signup, plus up to $400 more in savings with an eligible trade-in.

Ready to pick up a new smartphone? It can be a bit of a daunting process if you want to save some cash on a decent new model, especially if you're not sure which carrier to go with. We're in the business of making things easy for you, so we've got a proposition that you might appreciate. Consider Mint Mobile, which is offering a great deal on a Samsung phone right now if you plan on signing up for a new phone plan as well as bringing a new device home.

As of April 22, get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 from Mint Mobile. Get $500 off the Samsung Galaxy S26 with a 12-month Unlimited plan signup (new customers only), plus up to $400 more in savings with an eligible trade-in.

This is the newest part of the Samsung Galaxy lineup, which just debuted only months ago. It boasts a zippy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with a triple-camera array featuring a 50MP sensor, a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOELD 2x display, and support for Galaxy AI.

The phone starts at $900, which means you'll get the device for free if you sign up for the 12-month Mint Mobile Unlimited plan as a new customer. You'll get the immediate $500 discount, which knocks the phone down to just $400. Then, you can get up to $400 off by trading in your old eligible phone.

This deal applies to the entirety of the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup, so you aren't relegated to this model, but it is the one you'll want to go with if you want to bring home a completely free phone after signup. You won't owe any monthly payments on the device, which is a major plus. But the best part of the promotion is getting a much more affordable line than many of Mint's competition. Jump on the deal now if you're in need of a phone upgrade.

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Where to watch World Snooker Championship: Live stream 2026 frames free from anywhere

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:47:23 +0000

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Zhao Xintong will attempt to defend his title at the World Snooker Championship.

George Wood/Getty Images

The World Snooker Championship returns to the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, for the 50th time as 32 of the world's best players compete to be crowned the world champion. In this guide, we'll explain where to watch World Snooker Championship 2026 live streams, with information on free channels and platforms.

And there's great news for snooker fans in the UK, as every frame will be shown absolutely free thanks to the BBC and its iPlayer streaming website and app. Elsewhere, the entire tournament will be available on the dedicated WST Play platform, including in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Where to watch World Snooker Championship: quick links

UK: BBC iPlayer (FREE)
US: WST Play (~$9.50)
Canada: WST Play (~CA$13)
Australia: WST Play (~AU$13)
Access streaming from anywhere: NordVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)
When: April 18—May 4, 2026
Remaining Round 1 matches (approx. times):
- Judd Trump vs. Gary Wilson (TBC) on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BST / 2 a.m. AWST (Weds.)
- Shaun Murphy vs. Fan Zhengyi (TBC) on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BST / 2 a.m. AWST (Weds.)
- Chris Wakelin vs. Liam Pullen (TBC) on Wednesday at 5 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. BST / 5 p.m. AWST
- Mark Selby vs. Jak Jones on Wednesday at 5 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. BST / 5 p.m. AWST
- Si Jiahui vs. Hossein Vafaei on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. BST / 9:30 p.m. AWST
- Neil Robertson vs. Pang Junxu on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BST / 2 a.m. AWST (Thurs.)

This time 12 months ago, Zhao Xintong walked out of the Crucible having made history as the first ever player from China to win the World Championship. He was superb throughout, but really stamped his authority on things by destroying seven-time champ Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semis. After that, his comfortable final win over Mark Williams and a check to the sum of £500,000 (around $675,000) seemed a mere formality.

In order to go back-to-back, however, he'll have to defy the so-called 'Crucible Curse' — no first-time winner of the World Snooker Championship has been able to retain the title in the five decades that the tournament has been held at the venue. And there are plenty of worthy opponents waiting to stop him, such as O'Sullivan, Williams, world No. 1 Judd Trump, and in-form 2010 champion Neil Robertson. Not to mention the record 10 other Chinese entries, with Wuhan Open winner Xiao Guodong the highest ranked among them.

Where to watch World Snooker Championship for free in the UK

As ever, the free-to-air BBC has extensive live coverage of the 2026 World Snooker Championship. In addition to televised action across its BBC One, Two, and Four channels, the broadcaster will show every single shot and pot on its free online BBC iPlayer platform and BBC Sport website. As well as smartphones and laptops, iPlayer is available to stream on pretty much every streaming device you can think of.

For an alternative commentary and analysis, UK snooker fans can also watch on TNT Sports — available with certain Sky, Virgin Media, and EE TV plans, or through an HBO Max subscription costing from $26 a month.

How to watch World Snooker Championship from anywhere

Watching the 2026 World Snooker Championship for free in the UK is easy. But try accessing BBC iPlayer when abroad and you'll discover that you can't due to geo-blocking. Thankfully, you can get around this annoyance with a VPN (or virtual private network), which will let you set your smartphone, laptop, or streaming device so that it thinks it's back in the UK.

NordVPN is currently the very best VPN you can get. It offers rapid server speeds, an easy-to-use interface, and is superb at unblocking your domestic services when traveling overseas. You can discover more in our dedicated NordVPN review or, if you're ready to sign up now, take advantage of the fact that you can cancel within the first 30 days and get a full refund thanks to the provider's money-back guarantee.

Where to watch World Snooker Championship in the US

Unlike in the UK, you have to pay to watch this tournament in the US. It is being shown on the dedicated WST Play streaming platform. Prices are in GBP, with the monthly pass costing £7. That means you can watch every match of the 2026 World Snooker Championship for less than $10.

Where to watch World Snooker Championship in Canada

Just like south of the border, there are no domestic options for watching the 2026 World Snooker Championship in Canada. That means you'll need to subscribe to WST Play. The £7 a month fee works out to around CA$13.

Where to watch World Snooker Championship in Australia

In Australia, you can watch every break, pot, and miss on WST Play. It costs £7 a month, so that's around AU$13.

World Snooker Championship Schedule

What is the prize money for the World Snooker Championship in 2026?

The total prize fund for the 2026 World Snooker Championship is £2.395 million — around $3.2 million. The overall winner will receive £500,000 (approximately $675,000), with the losing finalist having to console themselves with £200,000 (approximately $270,000).

Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Snooker World Championship?

Reigning champion Zhao Xintong is the bookies' favorite to win the 2026 Snooker World Championship, having already won the Tour Championship, Players Championship, and World Grand Prix this year. World No. 1 Judd Trump is widely seen as the player most likely to challenge him, with seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan and four-time winner Mark Selby not far behind.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

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4/20 deals: Score free food from Chipotle, Subway, Taco Bell, and more

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:26:32 +0000

April 20 has become the day to celebrate cannabis culture in the United States. We're not going to tell you how you should celebrate this occasion, but we are going to point out the fact that a number of popular restaurants are offering food deals on this date. You never know when the munchies are going to hit, so it's best to stay prepared.

You can find limited-time food offers from the likes of Wingstop, Chipotle, Subway, and Taco Bell, and more. We've checked out everything on offer to bring you the very best 4/20 food deals.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

On April 20, score a Pizookie for only $4.20.

Blazed Pizza

On April 20, Blaze Pizza is offering its BFF Bundle for $25.99. This deal is online only.

Chipotle

On April 20 at participating restaurants, score a Buy One Get One Free entree by wearing a hockey jersey.

Del Taco

Score a Buy One Get One Free deal on Carne Asada Fries from April 17-20. You can also get free delivery on orders over $20.

Dog Haus

Rewards members can get a free cheeseburger slider for spending $4.20 or more on April 20.

Insomnia Cookies

On April 20, Insomnia Rewards Members can buy four classic cookies and get two for free. This offer is available for in-store and pickup orders only.

KFC

On April 20, score a Pot Pie Combo for only $4.20, a Chick N’ Nug Meal for only $20, and two for $2.95 Original Recipe, Extra Crispy Chicken, or Hand-breaded Tenders. This offer is only available in-app or online.

Subway

Sub Club members can get a Buy One, Get One Free Footlong deal with the promo code FLBOGO.

Taco Bell

Spend $20 or more through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Postmates and get a large Nacho Fries for free.

Wingstop

On April 20, Wingstop is giving away 420 limited‑edition collectible trays at select locations in Los Angeles, San Jose, New York City, and Atlanta. This is available with the purchase of a Hot Box while supplies last.

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The Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop just dipped below $400 at Amazon — save $250

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:26:31 +0000

SAVE $250: The Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, down from the list price of $649.99. That's a 38% discount and the same sale price we saw last month during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Credit: Roborock

Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop

$399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250

Robot vacuums used to be something that needed babysitting. They would stumble down the stairs or get stuck under furniture and cry (beep) for help. But these days, we have smarter robot vacuums and ones that can mop your home, too. If you're in the market for a powerful robot vacuum and mop that doesn't cost a fortune, check out this Amazon deal.

As of April 20, the Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, marked down from the standard price of $649.99. That's a 38% discount that shaves $250 off the price. It's the same sale price we saw last month during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

With 8,000Pa suction power, an anti-tangle brush, and an all-in-one charging dock, the Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop would like to take over the tasks of vacuuming and mopping your home. The suction is designed to rid your floors of hair, fur, dust, crumbs, and other debris on any surface.

In terms of mopping, the Roborock Qrevo uses high-speed rotation to clean any mess. With 30 levels of water floor, even a sticky spill should get cleaned with the 200rpm dual spinning mop pads. The obstacle avoidance makes this model suitable for all homes and it can map up to four floors.

While it's back at the same price we saw during the Amazon Big Spring Sale, upgrade your home's cleaning routine with the Roborock Qrevo robot vacuum and mop. Many combo vacuum and mop models can cost hundreds more, so this is a great chance to score a dual-cleaning robot for less.

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Tariff refund site: What it is, how to use it

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:26:30 +0000

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be launching a tariff refund site for international importers on Monday, April 20.

The current tariff situation is, frankly, confusing. First, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in February that President Donald Trump does not have the power to unilaterally impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), striking down one of the president's signature policies. After the ruling, Trump called the justices "fools" and "lapdogs" and pledged to implement a 10-percent global tariff.

As a result of the ruling, many importers will be eligible for refunds for the unconstitutional tariff fees levied against them.

What is the new tariff refund site?

The tariff refund site will be administered through U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is scheduled to launch on Monday, April 20.

The new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal will be available through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) website. More information can be found in a regularly updated CBP blog post.

"CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties including interest rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis," the website states.

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Who is eligible for refunds?

The CAPE portal is designed for companies who paid tariff fees, importers of record, and authorized customs brokers. These entities will need to submit a declaration through the CAPE portal.

"Importers and authorized brokers should anticipate that valid IEEPA refunds will generally be issued within 60-90 days following acceptance of the CAPE Declaration, unless a compliance concern requires further CBP review," the CBP writes.

Can American consumers get refunds, too?

While the CAPE portal is designed for importers, companies like Costco and FedEx have pledged to pass along refunds to affected customers, according to Axios.

If you're hoping for prices to come down as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, as we reported at the time, this is unlikely.

"Consumers shouldn’t see meaningful price relief soon," Ravin Gandhi, CEO of GMM Nonstick Coatings and an expert on tariffs, told Mashable in February.

"Tariffs were just one piece in the overall pricing structure — and businesses don’t typically lower prices immediately when a cost input disappears — especially with so much inflationary pressure," Gandhi said. "Even though the ruling is legally significant, the short-term economic impact may not happen as fast as the headlines are suggesting."

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Grab the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses while they’re on sale for a record low

noreply@blogger.com (mimisabreena) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:26:29 +0000

SAVE 25%: As of April 20, you can get the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses for $224.25 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 25% discount or $74.75 savings.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (Gen 1)

$224.25 at Amazon
$299 Save $74.75

If you're tired of your earbuds falling out during calls or reaching for your phone every time it dings, you might want to consider a smart wearable like the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.

Right now, you can get 'em for $224.25, down from $299, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount, or $74.75 in savings, and the lowest price we've seen these smart glasses go for yet.

You wouldn't know it just by looking at them, but these frames have a lot going on. Mashable's former East Coast Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, tested them out on her commute and called the open-ear audio "crisp, full, and rich — total ear candy." They also feature an ultra-wide 12MP camera for hands-free photos and 60-second videos, plus a built-in Meta AI that can answer questions or translate languages in real-time.

And, if wearing a microphone and camera on your face sounds a little intimidating, you can easily tweak the privacy settings or turn off voice commands whenever you want.

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