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Tech that looks like tech is all well and good when it’s a laptop, router, or game console. Designing a good smart home is all about making unobtrusive choices that don’t ruin your home’s decor with flashing lights and LCD screens.

It's no secret that Google Photos is one of the best photo management and storage options on Android, not to mention the obvious go-to for many users. But with storage limits running out, more features turning into a subscription fee, or as a way to de-Google life a bit, many users are looking for an alternative.

Consumer Wi-Fi routers are great at providing a basic firewall, reliable Wi-Fi, and speedy Ethernet ports for your wired connections. However, they really don't offer you much control over your network.

One of the most underrated features that nearly every flagship smartphone had over a decade ago was the humble notification LED. These tiny lights gave you just enough information, like which app or type of alert a notification came from, without pulling you into your phone. Now, with rumors of a new "Pixel Glow" feature tied to the Pixel 11, it looks like that idea might be coming back in a smarter, cooler way—and I’m excited to see it.

If you’re thinking that you need two separate servers for running Plex and a local LLM, think again. Plex and local large language models have more in common than you might think, and that’s why running them on the same hardware actually makes sense.

Look, we know that companies have to be careful when introducing new, AI-driven features, but Spotify is really taking its sweet time with AI DJ.

The company first introduced the feature in 2023. It uses AI smarts and your personal music listening history to create a mixtape, as well as add a human-like voice commentary so that the experience feels almost like listening to a real radio station.

SEE ALSO: Spotify now verifies artists that are human, not AI

The problem is, Spotify originally launched AI DJ in the U.S. and Canada, gradually expanding it to new markets over time, but some key markets, including many in Europe, were missing — until now.

On Thursday, Spotify announced the expansion of AI DJ to six European markets: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland, as well as Brazil and South Korea. The company also introduced four new language options for the AI DJ: French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.

Spotify's AI DJ is now available in more than 75 global markets, the company said.

Featured Video For You How TikTok is Changing the Music Industry

To try it out, find the DJ on your Spotify home page, or search for "DJ." You can then make a request by voice or text by tapping the DJ button; to switch between languages, tap on the three-dot menu and select the language you like.

Spotify pointed out that the feature is (still!) in beta, and that you'll need the latest version of the app to access all of its features .

There are plenty of devices in your home that are obvious candidates for automation, such as smart light bulbs, thermostats, and smart locks. However, there are some devices that you may not have considered automating.

Standard dynamic range (SDR), which has roots going back to the start of television, was hitting its limits and couldn't capture the light and shadows of the real world. High dynamic range (HDR) arrived to TVs and monitors with a promise to show contrast and color more like the human eye does, intending to make films and games look more realistic. It was presented as the next step for anyone who cares about picture quality, fixing the visual compromises we have lived with for decades.

If you're thinking about programming or just learning to code, you might notice that developers tend to favor Linux. Why is that? Here are the reasons you should care about Linux's hold over developers.

Bambu Lab printers are famously plug-and-print, requiring little in the way of setup and only a roll of filament to get started. Upgrades can make your experience even better by optimizing workflow and adding more capabilities to your printer.

Every year, another "Excel killer" shows up claiming spreadsheets are finally on their way out. The story sounds neat: cleaner tools, smarter AI, no more messy grids.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond or Better Value plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Shop Now

Earlier this year we got new iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads. That was a lot to take in, but what are we all supposed to do until the next launch? We can't sit around and wait until the foldable iPhone arrives in late 2026.

Instead, we should be using this time to scout the best deals on Apple's latest lineup.

And there's some good news for anyone looking to upgrade to the Apple iPhone 17: For a limited time, you can claim the iPhone 17 for free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond or Better Value plan. You can also switch to almost any T-Mobile plan and get a free iPhone 17e. Neither of these offers requires a trade-in, but you do need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection fee.

SEE ALSO: iOS 27 could finally bring AI photo-editing to your iPhone

The iPhone 17 is the first base model built to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. In Mashable's review, Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." Potential buyers should also know that the camera is "almost as good as the one on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max." That's good news for all the budding content creators out there.

Score the Apple iPhone 17 for free with this latest offer from T-Mobile.

Portable power stations provide reliable off-grid power for travel, emergencies, and outdoor use. This video explains how they work, how to charge them, and where they’re most useful. It also looks at options like the Anker 521 and EcoFlow Delta 3.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box is on sale for $82.13 at Amazon, down from its typical $98.99 price. This is the lowest price we have ever seen on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box $82.13 at Amazon
$98.99 Save $16.86 Get Deal

We’ve been lucky enough to see plenty of MTG discounts on the Avatar: The Last Airbender expansion recently, but Amazon has made statement with its best-ever price on the Jumpstart Booster Box. 

As of May 7, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box listed for $82.13. That's 17% off its current $98.99 list price, and the lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

The Avatar The Last Airbender Jumpstart Booster Box contains 24 Jumpstart Boosters, each with 20 Avatar-themed cards. That works out to about $3.42 per pack before tax, which is a strong price for a sealed box from one of MTG’s most popular trading card sets. 

For newer MTG players, the Jumpstart variety of boxes is one of the friendliest ways to get a Magic game going. Simply grab two boosters, shuffle them together, and you have an instant deck with Lands already included. There are 46 Avatar The Last Airbender pack themes altogether, so you can get different character, scene, and elemental combinations without needing to draft or hunt down singles. 

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If Amazon sell outs, Walmart has the same Jumpstart Booster Box listed for $104.99. TCGplayer has listings from $79.99 with shipping included, while its market price sits around $79.72. At around $3 above market price, Amazon’s a fair place to buy right now.

Elsewhere, you can also grab the Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box for only $20.  As for new expansions, you can preorder Magic: The Gathering’s The Hobbit Bundle for $69.99 at Amazon. 

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio can't seem to stop slipping rap lyrics into important speeches.

His latest offence? Describing the top government officials in Iran as "insane in the brain", in an apparent reference to the 1993 Cypress Hill song.

"Really, Marco?" says Daily Show host Desi Lydic in the clip above. "A little inappropriate to be talking about old rap lyrics while you're talking about war. I mean, can you imagine your doctor telling you, 'If you're looking for the tumor on this scan, whoomp, there it is. I'm afraid it's actually spread from the windows to the wall...'"

Lydic goes on to play a montage of other times Rubio has referenced rap lyrics during speeches, before placing a hand up to her ear piece.

"I'm sorry," she says, "we're getting breaking news that rap is no longer cool."

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SAVE $350: As of May 7, the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 54% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501AE AI $299.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $350   Get Deal

The Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum is on sale at Amazon for better than half off. If you're looking for an impressive robot vacuum that can handle just about anything at a great price, this deal is one for you. As of May 7, you can save $350 with the new price of $299.99.

The Shark AI robot vacuum is an incredibly smart device that's designed for cleaning all floor types, even if you have pets at home. It uses Matrix Clean Navigation to clean in a grid pattern, taking multiple passes over dirt and debris. And when it's done, the bagless self-emptying base will hold up to 60 days of dirt, so you don't need to empty it every other day. It also includes HEPA filtration that captures dust and allergens down to 0.3 microns.

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The vacuum also has a self-cleaning brushroll for handling pet hair and can be controlled hands-free with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you really can just sit back and relax. You'll get up to 120 minutes of runtime and it features a Recharge and Resume function. This allows it to return to the dock, recharge, and continue cleaning where it left off.

Get this robot vacuum deal online at Amazon now.

SAVE $37: As of May 7, the Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement is on sale for $72.99 at Amazon. That's a 34% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement $72.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $37   Get Deal

Fancy treating mom to something different this Mother's Day? How about a floral arrangement that will last more than the weekend, like this Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement?

As of May 7, this beautiful display is on sale at Amazon. Normally priced at $109.99, it currently sports a $37 discount that brings the price down to $72.99.

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This Lego set is a 1,161-piece build for adults aged 18 and over. It has 14 brick-built flowers including camellias, peonies, hydrangeas, baby’s breath, ranunculus, bouvardia, and lilies. And they are all arranged and displayed in a white pedestal vase.

The flower heads can be rearranged to suit your mood, and additional flowers from other Lego Botanicals sets can be added separately to customize the arrangement. And after the fun of assembling it together, the arrangement is intended to be a piece of decorative home decor.

The set is also compatible with the Lego Builder app, which includes tools for tracking progress and viewing the model from different angles.

Get this Lego deal at Amazon in time for Mother's Day.

SAVE $250: As of May 7, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is on sale for $849 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10 Pro $849
$1,088 Save $239   Get Deal

The Google Pixel 10 Pro has dropped in price again, and right now it's down to its best-ever price at Amazon.

If you've been looking for an impressive phone to buy outright, don't miss out on this limited-time offer. As of May 7, there's a $250 discount live that drops the price from $1,099 to $849. There are also four colors you can choose from at this low price: moonstone, jade, obsidian, and porcelain.

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The Google Pixel 10 Pro is powered by the Google Tensor G5 chip, making it fast and powerful. It has a 6.3-inch Super Actua display with up to 3,300 nits peak brightness. It also includes AI features through Gemini to help make everyday use easier and your tasks quicker to complete.

If you like to take photos on your phone, this model is a solid choice. It features Google’s pro camera system with support for low-light photography, 100x Pro Res Zoom, 50 MP images, and 8K video recording. It's a robust phone too, built with aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance.

This device is unlocked, so you can choose from multiple carriers including Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Get it from Amazon now while the deal is still live.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Snow White's friend.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

DWARF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To expand.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SWELL

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To take action.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MODAL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Gadget.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

GIZMO

Final Hurdle hint

A gift.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

DOWRY

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

We're just a couple of days away from the next phase of the lunar cycle, the Third Quarter. This is when the Moon appears to be around half full, lit only on the left side (right side if you're in the Southern Hemisphere).

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, May 7, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 74% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There is still enough of the Moon's surface illuminated to see features on it tonight. For example, if you look up with your naked eye you'll be able to spot the Mares Serenitatus, Vaporum and the Oceanus Procellarum.

If you have binoculars, you'll be able to see even more, including the Clavius Crater, Mare Humorum, and Alps Mountains are just a few. And that's not all, if you have a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 14 and 15 landing spots as well as the Rima Hyginus.

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, passing through eight different phases along the way. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the way sunlight falls on it changes as it moves, which is what creates the familiar full, half, and crescent shapes. In total, there are eight main phases in the lunar cycle:

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.