We're still in the early stages of the AI revolution, but there's already plenty of evidence that it won't be purely a blessing. Generative AI has made writing exponentially faster, if not necessarily better, and the result has been a massive increase in submissions of novels, newspaper pieces, and even academic journals, with one publication even warning of a coming "swamp of slop." 

Now, however, the journals are fighting back. ArXiv, one of the largest open-access repositories of preprint academic research, is issuing a one-year ban on all authors who submit "obviously AI-generated work," according to 404media. Moreover, if the offending author wishes to return to the good graces of ArXiv, they will have to first submit to a "reputable peer-reviewed review venue," according to Thomas Dietterich, chair of the publication's computer science division.

He recently took to X to not only clarify the new rules but also place the onus on authors to use LLMs responsibly: "If generative AI tools generate inappropriate language, plagiarized content, biased content, errors, mistakes, incorrect references, or misleading content, and that output is included in scientific works, it is the responsibility of the author(s). We have recently clarified our penalties for this. If a submission contains incontrovertible evidence that the authors did not check the results of LLM generation, this means we can't trust anything in the paper."  

Faulty, misleading references, plagiarism, and invented citations are not the only issues with AI; however, there are others. In November of 2025, ArXiv was forced to shut down its entire computer science review section due to the overwhelming volume of AI-generated submissions, most of which did not even introduce new research results, according to a press statement. 

A funny, counterintuitive consequence of AI-enabled hyperefficiency is the evaluation bottleneck. If, in any given month, there are 100 academic papers submitted for review, it's not too hard to find and publish the best work, but if there are a thousand submissions, even the best-funded journals can't keep up. 

Expect the backlash to grow even fiercer as the power of AI increases and the costs of using it decrease. 

TL;DR: The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Eurovision Song Contest has a reputation for delivering truly memorable performances, and not always in a good way. Rules and convention go out the window with Eurovision, resulting in some absolutely unmissable moments.

Want to watch the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

What is Eurovision?

The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union. This competition primarily features entries from European countries, with each participating nation submitting an original song to be performed on live TV. Competing countries cast votes to pick a winner.

Where is the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest?

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is the 70th edition of the event. This year's competition will take place in Vienna.

When is the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest?

The full schedule for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is as follws:

• First Semi-Final — 9 p.m. CEST on May 12

• Second Semi-Final — 9 p.m. CEST on May 14

• Grand Final — 9 p.m. CEST on May 16

How to watch the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for free

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer to live stream Eurovision for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can live stream Eurovision without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream the event before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free streaming services from around the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Stream the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for free with ExpressVPN.

California lawmakers are deliberating a proposed bill, known as the "Protect Our Games Act," that would require publishers to continue offering access to online games even after developers stop supporting them, according to Ars Technica. 

The bill is part of a wider initiative by the Stop Killing Games preservation movement, which has been active in Europe for some time now. Their mission statement describes them as a "global coalition of gamers, consumer advocates, and developers" seeking to "end the intentional destruction of our digital media" through a combination of class-action lawsuits, formal petitions, and engagement with lawmakers, and they make their stance very clear: "Games are art and have grown into a huge influence for our society. Deliberately rendering them unplayable is the destruction of cultural heritage."

But as currently written, the Protect Our Games Act would place some serious requirements on game publishers and "digital game operators," including offering a 60-day advanced warning when "services necessary for the ordinary use of the digital game will cease," and even to compensate gamers with either a full refund or a software patch that would continue to make the game accessible in some form. If passed, however, the laws would only apply to game titles released after January 1, 2027, so existing online games would be exempt. 

This question is part of a broader discussion consumers are having about ownership rights in the age of digital media, as both games and movies are increasingly sold not in hard-copy formats (the cartridges, cassettes, and DVDs of the past) but as files downloadable from servers. The problem is especially acute in online gaming, since if the infrastructure supporting it (the servers and software that enable it) is compromised, its functionality might also be compromised. 

Put differently, the question might be posed this way: are games a product consumers buy or a software they lease? Up until very recently, gamers the world over were under the impression they owned a product, with an unlimited right to do with it as they please, but in the era of digital media, gaming companies have been pushing for a subscription model that treats games as a service with a finite and conditional duration.

Whatever decision the California lawmakers reach, don't expect these questions or the people posing them to disappear anytime soon. As of this writing, the StopKillingGames subreddit has more than 14,000 followers, and momentum is on the side of the consumer.

Good news for vibe coders everywhere: Apple has lifted its temporary ban on Replit updates, enacted earlier this year, and the company has officially released Agent 4, first teased in March.

CEO Amjad Massad took to X to celebrate the good news: "We worked things out with Apple, and just published our app for the first time in 4 months. Thanks to all our customers and creators who helped out. It’s been a journey, but we never give up and stay winning! Enjoy the updates! Lots of new things coming."

The Agent 4 update brings powerful new upgrades to the platform, including the introduction of parallel agents to allow you to work on multiple ideas simultaneously, the ability to collaborate on projects by merging flows, and the ability to view your projects across multiple workspaces. 

Though it isn't exactly clear what compromise or agreement Apple managed to reach with Replit and other AI-based software creators, the original dispute involved a long-standing clause in Apple's App Review Guidelines, specifically 2.5.2: "Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps."

Because Replit's Agent app is capable of programming apps, Apple argued that it violated the "self-containment" clause, thereby bypassing the App Store.  

Whether Apple ultimately changed its mind about its interpretation of Agent 4, or whether Replit compromised in some respect, remains unclear, but you can now download and run the latest version of Agent 4 on the iPhone or iPad to try it out for yourself.

Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, hitting the beach, or hosting a backyard gathering, the best waterproof speakers are ready for any occasion. They’re built for adventure and outdoor fun, and they let you take your music anywhere without worrying about the elements. And unlike our favorite party speakers, all of these gadgets can handle a little H20.

Before purchasing a model, you’ll want a better understanding of what “waterproof” means, at least when it comes to wireless speakers. Waterproofing is the ability to resist water intrusion. This is measured by an ingress protection (IP) rating. The higher the rating, the stronger the protection (see more info in our FAQ section). 

Many waterproof speakers also feature rubberized bumpers for shock absorption and sealed ports that keep out dirt, dust, and sand. Some models include detachable straps that latch onto everyday carry items like backpacks, gym bags, purses, or satchels. Some of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers are even designed to float while playing music in the water.

For this guide, Mashable tech and audio experts ranked the best waterproof speakers based on factors such as overall performance, real-world usability, and value. Our picks are guided by hands-on experience with the latest releases, as well as insights from past reviews and years of category testing to spotlight top-tier entries.

So, if you want the best waterproof speaker to keep your playlist bumping — rain, splash, or shine — we've got you.

Know before you buy: What does "waterproof" really mean?

Water-resistant, splashproof, waterproof — these terms all have different meanings. All of the speakers in this guide have an IP waterproof rating, but let's break down what that means.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Understanding IP ratings

The IP rating system classifies how resistant electrical enclosures are to intrusion from foreign matter, moisture, and environmental exposure. Here’s a breakdown of what each IP rating means.

• IPX0 – No water resistance

• IPX1 – Survives vertical drop of 1 millimeter of water

• IPX2 – Survives drop of 3 millimeters of water

• IPX3 – Survives light water spraying

• IPX4 – Survives omnidirectional water splashing (water resistant)

• IPX5 – Survives water jet splashing up to 12.5 liters for 1 min

• IPX6 – Survives water jet splashing up to 100 liters for 3 mins

• IPX7 – Complete submersion up to 1 meter for 30 mins

• IPX8 – Complete submersion up to 3 meters for 30 mins

Why do some IP ratings have two digits?

The first digit (0–6) rates protection against solids, and the second digit (0–9) rates protection against liquids. 

In my hunt for the best e-readers, I've been determined to find a great alternative to a Kindle or a Kobo. Don't get me wrong, I love both of these e-readers and generally think they are the best e-readers you can buy, but I know there's a hunger for variety in the e-reader community beyond the big two. I've tried Barnes & Noble's Nook, Remarkable e-ink tablets, and Boox e-readers, but none of them have impressed me. But the Durobo Krono caught my eye at CES 2026.

I've often called an e-reader a library in your pocket, and the Durobo Krono is more than that. It's a library, bookstore, notebook, and MP3 player all in one. But that's a lot of promise in a palm-sized device. Luckily, it totally nails it. Here's what you need to know about the Durobo Krono and why I named it the best open-source Android e-reader.

Durobo Krono e-reader: Our quick verdict

Have lots of different books on different apps? The Durobo Krono might just be for you. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

• Best for: The person with books in multiple apps — Kindle, Kobo, Audible, Libro.fm, and Libby. Plus, great for the person who likes to listen to audiobooks and read at the same time, and people seeking an on-the-go voice notetaker.

• Key tech: 6.13-inch Carta 1200 e-ink display, 128GB of storage, 6GB RAM, 300 ppi resolution, adjustable warmth and brightness, octa-core processor, and Android 15 OS.

• MSRP: $279.99

Your entire digital library on one device

Access your Kindle library from the Durobo Krono. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I find myself in a unique conundrum as an e-reader tester: I have collections of books across many different e-reader platforms. While I could just get used to cycling through different e-readers regularly, that's a lot to keep track of. The dream is to have them all on one device, and the Durobo Krono is that dream realized.

Running Android 15, the Google Play Store comes preinstalled on the Krono, so any app available in the store is available on the e-ink tablet. Suddenly, all the apps I use regularly from Audible, Kindle, Kobo Books, Libby, and Libro.fm are now on my Durobo Krono.

The apps appear on a separate page from Krono's built-in library, so you will need to navigate between them. A small price to pay for the convenience of accessing them from one device.

Technically, you could get this convenience from a tablet, too. Except an iPad doesn't have the matte, easy-on-the-eyes e-ink display that the Krono does.

Since it's an Android device, Apple apps (like Apple Music and Apple Books) aren't available, so as an Apple Music listener, I couldn't use the device as a music player.

It's fast — until it's not

In my testing, I find open Android e-readers to be too slow, especially compared to Kindles and Kobos, which are zippy e-readers. The Boox Go and Boox Palma 2, similar devices to the Durobo Krono, have both had disappointing performance, even right out of the box. Yet, the Durobo Krono is brilliantly speedy. Even when moving between different books on different apps, I was impressed by how quickly it sped through them.

Its speed is conditional. Too many apps, or more demanding apps, will slow down the device. After a week of use, I added the Substack app to the Krono, which was too demanding for it. Even when I wasn't using the app, it slowed down the whole device. Once I deleted the app, it sped back up.

Other demanding apps I found were audiobook players like Audible. I especially noticed this when listening to an audiobook while reading an e-book on a separate app. It's disappointing that two apps geared toward readers slowed down an e-reader device. For the best performance on the Krono, use one app at a time and avoid high-demanding apps.

A perfect palm-sized e-reader

The Durobo Krono is perfectly palm-sized. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Durobo Krono has a 6.13-inch screen, slightly bigger than the basic Kindle's, but the entire device is narrower than the Kindle. It's about the same size as my hand and weighs 6.1 ounces. The small size makes it comfortable to hold for hours at a time — especially if you add a PopSockets grip on the back as I did. But that doesn't make the screen size feel cramped either.

It needs better battery life

When you're used to the months-long battery life of a Kindle, it's a hard adjustment to go to an e-reader with significantly less. With a couple of hours of use per day, the Durobo Krono e-readers have about one week of battery life. Compared to a smartphone or tablet, that's pretty good, but when you're coming from a Kindle or even a Kobo, the Krono e-reader's battery life feels too short.

More features to enjoy

Access Durobo AI on the Krono e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Easily scroll through articles and apps with the Krono's smart dial. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The features on the Krono Durobo are extensive. It has a smart dial on the side that refreshes the screen, starts recording, and scrolls on the device. It has a built-in AI called Spark, which captures voice recordings and produces transcripts and summaries. It's a lot more than just a standard e-reader, but in the months of use, I never used the Spark AI. The Smart Dial is a fantastic addition for smooth scrolling.

Is the Durobo Krono worth it?

Looking for an alternative to a Kindle or Kobo? Try the Durobo Krono e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Durobo Krono is the best open Android e-reader. If you're exploring the world of the Boox Palma or the Remarkable Move, the Krono is my preferred pick for its fast processing and support for third-party apps. In a perfect, palm-sized package, it provides access to all your digital libraries. It's more expensive than other e-readers, but for its extra benefits, it's worth the extra price.

Durobo Krono

$279.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at DuRoBo

UPDATE: May. 16, 2026, 5:00 a.m. EDT I first wrote about my initial impressions of the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete in February 2026 after a week of using it daily at home. This review was updated after three more months of testing.

In my mind, Roborock had the best robot vacuum of the year for most of 2025 — and it was pretty uncontested. Dreame isn't letting that happen this year. The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is clearly out to prove that it's the apex robot vacuum, and it's certainly priced like it at $1,699.99. I tested it at home for several months to see whether it's that worthwhile of an investment.

I apologize in advance for the number of times you'll have to read "Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete" in the next few minutes. There has to be a better naming strategy.

I think the Aqua10's dock is slightly prettier, but the X60 Max Ultra is still chic. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

What's special about the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete?

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is nearly the most powerful robot vacuum on the market, only to be topped on paper by the Roborock Saros 20's 36,000 Pa. But I've tested both at home and find the Dreame to be much more of a beast.

I appreciate the dual brush rolls made of two different textures. That's the most effective design for hair pickup. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The X60 Max Ultra comes with regular detergent and detergent for pet odors. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Compared to the roller mop Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller released in August 2025, the X60 Max Ultra Complete reverts to dual spinning mopping pads for precise edge mopping. That's nothing we haven't seen before. The X60 Max Ultra Complete's actual unique addition is heated mopping — most robot vacuum mop combos that can heat water only use it for washing the pads, not during floor cleaning.

Is the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete good on carpet?

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra has done a pretty outstanding job at vacuuming various carpet piles in my apartment. It took a lot of mental fortitude to forgo vacuuming my living room rug for a few days at a time to test the X60 Max Ultra Complete's performance on built-up pet hair. But time after time, the X60 Max Ultra Complete proved to be wicked on shedding and other fluff that sticks to carpet fibers.

You know how you can kind of see "invisible" pet hair on the floor if you bend down to put on a shoe? It was a different story after the X60 Max Ultra Complete came through, at least if I set it to the max suction setting. Multiple lint roller tests afterward revealed but a few fuzzies and some fur that was left over, but the kind that's so thin that it's nearly invisible.

One test in the living room also involved a field of crushed Goldfish crackers. The X60 Max Ultra Complete didn't leave a single piece behind. You can literally hear the deep carpet cleaning that's going on.

There were even more Goldfish pieces outside of the frame. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The X60 Max Ultra Complete also grabbed several large tufts of cat fur in this trip. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

My tufted, medium pile living room rug is very similar to the feel and height of a traditional carpet, so I'm confident in recommending the X60 Max Ultra Complete for multi-pet homes with fully carpeted rooms.

As a professional robot vacuum reviewer, I'm also not afraid to fabricate a completely ridiculous mess just to make a vacuum's life difficult. This one involved spilled sprinkles and tufts of cat hair pulled from the ChomChom strewn across a furry white rug. Its pile and uneven zebra-ish texture make it easy for debris to skim under a vacuum's radar, and it's so light that missed debris really stands out.

Before... Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

...after Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I was impressed by the success rate here. I had to get eye level with the floor to find any missed specks. On max power (the strongest of four settings), the X60 picked up every single ball of cat hair, even the ones that I pressed into the rug fibers. It cleared about 97 percent of the sprinkles, leaving behind a single green star and a few tiny balls.

I must call out that the X60 Max Ultra Complete feels extremely quiet for how powerful it is. Its strongest setting averaged between 67 and 69 decibels, and that was with my phone an inch away from the machine itself. (For reference, weaker vacuums I've tested range from 64 to 74 decibels). I was pleasantly surprised by how subdued (and short) the self-emptying noise is. At 71 decibels, you definitely don't have to plug your ears and brace yourself if you're anywhere near the dock. After being traumatized by several Roombas, Dreame's clear focus on noise level is appreciated.

Is the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete good on hard floors?

January in Pennsylvania always comes with a certain amount of white salt residue being trudged inside on shoes. But in the aftermath of one massive winter storm, there was an unprecedented level of slush coming in and drying near my front door. We happened to have guests on the first day that I had the X60, so there were even more shoes adding to the puddle — the floor was literally tinted gray.

Before the X60 Max Ultra came through, my floors were caked with snow and salt residue. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The mop scrubbed away most of the debris in the first pass. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The X60 Max Ultra Complete's mopping came in so clutch. It was able to scrub away a vast majority of the massive powdery puddle in the first pass, leaving the floor comfortingly shiny behind it. I've tested so many robot vacuum and mop combos that struggle more with dried water stains than they do with wet spills, but the X60 Max Ultra Complete aced it. Surely, that's the difference between mopping with room-temperature water and mopping with 104-degree Fahrenheit water, as the X60 does.

The spinning mopping pads were also pressurized enough to wipe up super fine dust that suction power alone just can't lift. I made a huge mess while changing the waste drawer liner in my Litter-Robot and sent the X60 to deal with it. The line between where the vacuum had and hadn't cleaned yet was as stark and satisfying as one could ask for.

I could always trust the X60 Max Ultra Complete's nimble body to scoot right up against the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator overhang, flicking hidden crumbs out from the cracks and mopping up random sprinkles of salt. Similarly, the X60 Max Ultra Complete kept the cat bowl area quite tidy, swiping scattered pieces of dry food near the wall and scrubbing dried splatters of wet food. It did all of this without touching the elevated bowl stand — many other premium robot vacuums are surprisingly rough around it.

The X60 noticed "large particles" of cat food, a power cord, and my feet. Credit: Screenshot / Dreame

If the X60 Max Ultra Complete notices a spill bigger than a few small pieces of debris, it automatically creates a side quest for itself within the larger cleaning mission that you've sent it on. Multiple passes are immediately taken over the extra-dirty area until the AI cameras consider the job done. Then, the vacuum goes back to cleaning the rest of the selected area.

Factors to consider

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is the most expensive robot vacuum released so far this year. As well-rounded as I think it is, $1,699.99 is a steep asking price for a robot vacuum that's not 100 percent perfect. For example, the X60 Max Ultra Complete ran over a cord once or twice and occasionally stumbled into the wrong bedroom on the way back to the dock. It did leave behind a tiny bit of debris around rug edges on more than one occasion, and at this price, shouldn't its pickup rate basically be 100? I could see why you'd argue that.

Am I the only one who's not super excited about the 3.5-inch "climbing" capabilities? It's just not all that helpful unless your home features shallow drops or sliding door tracks between rooms, like into a sunroom. The full-length mirrors in my apartment are all sliding doors, and the X60 Max Ultra Complete was able to safely cross those to sweep the dust and hairs off my closet floor. It was also able to drive over the metal legs of my kitchen island instead of having to drive around. Those are convenient touches, but I feel like robot vacuum threshold scaling isn't going to hit very hard until legitimate staircases are a possibility.

All in all, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is worth it in homes with heavy-duty vacuuming needs. But as well-rounded as it is, I'd still tell you not to buy it unless it's on sale.

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete

$1,699.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

Despite Android's presence in nearly every corner of the tech industry, it has yet to truly establish a foothold on PC platforms. Google has had ChromeOS powering Chromebooks for years, but the ubiquity of Android — paired with its lack of a meaningful foothold in traditional computing — made it clear something had to give.

Now, Google is moving to unify ChromeOS and Android into a single desktop platform, currently operating under the codename "Aluminum OS." (Or, depending on who you ask, Aluminium OS.)

What is Aluminum OS?

As far as we know — thanks to reporting from Android Authority — Aluminum OS is the internal codename for Google’s unified Android/ChromeOS desktop platform. The merger was officially announced this past September at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, although rumors about a ChromeOS–Android convergence had been circulating for at least a year.

In that September announcement, Google stated that it would be partnering with Qualcomm to develop a new platform that integrates mobile and desktop computing, powered by the latest advancements in AI.

The name "Aluminum OS" comes from a tip shared with Android Authority, which led the outlet to a now-deleted Google job listing for a Senior Product Manager in Taipei City, Taiwan. Luckily, Archive.today captured the posting before it disappeared. In it, Google states it is "working on a new Aluminium, Android-based, operating system” and that “Aluminium is a new operating system built with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core."

The role also mentions "driving the roadmap and curating a portfolio of ChromeOS and Aluminium Operating System (ALOS) commercial devices across all form factors (e.g. laptops, detachables, tablets, and boxes)." In other words, Aluminum OS won’t be limited to laptops. Tablets and so-called "boxes" — which Android Authority interprets as budget-style machines, such as Chromebooks or even Mac Mini–style devices — are also part of the plan.

A number of leaks after September have given us an even greater idea of what to expect from Aluminum OS.

In May, MysticLeaks posted a 16-minute video allegedly showing off the setup process of the new OS (running in a virtual machine inside a MacBook). In the video, you can see that the interface looks fairly similar to what's already available in ChromeOS, though there are some differences. Apps can be placed on the desktop, and you can right-click to create new folders, a la Windows, for instance.

It's also got an Android-like Quick Settings menu and a task manager, but there isn't much else to glean from the video.

Apart from unofficial leaks, we think Google also made an indirect reference to Aluminum OS during The Android Show livestream event on May 12.

What devices will run Aluminium OS?

Here's a Googlebook. Credit: Google

While previous reporting has indicated that Aluminum OS can run on a variety of device categories, it seems like it might debut with Googlebooks, a new class of laptop Google announced a week prior to Google I/O 2026. Google has only briefly teased Googlebooks so far, but if Aluminum were to run on anything, it would most likely run on one of these laptops.

In fact, Google's messaging around Googlebooks all but confirms that. In the initial reveal, Google talked about Googlebooks as though they will be a successor to Chromebooks in some way, leveraging Android apps as well as Gemini. Users will be able to do things like use AI to generate widgets.

Here's how Google described the Googlebook experience:

With the shift from operating system to intelligence system, we thought it was time for another fundamental reinvention. This year, we are taking the best of Android, a modern OS with powerful apps on Google Play, and the best of Chrome OS, which comes with the world's most popular browser and the biggest library of extensions. And they're now bringing them together, creating a new category of laptops that are built with Gemini at the core, work seamlessly with the devices in your life, and are powered by premium hardware. Meet Googlebook.

This could very well be our first official glimpse at the capabilities of Aluminum OS.

Google showed off several unique capabilities of Googlebooks, such as the ability to open Android apps from your phone right on your laptop without downloading the app.

Is this our first official glimpse of Aluminum OS? Credit: Google

They also revealed the “Magic Pointer,” an AI-powered update to the pointer. You’ll be able to hover over any element on the screen and get AI suggestions for next steps, more information, and other options.

The Magic Pointer feature in action. Credit: Google

We think Google will tell us more about Googlebooks, and Aluminum OS by extension, in the very near future.

Could Aluminum OS make its debut at Google I/O 2026? Check back on May 19 for the Mashable Google I/O live blog and get the latest updates on all things Google, Android, and Gemini.

TL;DR: Watch Italy vs. Canada in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are underway. We've already been treated to a number of exciting contests from Zurich and Fribourg, and we're expecting more of the same as the busy schedule moves into the weekend. Italy face Canada in one of the most interesting matchups, with all eyes on Canada as they look to bounce back from Winter Olympics disappointment.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. Canada?

Italy vs. Canada in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 16. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Italy vs. Canada for free

Italy vs. Canada in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Italy vs. Canada plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Italy vs. Canada in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

The best TV deals to shop this weekend:

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Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV

$898.99 (save $501)

Get Deal

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LG 55-inch B5 OLED 4K TV

$799.99 (save $700)

Get Deal

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Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV

$599.99 (save $400)

Get Deal

So, your current TV blows. Lucky for you, it happens to be an excellent time to upgrade, as new models have just hit the shelves and older models are getting the deal treatment.

Whether you're upgrading to improve your Stanley Cup playoff-viewing experience or you want to watch Project Hail Mary at home in the best possible quality, we've rounded up some of the best TV deals we could find to help you on your buyer's journey.

If you want an upgrade that actually makes a noticeable difference, here are our top picks on sale this weekend. Hisense, one of our favorite budget brands, is showing off with its ultra-steep discounts.

Best Hisense TV deal

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Credit: Hisense

Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV

$898.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $501

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Brand new 2026 TV models are officially on shelves and some are even on sale already, including Hisense's U6 Pro. One of the brand's newest mid-range models, the U6 Pro falls in the sweet spot of performance and value. It features Mini-LED backlighting and quantum-dot color, AI-driven processing, 2.1-channel Dolby Atmos audio, and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. It's also a solid choice for gamers, sporting a 144Hz native refresh rate and Freesync Premium Pro. Despite launching earlier this month, the 75-inch U6 Pro is already on sale for nearly 40% off.

Best LG TV deal

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Credit: LG

LG 55-inch B5 OLED 4K TV

$799.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $700

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

The B5 is LG's cheapest OLED from last year's lineup, offering the best picture quality at the best price. And now that the brand's 2026 lineup has arrived, this entry-level model has dropped to nearly half its original price. More vibrant and detailed than a QLED TV, the B5 OLED particularly stands out while watching dim scenes or in dark rooms. It features Dolby Vision, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Atmos, HDR10 Pro, a 120Hz refresh rate, and lots of AI features to customize and enhance your viewing experience. If you're upgrading from a QLED or LED TV, you'll be hella impressed by the difference an OLED TV makes.

Best art TV deal

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Credit: Hisense

Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV

$599.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

If you're seeking a TV with Art Mode, the Hisense 55-inch Canvas TV is the cheapest it's ever been at only $599.99. While it's often referred to as a dupe for Samsung's The Frame TV, Mashable TV expert Leah Stodart says it's "actually a better value than The Frame in a lot of ways." Particularly, the Canvas has a higher refresh rate (144Hz versus 120Hz) and two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a potential option for gamers. It also uses Google TV's interface, which is more intuitive and responsive than Samsung's and features a free digital art library — no subscription needed.

More of the best TV deals this weekend

• Samsung 65-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $427.99 $629.99 (save $202)

• Roku 65-inch Plus Series Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $478 $649.99 (save $171.99)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $559.99 $819.99 (save $260)

• TCL 75-inch T7 QLED 4K TV — $629.99 $899.99 (save $270)

• Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $696.97 $1,499.99 (save $803.02)

• Hisense 50-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $798.99 $1,299.99 (save $501)

• LG 48-inch C5 OLED 4K TV — $896.99 $1,396.99 (save $500)

• Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $999.99 $2,199.99 (save $1,200)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,198.99 $1,999.99 (save $801)

• TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED — $1,999.99 $2,999.99 (save 1,000)

TL;DR: As of May 16, the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $999 at Amazon. That's a $100 discount on the list price.

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Credit: Apple

MacBook Air M5 (13-Inch

$999 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $100

 

Get Deal

We've been tracking the price of the new MacBook Air M5 since it was released earlier this year. $949 is the lowest price we've seen, so the latest $999 deal is not a record low. But we still think you should carefully consider this deal, because prices are seemingly on the rise.

As of May 16, the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $999 at Amazon. That's a $100 discount on the list price.

This $999 deal is now only available for the midnight and sky blue models. How long will these colorways stay at this discounted price? We can't say for sure, but we wouldn't be surprised to see prices climb ahead of Prime Day. We're not accusing Amazon of sneakily raising prices so that Prime Day deals look better. We would never do that.

The MacBook Air M5 is a portable laptop that delivers heaps of power. In Mashable's review of this popular machine, Timothy Werth said: "The new MacBook Air takes everything good about the MacBook Air and adds the faster M5 chip." You get a little bit of everything with the MacBook Air — Werth named it a "near-perfect machine."

Score the MacBook Air M5 for under $1,000 at Amazon, whilst you still can.

SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon. That's $500 off the list price of $1,599.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo

$1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500

 

Get Deal

Legislative pressure on DJI imports means we're likely to see stock issues at some point. We've been saying that for some time, but there doesn't seem to be any issues just yet. In fact, we're still seeing really strong deals on top models from DJI.

As of May 16, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon. That's $500 off the list price and close to the record low at Amazon.

Content creators will love the DJI Mini 5 Pro. It offers a high-end 1-inch sensor with the ability to shoot 4K at 120fps for stunning visuals in any conditions. It also makes use of LiDAR-powered sensing to detect obstacles when you're flying blind, so you can rest assured that your investment isn't going to go hurtling into the nearest brick wall as soon as you lose sight.

There are so many flashy features with this drone, but the 42GB of internal memory is arguably the biggest sell. It's the sort of upgrade that you wouldn't necessarily brag about, but it's going to make your life so much easier when you're out filming content. That's enough memory to house your entire 4K shoot locally, which is one less thing to worry about.

Save $500 on the DJI Mini 5 Pro this weekend at Amazon.

TL;DR: T-Mobile has dropped new deals on the latest iPhones. Score the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and more for free right now at T-Mobile.

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 17

Free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

Shop Now

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

Shop Now

There's a silent battle going on right now to offer you the most competitive mobile deals. The likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are constantly dropping new deals in an effort to make you switch, and that includes offers on the latest iPhones.

T-Mobile has just dropped a new batch of iPhone deals that are particularly tempting:

• Apple iPhone 17e — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on most plans.

• Apple iPhone 17 — free when you switch and trade in an eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

The value of these iPhones is applied as 24 monthly credits to your bill, so you're still paying for the phone but you're getting paid back in full over time. We should also note that you do need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection fee with these offers, but that's always the case with this type of limited-time mobile deal.

The latest iPhone lineup is seriously impressive, with something for everyone. In Mashable's review of the iPhone 17, Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." When Schroeder took a close look at the iPhone 17e, he said: "The iPhone 17e is a decent upgrade over its predecessor, and a good choice if you want the cheapest new iPhone you can get."

Upgrade to the iPhone 17 lineup for free this weekend with T-Mobile.

On the moon, not much can survive the arctic plunge of nightfall, where temperatures can dip to -330 degrees Fahrenheit for the two-week stretch of darkness each month. 

As more nations and private space companies attempt uncrewed moon landings, the dangers of lunar exploration have come into sharp focus. Even robotic missions that survive touchdown face another major threat: the brutal cold of the lunar night. Few landers and rovers ever wake after enduring the deep freeze. At cryogenic temperatures, soldered metal joints begin to fail and batteries die. 

That harsh environment presents a real challenge for NASA as it pursues a return of astronauts to the moon — especially to the south pole, which has some of the coldest temperatures in the solar system — but not an insurmountable one. 

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

At Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, a team of engineers is testing a piece of equipment in a thermal vacuum chamber, putting the hardware through its paces. The chamber shifts from the extremes of 300 degrees Fahrenheit to -330 degrees Fahrenheit. Through repeated hot and cold cycles, the testing mimics real temperature swings that could happen between deep shadow and full sun at the lunar south pole, where Artemis IV may land with a crew as early as 2028. 

Based on test results, the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station, or LEMS, is expected to become the first U.S. instrument to survive a full polar night, a milestone for NASA's plan to build a long-term moon base in the treacherous region. 

"No one, no American payload, as far as we know, has ever been able to say that they have survived the lunar south pole during its lunar night and been functional," said Samantha Hicks, the lead systems engineer for LEMS. "We are on track to become the first U.S. payload to do that."

The LEMS device is a key piece of hardware for NASA's lunar ambitions, tracking how the ground shakes on the moon for up to two years. The suitcase-size box will keep a constant ear to the ground for moonquakes and asteroid strikes — not just at the lunar south pole, but around the entire moon. 

Perhaps surprisingly, the moon remains seismically active, despite its lack of plate tectonics like we have on Earth, said Naoma McCall, LEMS co-investigator and deployment lead. The Apollo missions more than 50 years ago placed similar seismometers on the moon and recorded deep and shallow tremors, thermal events, and meteoroid impacts. But those midcentury instruments shut down in 1977 and provided an incomplete picture of what's going on in the moon's crust and mantle, she said. 

Samantha Hicks, left, and Naoma McCall, representatives from the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station team, flank a model of the future Artemis instrument at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center on April 21, 2026. Credit: Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

More data is crucial for NASA to safely establish a lunar outpost for humans to live and work, especially if the polar region turns out to shake more often — or more strongly — than predicted.

"There's a lot we don't know about the lunar interior because we only had the observations from the near side," McCall said, referring to the lunar hemisphere facing Earth, where all Apollo missions landed.

For decades, many far‑flung space missions have stayed warm with small nuclear heat sources that slowly release energy as they decay. Those systems are powerful but rely on scarce fuel. Furthermore, they add cost, complexity, and safety reviews. If this small piece of equipment can ride out the lunar night using only sunlight, batteries, and insulation, NASA could replicate the model for faster and simpler surface gear in the future. 

To install LEMS, an astronaut will nestle the box in a trench and drill cylindrical holes nearby to bury two sensors under ground. Engineers designed the 66-pound box so one person could carry it. If that load still sounds too heavy, remember that everything on the moon feels about one-sixth lighter than it does on Earth. 

After making sure the system is pointed in the right direction, the astronauts can set it and forget it, McCall said. A team practiced deploying the equipment at the University of Central Florida, in a room full of artificial moon soil, to ensure it could be executed in simple steps. 

A team integrates the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station, or LEMS, instrument, which will track moonquakes and shakes, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

"We'll flip three switches and then walk away," McCall said.

While the outside of the box bakes and freezes, the most important internal components — the battery, autonomous computer, and other electronics — stay between about -22 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Engineers say that tighter internal range is what allows the equipment to continually operate, even as its shell faces the brunt of the lunar conditions.

The key to maintaining that consistent internal temperature is an advanced thermal blanket. The proprietary material, developed by Colorado-based Quest Thermal Group for NASA, is called Integrated MultiLayer Insulation, or IMLI. NASA also worked with partners to adjust how it will charge the lithium-ion battery to survive the extreme cold.

"Lithium ion absolutely hates going below -30 degrees [Celsius]. That's when you start getting lithium ion plating," said Hicks, referring to a problem that happens when the batteries can no longer absorb the chemical that carries the energy. "It's all about surviving that lunar night and worst-case scenario." 

After recent changes to the Artemis launch campaign, NASA has begun reworking the high-level plan for the upcoming moon-landing mission. The agency will decide whether the LEMS cargo will fly on Artemis IV after it has finalized the official list of everything onboard. In the meantime, the team will complete the rest of the testing schedule over the next few months.  

TL;DR: ChatPlayground lets you send one prompt to multiple AI models, and lifetime access is now only $69.97 with code May5.

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Credit: ChatPlayground AI

ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan)

$69.97
$619 Save $549.03

 

Get Deal

Anyone who has worked with AI tools knows that different models can give wildly different answers to the same prompt. Manually sending each prompt to each model to find the best option wastes a ton of time, which is why tools like ChatPlayground AI are growing in popularity. ChatPlayground lets you run multiple AI models at the same time, and a lifetime subscription just went on sale for $69.97 (reg. $619).

ChatPlayground has a simple premise that ends up saving a ton of time and frustration. Instead of manually working with a bunch of different AI models, ChatPlayground lets you talk to them all together. The platform supports more than 20 AI models, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Deepseek, Llama, and Perplexity, among others. That means you can use the same workflow for writing, coding help, generating ideas, or creating images, and then compare the output.

Don’t like any of the results a prompt gave you? You can tweak it and run it again to see how each model changes their answer. There are even prompt engineering tools to help you refine and reuse the prompts that worked well. ChatPlayground even lets you upload images and PDFs, then ask questions about them, so you can actually check how different models work with the same document.

The Unlimited Plan does exactly what it says. It lasts for life with no recurring payments, and you get unlimited messages every month. It’s also on sale through May 17 for only $69.97 with code May5.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The refurbished 2020 Apple MacBook Pro is on sale for $429.97 (reg. $1999) through June 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Credit: Apple

Apple Macbook Pro 2020 (Refurbished)

$429.97
$1,999 Save $1,569.03

 

Get Deal

MacBooks aren’t exactly known for being budget-friendly, which is part of the reason refurbished models get so much attention — especially when the specs are still strong enough for everyday tasks, creative projects, and serious multitasking.

Right now, you can catch this refurbished 2020 Apple MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and a roomy 1TB SSD for just $429.97 (reg. $1999). This deal ends on June 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

At this price, the generous storage and memory really stand out. This MacBook has 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, which can make a huge difference if you have large files, tons of browser tabs open, use editing software, or just keep up with heavier workloads.

The 2020 MacBook Pro comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor (with Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz) and Intel Iris Plus Graphics, which is great for photo editing, streaming, and creative work. It runs modern macOS and handles productivity, coding, streaming, and day-to-day tasks without lag or overheating.

You’ll also get Apple’s gorgeous 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone, which automatically adjusts color temperature to match your surroundings. The MacBook includes the Magic Keyboard, handy Touch Bar controls, Touch ID for quick logins, and four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports for charging, displays, and accessories.

Battery life is rated for up to 10 hours, and at just over 3 pounds, it remains portable enough for commuting or travel.

Since this is a Grade A refurbished unit, the listing notes it should arrive in near-mint condition with minimal cosmetic wear. That may appeal to shoppers who want Apple hardware without paying premium new-model pricing.

If you’ve been eyeing a MacBook upgrade but don’t want to spend a fortune, this refurbished 2020 MacBook Pro is up for grabs at $429.97 (reg. $1999) through June 14 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The best Hulu deals and bundles in May 2026:

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Best Hulu Bundle Deal

Disney+ and Hulu Bundle

$12.99/month with ads

Get Deal

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Best HBO Max Bundle Deal

Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle

$19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free

Get Deal

---

Best Student Deal

Hulu Student Deal

Hulu with ads for $1.99/month

Get Deal

---

Best ESPN Bundle Deal

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle

$35.99/month

Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu, including The Testaments, season two of Paradise, and a surprise new episode of The Bear. It's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained throughout the summer and beyond.

If these shows have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash. This includes the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max package.

Disney has also dropped a new six-month offer on the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, though this is only accessible from their site at the moment. This drops its ad-supported plan to $11.99 per month when locking in for six months (before going back up to $12.99 per month). The ad-free plan is down to $17.99 per month (which will return to $19.99 per month after six months). Disney notes that this is an "ongoing offer for people who want to subscribe for a longer period to save on the average monthly cost." It's also available for new and eligible returning subscribers.

Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plans, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service right now.

Best Disney+ bundle deal

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Credit: Hulu

Disney+ and Hulu Bundle

$12.99 per month with ads

Get Deal

Why we like it

For those interested in the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, which sets you up with Disney+ alongside Hulu, it starts at $12.99 per month. If you'd prefer the Premium ad-free version of this plan, this jumps to $19.99 per month.

If you're curious about Disney's new six-month offer, this is accessible on Disney's site. Again, it offers the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle plan for $11.99 per month when locking in for six months, before returning to $12.99 per month. The Premium ad-free plan is $17.99 per month for six months, before returning to $19.99 per month.

• Disney+ and Hulu Bundle — $12.99 per month

• Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

Best HBO Max bundle deal

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Credit: Hulu

Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle

$19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free

Get Deal

Why we like it

This is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)

Best student deal

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Credit: Hulu

Hulu Student Deal

Hulu with ads for $1.99/month

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Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Best ESPN bundle deal

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Credit: Hulu

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle

$35.99/month

Get Deal

Why we like it

Alongside the big Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, Hulu also has plans for sports fans that throw in ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+." 

The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is available for $35.99 per month. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $44.99 per month.

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $19.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $29.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle — $35.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium — $44.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $11.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

• Hulu (with ads) — $11.99 per month (get first month free), $119.99 per year

• Hulu Premium (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $89.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN Select (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $99.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $89.99 per month (three day free trial)

• Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select (no ads) — $99.99 per month

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select — $94.99 per month

• Live TV Only — $88.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

TL;DR: Live stream Chelsea vs. Man City in the FA Cup final for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Man City are still fighting it out for the Premier League, but they've got another focus this weekend.

The FA Cup final takes place on May 16 at Wembley Stadium. Man City face off against Chelsea, a team that has really struggled for form this season. Chelsea are in danger of finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League standings, but they've managed to scrape through to this showpiece event. A win over Man City would at least end this campaign on a high.

If you want to watch Chelsea vs. Man City in the FA Cup final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Chelsea vs. Man City?

Chelsea vs. Man City in the FA Cup final kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on May 16. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch Chelsea vs. Man City for free

Chelsea vs. Man City in the FA Cup final is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Man City for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Chelsea vs. Man City for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. Man City without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the FA Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Chelsea vs. Man City in the FA Cup final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 French Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The world of tennis is firmly focused on clay courts right now. Top players have already sharpened up in the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open, and now it's time for the main event: Roland-Garros.

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his title, but this year's tournament is not short of star names. Expect the likes of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Świątek to be battling it out in the latter stages. It's always a special tournament.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 French Open from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the French Open?

The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is a major tennis tournament held over two weeks at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It's the only Grand Slam tournament held on a clay surface, and is the second of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments.

The current singles champions are Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff.

When is the 2026 French Open?

The 2026 French Open is the 131th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from May 18 to June 7.

How to watch the 2026 French Open for free

The 2026 French Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can stream the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Connect to 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Roland-Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2026 French Open before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the French Open?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock ePorner for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced restrictions for online adult content. After the introduction of these age verification laws, some porn sites blocked users from those locations. The same situation is now taking place in other parts of the world.

So where does that leave frustrated users? Desperately seeking a solution, that's where. Fortunately, you can still access all your favorite porn sites in just a few simple steps. There's a quick and easy hack that can secure access to restricted content from any location or network. You don't need to be a skilled hacker. Anyone can follow this simple solution.

If you want to unblock porn sites like ePorner for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock ePorner for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process tricks porn sites into providing you with access even if there is a block in place over your network.

Unblock ePorner from anywhere in the world by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to ePorner

4. Connect to ePorner from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most leading services do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like ePorner without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it means you can temporarily unblock porn sites like ePorner and then recover your investment.

What is the best VPN for ePorner?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like ePorner, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries and all 50 U.S. states

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock ePorner for free with ExpressVPN.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 16 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. 5-2, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 16 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. 6-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 16 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically; 3-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some sports and pop culture knowledge.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Located in the New England area

• Green: NBA Champions

• Blue: Blue

• Purple: Green

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Boston Teams

• Green: Last Four NBA Champions

• Blue: "Blue" Teams

• Purple: "Green" Teams and Players

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #600 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Boston Teams: BRUINS, PATRIOTS, RED SOX, REVOLUTION

• Last Four NBA Champions: CELITCS, NUGGETS, THUNDER, WARRIORS

• "Blue" Teams: BLUE DEVILS, BLUE JACKETS, BLUE JAYS, BLUES

• "Green" Teams and Players: DRAYMOND GREEN, GREEN BAY, GREEN WAVE, MEAN GREEN

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

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

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

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

TL;DR: Watch Slovakia vs. Norway in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships have started with a number of all-action contests, and we're expecting more of the same through the weekend. One of the standout matches is Slovakia vs. Norway, with both teams doing everything they can to start this campaign with a positive result.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Slovakia vs. Norway?

Slovakia vs. Norway in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 6:20 a.m. ET on May 16. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Slovakia vs. Norway for free

Slovakia vs. Norway in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Slovakia vs. Norway plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Slovakia vs. Norway in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A coffee preference.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

DECAF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A mass.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TUMOR

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Emotional.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

SAPPY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Murky water.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SWAMP

Final Hurdle hint

To long for.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

CRAVE

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

It's a new lunar phase tonight, and the end of the current lunar cycle. Keep reading to find out what this means.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, May 16, the Moon phase is New Moon. Tonight, 1% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There isn’t enough light or visibility tonight to make out any features on the Moon’s surface.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, moving through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight as it orbits creates the familiar full, half, and crescent shapes. In total, the lunar cycle is made up of eight main phases:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a good ear.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Drinkware

• Green: To fool around

• Blue: Musical terms

• Purple: Now

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Glassware

• Green: Mess around (with)

• Blue: Music performance directions

• Purple: Ending in synonyms for "ASAP"

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1070 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Glassware: COUPE, FLUTE, STEIN, TUMBLER

• Mess around (with): FIDDLE, MESS, PLAY, TINKER

• Music performance directions: ALLEGRO, FORTE, LARGO, PIANO

• Ending in synonyms for "ASAP": BASSOON, BELFAST, NESQUICK, THERMOSTAT

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you have a sweet tooth.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Bon appétit!

The words are related to sweets.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pastries.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is French Bakery.

NYT Strands word list for May 16

• French Bakery

• Macaron

• Meringue

• Croissant

• Eclair

• Mousse

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always on the go.

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

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A belief.

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Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

MOVER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

TL;DR: Pok Pok’s lifetime subscription is on sale for $59.99 (reg. $250) and offers Montessori-inspired educational games and activities for kids ages 2 to 8.

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Credit: Pok Pok

Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription

$59.99
$250 Save $190.01

 

Get Deal

Not all kids’ apps are created equal. Some are loud, flooded with ads, and designed to keep kids tapping endlessly. Pok Pok is different due to its calmer approach and even offers open-ended educational games inspired by Montessori principles.

You can get a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok for $59.99, discounted from $250.

Designed for kids ages 2 to 8, Pok Pok is all about learning through play. There are no points, timers, pop-up ads, or “win/lose” mechanics. Instead, kids can freely explore activities focused on numbers, shapes, problem-solving, STEM, language, creativity, and cause-and-effect at their own pace. Child-led learning, where exploration, independence, and hands-on discovery are the focus, rather than competition or rigid instruction.

The app offers a growing collection of interactive digital toys and games with themes such as outer space, dinosaurs, puzzles, music, dress-up, islands, and more. Because everything is open-ended, kids can naturally experiment and discover.

One of the more distinctive parts of Pok Pok is its lower-stimulation design. The app uses soft hand-drawn visuals, gentle sound effects, and calming music to create a quieter experience that may feel less overwhelming than many traditional kids’ games. It also works offline and is COPPA-certified, meaning it follows privacy standards designed to protect children online.

Pok Pok was developed with early childhood experts and designed by parents who wanted healthier tech experiences for little ones. The interface is simple enough for most kids to use on their own, but parents are welcome to join in as well!

All of this makes Pok Pok a great pick for parents who want a more thoughtful screen-time option, whether it’s for travel, quiet time, rainy afternoons, or long car rides. It’s especially nice for younger kids who get overstimulated by fast-paced or overly competitive games.

If you’ve been searching for educational screen time that feels calmer and more creative, the lifetime subscription for Pok Pok is currently available for $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Weeks after guru Mel Robbins received backlash for telling women to upload their banking statements to AI (specifically in an ad for Microsoft Copilot), OpenAI today announced a "personal finance experience" within ChatGPT.

The company is releasing a preview of the experience for Pro users in the United States, who can connect their financial accounts to the platform via the fintech software Plaid. Once their accounts are linked, ChatGPT can reason with actual monetary numbers and the user's shared priorities to help them spot patterns and plan for the future, OpenAI stated in its blog post introducing the product.

Users will be able to see a dashboard of their portfolio, spending, and upcoming payments. OpenAI's suggested use cases include financial goal planning, travel spend analysis, investment risk analysis, and subscription review.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

Credit: OpenAI

Pro users in the U.S. can start connecting their accounts today on a web browser or iOS, with support from thousands of financial institutions. OpenAI didn't list the institutions, but screenshots of the experience show American Express, Bank of America, Charles Schwab, and Robinhood as examples.

Integration with financial software company Intuit, which runs TurboTax, Credit Karma, and QuickBooks, is coming soon, OpenAI says.

In its announcement, OpenAI claims that 200 million people already use ChatGPT each month for budgeting, investment questions, and financial planning.

In this new financial mode, ChatGPT can't see full account numbers, but it can assess bank balances, transactions, and liabilities. Users can disconnect their financial accounts at any time, delete financial memories (used specifically for these conversations), or use temporary chats that won't appear in users' history.

How to get started with ChatGPT Finance

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Emoji-obsessed Android users, get ready for Noto 3D emojis to take over your text messages, posts, and more. 

This week, Google announced a design overhaul to the nearly 4,000 unique emojis, which will soon be available on Android devices running the yet-to-be-released Android 17. According to Google, the previous emoji designs "often fall flat" when trying to express emotions online.

So, Google has introduced the new Noto 3D, its new line of 3D emojis. 

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"From our beloved innocent blob emoji of the 2010s to Noto 3D, the new emoji collection we announced today, emoji are the universal language of our digital lives and they’ve never felt more alive," Google said in a post.

The company also previewed what some of the 3D emojis look like in a short video animation, offering a comparison to the 2D designs that they're replacing.

Use the slider in the image to compare the 2D and 3D versions of the emoji:

Left: The new 2D emoji designs for Android. Credit: Google

Right: The new 3D emoji designs. Credit: Google

The 3D emojis do have some pop to them, with more detail than the flat 2D designs that they are replacing.

According to Google, the new 3D emojis will first launch on Pixel phones later this year. Following the Pixel rollout, other Android devices will receive the 3D emoji update at a later date.

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Sony’s Project Ace robot has become the first to defeat an elite human table tennis player. Using nine cameras and real-time spin tracking, the system reacts with incredible speed and precision. Here’s how Sony is pushing robotics and AI-driven motion systems forward.

Alienware just dropped the cheapest OLED gaming monitor we’ve seen, but are the savings worth it? Here's our opinion of the 27 240Hz QD-OLED.

Certain Xfinity customers can now claim their portion of a $117.5 million class action lawsuit settled by communications giant Comcast.

Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 19, 2023, a third party accessed personally identifiable information for more than 35.8 million Xfinity customers, exposing usernames, passwords, contact information, and, in some instances, partial social security numbers. Multiple lawsuits against the company were consolidated into a class action case in 2024, alleging Comcast "failed to properly protect personal information" and had "inadequate data security" that led to the criminal cyberattack.

The company officially settled the lawsuit in April, and a final approval hearing is scheduled for July 7.

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Settlement email: Is it real?

Comcast notified Xfinity customers impacted by the breach via email on December 18, 2023. Anyone who received an email notification at that time is eligible to file a claim (which means not all Xfinity customers can claim the cash).

Affected customers may have received additional notification emails from Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, the court-approved claims administrator. These emails, referencing both reference KSA and the Hasson v. Comcast Cable Communications case, will include individual class member IDs necessary to submit claims on the official settlement page.

If you've received notice via email or mail, but are unsure if its legitimate, call the settlement customer service line at (833) 319-2401 to confirm your eligibility.

How to claim your money

Settlement members have until September 14 to submit a claim online or via mail.

Individuals can receive a $50 fixed payout or request reimbursement for any "documented out-of-pocket losses and lost time, the cost of Identity Defense Services and Restoration Services, and court-approved attorneys’ fees and expenses" up to $10,000, according to the settlement website.

Members have until July 1 to exclude themselves or object to the settlement.

Is Apple's partnership with OpenAI about to fall apart?

According to both Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman and a new report in the New York Times, AI giant OpenAI is currently considering suing Apple over the companies' agreement to integrate ChatGPT into some Apple Intelligence AI features.

Apple recently reached a $250 million settlement in a class action suit over its failure to deliver on its AI promises. (Apple hasn't admitted to any wrongdoing.) Now, OpenAI may serve Apple with a breach of contract notice, the Times reports.

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In 2024, OpenAI and Apple surprised the industry by partnering together on Apple's upcoming AI features known as Apple Intelligence. OpenAI's ChatGPT was expected to be prominently featured in Apple products, such as the iPhone and MacBook, powering Apple Intelligence. 

In addition, OpenAI appeared to be a key technology behind Apple's relaunch of its voice assistant Siri as an AI assistant. 

According to the reports, however, OpenAI is unhappy with how the now two-year-old partnership has panned out so far. The fallout appears to stem from how Apple integrated ChatGPT into its products.

OpenAI reportedly expected that the partnership would encourage Apple users to subscribe to ChatGPT. Instead, OpenAI found that ChatGPT is difficult for users to even find within Apple Intelligence. On top of that, in January, Apple confirmed that it had struck a deal with Google to use Gemini to power Apple Intelligence, including Apple's long-awaited AI relaunch of its voice assistant Siri.

All of these issues have led OpenAI to consider taking legal action against Apple, claiming breach of contract.

We'll see if OpenAI actually follows through with a suit against Apple, or if the company is trying to renegotiate its agreement.

The AI company is currently awaiting the jury's decision regarding its own future following a trial stemming from the lawsuit Elon Musk filed against ChatGPT creator Sam Altman.

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Google is testing out a change to Gmail that might make the service a little bit less useful for newcomers.

The company confirmed to Android Authority that it is testing a policy shift that would see new Gmail accounts get a mere 5GB of free cloud storage, down from the 15GB that's been guaranteed to Gmail accounts for years. This change wouldn't affect existing accounts that already have 15GB of free storage, but anyone who wants to make a new account would be limited, at least as long as they live in one of the regions where this is being tested.

According to Android Authority, the test is largely limited to African countries right now.

"We’re testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that will help us continue to provide a high-quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery," Google said in a statement to Android Authority.

The good news is that there is a way around this. Users who want the free 15GB of storage can simply attach a phone number to their account, and the 5GB limit will be lifted. Obviously, there might be security concerns associated with doing such a thing, but a fix is a fix. And, as Google's statement said, attaching a phone number to an account can actually increase its security through two-factor authentication, among other reasons.

Of course, this is only a test, so it may not ever become a global policy. If you don't already have a Gmail account, now might be the time to make one. You can also change your Gmail username, another recent change to long-standing Google policy.

A lot of people took one look at the Spotify app on their phones this week and didn't like what they saw.

Spotify updated the app icon to give it a shiny, disco ball-like appearance. If you aren't prepared for it, it's a pretty jarring shift. See for yourself:

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If you're here, you're probably wondering why Spotify did that, and if it's going to be that way forever. For starters, no, it's not going to stay that way permanently. That's because Spotify did this to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a company (even though the app launched in 2008). This new icon is just a way to celebrate a huge milestone for the popular music streaming service. As a fun bonus, you can also see a bunch of cool data about your music streaming history in Spotify thanks to a Wrapped-like experience built into the app right now. If you want to know the first song you ever streamed, you can do that. Just prepare to cringe a little bit.

The change makes sense once you know all of that, but still, people online were not entirely happy about the jarring shift in aesthetic from Spotify.

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There's nothing to worry about, though. Just let the company celebrate itself for a little while.

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SAVE 27%: As of May 15, you can get the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 portable power station for $218.98 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 27% discount.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2

$218.98 at Amazon
$299 Save $80.02

 

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Hurricane season is basically here, which means it's a good time to figure out a backup power plan before you're sitting in the dark.

Gas generators are loud, and buying a giant battery pack is hard to justify if you only need to keep a few small things running. If you just want something compact that won't cost a fortune, Amazon is running a Lightning Deal on the Bluetti Elite 30 V2. You just have to move fast, because the discount expires on May 15.

As of May 15, you can get the Bluetti Elite 30 V2 portable power station for $218.98 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 27% discount or $80.02 savings. Over 1,000 people have picked one up in the last month, and it currently has a 4.5-star rating from more than 500 reviews.

It only weighs 9.4 pounds, so it's easy to toss in the car for a camping trip. You get a 288Wh capacity and 600W of continuous output, plus a Power Lifting Mode that can handle surges up to 1500W if you need to run a small kettle or toaster. If you're keeping it at home for emergencies, the 10ms UPS switch keeps more important items, like a CPAP machine or router, running even if the power cuts out.

Plus, you can plug it into a wall outlet and charge it from zero to 100 percent in just 70 minutes.

SAVE 11%: As of May 15, you can get the 55-inch LG Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV for $799.99 at Amazon, down from $896.99. That's an 11% discount or $97 savings.

55-inch LG Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV

$799.99 at Amazon
$896.99 Save $97

 

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Most decent OLED TVs will run you well over a thousand dollars, but you don't have to spend a grand to get a great screen. Amazon currently has a 55-inch LG marked down to $800 — and they're even throwing in a free month of Xbox Game Pass for new users.

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Right now, you can get the 55-inch LG Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV for $799.99 at Amazon, down from $896.99. That's an 11% discount or $97 savings. More than 300 people have bought it in the last month alone, and it has a 4.6-star rating.

The screen uses more than 8.3 million self-lit pixels to give you true blacks and accurate colors, so everything looks crisp. It also has Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Filmmaker Mode built in. Gamers will also appreciate the 120Hz refresh rate, 0.1ms response time, and four HDMI 2.1 inputs.

Summer is coming, which means booking flights and getting passports ready for travel. The ubiquitous gay hookup app, Grindr, just launched Season 3 of its show Host or Travel and revealed the top gay travel destinations of the year. Any guesses?

Host or Travel explored "gayborhoods" in cities like Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro in the past. This season, Grindr explores the likes of Sydney, Australia, Austin, Texas, and more, including the number one destination for gay travelers in 2026: Paris, according to new global Grindr data.

Grindr analyzed global in-app behavior to find where its users are going, chatting with, and connecting the most, and the French capital shot up to the top, according to a press release shared with Mashable. Rio de Janeiro, New York City, Bangkok, São Paulo, and Berlin are the other most-frequently visited cities among Grindr users.

"Grindr is the digital home for the community, and Host or Travel was created from the understanding that for gay travelers, finding your people in a new city isn't just a nice-to-have, it's crucial," Grindr's CMO, Tristan Pineiro, stated in the press release.

Pineiro said that the app built this series to celebrate how the gay community finds strength in numbers. Grindr users aren't just looking for dates, but they're using the app to curate adventures, find safe spaces, and experience the world through the eyes of locals.

And it's not just the aforementioned cities that are hot spots for gay visitors. Grindr found that use of its "Right Now" feature (aka who is free to meet...right now) is highest in Taiwan, the Philippines, Lima, Buenos Aires, and Medellín. Meanwhile, lots of late-night chats occur in Manila, Taipei, and Buenos Aires, while San Salvador, Colombo, and Kathmandu are most active in the early morning.

We'll be taking notes, especially as we plan our Pride Month travel.

TL;DR: Watch USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships starts with a number of exciting matchups, including USA vs. Switzerland. This competition doesn't carry the same weight as the Winter Olympics, but try telling that to hosts Switzerland. They'll be doing everything they can to upset the odds and secure an opening-round victory over favorites USA.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Switzerland?

USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich.

How to watch USA vs. Switzerland for free

USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream USA vs. Switzerland plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream USA vs. Switzerland in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships begins with some interesting matchups, including the defending champions going up against Denmark. The pressure will be on Czechia to defend their crown against a long list of teams with hopes of winning this competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Czechia vs. Denmark?

Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Czechia vs. Denmark for free

Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Czechia vs. Denmark plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Czechia vs. Denmark in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE 44%: As of May 15, you can get the Craftsman Mechanics 105-piece tool set for $60.72, down from $109. That's a 44% discount or $48.28 savings.

Craftsman Mechanics 105-Piece Tool Set

$60.72 at Amazon
$109 Save $48.28

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Shopping for Father's Day (or for dads in general) is tough. My dad is a mechanic and a racecar driver, so tools aren't something I usually buy him. But if you're looking for a genuinely useful gift for a dad who doesn't already own every tool on the planet, this Craftsman 105-Piece Mechanics Tool Set is a pretty great option.

Right now, you can get it for $60.72, down from $109. That's a 44% discount or $48.28 savings. It's also the lowest price we've tracked for this kit.

It comes with a full assortment of sockets, ratchets, and specialty bits made from corrosion-resistant chrome vanadium steel. It also includes a low-profile 72-tooth ratchet that's 25 percent thinner, making it easier to fit into annoyingly tight spaces. Everything packs away neatly into a durable carrying case, and it even comes with a full lifetime warranty.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a dog lover.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To maneuver

• Green: Basketballers

• Blue: Same letters

• Purple: Canine breeds

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Navigate through, as a river

• Green: Multi-time NBA MVPs

• Blue: Non-palindromic words in a famous palindrome

• Purple: Homophones of kinds of dogs, familiarly

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1069 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Navigate through, as a river: CROSS, FORD, TRAVERSE, WADE

• Multi-time NBA MVPs: BIRD, CURRY, JAMES, JORDAN

• Non-palindromic words in a famous palindrome: ABLE, ELBA, SAW, WAS

• Homophones of kinds of dogs, familiarly: CIAO, PALM, PEEK, PITT

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an animal lover.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Weaselly wascals

The words are related to animals.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an animal family.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Mustelids.

NYT Strands word list for May 15

• Polecat

• Marten

• Otter

• Mustelids

• Wolverine

• Badger

• Ferret

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're religious.

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

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A belief.

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Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CREED

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Closing arguments are complete in Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman et al. But even as the nine-person jury began deliberations in a federal courthouse in Oakland, Calif., there was nothing normal about this case.

Thanks to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who will decide the future of OpenAI, the tech world's trial of the century may yet have a few surprises up its sleeve.

In case you missed it, this trial was convened to determine the outcome of Musk's 2023 lawsuit, which claimed that his fellow OpenAI cofounders defrauded him. Even before it began, this case had all the hallmarks of a catfight between Silicon Valley frenemies.

The scratching turned out to be fierce. Elon Musk's testy testimony included him being forced to admit his co-parenting relationship with OpenAI executive Shivon Zilis, his eyes and ears at the company. Meanwhile, Sam Altman implied Musk cared more about memes than the company he co-founded.

Will Musk be sanctioned for skipping town?

Just when it seemed the drama couldn't get messier, Musk skipped town when he'd told the judge he'd stick around in case he was needed.

We don't know yet whether Judge Rogers, who runs a tight ship and has brooked no nonsense in this trial, will warn or sanction Musk for a rule violation. Neither the court nor Musk's team has yet officially confirmed that no paperwork was filed prior to Musk's departure to join the U.S. delegation in China.

OpenAI's lawyers made hay out of Musk's absence. "Mr. Musk isn't here today," said the company's lead counsel, William Savitt, during closing arguments. "My clients are here. They're here because they care about this."

It was left to Musk's attorney, Steven Molo, to apologize for his client's absence, and to assure the jury that "this is something he's passionate about."

Molo went on to trash Altman and OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman by comparing them to people standing by a rickety bridge, ensuring hikers of its safety. The bridge, in case you don't get the metaphor, is "built on Sam Altman's version of the truth."

But the jury may well see Musk, in this metaphor, as a cynical businessman who didn't even show up at the bridge — or worse, wanted to move the bridge to Tesla and make a profit on it himself, back in 2017.

Musk "never cared about the nonprofit structure" of OpenAI, a company attorney said. “What he cared about was winning."

While Molo repeatedly characterized OpenAI's actions as "stealing a charity," OpenAI's lawyers repeated an equally memorable phrase about Musk: "sour grapes."

How the judge and jury will decide what happens next

Luckily for Musk, the jury's decision in this case is only advisory. Unluckily for Musk, it's the judge who holds all the power at the moment. Not only is she free to disagree with the jury, but she also has the crucial task of deciding what, if anything, Musk is owed by OpenAI.

Rogers will convene additional hearings to discuss remedies that might apply if she and the jury agree that OpenAI breached the terms of its charitable trust. They will also need to agree that Musk filed suit within the three-year statute of limitations.

The TL;DR on that bit: if Musk believed OpenAI's terms had been breached before August 2021, he has no standing.

Musk is asking for a remedy of $150 billion. Rogers isn't bound to give him anything close to that. And of course, no matter what happens, both sides may appeal her verdict to a higher court.

A Musk tweet that might haunt him

Amid the Musk-Altman drama, not to mention Brockman's drama-filled diary, in which he said it would be nice to be making billions, it's important to remember that Musk is also suing Microsoft.

The company's $10 billion investment in OpenAI was a catalyst for Musk's lawsuit; Musk's lawyer says that's when OpenAI's standing as a charitable organization was doomed. It was "a horse of a different color" compared to previous Microsoft investments, Molo said.

Microsoft's closing argument essentially boiled down to: you guys, leave us out of it. The company says none of its due diligence at OpenAI turned up any restrictions against its investment.

Ironically, however, it is Microsoft's presence that might doom Musk. OpenAI's lawyers pointed to a Musk tweet from 2020 that read "OpenAI is essentially captured by Microsoft."

The idea of a nonprofit being "captured" by a for-profit company seems like the very essence of a breach of charitable trust. So why did Musk wait another three years to take legal action? Thanks to the statute of limitations, that may end up being the $150 billion question.

Across films like Set It Off, Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, Independence Day, and Kill Bill, critically heralded actress Vivica A. Fox has played a bank robber, an outspoken widow, a single mom, and a former assassin. Now, in Is God Is she plays God. Well, sort of.

Playwright Aleshea Harris translates her celebrated play Is God Is into a compelling road movie centered on Black twin sisters Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson), who are on a life-changing quest for revenge. Minutes after being reunited with Ruby (Fox), the mother the girls had thought was long dead, she charges them with a mission: Make your daddy dead.

To the twins, Ruby is "God," because she created them. And who are they to deny God her bloodlust?

Celebrating the film's release, Fox sat down with Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko to talk about her storied filmography, what it's like to play God, and her high opinion of Harris, who she counts as one of her favorite directors to work with, alongside Quentin Tarantino.

Plus, she shares what it is that drives her, and the advice she'd give to those inspired by her.

Is God Is is now playing in theaters.

SAVE OVER $20: As of May 15, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden is on sale for $77.19 at Amazon. This is $22.80 off its full price of $99.99.

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Credit: Lego

Lego Icons Fountain Garden (10359)

$77.19 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $22.80

 

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Lego has dropped some excellent new sets for May, but if you're looking to save cash on a build right now, Amazon has quite a few options on sale. The Lego Icons Fountain Garden is one of them, down to under $80 for a limited time.

As of May 15, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden is discounted to $77.19 at Amazon. This saves you $22.80 off its full price of $99.99, and isn't too far away from its lowest-ever price of $69.95.

This brick-built garden display would make a delightful addition to your shelves. Coming with 1,302 pieces, the Lego Icons Fountain Garden includes a tiered fountain, lavabo, two cypress trees, flowering grape vines, four pergolas, and tiled pathways. It also comes with figures of a luna moth, bird, and frog that can be placed throughout the garden.

That's not all, though. There are even slots in the base of the garden that allow you to create different displays. That way, you can find the perfect way to show it all off once you're done.

This offer may not stick around for long. Don't miss out on the chance to save on the Lego Icons Fountain Garden set at Amazon.

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Stephen Colbert's Late Show is coming to an end next week, and David Letterman wasted no time helping him clear the place out.

In the clip above the two Late Show hosts stand on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater with some stolen talk show chairs, Colbert's Eames desk chair, and a few bonus melons, launching them over the edge at a giant CBS logo far below.

Needless to say it's extremely entertaining viewing, as is Letterman's final message to CBS: "Good night and good luck, motherf***ers."

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Donald Trump is in China visiting Xi Jinping at the moment, providing the late night hosts with a swathe of roastable material.

In the Daily Show clip above, Jordan Klepper gleefully compares the Chinese president talking about the Thucydides Trap (a story about a fear of a rising power resulting in war) with Trump talking about Chinese restaurants in the U.S. outnumbering fast food chains.

"That's my president," says Klepper. "Putting his understanding of geopolitics into fast food terms. He gives a summit speech like a third grader who got assigned China for his geography project."

Klepper goes on to talk about the closed door meeting where Xi reportedly warned Trump against a mishandling of the situation with Taiwan, resulting in the U.S. president appearing to avoid the question at a resulting press conference.

"What happened in the meeting that made him really not want to talk about Taiwan?" asks Klepper. "He's out there like, 'Don't you guys want to talk about anything else? Jeffrey Epstein? I got a lot of redactions. I got time, let's chat!"

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TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit on sale for $19.99, down from its typical $24.01 price.

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Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box

$19.99 at Amazon
$24.01 Save $4.02

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If you’ve wanted to get into the Magic: The Gathering trading card game through its Final Fantasy crossover without paying massive booster box prices, Amazon is offering an easy entry point for under $20.

As of May 15, the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Starter Kit is listed at Amazon for $19.99, down from its usual $24.01 price. That works out to 17% off, with the listing shipped by Amazon and sold by The Card Kid.

Walmart has the same MTG Final Fantasy Starter Kit listed for $23.11, marked down from $29.99. TCGplayer’s listing shows an even lower price of around $16.90. 

Inside, you get two ready-to-play 60-card decks themed around Cloud, Planet’s Champion, and Sephiroth, Planet’s Heir, giving newer players an easy way to learn Magic without having to build their own deck first. It also comes with two deck boxes, two reference cards, a play guide booklet, four double-sided tokens, and two Magic: The Gathering Arena code cards so both decks can be unlocked online.

Like the rest of the hit expansion, each deck includes Final Fantasy-themed art, rare cards, and one shiny Traditional Foil Mythic Rare Legendary Creature. Inspired by the entire Final Fantasy gaming series, bringing spells, summons, characters, and familiar locations into Magic’s tabletop format.

If you’re a Pokémon TCG fan, the newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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SAVE $100: As of May 15, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This is $100 off its list price of $649.99.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)

$549.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $100

 

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There's a wide range of smartwatches out there, from models that cover the basics of health and fitness tracking to more premium picks for fitness fanatics. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra falls in the latter category, and if you've had your eye on it, Amazon has it on sale for $549.99.

This is a full $100 off its list price of $649.99, which is a very solid deal. It's also not too far away from its lowest-ever price of $529.99.

If the changing seasons has you itching to spend more time in the sun, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is a smartwatch that's built to handle those outdoor adventures. It features a durable titanium design that can withstand the toughest of excursions, whether you're running, biking, or swimming.

Features include a Running Coach, Advanced Sleep Coaching, and an Energy Score, which summarizes your wellness for the day based on information from yesterday. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is stacked with stats to keep you informed during the day. It can even keep you updated on your blood pressure, which is helpful for those hoping to keep a close eye on their health.

If this offer on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has caught your attention, now is the time to buy at Amazon.

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

SAVE $60: As of May 15, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale for $199 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery Explorer 300

$199 at Amazon
$259 Save $60

 

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Camping season is well and truly upon us, and if you're looking at giving your essential kit an upgrade, why not check out this deal on the Jackery Explorer 300? Camping doesn't have to be totally off the grid if you don't want it to be, and if you prefer to stay connected with your devices fully charged, this is the product for you.

This portable power station has a 293Wh lithium-ion battery designed to provide 300W output. And it only weighs 7.1 pounds, so it's easy to carry with you to the campsite. It also has a carry handle on top, making it even easier to transport. It includes two AC outlets, a 60W PD USB-C port (input/output), a USB-A, fast charge 3.0 port, and a DC car port, so you can charge up to six devices at once, including your phone, laptop, or even small cooking appliances.

It can be recharged a few ways, either through a wall outlet, a car outlet, or compatible solar panels (sold separately). It also supports fast recharging, reaching around 80% in about two hours when using both AC and USB-C inputs together.

As of May 15, it's on sale for $60 off. Right now, you can purchase it for $199 (normally priced at $259). Find this deal at Amazon right now.

Donald Trump's China visit to meet with leader Xi Jinping is the talk of the late night shows, including Late Night with Seth Meyers.

The host used his "A Closer Look" segment to unpack the trip, including the U.S. president's high praise for the Chinese leader, as well as his entourage of tech CEOs including Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.

"I just hope Elon Musk comports himself well," said Meyers. "This trip is a high stakes summit between two geopolitical rivals during a time of major global conflict. We need statesmen, people who can project dignity and poise. Elon, all you need to do is attend the state banquet and be normal."

Cut to footage of Musk making faces while at the official dinner (he was reportedly taking a photo with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun).

"What are you doing, dude? Whistling for your imaginary friend to come save you from Tim Cook?" said Meyers. "You look like an eight-year-old who's ruining the family Christmas card. 'Elon, please, we're sending this to all of our friends.' 'Oh, joke's on you, I don't have any friends, except for Daniel, that is. Come, Daniel!'"

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SAVE $13: As of May 15, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $21.99 at Amazon. That's a 37% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

$21.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $13.00

 

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The Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's down to its lowest-ever price. This model is the newest release of the HD stick, launched this year. As of May 15, it's down to $21.99. That's a $13 saving on its usual price of $34.99.

This version of the Fire TV Stick is a streaming device with Full HD support and WiFi 6 connectivity, designed to give you simple access to streaming apps, live TV, gaming, and more. You'll get streaming options from all the big services, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and whatever else you regularly use.

It connects directly to your TV’s HDMI port and is now powered through the TV using the included USB-C cable, a big upgrade from the previous version which needed a wall outlet to run. It also comes with an Alexa Voice Remote that can power and control the volume for your TV.

The built-in Alexa can be used to control your smart home. Just tell it to check your cameras or adjust lights, or ask it to check the weather forecast before you head out.

This Fire Stick deal is available at Amazon now.

SAVE $170: As of May 15, the DJI Mini 3 drone is on sale for $379 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mini 3

$378.98 at Amazon
$549 Save $170.02

 

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Existing stock of DJI drones is unaffected by the recent ban on foreign-made drones, which is great news for anyone still eyeing up something from the popular brand. And the best news? Right now the DJI Mini 3 is on sale for its best-ever price. As of May 15, it's dropped to $379 at Amazon, saving you $170.

The DJI Mini 3 is a seriously lightweight drone, coming in under 249 grams. This means it doesn't require FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational flying. It records 4K HDR video and uses Dual Native ISO Fusion to give you incredible content. The drone also supports True Vertical Shooting for vertical video.

It features a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilized filming, Level 5 wind resistance up to 38kph, and brushless motors that support takeoff at altitudes up to 4,000 meters. It can even cope with video transmission from a distance of up to 10 kilometers. And thanks to its battery life you'll get 38 minutes of fly time, extended to 51 minutes when you add on the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately).

Don't miss out on this new low price on the DJI Mini 3.

Donald Trump is currently in China to visit leader Xi Jinping, and the trip has already led to a number of moments worthy of a second look.

In the Late Show clip above, Stephen Colbert offers commentary on everything from the awkward initial handshake between presidents to the crowd of children jumping up and down and cheering as Trump walks by.

"Look at that, those kids are so happy...that they got the day off from the iPhone factory," says Colbert. "That joke is based on a true story that I read on my iPhone."

Colbert then moves on to footage of Trump praising Xi as a "great leader" and declaring, "I only say the truth."

"Congratulations!" says Colbert. "'I only say the truth' was Donald Trump's one billionth lie!"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

SAVE $100: As of May 15, the Dyson V11 is on sale for $449.99 at Amazon. That's a 18% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson V11

$449.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $99.01

 

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If you're looking for a new vacuum, the Dyson V11 has dropped in price again. This time you can save $100.

As of May 15, this cordless stick vacuum (that can transform into a handheld) is down to $449.99 at Amazon.

As you'd expect from Dyson, this vacuum is a powerful model designed to keep your whole home clean. It has up to 60 minutes of runtime and three different cleaning modes: Auto, Eco, and Boost. Auto mode balances power and battery life for everyday use, Eco mode is designed for when you need a longer runtime, and Boost mode gives you stronger suction for more intensive cleaning.

It even has an LCD screen that displays the selected power mode as well as maintenance alerts and the remaining battery life.

The vacuum includes a Motorbar cleaner head for cleaning different floor types and detangling long hair and pet hair. It can also convert into a handheld vacuum for cleaning awkward areas like stairs or even your car upholstery. It comes with a range of attachments, including a mini soft dusting brush, crevice tool, and Hair Screw Tool.

Head to Amazon to grab this Dyson deal.

If you're in line to get the Nothing Headphone (1), do not stay in line.

Why? The brand's newer mid-tier option, the Nothing Headphone (a), is $100 cheaper and better than the flagship model.

Sure, there are some concessions made in the Headphone (a) in terms of design and sound quality. The differences, however, amount to a pair of headphones stripped down to the best parts of their more expensive counterparts, and with a much more attractive price point, which makes any flaws easier to overlook.

After spending about a month and a half with the headphones, I have some thoughts on what Nothing got so right this time around — let's get into it.

Nothing Headphone (a): Price and specs

The Nothing Headphone (a) is $199, making it significantly more affordable than the $299 Nothing Headphone (1).

A design that stands out. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

At that price point, here's what the headphones come equipped with:

• Drivers: 40 mm RF drivers

• Equalizer: eight-band equalizer

• Spatial audio: Yes, including concert and cinema mode

• Noise cancellation: Adaptive and manually adjustable ANC

• Battery life: 75 hours with ANC, 135 hours without ANC

• Quick charge: eight hours of playback after five-minute charge

• Microphones: four mics, with two hybrid ANC mics

• IP rating: IP52 dust- and water-resistance

• Bluetooth connection: Bluetooth 5.4

• Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC

• Colors: White, black, pink, and yellow

The Headphone (a) outperforms the Headphone (1)

I'll get more in-depth with each aspect of the Headphone (a) below, but in the interest of good journalism, let's not bury the lede: These headphones are much better than their predecessor.

Out of the gate, they look rather similar. Sure, anyone could probably guess that the Headphone (a) is the cheaper pair due to the presence of more plastic in the design. But if you want that quintessentially Nothing retro-look, you'll get it with either pair. Plus, I found the (a) to be more comfortable due to their lighter weight (and they clamped my head less).

The Nothing Headphone (1) next to the Nothing Headphone (a). Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The design between the two headphones is exactly the same where it matters most: on-ear controls. The controls were by far my favorite part of the Headphone (1) — Nothing recognized that it struck gold, and copy/pasted the format to the Headphone (a).

The on-ear controls are identical between the two headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Already, the (a) headphones seem the more attractive option. So the Headphone (1) must blow them away in terms of ANC and sound performance, right? Well, not exactly. According to Nothing, the Headphone (a) can block out up to 40 decibels of sound, while the Headphone (1) blocks up to 42 decibels. In practice, that meant a near-negligible difference. Both headphones also feature manually adjustable ANC — while I could tell the difference between the levels on both, neither blew me away. In a noisy cafe, I maybe got 75 percent of the blockage I'd get with headphones like the Bose QuietComforts.

There's a slightly more obvious discrepancy in the sound, as the Headphone (1) was made in collaboration with the hi-fi audio brand KEF. While adjusting the EQ is necessary for getting the best sound on the Headphone (1), once you do, the sound on the more expensive headphones is less bass-heavy, overall giving a more balanced and robust profile. Plus, you get access to a personal sound profile test to find your best equalizer settings — it's simple, genuinely works, and unavailable on the Headphone (a).

Besides the few features you'll find on the more expensive headphones, the two do have the exact same app experience, which is a huge pro, considering its excellent, easy-to-navigate design.

The app experience of the Headphone (a)... Credit: Screenshot / Nothing

Versus the Headphone (1). Credit: Screenshot / Nothing

The battery life made me do a double-take

Battery life on ANC has steadily been trending upwards over the years (exempting the measly 20 hours on the Apple AirPods Max 2). While it's now standard practice to expect at least 30 hours from flagship models, other headphones like the Dyson OnTrac and Marshall Monitor III have reached highs of 55 hours of battery with ANC and 70 hours of battery with ANC, respectively.

Somehow, the Nothing Headphone (a) blows even those out of the water, offering 75 hours of battery life with ANC and 135 hours without. If you're someone who constantly forgets to put your headphones on the charger, the battery life alone may be the reason to pick these headphones up.

A standout design with perfect on-ear controls

I already mentioned this above, but I am convinced that Nothing came up with the perfect on-ear controls. They consist of four buttons: a roller for volume and playback, a paddle for changing through tracks, an action button, and a dedicated Bluetooth button on the inside of the ear cup.

The interior Bluetooth button...chef's kiss. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Maybe it's odd to be passionate about on-ear controls, but personally, I'm a fan of anything that lets me enjoy the benefit of my devices (streaming music! listening to a good podcast!) without the major cons (going to switch a song and somehow finding myself on TikTok for 45 minutes of my one precious life).

All this to say, Nothing struck the balance between simplicity and specificity — each button has a clear, useful purpose, most have some customizability, and they all literally feel different, so it's easy to learn the controls. Also, more brands need dedicated Bluetooth buttons. Enough of trying to connect a device and accidentally switching your headphones off a few times.

Just a word of warning on the comfort front

To me, the Platonic ideal of comfort in headphones is the Bose QuietComfort line. I'm talking lightweight headphones, plush ear padding, and a headband that never squeezes.

While I wouldn't say Nothing's headphones are uncomfortable, they do have more of a noticeable squeeze while wearing (and I wouldn't consider my noggin particularly large). I imagine this tight fit is to help boost noise cancellation, but the return isn't worth it. I notice these headphones more, even in the first few hours of wear, than comfier headphones, and by hour three, I may need a short break here or there. The padding feels less plush and more like firm memory foam.

That's not to say it's across the board bad — for some folks, this is their Platonic ideal! But if you fall into the softer is better camp, I would be honest with yourself on your wear preferences before adding these to the cart. At the very least, they are far more comfortable than the Headphone (1), which I can barely stand to wear for an hour.

The sound is on par with the price point

Out of the box, these headphones fall into the bass-heavy trap that many others do. What I mean is that if you actually prefer to hear some balance in your music — you know, like the real presence of vocals and guitars, where the bass serves as nice punctuation rather than one long line of !!!!!!!!!!!! the entire song, adjusting the equalizer is worth it. If you want even more bass, you can turn on bass enhancement in the app — though at that point, I recommend checking out the Sony ULT headphones instead.

Thankfully, these headphones come equipped with an eight-band equalizer. Prefer not to mess around with audio settings? You can check out the catalog of community-curated EQ profiles on the Nothing X companion app.

The Nothing X app offers two different screens for playing with equalizer settings in addition to the community-sourced equalizers.

Credit: Screenshot / Nothing

Credit: Screenshot / Nothing

Once my settings were properly adjusted, these headphones sounded great. BTS's "Hooligan" and "2.0" had me mentally attempting the choreo. "Run Your Mouth" by The Marías reached certified-slapper status with the guitar and bass riffs in balance. "A Day In the Life" by the Beatles sounded the tiniest bit flat and muddy at points, but the discordant strings sounded appropriately chaotic and overwhelming. Overall, the headphones didn't make any songs shine extra bright, but they still left the music I listened to plenty enjoyable. Not an audiophile's dream, but not a casual listener's nightmare either.

There is also spatial audio, and though it isn't split into "head-tracking " and "fixed" modes like the Headphone (1) (and most other premium headphones, for that matter), the cinema and concert modes found on these headphones do offer some variation in the listening experience. I'm not the biggest fan of spatial audio, and I found that while these weren't the worst I tried, I mostly found that the sound profile became more hollow-sounding, leading me to prefer the non-spatialized experience.

Besides that, the main con to be aware of is that these headphones do suffer from some mild sound leakage at louder volumes, especially for higher-pitched tones. If you're sitting across from someone in a relatively quiet space, don't be surprised if they tell you they know exactly what you're listening to (don't ask me how I found that out).

The ANC is less noteworthy

With so many budget headphones coming out with great active noise cancellation, middling ANC becomes ironically more of a sore thumb feature, and while I hesitate to say the ANC on these headphones detracts from the overall experience of using them, I certainly wouldn't recommend them if you're frequently in noisy environments and looking for some serious noise cancelling.

*Abby Lee Miller voice* Noise cancellation...you were good, I wanted you to be great. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Let's start with what I like about the Headphone (a) ANC: it's adjustable, with noticeably different levels of blockage. There's also no obvious hissing sound to assist in making your environment quieter.

These headphones could probably use that hiss boost, though. My local cafe during an early afternoon rush became the grounds on which this ANC's flaws were clearly on display. Even with both the highest and adaptive ANC modes toggled on, a fair amount of chatter and music from the cafe's speakers leaked through. Sure, I couldn't really make out any words of conversations without straining to hear, and playing my own music helped some. But I never really had that moment of taking off my headphones and being surprised by how loud the room actually was, which has happened with every other pair of ANC headphones I've tested.

Is the Nothing Headphone (a) worth it?

They may not be by far the best or most well-rounded headphones for their price bracket, but they are the most unique option. Yes, it's mostly due to their design, but let's not pretend that aesthetics don't factor into an over-ear headphone purchase decision (see: the top of the pro column for the AirPods Max).

Still, Nothing backs up the great look of these headphones with a solid performance, rounding out decent sound and ANC with plenty of ease built into the user experience, topped up with truly unbeatable battery life. At the very least, the Headphone (a) is the clear choice over the Headphone (1).

Nothing Headphone (a)

$169 at Amazon
$199 Save $30

 

Shop Now at Amazon

SAVE $160: As of May 14, shop the DJI Air 3S Fly More drone combo for just $1,439. That saves you $160 off its $1,599 price tag.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Air 3S Fly More Drone Combo

$1,439 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $160

 

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Even though we're on our phones all the time, we should all be taking more photos. Now that summer is on the horizon and warm weather adventures await, you don't want to forget all the incredible memories and views. If you want something a little more advanced than a digital camera, then it's time to upgrade to a drone camera.

As of May 14, get the DJI Air 3S Fly More drone combo for just $1,439. According to camelcamelcamel and Amazon's price tracking, this marks the device's lowest price ever. That saves you $160 off its list price of $1,599 for 10% in savings.

The DJI Air 3S lets you capture the shot from way up high. It shoots in 4K and 60 fps, soaring into the sky to capture all your adventures. It even creates panoramic shots, stitching together images to record landscapes in full. The combo includes medium and wide camera lenses, plus, it's all controlled with an RC 2 screen remote.

Get the DJI Air 3S Fly More drone combo for $1,439 at Amazon — its lowest price ever.

Do you have big Friday plans? You should know that May 15 is officially National Slider Day, and White Castle is celebrating this special occasion by giving away free food with absolutely no strings attached. That's a real rarity nowadays.

Most "free food deals" require you to jump through hoops or spend at least $10 to qualify, but White Castle is offering a genuine opportunity to secure a tasty snack without spending a dime.

And the redemption process is refreshingly simple: Customers can simply use a digital coupon available on White Castle’s website and social media channels or enter the code SLIDERDAY on the White Castle app to qualify.

We know you're looking for the catch, but there isn't one.

This generous offer is valid for one individual Cheese Slider or Original Slider per person. You can't walk in and demand the world for free, but lunch is sorted.

TL;DR: 1min.AI gives you lifetime access to models like ChatGPT and Gemini, and it’s only $79.97 for life.

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Credit: 1minAI

1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription

$79.97
$540 Save $460.03

 

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Paying for multiple software subscriptions every month gets expensive fast, which is why more people are starting to look for ways to replace them with a single upfront purchase like 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan. 1min.AI is a new platform that pulls together a wide range of AI tools under one plan, so you’re not paying separately for writing, image editing, document handling, and media tools, and it’s only $79.97 for lifetime access (reg. $540).

It may finally be time to cancel all your other AI subscriptions. 1min.AI gives you access to major models like GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, and others, and you can choose the one that fits the task instead of being locked into just one system.

Use models like Claude or GPT to generate full articles, rewrite drafts, expand or shorten content, run keyword research, and clean up grammar. There are also tools for social posts and brand voice creation, which help if you’re producing content regularly.

Image tools go further than basic content generation. You can remove or replace backgrounds, upscale images, edit specific elements, and even turn rough sketches into finished visuals. For documents, you can upload PDFs, summarize them, translate text, or ask direct questions about the content.

Audio and video tools are included, too. That covers text-to-speech, transcription, voice changes, and generating short videos from text or images. It handles a lot of common tasks without adding another paid service.

Like other platforms, 1min runs on a credit system. Unlike other platforms, you get a significant amount of credits with options to get more for free. Your account automatically gives you 4,000,000 credits per month, which is enough to generate over one million words, research nearly 6,000 keywords, generate over 1,000 images, and do so much more. Unused credits roll over, so you aren’t punished for having a light workload.

Instead of paying for each individual AI model, get 1min.AI on sale for $79.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Tackle things more efficiently with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, on sale now for $29.97 (reg. $219.99) for only three more days through May 18.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

$29.93
$219.99 Save $190.06

 

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Summer is right around the corner, which means productivity is about to be at an all-time low. If you’re looking for something that can help you get more done during these trying times, it’s time to reintroduce yourself to Microsoft Office.

Right now, a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows can be yours for just $29.97 — but you’ll need to act fast. This deal only runs for three more days and ends on May 18 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

It’s not every day that you’re able to save hundreds on something you use every day, but this deal on Microsoft Office gives you that chance. This lifetime license lets you enjoy these apps for life, no monthly fees required, and right now you can even save $190 in the process.

This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license lets you own eight helpful apps outright, allowing you to download them right to your PC. You don’t need to rely on cloud connectivity and you can work offline as needed.

Wondering which apps you get? You’ll own the classics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and newer additions to the bunch, too — OneNote, Teams, Access, and Publisher.

If the year of this edition gives you pause, don’t worry. The apps have all been redesigned. There’s also a ribbon-based user interface that makes it easy to access features, tools, and customizations. Just make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before purchase.

Own helpful apps with the lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now just $29.97 until May 18.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Rivals is back, in all its steamy, bonkbusting glory, and it just pulled off one of the classics of comedy: the seemingly one-take farce.

The late Dame Jilly Cooper's beloved and saucy '80s Rutshire Chronicles novels made for one of the very best British TV shows of 2024, adapted by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade. In Season 2, the shoulder-padded, aristocratic residents of the Cotswolds are still finding themselves in various entanglements, including a scene that makes a Pink Panther-worthy marvel out of closed doors and near misses.

Though the scene was filmed in a single take, there's a few visible cuts from editor Vicky Tooms for dramatic effect. However, it presents as one chaotic evening in real time.

One-shot takes are becoming more ambitious on TV, with the likes of Adolescence's Philip Barantini, The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan, and The Bear's Christopher Storer setting that bar sky-high with one-take marvels within kitchens and funeral parlours and even across suburbs. But using a version of the format for a comical farce in the middle of a raunchy '80s comedy? Brilliant.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today.

In Rivals Season 2, episode 2, TV presenter Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) and her Tory MP husband Paul (Rufus Jones) are throwing a dinner party for political reasons, inviting the bigwigs of the Corinium TV station, where Sarah works. Paul is losing local election campaign coverage to his political rival, the dashing Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell). So, he springs a fully hosted event on Sarah, who frankly prefers microwaving entire dinners and has enough on her plate, thank you very much.

Alas, it's on. An '80s dinner party with all the trimmings, secretly cooked in the kitchen by chef Taggie O'Hara (Bella Maclean). It's a meticulously choreographed, precisely timed affair of bitchy comments overheard, trysts revealed, withheld farts unleashed, and forbidden lovers thrust into close quarters. The 10-minute scene, directed by Elliot Hegarty and shot by director of photography John Lynch and series camera operator Justin Hawkins, is a whirlwind of characters popping in and out of the pantry, cupboards, a stairwell, and the kitchen vestibule.

A few details you'll need to know:

• Paul and their guests from Corinium can't know Taggie, not Sarah, cooked the meal — in fact, Taggie can't be seen at all. Why? Taggie is aligned with Corinium's rival TV production company Venturer, which is headed by her father Declan (Aidan Turner), businessman Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer), and Rupert Campbell-Black, the man Taggie is in love with but cannot have.

• Taggie has to make Paul's favourite beef daube from The White Elephant in Painswick and ruins it with too much salt. Rupert has a fix but he'll have to deliver it undetected and hide the evidence.

• Sarah is pregnant, with extramarital affairs complicating the possibilities of paternity — it could be her husband Paul's child, or it could belong to Corinium managing director Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), or Rupert, or perhaps TV presenter James Vereker (Oliver Chris), all of whom are in attendance at the dinner party.

"It was done in one take. We blocked out a couple of weeks to film it, but we did it in a day and a half — not showing off," Atack told a Rivals screening audience in London.

"Shout out to Justin [Hawkins] and John Lynch and everyone involved in that scene. It literally took a village to do that. And even though it was my character's dinner party scene, I was held up by absolutely every single amazing cast member. It was a really surreal moment in my life. I've never done a scene like that, ever...Adrenaline's so high, everyone's just feeding off each other's energies.

"You cannot put a foot wrong, though — then it all crumbles down."

Hawkins and Lynch essentially stay on Atack or Maclean for the entire scene, as Sarah welcomes and gets rid of characters from her kitchen, tends her guests' drink needs, and delivers trays of Taggie-made trout mousse to her guests. Meanwhile, Taggie spends the scene covering up both her botched beef daube and her unexpected Rupert-shaped guest, finding herself constantly in steamily close quarters with him.

Various characters including Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook), and Charles Fairburn (Gary Lamont) pop into the kitchen to grab more champers, or, like James Vereker and Tony Baddingham, covertly freak out about paternity.

It's a triumph of production, with a notably superb performance from Atack, and it's one of the best scenes of TV I've seen all year.

Rivals is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Are you ready to get rattled? YouTuber turned feature filmmaker Curry Barker will get under your skin with Obsession, a gnarly horror movie that tackles the male loneliness epidemic with some rom-com awareness. 

After getting buzz following its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, this indie offering got acquired by Focus Features, distributors of Nosferatu, for a whopping $14 million. Now Hollywood is watching to see if Barker's bold movie will be worth this big investment. But be warned, horror fans: Obsession is hard to stomach. 

Obsession centers on a dangerous incel who thinks he's a nice guy. 

Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki and Michael Johnston as Bear in "Obsession." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Written and directed by Barker, Obsession begins where most romantic comedies usually climax — — with the male lead confessing his deep love for the female lead. 

However, Bear (Michael Johnston) is not a rom-com hero. He's not funny, charming, dashing, or even all that interesting. When he's not working at a music store with his few friends, he's moping around the house he's inherited from his grandmother and never really made his own. Surrounded by frilly old baubles, he can't even keep his cat alive, as she kills herself by somehow getting into the late grandmother's meds. 

Moreover, he's not confessing his feelings to his crush but practicing his monologue to some waitress, because any woman's opinion of his love declaration will do, right? Simply put, Bear is a loser with no idea how to talk to women. Even though he has nothing going for him, he thinks he has a shot with Nikki (Inde Navarrette), a snarky, spirited aspiring writer whom he's been obsessing over for years. However, rather than even trying to ask her out, this creepy coward turns to a novelty toy for help. The box promises snapping the "One Wish Willow" will give him whatever he wants. But asking for Nikki to love him "more than anyone else" will have consequences. 

Immediately, the cool, smirking girl we met at bar trivia a scene before is a frenzy of emotions. She smiles and mopes and screams, only to occasionally look deeply confused and then horrified. But whatever this Nikki is, she is fixated on Bear. Imagine — it's not what he had in mind. 

Obsession plays with gendered tropes. 

The "nice guy" is a cultural concept that plays into the misogynistic idea that women only want "bad boys," leaving good men to be left lonely. The truth is that the term "nice guy" can be a flimsy façade for men who feel entitled to the women they desire, even if they have nothing to offer. (Cue Siobhan Thompson's epic monologue from Dimension 20: Fantasy High!) 

These kinds of men are not nice, as they only give their female crushes something because they expect sex or love in return. They can't conceive of a woman as a person who has her own desires. And this is the horror at the center of Obsession. 

Bear might see himself as the romantic hero of his story, but from flubbing the heartfelt monologue (which is all about what Nikki's done for him) out the gate, he is set up as an anti-hero. He uses the "One Wish Willow" like Rohypnol, slipping it into action at the end of a night out that wasn't ending with the girl he wants in his arms. What didn't occur to him in his reckless wishing is that by demanding such a major change in Nikki's personality, he would change Nikki into someone he doesn't recognize. 

Nikki becomes the "crazy girlfriend," often alienated and maligned in hushed tones. No sooner has Nikki started dating Bear than their circle of friends begins to gossip about her, accusing her of deception and leaving her out of hangouts. Barker's script pushes the concept of the crazy girlfriend to harrowing extremes. Beyond her ferociously mercurial moods, Nikki also lurks in shadows, hisses strange things at night, and moves with bizarre physicality as if she's made of nightmares. And yet as freaked out as he is, none of this stops Bear from having sex with her. The camera frames this like a rape scene, with a wide shot that has him thrusting away, his face unseen, while hers is blank, staring off and unengaged. 

Obsession taps into the horror of dehumanizing women, but also relishes in gendered violence. 

Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki in "Obsession." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Props to Navarrette, who makes this cursed rape victim into a riveting terror. One moment she's sulking so intensely it's almost funny, pulling her frown past Florence Pugh levels. The next, she's intensely unfurling a twisted fairy tale that leaves her audience — onscreen and off — in a disturbed silence. Then, she's dancing while covered in blood, or screaming so hard your throat may ache in sympathy. 

Cinematographer Taylor Clemons frequently keeps Navarrette's face out of frame, either cropped out or covered by hair or shadow. This seems to reflect how Bear can't bear to look at her, because she is familiar yet strange. Yet this barrier to her performance is transcended by Navarrette's precise physicality. 

Once she's been wished upon, Nikki's style shifts away from edgy dark clothes to tight, skin-revealing cocktail dresses. Yet her body's tension never allows her clothing to be simply alluring. The glint in her eye seems like the edge of a knife, sharp and ready to slice. When the real Nikki briefly breaks through, Navarrette's performance becomes heartbreaking. The full horror of what Bear has done to her becomes clear as the real Nikki sprawls for escape. 

However, Barker undercuts the message of anti-misogyny through third-act violence. While several characters will be gravely harmed in Obsession, it's the women whose bodies are most brutally attacked. One female character is not only bludgeoned horrifically, but a close-up lingers on the pulpy remains of what used to be her face. Later, her corpse will be on display, totally naked, with no apparent reason beyond grisly spectacle. 

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It's such cheap and sleazy gags that make Obsession feel frustratingly juvenile. Sure, on one hand, several characters lecture Bear about the responsibility he has to his girlfriend, especially if he's the cause of her current circumstances. On the other hand, the styling of Nikki in fashion and gore urges the audience to stare at her body, pushing Bear's perspective of her as a thing to be attained and gawked over. Then, some randomly jokey bits — like an inexplicable argument with a shop clerk and the film's final jaunty song over the credits — awkwardly attempt to wedge in humor. To what end? Of course, horror and comedy can go together beautifully, as we've seen in Get Out or, more recently, Weapons. But here, these clumsy attempts at levity just seem crass. 

Obsession explores an incel's twisted idea of romance through scenes of brutal violence and gross-out gags involving blood, vomit, piss, and a cat corpse. Barker and his cast go hard into the darkness, creating scenes that are visually disturbing and emotionally harrowing. For all that, I can imagine this becoming one of those movies horror fans dare each other to watch. However, even as the audience may come to understand that Bear is not the hero of this story but the villain, Obsession's cinematography favors his perspective, turning the female characters into fleshy, dehumanizing spectacles until the end. 

This makes the finale of Obsession unnerving — not so much for what it shows, but for the empathy it ultimately lacks. 

Obsession opens in theater on May 15. 

Rarely does a headphone release generate massive buzz off its design alone. The Nothing Headphone (1) did just that.

Combining old-school aesthetics with modern functionality, these wireless cans currently have the undivided attention of audiophiles and hypebeasts with an affinity for stylishly crafted audio products. Well, I strongly recommend tempering expectations.

The Headphone (1) reward you with strong active noise cancellation, battery life, and sound. Nothing’s see-through design isn’t for everyone, and those who find it intriguing will either be happy or disappointed when unboxed. These headphones are also rough around the edges in certain ways.

Come see what I’m talking about.

The author wearing the Nothing Headphone (1). Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Nothing Headphone (1) wireless headphones specs and setup

The Headphone (1) have an impressive spec sheet. See for yourself.

• Speaker Driver Unit: 40mm

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz

• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation

• 4-mic AI-backed environmental noise cancellation

• KEF acoustic engineering

• Bluetooth 5.3 with Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and USB-C lossless playback

• IP52 dust and water resistance

• 35 hours of battery with ANC on / 80 hours with ANC off

• 5-minute quick charging equals 5 hours of listening time (ANC off)

• Colors: Black and white

Pairing is both simple and unique. These headphones have something I’ve never seen before — a Bluetooth button discreetly hidden inside the bottom right of the right earcup. Powering on the headphones will enable pairing mode to connect to iOS/macOS or Android devices; the latter takes advantage of one-tap Google Fast Pair. 

The Nothing app (iOS/Android) grants access to a variety of personalized features, and it supports firmware updates.

Nothing developed a singular control scheme for seamless operation. All controls are placed on the right earcup. There’s an action button on the front to assign advanced functions (e.g., digital assistance, EQ preset, mic mute). The real attraction is the roller that adjusts volume by scrolling left or right. It even serves as a multifunctional button to activate listening modes and playback. Below the roller is a paddle for call management and fast forward/rewind. Everything works exceptionally well.

A meticulous, yet polarizing design

This design isn’t for everyone. On top of that, the headphones don’t look as cool as they do in press images. That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate Nothing’s artful ingenuity.

The retro look might not be everyone's cup of tea. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Details are everything, and the Headphone (1) don’t run short of them. The clean white box on the inside has an embossed imprint of the headphones that exudes minimalist art vibes. The oval cassette tape housings evoke Sony Walkman memories, while the rectangular earcups are a nice callback to vintage home audio headphones. Small touches like the angular arms and dot imprints showcase the brand’s chic craftsmanship. IP54 certification protects the headphones from dust, sweat, and water splashing.

Unfortunately, the Headphone (1) are clunky and heavy (11.6 ounces). They clank together when the earcups are swiveled, which chips the metallic paint job over time.

Great sound and even greater noise cancellation

The Headphone (1) aren’t going to win any audiophile awards. Nonetheless, KEF tuned the soundstage to produce a satisfying mix of lows, mids, and highs. 

Sound was mostly pleasant right out of the box. Playing with the EQ improved it. There was the option to create a sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies or select from four presets: Balanced (default), More Bass, More Treble, and Voice. More Treble offered the most stable sound. 

You'll want to adjust the EQ. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The electric guitar riff and striking drums on Green Day’s “Walking Contradiction” were impactful and put me in headbanger mode. Run the Jewels’ “ooh la la” had tremendous reverberation, highlighted by monstrous bass that extended and decayed smoothly with each sporadic snare strike. Mids and highs were decent. Ballads like Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” delivered bright and crisp vocals that were accentuated when the singer exercised her pitch range in the outro.

Android devices provided the best listening experience via LDAC. The audio codec streams music at a high bitrate and maintains the nuance from original recordings. Spotify songs sounded compressed on my MacBook Pro, but they received a hi-res boost on my OnePlus 11 and Nothing Phone (3) smartphones. The same went for all other content. Enabling the low lag mode reduces latency when watching videos. 

It’s also fantastic that the headphones support lossless playback through USB-C connection. I noticed a huge difference in clarity on Apple Music tracks when plugged into my MacBook Pro. Nothing’s spatial audio mode won’t wow you like Apple’s or Bose’s 3D audio format, but it’s acceptable if you want theater-like acoustics. 

Nothing’s real-time adaptive ANC performed better than I anticipated. The technology suppressed various sounds across the frequency spectrum. Common distractions like chatty pedestrians and household appliances went unnoticed. High-pitched sounds (e.g., crying babies, sirens, whistles) were minimized. I used Transparency mode religiously at home, specifically when cooking. The mics picked up vocals clearly and made it easy to communicate with the missus from across the room. This feature was most useful outdoors; I could hear people walking behind me and cars coming from a block away.

ANC playtime is reasonable (35 hours), though you can get more than double the battery life when turning it off (up to 80 hours). Fast charging maximizes usage: a five-minute charge generates five hours of listening time (ANC off).

Unpolished areas and other concerns

The Headphone (1) demonstrated many flaws. Connectivity was wonky in multipoint mode (audio stuttered when several feet away from my primary device). The short 3.5mm and USB-C cables weren’t practical for desktop/laptop use. Wear detection barely worked, and when it did, there was always a three-second delay. 

Another issue that must be addressed is that the headphones aren’t foldable. This makes them less convenient to carry and exposes certain parts to damage.

Nothing Headphone (1) vs. Nothing Headphone (a)

The Headphone (1), left, and Headphone (a), left, bear a striking resemblance. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Headphone (1) are no longer the only option if you're looking for over-ear headphones from Nothing. They're also no longer the only option if you especially appreciate their design. In March 2026, Nothing released the Headphone (a), which are $100 cheaper at $199. There are less sophisticated audio features, with Mashable's Bethany Allard pointing to no KEF-powered sound and fewer spatial audio features as the most major drawbacks. The cheaper headphones also have less powerful ANC, a plastic chassis, and a carrying pouch (as opposed to the Headphone (1) carrying case).

The newer headphones come with a better battery life of 75 hours with ANC on and 135 hours with no ANC. The on-ear controls remain largely the same between the two headphones, except for the placement of the Bluetooth button in the upper interior part of the right ear cup on the Headphone (a).

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Credit: Nothing

Nothing Headphone (a)

$199 at Amazon

 

Get Deal

Are the Nothing Headphone (1) worth it?

If you’re a brand enthusiast or a fan of retro-looking headphones who wants adequate ANC and sound at an attainable price, then the Nothing Headphone (1) will suffice. Everyone else will want to consider other premium options, or the Nothing Headphone (a).

KEF’s soundstage brings depth and richness to most tracks. Playing with the EQ gets you better results, and lossless playback boosts audio performance. I’m shocked by how effective ANC is on these headphones. The technology neutralizes unwanted noise at a high level and raises ambient awareness when in transparency mode. The extra-long playtimes also come in handy when traveling. 

My controversial take is that the Headphone (1) look better as a concept than an actual release. Their appearance is nostalgically appealing, and some elements are attractive, but they don’t have the same charm in person as they do in advertisements. Factor in their shortcomings and we’re talking about a questionable investment.

Nothing Headphone (1)

$239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60

 

Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Nothing

Many of us wouldn't be where we are without our father figures — not just regular dads but also uncles, stepdads, granddads, or anyone else who has stepped up to take on the all-important father role. And though they probably insist that you don't have to get them anything, Father's Day (June 21, 2026) is the perfect opportunity to show some love and appreciation for your dad.

From practical gadgets that make his life easier to sentimental keepsakes that tug on his heartstrings, you’re sure to find the best Father’s Day gift for your dad below.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box listed for $69.86, down from its usual $81.73 price.

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box

$69.86 at Amazon
$81.73 Save $11.87

 

Get Deal

Ascended Heroes has rapidly become one of the most expensive Pokémon TCG expansions in the market right now, but Amazon has introduced a price drop that helps out collectors.

As of May 15, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box available for $69.86, down from its typical $81.73 price. This 15% discount saves you $11.87, with the best listing sold and shipped by Collectors Expedition. Free delivery is listed for May 21-22.

Walmart is almost matching Amazon, with the same Mega Feraligatr ex Box listed at $69.93, down from $79.50. That saves you $9.57, and the listing is also sold and shipped by Collectors Expedition. Walmart’s delivery window is a little faster, arriving by May 19, but unlike Amazon, the item is marked as not returnable.

TCGplayer is still the cheapest route overall if you don’t mind buying through marketplace sellers. Its lowest unopened listing is currently $53.99 with shipping included, with 57 sellers and 317 units available. The market price sits at $52.56, while the listed median is $57.

Inside the box, you’ll get one playable foil promo card featuring Mega Feraligatr ex, one oversize lenticular promo card, and four Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes booster packs. Each booster pack includes 10 trading cards, one Basic Energy, and one Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Buying four single Ascended Heroes Boosters Packs on Amazon would cost you $83.96 in total. With this Mega Feraligatr ex Box, you’re saving $14.10 compared to buying them individually — even before you factor in the promo card and oversized version. 

To save on more boosters, you can also pre-order the Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection for only $69.99. What’s more, you can still grab the Perfect Order Booster Bundle for under $50. 

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box up for preorder at $113.97, down from its $119.99 list price. This is a bonus 5% off, with the listing sold and shipped by Amazon directly. 

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box

$113.97 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $6.02

 

Pre-order Here

The Pokémon TCG’s new Chaos Rising expansion comes out soon, and the price war between retailers is heating up to the point where we are starting to see last-minute discounts on Elite Trainer Boxes.

As of May 15, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is listed at Amazon for $113.97, down from its $119.99 list price. That’s an extra 5% off and the lowest we’ve seen on this particular box.

Sold and shipped by Amazon directly, free delivery is scheduled for May 25, just after Chaos Rising’s May 22 release date.

If you’re open to shopping with other retailers, Walmart — previously sporting Amazon’s $113.97 price — has dropped its price even further to $109.77 with free shipping. TCGplayer’s unopened presale listings start at $102.79 with shipping included — just over the ETB’s $101.53 market price.

Inside the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box, you’ll get nine Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs, a full-art foil Fennekin promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector’s box with dividers, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

Chaos Rising brings the Mega Evolution era back to Lumiose City, with Mega Floette ex, Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex, and Mega Dragalge ex among the featured Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pocket Monsters in the expansion.

If you’re catching up on the previous expansions, you can still grab the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order ETB for around $70. For even more boosters, the upcoming Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is available to pre-order for $69.99.

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, May 15, 2026:

Across

Baseball stat hidden in "super big hit"

• The answer is RBI.

Hi, in Hawaii

• The answer is Aloha.

With 8-Across, start running or going to the gym

• The answer is Get In.

See 7-Across

• The answer is Shape.

Opposite of NNE

• The answer is SSW.

Down

Opposite of riches, in a saying

• The answer is Rags.

"Ew, gross"

• The answer is Bleh.

Tiny bits

• The answer is Iotas.

Where the hands are placed when "Hey, Macarena!" is sung

• The answer is Hips.

All over again

• The answer is Anew.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE OVER $200: As of May 15, the Insignia 75-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED Smart TV has dropped to $399.99 at Amazon. This is $250 off its list price of $649.99.

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Credit: Insignia

Insignia 75-inch Class QF Series LED 4K UHD QLED Smart Fire TV

$399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250

 

Get Deal

If you've been keeping an eye on what's releasing soon on streaming services, you'll notice that summer is already looking stacked with exciting shows. If you've been thinking it's time to upgrade your TV for upcoming binge-watches, Amazon is the place to look. The retailer has several great deals worth checking out right now, including a price drop on the Insignia 75-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED Smart TV.

This Insignia 75-inch TV has had $250 slashed off its price tag, dropping it down to $399.99. This is also just a cent away from its lowest-ever price of $399.98. If you've been searching for something new, why not upgrade to this huge screen?

This Insignia TV offers excellent picture quality alongside its massive 75-inch screen size, with 4K Ultra HD resolution and QLED display technology that brings out bright, vibrant colors and intricate details in what you're watching. It even supports Dolby Vision for further image enhancements and Dolby Atmos sound, which provides spatial audio that helps you feel even more immersed in what's happening on screen.

This is a Fire TV, meaning you can easily access all of your favorite streaming apps right from its home screen. Getting back into the show you've started or the movie you've been hoping to watch is simple and easy.

Since Amazon has it marked as a limited time deal, it may not be discounted for long. If it's caught your eye, be quick to score this excellent discount on the Insignia 75-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED Smart TV.

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

Anthropic's Claude Mythos is an AI that's so good at finding security flaws, the company opted not to release it publicly, instead giving access to a closed circle of security researchers and large organizations.

Now, we're getting first glimpses of just how powerful Mythos (currently available only to select partners, including Apple, as Claude Mythos Preview) can be. The Wall Street Journal reported that security researchers from a Palo Alto-based company called Calif used Mythos to find a crack in Apple's macOS.

In a blog post shared by Calif on Thursday, the researchers called this the "first public macOS kernel memory corruption exploit on Apple M5," and explained, without going into all the technicalities, that the exploit can be used to give an unprivileged local user complete access to the device.

The exploit, the post explained, involves "two vulnerabilities and several techniques." But here's the kicker: Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview helped them find the bugs, and assisted with exploit development.

"Mythos Preview is powerful: once it has learned how to attack a class of problems, it generalizes to nearly any problem in that class. Mythos discovered the bugs quickly because they belong to known bug classes," the post said.

It's unclear whether the flaw Calif found has already been patched or not. As MacRumors pointed out, Apple's release notes for macOS Tahoe 26.5, which was released on Monday, do mention a fix for a bug that was submitted by Calif in collaboration with Claude and Anthropic Research, and Calif is mentioned in two other vulnerability reports.

However, in its blog post, Calif said it met with Apple "early this week," perhaps implying that the fix is yet to come. "Full technical details will be shared after Apple fixes the vulnerabilities and attack path," the post said.

An Apple spokeseperson gave the WSJ a canned response to the report, saying, "Security is our top priority, and we take reports of potential vulnerabilities very seriously."

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Are you looking for thrilling and unpredictable racing? No we're not talking about F1, unless you like regular pit stops, safety cars, and the same driver winning almost every week. We're talking about a form of two-wheel racing where anything could happen.

MotoGP is where the real action can be found. Every week you see the best riders in the world go wheel to wheel with their rivals, throwing their bikes into corners with absolutely no sense of self preservation. It's an awesome spectacle, and it doesn't need to cost you anything to watch.

Want to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

What is MotoGP?

MotoGP is the oldest established motorsport world championship, with the inaugural season taking place in 1949. Races last approximately 45 minutes, without pitting for fuel or fresh tires.

The likes of Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha do battle for the constructors' championship. Marc Márquez is the defending champion.

When is the 2026 MotoGP World Championship?

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship features 22 races held all over the world between March and November:

1. Thailand GP — March 1

2. Brazil GP — March 22

3. USA GP — March 29

4. Qatar GP — April 12

5. Spain GP — April 26

6. France GP — May 10

7. Catalonia GP — May 17

8. Italy GP — May 31

9. Hungary GP — June 7

10. Czechia GP — June 21

11. Netherlands GP — June 28

12. Germany GP — July 12

13. Great Britain GP — Aug. 9

14. Aragon GP — Aug. 30

15. San Marino GP — Sept. 13

16. Austria GP — Sept. 20

17. Japan GP — Oct. 4

18. Indonesian GP — Oct. 11

19. Australia GP — Oct. 25

20. Malaysia GP — Nov. 1

21. Portugal GP — Nov. 15

22. Valencia GP — Nov. 22

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this quick and easy process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races without actually spending anything.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is tough to beat when it comes to streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Impressive streaming speeds without buffering

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

Xreal first introduced the new R1 Gaming AR Glasses, part of a partnership with Asus ROG, at CES 2026, and they're now available to pre-order globally.

Gamers can pre-order the pricey smart glasses at Best Buy starting today for $849; they'll be available for pre-order through the Xreal online store starting May 17. Pickups from Best Buy will begin May 25.

Everything we know about the new ROG and Xreal R1 AR glasses

These plug and play gaming glasses project a screen up to 171 inches. Credit: Xreal

The R1 was one of the coolest products I tested at CES 2026 — and I tested pretty much all of the smart glasses on display at the annual tech show. (At the time, I wrote, "I've seen a lot of cool products at CES, but Xreal has the coolest demo I've seen yet.") Plug them into a gaming handheld, Xbox console, or gaming PC, and these augmented reality glasses project a massive 171-inch virtual screen into the air. Unlike Xreal's other AR glasses, they're optimized for gaming specifically and come with an ROG Control Dock.

Xreal says the R1 is the world's first and fastest AR glasses with a 240Hz refresh rate (with boosted frame rate enabled). Back at CES, I got to play Elden Ring and other games using the glasses. I was impressed by the graphics, color clarity, smoothness, and overall speed, and I had no trouble believing they could achieve a 240Hz refresh rate. For comparison, the latest Viture Beast gaming glasses max out at 120Hz. The glasses also support Xreal's real-time 2D-to-3D conversion, which works surprisingly well in my testing.

The glasses weren't overly heavy on my face, which is always a concern with smart glasses.

Xreal is positioning the glasses as a premium product, and with an $849 price tag, they have to be. According to Xreal, the glasses work best when used with last year's ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming console.

A press release states:

"The R1 unlocks a new dimension of handheld gaming through synchronized dual-display functionality with ROG Ally. While the glasses project a 171-inch virtual battlefield, the Ally’s built-in display remains active to allows real-time adjustments to brightness, screen size, aspect ratio, visual effects, and more – all without interrupting gameplay."

I still need to test these glasses outside of a demo environment, and I'll have a full review to share in the weeks ahead. But for early adopters ready to take the plunge, you can pre-order the glasses at Best Buy starting today.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Xreal

Asus ROG Xreal R1 Gaming AR Glasses

$849.99 at Best Buy

 

Pre-order Here

The Asus ROG Xreal R1 Gaming AR Glasses by the numbers

The ROG Xreal R1 Gaming AR Glasses and control dock Credit: Xreal

• Display: Sony 0.55-inch micro-OLED displays

• Refresh rate: Up to 240Hz

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080

• Display size: 171-inch display from 4 meters away

• Field of view: 57 degrees

• Weight: 91 grams

• Peak brightness: 700 nits

• Connectivity: PCs, consoles, handhelds, Android, and iOS via USB-C

• Sound by Bose

• Electrochromic lenses

• Includes the ROG Control Dock

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 15 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 15 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 15 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some sports and pop culture knowledge.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Hockey homeland teams

• Green: Plays in Fin City

• Blue: Star Rockies

• Purple: Sounds like an NBA Hall of Famer

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Canadian NHL Teams

• Green: Teams That Play in San Jose

• Blue: Colorado Rockies All-Stars, Historically

• Purple: Starts with a Basketball Hall of Famer

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #599 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Canadian NHL Teams: CANCUCKS, FLAMES, JETS, OILERS

• Teams That Play in San Jose: BAY FC, EARTHQUAKES, SAN JOSE STATE, SHARKS

• Colorado Rockies All-Stars, Historically: ARENADO, STORY, TULOWITZKI, WALKER

• Starts with a Basketball Hall of Famer: BINGHAMTON, BIRDMAN, NASHVILLE, WEST SIDE

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

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

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

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

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Small and round.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

BEADY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An eating utensil.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPOON

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Satan.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

DEVIL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To long for.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

YEARN

Final Hurdle hint

Premature.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

EARLY

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

TL;DR: Watch Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is starting with a number of really interesting matchups, including Canada vs. Sweden. We're not going to see all of the stars we saw over the Winter Olympics, but this is still a standout fixture involving some big names. Both teams will expect to advance to the knockout rounds, so a good start to this campaign is vital.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. Sweden?

Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Canada vs. Sweden for free

Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Canada vs. Sweden plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The memories of the ice hockey at the Winter Olympics are still fresh in our mind, but we're greedy for more. It's not like we don't have enough top-quality competition to enjoy right now, but if there's anyone out there who has time for more besides the NHL playoffs, the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are starting.

The first game on the schedule is particularly interesting. Finland face off against Germany in Zürich. Both teams were dumped out at the quarter-final stage in the last edition of this competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Finland vs. Germany?

Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zürich.

How to watch Finland vs. Germany for free

Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

The Moon is now almost entirely out of view as we approach the New Moon, can you see anything tonight?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, May 15, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, 4% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There isn't enough visibility tonight to see anything on the Moon's surface. After the New Moon, visibility will start to return.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, moving through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight as it orbits creates the familiar full, half, and crescent shapes. In total, the lunar cycle is made up of eight main phases:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still buzzing from the international hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but there's more to come. We know the focus of the ice hockey world is firmly fixed on the resolution of the NHL season right now, but the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is here to offer something to fans without a vested interest in the Stanley Cup.

This tournament doesn't have quite the same prestige as the Winter Olympics, but the 2024 World Championship was the most successful in terms of overall attendance. We're expecting this tournament in Switzerland to be just as popular as the USA, Canada, Czechia, Sweden, Finland, and other top sides battle it out on the ice.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Ice Hockey World Championships?

The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. 16 teams are divided into two groups for the Preliminary Round played in a single round robin format. The top-four ranked teams of each group advance to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Czechia.

When is the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships?

The 2026 IIHF World Championships will take place from May 15-31. This year's tournament will be hosted by Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.

How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the tournament before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

We hope you took advantage of that $499 MacBook Neo deal in the Apple Education Store, because if you're not actually a student or teacher, that discount is now closed off for you.

Apple's Education Store provides online discounts for students and educators. In the case of the already very competitively priced MacBook Neo, that discount was a whopping $100 off Apple's latest laptop. Previously, anyone could shop at the Apple Education Store, with Apple simply using an honor system with its users, allowing anyone to shop there with the assumption that they were a student or teacher.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

However, starting this week, Apple changed its Apple Education Store policy. Apple is now verifying that a consumer is actually connected to an educational institution before allowing them to make a purchase.

Many companies offer discounts for educators and students, first responders, and other groups, and these types of third-party verification tools are a common industry practice.

Apple is utilizing the services of a third-party company known as Unidays, which verifies that the user is eligible to buy from the Apple Education Store.

According to Apple, users who are allowed to make a purchase in the Education Store include "current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels."

When making a purchase, Unidays will verify that the buyer is connected to a specific educational institution. For example, a student will have to provide documentation that they are enrolled in a school in order to get verified and make a purchase from the Education Store. 

Unidays verification process is instant for most; however, some users may have to wait up to 24 hours for the company to complete its verification process.

Apple previously worked with Unidays in 2022 when it instituted a similar verification process for the Education Store. However, user complaints led Apple to drop the verification step until now.

Along with the verification change, Apple also added Apple Watch discounts to the Education Store for the first time last week. But, without the Education Store discount, many Apple users may find cheaper deals on Apple products from third parties like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H, and not directly from Apple.

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

The prestigious Cannes Film Festival is underway in France, with high-profile stars from The Fast and the Furious franchise dominating headlines so far. However, the Chinese tech company DJI also took advantage of the opportunity to make its own debut — the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P camera.

Cannes may seem like a strange place for a drone and camera company, but the company wants to pivot from the creator space into Hollywood productions. Pictures of the Osmo Pocket 4P show two lenses, which would set it apart from other cameras in the Osmo Pocket line.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

DJI Osmo Pocket gimbal cameras already have a cult following among creators, and the company recently launched the Osmo Pocket 4. However, the Osmo Pocket 4P is designed specifically for cinematic productions, DJI said in a press release sent to Mashable.

"Following the global success of its predecessor, the Osmo Pocket 4P builds on a growing movement in which compact cameras are reshaping how stories are created and shared," reads the release. "Its Cannes debut highlights its potential to influence the future of cinematic vlogging, inspire a new generation of mobile-first filmmakers, and lead global trends in portrait-driven visual storytelling."

Gimbal cameras have long been used in Hollywood productions, and the Osmo Pocket brought the technology to video bloggers, influencers, and creators of all kinds.

DJI says the Osmo Pocket 4P will offer cinematic-quality HDR video and 10-bit D-Log2 color performance for professional color grading.

DJI didn't provide any details on a possible release date or pricing, but a company spokesperson said the camera would be available through DJI's online store and retail partners. As with other recent DJI releases, it may come late to the United States due to DJI's ongoing problems with the FCC and the U.S. drone ban.

Credit: DJI

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Brick just updated its app to highlight a feature that makes me love this little gadget even more.

Imagine this nightmare: You've done your evening skincare, brushed your teeth, and tucked yourself into bed only to realize you left on a lamp across the room. That's the horror I feel when I forget to Brick my phone before bed and have to get up, walk to the kitchen, and tap it against my Brick in another room.

But when this happened last night, I noticed a change in the Brick app. Now, the button on the home page of the Brick app says "Tap or hold to Brick." So, I held the button and my phone was Bricked — I didn't even need to get out of bed.

Brick, the screen-time device that uses a physical NFC tag to block apps on your phone, cut my screen time in half. Plus, multiple people can use it, meaning my wife and I can share one. The Brick has become so popular that "Bricking" is now a verb.

Hold to lock: What's changed with the Brick?

Now, you have the choice Brick your phone remotely. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Previously, you had to tap your phone against the Brick to lock it. Now, you have a second option. You can still tap to lock, or you can just hold the button down within the app, and it will lock. This means when you're on the go and need to focus, you can remotely Brick your phone.

I reached out to Brick, and a spokesperson said that while this feature has always been available, the company updated the app to make this functionality more obvious to users. The change was necessary, I think. Several Mashable staffers are devoted Brick users, and we weren't aware of this feature previously.

Now you can Brick your phone without physically tapping it against a Brick. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

However, this doesn't change how you unlock your phone when it's Bricked. To Unbrick your phone, you still have to physically tap it against your Brick. Not surprising because the alternative would make Brick no different from any other screen time app out there.

So with this update, the only thing to be careful of is locking your phone when you're away from it and getting locked out of an important app. Luckily, you can always use one of your five emergency unbricks.

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Credit: Brick

Brick phone blocker

$59 at Brick

Mashable readers save 10%

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SAVE $90: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $209 at Amazon with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $299. That's a 30% discount and the lowest we've seen from Amazon.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mini 4K drone

$209 at Amazon
$299 Save $90

with on-page coupon

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Airline prices are high, and if you're not planning to fly this summer, that's understandable. But there's a different option to take to the skies, and it probably costs much less than those domestic flights you were considering. Check out this drone deal at Amazon that'll be a fun summer hobby.

As of May 14, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale at Amazon for $209 with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $299. That's a 30% discount and the lowest we've seen from Amazon.

The DJI Mini 4K drone is a great option for both beginners and expert drone pilots who are looking for something lightweight and exceptionally portable. The drone can easily fold up and fit into the palm of your hand and it weighs under 249 grams.

Like the name indicates, this DJI model captures 4K UHD footage and it can fly for up to 31 minutes before needing to recharge. Video transmission is still possible from a distance of up to 10 kilometers away, or about six miles.

Since summer weather can be unpredictable, the DJI Mini 4K comes with a reassuring level 5 wind-resistance which measures out to winds up to about 24 miles per hour. DJI also mentions the brushless motors help with power and the drone can take off from altitudes as high as 4,000 meters which is over 13,000 feet.

For beginners, this DJI model has one-tap takeoff and landing, stable hovering, and a GPS-powered return-to-home command.

Before this on-page coupon at Amazon disappears, snag the DJI Mini 4K on sale for $209. Since this is the lowest we've seen, there's not much reason to wait.

Apple AirDrop enables users to quickly share photos, videos, and other files to nearby users. Android has Quick Share to provide similar functionality to its users.

Last year, Google announced during the Pixel 10 series launch that its latest Android smartphones would be able to work with AirDrop through Quick Share. This basically allowed users to take advantage of these file-sharing features cross-platform. Android phones, for example, could now share photos and videos to iPhones in the same way iPhones were able to share between each other via AirDrop.

Since then, Google has been slowly rolling out AirDrop through Quick Share to even more Android devices — even Android smartphones by third parties such as Samsung. And, just this week, Google launched the feature on a slew of new devices.

Here's the current list of every device that currently has AirDrop enabled.

Current AirDrop-enabled Android devices

• Google Pixel 10 

• Pixel 10 Pro 

• Pixel 10 Pro XL 

• Pixel 10 Pro Fold 

• Pixel 10a 

• Pixel 9 

• Pixel 9 Pro 

• Pixel 9 Pro XL 

• Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• Pixel 8a

• Samsung Galaxy S26 

• Galaxy S26+ 

• Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Oppo Find X9 series 

• Oppo Find N6 

• Vivo X300 Ultra

AirDrop coming soon to these Android devices

• Samsung Galaxy S25 

• Galaxy S25+ 

• Galaxy S25 Ultra 

• Galaxy S24 

• Galaxy S24+ 

• Galaxy S24 Ultra 

• Galaxy Z TriFold 

• Galaxy Z Fold 7 

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 

• Galaxy Z Fold 6 

• Galaxy Z Flip 6 

• Oppo Find X8 

• Oppo Find X8 Pro 

• OnePlus 15 

• Honor Magic V6 

• Honor Magic 8 Pro

It appears Google will continue to roll out AirDrop to even more devices in the future, so stay tuned for updates.

SAVE $250: The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is on sale for $849 at Amazon, down from the list price of $1,099. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

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Credit: Segway

Segway Navimow i110N Robot Lawn Mower

$849 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $250

 

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If you have a tech-forward household, you probably have a few items that make household chores much easier: A robot vacuum, a smart composter, and a smart litter box for the cat are all items that do the chores for you. But until fairly recently, we've been stuck with the task of manually mowing the lawn. This is changing, and we now have powerful robot lawn mowers that can take care of this chore.

If you're looking to offload the task, check out today's deal at Amazon.

As of May 14, the Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is on sale for $849 at Amazon, down from the list price at Segway of $1,099. That's a 23% discount that takes $250 off the price. It's a new record-low price at Amazon, according to camelcamelcamel.

If the lawn gets out of control with spring and summer growth, there's an easy way to keep it under control. The Segway Navimow robot lawn mower is like a robot vacuum but for your lawn. It'll map the area and then set off on a mowing adventure according to your desired schedule. You can also select the length you'd like between 2 and 3.6 inches.

There's no need to worry about the robot lawn mower bumping into the fence or running over the dog toys left in the yard. The Segway uses obstacle avoidance for over 150 common items it could encounter while mowing.

From the app, you can also set a multi-zone schedule. This will allow you to keep the area near the barbecue cut more frequently than the side yard which gets less use. It comes with an IP66 dust and waterproof rating protecting it from summer splashes. Segway recommends this model for lawns that measure about 0.25 acres.

If you're not in the mood to spend the summer mowing the lawn, get the help of the Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower. It's on sale at Amazon for under $850 for a limited time.

SAVE $40: As of May 14, the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is on sale for only $49.99 at Amazon — just in time for summer break. That's a saving of $40 and its best price on record.

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Credit: Garmin

Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 (Marvel Black Panter edition)

$49.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $40.00

 

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It's easy for kids to rack up those screen time hours once school lets out for the summer. But a fitness tracker can help balance those hours with some necessary movement and one of our favorites designed for kids is on sale for its best price ever.

As of May 14, the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 (Marvel Black Panter edition) is on sale for just $49.99 at Amazon. That's 44% or $40 off its list price of $89.99 and its lowest price on record by a long shot.

The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 tracks steps, activities, sleep, and more in a swim-friendly, child-sized package. Better yet, its gamified design lets you child unlock app adventures, games, new watch faces, and more by completing daily activities and reaching their movement goals. And this is the Marvel edition, the Garmin Jr. app will let kids relive the Infinity Saga and be a hero alongside their favorite Marvel Avengers characters.

The parental control features are top-notch as well. You can easily track who your kids are talking to and block any unwanted contacts, schedule reminders for chores and other tasks, set timers for playtime and screen time, input emergency information, and much more. It even comes with a one-year battery life, so you won't need to constantly worry about plugging it in. Once the battery dies, it can simply be replaced.

Best for kids aged 4 to 7, the Vivofit Jr. 3 is a great companion for your little ones this summer. Keep them active, attentive, and engaged even when school lets out.

On Elon Musk's X, Bookmarks are a popular way for users to keep track of posts they want to refer back to at a later time.

However, the Bookmarks feature requires users to actively pick what posts they want to bookmark when they come across it. Then, those posts are saved to the Bookmarks tab.

In a new update that's slowly rolling out to users, X is renaming the Bookmarks tab to History. With that change, users will not only see what posts they've bookmarked, but they'll also see an archive of articles and videos that they've read and watched on the platform.

X head of product Nikita Bier announced the product change this week in a post. 

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"We're rolling out a new History tab on iOS to help you keep track of all your favorite content on X," Bier said. "Bookmarks, Long Videos, Articles and Likes will live here — so you can always come back and continue watching or reading. The Timeline moves fast, so we hope this creates a better place for catching up on long-form content."

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

The History feature is currently only available on X for iOS. History appears to work much like a web browser's history feature does. As Bier said, users will be able to see bookmarks, likes, and their article and video history within the History tab. 

With the closure of popular read-later apps like last year's sunsetting of Pocket, it does seem like such a move makes sense for specific platforms to implement. Facebook, for example, has long let users view their activity within the mobile app. This includes videos watched and links clicked through the platform and viewed within the Facebook app.

Some X users have reportedly seen their Bookmarks tab updated to History already. Others are still waiting for the update to roll out to their account.

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SAVE $300: As of May 14, get the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 for just $2,399.99, the lowest-ever price on this gaming laptop. That saves you $300 off its $2,699.99 list price.

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Credit: Acer

Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX, 32GB, 2TB SSD)

$2,399.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $300

 

Get Deal

What if you could get everything you love in a gaming desktop in the compact build of a laptop? That's the promise of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 gaming laptop.

This 18-inch laptop comes loaded with tons of power that you usually can't find in a laptop. That means 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD in a laptop — not a desktop. And best of all, the extremely powerful Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 is now down to its lowest-ever price.

As of May 14, get the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 gaming laptop for just $2,399.99. This deal saves you $300 off its list price of $2,699.99.

While we haven't had hands-on experience with the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18, we have taken the Acer Predator Helios 16 for a whirl. It's designed truly for gamers with a flashy design of light bars and backlit logos. It's powered with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, for smooth, exceptional graphics but don't worry, the device doesn't get overheated with a thermal design.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 has all of this and more since it comes in an 18-inch package.

Get the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 gaming laptop for just $2,399.99 at Amazon, its record-low price.

SAVE $1,102: As of May 14, the Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's over $1,000 off its list price of $2,499.99.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV

$1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,102.00

 

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Whether you're upgrading to a bigger TV or replacing an existing model, opting for a 2025 model over a brand-new 2026 model can save you over $1,000. And because tech upgrades are mostly iterative these days, you won't be missing out on much. For instance, you can now get the excellent Samsung S90F — the TV Mashable's sister site CNET dubbed "the best OLED TV for most users" — for a literal fraction of its original cost.

The 65-inch Samsung S90F OLED TV originally retailed for $2,499.99 (as seen on Samsung), but now that the 2026 models have hit shelves, the price is down to only $1,397.99. That's just over 44% or $1,102 in savings. To put it another way: you'll be getting a 65-inch model for less than what folks paid for the 48-inch S90F TV last year (which is originally $1,499.99).

We find that 65 inches is the sweet spot for most people and homes and the Samsung 65-inch S90F will really crank things up a notch. The OLED panel features deep black levels and rich colors, making it a stellar option for watching movies or live sports. The AI processor can even upscale older content to make it sparkle in 2026. There's also support for 144Hz VRR and lag times under 10ms, which CNET's reviewer says is "about as fast as a TV with this level of picture quality can get."

It's not quite as feature-packed as the step-up S95F (there's no glare-free coating or Dolby Vision HDR), but its excellent picture, high brightness levels, and quick response times make the S90F a better value in 2026 — particularly now that it's only $1,397.99.

SAVE $600.01: The Roborock Qrevo CurvX robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $899.98 at Amazon, down from the list price of $1,499.99. That's a 40% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

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Credit: Roborock

Roborock Qrevo CurvX robot vacuum and mop

$899.98 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $600.01

 

Get Deal

Summer fun is nearly here. Soon, we'll be outside at the park until sunset, spending weekends at the beach, and relaxing with the best summer reads. With all that relaxation, there's simply no time for household chores. Instead of dealing with dust bunnies under the furniture, enlist the help of a robot vacuum to take care of the chore this summer. There's a great model on sale today at Amazon.

As of May 14, the Roborock Qrevo CurvX robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $899.98 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $1,499.99. That works out to a giant 40% discount and a saving of $600.01. This marks the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

What's better than a robot vacuum? A model that also mops. The Roborock Qrevo CurvX does both and with features that make it stand out in a sea of endless competitors. Roborock equipped this model with 22,000Pa suction to tackle dirt, hair, and other debris on carpet and hard flooring.

It comes with a 360-degree scanner to efficiently map your home and it has the brains the recognize 108 potential obstacles like the toys left behind or shoes. Plus, it can handle getting over thresholds that are up to four centimeters in height. Speaking of height, the robot vacuum itself it just a bit taller than three inches, so it's likely to fit well under furniture to tackle a whole-home cleaning session.

The Qrevo CurvX uses hot-water mopping to rid the kitchen floor of the toughest messes. It also uses hot water for cleaning the mop pads and hot air to get them dry as quickly as possible.

Since this is the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon for the Roborock Qrevo CurvX robot vacuum and mop, this might be your sign to make the upgrade. Your summer schedule will enjoy the extra free time.

Microsoft’s new Xbox Mode brings a more console-like experience to gaming PCs. Features like a unified game library and controller-focused navigation aim to make couch gaming smoother and more accessible. Here’s how the update changes the modern gaming setup.

SAVE OVER $20: As of May 14, the Lego Icons The Lord of The Rings: Balrog Book Nook Kit is on sale for $108.99 at Amazon. This is $21 off its list price of $129.99.

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Credit: Lego

Lego Icons The Lord of The Rings: Balrog Book Nook Kit (#10367)

$108.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $21.00

 

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If the announcement of the colossal Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith has you itching to build even more Lord of the Rings Lego sets ahead of its release, Amazon is here to help. As of May 14, the retailer has the Lego Icons The Lord of The Rings: Balrog Book Nook Kit on sale for $108.99.

This is a $21 discount on its full price of $129.99, but it's also incredibly close to its lowest-ever price of $107.99. We think it's well worth thr buy, as it even ranks as one of our favorite Lego sets.

If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, the Lego Balrog Book Nook Kit will look great on your bookshelf. It comes with 1,201 pieces that recreate that unforgettable moment on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm that sees Gandalf the Grey going up against the Balrog. It can be displayed in two different ways: placed between books or opened up to reveal the full scene.

Don't miss out on this chance to save on the Lego Icons The Lord of The Rings: Balrog Book Nook Kit at Amazon.

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TL;DR: Amazon has the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 (G61SH) gaming monitor on sale for $479.99, down from its $599.99 list price.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 (G61SH)

$479.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $120

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OLED gaming monitors are becoming more affordable across top brands, and that includes Samsung’s popular Odyssey range .

As of May 14, Amazon has the Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 (G61SH) gaming monitor on sale for $479.99, knocked down from its $599.99 list price. Now at its lowest-ever price (confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel), that’s 20% off and over $100 in savings on a screen built for players who care about speed just as much as picture quality.

With the 27-inch QD-OLED panel (QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution), you unlock some middle ground with sharper detail than 1080p without needing to splurge into the 4K price bracket. Samsung also gives this model a matte glare-free finish, so you’re not constantly fighting desk lamps, sunny windows, or whatever else is trying to ruin a late-night match.

For faster games like Fortnite, Rocket League, or Star Wars Battlefront II, the Odyssey OLED G6 reaches up to a 240Hz refresh rate with a seriously quick 0.03ms response time. That combination of specs should make shooters, racers, and competitive multiplayer titles feel much smoother as part of your new PC setup.

The added AMD FreeSync Premium helps reduce screen tearing and choppiness when said fast-paced gameplay is trying to balance too many on-screen assets at the same time.

Samsung also packs in HDR10, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and Pantone Validation, with support for more than 2,100 colors and over 110 skin tone shades. In layman’s terms, games should look vivid, shadowy scenes should actually have depth, and character details shouldn’t look washed out.

For anyone worried about OLED burn-in, this model includes Samsung OLED Safeguard features like a dynamic cooling system, thermal modulation, logo and taskbar detection, and a screen saver — with the three-year manufacturer warranty adding another level of reassurance.

The stand supporting your shiny new monitor features height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot support, making it versatile for whatever sort of gaming night you have planned, be it ranked matches, cinematic single-player games, or even watching movies and TV shows on Netflix or Disney+.

If you’re browsing offers on all the big gaming brands right now, LG’s 27-inch OLED UltraGear is on sale for over $300 off — also its lowest-ever price. For more deals on Samsung monitors, the QHD Odyssey G5 is now only $159.99. 

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Bumble has announced a massive overhaul lately, but online daters aren't beelining to it.

On Monday, Axios posted its full interview with the dating app's founder and CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd, where she discussed the already-announced news that Bumble is killing the swipe feature by the end of 2026. However, she also talked about Bumble's in-development AI dating assistant called Bee, also set for an end of year launch, which was announced back in the company's Q4 2025 earnings call.

Bumble's lean into an AI-powered product seems to be a long time coming, as Wolfe Herd commented back in May 2024 that she saw AI personas as the future of dating.

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However, people across social media got wind of Bumble's AI-forward plan, and they're not impressed. One TikTok user who met her partner on Bumble nearly two years ago said the app has "lost the plot" with its focus on AI. Another TikTokker said she gives up. Another still, a single woman, said she "cannot spend another moment in this f*cking hellscape."

Wolfe Herd posted a statement on her Instagram account on Tuesday to clarify a few things.

"A growing part of the tech world seems to believe human connection can be replicated, automated, or engineered," she wrote. "I believe the opposite, and at Bumble, we are building the opposite."

View this post on Instagram

Wolfe Herd said Bumble has "used AI for years to improve safety, reduce bad actors, and help people make better, more meaningful connections. But the next chapter of AI should not be about replacing human connection. It should be about strengthening it."

Clarifying that the future of Bumble is "not about automating love," the CEO stated that "the best AI should work quietly in the background so real people can show up fully in the foreground." She also promised "no AI openers, no AI-generated bios."

Bumble's approach is that AI should support people in showing up more authentically, not replace or speak for them, the company told Mashable. The team believes it's important that women have a seat at the table in how AI is applied, and ethical and responsible use is paramount to Wolfe Herd and Bumble.

Most commenters on Wolfe Herd's post weren't convinced by Bumble's AI-focused "future of connection." The top comment asked what the company is doing about combating deepfakes. Wolfe Herd responded, saying that Bumble has supported legislation to fight deepfakes and invests in safety across its product and policies. Bumble works with nonprofit Partnership on AI, a coalition committed to building a framework for the "responsible use of AI-generated media."

"From detection tools and identity protections to partnerships and legal reform, we believe protecting women online must evolve as quickly as the technology itself," she wrote.

Another commenter brought up Wolfe Herd's aforementioned comments about AI personas being the future of dating — at a Bloomberg Tech Summit in 2024, she said onstage, "There is a world where your dating concierge could go and date for you with other dating concierge...and then you don’t have to talk to 600 people." On Tuesday's Instagram post, Wolfe Herd called the years-old comment a "sound bite" where "people took a speculative thought experiment and turned it into a product announcement for some reason (click bait)."

"I was talking about the far outer edges of what AI could theoretically do someday, not saying Bumble planned to replace human dating with bots," she added. "In fact, the entire point was the opposite: using AI to reduce noise and help people get to real human connection faster."

Despite the outcry, Bumble is far from the only dating app to add AI features. Both Tinder and Hinge have, as well, with the former introducing an AI-powered matchmaker, Chemistry, and the latter adding AI features to help write better prompt responses and initial messages.

And at the same time, Bumble is also investing more into IRL events, suggesting that it knows there's an appetite for tech-free dating.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Foundations Play Booster Box is down to $129.99 at Amazon. This deals saves you 12% off its usual $146.95 list price.

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Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Foundations Play Booster Box

$129.99 at Amazon
$146.95 Save $16.96

Get Deal

The Foundations expansion is one of the most fun ways to get into Magic: The Gathering, and Amazon has now dropped the best deal to help you dive in for less.

As of May 14, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Foundations Play Booster Box on sale for $129.99, dropping it under both its usual Amazon price and the wider market rate. By comparison, TCGplayer currently lists the Foundations Play Booster Display with a market price of $135.80, and listings starting at $137.95 with shipping included. Walmart has the same box listed at $146.45 from a third-party seller.

The Foundations expansion is essentially designed to help you build a bigger Foundation with the Magic trading card game, as the name implies. The box includes 36 Play Boosters, with each pack containing 14 Magic trading cards and either a Token/Ad card or Art card. That all-around makes it great for drafting with friends, building out a collection, or just spending an evening ripping packs and hoping for something shiny. 

Each Play Booster includes between one and four cards of Rare or higher rarity, plus a mix of Uncommons, Commons, and a Land card. There’s also one Traditional Foil card in every pack, with a Traditional Foil Land showing up in 20% of boosters. Borderless cards and Special Guest Mythic Rare cards are also possible pulls, which gives the box a bit more chase-card energy than a beginner-friendly set might suggest.

This probably isn’t as simple a starting point as a Jumpstart box, where you can shuffle two packs together and play immediately. Still, for players who want more flexibility, more packs, and better draft potential, Foundations Play Boosters are the better long-term buy.

Among other MTG expansions, there's also a price reduction on the Lorwyn Exclipsed Play Booster Box to only $119.95. Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel Spider-Man Gift Bundle is also on sale at Amazon.

If you’re a Pokémon fan, the newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to preorder at TCGplayer.

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In an era of endless reboots and sequels, The Devil Wears Prada 2 managed to do the impossible: stay true to its roots while evolving for a new generation. In our latest episode of How It Hits, we take a look at the "legacy sequel" phenomenon through the lens of one of cinema's most stylish comedies.

Senior editor Shannon Connellan breaks down the return of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt, and look at how the shift from print to digital journalism provides the perfect backdrop for the continued power struggle between Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs. Groundbreaking? Actually, yes.

It's hard to believe that foldables have been around for long enough (and gotten good enough) that I can use one that's totally fine and think to myself, "Eh, you can do better."

That's been my experience during early testing for the new Motorola Razr Fold. The $1,900 device has pretty much everything you'd want in a book-style foldable: it's reasonably comfortable in the hands, the displays are high quality, and it's got a battery that dwarfs the competition. But in actually using it, I've still found myself preferring the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 from a year ago, while also considering the upcoming, heavily rumored iPhone Fold.

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Motorola Razr Fold

$1,899.99 at Best Buy

 

Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Motorola US

The first impression: This is a serious foldable with serious competition

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Here's my takeaway from early testing: the foldable market is getting really crowded, and with such a high price, I'm not sure the Razr Fold has done enough to stand out against the competition just yet.

What I liked: It feels great in the hand, is easy to use, has killer displays, and boasts strong performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.

What I didn't like: Not as thin as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and like the competition, it has a steep price tag; my testing unit also experienced a battery issue.

Key specs:

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset

• Battery: 6,000mAh

• Displays: 6.6-inch pOLED cover display (up to 165Hz refresh rate) / 8.1-inch LTPO OLED (up to 120Hz variable refresh rate) with HDR10+

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto, 20MP inner camera, 32MP cover camera

• Charging: 80W charging, 50W wireless, reverse wireless charging

• AI tools: Google Gemini, Perplexity, Moto AI, Microsoft Copilot

• Brightness: 6,200 nits

• Price: $1,899.99

Motorola Razr Fold feels good, but not quite as good as Galaxy Z Fold 7

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Last year, I fell in love with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 primarily because of its form factor. It was easily the thinnest and lightest book-style foldable I'd used at the time, and now. It's a new measuring stick for this type of phone in my mind, and that's also the first place where the Razr Fold comes up just short.

To be more specific, Samsung's foldable last year weighed just 215g and measured in at a mere 4.2mm when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded. Motorola's device, on the other hand, weighs 243g and measures in at 4.5mm when unfolded and 9.89mm when folded. In the grand scheme of things, those aren't huge disparities, but having used both devices, you can definitely feel the difference.

Last year's ultra-thin Galaxy Z Fold 7. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Razr Fold is noticeably heavier and a little more bulky, and in a world where Samsung has shown how thin book-style foldables can be, I'm not sure I can ever go back.

Having said all of that, this is still a reasonably comfortable phone to hold and use, especially compared to older, meatier foldables. Razr Fold's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset keeps everything running smoothly, with social media and streaming apps working pretty much flawlessly in my limited testing so far.

The 8.1-inch AMOLED inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate is also crisp and clear, as is the 6.6-inch outer display, which has a blistering fast 165Hz refresh rate. As with pretty much every other book-style foldable on the market, this is the best way to watch videos and read things on a phone right now.

While I haven't done a ton of stress testing with the multitasking features yet, they do work pretty intuitively. Like some other foldables in this category, there's a horizontal app toolbar along the bottom of the inner display. While running one app, you can simply drag another one from the toolbar up into the main display itself, choosing where you want it to go. You can go halfsies or you can even turn one app into a free-floating window that you can resize and reposition to your heart's content, while the other one stays open behind it.

This isn't especially groundbreaking, but it is useful and works well.

TBD if its most distinctive features give it an edge

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

I still need more time with the Razr Fold before writing a full review, and part of that has to do with the phone's biggest potential edge over the competition: its battery.

The Razr Fold has a huge 6,000mAh battery inside it, significantly larger than the 4,400mAh cell inside my beloved Z Fold 7. If the Razr Fold can deliver notably longer battery life than other foldables, that could be a huge feather in its cap. Unfortunately, I am not in a position right now to judge that, as the review unit Motorola sent us has an issue where it will not charge correctly. I've been told this is not a common problem and Motorola is sending us a replacement, but this does mean that I simply can't analyze the battery right now.

One other potential advantage this phone has over something like the Z Fold 7 is that it natively supports the Moto Pen Ultra stylus accessory. I am not a stylus user by nature, and I haven't spent enough time using the Moto Pen Ultra on the Razr Fold yet to see if it's a game-changer, but Samsung sacrificed official S Pen stylus support on the Z Fold 7 last year in order to make the phone thinner. You can still use third-party pens, but Motorola having an official option that should work nicely with the phone is a big leg up for a lot of folks.

After a handful of days testing the Razr Fold, it's clear that this is a solid foldable phone that doesn't have anything catastrophically wrong with it, at least as long as the charging issue I encountered is an isolated incident. I'll have more to say on this soon.

Motorola just happens to be in an unlucky position here, with other major phone manufacturers having already matured in this space over the past several years, all while Apple takes its sweet time cooking up something that will almost certainly be very good, too.

The Motorola Razr Fold is available for pre-order starting May 14 and will be released May 21 for $1,899.99. You can order the foldable from Motorola and Best Buy.