If you've already fallen under the spell of Witch Hat Atelier, Crunchyroll has a new way to stay immersed in the series between episodes.

The anime streamer has launched Witch Chat: The Witch Hat Atelier Companion Podcast, a new watchalong-style series under its Anime Effect podcast slate. The show is designed to guide viewers through the anime adaptation of Kamome Shirahama's beloved manga, and the first three episodes are available now on Spotify and YouTube.

Hosted by anime cosplayer and content creator Lena Lemon and Crunchyroll personality Tim Lyu, fans can expect episodic recaps and an even deeper dive into the magical world of Coco, Qifrey, Agott, Tetia, and Richeh. Or maybe you really want to make sure you're pronouncing words like Atelier, Qifrey, and Richeh correctly (because...same).

Credit: Courtesy of Crunchyroll

For a show like Witch Hat Atelier, which is already full of intricate lore, mysterious Brimmed Caps, and enough storybook beauty to inspire endless TikTok edits, a companion podcast feels like a natural fit. The first episode of the anime premiered on April 6, and the podcast gives fans another place to theorize about Coco's future, Qifrey's secrets, and whatever unsettling thing the Brimmed Caps are planning next.

It is also a reminder of how much anime fandom now lives online. According to Crunchyroll, 82 percent of anime fans discuss anime on social media, with TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube serving as major discovery tools for viewers. After all, it only takes one devastating edit to change the course of someone's life, or dictate what they watch next.

And if any new show feels built for that kind of fandom ecosystem — the cosplay, the fan art, the ship discourse, the aesthetic moodboards, the painstaking manga-to-anime comparisons — it's definitely Witch Hat Atelier. Judging by the online discourse so far, the Qifrey obsession has already begun.

Anthropic has been shipping products and making news at a blistering pace in 2026, and on Thursday, the AI company announced the launch of Claude Opus 4.7.

Claude Opus 4.7 is Anthropic's most intelligent model available to the general public. Notably, Anthropic said in a press release that Opus 4.7 is not as powerful as Claude Mythos, which Anthropic deemed too dangerous for public release.

Claude Opus is a family of hybrid reasoning models capable of multi-step reasoning and advanced coding. Until the announcement of Claude Mythos on April 7, Claude Opus was considered Anthropic's most advanced series of AI models.

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How to try Claude Opus 4.7

Claude Opus 4.7 is available now via Claude AI, the Claude API, and Anthropic partners such as Microsoft Foundry. The new model is priced the same as Claude Opus 4.6.

However, Anthropic noted that because "Opus 4.7 thinks more at higher effort levels," it uses more ouput tokens than its predecessor. Users can read more about how to optimize token usage in the Opus 4.7 migration guide.

How Claude Opus 4.7 improves over 4.6

As expected, Claude Opus 4.7 offers improved capabilities across the board.

In particular, Anthropic says Claude Opus 4.7 is better at advanced coding tasks, visual intelligence, and document analysis. Anthropic also says Opus 4.7 is "more tasteful and creative when completing professional tasks, producing higher-quality interfaces, slides, and docs."

"Users report being able to hand off their hardest coding work — the kind that previously needed close supervision — to Opus 4.7 with confidence. Opus 4.7 handles complex, long-running tasks with rigor and consistency, pays precise attention to instructions, and devises ways to verify its own outputs before reporting back," reads an Anthropic blog post.

Claude Opus 4.7: Benchmark performance

Anthropic released a detailed model card outlining how Claude Opus 4.7 compares to other Anthropic models and frontier models from OpenAI, Google, and xAI.

Opus 4.7 lags behind the unreleased Claude Mythos, which Anthropic reports scores significantly higher on common benchmarks such as Humanity's Last Exam. "Claude Opus 4.7 is less capable than Claude Mythos Preview on every relevant axis we measured and does not advance our capability frontier," the model card states." That means Claude Opus 4.7 is not evidence that AI development has accelerated beyond existing trend lines.

On Humanity's Last Exam (without tools), Anthropic reports that Claude Opus 4.7 outperforms all other frontier models except Claude Mythos.

• Claude Mythos scored 56.8 percent on HLE

• Claude Opus 4.7 scored 46.9 percent

• Gemini 3.1 Pro scored 44.4 percent

• GPT-5-4 Pro scored 42.7 percent

• Claude Opus 4.6 scored 40.0 percent

With tools, GPT-5-4-Pro scored 58.7 percent compared to Opus 4.7’s 54.7 percent. Mythos beat them both with 64.7 percent.

Mashable has not independently verified these benchmark results. Full results are available in the Opus 4.7 model card.

Credit: Anthropic

Overall, Anthropic scored Opus 4.7 above other leading models in some benchmarks, though Gemini 3.1 Pro and GPT-5-4 score higher in some areas.

Claude Opus 4.7: Safety and hallucinations

Anthropic also reports that Opus 4.7 shows a low risk of misaligned behaviors, with a similar risk profile as Opus 4.6.

For example, Anthropic says Opus 4.7 is less likely to hallucinate and shows lower rates of reward hacking.

"Claude Opus 4.7 is more reliably honest than Opus 4.6 or Sonnet 4.6, with large reductions in the rate of important omissions, and moderate improvements in factuality and rates of hallucinated input," the model card states.

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TikTok is in mourning over Gus Everett.

After news broke that Patrick Schwarzenegger had been cast opposite Phoebe Dynevor in the film adaptation of Emily Henry's Beach Read, readers immediately flooded TikTok with reactions ranging from confusion to outright despair. "#NotMyGus" became a common refrain on the app. Others seemed certain that the adaptation had already been ruined before filming even started.

Their main argument? The vibes are off. Sure, Schwarzenegger doesn't look like the literary sad boy Henry described in the book. But he also doesn't have the aura.

In Henry's novel, he is a literary novelist with dark hair, olive skin, and a slightly rumpled, brooding energy. He is handsome, but not in an obvious leading-man way. He feels worn down by life. His appeal comes from the tension between how emotionally closed-off he seems and how soft he actually is underneath it all.

Schwarzenegger, at least publicly, projects almost the exact opposite energy: polished, glossy, conventionally handsome, and impossible to separate from his nepo-baby image. Fans are not reacting because they think he is a bad actor. They are reacting because he does not really resemble the version of Gus that exists in the book.

That disconnect is especially striking because Gus is one of the defining romance heroes of the modern BookTok era. Readers have spent years fancasting actors like Paul Mescal, Logan Lerman, Joe Keery, and Dev Patel for the role, largely because they embody the melancholy energy people associate with Gus. Schwarzenegger, even after his acclaimed turn on The White Lotus, still feels more country club than tortured novelist.

Director Yulin Kuang has already defended the choice, saying she spent six months looking for Gus and ultimately prioritized chemistry with Dynevor over physical resemblance to the book version of the character. Kuang described Schwarzenegger as a "slow burn" choice and said there was "something electric" between the actors during chemistry reads.

That may be enough to win readers over when the film premieres. After all, styling can do a lot: darker hair, rumpled sweaters, bad posture, a little stubble.

But for now, the internet response says something bigger about how attached readers have become to the men they imagine while reading romance novels. By the time an adaptation is announced, fans are not just comparing the actor to the book; they're comparing him to the version of the character they have been carrying around in their heads for years.

In this modern era where seemingly every tech company is defined by its relationship with AI (or lack thereof), Allbirds has made perhaps the most 180-degree corporate pivot we've ever seen.

In case you're unfamiliar, Allbirds was a direct-to-consumer company that made wool sneakers popular among Silicon Valley types in the 2010s. Take note of the past tense, because the company announced in a statement this week that it is completely abandoning the shoe business to instead become an AI firm.

An unspecified investor has agreed to pony up $50 million to fund the brand's pivot to AI compute infrastructure; the money will go towards data center tech instead of shoe production.

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Allbirds has also changed its name to NewBird AI. In a company statement, it proclaimed that it would help facilitate access to AI hardware for clients.

"The rise of AI development and adoption has created unprecedented structural demand for specialized, high-performance compute that the market is struggling to meet...The result is a market where enterprises, AI developers, and research organizations are unable to secure the compute resources they need to build, train and run AI at scale.

NewBird AI is being built to help close that gap. The Company will initially seek to acquire high-performance, low-latency AI compute hardware and provide access under long-term lease arrangements, meeting customer demand that spot markets and hyperscalers are unable to reliably service."

It wasn't that long ago that Allbirds was riding high, and after a 2021 IPO, the company reached a peak valuation of over $4 billion. Amid the tech startup boom of the last 15-ish years, Allbirds Merino wool sneakers were commonplace in Bay Area tech offices. However, it's been a rough five years for the brand, and after failing to find a wider market, it was sold for pennies on the dollar to a brand management firm in March, according to the New York Times.

For what it's worth, NewBird AI stock rose 600 percent after the announcement, per the Times.

Still, it's highly unusual to see a clothing company completely drop the clothing part of its business in favor of buying up GPUs to lease to clients. Many companies, big and small, have pivoted towards AI in one way or another in recent years, with varying degrees of success.

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SAVE $25: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 with code SAVE4K, down from the list price of $39.99. That's a 63% discount.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select

$14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25

use code SAVE4K

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Amazon makes some of the best smart home devices, like the collection of Echo speakers, Echo earbuds, and the fancy new Amazon Ember TVs. But one of the retailer's best offerings is the Fire TV Stick. These are fantastic if your TV is older and takes forever to load apps, or if you'll be traveling. If you're in need of a new streaming stick, check out this epic deal.

As of April 16, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 with code SAVE4K, marked down from the normal price of $39.99. That's a 63% discount, taking $25 off.

Streaming with 4K HDR and connecting to high-speed WiFi, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a great way to improve a TV that struggles to load apps quickly. You'll whiz to the Fire TV homepage with all your apps neatly organized in one location.

Another benefit of using a Fire TV Stick is access to Alexa. The virtual assistant will be able to take you back to your favorite episode, pick up your YouTube video where you left off, or recommend shows that match your preferences.

The Fire TV Stick is simple to both install and use. Plug the stick into an HDMI port on your TV, attach the power cable, and plug it into the wall. Once you pair it with your TV and your home's internet, you'll be on your way to expedited streaming.

If you travel often, packing along a Fire TV stick means you won't have to log into your streaming accounts on a random hotel TV or at the Airbnb. Just use your Fire TV Stick, and everything will load in once connected to WiFi. Just set a reminder to unplug and pack the stick before you check out.

Don't forget to use the code SAVE4K during checkout to snag the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select for just $14.99. Since this code tends to disappear quickly, hop on this one today.

Google announced today that the Gemini Personal Intelligence feature is now available in Nano Banana 2, the company's popular AI image model.

Now, instead of uploading a photo, users can give Nano Banana access to their Google Photos library, which will allow Nano Banana to generate personalized images for users.

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"One of the biggest hurdles in AI image generation is finding the right prompt," reads a Google blog post. "Previously, to get a result that felt truly personal, you had to write long, detailed descriptions and manually upload a reference photo just to give Gemini the right context. Now, Personal Intelligence gives Gemini an inherent understanding of your preferences from the start."

Nano Banana is one of the web's leading AI image generators, and it's particularly good at editing photos. With Personal Intelligence, Nano Banana can reference your images and Labels to make photos based on you, your pets, or anything else in your library.

Google gives several examples of how this could be useful. For instance, instead of uploading an image of your family and writing a detailed prompt, you can simply tell Gemini to "Make a claymation image of my family." Google also suggests prompts such as "Design my dream house" and "Create a picture of my desert island essentials."

AI-GENERATED IMAGE Credit: Google

AI-GENERATED IMAGE Credit: Google

Users will need to organize and label their photos for the feature to work as intended, however.

Of course, before granting an AI tool like Gemini or Nano Banana access to your entire photo library, it's important to understand how your images will be used.

Google says that Gemini will not "directly" train its models on your photos; however, it will be able to train its models with the photos, prompts, and AI-generated images that appear in the Gemini app.

"The Gemini app does not directly train its models on your private Google Photos library," the blog post states. "We train on limited info, like specific prompts in Gemini and the model’s responses, to improve functionality over time. And connecting your Google apps to Gemini remains an opt-in experience that you can adjust in your settings at any time."

As ever, it's important to check the fine print before using a new feature like this. You can read more about training and privacy at the Google Gemini Privacy Hub.

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Someone call Lucy Dacus, because the last few episodes of The Pitt Season 2 have been all about the night shift.

As the Emergency Department's day shift staffers wound down and focused on completing their charts, the night shift came in to pick up their cases. That reconnected viewers with characters like Dr. Abbot (Shawn Hatosy), Dr. Ellis (Ayesha Harris), and Dr. Shen (Ken Kirby). It also introduced new characters like Dr. Henderson (Luke Tennie) and Dr. Toomarian (Sofia Hasmik), who fit right into The Pitt sprawling ensemble.

With all these new characters entering the fray, fans speculated about a night shift spin-off series or even having a night shift-centric Season 3. Adding fuel to that fire? The fact that Harris has been promoted to series regular in Season 3, meaning we'll be seeing a lot more of Dr. Ellis in the future.

While seeing more of the night shift in The Pitt is certainly in the realm of possibility, a full spin-off or a Season 3 night shift pivot seem unlikely at this time. Star and executive producer Noah Wyle shut down spin-off rumors at a Q&A during PaleyFest LA.

According to TheWrap, while The Pitt cast and creative team teased details of Season 3, an audience member called out "night shift," verbalizing viewers' desires to see more of that team going forward.

"You're getting just enough night shift," Wyle responded. "You don't want any more. You think you do, but you don't."

Based on that, it seems pretty clear that The Pitt is taking a "less is more" approach with the night shift. Perhaps Harris's promotion to series regular signifies that Dr. Ellis is moving to the day shift instead. After all, employee churn is a a huge part of life in the ED: Actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Mohan, will not be in Season 3.

At the PaleyFest Q&A, Wyle reportedly did reveal some key information about what to expect in Season 3: when the new shift would take place.

"It'll probably be in the fall, November," Wyle said, according to TheWrap. "Play with the cold weather, different cases."

The Pitt Season 2 is now streaming on HBO Max.

SAVE $24: Through April 30, new and returning Audible subscribers can get three months of the new Standard plan for just 99 cents per month. Usually $8.99 per month, that's a total of $24 in savings.

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Credit: Audible

Audible Standard

$0.99/month for 3 months (save $8/month)

Get Deal

I'm going to be honest here: I don't think Audible Standard is worth it at full price. The new plan, launched in March, costs $8.99 per month and lets you select one audiobook each month from the entire Audible collection. But unlike the Premium Plus plan, you can't keep those titles if you cancel your subscription. It's basically like you're just borrowing them instead — and for $8.99 each month, that hardly seems fair. That's why I think it's 100 percent worth snapping up the three-month deal the audiobook company is offering this month.

Through April 30, new and returning subscribers can get three months of the Audible Standard plan for only 99 cents per month. That's less than $3 total to "borrow" three premium audiobook titles from Audible's expansive catalog. I deem that a damn good deal.

Along with the premium titles, you'll also be able to enjoy unlimited listening to a curated library with Audible Originals and nearly 200 of the most popular titles previously available on Wondery+. So, technically, you'll get more than just three audiobooks for $3.

So, why pay 99 cents per month instead of using a free library-based audiobook app like Libby? Well, plain and simple, there are no wait times. The Audible Standard membership allows you to check out whatever premium title you want with no waiting involved. That means you can enjoy 2026 releases, BookTok favorites, and more whenever you want. Just remember, you need to finish listening before you cancel your subscription, or you'll lose access forever.

One of the biggest inconveniences when the power goes out is worrying about food spoiling in the refrigerator. A storm that knocks out power always seems to show up just a few days after doing a major fridge and freezer restock. We used to transfer items out of the fridge and into a cooler, but portable power stations made that a thing of the past. Bluetti, a leader in the portable power industry, has made things even easier.

Tucked neatly above the fridge, the Bluetti FridgePower will kick on automatically during an outage. Credit: Bluetti

The Bluetti FridgePower is the brand's latest portable station, aimed directly at keeping the refrigerator and freezer cooling when the power cuts out. Unlike the majority of portable power stations that have a rectangular shape, Bluetti built the FridgePower to be slim to easily sit atop your fridge. It's less than three inches in height and has anti-slip silicone feet for better stability.

According to Bluetti's calculations, the FridgePower's 2,016Wh battery capacity will keep a refrigerator powered on for nearly 22 hours if the appliance pulls about 2,000Wh per day. Instead of worrying about food going bad during an outage or strategizing opening the fridge for 10 seconds to grab the milk as quickly as possible, you'll have the reassurance your fridge will stay powered on for about a day.

Bluetti FridgePower spec breakdown

• Capacity: 2,016Wh

• Battery type: LiFePO4

• Continuous output: 1,800W

• Surge power: 3,600W

• UPS: under 10 milliseconds

• Weight: 43 pounds

• Dimensions: 22.83 in. × 13.78 in. × 2.95 in.

• Warranty: 5 years

Versatile design and major expansion ability

In addition to setting the FridgePower either directly on top of your fridge or in a cabinet above, you can also mount the unit vertically to a nearby wall. The FridgePower has built-in wall mounting brackets and it comes with a mounting kit. That means you can easily set it up on a wall near the fridge in the kitchen or in the garage to power up the extra fridge or chest freezer.

Credit: Bluetti

If the 2,016Wh capacity doesn't feel like enough, you can add up to three BlueCell 200 expansion batteries for a total of 8,064Wh. Each BlueCell 200 has identical dimensions to the FridgePower for perfect stacking ability.

Convenience of a dedicated fridge backup

I've tested dozens of power stations and one of the most useful scenarios for them is to keep the fridge cooling. Not only does that mean food doesn't spoil, it's essential for some households that have medical supplies that need to stay cold. The majority of the power stations I've tested are capable of running a refrigerator for various amounts of time, but adding the Bluetti FridgePower to your home takes it to a new level of convenience.

When my home's power went out for almost 24 hours in December, I plugged the refrigerator into a 2,000Wh power station and left it sitting on the kitchen floor. But when I needed to charge my phone with the portable power station, I was tethered to the kitchen floor since it was keeping the fridge cooling. The Bluetti FridgePower serving as a dedicated fridge backup frees up any other portable power station you have to use around the house for lights, the WiFi router, and recharging phones.

Wall mounting is ideal in the garage for a chest freezer or extra refrigerator.. Credit: Bluetti

Plentiful recharging options

With standard AC wall charging, the Bluetti FridgePower will take about an hour to go from 0 to 80% and about 105 minutes to reach a full charge. With a 1,000W solar panel, it'll take a bit over 120 minutes to reach full power. Bluetti also plans on launching the Alternator Charger 2 soon which will allow you to recharge the FridgePower with your car's alternator.

How to pre-order the Bluetti FridgePower

Bluetti is launching the FridgePower via Kickstarter with big discounts for pre-orders. Between April 16 and May 31, early orders save at least 42%. Bluetti expects shipments to begin in early June to make use of during summer storms and hurricane season.

Bluetti FridgePower preorder details:

---

Starter bundle

Bluetti FridgePower

$759 (save $540)

Pre-Order Here

---

Plus Bundle

Bluetti FridgePower + BlueCell 200

$1,398 (save $1,100)

Pre-Order Here

---

Pro Bundle

Bluetti FridgePower + two BlueCell 200

$2,097 (save $1,600)

Pre-Order Here

---

Max Bundle

Bluetti FridgePower + three BlueCell 200

$2,699 (save $2,197)

Pre-Order Here

Bluetti mentions these sale prices are super early bird offers. Once those sell out, prices will shift to normal early bird pricing. They're still good deals, just not quiet as attractive as the super early bird offers. A standalone FridgePower, for example, will shift from super early bird $759 to early bird $819.

If you live in an area that's prone to power outages and food spoilage is a major concern, the Bluetti FridgePower could be the perfect backup system. With these early bird sale prices taking at least $540 off, it's worth jumping on them asap.

Here's a PSA for everyone preparing to tune into The Pitt Season 2 finale tonight: Make sure you keep watching through the episode's credits.

The finale features the show's first mid-credits sequence, in which Nick Fury approaches Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) about putting together a team of elite TV doctors.

I'm totally kidding — about the Nick Fury part, anyway. The Pitt's mid-credits scene is very real, and it's certainly worth sticking around for. No spoilers for what the scene actually entails, but I will say it's less of an MCU-style teaser of what's to come in Season 3, and more of a cathartic button to Season 2. And after 15 hours of trauma cases and tense staff drama, you're going to want all the catharsis you can get.

That being said, if you want a teaser for Season 3, you're in luck. At PaleyFest LA, Wyle and The Pitt creator R. Scott Gemmill revealed key elements about what's next for the series, including when it would take place.

"It will be pre-Thanksgiving, moving into colder weather," Wyle told USA Today at PaleyFest. "The holidays are approaching. The weather's changing. People are turning on their heaters for the first time."

Wyle added the next season would be "explosive," which won't do anything to soothe my worries about The Pitt's staff's mental well-being. But in the meantime, the Season 2 mid-credits scene offers a sweet balm for that anxiety.

The Pitt Season 2 finale premieres Apr. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

SAVE $625: College students can score one year of Microsoft 365 Premium, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and a Xbox Wireless Controller totally free with the purchase of a Windows 11 laptop.

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Credit: Microsoft

Windows 11 Ultimate College Bundle

 

Shop Now

With the arrival of Apple's MacBook Neo, college students can rejoice in an affordable, colorful laptop. Now, Microsoft is rushing to make their laptops a little more enticing to the college crowd.

They're doing a pretty good job with the ultimate college bundle. With the purchase of a new Windows 11 laptop, students score one year of Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, plus a free Xbox wireless controller. That's $624.86 worth of product that students get completely free.

Microsoft 365 Premium is usually $199.99 for a one-year subscription, and includes access to all the essential Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also features cloud storage and advanced security to keep your papers organized and safe. But college shouldn't be all work and no play.

For some well-earned downtime, one year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is included too. That's access to over 500 games on Xbox consoles and PCs. Not to mention, you'll receive a free wireless Xbox controller for all your gaming needs.

To get the bundle, all you need to do is shop a qualifying Windows 11 laptop, which are available at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and Microsoft. Qualifying devices include the Microsoft Surface and Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 laptops.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Surface, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,499.99 at Microsoft

 

Get Deal

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Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1, 16-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD)

$1,049.99 at Best Buy

 

Get Deal

How to redeem ultimate college bundle

Once you purchase your laptop, you'll have to redeem your offer. After setting up the device, an on-screen notification will pop up asking students to verify their student status. This requires a .edu college email address.

After your student status is verified, students will receive an email to redeem their Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft 365 Premium subscriptions. Additionally, they'll receive a unique promo code to redeem a custom controller within three days of verifying their student status.

YouTube is letting users turn off the brain rot faucet on its mobile app.

The internet's home for all things video started rolling out a new setting in its iOS and Android apps that allows users to set a very strict daily limit for scrolling through the Shorts feed, per The Verge.

Specifically, you can now set it to zero minutes, effectively eliminating the Shorts feed as a viable part of the app. You'll still be able to see individual Shorts on a user's account page, but tapping on the Shorts tab at the bottom of the screen will instantly put up a message saying you've reached your limit for the day, disallowing you from watching Shorts there at all.

There it is. Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

YouTube originally rolled out a Shorts feed time limit feature a few months ago, but prior to this new rollout, the shortest limit was 15 minutes. After scrolling for whatever amount of time you set, the app would stop you from watching Shorts for the rest of that day. That option is still available, both for adult users to set for themselves and for parents to set for their kids, but it now exists alongside the zero minutes option.

Shorts have been successful for YouTube over the past few years as a TikTok competitor (or just a place where videos that originated on TikTok also show up), but it's also undeniably become a source of endless scrolling through AI and brain rot content for many people. Giving users the power to turn off the spigot for themselves is probably necessary.

SAVE $80: As of April 16, you can get the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo for only $368.99 at Amazon. That's an 18% discount and matches its best price on record.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo

$368.99 at Amazon
$449 Save $80.01

 

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GoPro has long been the gold standard when it comes to action cameras, but the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro gives popular GoPro models a run for their money. It's tough, waterproof, and compact, can capture stable, crisp video in any lighting scenario, and actually last more than an hour. Plus, it's on sale for its lowest price on record.

As of April 16, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo (which comes with three batteries and a battery case) is on sale for $368.99 at Amazon. That's 18% or $80 cheaper than its list price and matches its best price ever, according to our favorite price-tracking tool camelcamelcamel.

Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro and not only loved it, but also named it the best overall action camera for 2026. Highlights include superb 4K120 video footage, a waterproof build up to 65.6 feet, a compact and easily mountable design, effective digital stabilization, and the ability to record continuously without overheating.

What really takes it over the top compared to other action cameras, however, is its market-leading battery life. "The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro provides the longest battery life we've seen from any action camera yet, running for far longer between charges than earlier entries in the series and bettering recent GoPro cameras by quite a bit," PCMag's reviewer writes. It'll last you over two hours at 4K60 and over three at 1080p30. Not to mention, with the Adventure Combo pack, you'll get three times that amount — an adventurer's and content creator's dream.

The artificial intelligence entertainment platform Character.AI introduced on Thursday a feature allowing users to role-play in more than 20 classic books, including Hamlet, Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby.

"Books" lets Character.AI users engage in open-ended chats based on these and other famous titles in the public domain. Users can participate as a character from the book or as the "character" they've created on the platform.

Users can either follow the book's original narrative arc or go "off script" to interact with its characters as they wish. Additionally, Books offers "alternate universe remixes" in which players can overhaul a title's original premise, such as imagining Jay Gatsby in space. These remixes can be shared with the broader Character.AI community and subsequently browsed and played by other users.

In a blog post announcing the feature, Character.AI preemptively addressed the concern that it might encourage people to play classic literature rather than actually read it.

"Step into a story, talk to its characters, and there's a good chance you walk away wanting to pick up the original," the company said. "Not replacing books — but making them impossible to ignore."

Books lets users engage in open-ended chat with classic books like "Alice in Wonderland." Credit: Character.AI

Users without a paid subscription can try Books with a "handful of free turns," according to the company. Subscribers are able to explore the entire Books library.

Books will be available to users age 18 and older. Last fall, Character.AI shut down open-ended chats for teens, following lawsuits alleging that teens who used the platform experienced severe harm, including sexual abuse. The company settled the lawsuits earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Character.AI confirmed to Mashable that while users can prompt "romantic narratives" in Books, the company will moderate content that violate its terms of service, in addition to reviewing user reports of such behavior.

Character.AI policies prohibit certain types of behavior, including the depiction of excessive, graphic violence against people and animals; hate speech that demeans or promotes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, and other characteristics; and content that promotes terrorism or violent extremism.

The policies also bar content that is obscene or pornographic, constitutes sexual harassment, and depicts the sexual exploitation or abuse of a minor.

"As with all of our content, [Books] interactions remain subject to our policies and our safety systems, including both automated and human review," the spokesperson said.

Street Fighter's trailer unleashes the whole crew of elite warriors from Capcom's iconic video game franchise.

Set in 1993 and directed by Kitao Sakurai, the upcoming action film focuses on Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo). Once good friends, the pair have since become estranged. That all changes when Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament, a high-stakes series of fights that masks a deadly conspiracy.

As Street Fighter's trio battles to uncover the truth, they'll face off with some of Street Fighter's most formidable foes, including M. Bison (David Dastmalchian), Balrog (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson), and Akuma (Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i).

The trailer showcases these fighters and more in all their aggressive glory, including some body slams from Zangief (Olivier Richters) and some elastic moves from Dhalsim (Vidyut Jammwal). Plus, there are several in-jokes for Street Fighter fans, like a remark tied to Chun-Li's impressive thigh strength.

And of course, it wouldn't be Street Fighter without a Hadouken, which Ryu unleashes in full towards the end of the trailer. To witness that (and several other awesome attacks), check out the full video above.

Street Fighter hits theaters Oct. 16.

Evil Dead Rise director Lee Cronin brings his trademarks of creepy kids and wild gore to Lee Cronin's The Mummy, with mixed results.

On the one hand, the gore, when it comes, is spectacular. On the other hand, it's sandwiched within an underwhelming storyline that never truly lets loose.

What's Lee Cronin's The Mummy about?

Natalie Grace in "Lee Cronin's The Mummy." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cronin's take on a mummy story has no prior relationship to other mummy-related films, be that the 1932 Universal Monsters film, the Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz franchise (which has a fourth installment incoming), or the 2017 Tom Cruise flop.

Instead, it introduces an entirely new mummy tale focused on a bereaved family. Charlie and Larissa Cannon (Jack Reynor and Laia Costa) were once stationed in Cairo for Charlie's journalism job. While there, their daughter Katie (Emily Mitchell) went missing, kidnapped by a mysterious woman (Hayat Kamille) who lurked near their garden.

Eight years later, the Cannons have traded the deserts of Egypt for those of Albuquerque, where they live with their children Sebastián (Shylo Molina) and Maud (Billie Roy), as well as Larissa's mother Carmen (Verónica Falcón). Their grief over Katie lingers still. They keep her childhood bedroom intact, preserved in all its pink glory. They also haven't taken a vacation since her disappearance, too afraid of anything bad happening to their other children.

However, the Cannons get some miraculous news when Katie (now played by Natalie Grace) shows up alive, having been found in an ancient sarcophagus. It's evident she's undergone a heavy amount of trauma in her time away: Her skin is scratched and peeling, her limbs are contorted in a strange rictus, and she's only able to communicate through a series of clicking teeth and wheezing breaths.

Confronted with their daughter's deteriorated physical condition, Charlie and Larissa are ready to do whatever it takes to help Katie feel safe again. Perhaps that's why they're willing to overlook the several perturbing things Katie does, from cavorting through their house's crawl space to straight-up headbutting Carmen. It's textbook possession, but Charlie and Larissa's love for their daughter and relief at having her back cloud any fear they may have of her... up to a certain point. However, that point comes far too late in Lee Cronin's The Mummy's punishing 135-minute runtime, making the pair seem less like concerned parents and more like classic horror movie idiots who make every bad decision until the movie tells them not to.

Again, the bereavement does give Charlie and Larissa some excuse here. Cronin, who also wrote the film, does a solid job exploring their guilt at Katie's disappearance, as well as their efforts to establish normalcy even as a supernatural evil wreaks havoc on their house. Yet after a while, their willful ignorance becomes almost comical.

Lee Cronin's The Mummy is as frustrating as it is gory.

Billie Roy in "Lee Cronin's The Mummy." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Despite being presented as a reimagining of The Mummy, Lee Cronin's The Mummy is frustratingly formulaic. It draws heavily on creepy child tropes, including some Exorcist-level backbends and cursing, twisting them slightly to incorporate some mummy lore. Scenes where skin sloughs off like mummy's bandages are relentlessly stomach-churning, but other than that, we've seen this bag of tricks before.

The same goes for classic beats of mummy stories, including a trip to an archaeology professor who's able to unlock most aspects of the film's central mystery. Far more fascinating is what's taking place on the ground in Egypt after Katie goes home. There, Detective Zaki (May Calamawy) revisits Katie's missing persons case, hoping to solve a mystery that she first began looking into eight years ago. Her journey leads to some genuinely tense sequences, to the point that you wish this was more of a detective thriller than an Exorcist rehash.

Lee Cronin's The Mummy's saving grace — and the reason it will likely appeal to many — is its gore, which pulls no punches. Every tear of Katie's skin or bloody gnash of her teeth is a visceral nightmare, and Grace is wonderfully unsettling as the latest creepy kid in Cronin's arsenal.

Yet all this gore rarely leads anywhere. Even after the most upsetting set pieces (one involving nail clippers comes to mind), everything resets to mild concern. A family gathering unleashes some serious nastiness involving teeth and vomit and shredded flesh, ushering in carnage that... never comes. Instead, we cut to a restrained Katie, with no idea of the broader impact of her rampage. To the person in my theater who let out a bewildered, "That's it?" after that scene, I'm right there with you.

That scene feels like a promise unfulfilled, as does the rest of the film. Lee Cronin's The Mummy ultimately doesn't feel as much like a bold new horror saga as it does a hodgepodge of better films. Maybe some horror franchises, like a cursed sarcophagus, are meant to stay buried.

Lee Cronin's The Mummy hits theaters Apr. 17.

SAVE 30%: As of April 16, you can get the DJI Mini 4K for $209, down from $299, at Amazon. That's a 30% discount or $90 savings.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mini 4K

$209 at Amazon
$299 Save $90

 

Get Deal

My dad and my cousin are obsessed with drones, so I've spent enough time watching them fly to know two things: the really good ones are usually very expensive, and they're easy to crash if you don't know what you're doing (and sometimes, even if you do!).

If you've been wanting to get into the hobby without the steep learning curve (or the high price tag), this DJI model is a great place to start. Right now, the DJI Mini 4K is on sale for its best-ever price of $209 at Amazon. That's $90 off the list price.

Despite its tiny size, this drone has the practical features you need to get in the air quickly. It has a 4K Ultra HD camera paired with a 3-axis gimbal to keep your footage smooth and cinematic. Because it weighs under 249 grams, you don't have to worry about FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational use. It also has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, Level 5 wind resistance (stable in winds up to 38kph), and a 10km video transmission range.

If you're worried about flying it into a tree or the ocean, it features one-tap takeoff and landing, stable hovering, and a GPS Return to Home (RTH) function, so you don't have to panic if you lose it. It even comes with intelligent QuickShots modes that automatically fly the drone in cinematic patterns to get you professional-looking shots with just a few taps (which could be good if you're a real estate agent or photographer!).

SAVE OVER $80: As of April 16, Sony WH-CH720N headphones have dropped to $92.95 at Amazon. This is $87.04 off their list price of $179.99.

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Credit: Sony

Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones

$92.95 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $87.04

 

Get Deal

New headphones can be quite a big investment, but if you're looking for a pair that's a bit more budget-friendly, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are something we love that shouldn't cost the world. They've earned a spot on our list of the best headphones as the best pick under $100, which is perfect as Amazon currently has them on sale for just under that mark right now.

As of April 16, Sony WH-CH720N headphones are marked down to $92.95 at Amazon. Overall, this saves you $87.04 off their list price of $179.99. The good news is the black pair aren't the only ones on sale right now, either. For a few extra dollars, you can grab the white or pink pair on sale for $98.

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are well worth the investment. Between great sound quality, noise-canceling features, and a solid battery life that lasts up to 35 hours, they're an excellent pick-up for under $100. Our review of these headphones from Alex Bracetti had plenty of praise for them, saying "they strike the rare balance of quality, comfort, and affordability."

Bracetti said that "Audio was exactly how I remembered it during my first test run: crisp and vibrant." And as for the noise cancellation, Bracetti found that "it suppresses a heavy amount of ambient noise."

If the Sony WH-CH720N headphones have caught your eye, don't miss out on the chance to save at Amazon.

SAVE $70: As of April 16, the Bose SoundLink Max is on sale for $329 at Amazon. This is $70 off its list price of $399.

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Credit: Bose

Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker

$329 at Amazon
$399 Save $70

 

Get Deal

A portable speaker is well worth having if you're planning some outdoor excursions this year, whether that be camping, going to the beach, or just generally hanging outside with your favorite people. If you've been looking to buy a model to play your favorite tunes outside, Amazon has some great options on sale right now, including the Bose SoundLink Max.

As of April 16, every available color of the Bose SoundLink Max — black, blue dusk, and citrus yellow — has been marked down to $329 at Amazon. Overall, this saves you $70 off its original list price of $399. It's only on sale for a limited time, so be quick to grab your favorite color while it's still discounted.

The Bose SoundLink Max offers big sound and an equally big battery life of up to 20 hours to keep the party going. It also has a durable build that's dustproof, waterproof, shock resistant, and rust resistant, and offers a convenient portable design thanks to its handle.

Amazon currently has the Bose SoundLink Max listed as a limited time deal, so better to take advantage of this offer now than wait too long and miss out.

Looking for more portable speaker options to pick up this year? Check out our rundown of the best portable Bluetooth speakers to see more picks we'd recommend.

Mac owner? Need even more AI in your life? We've got great news for you: Google's AI assistant Gemini is now available as a dedicated Mac app.

If you choose to install the app, it will be available via a keyboard shortcut (Option + Space), which can be handier than opening the Gemini website. But there are other perks to having Gemini living on your desktop. For example, you can share what's on your screen with Gemini, and have it look at your local files.

To do so, you'll have to give the app access to your Mac's screen and audio in the Settings. You may want to revoke that access when you're not using the feature, for privacy and security's sake.

Gemini can now look at your screen, if you let it. Credit: Google

Google's Gemini is a bit late to the party, with both Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT having a dedicated Mac app already. The company says that this launch is "just the beginning."

"We're building the foundation for a truly personal, proactive and powerful desktop assistant, with more news to share in the coming months," said Google in a blog post.

The app is freely available to all macOS users, provided you have macOS version 15 and up. You can download it over at http://gemini.google/mac.

TL:DR: Target is celebrating 30 years of Pokémon with an exclusive collection for fans of every generation. The collection features more than 100 items coming in two drops (May 2 and June 6) — check it out here.

Do you have a binder full of holographic Charizards gathering dust in the attic? Or are you a new collector chasing rare pulls and limited-edition items? Either way, Target is the place to be for all types of Pokémon fans in the coming weeks.

To celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, Target has announced an exclusive collection featuring over 100 items. This has been created in partnership with Pokémon superfans like Joe Jonas, SuperDuperDani, Sydeon, PhillyBeatzU, Stephosaurawr and Aspen, and Noah Dankocsik and Lori Haynes.

This is a full-scale takeover spanning apparel, home goods, and collectible merchandise. Here's a snapshot of what's included in this collection:

• A first-of-its-kind retro jacket featuring the OG trio (Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle)

• Nostalgic collabs with legacy brands like Mead (maker of Trapper Keeper), Caboodles, Lip Smacker, and Starter

• A 151-piece puzzle inspired by the original Kanto 151 region

• A "Jigglypuff-scented" fragrance mist (whatever that smells like)

• Water-type Pokémon water bottles

• Butterfree-shaped hair clips 

Almost half of the assortment is priced under $20, with items starting at just $3.50. The collection is already available on Target’s website, where you can sort by product category or Pokémon type.

Credit: Target

Target is splitting the release into two waves to keep the hype going. Target's Pokémon adventure officially begins on May 2 in stores and online from May 3 with about 65 items launching, followed by a second drop on June 6 with about 40 additional items going live.

Given how quickly Pokémon merch usually moves, we recommend signing up for a Target Circle account now so you can check out faster when the online drop hits.

Josh Johnson sat down with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday for his first Late Show interview, and it was a delightful chat between late night show hosts.

The Daily Show host spoke to Colbert about the pressure of being the latest addition to the lineup alongside Jon Stewart, Ronny Chieng, Desi Lydic, Jordan Klepper, and Michael Kosta, with a perfect analogy.

"When it comes to hosting, it's so fun, and everyone is so supportive, but it is intimidating," Johnson said. "You look at something like Daily Show, and it feels like you are borrowing your friend's car to drive. You just want to give the keys back and be able to smile at them, like, the car is just like you left it. There's no blood on the front grill or anything. I didn't hit anything. I didn't ruin it. I didn't total it."

Come for the Daily Show chat and Johnson's announcement of his new HBO comedy special Symphony (out May 22), stay for his story about brass knuckles, TSA, and toe separators.

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

UPDATE: Apr. 16, 2026, 11:40 a.m. UTC Bluesky appears to be working again, both on the app and web, though we're still seeing loading issues.

UPDATE: Apr. 16, 2026, 2:28 p.m. UTC Bluesky is operational again, according to the company's status page. Bluesky told Mashable via email, "We are experiencing some service interruptions and our team is working on the issue."

Bluesky went down on Thursday, with users reporting issues with the social media platform.

Often seen as the alternative to Elon Musk's X, Bluesky was not working as usual in the early hours, with Downdetector identifying a thousand-strong spike in reported issues with the app and site around 6:30 a.m. ET. (Disclosure: DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by the same company, Ziff Davis.)

Credit: Downdetector

At 6:42 a.m., Bluesky's own service status page reported acknowledgment of the issue, saying it was "investigating an incident" and confirming "some systems down."

"We are starting to see some early recovery, but many users and services are still impacted," a post read.

Credit: Bluesky

At the time of first publishing, Mashable could not access the site properly, and we reached out to Bluesky for further information.

"We are experiencing some service interruptions and our team is working on the issue," a Bluesky rep told Mashable via email. "You can find the latest updates at status.bsky.app or the Bluesky Server Status account."

A few hours later, Bluesky's status page reported that the site was fully operational, though did not detail the issue that affected it.

It's Tax Day in the U.S. and those super-charged tax refunds promised by Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" are on the way, right? Well...

As Stephen Colbert pointed out during The Late Show on Wednesday night, while the average individual tax refund will indeed be $748 higher this year due to the Republican-backed bill, the average U.S. household could pay $740 more for gasoline, thanks to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran. So, what's the difference?

"Let's see... that is...eight bucks. That's eight bucks. So congratulations, everybody," Colbert said. "Eight bucks doesn't sound like much, but may I remind you that'll get you eight lotto tickets, which also happens to be Trump's health care plan."

Colbert noted one person who's seemingly not concerned with oil prices and inflation, Trump's Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett, who told CNBC on Tuesday, "Imagine if oil prices start going back down, because the situation resolves itself somehow, that you could be looking at an inflation close to zero."

"Yes, the situation might resolve itself somehow," responded Colbert, in full sarcasm mode. "Until then, all America has to do is use their imagination. My friends, imagine a car made of liquorice somehow, and it somehow runs on dreams, and somehow your best friend is a musical dog and Kevin Hassett isn't an idiot, somehow."

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

It's only been a few days since Donald Trump received criticism for attacking the Pope online and then sharing a now-deleted AI image of himself as Jesus a "doctor", but it appears the president is doubling down.

"Our Darth Vader president is lashing out at the Pope again," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above. "This is how he operates: he does something dumb, everyone around him tries to clean it up for him, and then he just does it again. He's mad at the Pope for being against war and lashed out last night just before midnight, which is not helping his 'I'm not the Antichrist campaign.'"

Kimmel goes on to show another AI image Trump posted on Truth Social, this time featuring himself standing next to Jesus in apparent harmony.

"He posted this image of Jesus quietly begging him to stop," says Kimmel. "Check out the chin and cheekbones. Somebody's been looksmaxxing."

TL;DR: As of April 16, you can get the LG 43-inch Class UA77 Series for free when you buy the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series at Best Buy.

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Credit: LG

LG 77-Inch Class B5 Series OLED TV

$1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00

Get the LG 43-inch Class UA77 Series TV for free with purchase

Get Deal

If you're shopping around for multiple TVs to kit out your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, Best Buy has a stellar deal right now that will see you get an impressive TV for free. Yes, really.

As of April 16, if you buy the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series TV, you'll get the 43-inch Class UA77 Series totally for free. But that's not all. You don't even need to pay full price for the B5 Series, because it's currently half off. For a limited time, the price is down from $2,999.99 to $1,499.99. So already you've saved $1,500 before you consider the TV thrown in for free.

The LG 77-inch Class B5 Series TV offers native 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and a filmmaker mode for a more cinematic experience. It's powered by the α8 AI Processor, which automatically optimizes picture and audio based on what you're watching. And for gamers, it includes NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, VRR, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, along with LG Game Optimizer and Game Dashboard.

You can add $249.99 to your savings, because that's the list price for the UA77 Series that you're getting for free. That's a total saving of $1,749.99 when everything is added up.

Anything is good when it's free, but this TV shines at full price. It's a 4K TV with webOS 25, so you'll get smooth browsing, personalized recommendations, and access to over 300 free LG Channels. And just like the B5 Series, gamers are catered for thanks to the LG Game Optimizer.

Head to Best Buy to snag this BOGO deal.

TL;DR: Amazon has the LG 45-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor on sale for $1,547.52, which knocks $452.47 off its $1,999.99 list price. That’s a 23% discount on a huge 5K2K OLED display with a dramatic 800R curve, dual-mode refresh rates up to 330Hz, and a near-instant 0.03ms response time.

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Credit: LG

LG OLED 45-inch Curved UltraGear Gaming Monitor

$1,547.52 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $452.47

Get Deal

OLEDs are some of the most expensive screens you can buy, both for gaming monitors and TVs. And even more so when you look at curved models. However, the latest bargain from LG on one of its UltraGear units should help take the sting away from your upgrade.

As of April 16, the LG 45-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor is listed for $1,547.52 at Amazon, down from $1,999.99. That saves you $452.47 on a monitor that feels built for gamers who want their setup to look as stellar as the games they’re playing.

With its 45-inch curved OLED panel, 21:9 aspect ratio, and a 5K2K WUHD resolution of 5120 x 2160, this LG monitor gives you a lot more room to work with than a standard gaming display. LG also says the aggressive 800R curve is designed to pull more of your peripheral vision into the action, which makes this a particularly tempting pick for the latest sprawling RPGs like Crimson Desert, and other single-player releases that are on a more cinematic scale — such as Pragmata and Saros.

What’s more, LG’s Dual Mode lets you switch between 5K2K at up to 165Hz for sharper, more detailed visuals, or Wide Full HD at up to 330Hz when you want something even faster and more responsive for competitive matches.

When combined with its 0.03ms response time, NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, you’re not only all set for buttery smooth visuals with quick-moving racing games like Forza Horizon 5, but also fast-paced shooters like Fortnite and Marathon.

For those who are open to a smaller model, LG’s 27-inch Ultragear gaming monitor is only $749.99. Elsewhere, Samsung’s 40-inch Odyssey G7 is now just under $700. 

SAVE $60: As of April 16, the Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE) has been marked down to $389.99 at Amazon. This is $60 off its list price of $449.99.

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm)

$389.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $60

 

Get Deal

Have you considered investing in a smartwatch to help keep track of your workout or health goals? Amazon has a few deals worth checking out right now. Among them is the Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE), our favorite Android smartwatch, which is $60 off right now.

This deal has dropped this Pixel Watch 4's price from $449.99 to $389.99. What's even better is every available color is on sale at this price, so you can pick out your favorite from the range.

The Pixel Watch 4 boasts a wide variety of health and fitness features, including over 40 exercise modes, a high-precision dual-frequency GPS, heart rate tracking, and sleep tracking, just to name a few. Mashable's Christianna Silva called it a "true runners' watch" in her review, also mentioning that it's "faster, brighter, and more customizable than ever."

On top of all that, the Pixel Watch 4 has a solid battery life. Silva noted in her review that it, "charges 25 percent faster than the Google Pixel Watch 3" and that, "The Google Pixel Watch 4 has up to 48 hours of battery life on the 41mm or 72 hours on the 45mm in Battery Saver Mode."

Keep in mind that this deal on the Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE) is currently marked as a limited-time offer at Amazon. So if you're hoping to grab it at this price, act fast before it's gone.

SAVE OVER $80: As of April 16, the Bluetti Elite 10 Mini is on sale for $112.98 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Bluetti

Bluetti Elite 10 Mini

$112.98 at Amazon
$199 Save $86.02

 

Get Deal

A reliable power backup source doesn't need to break the bank, especially when you don't need a unit to power a whole home for days.

If you're looking for something to keep your main devices going, you need the Bluetti Elite 10 Mini. And as of April 16, it's on sale at Amazon. Right now you can take home this model for just $112.98, saving you over $80. This price is for the gray model, but for one cent more you can opt for the meadow green color.

This power station is designed to be a step up from a power bank. It has enough capacity to power small devices like laptops, drones, and cameras while on the move, so it's a great choice if you have lots of personal devices. It includes a 200W AC outlet, 100W USB-C fast charging, and multiple DC ports, so it's handy for camping, travel, or even emergency use. And despite its powerful output, it's light enough to carry around (just 4.0 lbs).

For charging, it has multiple methods of powering, including 150W AC charging that reaches full power in around 70 minutes, 100W solar input for off-grid use (solar panels are sold separately), and car charging via a 12V outlet.

You can find this limited-time Bluetti deal at Amazon.

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 Thursday, April 16, 2026:

Across

Bow ties and ribbons that you can't wear?

• The answer is Pasta.

Opposite of lower

• The answer is Upper.

Flappable origami creation

• The answer is Crane.

Where the Hangul alphabet is used

• The answer is Korea.

Apparatus under a trapeze

• The answer is Net.

Down

Disc dropped on center ice

• The answer is Puck.

One might read "Kiss the Chef"

• The answer is Apron.

Unlikely outcome after a 7-10 split

• The answer is Spare.

Fundamental belief

• The answer is Tenet.

Bay ___ (part of California)

• The answer is Area.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

SAVE OVER $1,000: As of April 16, the Anker Solix F2000 is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 55% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Anker

Anker Solix F2000

$899.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $1,099.01

 

Get Deal

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a reliable portable power station for home backup, travel, or camping, there are plenty of great deals at Amazon right now, including this latest offer on the Anker Solix F2000.

As of April 16, this powerhouse of a unit is reduced by over $1,000, bringing the price down from $1,999 to $899.99. That's more than half off. This deal is for the unit alone, however there are upgrade options to add solar panels or expansion batteries.

This is a high-capacity portable power station designed for long-term use. It delivers 2400W of output with a wide range of ports, including AC outlets, USB-C and USB-A ports, car sockets, and an RV port. It can even keep a fridge running for up to 32 hours.

It supports fast recharging, reaching around 80% in about 1.4 hours, and has the ability to handle higher-wattage devices up to 3,600W using its SurgePad feature. And thanks to Anker’s InfiniPower technology, this unit has a lifespan of up to 10 years, so you'll truly get your money's worth.

You can find this portable power station deal at Amazon.

SAVE $350: As of April 16, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $449 at Amazon. That's a 44% discount off the list price.

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Credit: Jackery

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2

$449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350

 

Get Deal

The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is back on sale at Amazon, and if you've been looking for a reliable portable power station to see you through power outages, this is the ideal unit. And as of April 16, there's currently $350 off the list price, bringing the cost down to $449. This price is for the unit only, however there are various upgrade options also on sale. You can add solar panels, charging cables, or carrying bags for less right now.

With 1,500W of AC power (3,000W surge) and a 1,070Wh capacity, this power station is ideal for running all types of appliances, from fridges to keeping your phone charged.

Despite being so powerful, it doesn't need long to charge up. It actually supports fast charging, reaching full battery in around one hour with the Jackery app’s emergency mode, or 1.7 hours when charged normally. And this battery will last. It has an LFP battery that's rated for over 4,000 charge cycles. This worsk out to around 10 years of use.

For your devices, you'll get multiple ports you can use at the same time, including USB-C, USB-A, DC car output, and three AC outlets. And it's a great unit for taking with you on the go, weighing just 23.8 lbs and including a foldable handle, making it ideal for camping or road trips.

Get this Jackery power station deal at Amazon now.

As a society, we're down to spend money on a nice new living room TV every so often. But smaller spaces like the kitchen or a bedroom seem to have been dubbed undeserving of a TV upgrade — even if the current TV is crappy, or even if we spend a lot of time in that room. To be fair, there weren't many exciting options to choose from. I don't know how the stylish budget-friendly small TV market went so untapped for so long, but Hisense was genius for throwing the S5 Déco QLED TV into the mix.

What's special about the Hisense Déco TV

The Hisense Déco TV is a 32-inch QLED TV with a chic white "art-inspired design." That's not to be confused with matte art TVs that lie flat against the wall like framed art. So while the Hisense Déco isn't a direct dupe for The Frame or the Hisense CanvasTV, it still speaks to the style-conscious part of your brain that cares about the cohesiveness of a space. Why settle for a blatantly techy TV if your bedroom's decor calls for something more whimsical?

The case for an aesthetically pleasing bedroom TV

I've been carefully curating my bedroom's ambiance for years, as most of us do. There are few places more comforting than the personal cave we've designed for ourselves, few activities that sound better than watching something cozy in bed. Doesn't it just make sense for the TV to mesh with the rest of your decor?

The Hisense Déco TV matches my room's color scheme and level of whimsy. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Outside of expensive art TVs with swappable frames, I don't think I had ever seen a TV that strays from the standard black design. Apparently, neither had all of the people who flooded my DMs when I posted the above photo on my Instagram Story.

"What is this?!", "I've literally never seen a white TV before omg", "I'm scared to know how much this costs but I need it", and "This pic is literally so chic omg" were just a few of the replies. You get the point: There was clearly a need for a classy little decor-centric TV that doesn't cost $600, like the smallest Frame TV.

The display flows right into the central stand, so you don't need to screw on legs. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The remote is your average Fire TV remote. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

My current dresser was my mom's when she was a teenager in the '70s. It's an eggshell color with swirly gold handles, topped with various trinkets like antique jewelry boxes, perfume, a skeleton hand from Michaels' Halloween section that I use as a ring holder... the classics. I always thought that the arrangement was way too elegant for the old black plasticky TV that also lived there. (The mismatch would probably be less obvious if I mounted the TV on the wall instead, but I ain't doing all that.) The Hisense Déco is the seamless addition that I had unknowingly been waiting for.

Instead of standing on two stubby legs, the Déco's curved white bezels flow directly into the base of the TV. The sculptural one-piece build feels avant-garde for TV standards, but also means that no assembly is required.

Picture quality is actually quite sharp for non-4K

The Hisense Déco's screen has some serious pop, especially compared to a dull LED screen. The Déco's full HD resolution isn't as granular as the 4K you'll see on 90 percent of TVs, but I don't think the average $200 32-inch TV buyer will be that picky about upscaling. Shadows aren't pixelated like they were on my old TV, and there's no overall fuzziness. I was thoroughly impressed by the sharpness of subtitles, despite the letters being so small.

A coral reef wouldn't be nearly this colorful on my old TV. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The layer of quantum dots picks up a lot of the slack from the lack of 4K. While LED vs. QLED and FHD vs. 4K are talking about two different TV specs (light and resolution, respectively), the range of a QLED TV's color palette does create a crispier image than an LED TV. These tiny nanocrystals can emit over a billion different colors, deepening black levels and brightening light tones to create a more contrasted picture. The colors on the Hisense Déco are legitimately stunning. They were even rich enough to hold their own against the color-changing bulbs in my nightstand, which are the only lights on in my room at night.

I struggle to wind down at night as it is, so I typically don't watch anything that I actually need to pay attention to before bed. If I absolutely need some background noise, Planet Earth or Our Planet for the 40th time it is. The Déco really did the habitats on these shows justice. Between spot-on color accuracy and vibrant hues across the board, it's quite the immersive experience for such a little TV.

Bright objects in dark scenes do sometimes have a glow around them. The Déco's screen uses a direct backlight rather than full-array local dimming, so it doesn't benefit from little clusters of bulbs that turn off to reduce the halo effect. But the casual watcher probably won't even notice — a TV this small isn't meant to have the picture quality of an advanced home theater TV.

I hate when movies show the demon. Anyway, the dark scenes in "Rosario" looked awesome. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Déco didn't muddy the overnight recordings from "Paranormal Activity 3" at all. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The occasional blooming didn't affect my weekend horror movie watching, at least. In my time with the Déco TV so far, I crossed Hallow Road and Rosario off my list and threw in a comfort rewatch of Paranormal Activity 3. Dark scene details in all three films were less gray and significantly more legible from a few feet away in my bed than on my old TV.

If you haven't switched to a smart TV yet, do it

Many small space TVs are such an afterthought that they haven't made it out of the dumb TV phase yet. That was me using my bedroom TV from high school at age 30. The ol' Fire Stick rig can make it possible to access streaming apps on a regular TV for several years. But as I learned, a TV can simply get so old that it can't handle an external streaming device anymore.

A single arrow click on the Fire TV remote was enough to send my old TV into shock. It was so frustrating that I stopped bothering trying to watch anything at all. So not only was that TV an ugly plastic box that didn't match my room at all, but it was doing nothing but collecting dust.

After a month or so with the Hisense Déco, I can't believe I put up with a non-smart TV setup for so long. The Déco's Fire TV interface is highly responsive and as easy to navigate as Fire TV always is. You mean I can just click on a streaming app and it plays the content? Without the possibility of spontaneous combustion?

Is it a reach to classify a reliable bedroom TV as a productivity hack? That's one surefire way to pair some universally-hated chores — like folding laundry or cursing out the fitted sheet while you make your bed — with an activity you enjoy, like catching up on a show. It's also nice to not be relegated to the living room couch if I want to watch something live. Now, I can throw the new episode of Abbott Elementary or an NBA game on in my room without propping my phone up to watch YouTube TV. (That app would have sent my old TV into orbit.)

Factors to keep in mind

The Hisense Déco TV is the rare QLED TV that isn't 4K. The difference between the Déco's FHD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels) and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) would be most noticeable when intently watching a dark film in a dark room or playing video games. But no one would realistically be shopping for the decor-focused Déco TV with expectations for an elevated streaming or gaming experience.

The reflection of my makeup desk in the top left corner was getting distracting. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

QLED TVs are naturally brighter and easier to see in sunlit rooms than LED TVs. That doesn't automatically make them immune to glare in a bright room. The Déco TV definitely struggles to neutralize reflections when watching TV during the day. Because it's designed for such casual use, I'm not that pressed about the lack of glare reduction — plus, there are significantly more expensive QLED TVs that struggle just as much in lit rooms.

The competition

For those in the market for a small budget TV, it makes the most sense to compare the Déco TV to other TVs in its price range. Barring any extra wild discounts that could pop up during an event like Prime Day, a hard $200 cutoff will typically have you looking at 32- through 50-inch 4K LED TVs.

Best Buy often has the TCL 40-inch Q35F QLED FHD Fire TV on sale for $149.99 or the 50-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV on sale for $179.99. Both are obviously larger screens for a little bit less money, but both are the exact plasticky black box design that we were trying to get away from. Hisense can't just make the prettiest small TV you've ever seen and then make it the same price as a boring small TV, you know?

Is the Hisense Déco TV worth it?

I'd recommend the Hisense Déco TV to anyone looking for a small space TV. You really couldn't ask for a more seamless TV setup: It's bright and responsive when you are watching it, stylishly camouflaged when it's off, and costs $400 less than The Frame of the same size.

I've been firmly on the living room side of the "bedroom person vs. living room person" conversation forever. Now, I'm convinced that some of my living room tendencies stemmed from the fact that my old bedroom TV sucked. The switch to the Hisense Déco has genuinely been such a delight, and I find myself carving out time to hang out in there instead. It's bright and bold enough for the full range of my TV watching needs, but more importantly, the satisfaction of its cohesiveness with the rest of the room never gets old.

With the world as overwhelming as it is, the safe space that is your bedroom deserves a little extra adornment. In this case, that adornment is a TV that serves c*nt.

Hisense Déco 32-inch TV

$194.96 at Amazon

 

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TL;DR: Work smarter, not harder, with an operating system made for professionals, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, on sale now for just $12.97 (reg. $199) through May 3.

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For years, AI companies have trained their models on artists' copyright-protected work, without permission or payment.

That's because training data is the fuel that powers new AI models, and in the AI arms race, companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, Meta, and Google are mining every corner of the internet — and our shared cultural heritage — for untapped data.

When I talked to Daniel Roher, the Oscar-winning co-director of The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, he had a blunt message for tech CEOs who lay claim to protected work: "Fuck you."

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When I spoke to Roher and producer Ted Tremper about the AI copyright issue in recent interviews, I mentioned a conversation I had with the CEO of a leading AI video company. The CEO told me training is fair use, full stop. ("It's not called learning right, or training right. It's called copyright.") And to that attitude, Roher had a blunt response.

"The guy who has a financial vested interest is saying that he's gonna train his model on what the fuck he wants?" Roher told me. "It's kind of like the guy who runs the tobacco company saying that, you know, smoking is good for you. Everyone should have a cigarette, and if you say differently, fuck you. And to that, I'm like, 'Dude, go fuck yourself.'"

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AI companies offer several defenses for using copyrighted material without paying. There's the cost argument — models have billions of parameters, and it would be too expensive to compensate individual rights holders. The China argument (an argument President Donald Trump has echoed) — Chinese AI companies aren't asking for permission, so neither can we. Then, there's the fair use argument — training AI models on copyrighted work falls under the fair use legal doctrine.

Right now, dozens of lawsuits from authors, musicians, journalists, and entertainment giants like Disney are tackling the fair use question, arguing that AI companies have to abide by copyright law like everyone else.

Last year, the U.S. Copyright Office issued a report concluding that training is likely not covered by fair use, though it isn't legally binding. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

Early court rulings on this topic have so far favored AI companies, and Big Tech is forging ahead with its quintessential "move fast, break things" ethos. You've heard of "ask forgiveness, not permission," but AI companies typically aren't asking for either.

So, is the David versus Goliath AI copyright battle already lost, I asked Roher?

"Language like 'the battle's already been lost'? [Dude], relax. The battle hasn't already been lost," Roher said. "This is just a unique challenge of 25th-century technology that's crash-landed into the 21st century, being regulated by legislative processes forged in the 17-fucking-hundreds. And court cases take a long time, but I think, at the end of the day, the book is still very much open on whether the IP battle has been won or lost."

Roher also urged anyone with an interest in artificial intelligence to push back against overreach from Big Tech.

"So, yeah, for the tech CEO to be like, you know, 'Fuck you, I will come for your shit.' My response is, 'Fuck you back. No, you're not.' And I applaud media outlets like the New York Times, which are standing up for their material and doing the very, very good public work of fighting companies in court."

After finishing The AI Doc, producer Ted Tremper founded the Creators Coalition on AI along with Daniel Kwan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and others to protect artists' rights. And as more artists file suits, some AI companies are striking deals with IP holders like Disney and Universal Music Group, but Tremper said that's not necessarily a positive development.

"What they're doing is making deals with the people who have the biggest, scariest lawyers," Tremper said. "To me, what that indicates is that they are fine with having a two-tiered system for considering data. That if you have big, scary lawyers and you're a multi-million or billion-dollar company, you can have the right to have your creative work and your IP protected. However, if it's you and me and things I post online, the photographs of your children. Those things are fair game."

Tremper said there's nothing fair about Big Tech companies harvesting books, movies, TV shows, and newspapers at scale.

"The idea that saying that a machine that has perfect memory, that is able to have perfect recall of an amount of data that would take dozens of human lifetimes, if not hundreds of human lifetimes, to actually read, and is being made by some lab or a company whose explicit goal is to replace human labor — I feel like that falls outside the scope of any reasonable fair use argument."

Whether the courts will ultimately agree is still an open question. In the meantime, both artists and AI companies are gearing up for a legal fight that could define the future of AI development.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

13. The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels

If you're into WWE documentaries and have exhausted both seasons of Netflix's WWE: Unreal, check out Peacock's new deep dive into the career of the legendary Shawn Michaels. The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels tracks the highs and lows of the Hall of Famer's life in and out of the ring, comebacks and all. Expect interviews with Michaels himself, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Bret Hart, Mark "The Undertaker" Calaway, and more. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

How to watch: The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels premieres on Peacock April 17.

12. Roommates

Following in the footsteps of Adam Sandler, his daughter Sadie Sandler is headlining the kooky comedy Roommates. In director Chandler Levack's follow-up to her semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy Mile End Kicks, Sadie stars as college freshman Devon, who hopes her new roommate will be a path to coolness and fun. But Celeste (Heretic's Chloe East) is a bit much with no boundaries.

Will they become friends? Or make each others' lives a living hell? Tune in to find out. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Sadie Sandler, Chloe East, Sarah Sherman, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll, Storm Reid, Janeane Garofalo, and Carol Kane

How to watch: Roomates begins streaming on Netflix April 17.

11. Ramy Youssef: In Love

Comedian Ramy Youssef returns for his third HBO special, Ramy Youssef: In Love, directed by The Bear creator Christopher Storer. (Youssef directed The Bear's superlative "Honeydew" episode, making this a true crossover event.) This time around, Youssef is touching on hot-button topics like the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival and Grok's production of sexualized images, but he's also taking time to talk about love — including the perils of being a dog dad. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Ramy Youssef

How to watch: Ramy Youssef: In Love debuts on HBO and HBO Max April 17.

10. Trevor Noah: Joy in The Trenches

Trevor Noah's newest Netflix comedy special, Joy in the Trenches, hits the streaming platform this week, with the comedian, former Daily Show host, philanthropist, and podcaster digging into the state of the world today as only he can. Filmed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., the set sees Noah speaking to topics including the time Donald Trump threatened to sue him over his Epstein joke at the Grammys. Noah has multiple Netflix specials in the catalogue now, with the latest following Afraid of the Dark, Son of Patricia, I Wish You Would, and Where Was I, so you could essentially have a five-hour Trevor Noah-a-thon this week. — S.C.

Starring: Trevor Noah

How to watch: Trevor Noah: Joy in The Trenches debuts on Netflix April 14.

9. A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough

At 99 years old, Sir David Attenborough has brought a wealth of knowledge to the world through his broadcasts about nature. In his latest, he looks back at a gorilla he met 50 years ago. With A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough, this celebrated natural historian walks us through the life of Pablo, who grew from a curious infant to a top silverback leading his own pack. Beyond that, Attenborough shows what Pablo's descendants are up to now.

If you got caught up in Punch the monkey's zoo dramas, we suspect you'll fall hard for this intimate documentary. — K.P.

Starring: David Attenborough

How to watch: A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough debuts on Netflix April 17.

8. Noah Kahan: Out of Body

"Stick Season" singer/songwriter Noah Kahan takes fans behind the curtain in this intimate documentary. Out of Body sees Kahan returning home to Vermont, where he reconnects with his family and wonders what's next for his skyrocketing career. From looks inside Kahan's creative process to frank discussions about his experience with body dysmorphia, Noah Kahan: Out of Body promises to be an insightful peek behind the curtain for Kahan fans. — B.E.

How to watch: Noah Kahan: Out of Body debuts on Netflix April 13.

7. Big Mood, Season 2

Camilla Whitehill's brilliant dramedy Big Mood is back for a second season, and it's once again examining the messy, difficult Venn diagram of friendship and mental health. The show focuses on 30-year-old Londoners and inseparable best friends Maggie (Nicola Coughlan) and Eddie (Lydia West), who are navigating bipolar disorder and grief, respectively, and feeling misunderstood by each other. Season 1 left them in relationship rubble; Season 2 examines the awkwardness of patching things up after such a friendship breakup — and realising boundaries must be drawn.

Coughlan and West capture that heart-in-throat feeling of seeing an ex-friend, one who you've rehearsed what you'd say to. Eddie's been off-grid in the U.S. making a new bestie in Whitney, a Californian boho chic wellness influencer armed with ginseng gummies, amethyst suppositories, and unity crystals (a "TikTok hippie," Maggie calls her). Maggie, despite taking charge of her health and declaring she's in her "stable girl era," is dubbed a loose cannon by others, and is even demoted to junior bridesmaid at a wedding. So, can the pair rekindle their friendship? What happens when one person feels they've moved on, the other left behind? Come for the Rupert Everett cameo, stay for the complex portrayal of modern friendship. — S.C.

Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Lydia West, Robert Gilbert, Eamon Farren, Niamh Cusack, Amalia Vitale, Luke Fetherston, Rebecca Lowman, Stephen Sobal, and Kate Fleetwood

How to watch: Big Mood Season 2 premieres on Tubi April 16 and is streaming on Channel 4 in the UK.

6. Undertone

Maybe don't wear headphones for this one if you scare easily, because Undertone is all about audio horror. Directed by Ian Tuason in his directorial debut, the film introduces podcaster Evy (Nina Kiri), who gets wrapped up in a series of creepy audio recordings teeming with hidden messages.

Don't expect a jump-scare-filled fright fest from Undertone. It's a slow burn of a horror film. That didn't work for Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, who wrote in her review, "The film's slow-burn approach, and my patience for it, didn't pay off. In the end, I was more impressed by Undertone's concept than I was entertained by its execution." — B.E.

Starring: Nina Kiri, Adam DiMarco, Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas, Jeff Yung, Sarah Beaudin, and Brian Quintero

How to watch: Undertone is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

5. Margo's Got Money Troubles

A24 and David E. Kelley's much-anticipated adaptation of Rufi Thorpe's Margo's Got Money Troubles hits Apple TV this week. Elle Fanning stars as Margo, a bright young writer and single mother who's struggling to make ends meet. She soon finds financial success on OnlyFans, as well as a dysfunctional but loving support system from her parents, ex-Hooters waitress Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and ex-wrestler Jinx (Nick Offerman).

Margo's Got Money Troubles is undeniably heartwarming, thanks in no small part to its tremendous ensemble, led by a luminous Fanning. Yet it often skews towards narrative convention, even as Margo and her family break the mold. As I wrote in my review, "There's no denying that Margo's Got Money Troubles and this stellar cast will melt your heart. Yet overall, I just wish that the series could have been just as fearless and imaginative as Margo herself." — B.E.

Starring: Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman, Nick Offerman, Thaddea Graham, Rico Nasty, and Lindsey Normington

How to watch: Margo's Got Money Troubles premieres on AppleTV April 15.

4. Dust Bunny

After giving audiences such sensational (and sensationally twisted) shows as Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal, Bryan Fuller makes his feature directorial debut with a monster movie that feels like Amélie meets Léon: The Professional.

The story centers on a young girl (Sophie Sloan) who's plagued by the monster under her bed — a massive dust bunny. So, naturally, she looks for a hitman to take care of the creature. Lucky for her, there's one living in her building. And he's played by Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen. The result is a monster movie that is whimsical, gnarly, thrilling, and fun.

In my review, I wrote, "Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy."* — K.P.

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sigourney Weaver, David Dastmalchian, Rebecca Henderson, and Sheila Atim

How to watch: Dust Bunny debuts on HBO Max April 17.

3. The Pitt, Season 2 finale

For 14 episodes of The Pitt Season 2, we've stressed about Baby Jane Doe, Dr. Robby's (Noah Wyle) upcoming motorcycle trip, and Dr. Santos' (Isa Briones) charting woes. Now, it all comes to a head in the Season 2 finale, which picks up right after Dr. Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi) reveals to Dr. Robby that she has a seizure disorder. What will he do with that information, and how will the rest of the day shift close out their 4th of July? — B.E.

Starring: Noah Wyle, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Sepideh Moafi

How to watch: The Pitt, Season 2 finale airs April 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

2. The Dark Wizard

Any fans of Free Solo will want to tune in for this one. Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen's The Dark Wizard tells the story of Dean Potter, a legendary figure in the climbing community who made a name for himself doing a variety of increasingly risky extreme sports. Over the course of four episodes, the HBO docuseries does an excellent job of unpacking Potter's personal motivations, showing his struggles with mental health as he throws himself into free soloing, highline walking, BASE jumping, and wingsuit gliding. Acting almost as a prequel to Free Solo, the series also features climbing legend Alex Honnold talking about the rivalry the two once shared.

"Yes, there's breath-taking footage of the many awe-inspiring acts that made Potter famous," I wrote in my review. "But rather than purely mythologising him, the filmmakers have gone to great lengths to give insight into his personal struggles and motivations. The end result is nerve-wracking, enthralling, and — in the documentary's final moments — almost unbearably sad." — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Dean Potter

How to watch: The Dark Wizard debuts on HBO and HBO Max April 14.

Best of streaming this week: Beef, Season 2

Beef is back, this time with a whole new cast (and a whole new beef). Creator Lee Sung Jin drops viewers into a feud between two couples: country club manager Josh (Oscar Isaac) and his interior designer wife Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), and club employees Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny). When the latter record a compromising video of the former, they kick off a chain of blackmail that escalates all the way to the club's new billionaire owner, Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh-jung).

While Beef's second season doesn't reach the highs of Season 1 (a near-impossible task), it still delivers an ambitious, riveting, and can't-miss showdown between four incredible actors. As I wrote in my review, "Everything involving the couples is divine: a dizzying whirlwind of blackmail, shifting allegiances, and astounding performances from the show's core four. It's when Beef Season 2 moves beyond them that it loses some of its focus (although it never lets up on the stress)." — B.E.

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny, Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho, Seoyeon Jang, Mikaela Hoover, BM, and William Fichtner

How to watch: Beef Season 2 premieres on Netflix April 16.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

Here's an open secret: almost every major dating site and most of the internet's hookup sites have been victims of major data breaches at one time or another. In fact, some of them have even undergone multiple data breaches. We're talking full names, addresses, billing information, and in some cases extremely personal information about sexual preferences. 

To be fair to these sites, their success paints a giant target on their backs. If you're a hacker, you're going to target the largest websites with the most users, because that's where your exploit is likely to return the most value for your (illegal) work. These big sites now spend millions of dollars on cybersecurity, hoping to stave off future attacks.

But then there are the hookup sites that fly under the radar, the sites that aren't yet large enough to attract the attention of malicious actors. If you're looking to experience the internet's hookup culture without exposure to the most popular sites, here are three solid adult dating sites that haven't experienced a data breach:

Friends with Benefits

Think of Friends with Benefits like a website version of Tinder or a slightly toned down version of AdultFriendFinder. Setting up an account is easy and requires very minimal personal information, so it's a great starting spot for people wary of sharing their data, but it's also vulnerable to bots and fake profiles, and you'll spend as much time weeding out the obviously AI-generated profiles as you will messaging people. 

If you live in or near a large metropolitan area, Friends with Benefits can work for you, because that's where their users are most concentrated, and as of this writing, they have yet to have a data breach. 

Guilty Affairs

We don't condone cheating on your partner or spouse, but it's a simple fact that a huge draw of online hookup sites is how much easier they make stepping outside of your relationship. Unfortunately, that also makes them a desirable target for hackers, who get not only your personal information but some excellent blackmail material ("You wouldn't want your wife to know…") — just think of the damage done to Ashley Madison users after more than 60 gigabytes of data were leaked.

If you're looking to explore some extra-marital fun but want to keep a low profile, Guilty Affairs is a good place to start. The interface is incredibly simple and easy to use, and doesn't require a ton of sensitive personal information before you can create an account and explore your options — there's nothing like their Roulette wheel of local singles to build excitement, for example.

Best of all, they're very transparent about their dedication to cybersecurity, with 256-bit encryption as standard and PCI DSS certification across all of their payment methods, so if you do decide to purchase tokens (called "Coins" on the site) to boost your profile or browse incognito, you can be assured of high levels of payment protection. 

Senior Sizzle

Okay, granted, if you're not a bit advanced in years, a hookup site whose tagline is "intimate encounters over 50" might not sound that enticing, but there are a whole lot of single seniors out there looking to get frisky, and the site is well designed to help them find their "sizzle." 

From a security standpoint, the site touts an in-house security team as well as "industry standard" efforts like firewalls and data encryption to help keep your personal information safe. And as of the time of this writing, they've been successful, with zero data breaches, which is no small feat given the site was first launched more than 20 years ago. 

How to protect yourself from data breaches

While it's a good idea to audit your website choices before you sign up, ensuring they have a history of good cybersecurity practices, it's also important to realize that you have a major role to play in protecting your own data. Here are a few best practices to follow to ensure your online safety:

1. Limit your exposure. The less data you share with each dating website, and the less specific that data is, the better.

2. Sign up using a personal email. Never use your work email, and consider creating a backup email specifically for online dating signups. 

3. Don't divulge personal information to unverified people. The person you're talking to might be a cute, fun single, but they could also be a chat bot or scammer eager to learn everything they can about you for nefarious ends. Save the detailed conversations for in-person meet-ups.

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on April 15-18. Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering books in a variety of genres for Kindle and Kobo.

A lot has been said about Kindle in the last week or so, and we've tried our best to make sense of the situation. We're not going to get into the weeds of why "BookTokers, Bookstagramers, and the most passionate Kindle users across the internet are fuming this week," because another Stuff Your Kindle Day is live right now.

Stuff Your E-Reader, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is offering participants the chance to download books from a variety of genres without spending anything. Everything that you download is yours to keep forever, and unlike a lot of these giveaways, Kindle and Kobo readers can stock up during this limited-time event.

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Stuff Your E-Reader takes place on April 15-18. A lot of these free giveaways only last 24 hours, so it's refreshing to have so much time to consider your options. You can relax and make a plan without stressing about missing the deadline.

Which ebooks are free?

Stuff Your E-Reader is an all-genre book blast for Kindle and Kobo readers. Stuff Your Kindle Days usually focus on a particular genre, which can exclude large portions of the reading world who might not be interested in downloading hundreds of romance titles. This event is truly for everyone.

The Indie Author Collective has launched a hub page for this event, with filters for promotions, genre, and representation. Check out everything on offer here.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal

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Credit: Amazon

Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months)

$109.99 at Amazon

 

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Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

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

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

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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:

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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.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

All the single ladies — as well as the single fellas — are complaining about the same thing lately. Everyone's exhausted from the stress, admin, and the general minefield that is online dating. App fatigue isn't just a buzzword term. It's a real phenomenon, and it makes connections all the much harder to find. Sometimes it feels actually impossible, like getting lost in the never-ending app-scroll. We understand the basic problem all too well: You just want the dating apps that actually work. Which begs the question: Which dating apps do actually work?

There are no right answers, of course. Because it’s less about finding an app that works than finding the right app for what you actually want. People on eharmony are probably looking for long-term commitment, while people swiping through hookup apps such as Tinder are after… well, let’s just say we know what they’re looking for.

The crucial thing is to remember you'll get results if you know how to navigate the right apps. Sure, we're all suffering from dating app burnout, but research proves that they do get job the done. A SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus found that 65 percent of people aged between 18 and 29 have used dating apps, while a 2023 report found that one in five young people met their partner via an app. The best dating apps are one of the most reliable ways to meet a partner.

Thankfully, Mashable’s dating experts know what they're talking about here. They've put valuable hours into testing and using datings apps IRL, determining the best apps for every kind of dater. So, to help you make a match, we've put together this roundup of the dating apps worth downloading in 2026.

So, what is the best e-reader for 2026? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. So, if you're gearing up to read more books this year, I can recommend a model you'll love.

PS: For book lovers, we'll be on the ground at BookCon 2026, covering all the best gadgets and the latest news from your favorite authors.

New e-readers in this guide

As of April 2026, we've added two new e-readers to the list. After months of testing, we've included the Durobo Krono, an open Android e-reader that allows you to access your Kindle, Libby, and Kobo libraries on one device. The Xetink X4 e-reader is a unique, compact device that doesn't look like much, but is pretty impressive.

We're currently in the process of testing the Boox Palma 2 and the Boox Go 10.3 (Gen II).

2026 Kindle updates

On April 7, 2026, Amazon sent a notice to some Kindle users stating that as of May 20, 2026, Kindle e-readers released in 2012 or earlier will no longer be supported. After May 20, Amazon will no longer lend software updates or provide web services to these devices, essentially bricking them. Users will still be able to read currently downloaded books on the device, but to add new books, they will need to connect the device to a computer. This is a huge hit, especially to Libby users who need web service access to read borrowed books.

The affected Kindles include:

• Kindle (1st generation)

• Kindle (2nd generation)

• Kindle DX

• Kindle DX Graphite

• Kindle Keyboard

• Kindle 4

• Kindle Touch

• Kindle 5

• Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)

Owners of these Kindle models are obviously upset, as it means they'll need to purchase a new device to maintain access to all features. While some are considering switching to a different e-reader, like a Kobo or the Durobo Krono, Amazon still makes great e-readers, and it's a testament to the brand that devices that are at least 14 years old are still going strong.

Other e-readers we've tested

From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The latest e-readers I tested were the Kindle Scribe (2025) and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft. Previously, Kindle Scribes were disappointing e-readers, but Amazon made major improvements on these devices, and now, they're worthy of your attention. We've included the Kindle Scribe (2025) on this list because it's a better value, even if the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is technically more impressive. For more details on the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, you can read our full review.

We've also tested the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7 as contenders for this list. After several weeks of testing, both devices proved to be pretty good but not quite list-worthy.

Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.

The Onyx Boox Go 7 is a better e-reader option than the Remarkable. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. To read ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was so much lag while opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.

What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?

If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.

If you are prepared to spend $200 on an e-reader, though, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.

Where's the Nook on this list?

In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.

Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.

Where to get e-reader books for free

Once you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.

The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.

Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.

If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.

TL;DR: TCGplayer has unopened listings for the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Spider-Man Play Booster Display Box starting at $102.49 with shipping included.

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Magic: The Gathering Marvel’s Spider-Man Play Booster Display Box

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Magic: The Gathering Marvel’s Spider-Man Play Booster Display Box

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The Spider-Man crossover set may have slipped under the radar compared to other popular sets like Final Fantasy and Avatar: The Last Airbender, but you can now buy more packs of the wall-crawler’s set at under market value.

As of April 16, unopened listings for Marvel’s Spider-Man Play Booster Box start at $102.49 with shipping included. That’s only 42 cents under TCGplayer’s own $102.91 market price, but it also undercuts Amazon and Walmart. While Amazon is calling that its lowest price in 30 days, but TCGplayer still comes out ahead as the go-to place to buy right now.

In this 30-pack box, you’re getting boosters with 14 Magic cards, as usual — with at least one card of Rare rarity or higher, and at least one Traditional Foil card. The Land slot is also Traditional Foil in 20% of boosters, so there’s still plenty of room for the kind of flashy pulls collectors chase.

For any Marvel fans who also love trading card games like MTG, the Spider-Man crossover expansion is a must-buy: featuring not only cards and mechanics based on the comic book industry’s favorite web-slinger, but those around other heroes and key villains, too. 

If Magic: The Gathering is still new to you, or you’re checking out the other expansions in the game right now, you can also grab the MTG Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box for a new low price of $18.99. Alternatively, the 30-pack MTG Play Booster Box from the Avatar set is also available for around $120.  

TL;DR: Walmart has the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Bundle listed for $99.97, down from $125. Amazon is matching that price right now, but there’s limited stock.

Where to buy the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Bundle:

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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover has delivered some of the most eye-catching Magic: The Gathering products of the year, available at some tempting price points.

As of April 16, Walmart has the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Bundle listed for $99.97, down from $125. Amazon is currently sitting at the same price, but only one unit is left at that price. After that, the next lowest Amazon seller is asking $103.28 with another $3.99 for delivery, which brings the real total to $107.27.

As the only contender under market price that also has stock readily available, Walmart is the go-to spot for this MTG TMNT box.

The Pizza Bundle comes with nine TMNT Play Boosters and one Collector Booster, plus two of six promo trading cards, five traditional foil full-art pizza basic lands, 25 non-foil full-art pizza basic lands, and a special oversized Spindown life counter. So while the pizza-box presentation is a bit of a gimmick that’s part of the appeal, there’s more than enough underneath to make a feast both for your decks and binders.

If you want to test out any of the other new Magic: The Gathering expansions, the MTG Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is still at a new low price of $18.99. In the event you’re already up to speed on the Avatar expansion, you can buy its MTG Play Booster Box for around $120.

If you've noticed that nearly every major audio brand now has some form of open earbuds, you're not mistaken — seats are filling up quick on the latest audio bandwagon. Naturally, it would follow that open headphones are slowly starting to creep into the market.

The idea of open headphones, however, isn't quite as intuitive as their earbud counterpart. While it's easy to picture earbuds with a hook or cuff component holding them in place, headphones by design have ear cups that cover — and close off — the ear.

So how do they work? Below, we break down the emerging trend of open headphones (spoiler alert: they've been around longer than you think), how they're different from traditional headphones, and the pros and cons of trying them out.

What are open headphones?

In the most basic terms, open headphones allow air to pass through the ear cup, allowing for a more natural soundstage that feels like it's coming from the space around you — because the sound is actually able to reach the space around you.

Typically, this means open headphones have a mesh ear cup, so there's still a physical component covering the ear. This also makes the open headphones' other common name, open-back headphones, make more sense — the back is there, it's just very permeable. This design also means that open-back headphones absolutely do not come with any active noise cancellation, or any passive noise cancellation, as the ear cup isn't designed to keep sound out.

The Sony Inzone H6 Air headphones are the latest open-back headphones to hit the market. Credit: Sony

Traditionally, open-back headphones have occupied the studio headphone space — think audio engineers, music producers, or just straight-up audiophiles. Again, the open space can allow for a more natural spatial audio (which is especially helpful, considering how horrific microphone-induced spatial audio can get). Open-back headphones are also known for more faithfully reproducing sounds as intended by the original mixers of audio, whether that be music or video games.

Right now, popular models of open-back headphones come from brands like Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, and Sony, with the latter just releasing its first pair of open gaming headphones. JLab also recently released a pair of open-back headphones with an entirely removable mesh panel, to more closely mimic the experience of an open earbud (but more on that below).

Open headphones vs. closed-back headphones

To the average consumer, high-end headphones can be synonymous with flagship noise-cancelling headphones. Understandable, as they usually offer some of the best audio performance, comfort, and of course, noise cancellation.

However, those headphones aren't necessarily always the best for a certain listening experience. As one of our testers explained, the open-back Sennheiser HD 599 offered the best audio quality against traditional, closed-back headphones because they incorporated the ambient environment and allowed for that wider soundstage you might get from studio monitors or surround sound speakers. As our guide points out, this can be great for "deep, critical listening, especially if you plug them into a vinyl record player."

Open-back headphones may look like normal headphones, but different mechanics are at play to create the best sound possible. Credit: Sennheiser

Open-back headphones are also likely to produce a more flat sound, or in other words, one that does not emphasize any particular frequency. This can be great for hearing the mix as it may have been intended, but bass-heads can sometimes have issues with these headphones as a result (if you fall into that category, we recommend you check out the Sony ULT Wear headphones). Finally, as many are intended for the best audio quality possible, many open-back headphones are wired, which is a notable deviation from the almost entirely wireless options from closed back headphones.

Open headphones vs. open earbuds

While both open headphones and open earbuds can offer you greater awareness of the environment around you, for the former, it's a byproduct, while for the latter, it's by design.

A large part of the reason open earbuds became popular in the first place is because they provide a degree of safety when running through a park or riding a bike. The situational awareness allows for the wearer to listen to their audio with relative privacy, but not totally be in their own bubble, whether at home or out and about.

Open earbuds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, while generally open headphones look like standard headphones. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The major downside of open earbuds is that they tend to require some degree of sound sacrifice. Their small housing means they can't pack a ton of drivers, and don't benefit from sitting outside of the ear canal — the result can mean a less robust and nuanced sound profile than you would get with traditional earbuds.

On the other hand, open-back headphones were made with sound at the forefront of their design. As mentioned above, the transparency they provide allows for the most natural-sounding spatial audio possible, letting the nuances of the audio envelop the listener. And the sheer size of the headphones means they can typically house more, and better, drivers for a superior listening experience similar to studio monitors.

The fact that both open earbuds and headphones allow you to hear the world around you better is merely an inevitability for the headphones' design, but it wasn't the reason they were created. That said, earbuds and headphones share the common problem of not being the easiest to use in louder environments. And as both allow for sound from the outside to come in, they also both allow for sound to come out, so you'll want to be aware that both are prone to sound leakage.

It's been 26 years since Greg Focker first tried (and mostly failed) to impress his new father-in-law (Robert De Niro) in Meet the Parents, and now there's a new family member in the hot seat.

In the trailer above for Focker-In-Law, Greg welcomes his son's new girlfriend (Ariana Grande) into the family home — only to suspect that she may be up to no good.

The problem? She appears to have the entire family fooled, including the gatekeeper of the circle of trust himself. Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Skyler Gisondo, Beanie Feldstein, and Eduardo Franco also star.

Focker-In-Law is in theaters Thanksgiving 2026.

Val Kilmer AI deepfake film As Deep as the Grave has just released its first trailer. The internet has responded with overwhelming disgust.

A widely recognised actor known for his roles in films such as Top Gun, Batman Forever, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kilmer died from pneumonia last April at 65 years old. Upcoming film As Deep as the Grave has now used generative AI to create a digital puppet in Kilmer's likeness, having it portray a character appearing in "a significant part" of the historical film.

As Deep as the Grave follows married archaeologists Ann Axtell Morris (Abigail Lawrie) and Earl H. Morris (Tom Felton), who conducted fieldwork in the U.S. southwest during the 1920s. Kilmer's AI-generated likeness will be used to depict Father Fintan, a Catholic priest who is also a Native American spiritualist. The film also features Abigail Breslin, Wes Studi, and Finn Jones.

Though Kilmer was cast in As Deep as the Grave prior to his death, delays in production and issues with his health meant he never shot any scenes. Kilmer had previously given a tech-assisted performance in Top Gun: Maverick, which digitally altered his real voice. He also worked with UK company Sonantic to create an AI speaking voice based on his old recordings. However, As Deep as the Grave will be the first time his likeness and voice will be completely AI-generated in a film.

"Very fitting that this trailer includes a scene where a corpse is unceremoniously yanked out of the ground," read one of the top comments on As Deep as the Grave's trailer at time of writing.

CGI likenesses of deceased actors have been used in feature films before. In 2016, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story gained attention for using CGI and motion capture to resurrect Peter Cushing and portray a younger Carrie Fisher for a few minutes of the film. In 2015, Furious 7 used similar techniques to insert Paul Walker into the remainder of the film after he died mid-shoot. Though Furious 7 largely received a pass due to the circumstances, Rogue One received criticism regarding the ethics of its CGI Cushing. Using generative AI to completely create a performance out of nothing appears to go a step even further, completely removing any actors from the process.

Writer and director Coerte Voorhees told Variety that he chose to use AI rather than recast the role due to budget constraints, and that Kilmer's children gave the project their blessing. Even so, online commenters have labelled it disgusting and disrespectful, not only for digitally reanimating Kilmer but also for the damaging precedent As Deep as the Grave's use of AI could set for the film industry as a whole.

Let's get your biggest question out of the way: Does Season 2 of Lee Sung Jin's anthology series Beef surpass the highs of Season 1?

It does not, but that doesn't mean the season is a disappointment. Season 1 set an extraordinarily high bar for any follow-up to clear, and Lee does his best to clear it by going bigger than before. In Season 2, the people involved in the show's titular beef have multiplied. Instead of two people going head-to-head like Steven Yeun and Ali Wong did in Season 1, Beef Season 2 throws two couples in the arena, played by Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. It also goes international, spinning a tale of cover-ups and corruption that will take its rage-fueled antics all the way to Seoul, South Korea.

The widening in scale leads to both Beef's biggest successes and pitfalls. Everything involving the couples is divine: a dizzying whirlwind of blackmail, shifting allegiances, and astounding performances from the show's core four. It's when Beef Season 2 moves beyond them that it loses some of its focus (although it never lets up on the stress).

Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan face off against Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny in Beef Season 2.

Charles Melton, Cailee Spaeny, Carey Mulligan, and Oscar Isaac in "Beef." Credit: Netflix

In one corner of Beef Season 2, we have married couple Josh (Isaac) and Lindsay (Mulligan). He's the general manager of a swanky country club; she's an interior designer who's helped shape the club's look. (Think crushed velvet and swaths of patterned wallpaper.) From the outside, they look extremely well off. They rub shoulders with the California elite, host elaborate fundraisers, and exude an aura of love, even 15 years into their marriage. In reality, they're drowning in a money pit, and those financial troubles have festered into rank hatred.

That hatred spews forth mere minutes into Beef Season 2's first episode, with an argument that starts at a 10 and escalates to Marriage Story levels of personal attacks and beyond. Adam Driver punching a hole in drywall pales in comparison to Isaac and Mulligan tearing Josh and Lindsay's house to shreds.

Watching the fight is Beef Season 2's second pair of combatants: lower-level club workers Ashley (Spaeny) and Austin (Melton). The engaged couple stopped by Josh and Lindsay's to drop off Josh's wallet, only to stumble on a war zone. Now armed with a video of Josh accosting Lindsay, Ashley and Austin realize they have enough leverage to blackmail their way into higher-paying jobs, kicking off a simmering workplace feud that interrogates both couples' relationships.

The ensuing beef is full of jaw-dropping moments, from electrifying shouting matches to a gag-worthy scene involving a Shirley Temple. But what's really enticing about Beef Season 2 is seeing the ways in which these couples become a twisted mirror to one another. Josh and Lindsay are a couple on the last legs of their romantic relationship, while Ashley and Austin's own relationship is truly kicking off. (They've been together for one and a half years.) The former are jaded yet accustomed to fights. After their episode 1 blowup, they laugh it off and calmly rearrange the wreckage of their argument. The latter, on the other hand, are so conflict-avoidant that they can barely express their true feelings. Instead, they couch them in therapy speak about radical honesty and being each other's "safe space." But as money becomes more and more of a stressor, the anger becomes clearer, and Ashley and Austin's love, like Josh and Lindsay's, begins to decay.

As the couples interact more, Lee plays with alliances. Unexpected friendships pop up between the men and women, adding a gendered layer to the tense proceedings. The pairs also become more similar, with one couple unknowingly echoing the other's manipulative tactics or nasty revenge plots. In the end, Beef asks, is rage the great equalizer? Are these couples really the same, deep down?

Beef Season 2 is full of spectacular performances.

Charles Melton, Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, and Cailee Spaeny in "Beef." Credit: Netflix

Each of Beef Season 2's leads delivers exceptional work. Isaac is both magnetic and repulsive as Josh, who occupies a strange middle ground between managing his staff and being at the beck and call of his club's clientele, who treat him as a friend before asking for a free round of golf. Josh is always calculating how much power he has in a room, and Isaac makes sure these calculations — as well as Josh's menacing power trips and nightmarish humiliations — ring loud and clear even in Beef's most pregnant pauses.

Mulligan thrives in Lindsay's nastiness, even in text conversations where she doesn't have to utter a word. But between her pointed remarks and clear disdain for the other women at the club, Beef and Mulligan find ways to deepen Lindsay, highlighting insecurities about aging or her relationship with Josh. Watching Lindsay facetune herself is heart-wrenching, as are scenes when Mulligan sheds Lindsay's prissier exterior for more introspection.

As Austin, Melton often displays the wounded-puppy melancholy that earned him acclaim for May December (for which he was eternally robbed of an Oscar nomination). However, he also proves he has serious comedy chops with Austin's daffy sweetness, which later morphs into a more steely cunning that's among the show's biggest and most compelling transformations.

Spaeny's Ashley undergoes a major transformation of her own. Early episodes see Spaeny channeling the fresh-faced ingenue energy she brought to projects like Priscilla or Civil War. But as Ashley gains more power and status, that sweetness curdles into Karen-esque expectations of servitude from those around her, including Austin. Darkly funny and a little frightening, it's delightful to see Spaeny play against type.

Another key piece on the board is Academy Award winner Youn Yuh-jung as Chairwoman Park, the new billionaire owner of the country club. The most powerful player in Beef's game, she's also its quietest, sitting back while everyone scrambles to please her. Youn is formidable as this calm titan, yet Beef Season 2 often struggles to thread the needle between Park's bigger plans and the meaty couple drama at its heart.

Beef Season 2 offers a frightening look at late-stage capitalism.

Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny in "Beef." Credit: Netflix

Beef Season 1 earned rave reviews for its examination of Asian American identity. That examination takes a backseat in Season 2, with the exception of Austin, who is half Korean and realizes he needs more "Korean presence" in his life after connecting with Park's translator Eunice (Seoyeon Jang).

The lessening of that theme is a shame given how crucial it was to Beef Season 1. Lee does keep Beef connected to South Korea in Season 2, though, using Park's involvement at the club as one of the many ways in which the season examines late-stage capitalism.

Name-dropped throughout the season, capitalism is the reason Josh, Lindsay, Austin, and Ashley are struggling. Austin and Ashley weather horrifying debts, including health insurance woes incurred in an episode that makes The Pitt look like a pleasant daydream. Josh and Lindsay are also in compounding financial struggles, all while trying to keep up appearances of their own wealth. (It doesn't help that all four are surrounded by the ludicrously wealthy club members.) These problems all eventually lead them to the same place: under Park's thumb.

Most of Park's shady dealings feel disjointed from the rest of the season. They eventually culminate in a series of wild set pieces, ranging from corporate espionage to bloody slapstick. These are big swings that don't entirely gel with what's come before. However, they do emphasize how our four leads' problems may seem big until they're dwarfed by the machinations of the ultra-rich doing their best to protect themselves at any cost necessary. That's why Beef Season 2 is littered with imagery of ants and bees, all worker insects laboring in service of their queen. In the end, that's all Josh, Lindsay, Austin, and Ashley are to Park.

Of course, it's the relationships between these four that truly make Beef Season 2 tick, so the switch-up isn't always the most satisfying. Still, Beef Season 2 is ambitious, impeccably acted, and proof that the series, while brilliant as a stand-alone, does have legs as an anthology.

Beef Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

In amongst all the double-crossing and back-stabbing, Beef Season 2 is loaded with cameos.

A lot of them are fairly brief, and most of them are impressively unexpected, so much so that you may have missed a couple. From Olympic athletes to award-winning musicians, we've broken down all the famous faces that pop up in the second season of Lee Sung Jin's show below.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps' cameo, which comes in episode 2 along with a couple more famous faces below, is actually pretty crucial to the plot, as he inadvertently starts Josh (Oscar Isaac) down the path of embezzling money from the club. In the scene in question, Josh pours whiskey for rich club member Troy (William Fichtner) and some famous friends while they play cards.

Distracted by their conversation, Josh knocks over a bottle, the penalty for which is apparently joining in on a round.

"Put your money in," growls Phelps when Josh hesitates, only for him to quickly lose what is presumably a substantial sum.

"What's your Venmo?" Josh asks the Olympic swimmer and record-breaking gold medallist.

"@MichaelPhelps," comes the response.

"There's a $5k limit," says Josh.

"Back to back days is fine," replies Phelps.

Oh, dear.

Benny Blanco and Baron Davis

Also appearing in the scene are record producer Benny Blanco and NBA player turned TV host Baron Davis. The pair are part of a conversation with Troy where he talks about a "buy-borrow-die" loophole that his accountant set up.

"I've got a capital gains situation," Blanco tells Troy. "Who's that tax guy you got?"

Davis, meanwhile, is the one that encourages Josh to join in the card game. "Party foul!" he calls out when Josh spills the whiskey. "I saw that, Joshie! Now you gotta play."

Hot Chip

In an entertaining sequence in episode 5, Troy whisks Josh away on a private jet to his chalet, where Hot Chip happen to be performing a few songs. "They were in town for a festival," says Troy. "Called a few favors in."

Josh, a would-be musician, gets called up on stage to perform "Over and Over" with them while he really should be back home helping Lindsay (Carey Mulligan) search for their missing dog — a decision that's the final nail in the coffin for their relationship.

Suni Lee

In episode 6, Austin (Charles Melton) is thrown into the deep end in his new role as a physical therapist at the club's wellness center by the arrival of gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee.

"Josh says that you'll work with my team to get me right for L.A.," says Lee, before arching her back into a handstand and performing the splits. "Nobody's been able to figure out why, but I feel a slight pinch in my QL and my psoas when I do this."

Austin, who isn't even a qualified physical therapist, attempts to blag his way through the interaction while growing increasingly nervous.

"You're sweating like crazy," Lee comments.

"Yes," replies Austin. "I run hot due to my high basal metabolic rate."

Finneas O'Connell

Another unexpected cameo occurs in episode 7, when Josh pops into the wellness center and finds Troy with musician Finneas O'Connell — who says it's "about time" when he finds out Josh and Lindsay are getting divorced.

"Oh man, Billie hated it when you bought Lindsay round," Finneas says, referring to his sister Billie Eilish. "Even when she said something nice, it always felt like a diss."

A nice touch is Eilish's "Bad Guy" playing in the background during the scene.

Beef Season 2 is streaming now on Netflix.

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

Force.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

POWER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

1, 2, 3..

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

COUNT

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

A name.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

TITLE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Smooth.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLICK

Final Hurdle hint

A curtain.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

DRAPE

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

The New Moon is fast approaching, meaning the Moon will be barely visible for the next few nights. This is to due with the lunar cycle, a roughly 29.5-day period in which the Moon orbits Earth and changes how much of its sunlit side we can see.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, April 16, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, 2% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

Although part of the Moon is still visible, the illuminated portion is too small to make out any surface details tonight.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA explains that the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, moving through eight distinct phases in the process. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the portion lit by the Sun changes as it travels, creating the familiar cycle of full, partial, and crescent shapes. These changing views are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight:

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.

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 April 16 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): The domino half in this red space must have 4 pips. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 3 pips. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (1): The domino half in this yellow space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 16 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this red space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (0): The domino half in this light blue space must have more than 0 pips. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this yellow space must have 3 pips. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): The domino half in this dark blue space must have 6 pips. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this green space must have 4 pips. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally; and 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 16 Pips

Equal (5): Every domino half in this purple space must have 5 pips. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; and 5-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Every domino half in this red space must have 6 pips. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (4): The domino half in this light blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Every domino half in this yellow space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this green space must have 4 pips. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally; and 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this purple space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Every domino half in this red space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 0 pips. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; and 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 4-3, 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 be a little easier if you love basketball.

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.

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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: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Verbs

• Green: Basic Ball Knowledge

• Blue: AA

• Purple: Women's Basketball

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Look At

• Green: Seen at an NBA Court

• Blue: Double-A Baseball Teams

• Purple: Starts with a WNBA Team

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 #570 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Look At — OBSERVE, SPECTATE, VIEW, WATCH

• Seen at an NBA Court — BENCHES, HALF-COURT LOGO, SCORER'S TABLE, SHOT CLOCK

• Double-A Baseball Teams — BISCUITS, DRILLERS, TRASH PANDAS, WIND SURGE

• Starts with a WNBA Team — DREAMY, FIREFLY, SKYPE, SUNDIAL

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love comics.

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.

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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 mock

• Green: HVAC options

• Blue: Batman's lover

• Purple: Prepping

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Tease

• Green: Thermostat settings

• Blue: Features of a Catwoman costume

• Purple: Training ___

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 #1040 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Tease: NEEDLE, RIB, RIDE, ROAST

• Thermostat settings: AUTO, COOL, FAN, HEAT

• Features of a Catwoman costume: BODYSUIT, CLAWS, MASK, WHIP

• Training ___: BRA, CAMP, DAY, WHEELS

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 many hobbies.

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: This is not working

The words are related to leisure.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe side activities.

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 Just for Fun.

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NYT Strands word list for April 16

• Pastime

• Interest

• Sideline

• Just for Fun

• Recreation

• Hobby

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 good with measurements.

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:

Elbow to finger.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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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...

CUBIT

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.

SAVE $220: The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $499, down from the standard price of $719. That's a 31% discount and a record-low price at Amazon.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo

$499 at Amazon
$719 Save $220

 

Get Deal

Now that the weather has improved, we're back to outdoor adventures. If you're looking for a new outdoor hobby, becoming a pro drone pilot could be a great endeavor. It gets you outside, offers incredible vantage points, and you can share your footage with the rest of the world. If you could use a new or upgraded drone, check out this Amazon deal.

As of April 15, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $499, down from the standard price of $719. That's a 31% discount that takes $220 off the price. It's also a record-low price at Amazon by $100.

While the brand has branched out in offerings over the last decade, DJI drones still remain some of the best on offer. DJI faced an FCC ban last year, but that hasn't stopped third-party sellers from getting DJI drones out to U.S consumers. Just be a bit cautious about which third-party seller you're buying from.

Today's deal on the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo with the DJI RC is from Smart Fly Gear which has a 100% positive rating over the last 12 months at Amazon, so this is a good option.

The DJI Mini 3 is a beginner friendly model and comes with plenty of accessories for making learning a breeze. It's a lightweight model that folds down into a compact size and DJI threw extra batteries into this bundle. The three batteries will spell approximately 114 minutes of flight time. It also has level 5 wind resistance which means it can safely capture stable footage and return home in winds up to about 23 miles per hour.

There's also one-tap takeoff and landing functions as well as several beginner tutorials available. Video transmission is possible within 32,800 feet and you can record in 4K HDR video.

While it's at a never-before-seen low price, snatch up the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo for under $500. Your spring and summer adventures will get a major level-up with your new hobby.

Today, Lego unveiled the new flagship Star Wars-themed building set it's releasing on May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day. The Lego Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter (75442) will be the latest entry in the company's Ultimate Collector Series of rare and elaborate builds for adult fans, the most popular being its 7,541-piece Millennium Falcon.

The N-1 Starfighter set is priced at $249.99. Members of the free-to-join Lego Insiders loyalty program will be able to purchase it starting Friday, May 1, three days before it's available to the public on Monday, May 4.

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Credit: Lego

Lego Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter (75442)

$249.99 at the Lego Store

Available May 1 for Lego Insiders and May 4 for everyone else.

Learn More

Those who buy it between May 1 to 6 will receive three freebies while supplies last, including a 278-piece Darksaber building set, a Razor Crest Mini-Build, and a collectible trinket.

Lego's N-1 Starfighter is a brickified version of the ship helmed by the titular bounty hunter in the third season of Disney+'s The Mandalorian, as well as its spin-off series, The Book of Boba Fett. That saga continues on the big screen in next month's The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Credit: Lego

The N-1 Starfighter set contains 1,809 pieces, making it the second-smallest Ultimate Collector Series build (after last year's 1,513-piece AT-ST Walker). In a press release, Lego said it "uses advanced Lego building techniques and special silver Drum Lacquered elements to capture the ship’s distinctive Naboo-inspired silhouette and intricate detailing."

The set comes with a Mandalorian minifigure, a Grogu figure, and a stand with an information plaque. It can be displayed in two different orientations.

Credit: Lego

Credit: Lego

What is Star Wars Day?

Star Wars Day is an unofficial holiday commemorating the Star Wars franchise. It's always celebrated on May 4 or "May the 4th," a play on the phrase "May the Force be with you."

Lego typically commemorates Star Wars Day by releasing one new Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series set in addition to several smaller Star Wars-themed builds, by giving away free items with select purchases, and by hosting in-store "Make & Take" events. This year, participating Lego Store locations will let fans build free miniature N-1 Starfighter sets from May 2 to 4.

Lego Stores in London and Munich will also be hosting signing events with César Soares, the designer behind the new flagship N-1 Starfighter build, on May 1 and 2, respectively.

Lego will be dropping seven other new Star Wars sets on April 26, about a week before Star Wars Day. Three of them currently available for preorder — though if you wait until May 1 to buy them, you'll get the aforementioned Razor Crest Mini-Build for free. (It's a bonus with any purchase over $40, not just with the big N-1 Starfighter.)

To learn more about Lego's Star Wars Day festivities, visit its website.

Preorder Lego's other Star Wars Day 2026 sets:

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Lego Star Wars Anzellan Starship (75445)

$74.99

Pre-Order Here

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Lego Star Wars Grogu (Mandalorian Apprentice) (75446)

$129.99

Pre-Order Here

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Lego Star Wars The Razor Crest (75447)

$149.99

Pre-Order Here

TL;DR: Learn piano on your own time with this three-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App Classic Plan for just $69.99 through April 17.

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Credit: Flowkey

flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (3-Year Subscription)

$69.99
$579 Save $509.01

 

Get Deal

Learning piano doesn’t have to be dull or something you dread week after week. The flowkey Piano Learning App brings the lessons to you, so you can master the instrument from the comfort of your own space, whenever you have some free time.

Right now, you can score a three-year subscription to the flowkey Classic Plan for just $69.99 (reg. $579) through April 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Whether you’ve always wanted to master the piano or you’d just like to be able to play a few tunes to impress your friends, flowkey is ready to school you on the keys. Just grab your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, then sit down at a keyboard or piano to start learning.

With flowkey, you’ll enjoy interactive learning that listens as you play and gives instant feedback as you go. This AI-powered technique helps you learn faster, and includes features like wait mode that only lets you move on after you hit the right notes.

You can watch expert pianists play while you follow along to synced sheet music on the same screen, or choose slow motion to help reduce playback speed so you can better learn the tough parts. There’s also a loop function that helps you repeat hard sections until you get them, and hand selection lets you practice the right and left hands separately.

This flowkey Classic Plan gives you access to 1000 classical and public-domain songs, so you can play Bach, Debussy, Chopin, Beethoven, and more. It’s also available in 11 different languages. There are also lessons on everything from mastering chords and how to read sheet music to music theory, so you’ll get a well-rounded education.

Lock in a three-year subscription to flowkey Piano Learning App Classic Plan for just $69.99 today.

Grabbing this deal? Build your cart to $100+ and score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 free with code GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) through 4/19.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $99.97 (reg. $249.99), offering a lifetime license for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote without a subscription.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License

$99.97
$249.99 Save $150.02

 

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For a lot of people, Microsoft Office is one of those tools you end up using regularly — whether it’s for work, school, or just staying organized. The catch is that these days, it usually comes with a recurring subscription. This deal on Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC offers a one-time alternative, and for a limited time, you can get a lifetime license for $99.97 (reg. $249.99).

With this license, you still get the familiar apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote — along with a few practical updates. Outlook includes improved search and added protection against certain file-based threats, while Excel handles larger datasets and multiple workbooks more smoothly.

PowerPoint also makes it easier to record presentations with voice narration and video (yes, including your camera), which helps when slides alone aren’t enough. Outlook’s updated accessibility checker can flag unclear wording or formatting issues before your email goes out. Expect to never send a bad email again.

Like most productivity tools now, Office 2024 also uses AI to speed things up and make your workflow more efficient. It can suggest edits, help with formatting, summarize content, and translate text. In Excel, those features extend to spotting trends and building charts with less manual effort.

If Office is already part of your routine, this just removes the monthly fee from the equation.

Score Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC for $99.97 (reg. $249.99).

Grabbing this deal? Build your cart to $100+ and score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 free with code GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) through 4/19.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Internxt’s 100TB cloud storage plan is on sale for a one-time payment of $974.47, offering long-term storage without monthly subscription fees.

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Credit: Internxt

Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB

$974.97
$9,900 Save $8,925.03

 

Get Deal

Storing memories these days tends to come with a monthly bill. Over time, those costs add up, especially if you need a lot of space. Internxt offers a different approach with a one-time payment for long-term storage. For a limited time, you can score a lifetime subscription to 100TB of cloud storage for just $974.47.

Internxt offers a privacy-first model using end-to-end encryption. In practical terms, your files are encrypted, and only you can access them. It’s also open-source, so its security setup isn’t just taken at face value.

With 100TB of storage, this isn’t the kind of plan you outgrow quickly. It’s more than enough room for large photo libraries, video files, work archives, and everything else you’ve been meaning to back up “eventually.” Consider it a place for both your important files and the ones you’re not quite ready to delete just yet.

Files sync across devices, with access available through desktop apps, web browsers, and mobile apps on iOS and Android. It also supports Linux, which is still a nice bonus in a world where not everything does.

The interface is straightforward, so you’re not spending time figuring out how to use your storage. Uploading, organizing, and sharing files all feel familiar, but you have way more space to work with.

On the security side, files are encrypted and split into smaller pieces before being stored, adding another layer of protection. The zero-knowledge model means Internxt can’t access your data, even if it wanted to.

If you’ve been paying for cloud storage month after month, a lifetime plan like this is at least worth a look—especially if your storage needs aren’t getting any smaller.

Get lifetime access to 100TB of Internxt cloud storage for $974.47.

Grabbing this deal? Score a Microsoft Office 2021 license for free when you apply a code at checkout through 4/19: GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

I can't quite figure out what year we are living in.

Let me more clear. I can't pin down what year the chronically online are living in. We are in an unprecedented time of tech advancement, what with artificial intelligence taking over our lives and astronauts literally going back to the moon. But everywhere I turn, I see remnants of the past: People are yearning for 2010s hipster aesthetics. Avatar: The Last Airbender fan cams are all over my FYP. Celebrities are skeletally thin again, and thinspo pages and eating disorder content are taking over TikTok.

But most confusing: Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff are once again the talk of the town.

Dunham (actor, writer, and director) and Antonoff (Bleachers frontman and pop-girl collaborator) dated from 2012 to 2016. Their relationship was quintessentially of the era. It was a bit messy. Then came "The PowerPoint."

Responding to swirling rumors after the release of Lorde's 2017 hit Melodrama, a former Twitter user by the name @buzzkillary put together a thesis. In her account and the accompanying 29-slide PowerPoint, Buzzkillary claims that Lorde and Antonoff were lovers and that the singer's breakout hit "Green Light," among others, was about him.

The conspiracy acted as all online conspiracies do, lying in wait in the dark corners of niche fandoms until a relevant Hollywood news item — like Lorde's 2025 album Virgin, Antonoff's marriage to actor Margaret Qualley, or Dunham's latest show about a young woman who was cheated on — wrenched it out from the shadows. But then Dunham's new memoir, Famesick, dropped, and everything got a little more real.

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In Famesick, Dunham describes the full fallout of her relationship with Antonoff for the first time, regaling the intimate details of an emotionally complicated relationship he had with a certain "teen pop star"(the internet, and PowerPoint, have long surmised it's Lorde).

Dunham says this artist and her partner spent hours "ensconsed together" and that she called her "Aunt Lena" during a period of time Dunham was using a walker due to chronic illness. One quote was particularly damning in the eyes of the internet. She describes the star in question "sprawled across our sectional couch, weeping into Jack's lap as he told her that ‘your teens are for experimenting’ in a tone so comforting, it almost brought tears to my eyes." She goes on to say, "It had been so long since he'd spoken to me with that kind of expansive generosity."

Then, Dunham admits to her own faux pas: She cheated on Antonoff once it all became too much. The internet, of course, had many thoughts. Which cheating scandal was worse, Antonoff's or Dunham's? Who was the victim here?

Even Tumblr chimed in.

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

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

There are those who have taken Dunham's as full-fledged confirmation of a torrid affair, reinforcing the knotted web outlined in the PowerPoint. Many felt sympathy for Dunham, who has been at the center of several controversies since the 2010s.

To some, this was an opportunity to visit other connections, including Taylor Swift. Could her songs have actually been about the Antonoff/ Dunham debacle this whole time, an observer and one of their closest friends?

Then there were others who, in a real throwback to the old internet, only had cruel words for the women involved in the emotional love triangle. Dunham and Lorde — both of whom have been targets of vitriolic comments related to their appearance and art — were transgressors, or were pitiful, or just simply ugly. Antonoff was...there.

Lorde, who would have been in her late teens and early twenties during the peak of her collaboration with then 32-year-old Antonoff, is just one of many young pop women who have collaborated with the producer. And Antonoff wasn't the only older Hollywood man with whom she was associated. As users tried to spot the Antonoff/ Dunham parallels in Lorde's discography, others rightfully pointed out the more probable muse, a Universal Music promotions director named Justin Warren who Lorde was linked in 2015. He was 17 years older than her.

Dunham's quote, taken in its full context in Famesick, acknowledges a larger problem: That Antonoff was extremely close to a lot of his collaborators and that they had a bond she wasn't invited to join.

These are layers that not even the internet's most infamous PowerPoint can sum up.

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

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

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

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

Amid all the internet discourse, I ask: What outcome would soothe the masses the most? Do they need to see a mass cancellation of Lorde? Or Antonoff or Dunham, both of whom have been villains of the internet for years? Or is this just a big "I told you so!" moment for the PowerPoint truthers? What, ultimately, do we gain from theorizing about any of it online?

Dunham herself has acknowledged the conspiracy during the press cycle for Famesick, an honesty about her checkered past that the internet has come to respect about her as she's aged and embraced her cultural legacy — that's certainly not a vestige of the Old Internet. Dunham says she saw the presentation years ago and that it was "so convincing they had me rethinking events that I myself had been present for." She even admitted that she reached out to the PowerPoint's creator during a "low moment."

Dunham, through Famesick, is still processing what happened during the nascent years of internet rumor and cancellation, just like every other social media denizen who was online at the time. And we still don't know what to take from it.

If 2016 really was "the last good year," as many TikTok videos suggest, 2026 is trying really hard to reheat its nachos — right down to linking to Buzzfeed articles about Lena Dunham PowerPoint theories.

Live Nation, parent company of infamous live event ticket platform Ticketmaster, has violated federal and state antitrust laws in its dominance of the market, a federal jury ruled Wednesday.

A judge will choose what remedy fits the crime, which could include forcing a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the New York Times reported. Live Nation will be ordered to pay monetary damages, as well.

The industry has been waiting for this decision for years, following the federal government's 2024 filing alleging the company uses "unlawful, anticompetitive conduct," including long-term exclusive contracts with venues and threats of financial retribution against venues and artists, to retain a "monopolistic control" over the live entertainment market.

"The result is that fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services. It is time to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster," the initial filing read.

The move was partially inspired by extremely high ticket prices for popular, international tours and an outcry from the artists themselves, including Taylor Swift and her army of legally adept fans. Music industry giants, including Pearl Jam, have for decades attempted to break up Ticketmaster's control over live entertainment.

Live Nation has faced several legal battles related to its alleged market monopoly, including a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in September, which alleged that the company made billions off of deceptive ticket resale practices.

The Justice Department settled with Live Nation last month, a move that has been scrutinized by congressional leaders. But 34 states remained on the case, and their recent win may profoundly shift the industry.

Amazon's first true rival to Samsung's The Frame finally has a release date. The Amazon Ember Artline, a 4K QLED TV that can display artwork, will launch in the U.S. on Wednesday, April 22, according to a company press release. Preorders are now open.

The Ember Artline comes in a 55-inch size ($899.99) and a 65-inch size ($1,099.99). Shoppers can take their pick from 10 interchangeable frame colors.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon 55-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED TV

$899.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon 65-inch Ember Artline 4K QLED TV

$1,099.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here

Amazon originally unveiled the Ember Artline at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, where it also announced that it would be rebranding all of its smart TVs with the "Ember" moniker. (The Fire TV name will still apply to Amazon's TV interface, streaming media players, and soundbars.) Amazon's TV listings had been updated to reflect the new branding by the time of writing on Wednesday, April 15.

Ember Artline owners get access to a library of over 2,000 art pieces for free, per the press release:

There’s no extra cost or subscription required to access the thousands of free art pieces available on the Amazon Ember Artline. Our collection spans artistic movements and includes Impressionist classics by Monet, Degas, and Renoir, alongside contemporary works of street art, murals, mixed media, and photography. Customers also have access to 60 exclusive motion video pieces commissioned by documentary filmmaker Sam Nuttmann, who traveled the world capturing landscape and wildlife scenes.

If you're not sure which pieces will look best on your wall, the Ember Artline can offer suggestions using its AI-powered "Match the Room" feature. Simply upload a couple of pictures of your room by scanning a QR code with your phone. The TV will pull artwork options based on the colors and decor style of your space, as well as any "recurring themes" in your existing wall art, Amazon said.

You can also have the Ember Artline display slideshows and collages of your personal snapshots by connecting it to your Amazon Photos account.

Amazon's AI-powered "Match the Room" feature can suggest art pieces that fit your home's vibe. Credit: Amazon

Notably, the Ember Artline is the only TV in Amazon's lineup with a matte finish, which makes it more convincing as artwork than a traditional screen.

Billed as "Amazon's first lifestyle TV," the Ember Artline is now the most affordable alternative to Samsung's The Frame, a popular premium 4K QLED TV that doubles as artwork. Competing options like the Hisense CanvasTV and the TCL NXTVISION TV cost $999.99 and $1,299.99, respectively, in 55-inch sizes. Samsung's latest 55-inch The Frame also goes for $1,299.99.

In 2022, Amazon updated its cheaper Fire TV Omni QLED Series (now Ember QLED Series) with an "Ambient Experience" gallery feature that replicates The Frame's Art Mode, letting it display art or photos. However, that model lacks a matte finish and picture frame-like bezel — meaning the Ember Artline is Amazon's first proper The Frame dupe.

Price aside, the Ember Artline's extensive and completely free library also makes it a compelling buy. The Frame owners get access to a rotating selection of only 30 pieces per month; its full library of 5,000-plus pieces is locked behind a Samsung Art Store subscription ($4.99 per month or $49.99 per year). The Hisense CanvasTV is preloaded with around 1,000 pieces, while the TCL NXTVISION TV has access to only 350-plus artworks, but over 100,000 pieces of AI-generated art.

The Ember Artline includes access to more than 2,000 free art pieces. Credit: Amazon

Based on a cursory glance at its spec sheet, the Ember Artline's only major downsides appear to be its lack of Dolby Atmos support and its basic 60Hz refresh rate. With smoother refresh rates of 120Hz to 144Hz, its rivals are better for gamers and hardcore movie buffs.

The Ember Artline comes with a custom wall mount, but if you'd rather prop it up on a console, you can buy legs for it for $19.99. Extra frames start at $74.99 apiece.

You know the drill. Every once in a while you have to go through your devices and delete the photos, videos, and games eating up your storage so you can download new stuff and keep your device — and your productivity — flowing. 

The process can feel like a time suck, sure. But nothing kills momentum faster than trying to offload photos from your latest trip or client shoot and realizing you’ve got nowhere to put them. Or sitting down to build that awesome slide deck, packed with high-res images and videos, only to hit a "storage almost full" warning halfway through. 

If you think the only way to solve your storage conundrum is to upgrade your device, think again. Sandisk’s lineup of portable flash drives, internal solid-state drives (SSDs), microSD™ cards, and more lets you offload and safely store your files so you can keep shooting, editing, and creating your heart out. 

Check out this roundup of top Sandisk picks to help free yourself from storage anxiety.

Plug-and-stay USB-C storage

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Credit: SANDISK

Extreme® Fit USB-C™ Flash Drive

$219.99 at SANDISK
$274.99 Save $55

 

Get Deal

The SANDISK Extreme® Fit USB-C™ Flash Drive packs an incredible amount of data storage into its thumb-sized package, allowing you to effortlessly offload large files from your laptop, desktop, tablet, and other USB-C devices. 

Whether you want up to 64GB [1] or a full 1TB [1] of additional storage, this drive transfers files at read speeds up to 400MB/s [2] and helps to safely tuck them away, giving your device the space it needs to perform at its peak. It also checks the portability box. Just plug it in and leave it, and it’ll give you access to your data without having to rely on the cloud or unreliable internet speeds. 

An instant phone-storage hack

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Credit: SANDISK

Phone Drive with USB-C

$134.99 at SANDISK
$174.99 Save $40

 

Get Deal

Think you need to buy a new phone to score more storage for your photos and videos? Nope. The SANDISK Phone Drive with USB-C is a game-changer for busy students, parents, content creators, videographers, or anyone else who lives on their phones but is constantly hitting walls with their device’s limited storage.

Available with up to 1TB [1] of space, just plug it into your compatible iOS or Android phone, quickly transfer files to your USB-C laptop or tablet at speeds up to 150MB/s [2], and get right back to shooting high-res photos and high-def videos on your now-freed-up phone. The drive also comes in four colors that match the iPhone 16 lineup. 

A boost for your gaming handheld console

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Credit: SANDISK

microSD Card for ROG Xbox Ally X

$99.99 at SANDISK

 

Get Deal

Sandisk also delivers fast, reliable, and durable storage solutions designed to keep up with today’s powerful handheld gaming devices, making it easy for gamers to expand their libraries and play with confidence anywhere.

The SANDISK microSD™ Card for ROG Xbox Ally X is an ideal storage upgrade for your ROG Xbox Ally X or ROG Xbox Ally, engineered to match the power and portability of these handhelds. Available in up to 2TB capacities [1], this microSD card lets you carry up to 50 games [3] without juggling space.

Designed with full Xbox integration for seamless compatibility, it delivers up to 200MB/s transfer speeds [2] for quicker load times and smoother gameplay, plus high write speeds for speedy downloads and installs. Built tough with drop, shock, and X-ray protection [4], the new microSD card from Sandisk is certified, tested, and engineered specifically for Xbox and ASUS’ new handheld device, allowing gamers to take their library of games anywhere.

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Credit: SANDISK

microSD Express Card

$99.99 at SANDISK
$111.99 Save $12

 

Get Deal

For other new, popular gaming handheld consoles, there’s the SANDISK microSD Express Card. This card is designed with fast read and write speeds, helping to reduce load times, speed up downloads, and enable access to large game files. 

Sandisk’s trusted reliability means your game library stays protected, whether you’re installing massive AAA releases or managing frequent updates. Built for durability, it’s ready for life on the go, from backpacks to travel cases. If you want storage that matches the power of your favorite handheld, this microSD Express Card is a smart upgrade.

This portable 4TB SSD can take it

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Credit: SANDISK

Extreme Portable SSD

$224.99 at SANDISK
$282.99 Save $58

 

Get Deal

You’re traversing the jungle — leafy or concrete — shooting tons of content and, suddenly, your phone runs out of storage and freezes up. Let the new-generation and very durable SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD save the day. Not only can you transfer 1,000 high-res photos from your phone to the drive in under a minute [5], but you can also safely store up to 4TB [1] of data on it, and the drive is drop, water, and dust-resistant [6].

You can access your files and projects from anywhere, no cloud access or WiFi necessary, while password protection and built-in 256-bit AES encryption [7] help keep your goods protected. Clip this pocket-sized storage life saver to your backpack or slide it into your cargo-pants pocket and get out there with confidence that you won’t run out of storage.  

Forget about having to upgrade your device in order to score more storage. Sandisk offers a range of easy to use and carry data-storage solutions for your compatible phone, laptop, tablet, or other device with the space it needs to perform.

Disclaimers from Sandisk

1. 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. 1TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual storage available to the user is less.

2. Speeds vary by product and capacity. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.

3. Number of games based on an average of 36 GB per game stored on a 2 TB SANDISK microSD card for ROG Xbox Ally (X). The number of games will vary depending on file size, format, and other software and other factors.

4. Card only. See product packaging and www.sandisk.com/proof for additional information and limitations.

5. Based on internal testing with an average PNG file size of 30.4 MB; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.

6. Based on internal testing. IEC 60529 IP65: Tested to withstand water flow (30 kPa) at 3 min.; limited dust contact does not interfere with operation. Must be clean and dry before use.

7. Password protection uses 256-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10+ and macOS v13+. Software download required, see www.sandisk.com/memoryzone.

SANDISK, the SANDISK logo, and SANDISK Extreme Fit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. USB Type-C is a registered trademark of USB Implementers Forum.  All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without notice. Pictures shown may vary from actual products.

Updated on Wednesday, April 15 at 2:08 p.m. ET — A recent Claude status page update confirmed that "This incident has been resolved." An Anthropic spokesperson said that the company appreciates users' patience as it fixed the problem.

Previous updates reported issues with Claude.ai, Clade Code, and the Claude API, with an earlier status stating, "Claude.ai and Platform are down. Login for Claude Code does not work via Claude.ai."

According to an Anthropic status monitor, Claude AI experienced a "major outage" for 40 minutes and a "partial outage" for 73 minutes. Anthropic reported that the service had an overall uptime of 98.79 percent over the past 90 days. Despite previously confirming an issue with Claude Cowork, that service has no reported problems today on the Claude status page. Read more about the incident at the Anthropic website.

Updated on Wednesday, April 15 at 1:37 p.m. ET — In a statement to Mashable, an Anthropic spokesperson confirmed that Claude was experiencing an outage on Wednesday afternoon. The problems affected the Claude.ai desktop browser as well as the popular Anthropic services Cowork and Claude Code.

"Claude.ai and Cowork are currently down for most users and some users may also have trouble logging into Claude Code. Our team is working to restore service and we’re appreciative of everyone’s understanding while we work through this," the spokesperson said.

You can read our original story about this outage below. We'll continue to update this page as new information is available and service is restored.

Claude, the popular AI chatbot from Anthropic, appeared to experience a potential outage on Wednesday. Thousands of users reported trouble accessing Claude, with user error reports spiking at approximately 10:30 a.m. ET, according to DownDetector.

(DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by the same company, Ziff Davis.)

By 1:00 p.m. ET, user error reports were slowing down, though DownDetector is still reporting ongoing problems with Claude AI.

The majority of users (38 percent) reported problems with Claude Chat, while 29 percent reported problems with Claude Code and 25 percent with the Claude App.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

DownDetector showed a spike in Claude user error reports on Wednesday. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of DownDetector

One Mashable editor was unable to access the free version of Claude on desktop, with an error message saying, "You’ve hit your limit for Claude messages. Please wait before trying again. For higher limits, explore our Pro plan." This, despite not having sent any messages to Claude previously. An additional pop-up states, "Service is temporarily busy. You can try again shortly."

Rather than a true Claude outage, access may simply be temporarily restricted for free users. Claude has seen massive growth so far in 2026. In March, amid a feud with the Pentagon and Trump administration, an Anthropic spokesperson told Mashable the company was signing up more than 1 million new users a day.

This is a developing story...

SAVE $24: As of April 15, get a digital download of TurboTax Deluxe (Federal + State) for $55.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 30%.

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Credit: Amazon

TurboTax Deluxe (Federal + State)

$55.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $24.00

 

Get Deal

Today is Tax Day for those of us in the United States, and a day of great frustration for anyone who hasn't navigated the often complicated world of taxes just yet. If you've waited until the last minute, however, don't fret. You've still got time to make sure your taxes are set and ready to go without having to file an extension if you act fast. You can do just that with this Tax Day sale on TurboTax Deluxe, which should help get you through the finish line before midnight, as long as you hurry.

As of April 15, get a digital download of TurboTax Deluxe (Federal + State) for $55.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $79.99. That's $24 off and a discount of 30%.

Once purchased, you can download your TurboTax Deluxe install and get started working on your tax return right away. This version comes with support for both federal and state taxes, so it should have you covered unless you have a much more complicated tax situation.

You get 5 federal e-files and 1 state with your download, though you'll need to pay for a state e-file separately. The software will take you step by step through all of your tax information, potential deductions, and other tidbits to help you get the maximum refund possible (or help cut down what you owe). You also get free U.S.-based tech support if you need it as well as optional live tax advice while you work on your return (for an additional fee).

While seeing a tax expert or an accountant may be your best bet if you can squeeze an appointment in at the last minute, this download can help you ensure you've completed a return by midnight if you act fast. That alone will help you to avoid penalties and fees or, worse, not filing at all. Don't do that. Grab this download and rest easy when the date flips over to April 16.

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Sporting CP in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League quarter finals are hanging in the balance, with plenty of questions still to be answered this week. Arsenal hold a 1-0 advantage over Sporting CP as the second leg comes to London. Arsenal will be expected to advance to the next round, but doubt are starting to creep in after recent defeats in the FA Cup and Premier League.

The winner of this matchup will meet Atletico Madrid in the semi-final stage. Diego Simeone's side narrowly beat Barcelona to qualify for the final four. They'll be watching closely.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Sporting CP in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Sporting CP?

Arsenal vs. Sporting CP in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 15. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Sporting CP for free

Arsenal vs. Sporting CP is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, 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 Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Arsenal vs. Sporting CP 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 (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Arsenal vs. Sporting CP 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 Arsenal vs. Sporting CP without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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).

Watch Arsenal vs. Sporting CP in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Artificial intelligence was linked to an estimated 50,000 layoffs in 2025, and just this year, Amazon, Atlassian, Pinterest, Block, and Fiverr have announced layoffs linked to AI. Now, you can add Snap to the list.

In a memo to Snap employees posted on Wednesday, billionaire CEO Evan Spiegel said the company is laying off about 1,000 employees, or 16 percent of its workforce. As part of these cuts, 300 open roles have also been eliminated. Spiegel told North American employees to work from home on Wednesday, telling them they would find out if they were impacted imminently.

The memo to employees cited the importance of artificial intelligence, and Spiegel said the company would reduce its annual costs by $500 million by the end of the year.

Last fall, I described Snap as facing a crucible moment, requiring a new way of working that is faster and more efficient, while pivoting towards profitable growth....While these changes are necessary to realize Snap’s long-term potential, we believe that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence enable our teams to reduce repetitive work, increase velocity, and better support our community, partners, and advertisers. We have already witnessed small squads leveraging AI tools to drive meaningful progress across several important initiatives, including Snapchat+, enhanced ad platform performance, and efficiency improvements in our Snap Lite infrastructure.

The company has said that it uses AI to generate code and improve efficiency, but it's also worth noting that activist investor Irenic Capital Management (which holds 2.5 percent of the company) called on Snap to make cuts last week and better use AI, according to Reuters.

It's also important to mention that Snap's much-publicized $400 million partnership with AI firm Perplexity has also fallen through, according to tech reporter Alex Heath's Sources newsletter. If the deal had gone through, Perplexity would have given Snap a combination of cash and equity to integrate Perplexity's AI search into the Snapchat app.

If nothing else, AI eliminating human jobs is no longer a purely hypothetical threat, but a grim reality for workers in the tech sector.

Euphoria's still got it. And by "it," I mean the ability to stir up controversy like no other show on TV.

After Euphoria's Season 3 premiere, HBO released a "Weeks Ahead" trailer to tease what's coming next for Rue (Zendaya) and the rest of the show's ensemble. One scene in particular drew fans' attention: an image of Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) taking pictures for her OnlyFans account while dressed as a baby, wearing a pacifier, diaper, and a see-through pink hoodie.

Backlash was swift, with fans on social media criticizing Sweeney and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, even calling the scene a "humiliation ritual."

Since then, ComingSoon reported that HBO deleted, then re-uploaded the Euphoria Season 3 "Weeks Ahead" trailer. The shot of Cassie dressed as a baby remains in the trailer. However, it has since been digitally altered to remove the visible nudity under Cassie's hoodie.

Euphoria's Season 3 premiere also earned criticism for its reintroduction of Cassie, who spends her first scene this season making suggestive online content while dressed as a dog.

Scenes like these highlight how Euphoria Season 3 is already actively seeking out more controversy than its prior two outings. Sweeney's Cassie still serves as Levinson's primary punching bag for humiliation, but the Season 3 premiere — which features a dog licking human excrement off Faye's (Chloe Cherry) legs — proves that there's plenty more outrage to go around.

New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Wouldn't it be nice if all of the shows and movies you loved were on the same streaming service? If you're a Prime member, it's possible to make that happen — and for less money than keeping them all separate. Amazon just added the Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus streaming bundle to the already extensive lineup of Prime Video add-ons.

The Apple TV and Peacock bundle debuted back in October 2025, but this is the first time you can bundle the services through your Prime Video account. The ad-free subscription bundle costs just $19.99 per month, which is over 30% or $10 cheaper than paying for Apple TV and Peacock individually. Peacock Premium Plus typically costs $16.99 per month on its own, while Apple TV now costs $12.99 per month after its latest price hike.

"This bundle makes it easier for customers to seamlessly access even more entertainment options all in one place. By expanding the streaming services and bundles available on Prime Video, we’re continuing to deliver on our commitment to provide customers with greater choice and seamless access to the shows, movies and sports they love," Ryan Pirozzi, head of Prime Video Channels, U.S. says in a press release.

The benefit of subscribing to the Apple TV and Peacock bundle through your Prime Video account is that you can access all three streaming libraries in a single app. Not to mention, you won't have to manage multiple subscriptions or payment methods. Amazon Prime is essentially recreating cable one add-on at a time.

Here's just a taste of all you can watch through the Apple TV and Peacock bundle on Prime Video:

• Apple Originals like Pluribus, Severance, and The Studio

• Beloved NBC series like Law & Order and One Chicago

• Bravo hits like The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Summer House

• Peacock Originals like The Traitors and Ponies

• Premier League soccer, NFL Sunday Night Football, NBA, Major League Baseball, and more live on Peacock

• Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV

• Blockbuster Universal movies and fan-favorite franchises on Peacock

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Credit: Apple TV / Peacock

Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus bundle (Prime Video add-on)

$19.99/month (save $9.99/month)

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PRE-ORDER NOW: As of April 15, pre-order the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, Amazon's newest and slimmest ever streaming device, for $34.90 at Amazon now.

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Credit: Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick HD

$34.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here

Streaming your favorite shows and movies just got a little easier, and a little more affordable. Hot on the heels of its newly-released 4K Fire TV Stick Select last year, Amazon has debuted its newest HD streaming peripheral: the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD. It's available to preorder today, and begins shipping at the end of this month for $34.99.

This new model is about 30% slimmer, according to Amazon, than its previous model. It comes with a USB-C cable and USB-A connector that you can use to connect to your TV in lieu of a wall adapter. That's its "Direct Power" consumption, according to Amazon, so you can fit it flush behind your TV without a bulky wall brick. If you don't have a dedicated USB port, you can always use a USB-C cable and adapter, however, so there's no issues there if you're working with a different setup.

In terms of performance, Amazon claims it's "more than 30% faster on average" in comparison to the older model, so it can spring open apps and bring you your favorite shows faster. It'll also feature Alexa+ supprt if you have a subscription or Prime membership.

Beyond that, you can look forward to a new Adaptive Display setting that will help make the onscreen menu and elements pop as well as improve accessibility for users, while scaling artwork and making text and menus larger.

If you're ready for a new Amazon Fire TV experience, this might be the next model you pick up. You can get your hands on a preorder slot right now and start watching by the beginning of May for all your summer indoor binge-watching.

For U.S. teens who use TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, one of the apps stands out as more of a distraction than the others, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center.

More than a quarter of teens shared that they spend too much time on TikTok, while more than a third said the app negatively affects their sleep. Twenty-nine percent of respondents said TikTok hurts their productivity. Smaller shares of teens reported similar feelings about Instagram and Snapchat.

Still, eight in 10 teens said they turned to TikTok specifically for entertainment. While respondents also considered Instagram and Snapchat reliably entertaining, teens were more likely to use those apps to keep up with friends and family, compared to TikTok.

Despite acknowledging TikTok's negative impact on their sleep and productivity, 71 percent of teens said the app neither hurt or helped their mental health. Three-quarters of teens said the same of Instagram and Snapchat. Nineteen percent of respondents shared that TikTok actually improved their mental health.

In general, about seven in 10 teens said their experiences on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are mostly positive. Only three percent reported largely negative experiences. The remaining teens characterize their engagement on the platforms as a mix of both good and bad.

The findings are based on Pew Research Center's survey of 1,458 U.S. teens and their parents last fall.

Critics have argued that social media companies are facing a "Big Tobacco moment" following a landmark court case against Meta and YouTube, which alleged that both platforms were negligently designed in ways that harmed a young user's mental health. TikTok and Snapchat settled with the plaintiff prior to the jury trial. A separate trial against Meta found the company liable for misleading consumers about child safety.

The Pew Research Center survey, which was conducted well before the trials ended, suggests that teens may feel less negative about TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat than expected.

Regardless, a quarter of parents surveyed by Pew Research Center said that social media hurt their teen's mental health while only eight percent of the teens said the same. Parents were also more likely to say their teen spent too much time on social media.

When it came to TikTok, only 28 percent of teens characterized their use in this way, but that figure increased to 44 percent when parents answered the same question.

The self-proclaimed "HBO of social media" is here.

Vylit, the web-based app from ex-OnlyFans CEO Amrapali (Ami) Gan, is publicly launching today following beta testing last year. While Vylit doesn't allow explicit content like OnlyFans, it does allow topless photos, like a version of Instagram that allows softcore. The app is built for both creators and fans, its founders told Mashable, with multiple ways for the former to monetize content (such as subscriptions or tiers like "premium" and "VIP"), and different ways the latter can access creators, like through chats.

"I spent years watching creators build audiences on one platform and monetize on another. That fragmentation doesn't work. Vylit brings both together," Gan said in a press release shared with Mashable. Gan was the CEO of OnlyFans between Dec. 2021 and July 2023.

Scrolling Vylit does feel a bit like scrolling Instagram, with a twist. In an interview with Mashable, Gan and her cofounder, Kailey Magder (also COO), said that they didn't want to change what users are used to, such as left-hand navigation, but they wanted to give the app a unique Vylit feel. There's a photo-based feed complete with "Glimpses," or its version of Stories, at the top, but Vylit also has distinct features neither Instagram nor OnlyFans has.

"We created Vylit because we were frustrated with how social media works today," said Magder in the press release.

One element that Magder and Gan were frustrated with on other platforms is search and discovery. Famously, OnlyFans has basically no search function, and creators need to market themselves on other platforms. But Gan and Madger want fans and creators to find each other easily on Vylit, so you can search by aesthetics you're into or shared interests with "Vybe Match."

"Platforms are cluttered with ads, political content, and algorithm-driven noise. We wanted to build something that focuses on people, content, and real communities — not engagement at all costs," Magder continued.

There are also AI elements (of course, it being 2026 and all). Creators can generate "AI twins" of themselves, and fans can chat with an AI version of creators. AI chats can be trained on someone's unique personality traits, and they can range from friendly to flirty to "frisky." AI images, meanwhile, can be made topless, but no further nudity.

Credit: Vylit

Credit: Vylit

For the sake of transparency, a sparkle-like icon is placed on all AI-generated images. Chats between a real-life creator and their AI persona are explicitly distinguished, too.

As Vylit allows for topless photos, it's an adults-only platform. All users, creators or otherwise, need to be verified. When Mashable tried out Vylit ahead of launch, this was done through the third-party service Verifymy with an email address. The Vylit launch comes at a time of increasing age-verification laws, which require age checks beyond clicking "yes or no." When Mashable interviewed Gan in Nov. 2025, she said, "To us, the future of social media is very much 18 and over."

Vylit won't be on the App Store, as it takes 30 percent of earnings, the founders told Mashable. But you can sign up for Vylit on its website, and use the web-based app on either your phone or desktop.

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League showcased some thrilling quarter-final first legs last week, but Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid was probably the best of the bunch. Bayern hold a 2-1 advantage coming into the second leg in Munich, but nothing is decided in this battle to advance to the next round.

Expect big performances from star names like Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Kylian Mbappé. It's going to be a really spectacle at the Allianz Arena, so clear your schedule this evening.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid?

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 15. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid for free

Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, 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 Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid 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 (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid 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 access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services 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 RTÉ Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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 Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $9.01: As of April 15, the Apple MacBook Neo base model is on sale for $589.99 at Amazon. While that may not be a huge discount from its $599 list price, it's the best price we've seen since its March launch.

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Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$589.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $9.01

 

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Apple's new budget laptop, which just launched last month, is already selling in droves. It's hard to pass up a MacBook that only costs $599, after all. If you haven't already secured one for yourself, you can now pick one up for even less.

It ain't much, but at just $589.99 at Amazon, the Apple MacBook Neo base model (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is officially down to its best price ever. We saw the budget-friendly MacBook drop to $595 during the Big Spring Sale, but this is the first time it's broken through the $590 threshold.

Mashable's tech editor tested the MacBook Neo and loved it. "If I were a Windows laptop that cost under $1,000, I'd be shaking in my boots," he writes. It's not meant to be a hefty work laptop for professionals. Instead, it's designed for everyday tasks like streaming and web browsing — and for those tasks, it performs seamlessly (just as fast as an M4 MacBook Air). It has the same premium aluminum build as any other MacBook, but runs on an iPhone chip: the A18 Pro (same as the iPhone 16 Pro).

Other specs include a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 6, 8GB of RAM, two USB-C ports, a MagSage charging port, and a headphone jack. And for those concerned about the 8GB of RAM, Mashable's reviewer notes that "it performed surprisingly well." For students or those looking for a second laptop for non-work, the Neo is hard to beat.

SAVE $165: The Shure MoveMic Two Kit is on sale at Amazon for $384, down from the normal price of $549. That's a 30% discount and a record-low price at Amazon.

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Credit: Shure

Shure MoveMic Two Kit

$384 at Amazon
$549 Save $165

 

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By now you've heard (and seen) the buzz around the DJI Mic Mini, which took over every social media feed last summer. But content creators have many other options when it comes to wireless mics. If you're interested in a premium model that removes the need to use a receiver, there's a great deal at Amazon today.

As of April 15, the Shure MoveMic Two Kit is on sale at Amazon for $384, marked down from the normal price of $549. That's a 30% discount that shaves $165 off the price. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Shure MoveMic Two Kit is designed to be used with anything you'd possibly be recording with like an iPhone, Android device, or a DSLR. Each Shure kit includes a protective carrying case, two MoveMic wireless lavalier microphones, a charging case, and one MoveMic receiver. However, if you'd rather record directly to your phone, you can skip using the receiver with the Shure Motiv app pairing.

Shure designed the MoveMic Two Kit to be user-friendly with long battery life, an IXP4 rating that resists rain, and a 100-foot sight range for recording. Each mic weighs just 8.2 grams and gets eight hours of battery life. The included charging case holds an additional two charging cycles for a total of 24 hours of operation before you'll need to recharge.

Since this is the lowest price we've ever seen, upgrade your content creation sessions with the Shure MoveMic Two Kit. It's 30% off at Amazon which brings the price down to $384, but since this is listed as a limited-time deal, it might be smart to act quickly.

Today, the President of the European Commission (the executive body of the European Union), Ursula von der Leyen, announced an EU age-verification app.

Users download the app, which works on any device including phones and computers, input their passport or ID card, and can prove their age when accessing online services, von der Leyen said in a live statement, the transcript of which is available on the EC's website. She said it's "completely anonymous" and users can't be tracked. Apparently, only one's age credential will be stored.

Von der Leyen compared the creation of this app to that of the COVID app once vaccines became available. Users could scan their vaccine cards if they needed proof of vaccination to travel. "Seventy-eight countries across four continents were using this app, so it was a huge success. And now we have taken this success and applied it to the age verification app," she said. "It follows the same principles, the same model."

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Various countries are already planning to integrate the age-verification app into their digital wallets, including France, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Ireland, von der Leyen said. Online platforms can also use the app or look at its code, as it's open source.

Von der Leyen said she's listened to concerns from both parents and member states of the EU, which is why she hosted the first meeting of a special panel on children's online safety a month ago. The second meeting will be tomorrow.

In recent years, countries across the Western world have enacted age verification laws with an outward objective to keep minors off of pornographic sites or viewing material deemed "restricted to adults" or "harmful to minors." Around half of the United States has these laws, while various EU states like France and Italy have established them as well. The UK also has age-verification with the Online Safety Act.

Two preliminary studies, however, have shown that age verification doesn't work for this purpose, as people (including minors) can use VPNs to pretend to be in a jurisdiction without these laws, or they can go to non-compliant sites. It remains to be seen how this new app in the EU will handle these cases, however.

Last week, Mashable reported that age-verification laws are hurting sex educators and sex workers, either by impacting their work or resulting in lower income.

The Trump Mobile T1 smartphone is the gift that keeps on giving, at least in terms of consistently generating headlines without actually releasing a product.

As spotted by The Verge (which has been consistently on top of this), Trump Mobile overhauled its website this week, refreshing it with new photos that look completely different from the device teased last year. The website now reflects the phone redesign that Trump Mobile executives showed to publisher back in February, which still includes a signature Trump gold finish, like the company always promised it would.

Of course, there is still no listed release date, despite the Trump Mobile T1 being promised for a 2025 release when it was first announced a year ago by the U.S. president's sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and then delayed multiple times. A recent FCC listing indicates the device does actually exist in some form, but we have no idea when customers will actually have one in their hands.

There it is, allegedly. Credit: Trump Mobile

The new website, where the phones are available for preorder, also includes some updated specs. The device is purported to have a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple lens rear camera array that includes both 50MP wide and telephoto lenses, and a vague promise of a non-specific Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 chip. Some of these specs are very different from previous iterations of the phone; at one point, it was listed with a 6.25-inch display, but that has ballooned for no apparent reason in the past year.

As for the Trump Mobile T1's price, there's a time-limited promotional window where it costs $499 with a $100 pre-order deposit, but we don't know how much it will cost after that window closes. This device was also originally marketed as being "made in America," but that seems to no longer be the case.

You can do whatever you want with your money, but it might be prudent to wait a bit before plopping down $100 on this thing.

Since its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, Obsession has been gathering buzz from critics and horror fans who fell hard for the movie's gnarly vision of bad romance. Now, ahead of this freaky thriller's theatrical release, you can get your hands on the menacing MacGuffin at its center: the One Wish Willow.

Written and directed by YouTuber Curry Barker, Obsession centers on Bear (Michael Johnson), a shy and shiftless young man who's crushing hard on the dynamic and beautiful Nikki (Inde Navarrette). But she only seems interested in him as a friend. That is until Bear uses a One Wish Willow, wishing for her to love him "more than anyone in the entire world." Like the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.

You can get in on the twisted fun of the One Wish Willow, as Focus has debuted a commercial for the curious product, promising it will make your wish come true. But hey, listen closely to that disclaimer section. And if you need any help, the One Wish Willow website offers a FAQ and a helpline: 1-323-747-7118

However, having called the number, I'm not sure how helpful you'll really find it.

Obsession opens only in theater May 15.

SAVE $227.95: As of April 15, get the Sennheiser HD 600 wired headphones for $272 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $499.95. That's a discount of 46%.

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Credit: Amazon

Sennheiser HD 600 wired headphones

$272 at Amazon
$499.95 Save $227.95

 

Get Deal

Looking for a new pair of headphones? If you've tried the usual suspects, it might be time to go for a different company. May we suggest Sennheiser? One of the gurus of headphones and audio, the company has a pair of excellent wired headphones on offer right now at Amazon that can save you some significant cash if you're ready to make the move.

As of April 15, get the Sennheiser HD 600 wired headphones for $272 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $499.95. That's $227.95 off and a discount of 46%.

These audiophile-grade headphones were made for serious listeners, with an open-back design that has plush ear pads to make wearing them as comfortable as possible. They also feature neodymium ferrous magnets to bring you better audio and completely immerse you in the music.

Their metal mesh earpiece covers let air in to keep your ears from overheating, plus they come with a detachable Kevlar-reinforced cable to keep you from running into the same issue so many wired options fall victim to: one side of the headphones malfunctioning or breaking in and out.

Whether you're listening to your favorite album or joining a work call, these headphones offer comfort, style, and excellent audio for a low price today thanks to this Amazon discount. If you've tried all the other big, familiar brands, it might be time to take the plunge and see what else you've been missing in the wired headphone space.

SAVE $700: As of April 15, the LG 55-inch B5 OLED 4K TV is on sale for just $799.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's over 46% off the original list price of $1,499.99 and its lowest price on record.

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Credit: LG

LG 55-inch B5 OLED 4K TV

$799.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $700

 

Get Deal

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Credit: LG

LG 55-inch B5 OLED 4K TV

$799.99 at Best Buy
$1,499.99 Save $700

 

Get Deal

If a new TV is on your wist list and you want an upgrade that makes a noticeable difference, an OLED model is your best bet. And when it comes to OLED TVs, LG is our favorite brand. The entry-level LG B5 model is a good place to start — especially since it's on sale for nearly half off.

As of April 15, you can get the LG 55-inch B5 OLED 4K TV for only $799.99 instead of $1,499.99 at either Amazon or Best Buy. Not only is that 46% in savings, but also its best price ever, which is reached just once before.

Whether you're upgrading to watch sports, new theatrical releases, or just the latest season of Euphoria or Malcolm in the Middle, you'll be impressed by the difference an OLED TV makes. OLEDs have the most advanced lighting system and are noticeably more vibrant and detailed than QLEDs, particularly while watching dim scenes or in dark rooms. The B5 model also features Dolby Vision, HDR10 Pro, Dolby Atmos, Filmmaker Mode, 120Hz gaming support, and NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility. There's also plenty of AI features if you're into that, like Concierge for content recommendations and the Personalized Picture and Sound Wizard to customize your viewing experience.

The B5 is LG's cheapest OLED from 2025, offering the best picture quality for the best price. And now that it's nearly half off its list price, it practically falls into budget TV territory.

SAVE $550: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $749, down from the usual price of $1,299. That's a 42% discount.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Power 2000

$749 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $550

 

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Portable power stations are everywhere these days. Your friends are using them for camping, the neighbors have one to run a backyard projector for movie nights, and your parents have one to keep the refrigerator running during a power outage. But there are a few models that cater specifically to content creators, and one of them is on a major discount today.

As of April 15, the DJI Power 2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $749, marked down from the usual price of $1,299. That's a 42% discount that takes a major $550 off the price.

DJI knows how to keep content creators happy. From the viral Mic Mini to the user-friendly Osmo Pocket 3, the brand is a go-to for creators. These days, DJI has several portable power stations to keep creators charged up while working. The largest of them is the DJI Power 2000, which offers 2,048Wh of capacity from a long-lasting LFP battery.

Like other portable power stations, the DJI has a collection of standard AC ports, USB-C, and USB-A options. But unlike other power stations, the DJI Power 2000 includes two SDC ports which have the ability to quick-charge DJI drone batteries. Two of the USB-C ports are capable of 140W output which will be ideal for recharging laptops.

Another benefit for creators is the quiet operation of the Power 2000. That'll be ideal if recording content in the same room as the Power 2000. There's also the 10 millisecond UPS switch time that'll keep devices running seamlessly during a power cut. Plus, the DJI power station can recharge to 80% in just 50 minutes with standard wall charging.

While it's sitting at a 42% discount, upgrade your content creation setup with the DJI Power 2000. It's great for content creators, camping, using during power outages, and for backyard movie nights this summer.

Tax Day is here. We know you've had this special date circled in your calendar for some time, but not for submitting your taxes. You've had this date in mind for an entirely different reason: scoring all the free food deals that drop on April 15.

The usual suspects have launched limited-time food offers to mark this occasion, including Burger King and Krispy Kreme. We've checked out everything on offer to bring you the only list you'll ever need. So submit your taxes and celebrate with any of these tasty promotions.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

On April 15, get $10 off any $40 takeout or delivery order.

Burger King

OK, so this isn't exactly a Tax Day deal, but customers can get a regular Whopper sandwich for $3.99 or a small Whopper combo meal for $6.99 on April 15. That's because Tax Day falls on a Wednesday, and Burger King offers this promotion on every Wednesday.

California Tortilla

On April 15, get a free small chips and queso when you make any online or in-app purchase and use promo code GOVCHEESE at checkout. To get your freebie in-store, mention “Government Cheese” at the checkout.

Del Taco

Get a free Snack Taco with a $5 purchase, a BOGO deal on Crispy Fish tacos, and a $1 Grilled Chicken Taco on Tax Day.

Krispy Kreme

On April 15, Krispy Kreme customers who purchase any dozen doughnuts at regular price can get a second Original Glazed dozen for free.

Olive Garden

Olive Garden is offering a Buy One, Take One promotion until May 3. Customers can order from a select menu of entrées and get a second, chilled entrée to-go starting at $14.99.

Qdoba

Qdoba Rewards members can get $5 off any full-sized entrée this tax season. Visit www.TaxDayGuacRelief.com to file for "guac relief." Complete a short survey and then the $5 off reward will be dropped in your Qdoba app rewards wallet on April 20.

Pizza Hut

On April 15, get a large three-topping pizza starting at just $10. This offer is available in-store, online, or via the Pizza Hut app.

Popeyes

On April 15, Popeyes is offering customers a 25% off Tax Day three-piece tenders combo. This offer is available on the Popeyes app or online, and includes a three-piece tenders, one regular side, one biscuit, and a drink.

Potbelly

On April 15, get a free Original size sandwich or wrap with the purchase of any Big or Original size sandwich or wrap.

Smoothie King

On April 15, get $3 off by joining the Healthy Rewards loyalty program through the Smoothie King app.

Subway

On April 15, get a free footlong sandwich with the purchase of another footlong. The BOGO offer is available through April 28 on the Subway app or website using promo ode FLBOGO.

Taco John's

On April 15, Taco John's Rewards members can score a free small order of Potato Olés with any $3 purchase. This offer is redeemable through the Taco John's app or online ordering.

Wendy's

On April 15, Wendy's is offering customers a free six-piece nuggets with a purchase of $5 via the Wendy's app.

Spotify is now a physical book store, y'all.

On Wednesday, the (primarily) music streaming company announced the launch of printed book sales in the U.S. and UK. In these two markets, Spotify users can now order physical books, though only on the Android version of the app, with iOS support starting next week.

Spotify, which announced the move in February, partnered with Bookshop.org for physical book sales. Bookshop.org is an online book marketplace that focuses on local, independent bookstores, selling both physical books and e-books.

Spotify launched audiobooks in Sept. 2022 in the U.S., and has since steadily expanded its catalog and availability in other markets, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and several European countries. The company currently offers audiobooks in 22 markets, and has a catalog of 700,000 titles.

As for why is Spotify, initially a purely digital platform, moving into physical books, hear it from Owen Smith, Spotify’s Global Head of Audiobooks. "We believe the future of reading or listening needs to be flexible and fit more seamlessly into people’s lives, he said in February when the feature was originally announced. "We’re extending Spotify’s discovery and engagement strengths across both audio and physical formats, so authors can build deeper connections with their audiences and books can follow readers wherever they go."

On Wednesday, Spotify also launched several other features. One is the expansion of Page Match, a feature that allows listeners to seamlessly move between ebooks, physical books, and audiobooks, to 30 additional languages. The company also expanded Audiobook Recaps on Android, launched Audiobook Charts in Germany, and introduced a dedicated Audiobook Chart for kids in the U.S. and the UK.

SAVE OVER $300: As of April 15, the Eufy E28 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $649.99 at Amazon, a return to its lowest-ever price.

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Credit: Eufy

Eufy E28 Robot Vacuum and Mop

$649.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $350

 

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If you've been looking for a robot vacuum that can do more that just vacuum your floors, there are some great combo models available right now. The Eufy E28 is one option worth considering that can vacuum, mop, and even comes with a detachable carpet cleaner. It's quite a helpful pick-up for spring cleaning, and now is a great time to grab it as it's currently on sale at Amazon.

It's usually listed for $999.99, but the Eufy E28 has dropped to $649.99 at Amazon for a limited time. This deal marks a return to its lowest-ever price, which is certainly worth celebrating. If its all-in-one design has caught your eye, this is an excellent time to scoop it up for less.

There's a lot to take in with the Eufy E28. When vacuuming, the robot vacuum boasts 20,000Pa suction power for cleaning your floors and even features carpet detection, which adjusts suction automatically to match your flooring. It also has DuoSpiral anti-tangle brushes on the inside that helps to make sure hair doesn't get tangled up and slow it down. And when it comes to mopping, it has a HydroJet Deep Cleaning System that helps to remove stains on hard surface floors.

The Eufy E28 also comes with a detachable deep carpet cleaner, which is an extra special win for carpets or fabric furniture in your home. With this, you'll be able to tackle stains on these surfaces a little bit easier.

The Eufy E28 is an incredibly helpful all-in-one cleaner to have in your house this spring. Don't miss out on this great chance to save right now at Amazon.

Here is where things currently stand on my Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream island: I'm married to Dua Lipa, who I only added to the island because I wanted her to fall in love with my friend Nick, who has a thing for her. Nick, in a full cowboy getup, played guitar and sang at our wedding because he's a good guy who would never let jealousy end a friendship. Meanwhile, my friend Curt has a devastating crush on Sonic the Hedgehog, but so far it remains tragically unrequited. Stewie Griffin and Eric Cartman have also fallen in love with each other, but neither party has confessed as much yet. I wish them all the best.

This is largely how Tomodachi Life on the Nintendo Switch goes. You make a bunch of Miis (you know, the weird little dudes you played as in Wii Sports 20 years ago), perform a tiny amount of daily maintenance to keep them happy and unlock new stuff, and whatever happens next is up to them. While at times it barely feels like a game in the traditional sense, there's simply no denying how much fun it is.

As a long-awaited follow-up to Tomodachi Life on 3DS (released in 2014), Living the Dream has big shoes to fill. While not every great aspect of the 3DS game made the journey to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has expanded upon that game's vision in enough other cool ways to make this a sequel worth waiting more than a decade for.

I hope you like landscaping

Since Living the Dream is launching to a much larger audience than the 3DS game did 12 years ago, I imagine there are plenty of folks wondering what the heck it is. Let me explain it the best I can.

In Living the Dream, the player's main job is to cultivate and maintain an island full of Miis. You can base them on yourself, your friends, or your favorite fictional characters, celebs, or athletes. Each Mii has a distinct personality set by the player via a series of personality sliders ("Honest" and "Polite" are at opposite ends of one slider, for example), and this dictates how they behave and who they become friends with. Feeding them food they like, giving them stylish outfits, and otherwise fulfilling whatever mundane requests they make will fill up a happiness meter, which facilitates island expansion and other fun unlocks.

And that's pretty much it! The bones of Tomodachi Life haven't changed much since 2014, but a lot of things around the edges have been updated to make Living the Dream a more customizable experience than the last game. Perhaps the biggest change is that you can perform grid-based island customization now to make your island look exactly how you want. This also opens up another avenue for unlocking collectibles, as things like potted plants, trees, vending machines, and certain walking surfaces are now locked behind leveling up.

This is the life. Credit: Nintendo

I have to admit that this is not something I'm very keen on in any game. I just don't have a good eye for interior or exterior decoration. That said, Living the Dream makes this extremely simple to do and low-stakes enough that you can safely ignore it if you want. One of my favorite features is that, anytime it's time to place a new structure or item, you can press a "Mii's Choice" button to make the game put it wherever it makes the most sense. Or, sometimes, it'll put a vending machine on the beach. Either way, I don't have to think too hard about it.

Another cool new feature is the ability to create objects, clothing, and even physical features for Miis by simply drawing with a cursor (or, in handheld mode, a touchscreen). Again, I am not an artist, so this is something I didn't do a lot, but I know for certain it's going to unlock a new level of deranged nonsense once Living the Dream goes wide.

Even if it's not something I want to spend a lot of time on, making the Mii Island a more tangible and customizable place is a great move for Living the Dream. People are going to go nuts with it, and I can't wait to see dedicated players' Mii metropolises, even though they won't be able to easily share them online. More on that in a moment.

The voice synthesis is what makes Tomodachi Life great

Imagine this, but in the weirdest robot voice you've ever heard. Credit: Nintendo

The actual gameplay of Tomodachi Life, at least in my eyes, is not really the appeal here. That said, it is a fun and rewarding loop that can remain engaging for dozens of hours, while never really asking the player to spend more than 30 to 45 minutes playing at a time. One of the best aspects of Living the Dream is that you'll just kinda naturally run out of things to do before each session reaches an hour, unless you have an ungodly number of Miis on your island. They'll stop making requests and start operating on their own. You can stick around and watch, or you can come back later. It's got Animal Crossing-style real-time clock elements, so there are reasons to log on at certain times of day. But, thankfully, I never once felt obligated to structure my real-life schedule around Tomodachi Life, which is what turned me off of Animal Crossing.

In actuality, though, the secret sauce that makes Living the Dream work is the robotic text-to-speech voice synthesis that every Mii uses to speak. They'll often ask you questions that you can answer in a text field, and then they'll repeat the answer out loud in all sorts of different contexts. I told a Mii that I like Bruce Springsteen, and now all of the Miis on my island talk about The Boss a lot. Nintendo made the rather brilliant decision to not include a censorship filter of any kind in Living the Dream, so while I'll refrain from sharing specific examples, I can confirm that you can make them talk about literally anything you can fit in that text field.

I'm not joking when I say the reason to play this game is to just sit and listen to the Miis talk. Their voices sound distinctly unnatural in a way that's both funny and refreshingly honest in a world full of generative AI garbage. At no point are any of your Miis trying to actually imitate human speech, which is what makes it so charming. Of course, you have full control over their voice pitch, depth, and tone, so you can make them sound really weird, if you want.

This mostly manifests in the form of little comedy skits your Miis will ambiently perform for your amusement. Occasionally, a Mii will ask you to help them befriend another Mii by requesting a conversation topic. Type anything in, and they'll have a goofy little Mad Libs-style conversation about it. The voice synthesis in Tomodachi Life is not new for this entry in the series, but it is absolutely key to what makes Living the Dream so fun to check in on every day.

I just wish you could use the share button

You can draw whatever you want, but good luck sharing it on social media. Credit: Nintendo

In Living the Dream, Miis have never looked crisper and more high-definition. There are more cosmetic options for them here than the Wii had, so if you're creative enough, you can make a virtual facsimile of just about anyone. Nintendo has also made the admirable decision to make this a Switch 1 joint rather than locking it onto the more expensive Switch 2. Unfortunately, this means the game is locked to 30 frames per second and doesn't currently take advantage of any unique Switch 2 features, such as mouse control, which would have made drawing things and landscaping a lot easier. The frame rate thing doesn't really matter in a game like this, but no mouse support is a real bummer.

Nothing is a bigger bummer, though, than the lack of true share button support. In Living the Dream, you can press the Switch's share button to capture screenshots and video clips of hilarious moments, just like you would in any other Switch game. However, Nintendo has turned off the ability to upload captures directly to a mobile device. This means getting screenshots and videos off of a console and onto social media is borderline impossible for the average user.

There's a loophole that involves putting the captures on a SD card and uploading them to a computer that way, but most people simply aren't going to do that.

My friends and I do this on weekends. Credit: Nintendo

I think I understand Nintendo's thinking here. If the share button worked as normal in a game with no censorship filter, the internet would be flooded with horrible pictures and videos from misbehaving Miis, a bad look for the most family-friendly publisher in gaming. Unfortunately, there are so many funny screenshots I've taken that I can't even include in this review because I can't currently get them off my Switch.

Lastly, I'll also mention that I don't think you can write songs for your Miis to perform in this game, as you could in the 3DS version. It's possible I just haven't fulfilled some arcane unlocking mechanism to use that feature, but as far as I can tell, my favorite part of the 3DS version has been excised. Sad.

Even with those bothersome limitations, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is almost exactly what I wanted it to be in every other respect. It's a different, more lowkey kind of "cozy game" than Pokémon Pokopia. Rather than focusing on large-scale construction projects, you'll spend most of your time in Living the Dream making funny little talking dolls that look like your friends and pushing them together until they fall in love, or don't. Most importantly, I laugh literally every time I play it. Most video games can't claim that.

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Credit: Nintendo

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

$59.99 at Amazon

 

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Donald Trump's Truth Social post with an AI image of himself as Jesus is still all over our feeds, with vice president JD Vance attempting to play the post off as a "joke."

"He had to come out yesterday to defend President Trump from all the woke Christians who are trying to cancel him just because he might have said, 'I am Jesus'," joked The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng during Tuesday night's show. "Get over it, snowflakes. Where in the Trump Bible does it say you can't worship false idols?"

Vance told Fox News of Trump's now-deleted post, "I think the president was posting a joke and, of course, he took it down because he recognised that a lot of people weren't understanding his humour" — which Chieng jokingly lambasted the Daily Show audience for.

"Shut up! Shut up. It was a joke. What's the matter, you guys don't have jokes at Jesus Camp? Everyone knows Trump posted this picture to be funny, right?" Chieng said, cutting to footage of Trump himself telling reporters he though "it was me as a doctor" with no mention of it being a joke.

"OK, well, make up your mind," said Chieng. "Is it a doctor or is it a joke, or is it a doctor who is a joke, like a chiropractor?"

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No one said it better than Stephen Colbert: "Yesterday might have been the weirdest weird that ever weirded."

Yes, we're talking about the fact that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, took questions from reporters at the White House about the U.S.-Iran war and his Truth Social post involving an AI image of himself as Jesus, all after he DoorDashed McDonald's and attacked the Pope online.

"If you just woke up from a coma and that report was the first thing you saw, you'd ask the doctor to put you back in. I'm sorry, you'd ask the Jesus to put you back in," Colbert said, referring to Trump's U-turn on the now-deleted image of himself as Jesus, which the president claimed he thought "was me as a doctor."

"This recreational blasphemy got Trump so much heat that he pulled the post down from social media, and now people can only see it everywhere on the internet," said Colbert.

"Here's how offensive Trump's AI Jesus post was: The Knights Templar said they condemn it wholeheartedly and asked for a public apology. The Knights Templar. He's angered the Knights Templar," Colbert said. "Well, it's official: we're trapped in a Dan Brown movie. Quick! Somebody find Tom Hanks and give him a terrible haircut."

Colbert also noted how Trump's online vendetta against Pope Leo XIV might be unwise if he's worried about approval ratings.

"Why would you start a beef with the Pope? According to a recent NBC poll, Pope Leo leads everyone in America in approval ratings. It's got to piss Trump off to learn that the most popular guy on the planet lives in a palace dripping with gold and wears an insane hat and it's not him," said Colbert. "Fun fact: Do you know what American finished second in that NBC poll? It gives me no pleasure to say 'Colbert trailed only Pope Leo in favorability.' Forgive me, I lied. Actually found that quite pleasurable."

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SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,089 at Amazon. That's over $500 off the list price and the best-ever price at Amazon.

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Credit: DJI

DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo

$1,089 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $510

 

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The 2026 drone market is currently in a weird state of flux. Legislative pressure is mounting on DJI imports. We’ve moved past the phase of uncertainty into genuine panic buying before stock disappears for good.

Any sort of deal during this frantic period is very much welcome. Any sort of deal down to a record-low price cannot be ignored.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to $1,089 at Amazon — its all-time low and over $500 off the list price for a limited time.

The Mini 5 Pro remains the champion of the lightweight category. For creators, the one-inch CMOS sensor is the star of the show, delivering 4K HDR at 60fps that looks like it belongs on a cinema screen. The 360-degree Nightscape sensing maps obstacles in low light while the specialized Nighttime Return-to-Home ensures your investment doesn't end up as a permanent resident of a neighbor's tree.

We’ve monitored this price point across several sale cycles, and this looks like the floor. If you’re a content creator looking to future-proof your kit with a drone that doesn't require a commercial pilot’s license, this is the deal to snipe before stock drops.

We're not encouraging panic buying, but we do believe in tactical shopping — and there's never been a better time to invest in this versatile drone.

Taskmaster Season 21 is off and running, with Alex Horne and Greg Davies presenting tricky challenges to celebrity contestants Amy Gledhill, Armando Iannucci, Joanna Page, Joel Dommett, and Kumail Nanjiani.

After the epic mayhem that American comedian Jason Mantzoukas brought to the show last season, Nanjiani's been representing the U.S. with a generally more chill, less "destroy, dismantle, engulf in flames" attitude toward the tasks. But if ever there was a moment to lose your cool, it might be this "skittles" challenge in episode 2.

For those who don't speak English, "skittles" means bowling pins. And in this preview clip exclusive to Mashable, Nanjiani and his costars must get the bowling ball in the bucket, without leaving the stage. Sounds easy enough. But if they touch a skittle, they get a time penalty. All skittles must be standing when the bowling ball is put in the bucket.

Nanjiani starts off strong, strategically taking two time penalties as a sacrifice for progress. But then, well, as he puts it, "This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me."

Taskmaster airs on Channel 4 in the UK. In the U.S., you can watch Taskmasker on the Taskmaster YouTube Channel.

SAVE OVER $400: As of April 15, the Anker Solix F3800 Plus portable power station is on sale for $2,299 at Amazon. This is $400.99 off its list price of $2,699.99.

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Credit: Anker

Anker Solix F3800 Plus Portable Power Station

$2,299 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $400.99

 

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Spring is a great time to look around for a portable power station, especially if you're planning some camping trip adventures or want a little back-up power on hand in case severe weather hits. Thankfully, there's some great deals available at the moment. If you want to go all-out with a hefty power station, the Anker Solix F3800 Plus portable power station is a great option on sale right now at Amazon.

As of April 15, Amazon has marked the Anker Solix F3800 Plus down to $2,299. Overall, this saves you $400.99 off its list price of $2,699.99, which is a pretty sweet deal to jump on. It's only live for a limited time, so now is the time to make a move on it if you're interested.

The Anker Solix F3800 Plus is quite a beefy machine. It has a huge 6,000W output and 3.84kWh of power that can help keep plenty of items going, no matter if you're dealing with outages at home caused by severe weather or powering up items in an RV for camping. It can even be controlled from the Anker app, which allows you to keep a close eye on charging times and battery status.

Plus, it comes with a suitcase-style handle and wheels that makes moving it around nice and easy. So no matter where you need the extra power, it can easily be moved to help.

Since it's a limited-time deal it may not be available for long. Be quick to save on the Anker Solix F3800 Plus portable power station at Amazon before the deal is gone for good.

In an absolute win for anyone who grew up with a Legolas poster on their bedroom wall (represent), we're getting more Lord of the Rings movie action. Give it to us raw and wriggling.

With new details announced at CinemaCon on Tuesday, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to hit cinemas in 2027, with some of the original cast from Peter Jackson's adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's books returning to their iconic roles. However, there are also new faces afoot playing beloved characters.

So what is The Hunt for Gollum about? And who's playing Aragorn, who isn't Viggo Mortensen? Here's everything we know about the film — we needs it.

What is The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum about?

Precious. Credit: New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

TL;DR — The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum sits on the timeline between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, closer to the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring.

Andy Serkis, the actor who defined the tricksy, tragic character Gollum/Sméagol for the screen in Jackson's Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, is reprising his role in The Hunt for Gollum, a film he's also directing.

In a win for fans, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, the tremendous trio responsible for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, are producing — the band's back together. Boyens and Walsh are writing the screenplay with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim's Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.

From Tolkien's books and Jackson's films, we know Sméagol was a hobbit whose obsession with the One Ring saw him murder his bestie Déagol for it, flee into the Misty Mountains, and transform into the creature Gollum, plagued by his ill-fated allegiance to "the precious." The Hunt for Gollum takes place around the start of events of The Fellowship of the Ring, so we're talking the Third Age, but it's not clear where things will pick up (leaks suggest "the shadowed time between Bilbo's birthday disappearance and the Fellowship's formation").

Unless you've read The Fellowship of the Ring and Tolkien's appendices, the only thing most of us know Gollum was doing around this time was being tortured in Mordor for information about where the One Ring was ("Shire, Baggins") but what happened between that, Frodo leaving the Shire, getting chased by Ringwraiths, meeting Aragorn, heading to Rivendell, and Gandalf realising Gollum was stalking the Fellowship in the Mines of Moria?

Ian McKellen (who's back as Gandalf, people!) told The Times, "The script is designed to appeal to people who like Lord of the Rings...It’s an adventure story, Aragorn trying to find Gollum with Gandalf directing operations from the sidelines." Meanwhile, Tolkien fan site TheOneRing.net (via Guardian) posted a leak suggesting, "we meet young Sméagol...long before The One Ring consumed him...With the ring lost and carried away by Bilbo Baggins, Gollum finds himself compelled to leave his cave in search of it. Gandalf the Grey calls upon Aragorn, still known as the ranger Strider, to track the elusive creature whose knowledge of the whereabouts of the ring could tip the balance toward the Dark Lord Sauron."

Who's in the cast for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?

They're baaaaack. Credit: New Line/WireImage

Announced by Warner Bros. and New Line at CinemaCon on Apr. 14, the cast for The Hunt for Gollum includes original trilogy favourites and newcomers to iconic roles.

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Returning

• Andy Serkis — Gollum/Sméagol

• Sir Ian McKellen — Gandalf

• Elijah Wood — Frodo Baggins

• Lee Pace — Thranduil

Serkis will, of course, reprise his role as the titular Gollum/Sméagol, but he's not alone. Elijah Wood will step back into his hairy feet as Frodo Baggins, the hobbit who took the One Ring all the way to Mordor and (thanks to his gardener, Samwise Gamgee) destroyed it despite much emo and ennui. The illustrious Sir Ian McKellen will return as Gandalf, the ultimate wizard of Middle Earth (I said what I said).

From The Hobbit trilogy, Lee Pace will return as Thranduil, the Elvenking of Mirkwood, who, like Orlando Bloom, sold a fair few GHD straighteners in his time.

New

• Jamie Dornan — Aragorn/Strider

• Kate Winslet — Marigol

• Leo Woodall — Halvard

Aragorn aka Strider aka Chieftain of the Dúnedain, a role crystallised by Viggo Mortensen in the 2000s, will be played by Jamie Dornan. Joining him will be Leo Woodall as Halvard, a fellow Dúnedain and hunting companion to Aragorn. And her eminence Kate Winslet joins the cast as a yet-to-be-detailed character called Marigol.

Also, in the cast announce above, the video features music by Howard Shore, super-composer for all the Lord of the Rings projects, so hopefully his involvement is a Shore thing.

When does The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum hit cinemas?

Call off the Great Eagle rideshare because you're going to have to wait.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will be showing in cinemas Dec. 17, 2027. It's giving the December dates we used to look forward to during the original trilogies.

We're always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We've also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

You can find a live hub for those deals right here.

I spend a lot of time trawling through the depths of the online world to find deals that are genuinely worth your time and money. And no, I'm not talking about those heavily discounted products that have actually been stuck at that "low price" for months. I'm talking about limited-time discounts on the products that I'd actually recommend to a friend.

That's the aim of the game for Mashable's team of shopping experts. We're constantly scanning leading retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy to bring you new opportunities to save your precious cash. But we're not satisfied with the current state of affairs. We don't want you to miss a thing, and that's why we landed on the Mashable Deals text group.

Become a subscriber of the Mashable Deals text group and I'll send you the very best deals directly to your phone. You don't need to pay anything to get access to these deals. Simply sign up above and you'll be the first to know about huge savings on MacBooks, limited-time discounts on AirPods, price cuts on items under $50, and all of those other deals that drop throughout the week.

I'll send a Deal of the Day most days. During major shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday, we may bump this up to a couple of sends per day. But that's only if we come across multiple offers that are truly worth the send. If we track down a bunch of impressively low prices during a busy shopping event, we'll drop those in a single text.

We're not going to spam you. The daily deals that we send to the Mashable Deals text group will have been researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

Signing up for the Mashable Deals text group is quick, safe, and totally free. You can also opt out anytime you like. I hope you give it a try.

SAVE $40: As of April 15, the Soundcore AeroClip earbuds are on sale for $109.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

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Credit: Soundcore

Soundcore AeroClip

$109.99 at Amazon
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Open earbuds are becoming increasingly popular, especially for runners and people who listen to music out in public. But what are they? Open earbuds utilize a special design that rests just outside the ear instead of sitting inside it, allowing you to listen to music while remaining aware of your surroundings.

And as of April 15, Soundcore AeroClip earbuds are on sale. For a limited time, you can save $40 on the list price, bringing the cost down to $109.99.

These earbuds also have a clip-on design, helping them stay secure for all-day wear. This makes them an ideal choice for workouts of all intensities.

The sound quality includes Hi-Res sound with enhanced bass, supported by a 12mm titanium-coated driver and virtual bass technology. It also benefits from directional sound delivery that helps to keep audio focused toward your ears while reducing sound leakage for more privacy. For calls and voice notes, the earbuds use a four-microphone system with AI noise reduction to keep voices clear in busy environments.

And they're robust too, featuring a water resistance rating of IP55. The listing notes that some early packaging may show an IPX4 rating, but the actual rating is IP55.

Find this earbuds deal at Amazon now.

Republicans are out in force defending Donald Trump again, this time for an AI image the president shared (and then deleted) that appeared to depict him as Jesus (Trump claimed he thought the post showed him as a "doctor") — a follow-up to an angry tirade he posted on Truth Social attacking the Pope.

In the clip above, Jimmy Kimmel breaks down some of the ways right-wing politicians and pundits have been defending the president's post, culminating in JD Vance arguing that it was only a joke.

"He was posting a joke, you understand? And like all the best jokes it had to be explained and then deleted. First he was Jesus, then he wasn't Jesus, he was a doctor, and now it was a joke. Why did I get kicked off the air again, I can't remember?" Kimmel says. "This White House cannot even keep their lies straight."

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One anxiety when you’re signing up for a dating site, especially one of the more spicy ones like AdultFriendFinder, is the paper trail or, in this day and age, the digital paper trail.

Maybe you’re married or in a relationship, or maybe you and your ex still haven’t separated your financial lives, or maybe you just don’t like the idea of your bank teller or financial advisor knowing about your online activities — whatever the reason, it’s perfectly natural to worry about what your dating app subscription will look like on your bank statement, especially if that subscription service contains the word “adult.”

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Thankfully, AdultFriendFinder has already anticipated this concern. If you do decide to upgrade from a free membership to a paid one, whether you opt for their Gold or VIP subscription, your monthly billing statement will only show up as FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF, a relatively cryptic and innocuous line that won’t arouse undue suspicion or judgment. Do be aware, though, that AdultFriendFinder subscriptions default to “auto renew,” so if you purchase a membership and want to cancel, you’ll have to actively disable the auto-renew function. Otherwise you risk having the mysterious FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF statement showing up once again.

But what if even that isn’t good enough for you?

If you’re especially cautious — or especially paranoid — you can bypass the bank statements entirely by paying with a gift card or a cash, check, or money order (available only to users in the U.S.). You can even use an e-wallet option like AirTM. Residents of the UK can opt to pay by SMS.

If avoiding a digital paper trail is your top priority and privacy is paramount, you’re much better off using these payment options and never handing over your credit card details to begin with.