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Apple has updated the average trade-in value for some of its iPhones, iPads, Watches, and MacBooks. You could now get an extra $10 to $35 off a new device when you trade in your old one, depending upon its model and condition. Here's how much you could save.

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly working on anti-phone snatching security feature

The tech giant has run its trade-in program since 2013, launching in the same year as the iPhone 5s. That 13-year-old phone doesn't have any trade in value now, with Apple recommending users recycle them instead. However, if you have a more recent device to trade in, you may be able to knock a few dollars off a new purchase.

As reported and compiled by MacRumors, all iPhone 16 models could now net you a higher discount. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, Pro, and Plus have been given a $10 bump in their estimated trade-in value, going from $685 to $695, $550 to $560, and $455 to $465 respectively. The base iPhone 16 saw a bigger $25 increase in trade-in value, going from $435 to $460.

The trade-in value of iPads has increased as well, with the iPad Pro going from $670 to $690 ($20 increase), iPad Air from $445 to $460 ($15 increase), iPad from $220 to $235 ($15 increase), and the iPad mini going from $250 to $265 ($15 increase).

Other devices that will net you more than they would have previously include the MacBook Pro ($5 increase from $685 to $690), MacBook Air ($35 increase from $485 to $520), and Mac mini ($35 increase from $340 to $375). Some Apple Watches also received adjustments, with the Ultra 2 and Series 9 both valued $10 higher ($295 to $305 and $120 to $130).

However, it isn't all good news. Some devices' trade-in values remain unchanged, such as the iMac and Apple Watch Series 10. Meanwhile, others have actually decreased, with the Apple Watch Ultra's trade-in value dropping $10 from $215 to $205. The Mac Pro, initially priced at $6000 in 2019, will now net you a $2045 discount at trade-in —  down $45 from $2090. Apple has reduced the trade-in value of many Android devices as well, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ($230 to $200) and Google Pixel 8 Pro ($170 to $165).

When you get a new manager, it’s easy to slip into wait-and-see mode. But the first few weeks shape how you’ll be perceived long term. Instead of reacting passively, treat the transition as a strategic opportunity.   Reset your mindset. Don’t let fear, frustration, or office gossip define your view of the new relationship. Notice your emotional reactions, but focus on the […]

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

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships have hit the knockout rounds. Every fixture at this point is huge, but it really doesn't get any bigger than Canada vs. USA. It's a repeat of the Winter Olympics final for these rivals that go way back. Can Canada secure revenge or will USA advance to the semi-final stage?

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

When is Canada vs. USA?

Canada vs. USA in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 28.

How to watch Canada vs. USA for free

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

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

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

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

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are entering the knockout rounds. After weeks of entertaining group stage games, it's win or bust for the eight remaining teams.

Finland vs. Czechia is the first quarter final on the schedule. Can the defending champions overcome Finland to make the semi finals? You can follow all the action without spending anything.

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

When is Finland vs. Czechia?

Finland vs. Czechia in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 28.

How to watch Finland vs. Czechia for free

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

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

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

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

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

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

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

Earth.

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

GLOBE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Queen Elizabeth's favorite dog.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CORGI

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

An amenity.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FRILL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To guzzle.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SWILL

Final Hurdle hint

A tormentor.

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

BULLY

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

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free with a VPN. The best services for unblocking porn sites from Australia are ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN.

The world of porn continues to be impacted by age-verification laws. Back in early 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub hit back by blocking users from those locations. A similar situation took place France and the UK, and now Australians are facing the same set of challenges.

The porn blocks arrived just days before new online safety codes came into effect, requiring organisations to verify the ages of users. It's the same story we've seen before, with the same straightforward workaround.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile just dropped the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to claim

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Australia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN)

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 Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (1-Month Plan) $10.81 only at Proton VPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment. The situation may have changed before the free-trial period comes to an end.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are the top choices for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in locations all around the world

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

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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Multiple simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantees

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN.

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

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026 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: Bend down

• Green: Journalism

• Blue: Your Honor

• Purple: Hit the slopes

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Get low

• Green: Fourth estate

• Blue: Parts of a courtroom

• Purple: Ski ___

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 #1082 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Get low: DUCK, HUNCH, SQUAT, STOOP

• Fourth estate: MEDIA, NEWS, PAPERS, PRESS

• Parts of a courtroom: BAR, BENCH, PODIUM, STAND

• Ski ___: JUMP, LIFT, LODGE, SLOPE

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 28, 2026

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 collect perfumes.

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Talking scents

The words are related to smell.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pleasant smells.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fragrance.

NYT Strands word list for May 28

• Sandalwood

• Musk

• Neroli

• Fragrance

• Jasmine

• Pear

• Bergamot

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 golf.

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 28, 2026 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A chunk of grass.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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...

DIVOT

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.

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

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

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

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, 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.

Meta officially launched paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp on Wednesday, giving users the option to pay a few dollars a month for extra features across its flagship apps. The company made the announcement in an Instagram post, where head of product Naomi Gleit provided an outline of the new paid "Plus" plans.

Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus run $3.99 a month, while WhatsApp Plus is slightly cheaper at $2.99, according to TechCrunch. The plans are now rolling out globally.

View this post on Instagram

For Instagram, the $3.99 gets you more control over your Stories and profile. Subscribers can see how many people rewatched a Story in aggregate, build unlimited audience lists, extend Stories past the usual 24-hour window, and preview a Story without registering as a viewer. There's also a weekly spotlight option, animated Super Heart reactions, custom app icons, customizable bio fonts, and additional profile pins.

Facebook Plus mirrors much of that, with features focused on social expression and profile customization. WhatsApp Plus takes a different angle, adding app themes, custom ringtones, premium stickers, and extra pinned chats.

As TechCrunch notes, none of these plans replace Meta Verified, which remains its own separate offering focused on account verification and protection against impersonation.

For now, Plus plans are just the start. Meta is also testing a broader subscription umbrella called Meta One, which will eventually house AI-focused tiers and professional plans for creators and businesses, perhaps tied to Muse Spark, the company's new flagship AI model. That's still in early testing phases in select markets, though.

Luxury SUV ownership is starting to feel like more hassle than it’s worth for a growing number of buyers. Between complex tech, turbocharged engines, and rising repair costs, the shine of premium badges isn’t hitting the same way it used to.

The Steam Deck OLED has been one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market for years, but it's not the value it used to be anymore.

Valve announced that the OLED version of the Steam Deck has gotten a significant price increase, after months of being out of stock entirely. Well, it's back in stock, but you'll have to pay a lot more to get one now.

The 512GB version, which used to cost $549, is now $789. The 1TB variant, meanwhile, has gone from $649 to $949. That's one of the most substantial price increases we've seen yet for gaming hardware, amidst the ongoing global memory shortage (aka RAMageddon) that's causing everything in tech to get more pricey.

SEE ALSO: 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' is a clever, gorgeous Switch 2 adventure for all ages

For reference, recent PlayStation 5 price hikes put that device anywhere from $150 to $200 higher than it cost at launch. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 (after less than a year on the market) got a $50 price increase earlier this month. Valve's price increases for the Steam Deck OLED are bigger than those, though they still pale in comparison to the nearly $700 price increase that Dell just applied to some of its XPS laptops.

As IGN pointed out, you can still get a refurbished model for a little less than that. Refurbished 512GB and 1TB OLED models are now $629 and $759, respectively. Meanwhile, the discontinued LCD Steam Deck (which is largely the same device with a lower-quality display) can still be obtained refurbished for as low as $279, but that's with a measly 64GB of storage.

It needs to be emphasized that, prior to the AI arms race that is driving up memory costs, it was normal for hardware prices to go down over time. Now, game consoles are cheapest at launch. Feels backward, doesn't it?

Compact SUVs have become more expensive than ever, especially as automakers push heavily toward electrification and higher-tech interiors. For many buyers, the Toyota RAV4 has traditionally been the default recommendation thanks to its efficiency and reputation for reliability. However, its latest redesign and hybrid-only approach have also pushed pricing noticeably higher, leaving room for rivals to make a strong case on value.

Before signing on as Mashable's tech editor, I reviewed the GoPro Hero12 and Hero13 Black for the site. They were both equally impressive cameras, while also being slightly underwhelming, with iterative upgrades to battery life and new software features like vertical video. Both cameras had the same GP2 processor and 1/1.9" CMOS sensor as the Hero11.

This year, instead of dropping a Hero14 Black, GoPro is introducing an entirely new line of cameras with some exciting new abilities — the Mission 1 Series. Finally, we have a new GoPro sensor and processor to play with.

GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera $699.99 at Amazon
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I've just started testing the Mission 1 Pro, and like my colleague at CNET (both Mashable and CNET are owned by Ziff Davis), I'm not yet ready to render a final verdict. I can say that I've been impressed with this camera so far, and I'm excited to try and push it to the limits.

I can also tell you that while the new Mission 1 cameras solve some of GoPro's recent problems, they don't solve them all.

Meet the GoPro Mission 1 cameras Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro (the model I've been testing) launch on May 28 for $599.99 and $699.99, respectively. In Q3, GoPro will also launch the Mission 1 Pro ILS, a mirrorless version of the Mission 1 Pro with an interchangeable lens mount, allowing creators to use professional lenses with GoPro's pocket-sized, ultra-durable cameras. I bet a lot of pro photographers and videographers are excited about that one, which will also be priced at $699.99.

Both the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro introduce a new GP3 processor (finally), as well as a larger one-inch sensor with a native resolution of 7,680 x 5,760 pixels. For $100 more, the Mission 1 Pro also offers a headline-grabbing 960fps slow motion video, 8K open-gate recording, and improved low-light video. You can capture 44.2MP stills from video or take 50MP action shots.

Both cameras are noticeably larger and heavier than the latest Hero13 Black, yet they still feel like action cameras and offer all the durability and motion stabilization you expect from a GoPro.

GoPro Mission 1 Series: By the numbers Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Mission 1 is available May 28 for $599 (or $499 for GoPro subscribers).

• New 1-inch sensor

• New GP3 processor

• Open Gate 4K120 video at 4:3

• 8K30/25 at 16:9

• Up to 8x Slo-Mo

• 4K120 at 16:9

• 50MP Photo + RAW

• HLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2

• Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

The Mission 1 Pro is available May 28 for $699 (or $599 for GoPro subscribers).

• New 1-inch sensor

• New GP3 processor

• Open-gate 8K30 video (50MP) at 4:3

• Open-gate 4K120 video (12MP) at 4:3

• 16:9 video up to 8K60/50

• 960fps slow-motion video (up to 32x)

• Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

• 50MP Photo + RAW

• HLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2

• Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro with Dual Battery Charger and new Point-and-Shoot Grip. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Along with the new cameras, GoPro is also introducing new accessories, including the new GoPro Wireless Mic Complete Kit (again, finally), a Point-and-Shoot Grip for the Mission 1 Pro, a new Media Mod, an ND Filter four-pack, Protective Housing (waterproof to 196 feet/60 meters), and a Vertical Mount Adapter.

GoPro's Mission 1 Series has a lot to offer pros and creators GoPro provided this sample photograph shot on the new Mission 1 Pro. Credit: GoPro

In a briefing ahead of the launch, GoPro representatives told me that the Mission 1 Series was specifically designed to support professionals and creators who want the highest level of control over their content. For example, the cameras offer a new 240Mbps high bit-rate mode, which just so happens to be Netflix's required specs for footage.

Their reviewer's guide even helpfully includes recommended LUTs for video editing. And that's a nice and easy way to answer the question: Is the Mission 1 Series worth it for me? I'll put it this way: If you don't work with LUTs, know what GP-Log2 means, or mess around with color grading, then you probably don't need to spend the extra money to invest in the Mission 1 Series.

The GoPro Hero and MAX cameras will do you just fine.

GoPro visualization of the new one-inch sensor in the Mission 1 Series. Credit: GoPro

For pros, creators, and near-pros, the Mission 1 Pro seems mighty impressive to me so far. It's competing more with Sony vlogging cameras and BlackMagic cinema cameras than the average action cam.

The ability to shoot open-gate video in 8K and 4K will be a game-changer for a lot of folks, as will the larger sensor. So, even if I can't yet render a verdict on the new sensor and processor, if you implicitly trust GoPro, I think you can safely invest in these cinematic action cameras.

My very early hands-on impressions Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Having shot with GoPro cameras before, the Mission 1's larger sensor does seem to give you more flexibility. The Hero13 Black already featured digital lenses that let you switch the field of view, but the Mission 1 has even more input to work with. It feels a little bit like a magic trick when you instantly switch from the broad field of view of the Linear (22-27mm) lens to the classic GoPro fisheye look of the Wide (16-24mm) lens.

When editing, you can also switch back and forth from 16:9 to vertical video aspect ratios like 3:4 and 9:16. Again, that's not new with the Mission 1, but with a larger sensor and open-gate capture, you have a much larger and richer canvas to work on.

It's as easy as ever to connect your camera and upload footage in the Quik app. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app Switch from 16:9 to 9:16 in an instant. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app

Thanks to the larger sensor and new GP3 processor, the new GoPro cameras also have much improved low-light performance. And for adventure athletes, classic GoPro features like motion stabilization and horizon lock should also work better than ever, as will digital zoom and subject tracking. The touchscreen and voice controls, auto uploads over WiFi, and Quik app are all highlights for me as well.

GoPro still faces serious competition, and the Mission 1 is only a partial fix

The name "GoPro" is still synonymous with action cameras, but the company is no longer the only name in the game. In recent years, the Chinese companies DJI and Insta360 have introduced some very impressive action cameras of their own, even offering better specs in some regards.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offered a variable aperture, Leica optics, and 8K shooting (the Hero13 Black's maxes out at 5.3K). The DJI Osmo Action 6 Pro boasts better low-light performance than the Hero line thanks to its large sensor. On top of that, DJI also makes the hugely popular Mic Mini and Mic 3.

The new Point-and-Shoot mount. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In the last few years, I've seen DJI in particular become hugely popular with Mashable shoppers, and I've had great experiences working with the DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal, Osmo Pocket cameras, and the TikTok-famous DJI Mic Mini. And while GoPro is now releasing its own wireless mic kit, Insta360 just released a very cool-looking wireless mic with a customizable e-ink display. If you want to stick within a single product ecosystem, DJI now has a lot to offer beyond action cameras and drones.

So, while the Mission 1 Pro (and especially the upcoming Mission 1 Pro ILS) offers a boundary-pushing option for professionals and creators, for the everyday consumer, GoPro still has some hard work ahead. For instance, I'm not sure why you'd buy the new GoPro wireless mic kit unless it was part of a bundle or you're deeply brand-loyal to GoPro.

GoPro seems to be catering to its most hardcore customers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Should you buy the GoPro Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro? Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

If you're a long-time GoPro fan looking to upgrade your camera, then the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro have a lot to offer. And with the $100 discount you get as a GoPro subscriber, these cameras are significantly more affordable.

For now, I'll say this: The Mission 1 Pro is expensive for a GoPro action camera, but it's a great price for a cinematic camera.

GoPro Mission 1 Cinematic Action Camera $599.99 at GoPro
  Shop Now at GoPro GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera $699.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at GoPro

A quick look at the May 2026 Sony TV releases Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB 4K TV starting at $2,099.99 (55 through 98 inches) Shop Now Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV starting at $3,599.99 (65 through 85 inches) Shop Now Sony Bravia Theater Trio $2,199.99 (9 speakers total) Shop Now

Sony officially unveiled its highly-awaited True RGB TVs on May 27. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II enter the crowded arena of fresh RGB TV releases from Samsung and Hisense, as well as the LG Micro RGB TV that's currently available to preorder. (Tell me RGB was one of the biggest TV trends at CES 2026 without telling me.)

Though Sony's flagship RGB TV announcement came later than those of the other big brands, the two new models are making up for lost time by skipping the preorder window. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II are both available for purchase at Sony.com and Best Buy, along with their new home audio sidekick, the Sony Bravia Theater Trio. Let's dive into the differences.

How are the True RGB TVs different than other Bravia models?

Not to be confused with the mini-LED Sony Bravia 7 or Sony Bravia 9 models without "II" on the end, the Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II use a new type of backlighting that we've never seen from a Sony TV.

The Sony Bravia 7 II comes in six sizes. Credit: Sony The Sony Bravia 9 II comes in four sizes. Credit: Sony

The traditional LCD panels behind those mini-LED Bravia models stream blue or white LEDs through quantum dots to create color. Those hues definitely beat what you'd see from a regular LED TV without quantum dots, but mini-LEDs still don't achieve 100 percent coverage of the color gamut (the full possible spectrum of colors visible to humans).

Sony's True RGB TVs, however, draw their light from true red, green, and blue light sources — the best you could ask for in terms of color accuracy and saturation. Each of those red, green, and blue LEDs operates independently of one another, offering unprecedented picture quality across the screen. According to the press release, Sony's new RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro processor should improve brightness, reduce blooming, and produce purer color than conventional mini-LED displays.

A Sony OLED TV on the left vs. Sony's new RGB TV on the right. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

This means that the screen should appear just as vibrant to the person sitting on the far edge of the couch as the person in the middle, OLED-style. But unlike OLED TVs, these RGB TVs should be much easier to see in a sunny room.

SEE ALSO: Sony celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 1000X series with a new pair of headphones

Both Sony True RGB Bravia TVs also include Ambient Optimization, which will automatically tweak picture and audio to the current environment. From there, the Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II have a few key differences.

First, here's how much the Sony Bravia 7 II lineup costs:

• Sony 50-inch Bravia 7 II — $1,599.99 (coming this summer)

• Sony 55-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,099.99

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,599.99

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,099.99

• Sony 85-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,999.99

• Sony 98-inch Bravia 7 II — $8,999.99

Compared to the RGB flagships from Samsung, LG, and Hisense, Sony will be the only brand to offer a 50-inch RGB model. Until that size launches, the 55-inch $2,099.99 price point isn't outlandish to kick off the tier — that's less than the new 9-speaker Bravia Theater Trio Dolby Atmos system, which costs $2,199.99.

The Sony Bravia 9 II and Theater Trio. Credit: Sony

The Bravia 9 II takes bright room performance up another notch with a special set of advanced backlight controllers and Sony's new glare-free Immersive Black Screen Pro (we saw it in person, and it genuinely is glare-free). The Bravia 9 II may not be an art TV by name or wall mount, but it certainly checks off the matte screen and ambient mode boxes. And yes, Sony has its own art gallery app.

Here's how much the Sony Bravia 9 II lineup costs:

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 9 II — $3,599.99

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 9 II — $4,599.99

• Sony 85-inch Bravia 9 II — $6,499.99

• Sony 115-inch Bravia 9 II — $30,999.99 (coming this fall)

Sony is no stranger to being the most expensive TV choice in any given category, but both Bravia models seem pretty reasonably priced compared to the competition. Samsung and Hisense's two RGB tiers are slightly more affordable than Sony's, with LG's Micro RGB evo leading the pack. Though operations under Sony and TCL's partnership aren't expected until April 2027, could we already be seeing a shift toward (slightly) more affordable Sony TVs?

On the heels of what has (and still is!) been a pretty great month of May, which saw an exploding blood-bag-filled series finale of The Boys, a great new season of Citadel, John Krasinski returned to the role of Jack Ryan, and (still to come this week) Nicolas Cage is Spider Noir, Prime Video just released its lineup of June TV shows and movies to kick off the summer!

Volvo has spent decades building one of the most respected names in the automotive industry. The Volvo XC40, which arrived for the 2018 model year, brought that reputation into the compact SUV segment. Not surprisingly, it earned a loyal customer base on the strength of its Scandinavian roots, which are evident throughout the vehicle, from its interior design to its safety credentials.

When the concept of an "always-on" display was first introduced, many people were immediately turned off by the idea due to battery concerns. I was one of those people. However, after spending years without it, and now owning a phone with an AOD, I’ve realized the feature is far more useful than it initially appears.

YouTube is upgrading its AI labeling system, including a new automatic detection tool, as tech companies ramp up their investments in content provenance.

Previously, videos featuring photorealist AI had to be tagged by their creators or face a strike — once it was tagged as AI, a disclosure label would be added to the description. Now, that label is moving up to the top, more prominently displayed for all to see next to the video's title and in the bottom corner of YouTube Shorts.

SEE ALSO: What to do when your teen replaces you with a chatbot

In a first since the platform introduced labels in 2024, YouTube will also begin scanning content and automatically adding labels to any unmarked videos with significant AI use. "It’s important to note that a disclosure label alone does not change how a video is recommended or whether it’s eligible to earn money," the platform wrote in a recent blog post. "In a world where AI is changing what’s possible, our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for creators and viewers to have the right information."

YouTube has faced criticism for an abundance of AI "slop" and AI-generated advertising, and the platform has removed millions of channels and videos in response. YouTube CEO Neil Mohan stated that curbing AI slop is a top priority.

Meanwhile, child safety advocates have recently called on the platform to address what they call a dangerous proliferation of AI-generated, animated content aimed at children. In an April letter sent to Mohan and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, a coalition of child advocacy groups urged the platform to ban AI-generated content on YouTube Kids, institute clear AI labels for all content, and implement new parental controls aimed at limiting AI videos.

At the time, YouTube told Mashable it was working on developing labels for YouTube Kids. The company also explained that its current labeling approach doesn't apply to YouTube Kids because of other safety policies, including a lack of descriptions on Kids content.

For now, the new labels only apply to the main YouTube website, not content found on YouTube Kids. In addition, the automatic labelling system will only scan for "photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated" content, a policy which so far has excluded animated or highly stylized video.