IT General

TL;DR: The Complete Renewable Energy Engineer Preparation Bundle is on sale for £32.33, saving you 85% on list price.

Wandering down a new career path can be daunting, what with the rising cost of tuition and the ever-changing job market. But don’t let that stand in your way if you’re really passionate about something like renewable energy and engineering. Something that you could do before making any life-altering decisions is take self-paced, online courses to explore the field.

This Complete Renewable Energy Engineer Preparation Bundle packs in 12 different courses that cover various topics and software used in the field. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to them all for only £32.33.

As the world juggles things like climate change and an increasing population, the renewable energy field only seems to grow. In fact, more and more opportunities open each year. And it’s a great career option for anyone who has a passion for both the environment and engineering.

Many of these courses are taught by Ahmed Mahdy, a seasoned professional and instructor. You won’t just be sitting through video lectures but following along with examples in commonly used software in the engineering field and performing hands-on simulations. 

These courses don’t earn you college credit or certifications. However, they may be an excellent way to dip your toes into the field before pursuing a formal degree — or to give you a head-start on next semester with some hands-on practice and knowledge your peers may not have.

You’ll find lessons in topics like:

• Electrical Transient and Analysis Program (ETAP), a software for power system analysis and design. Perform simulations in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and others.

• Basics of Wind Turbines, Electrical Generators, and Solar Energy

• Electrical device maintenance and troubleshooting

• Off-grid and on-grid systems design

Enrich your education or explore a new passion with the Complete Renewable Energy Engineer Preparation Course Bundle, now only £32.33 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mahdy Academy Complete Renewable Energy Engineer Preparation Course Bundle £32.33 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

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

Men, your solo sex game is very much on the up. That's because the world of men's sex toys has more options than ever before — a whole manner of toys and gadgets that help get you off. From regular old masturbation aids to sex toys designed to satisfy your geekier side, there's a wide range of options. That means something for everyone. 

While it may seem sometimes like male sex toys are getting left out of the current sextech revolution, that’s far from true. Real sex positivity applies to everyone, which is why we’re excited about sex educators and smart companies working to buck the stigmas associated with male masturbation and backdoor experimentation.

If you're looking for a new sex toy but don't know where to start, here's a quick guide.

Are there different types of sex toys for men?

We've checked out everything on offer, and helpfully organised the primary types of sex toys you are likely to encounter:

• Bondage gear — So you might not think about bondage gear as a sex toy, but you should. Bondage toys are all about pushing boundaries and trying something new, and that sounds like a sex toy to us.

• Cock rings — We don't need to explain this. It's in the name. But why would you want to use a cock ring? These sex toys are used to help maintain longer and harder erections, which may result in penetrative sex lasting longer. Sounds good, right?

• Dildos and plugs — These sex toys can be used by just about anyone. They come in all shapes and sizes, and are simply used for penetration. They are also extremely versatile, and can be used for solo play or for spicing things up with a partner.

• Massagers — Interested in experiencing a super intense full-body orgasm? Who isn't? This might seem obvious, but prostate massagers are sex toys designed to massage the prostate. Stimulation of the prostate can be a game-changer.

• Masturbators — The masturbation sleeve is a manual kind of sex toy into which the user inserts their penis. It is supposed to mimic the feel of a vagina, mouth, or anus, depending on the model you purchase. It's a simple idea with impressive results.

You might come across something that doesn't quite fit into a category, but the vast majority of sex toys for men will fall into these areas.

What is the best sex toy for men?

Thinking about experimenting with anal play? Ready to size up from plugs to prostate massagers? You’re in luck. We've scoured the web to find the best male-oriented sex toys for every need — all built to heighten sexual pleasure and explore new realms — whether you’re looking to go solo or pair up with a partner.

These are the best sex toys for men in 2024.

Note: For the purpose of this article, we are looking primarily at toys that are intended for use by people who are assigned male at birth, which means they are recommended with the same enthusiasm for anyone with a penis/prostate regardless of gender identity. We’ve also included a couple of products suitable for trans men.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for April 24'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.

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

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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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:

done or shown openly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

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 Wordle #1040 is...

OVERT

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.

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 April 24's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Street taco add-ons

• Green: Units of measurement

• Blue: Small hip dresses

• Purple: Hill___

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Taco Toppings

• Green: Metric Prefixes

• Blue: Kinds of Skirts

• Purple: Words with "Hill"

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 Connections #318 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Taco Toppings: CILANTRO, LIME, ONION, SALSA

• Metric Prefixes: KILO, MEGA, MICRO, PICO

• Kinds of Skirts: MINI, PENCIL, POODLE, WRAP

• Words with "Hill": CAPITOL, FAITH, FOOT, MOLE

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

We all want to make greener choices, but shopping for sustainable tech products isn’t quite as easy as choosing greener fashion or furniture, partly because high-performance second-hand tech is almost impossible to come by.  

Dell and Intel have set out to change that with their Advancing Sustainability action plan, which aims to drive sustainability across the entire product lifecycle. Part of this initiative is a large and growing range of sustainable Dell laptops and desktops — and whether you’re gaming, studying, or working, there’s a device to suit your needs. 

Greener gaming

Greener gaming is possible with the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop, a high-performance, feature-rich laptop that ships in 100 percent recycled or renewable recyclable packaging.

It has all the tech specs gamers look for, including an Intel Core Processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory, and 2TB of internal storage. Thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX Laptop GPU, you know the graphics will be top-notch, and rest assured, the advanced thermal design will keep your laptop cool when gameplay heats up.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Alienware m18 R2 Gaming Laptop $2,799.99 at Dell
$3,099.99 Save $300.00 Intel® Core™ i9, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4080, and 32GB DDR5 RAM Shop Now A more eco-friendly way to work

When your work demands peak performance and all-day productivity, you need a laptop that can keep up and even outpace you. 

The Precision 7780 Workstation is designed for scalable performance that can handle the workloads of AI, ML, or VR demand. With high-functioning NVIDIA graphics and up to UHD 120 Hz on a 17.3-inch 16:9 aspect ratio display, everything you do will be visually stunning and efficient. 

All this is housed in a design made from 18 percent recycled plastic and shipped in 100 percent recycled or renewable packaging. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Precision 7780 Workstation $3,959.00 at Dell
$4,449.00 Save $490.00 Intel® Core™ i7 processor, 32GB RAM, and 1TB NVMe SSD Shop Now Make your study more sustainable

The Inspiron 16 Laptop is a reliable, lightweight laptop that's perfect for studying. It has a 13th Gen Intel Core to exceed performance and Dolby Atmos spatial audio to make music, podcasts, or remote classes sound clearer. 

Plus, it’s one of the most sustainable options out there: designed with 24 percent recycled plastics, ships 100 percent recycled or renewable packaging, and is Energy Star certified. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Inspiron 16 Laptop $699.99 at Dell
$1,099.99 Save $400.00 Intel® Core™ i7 processor, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB NVMe SSD Shop Now

Visit Dell’s Sustainability Deals hub to see the full collection of sustainable laptops, desktops, and accessories.

The U.S. government is inching closer and closer to a TikTok ban, a move that would impact more than just TikTok. 

As Mashable reported over the weekend, the House passed an updated version of the ban with bipartisan support. If or when it makes its way to President Biden's desk, Biden has signaled he will sign it into law, and effectively ban TikTok in the U.S. unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform.

SEE ALSO: What is TikTok Lite and why is the EU concerned about it?

However, it's not just TikTok users who will be affected by such a ban. This bill paves the way for the U.S. to potentially ban many other foreign-based apps or platforms too. As Axios points out, the wording of the bill bans any app that the U.S. government deems to be a "foreign adversary controlled application" and includes apps "operated, directly or indirectly (including through a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate)" of those "foreign adversaries."

Last month, Mashable shared some examples of apps that could potentially be affected by this bill if it became law such as WeChat or even shopping platforms like Temu or AliExpress. While the broad language of the bill does mean an array of companies and apps could find themselves affected, TikTok and its corporate parent ByteDance are the only parties specified.

And, as Axios reports, it seems pretty clear that if TikTok is banned in the U.S., ByteDance's other catalog of app offerings are likely to go down too.

Goodbye to CapCut, Lemon8, Lark, and more?

While TikTok is the app that ByteDance is most known for, the company has been launching a multitude of other platforms and applications over the years that have become pretty popular within their target markets too.

For example, CapCut has become a very popular video editing app on both mobile devices and desktop computers. Many viral videos on TikTok and beyond are created using CapCut. Creators looking for a quick and easy video editing tool have utilized CapCut for longform videos too. However, CapCut is owned by ByteDance and could very well be banned if TikTok is. And the same goes for ByteDance's photo editing app Hypic.

Lark is a productivity suite of apps for businesses that includes documents, chats, messaging, and more. It's basically ByteDance's version of Google Workspace and the company even uses it internally for its own business. However, under the U.S.'s TikTok ban bill, Lark could be banned too.

In addition to its extremely popular social video platform, ByteDance runs a Pinterest-like social media platform called Lemon8 which is fairly popular within the lifestyle and wellness community. Out of all of ByteDance's apps, Lemon8 is likely the closest to TikTok, which could lead to it being barred in the U.S. 

Other ByteDance apps available in the U.S. such as its "AI study companion" app Gauth and SoundOn, a music distribution and royalty platform for artists, could also be prohibited.

If the TikTok ban bill does become law, its unclear exactly what would happen next. ByteDance, under the law, would have to basically divest from TikTok and sell the company off within the year. But, TikTok is reportedly gearing up for a legal battle to fight the law if it does pass so it could be quite a while before ByteDance has to sell the app if it does eventually have to do so.

Adobe has new generative AI features for rookie Photoshop users, but there are concerns from creative professionals.

On Tuesday, Adobe announced a beta version of Photoshop with new features to generate and edit images from text prompts. Generative AI capabilities are powered by Adobe's Firefly Image 3 model which was also released today.

New to the photo-editing software is a Generate Image tool that creates an image from a text prompt, giving people feeling daunted by a blank page a jumping off point.

In Adobe Photoshop, users can now generate entire images from a text prompt. Credit: Adobe

Generative Fill, a preexisting tool that fills out the background or expands an image with a broader scene, now includes the ability to build off of an image with a Reference Image feature. So if you want to create an image with a specific aesthetic you can upload an image and nudge the tool to work off that aesthetic or motif.

Reference Image lets users prompt AI-generated images from existing images. Credit: Adobe

For Photoshop novices (and pros for that matter) these tools make it incredibly easy to bring their ideas to life. Especially now that Firefly Image 3 is capable of amazing photorealistic detail and improved understanding of prompts. But Adobe has pushed ahead with generative AI features despite controversy around its training data and backlash from creative professionals.

SEE ALSO: Adobe's new generative AI tools for video are absolutely terrifying

The issue of training data for AI models is a murky one that isn't going away any time soon. Companies like Google and OpenAI have been sued for training their models on copyrighted works, and that's just for text outputs. The unveiling of OpenAI's Sora (which isn't available to the public yet) and AI video generators like the one Adobe just released have expanded the issue to other mediums. While companies are charging forward with AI advancements to meet their competitors, many creatives like @Rahll on X, are outraged by the lack of oversight over technologies that threaten to replace or overhaul their vocations.

Tweet may have been deleted

Adobe has been adamant about Firefly being safe for commercial use, and has touted its model as the ethical alternative to competitors like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion that have been accused of training their models on copyrighted works without credit and compensation. Yet a recent Bloomberg report found that Firefly was trained on AI-generated images derived from Midjourney and other rivals, meaning Adobe's purported "commercially safe" model contains training data drawn from works perceived by many as having been infringed upon or stolen.

A spokesperson said Adobe's generative AI models are trained on "licensed content, such as Adobe Stock, along with public domain content." But, according to Midjourney enthusiast Nick St. Pierre, around 13 percent of Adobe's stock library is AI-generated content which is part of the data used to train Firefly.

That said, the spokesperson said "the training data must comply with our IP guidelines and pass our multi-layered, continuous review and moderation process," so there is ongoing moderation of unlicensed AI-generated content that might slip through the cracks.

Tweet may have been deleted

Particularly when it comes to the Reference Image tool, X users have pointed out the issue of creating an image based on a photographer or artist's work. "Awesome. Steal 'reference images' from real photographers who went to great lengths and great expense to make them," posted @notbrodyjenner. "Then pick an artist who spent their career creating a unique style, rip it off wholesale and make whatever ai garbage you want. Awesome."

Tweet may have been deleted

The spokesperson said Adobe compensates contributors through Stock royalties and through a bonus program that incentivizes users to contribute to Firefly training.

Pop quiz, Tesla fans. Who at the EV automaker made this memorable assessment of the company's latest product: "we have dug our own grave with the Cybertruck"? Was it some cowardly VP who doesn't believe in Dear Leader's glorious vision? Perhaps Drew Baglino or Rohan Patel, two top execs who joined the ten percent of Tesla employees getting pink slips this week?

No, it was Elon Musk himself — making a prediction that, for once, may come true in the near term.

The CEO made his grave comment in an earnings call in October 2023 (see the full transcript here). "In general," Musk added in response to a question about the production woes behind this stainless steel vehicle, "nobody digs a better grave than themselves." It was an odd joke, even by Musk's standards, which may be why he pivoted to repeating how great he thought the $80,000-plus Cybertruck was.

Fast forward to April 2024, and it's looking like less of a joke for Tesla. Every Cybertruck on American roads is now subject to a recall, not to mention major mockery, over a poorly-glued accelerator pedal pad that could could come off and cause the pedal to be jammed against the floor. The firings and the price cuts that followed the recall seemed a desperate Band-Aid on a bigger wound, especially given a sleight-of-hand trick where the company advertised a price that was not the sticker price (because it had estimated gas savings built in).

Tweet may have been deleted

The wound is this: With more competitors than ever, Tesla's EV market share has been slipping for years. The much anticipated low-end $25,000 Tesla Model 2 has failed to materialize, although the company plugged forthcoming affordable vehicles in its earnings call Tuesday. Musk's two-pronged solution to the slip — Cybertruck and AI-driven cybercabs — seems increasingly like whistling past the graveyard. Some of Tesla's biggest boosters are pushing the panic button over the self-driving cybertaxi concept Musk is planning to unveil in August.

And the Tesla board's response to all this? They're pushing for a $50-plus billion stock package payday for Musk, one that a Delaware judge already struck down as "unfathomable." The vote is in June, and major shareholders are already coming out against.

Tweet may have been deleted The market is electric

Seen from one angle, Tesla is facing the same headwinds that are hitting all EV manufacturers this year — especially EV truck manufacturers in the U.S., where gas-powered auto sales are annoyingly tenacious. Ford has had to scale back production of the F-150 Lightning. Rivian had a disastrous earnings report that just sent its stock tumbling to a new all-time low. EV sales just declined quarter-on-quarter, the first such decline since 2020.

On the other hand, that's not the whole market picture. People are still buying more EVs than ever, and they still comprise a greater-than-ever share of the U.S. fleet. Comparing Q4 sales (the holiday season) with Q1 sales (when fewer of us buy anything) is rarely a good idea. Year-on-year, Q1 EV sales are still rising, even in the U.S.

Growth was so strong during the pandemic, a brief slowdown is to be expected; it doesn't mean the market is maturing. Nor does confusion over which cars qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, a list that includes the Tesla Model 3 and Y. Rivian doubled production and deliveries in 2023; its problem is that it is selling its EVs at a loss. Tesla isn't.

The fundamentals aren't what is hurting Tesla stock, which just saw a whole year's worth of gains wiped out under this distracted, X-obsessed, conspiracy theorist CEO. Musk doesn't seem to have noticed (but the Wall Street Journal just did) that his far-right lurch is demonstrably turning off the Democratic-voting would-be Tesla customers just when the company needs them.

Tesla's quarterly earnings report Tuesday contained even worse news. Profits fell 55%, even worse than the 40% decline Wall Street was expecting.

While retail investors got excited about a vague promise to deliver on that Model 2 soon, driving the TSLA price up after hours, analysts believe the stock is still overpriced and has much further to fall. Tesla shareholders could be forgiven for seeing a freshly-dug six-foot hole opening up in front of their investments.

The previously unthinkable — that Musk has no real plan, that Tesla might actually make more money in the long run without Musk and his pliant board at the helm — is gaining currency. "How's Elon furthering Tesla's mission over the last 2 years?" wrote investor Ross Gerber on Twitter the morning of the earnings call.

"When you’ve been right in the beginning, you think you’re right forever,” entrepreneur and educator Steve Blank told The New York Times. “You run by whim rather than strategy." Since 2018, Blank has been gathering converts to this comparison between Musk and Billy Durant, the erratic entrepreneur who lost control of General Motors (twice!) a century ago. "Durant's one man show was damaging the company," Blank wrote then. "The company had no financial controls other than Durant’s ability to raise more money."

Sound familiar? It's pretty much the same guy we saw in Power Play, a 2021 book on Musk's Tesla by Wall Street Journal tech reporter Tim Higgins, which still counts as the most unvarnished portrayal to hit bookshelves. "While Musk's vision, enthusiasm and determination carry Tesla," Higgins wrote, "his ego, paranoia and pettiness threaten to undo it all."

As does his insistence on a stainless-steel truck that looks, in the words of one car designer, like a "low-polygon joke."

(Don't) Keep on Truckin'

The Cybertruck wouldn't be such a problem for Tesla if it was just the CEO's vanity project. But the R&D costs are likely to be extraordinary, experts say — enough to require 300,000 sales a year just to break even. That "inherently high-cost product" presents a "tough challenge," analyst Ed Kim of market research firm AutoPacific told Wired last year. "Vehicles that sell in volume tend to be much more palatable to mainstream tastes." The mere 3,800 Cybertruck sales so far, or less than 1,000 a month, would seem to bear that out.

But it's not as if Musk is the kind of guy who can backtrack when he has a bad idea. By all accounts, Tesla's gigafactories have been doubling down on Cybertruck production, all to meet the demand that the CEO insists is there. Musk has been firing off screed-filled emails about getting his Blade Runner-inspired vehicle machined with incredible accuracy down to the micron level, because soda cans and Lego bricks are made that way. (Of course, they're made out of aluminum and plastic, respectively, not the notoriously difficult stainless steel.)

So it is no exaggeration to say that Cybertruck sales are the battleground on which Tesla's entire future is being fought. And to quote the frustrated Musk seen in Power Play, "sales suck donkey dick." More than a million people paid a $100 deposit to get in line for a Cybertruck, but they're not converting into buyers yet. There are viral TikToks of Cybertrucks getting stuck in snow, of its windshield getting smashed by hail, of its software simply shutting down. Experts' concerns about the design and its safety in crash tests have gone unanswered.

Good news, though: the report from one owner that taking it through a car wash turns the car into a software-less brick has not been replicated. Meanwhile, yes, there are spots that look like rust (actually iron deposits in debris picked up when you drive), but Tesla is at pains to point out that you can just get rid of them with isopropyl alcohol. So, just carry a few bottles of that while you drive around, buff it up every time you stop, and you're good to go in your blindingly shiny steel ride.

Are there enough Blade Runner-loving Musk fans in the world to help Tesla turn a profit on the Cybertruck yet? Perhaps. Then again, if the idea of an electric-powered massive hunk of metal with questionable environmental value was appealing, the Hummer EV wouldn't have been one of the worse-selling cars of last year.

More importantly, are there enough Tesla shareholders not blinded by Musk's one-man show? Can they, or anyone else, shock the EV maker's board out of its complacency? If not, then Tesla may have made itself many thousands of large, angular, steel headstones for its corporate grave.

This column reflects the opinion of the author.

The iPad Air 2024 is arguably the most highly anticipated tablets of the year. It also may be one of the most delayed consumer products of 2024.

The new iPads — both the Air and Pro models — were poised to be released in March (perhaps alongside the new M3 MacBook Air), according to DigiTimes, which cited Apple's suppliers. However, it has been frequently pushed back throughout March and April.

So the question is, when will the iPad Air finally drop? We have the scoop on its potential release date — as well as four new features you can expect from the new tablet.

SEE ALSO: iPad Pro 2024: 5 new features coming to the rumored new Apple tablet iPad Air 2024 release date

The iPad Air is reportedly poised to drop on May 7. On Tuesday, April 23, Apple announced that it will launch a May 7 livestream.

During this event, you'll probably see the new iPad Air as well as the iPad Pro.

Gurman's reporting validates this; he said that the iPad Air is due to drop some time during the week of May 6.

The iPad Air, alongside the iPad Pro, has been reportedly delayed throughout March and April, according to DigiTimes. However, it seems like Apple finally has the iPad Air release date written in stone.

iPad Air 2024 price

Like Macworld, we're expecting the iPad Air 2024 to launch its 10.9-inch variant at $599, similar to its current-gen model.

However, it's trickier to predict the price of the rumored new 12.9-inch version. MacRumors says it will be $200 more, putting the 12.9-inch model at $799.

Macworld has a more optimistic forecast, speculating that the 12.9-inch variant will have a starting price of $699.

iPad Air 2024: 4 new features

The next model will be the 6th-generation iPad Air, and according to rumors and leaks, it will have the following new features:

• Two display sizes: an anticipated 10.9-inch model and a new 12.9-inch variant, according to Bloomberg

• New miniLED display

• Front camera moved from the top bezel to the side, according ShrimpApplePro, an X leaker with a decent track record

• New M2 chip, according to Bloomberg

To summarize, instead of the usual one iPad Air model we get from Apple, we're expecting two models, making it similar to the iPad Pro's two-model offerings. To reiterate, rumor has it that the iPad Air 6 will have a 10.9-inch model and a 12.9-inch model that matches the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro on the market.

As we reported in mid-April, the iPad Air will reportedly feature a new miniLED variant (a step up from the current-gen LCD display design). This will likely come to the new 12.9-inch model.

Thirdly, as it stands now, the iPad Air features a camera placed on the top (while it's being held in portrait mode). However, Apple is reportedly moving that camera to the side, allowing for a better camera experience during landscape orientation.

That camera will move from the top to the side, according to rumors Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Bloomberg states that the iPad Air will get an M2 chip. For reference, the last iPad Air, updated in 2022, featured the M1 chip.

As MacRumors pointed out, if Apple is feeling particularly generous, it may opt to pack iPad Air 2024 with the more advanced M3 chip. However, I'm leaning towards M2; it's a logical way to distinguish the iPad Air from the iPad Pro (if it gets the M3 chip).

Save for the relocated camera and a larger iPad Air, we haven't seen any rumors about significant design changes. The iPad Air, compared to the iPad Pro, has always been slightly thicker with wider bezels — and that design language is expected to continue with the iPad Air 2024.

Rumor has it that Apple is planning to drop a new Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil, too. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

It's worth nothing that the Cupertino-based tech giant is reportedly releasing a refreshed Apple Pencil with a new squeeze gesture as well as a new Magic Keyboard.

As aforementioned, the new iPad Air 2024 is expected to drop on May 7. Stay tuned for Mashable's in-depth coverage on the new tablet.

GPT-4, OpenAI's latest multimodal large language model (LLM), can exploit zero-day vulnerabilities independently, according to a study reported by TechSpot.

The study by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers has shown that LLMs, including GPT-4, can execute attacks on systems by utilizing undisclosed vulnerabilities, known as zero-day flaws. As part of the ChatGPT Plus service, GPT-4 has demonstrated significant advancements over its predecessors in terms of security penetration without human intervention.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT got an upgrade — and OpenAI says it's better in these key areas

The study involved testing LLMs against a set of 15 "high to critically severe" vulnerabilities from various domains, such as web services and Python packages, which had no existing patches at the time.

GPT-4 displayed startling effectiveness by successfully exploiting 87 percent of these vulnerabilities, compared to a zero percent success rate by earlier models like GPT-3.5. The findings suggest that GPT-4 can autonomously identify and exploit vulnerabilities that traditional open-source vulnerability scanners often miss.

Why this is concerning

The implications of such capabilities are significant, with the potential to democratize the tools of cybercrime, making them accessible to less skilled individuals known as "script-kiddies." UIUC's Assistant Professor Daniel Kang emphasized the risks posed by such powerful LLMs, which could lead to increased cyber attacks if detailed vulnerability reports remain accessible.

Kang advocates for limiting detailed disclosures of vulnerabilities and suggests more proactive security measures such as regular updates. However, his study also noted the limited effectiveness of withholding information as a defense strategy. Kang emphasized that there's a need for robust security approaches to address the challenges introduced by advanced AI technologies like GPT-4.

The iPad Pro 2024 has been reportedly pushed back several times, according to DigiTimes, alongside the next-generation iPad Air.

Citing Apple's suppliers as its source, the Taiwan-based publication claims that the iPad Pro 2024 was supposed to be released in March (perhaps with the new M3 MacBook Air). However, its release has been reportedly postponed several times.

Fortunately, according to Mark Gurman, Bloomberg's popular Apple prognosticator, Apple reportedly finally has set release date. Curious about which new features will come with the new iPad Pro? Based on leaks and rumors, we've got the scoop.

SEE ALSO: 2024 iPad Air: 3 new features coming to the rumored new Apple tablet iPad Pro 2024 release date

The iPad Pro will likely drop on May 7. On Tuesday, April 23, Apple announced that it will launch a May 7 livestream. It's during this event that you'll probably see the new iPad Pro as well as other lower-tier tablets.

This aligns with Gurman's reporting, who said that the iPad Pro will be announced during the week of May 6.

Per DigiTimes, the iPad Pro 2024 has been delayed repeatedly from March through April. However, it seems like Apple has finally set is sights on an early May release date.

iPad Pro 2024 price

The iPad Pro 2024 will reportedly sport OLED displays, which will likely make the price tag significantly pricier.

According to yeux1122, an X leaker that Macworld claims has a "spotty record," the iPad Pro will have a starting price tag of about $1,499. For reference, here are the starting prices of the current-gen iPad Pro models:

• 11-inch - $799

• 12.9-inch - $1,099

If that X leaker is to be believed, that means that Apple has nearly doubled the starting price of the iPad Pro 2024. If you were to ask me, I do believe that the next iPad Pro will have a price hike — I'm just not convinced it'll be that expensive.

Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Adding salt to the wound, yeux1122 also predicted a jump from $1,099 to somewhere between $1,799 and $1,999 for the 12.9-inch model. Again, I'm doubtful.

DigiTimes' prediction (shared by MacRumors) is a lot more believable, claiming that the iPad Pro 2024 models will have a $160 price increase. Based on this rumor, the new prices should be the following, give or take:

• 11-inch - $999

• 13-inch - $1,199

Still pricey, but far more credible than yeux1122's outlandish forecast.

iPad Pro 2024: 6 new features

The new iPad Pro 2024's brand spankin' new display is the talk of the town. In addition to a new screen, here are six new features coming to the next-generation iPad Pro 2024:

• New OLED panel for a sharper, brighter display

• 12.9-inch variant upgrades to 13 inches

• Relocated webcam

• M3 chip

• Thinner chassis

• Slimmer bezels

To dive deeper, the iPad Pro 2024 is ditching its current-generation mini-LED display for a new OLED panel, which should bring deeper blacks and better contrast to the screen.

Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

OLED displays are also known to have better power efficiency than mini-LED screens, so there's a good chance that the iPad Pro 2024 will have better battery life than its predecessor.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple's own software confirms its rumored move to OLED displays. Code spotted in iPadOS 17.5 beta, dropped in early April alongside iOS 17.5 beta for developers, suggests that the next-generation iPad Pro will, indeed, feature an OLED panel.

SEE ALSO: iOS 17.5 beta 1 is here: 3 new features coming to your iPhone

The iPad Pro will also be slightly larger, per Gurman. The 12.9-inch variant will get a slight bump to 13 inches.

According to "Instant Digital", a leaker from Weibo (a China-based social media platform), the new iPad Pro 2024 will have its camera relocated from the top bezel (when it's in portrait mode) to the side for a "landscape webcam." (We're also seeing a similar rumor for the iPad Air 2024.)

Next, the iPad Pro 2024 will be faster. The current model features the M2 chip, but the successor is expected to have the M3 chip.

According to 9to5Mac, the iPad Pro 2024 will have thinner dimensions, too. For context, the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro is 6.4mm thick, but the new one will reportedly be 5mm thick. The 11-inch variant currently has a thickness of 5.9mm, but its successor will allegedly be thinner at 5.1mm.

Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

And again, from Instant Digital, the iPad Pro 2024 will reportedly have slimmer bezels, allowing for users to enjoy more screen real estate. (The iPhone 16 is tipped to have thinner borders, too.)

According to the rumor mill, Apple is also reportedly dropping an Apple Pencil with a new squeeze gesture as well as a new Magic Keyboard.

As I said at the outset, the new iPad Pro 2024 is expected to drop on May 7. Stay tuned for Mashable's coverage on the new tablets.

Apple announced a May 7 livestream event, giving us a strong indication that the Cupertino-based tech giant is set to reveal a new iPad Pro and iPad Air — and a few other accessories to go along with them.

As someone who has been keeping a sharp eye on rumors and leaks regarding the iPad Pro and iPad Air, I've got a pretty good idea what Apple purportedly plans on revealing at the May 7 event.

SEE ALSO: iPad Air 2024: No OLED, but it’s tipped to get this big display upgrade May 7 event: What will Apple reveal?

As mentioned, Apple is reportedly planning on releasing a new iPad Pro. According to scuttlebutt from Apple bean spillers like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, it will have the following new features:

• New OLED display for a sharper, brighter screen

• New location for the webcam (moving to landscape orientation)

• New M3 chip

• Slimmer chassis

• Thinner bezels

For a more in-depth look at what to expect from the next-generation top-tier Apple tablet, check out our oft-updated iPad Pro 2024 rumor hub.

We're also expecting a new iPad Air. Here's what the rumor mill is saying:

• New miniLED display

• Two sizes as opposed to one: the traditional 10.9-inch variant and a new 12.9-inch size

• New webcam location

• New M2 chip

If you crave more information, sink your teeth into all the leaks and rumors surrounding the cheaper Apple tablet in our iPad Air 2024 rumor hub.

Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil

Along with new iPads, Apple is reportedly planning on unleashing a new Magic Keyboard as well as a new Apple Pencil with a new "squeeze gesture" perk.

Mashable will be covering the highly anticipated livestream event, so stay tuned for our coverage on the rumored new iPads.

Despite mixed responses to Taylor Swift's behemoth double album The Tortured Poets Department, its cultural impact is undeniable. It officially birthed its first meme: "You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum that raised me."

Of all the lyrics — and there are so, so many — the line from "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me," track 10 of 31, is the run away hit with X / Twitter users. Swifties and non-Swifties alike are posting the lyric with images of the places that raised them.

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift's brand is mightier than her pen

In "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me," the pop star complicates her relatable underdog narrative by drawing on the dark side of child stardom and urging listeners to fear her, going so far as to describe herself as "wretched" and "wrong."

Throughout the album, Swift utilizes asylum language and imagery making the meme somewhat representative of the themes she explores. The physical album features a summary poem penned by Swift where she "pleads temporary insanity" and declares, "In summation, it was not a love affair" but "a mutual manic phase" and "self-harm." The music video for "Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)" shows her chained to a bed in a sterile facility, where she's only released after taking "forget him" pills. Later, she's seen receiving electroshock therapy.

According to Know Your Meme, the lyric was first quoted on X when The Tortured Poets Department leaked on April 17. It gained popularity after one user captioned a photo of the choir room in Glee with "You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum that raised me." The meme grew from there. As always, the more the place caters to extremely online sensibilities, the better it performs.

Tweet may have been deleted

Some posted other television "asylums" like Carrie Bradshaw's apartment floor plan in Sex and the City, the pool house in The OC, and Marnie Michael's acoustic performance of "Stronger" in Girls.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Others reference online moments like 2014 Tumblr, A Very Potter Musical, and YouTuber drama. Then, of course, there were the actual physical places like Aeropostale.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

The Swifties were Swiftying this whole time, posting about Ticketmaster queues and that era where people thought Swift didn't have a belly button.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

What lyric will grab the internet's attention next? Perhaps, "I'm so depressed, I act like it's my birthday every day?"

UPDATE: Apr. 17, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT Check out the latest Apple deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more.

Best Apple deals this week: Best MacBook deal 2024 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,199 at Amazon (Save $100) Get Deal Best iPad deal iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) $499 at Amazon and Walmart (Save $100) Get Deal Best iPhone deal iPhone 15 at Verizon $0 on a new line with select unlimited plans (Save $829.99) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) $189 at Walmart and Amazon (Save $60) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple USB-C AirPods Pro $199.99 at Amazon and Walmart (Save $49.01) Get Deal

Apple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love 'em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple's got you covered. Sure, they're a little notorious for their high prices, but we've rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can.

iMac and MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 2024 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,199.00 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air.

While this isn't quite the $150 discount we saw an on-page coupon bring this MacBook to a couple weeks back, $100 off a two-month-old laptop is still a pretty good deal. The larger screen makes the new Air a great choice for folks who need more space to work, especially for creative tasks like video or photo editing. The M3 chip will give you plenty of power for your workflow, and, especially with the price drop, this Air is a more affordable alternative to the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

More iMac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

• 2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $699 $899 at Walmart (save $200)

• 2020 MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $699.99 $899 at Best Buy (save $199.01)

• 2023 15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,299 at Best Buy (save $300)

• 2023 15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,499 at Best Buy (save $300)

• 2024 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,299 at Amazon (save $100)

• 2024 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,389 $1,499 at Amazon (save $110)

• 2023 15-inch MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499 $1,899 at Best Buy (save $400)

MacBook Pro

• 2023 14.2-inch MacBook Pro (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,599 $1,799 at Amazon (save $200)

iMac

• 24-inch iMac (M1, 7-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $849.99 $1,249.99 at Best Buy (save $400)

• 24-inch iMac (M1, 8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999.99 $1,649.99 at Best Buy (save $650)

SEE ALSO: M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: What’s the difference? iPad deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) $499.00 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the 2022 iPad Air.

Let's get two things out there: one, this iPad Air deal is still $50 away from the lowest price we've ever seen it at, and two, Apple has finally confirmed a May 7 event where we expect to see the release of new iPads. With that in mind, this honestly isn't all that stellar of a deal, but iPad deals are sorely lacking this week, making it the best of what's out there. It's still the cheapest entry into M1 tablet territory, but if you can hold off for a bit longer, we wouldn't be surprised if this tablet received a more significant price drop in the weeks to come.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

• Refurbished 2022 iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $313.54 $368.99 at Target (save $55.35)

iPad (9th gen)

• 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $249 $329 at Amazon (save $80)

• 2021 iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $249 $329 at Walmart (save $80)

• 2021 iPad (WiFi, 256GB) — $379 $479 at Walmart (save $100)

iPad Air

• iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) — $499 $599 at Amazon (save $100)

iPhone deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: iPhone 15 at Verizon $0 on a new line with select Unlimited plans (save $829.99) Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the iPhone 15.

The iPhone 15 hasn't really received the "get it free" deal treatment since it's been on the market. Although this particular deal comes with the standard caveats of requiring a new line and particular cell phone plan, it's still one of the best we've seen on this phone. With its USB-C charging port, Dynamic Island, and 48-megapixel camera, it is, as Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder calls it in his review, one of "the best new iPhones for most people."

More iPhone deals

• iPhone 14 (128GB) at AT&T — $5.99 per month for 36 months on select unlimited plans, then receive a $514.36 bill credit. $729.99 (save up to $514.36)

• iPhone 15 (128GB) at AT&T — $129.99 with an eligible trade-in on select unlimited plans. (save up to $700)

• iPhone 15 Plus (128GB) at AT&T — $10.99 per month for 36 months on select unlimited plans, then receive a $534.36 bill credit. $929.99 (save up to $534.36)

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) at AT&T — $199 with an eligible trade-in on select unlimited plans. $1,199 (save up to $1,000)

• iPhone SE (64GB, 3rd gen) at Verizon — $0 with an Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate Plan (save $429.99)

• iPhone 14 (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with select 5G unlimited plans. $729.99 (save up to $729.99)

• iPhone 14 Plus (128GB) at Verizon — $0 when you open a new line on any 5G unlimited plan. $829.99 (save $829.99)

• iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) at Verizon — $170 on a new line with an Unlimited Ultimate plan. $999.99 (save up to $819.99)

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) at Verizon — $360 on a new line with an Unlimited Ultimate plan. $1,199.99 (save up to $839.99)

SEE ALSO: iOS 18: Everything we know about the next big iPhone update Apple Watch deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple Watch Series SE (40mm, GPS) $189.00 at Walmart and Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If we're recommending a budget-friendly Apple Watch, we actually want it to be a budget-friendly. That's why we're fans of this 40mm Apple Watch SE deal, which knocks $60 off the price at Walmart and Amazon, saving you 24% on the full price. Though you won't get a ECG app or always-on display like you would with the Series 9, you're paying a good $140 less. Plus, the Series 9 no longer comes with a functioning blood oxygen sensor, so it has even less of an edge.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $329 $399 at Walmart (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $359 $429 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS + cellular) — $429 $499 at Amazon (save $70)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS + cellular) — $459 $529 at Amazon (save $70)

SE

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 at Walmart (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 at Amazon (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 at Amazon (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 at Walmart (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $229 $299 at Walmart (save $70)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $279 $329 at Amazon (save $50)

More Apple Watch deals

• Buy two, get $300 off on Apple Watches at AT&T

AirPods and Apple accessories deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple USB-C AirPods $199.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $49.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the USB-C AirPods Pro.

While the AirPods Pro may not be at their $180 record low, or even the $189 sale price they sometimes hit, this $50 off discount isn't bad at all — and it certainly beats full price. We love these earbuds for their easy pairing to Apple devices and exceptional noise-cancellation, and we recommend them for travelers and iPhone users in particular.

More deals on AirPods and Apple accessories

• Apple AirTag — $24 $29 at Amazon (save $5)

• Apple AirTags (4-pack) — $79.99 $99 at Amazon (save $19.01)

• Refurbished Beats Studio Buds + — $99.99 $169.95 at Woot (save $69.96)

• Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro (open box) — $189.99 $349 (save $159.01)

• Apple USB-C AirPods Pro — $199.99 $249 at Walmart (save $60)

SAVE UP TO 80%: To honor World Book Day, Amazon has marked down the price on hundreds of Kindle ebooks by up to 80% as of April 23. But you'll want to hurry to grab your favorite titles because this deal expires at 11:59 p.m. PT tonight.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle ebooks save up to 80% on Kindle ebooks Get Deal

Reading is one of life's greatest gifts. A good book can bring us into worlds we would have never otherwise experienced. We gain new friends, learn lessons, take off on adventures, and dive into historical events. If your collection is running low, stock up today in honor of World Book Day while saving some serious money thanks to Amazon's sale.

As of April 23, hundreds of Kindle ebooks are up to 80% off to celebrate World Book Day. Chose your favorites quickly though, because this deal is over at 11:59 PT tonight.

Spring and summer reads are some of the most memorable. Find a great bench at the park and get lost in the latest novel or take your Kindle on that tropical vacation for some perfect poolside reading. Whatever you prefer, you can load up on new Kindle ebooks today at Amazon for a hefty discount.

If you don't already own a Kindle device, now would be an ideal time to snag one since you'll be saving on loading it up. (Mashable rates the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition as the very best Kindle model). From there, snag deep discounts from authors we know and love like Liane Moriarty, Ann Patchett, and Alice Walker.

If you're keeping up with the Bridgerton saga, score the eighth book, "On the Way to the Wedding: Bridgerton: Gregory's Story" for just $1.99. Or if memoirs are your favorite, score "Pageboy" by Elliot Page for just $2.99.

The deal also includes books for kids, health and wellness reads, and cookbooks. With hundreds of Kindle ebooks included in this deal, you're sure to find a great stack of books to read throughout the spring and summer. While you're on this reading adventure, be sure to sign up to earn free credits through Kindle Rewards.

You have until 11:59 PT tonight to score up to 80% off hundreds of Kindle ebooks at Amazon, so hop to it and start turning pages.

SAVE 90%: As of April 23, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Deluxe Edition) is on sale for just $4.99 at the PlayStation Store. That's $45 off of its usual price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Respawn Entertainment "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" (Deluxe Edition) for PS4 and PS5 $4.99 at PlayStation Store
$49.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

We're nearing the first anniversary of the release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, but its 2019 predecessor is actually the game in the spotlight.

Fans who somehow didn't fall into the trance when Fallen Order first changed the game in 2019 have no excuse not to try it now — because it's $5. A hidden gem of the PlayStation Store's Spring Sale (as well as a likely anticipatory Star Wars Day deal), PS4 and PS5 owners can score the original Star Wars Jedi installation for 90% off of its usual $49.99.

SEE ALSO: 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire' trailer brings you over to the dark side

It's the Deluxe Version, too, which includes extras like assorted Crimson skins, a digital art book, and over 90 minutes of behind-the-screens footage from the making of the game.

Five years after what went down in The Revenge of the Sith, you'll be in the shoes of Ian from Shameless Cal Kestis, an Order 66 survivor on the run. As one of the few remaining Jedi Padawans, you have several jobs: master new Force abilities, fend off Vader-trained villains, and, you know, casually rebuild the entire Jedi Order. It's simultaneously a deeply personal story and a riveting challenge that come together to create one of the best games of 2019 — and one of the best Star Wars games ever.

SAVE $100: As of April 23, get a pair of refurbished Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for $149.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Refurbished Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) on white background $149.99 at Best Buy
$249.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Summer's just about here. If you're planning on walking around, enjoying the warm weather and listening to your favorite songs or podcasts, you've got to have the right equipment. A great pair of earbuds should do the trick, and you can't go wrong with Apple AirPods Pro. Of course, those can be a bit pricey. Luckily, if you've got your eye on them and want a great pair of buds to enhance your summer listening, Best Buy has a deal right now that you won't want to miss.

As of April 23, you can get a pair of refurbished Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for just $149.99. That's $100 off their normal price of $249.99 and a discount of 43%. These are Geek Squad Certified Refurbished, meaning they've been tested and guaranteed by Best Buy, so you can trust that the buds work like new – and you can get a refund if not.

These earbuds are absolutely fantastic, and the best of Apple's lineup of audio products. They fit snugly in your ear and come with a variety of replaceable tips to get you the best fit possible. They have excellent noise cancellation to help you immerse yourself in your favorite tunes, so if you're trying to block out the world, they can help you achieve that. Plus, they're water-, sweat-, and dust-resistant. You can wear them while swimming, working out, or handling other physical activity without having to worry about them malfunctioning.

With a battery life of 30 hours, they'll be your constant companion just about everywhere you go. Add in spatial audio and adaptive audio support, and you've got a can't-miss package, especially at the $149.99 price point. If you need some earbuds this summer, don't miss this deal – the refurbished part won't mean a thing when you're grooving along this season.

SAVE 50%: As of April 23, get the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) for $349. That's a savings of $350.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) $349.00 at Best Buy
$699.00 Save $350.00 Get Deal

Ready to buy a laptop, but don't need anything too fancy? You might be able to get away with buying an older Chromebook. These machines may not be the souped-up powerhouses you'd expect from Apple's lineup or more expensive Windows laptops, but they're still useful for those with light workloads or just for surfing the web and checking email.

A cheap Chromebook is a more affordable option than a regular laptop for popping in your bag for "emergency" computer use on vacation or even a main internet machine for elderly users. No matter your use case, most older Chromebooks are perfect for casual usage. There's one especially great Chromebook you can get on sale today that should tick all the boxes.

As of April 23, get the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 (Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) for just $349 at Best Buy. That's a 50% discount and $350 off its normal price of $699.

This is an older model, as previously stated, so don't expect it to be the zippiest machine — it relies on an older Intel Core i3-10110U processor from August 2019. While the Chromebook will get 10 years of automatic updates from Google, it's important to understand that it will be quite slow in comparison to some of the more expensive Chromebooks on offer right now. But it's still very much capable of handling a variety of tasks if you're fine with remaining in the Google ecosystem.

This flame red Chromebook with touchscreen capabilities can handle smaller tasks with less bandwidth: browsing the internet, word processing, simple presentations, and streaming media. Just don't expect it to be super fast. It's still plenty viable to toss in your bag and go if you need something on hand to get work done, but be aware that you will need an internet connection to utilize it to its fullest.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: Our top pick iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ $999 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal Best budget-friendly headphone deal Soundcore Anker Life Q20 (black) $39.98 at Amazon (save $20.01) Get Deal Best laptop deal Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,241.33 at Amazon (save $558.66) Get Deal Best photo editing deal Photoshop Elements 2024 and Premiere Elements 2024 $99.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best speaker deal Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker (black) $21.99 at Amazon (save $8) Get Deal

Once again, Amazon has delivered when it comes to great deals. Sure, today's deals aren't quite as plentiful as major shopping holidays like Black Friday or Prime Day, but Amazon still appreciates a random price drop on a Tuesday. We've found some noteworthy deals for today, April 23, that are worth checking out if you're in the market for some home upgrades or the latest tech.

Below, we've listed some of our favorite deals to shop at Amazon today. And if you missed our top Amazon deals from yesterday, April 22, some are still live and worth looking into.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ $999.00 at Amazon
$1,399.00 Save $400.00 Get Deal

If you've been meaning to hand off the task of vacuuming to someone else, Amazon has just the robot for the job. The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is a do-it-all floor cleaning solution and now it can be yours for under $1,000. Mashable named the Roomba Combo j9+ as the very best Roomba in our review of the best robot vacuums and mops, noting it's a combination of some of Roomba's best functions like better suction power and a water tank that only needs refilling about once every 30 days.

One of the only negatives the review points out is the robot vacuum and mop's high price tag, which is significantly reduced thanks to the sale price of $999 at Amazon today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Anker Soundcore Anker Life Q20 (black) $39.98 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal

If you have upcoming travel plans, this deal is the one for you. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are on sale for just $39.98, marked down from the normal price of $59.99, which means you'll save $20.01.

Mashable named these the best budget pick for noise-canceling headphones that are ideal for flying. The Life Q20 don't have top-of-the-line noise cancellation, but they pack a punch for the price tag. Plus, they come with about 60 hours of battery life and memory foam cushioning, so they should be plenty comfortable for wherever your travels take you.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,241.33 at Amazon
$2,799.99 Save $558.66 Get Deal

With a 14.4-inch touchscreen display, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a great option for creative minds or anyone who wants a portable and durable laptop.

Mashable's East Coast Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon reviewed the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and noted its exceptional build. "If the Surface Laptop Studio 2 were a fictional character, it’d be Optimus Prime. It is one burly, brawny, sturdily built machine," she writes. She also notes artists will especially enjoy the model's easel-capable positioning.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 can also be great for traveling since it weighs just over four pounds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2024 and Premiere Elements 2024 $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Whether you're brand new to photo editing or a seasoned professional, Adobe photo editing software is often the top choice. Thanks to today's deal, you can grab a code for digital access to both Photoshop Elements 2024 and Premiere Elements 2024 for $99.99, which is a 33% discount from the normal bundle price of $149.99.

For those new to Adobe's editing suites, follow along with 88 editing guides that'll cover the ins and outs. You can also use templates for creating photo reels, video reels, and animated social media posts, and you have access to companion mobile apps for editing on the go.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker (black) $21.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $8.00 Get Deal

Summer is on its way, and if you're prepping for backyard hangs, the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker could be perfect. Thanks to today's sale price on the black colorway, the portable speaker can be all yours for just $21.99, which is 27% off the normal price of $29.99.

With up to 24 hours of playtime on one charge, your summer gathering will never be without tunes. The wireless speaker can pair with Android or iOS devices for streaming through Bluetooth 5.0 which'll stay connected up to 66 feet away from the speaker. It's also waterproof, so you won't have to worry about bringing it along to the beach or for an afternoon spent poolside.

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Finally, Xbox is getting into the VR game! Kind of.

Nestled into a larger blog post featuring multiple big announcements, Meta revealed on Monday that it is working with Microsoft on an Xbox-branded VR headset. To be more specific, it's a "limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox."

Ah, ok. So it's not actually a full-fledged Xbox VR headset. Instead, it seems like it'll just be a branded version of an existing Quest headset, ideally the Quest 3 since it's the newest one. It's not clear if it would have any unique hardware or software features, but I wouldn't count on it, personally.

SEE ALSO: A batch of updates from Meta puts AI front and center when you use its apps

That said, the partnership still makes sense. As pointed out in the blog post, Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on Meta Quest, so you can play Xbox games on a Quest right now. In an Instagram post, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed the new headset would come with Xbox controllers and access to Xbox Game Pass, both of which are prerequisites for using Xbox game streaming.

This news more or less leaves PlayStation as still the only one of the "big three" gaming hardware manufacturers to embrace VR. Nintendo is likely never going to do it (again), but Microsoft said in 2016 it had plans for an Xbox headset, only to back down on those plans two years later.

Bummer for the people who insisted VR was the future of gaming ten years ago, I guess.