IT General

If you own an external SSD, you're already ahead of the curve when it comes to following the 3-2-1 rule for backups. But while using an external SSD is as easy as just plugging it in and drag-and-dropping some files, you might be hindering its performance by plugging it in at the front.

I've been tinkering with my smart home for well over a decade. My obsession began with trying to control my smart bulb with my voice. All these years later, I'm right back where I started.

Sometimes, we encounter real events that feel like fiction. Other times, we're faced with stories too insane to be true. How Hollywood captures these moments and brings real-life stories to the screen is what draws our attention, encouraging us to reflect, question, and feel different emotions.

It's that time of the year again for tool fans. I'm talking about "Ryobi Days," Home Depot's annual sale with big discounts, freebies, and other deals you don't want to miss. If you have DIY projects around the house that need attention, now is the perfect time to get new gear. Here's what you need to know.

You spend time setting up a smart home, and then someone walks into the room and flips a wall switch like a normal button. Suddenly, the device loses its power, and the ‘smart’ setup becomes useless until the switch is turned back on again. This exact problem is what Zunzunbee Slate Switch is trying to solve, and now, it has joined Home Assistant’s official certified device program.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. CNET Group Big Guessing Game Contest (the “Contest”) is governed by these official rules (the “Contest Rules”). The Contest begins on May 19, 2026 at 12:01PM EST and ends on September 1, 2026 at 11:59PM EST (the “Contest Period”).

SPONSOR: Ziff Davis, LLC, with an address of 360 Park Avenue South, Floor 17, New York, New York 10010 (the “Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY: This Contest is open to individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States of America or the District of Columbia. By entering the Contest as described in these Contest Rules, entrants represent and warrant that they are complying with these Contest Rules (including, without limitation, all eligibility requirements), and that they agree to abide by and be bound by all the rules and terms and conditions stated herein and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding. 

All previous winners of any Contest sponsored by Sponsor during the nine (9) month period prior to the Selection Date are not eligible to enter. Any individuals (including, but not limited to, employees, consultants, independent contractors and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, held employment with or performed services for Sponsor or any organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Contest (“Employees”) are not eligible to enter or win. Immediate Family Members and Household Members are also not eligible to enter or win. “Immediate Family Members” means parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses of an Employee. “Household Members” means those individuals who share the same residence with an Employee at least three (3) months a year.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter the Contest, go to any of the CNET Groups’ Contest Websites and complete any or all of three (3) rounds of Contest questions occurring within the Contest Period. Each set of questions will be unique to each site (individual questions can be duplicated). Participants may only enter once per Website.

The CNET Groups’ Contest Websites are listed below:

• CNET Media, Inc.: https://www.cnet.com/

• Mashable, Inc.: https://mashable.com/

• PC Magazine: https://www.pcmag.com/

• ZDNET: https://www.zdnet.com/

• Lifehacker: https://lifehacker.com/
  

The Rounds are as follows:

• Round 1: May 19, 2026 at 12:01PM EST to June 2, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

• Round 2: July 7, 2026 at 12:01PM EST to July 21, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

• Round 3: August 18, 2026 at 12:01PM EST to September 1, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries by using multiple accounts or otherwise may result in disqualification of the entrant. / You may post as many contributions as you like.

Only contributions submitted during the Contest Period will be eligible for entry into the Contest. No other methods of entry will be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entries are limited to individuals only; commercial enterprises and business entities are not eligible. Use of a false account will disqualify an entry. Sponsor is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties and other technological problems.

Entries are subject to any applicable restrictions or eligibility requirements listed herein. Entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email or telephone phone number submitted at the time of entry and qualification. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Should multiple users of the same e-mail account or mobile phone number, as applicable, enter the Contest and a dispute thereafter arises regarding the identity of the entrant, the Authorized Account Holder of said e-mail account or mobile phone account at the time of entry will be considered the entrant. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an e-mail address or mobile phone number by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider, telephone service provider or other organization which is responsible for assigned e-mail addresses, phone numbers or the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by the website administrator for online entries. When applicable, the website administrator’s computer will be deemed the official time keeping device for the Contest promotion. Entries will be disqualified if found to be incomplete and/or if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that multiple entries were submitted by the same entrant in violation of the Contest Rules. 

JUDGING CRITERIA: Each correct answer in any of the three Contest Rounds earns one entry in drawing. For example, if Participant visits cnet.com and participates in the Round 1 of questions, each question they answer correctly results in one entry for the CNET Media, Inc. drawing. If the same Participant visits mashable.com and participates in the Round 1 of questions, each question they answer correctly results in one entry for the Mashable Inc. drawing.  

WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: Sponsor shall select the prize winner(s) (collectively, the “Winner”) on or about three weeks from the end of the Contest Period (“Selection Date”). The Winner will be notified via email to the contact information provided in the entry. Notification of the Winner shall be deemed to have occurred immediately upon sending of the notification by Sponsor. The Winner will be required to respond (as directed) to the notification within fourteen (14) business days of attempted notification. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to choose an alternative Winner based on the stated Judging Criteria in the event that that the selected Winner has been disqualified or is deemed ineligible for any reason, such as not responding within fourteen (14) business days. If the first alternate Winner has been disqualified or is deemed ineligible for any reason, the Sponsor has the right to choose a second alternate Winner. If the second alternate Winner also has been disqualified, or is deemed ineligible for any reason, the Sponsor shall not be obligated to pick any further alternate Winners for the Contest and the prize(s) shall remain un-awarded. The only entries that will be considered eligible entries are entries received by Sponsor within the Contest Period.

PRIZE: Five (5) winners, one (1) winner from each CNET Group Website, will receive the following prize(s) (collectively, the “Prize”): 

• Latest model of the Apple Watch, valued at approximately three hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($399.00 USD) 

No more than the stated number of prize(s) will be awarded, and all prize(s) listed above will be awarded. Actual retail value of the Prize may vary due to market conditions. The difference in value of the Prize as stated above and value at time of notification of the Winner, if any, will not be awarded. No cash or prize substitution is permitted, except at the discretion of Sponsor. The Prize is non-transferrable. If the Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute Prize of equal or greater retail value will be awarded; provided, however, that if a Prize is awarded but remains unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. In the event that more than the stated number of prize(s) becomes available for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prize(s).

ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF THE PRIZE: The Winner will be required to verify his or her address and may be required to execute the following document(s) before a notary public and return them within fourteen (14) business days (or a shorter time if required by exigencies) of receipt of such documents: an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and (where imposing such condition is legal) a publicity release covering eligibility, liability, advertising, publicity and media appearance issues (collectively, the “Prize Claim Documents”). If an entrant is unable to verify the information submitted with their entry, the entrant will automatically be disqualified and their prize, if any, will be forfeited. The Prize will not be awarded until all such properly executed and notarized Prize Claim Documents are returned to Sponsor. Prize(s) won by an eligible entrant who is a minor in his or her state of residence will be awarded to minor’s parent or legal guardian, who must sign and return all required Prize Claim Documents. In the event the Prize Claim Documents are not returned within the specified period, an alternate Winner may be selected by Sponsor for such Prize based on the Judging Criteria. The Prize will be shipped to the Winner within thirty (30) business days of Sponsor’s receipt of a signed Prize Claim Documents from the Winner. The Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees related to the Prize received, if any. 

OTHER RULES: THIS CONTEST IS SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL SUBMISSIONS BY ENTRANTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST BECOME THE SOLE PROPERTY OF THE SPONSOR AND WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED OR RETURNED. WINNER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURIES OR DAMAGE CAUSED OR CLAIMED TO BE CAUSED BY PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST OR BY THE USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE. 

BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, EACH WINNER GRANTS THE SPONSOR PERMISSION TO USE HIS OR HER NAME, CITY, STATE/PROVINCE, E-MAIL ADDRESS AND, TO THE EXTENT SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE CONTEST ENTRY, HIS OR HER PHOTOGRAPH, VOICE, AND/OR LIKENESS FOR ADVERTISING, PUBLICITY OR OTHER PURPOSES OR ON A WINNER’S LIST, IF APPLICABLE, IN ANY AND ALL MEDIA WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER DEVELOPED, WORLDWIDE, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CONSENT OR COMPENSATION, EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. By submitting an entry, entrants also grant the Sponsor a perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, perform, and otherwise use and permit others to use, throughout the world, their entry materials in any manner, form, or format now known or hereinafter created, including on the internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of the Contest, the Sponsor and/or its products and services, without further consent from or compensation to the entrant. By entering the Contest, entrants consent to receive notification of future promotions, advertisements or solicitations by or from Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and business partners, via email or other means of communication. 

If, in the Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of fraud, electronic or non-electronic tampering or unauthorized intervention with any portion of this Contest, or if fraud or technical difficulties of any sort (e.g., computer viruses, bugs) compromise the integrity of the Contest, the Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect entries and/or terminate the Contest and award the Prize in its sole discretion. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Sponsor’s website(s) or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be in violation of U.S. criminal and civil laws and will result in disqualification from participation in the Contest. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney’s fees) to the fullest extent of the law, including pursuing criminal prosecution.

DISCLAIMER: EXCLUDING ONLY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTIES, THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED TO THE WINNER ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT FURTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL FURTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIZE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, ENTRANTS, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ASSIGNS AND REPRESENTATIVES, RELEASE AND HOLD THE SPONSOR ITS PARENT COMPANIES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, UNITS AND DIVISIONS, AND THE CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING, AND ALL THOSE ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE FOREGOING, OR ANY OF THEM (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES AND PRIZE SUPPLIERS) (EACH A “RELEASED PARTY”), HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, INJURY, LOSS, DAMAGES, LIABILTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (COLLECTIVELY, THE “CLAIMS”) WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, WHICH ENTRANT EVER HAD, NOW HAVE, OR HEREAFTER CAN, SHALL OR MAY HAVE, AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES (OR ANY OF THEM), INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR LIBEL, DEFAMATION, INVASION OF PRIVACY, VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT OF PUBLICITY, COMMERCIAL APPROPRIATION OF NAME AND LIKENESS, INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT OR VIOLATION OF ANY OTHER PERSONAL OR PROPRIETARY RIGHT), AND THE RECEIPT, OWNERSHIP, USE, MISUSE, TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE PRIZE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE). All matters relating to the interpretation and application of these Contest Rules shall be decided by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  

DISPUTES: If, for any reason (including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest), the Contest is not capable of being conducted as described in these Contest Rules, Sponsor  shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. The Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. The Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, or the failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any injury or damage to any entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading any materials in connection with this Contest. Because of the unique nature and scope of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Contest Rules or otherwise governing the Contest, and any such changes will be posted here in the Contest Rules. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Contest Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.

As a condition of participating in the Contest, entrant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between entrant and Sponsor, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Contest or these Contest Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court of competent jurisdiction located in New York County, New York, and entrant irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New York County, New York with respect to any such dispute, cause of action, or other matter. All disputes will be governed and controlled by the laws of the State of New York (without regard for its conflicts-of-laws principles). Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby irrevocably waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs incurred directly in connection with entrant’s participation in the Contest), and entrant further irrevocably waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased, if any. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

PRIVACY: Information collected from entrants in connection with the Contest is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, which may be found here.  

SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION: Although the Contest may be featured on X, Facebook and/or other social media platforms, the Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or association with X, Facebook and/or such other social media platforms and you agree that X, Facebook and all other social media platforms are not liable in any way for any claims, damages or losses associated with the Contest.  

WINNER(S) LIST: For a list of name(s) of prize winner(s), after the Selection Date, please send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10/standard  business envelope to Ziff Davis, LLC, Attn: Legal Department, 360 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010 (VT residents may omit return postage).

BY ENTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ALL OF THESE CONTEST RULES.

The MacBook Neo was a massive hit for Apple, but the company has more new releases in store for 2026. As WWDC 2026 approaches, the tech world is closely watching the fabled California fruit company.

Mashable’s tech experts constantly track leaks and rumors around the iPhone, Siri, Apple Watch, and AirPods, but Apple is a notoriously tight-lipped company when it’s cooking up something new. So, while we’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect at this year's Worldwide Developers' Conference on June 8 or at the annual iPhone event in September, we don’t know what we don’t know.

If you think you know what Apple will announce this year, now is your chance to test your knowledge and earn a chance to win a prize. Mashable and the rest of the CNET Group websites (ZDNET, PCMag, CNET, and Lifehacker) are hosting a contest to see which of our readers can make the best Apple predictions for 2026.

Answer five questions in any of our three rounds of the contest to be entered to win the latest version of the Apple Watch announced in September. Every answer you guess correctly earns you one entry in a drawing for the grand prize — you only need to enter once to get a chance to win, but answering all three rounds of questions will improve your odds.

This first round of contest questions will run from today, May 19, until 11:59 p.m. PT on June 2. Check out the first round of questions and make your guesses here.

Product Quiz
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NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win the "CNET Group Big Guessing Game" Giveaway. Open to legal U.S. residents in the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+ yrs of age. Other restrictions apply. Begins May 19, 2026 at 12:01 pm ET and ends Sept. 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules: https://www.mashable.com/article/mashable-big-guessing-game-apple-edition-official-contest-rules/. Sponsor: Ziff Davis, LLC.

Apple is not a sponsor of, affiliated with, or endorser of this sweepstakes. Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc.

Sony wants to not only challenge Apple's AirPods Max 2 in audio quality but in design as well. It just unveiled 1000X The Collexion, a luxury set of over-ear wireless headphones that promise a premium build as well as key audio upgrades over the WH-1000XM6.

Sony's WH-1000XM6 hit the market just over a year ago, and already, the brand is back with a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

This time, however, it's in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the iconic 1000X line. So how do you follow up one of the best headphone releases of the past year? If you're Sony, you release the 1000X the Collexion: an upgraded pair of headphones that prioritizes sleek design, comfort, and sound.

The upgrade doesn't come cheap, though. Sony is asking $649.99 for the new headphones, which is a $200 price jump over the $449.99 WH-1000XM6 headphones — and those had already increased in price from the $399.99 XM5 headphones.

My testing unit is still making its way to me, so I can't share any personal first impressions of how the 1000X the Collexion headphones stack up (and most importantly, if they're maybe worth the extra $200). What I can share is a breakdown of what to expect from the Collexion headphones, what's similar to the XM6s, and everything you need to know if you're looking to purchase the anniversary edition headphones. And stay tuned for a hands-on review when I do get the headphones in to test.

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

Sony 1000X the Collexion: What's new

In a press briefing, Sony reps made it clear that these headphones aren't necessarily intended to improve on the XM6 headphones in every way possible. That said, there are some notable improvements that drive up the price point.

The 1000X the Collexion headphones are available in two colorways: platinum and black. Credit: Sony The case color matches the headphones' color. Credit: Sony Design and comfort prioritized

Sony headphones have never exactly skimped on design, but the 1000X series historically does opt for an all or mostly plastic approach. With the Collexion headphones, Sony flips the script, putting no plastic on the surface of the headphones. Instead, stainless steel and vegan leather make up the chassis, "to create a headphone that looks as elevated as it feels," according to the press release. For the on-ear controls, Sony uses metal buttons.

This design posits Sony in competition with the likes of Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 headphones, which are comprised of a combo of die-cast aluminum and Nappa leather. (Those headphones, for the record, run for $799.)

Not stopping there, Sony also widened the headband of the headphones to more evenly distribute the weight of the headphones, and make for an all-over more comfortable wear experience. The brand states that the cushioning on the headband is about 40 percent thicker than the XM6 headphones, while the band is about 10 percent wider (from a top-down view). The ear cups are also slightly slimmer, losing about five millimeters of the profile from the XM6 headphones.

As the last major design change, the Collexion headphones also go back on an XM6 update — folding ear cups. After the XM5 headphones lost the folding ear cups feature of earlier 1000X headphones, I was happy to see them return on the XM6 headphones, but the Collexion headphones are back to the design of the XM5 ear cups.

Noise cancellation isn't quite as powerful

The XM6 headphones are one of the best noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, so it may come as a shock that Collexion's noise cancellation isn't quite as good.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Sony headphones and earbuds for ANC, sound, and cool factor: See my top 7 picks

It comes back to the comfort factor. Prioritizing comfort means that Sony didn't go for quite as snug a fit as the XM6 headphones. So while the XM6 and Collexion headphones have the same internal noise cancellation capabilities thanks to the 12 microphones, multi-noise sensor, and adaptive noise cancellation optimizer, less passive noise cancellation on the Collexion headphones means the XM6s will retain the slight edge on that front.

Improved sound quality

The Collexion headphones come with a bespoke driver system that uses unidirectional carbon fiber, which, according to Sony, allows for more clarity in separation for instruments and better high-frequency range expression.

The headphones also come with a V3 integrated audio processor, which helps power DSEE Ultimate, a feature that uses AI scale enhancement to provide the highest resolution listening experience possible. The Collexion is the first and only Sony headphones to feature the DSEE Ultimate tech.

Finally, the spatial audio mixer includes a music and game mode in addition to the existing cinema mode. There's also an on-ear button to power the different modes.

Slightly lower battery life

This change is pretty much as it's written on the box. Compared to the 30 hours of battery life found on the XM5 and XM6 headphones, the 1000X the Collexion headphones have 24 hours of battery life.

A new carrying case

Like the XM6 headphones, the Collexion headphones have a magnetic carrying case, but for the anniversary headphones, Sony has added a handle to the design.

The carrying case gets an updated design. Credit: Sony Sony 1000X the Collexion: Just the specs

• Processor: Sony QN3 and V3

• Microphones: 12

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3

• Battery: 24 hours with ANC

• Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation

• Spatial audio: Yes

• Colors: Platinum and black

• Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack

Sony 1000X the Collexion: Who's it for

Sony enthusiasts, folks who love a luxury look, and those who prioritize comfort above all else are the target audience for this Sony release. That said, $649.99 is a hefty price, even for premium headphones, so it wouldn't be surprising if these headphones only appeal to the more devoted Sony fans among us.

Sony 1000X the Collexion: Where to buy

As of May 19, the Sony 1000X the Collexion headphones are available at Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy for $649.99.

Plex has decided to increase the price of its lifetime subscription to Plex Pass. Instead of a slight bump, however, it’s a massive increase that effectively triples its price. Currently, the Plex Pass is available for a lifetime subscription for $249.99, but not for long. Starting July 1, 2026, a Plex Pass lifetime subscription will cost users $749.99.

There's something hugely satisfying about giving an old laptop a second life, especially when that second life turns out to be more useful than its first. I had a dusty machine sitting in a drawer for years, too slow for daily work but too functional to throw out. So I wiped it, slimmed it down, and turned it into my dedicated PC repair laptop.

SAVE $10: As of May 19, get the Insta360 Mic Air Wireless Transmitter for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Insta360 Mic Air Wireless Transmitter $39.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10   Get Deal

Whether you're a content creator or just want to add some quality audio to your videos, a wireless mic is a no-brainer. Insta360 just revealed its new Mic Pro with a customizable E-Ink display, giving the popular viral pocket mic from DJI a bit of stark competition. But you don't have to wait to get your hands on that model to get a solid lapel mic right now, especially with this deal we unearthed at Amazon.

As of May 19, get the Insta360 Mic Air Wireless Transmitter for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's $10 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: Insta360 reveals Mic Pro with customisable E-Ink display

This wireless mic doesn't need a receiver and can connect wirelessly to your Insta360 camera or one of a variety of others. It's the size of a coin, and it's ultralight, at just 7.9 grams. That keeps it out of sight and out of the way so you can focus on doing what you're doing.

Despite its small size, it offers 48kHz sampling for excellent sound recording, whether you're capturing an interview or taking some voiceover for a video. Plus, with advanced noise cancelling and a windshield, you can keep out unwanted audio to ensure a clean recording every time, even if you're outside.

If you want to save money while making great content with even better audio, now's the time to try this tiny mic out for yourself. It's a wonderful alternative to DJI, and it looks like there's going to be even better options from Insta360 from now on, so it's good to get acquainted with the company now if you haven't already.

The increasing cost of living isn't just hitting groceries; it's hitting explicit content, too.

The porn site Clips4Sale reviewed millions of clips this month to determine how much the price of a clip has changed over time, depending on the fetish. With the "Kink Consumer Index" or KCI, Clips4Sale developed average prices for newly uploaded clips, year-by-year, in major fetish categories.

SEE ALSO: You're wrong about OnlyFans star Lily Phillips

"Kink and fetish are impacted by the same economic forces that drive global markets: the cost of goods, supply and demand and shifting consumer trends," Clips4Sale's spokesperson, Avery Martin, said in a press release shared with Mashable.

Here's some good news: The overall price of fetish content has risen more slowly than the rate of inflation, according to Clips4Sale. The U.S. consumer price index (CPI), which measures the change in average costs of common foods, rose 25 percent between 2020 and the end of 2025, CNBC reported at the time, and given inflation due to the Iran War, that number is surely even higher now. The cost of the average fetish clip, meanwhile, has risen 12.3 percent since 2020.

Credit: Clips4Sale

But the increase in average clip cost for certain fetishes has exploded (higher than the CPI) in the last six years:

• Boot Worship: +56 percent

• Wrestling: +45 percent

• BBW / SSBBW ("big beautiful woman" / "super-sized big beautiful woman"): +42 percent

• Balloons +39 percent

• High Heels: +34 percent

• Dirty Feet: +36 percent

• Foot Tickling: +33 percent

Several of these fall into the category of feet, which seems to be in high demand these days.

Credit: Clips4Sale

"Civilians and celebrities often think they can make big money selling feet pics, without understanding the fetish consumer. There's a stunning diversity of content in the foot economy," Martin continued. "Fetish creators should be recognized as the experts that they are, and valued accordingly."

Kink and fetish are specialized skill sets that carry value, Martin said. While more people are working as adult creators today than in 2020 — which has kept content prices low — the market is diverse, and not all content is equal, she said. "We developed the KCI to help us track prices for our creators so they can help meet market demand."

Cordless power tools are expensive, especially Milwaukee tools. Have you ever gone to grab a new Milwaukee tool, only to take one look at the price tag and instantly walk away? While Home Depot is a go-to store for many, there are other places to shop with better deals and lower prices while still getting a warranty.

SAVE $50: As of May 19, get a pair of Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen earbuds for just $249. That saves you $50 and brings the earbuds back to their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal

I'm exceptionally picky when it comes to earbuds, finding that most pairs fall out easily or cause ear fatigue. But you really can't find a better pair of earbuds then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. They fit snuggly in ears but truly live up to their name, being truly comfortable. Bose just revamped their flagship earbuds, and the 2nd gen model is still exceptional, and ahead of Memorial Day, the earbuds just got a price drop.

As of May 19, the latest earbuds from Bose, the QuietComfort 2nd Gen earbuds have dropped back down to its lowest price ever. With a list price of $299, the earbuds are now $50 off, bringing them down to $249. That saves you 17% off.

Beyond the earbuds' comfort, the audio quality and ANC shouldn't be overlooked. The noise cancellation on these buds rival a pair of over ear headphones and the audio quality is crisp, bringing out all of the nuance and detail in your favorite songs whether they be live recordings or from the studio.

Now is the best time to shop the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd gen earbuds, which are back down to its lowest price ever. This deal might stick around through Memorial Day, but there's no guarantee, so act fast.

Nintendo's venture from the gaming world into the cinema is going splendidly, as yet another hit film has broken major box office records. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the highest-grossing film in the U.S. for 2026 so far and while it's still floating around in theaters, you can now officially watch it at home.

The best ways to watch 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' at a glance: Buy or rent 'Hamnet' on Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Buy or rent 'Hamnet' at Apple TV $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Students and Young Adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Instacart+ (includes Peacock Premium for free) $99.99/year (save $109.99/year) Get Deal Walmart+ (includes Peacock Premium for free) $98/year (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

The film brings back 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie voice cast favorites, including Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and Bowser (Jack Black). New characters join in on the action as well, including a tiny Bowser Jr. voiced by Benny Safdie, Princess Rosalina voiced by Brie Larson, Yoshi voiced by Donald Glover, and Fox McCloud voiced by Glen Powell.

If a love of Nintendo's longtime mascot isn't enough to reel you in, the star-studded cast surely will. Here are all the details you need to know to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at home.

What is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie about?

Based on Nintendo's hit Super Mario Galaxy video game, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie follows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, along with their sidekicks, on a galactic adventure to rescue Princess Rosalina (Peach's long-lost sister) after she's kidnapped by Bowser Jr. Can they save her before her cosmic powers are drained and Bowser Jr. uses them to free his father?

Check out the official trailer below:

Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie worth watching?

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's success at the box office is undeniable. It could realistically pass the $1 billion mark before all is said and done. But the reviews are mixed, to say the least. To put it simply: Audiences are loving it, but critics aren't convinced.

The ratings gap on Rotten Tomatoes paints quite the picture. Audiences have rated it an 88 percent on average, celebrating its "spirited cast" and "joyful wonder." But its measly 42 percent critic rating summarizes it as "frenetic" and "weightless."

"Like its predecessor, it may make tons of money," Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review. "But that won't make it good."

Read Mashable's full review of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

How to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at home Credit: Universal Pictures

As of May 19, there are a couple of different ways you can watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $24.99 or you can wait a little while to stream it on Peacock. See all the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

After being delayed from it’s original digital release date, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie makes its digital debut on May 19, 2026. That means you can buy or rent the movie from on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep and watch forever.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:

• Apple TV — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• Google Play — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• Prime Video — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• YouTube — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

Stream it on Peacock (at a later date)

While we don't have an exact streaming release date yet for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, we do know that it will eventually make its debut on Peacock alongside other Universal Pictures films (including the Super Mario Bros. Movie). The theater-to-streaming trajectory for Universal movies is varied, but we can make an educated guess. Wicked: For Good, another high-performing Universal film, took about four months to land on Peacock after its theatrical debut. If the Galaxy Movie follows a similar path, we anticipate an August 2026 Peacock streaming release.

While the cheapest Peacock subscription costs just $7.99, it unfortunately won't grant you access to theatrical releases. Instead, you'll need at least Peacock Premium, which costs $10.99 per month. Before you sign up, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save up to $33 on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

If you pay up front for a year of Peacock Premium or Premium Plus, you can save up to $33.89. Premium (with ads) costs $10.99 monthly, which adds up to $131.88. If you pay for the annual plan, however, it'll only cost you $109.99 — a savings of $21.89. Likewise, the Premium Plus plan costs $16.99 per month, which adds up to $203.88. The annual plan, on the other hand, costs just $169.99 — a savings of $33.89. You'll essentially be getting two months of streaming for free by opting for an annual subscription.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: Free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

If you're an Xfinity customer, we highly recommend logging into your account to see if you're eligible for free streaming on Peacock. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible (head to Xfinity.com for more details):

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults: Save $5/month for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for young adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal

Both students and young adults can take $5 per month off a Peacock Premium subscription all year long. Verify your student status or age through SheerID and you'll receive a unique promo code to knock the price down to just $5.99 instead of $10.99. Just note that once the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price unless you cancel.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $4/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4 per month) Get Deal

First responders, medical professionals, teachers, and military personnel can all secure Peacock Premium subscriptions (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month by verifying professional status through SheerID. Those who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew their subscription at a discounted rate each year. Prices are subject to change year to year.

Best for Instacart users: Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

An Instacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. You'll even get a free two-week trial to kick things off. If you time your trial to match up with the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on Peacock, you can watch it for free. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged the full amount. We recommend setting a calendar alert to remind you.

Best for Walmart shoppers: Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ $98 per year Get Deal

One of the best ways to score streaming services for free is by signing up for a Walmart+ membership. With a $98 Walmart+ subscription, you can choose either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential as a free perk — and you can switch every few months. Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Of course, you'll also get free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events.

I loved my Nokia Lumia 520. It's one of the best phones I've owned, and while I've been on Android for the past decade, the Windows Phone Metro UI still has a special place in my heart. Microsoft had some really clever ideas back then, with Metro still having the edge over the latest iteration of Android when it comes to home screen design and the ability to have all your important apps and widgets easily accessible on a single, scrolling screen.

SAVE $6,002: The 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $8,997.99, down from the list price at Samsung of $14,999.99. That's a huge 40% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV (98QN90F) $8,997.99 at Amazon
$14,999.99 Save $6,002   Get Deal

We have a big summer of sports and new TV shows on its way. From the World Cup matches to MLB games and a new season of The Bear on its way in July. Not to mention the summer sun has become somewhat unbearable. If you plan to spend time indoors watching your favorite movies, shows, and sporting events, you'll want to make sure your TV is up to the task. If not, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of May 19, the 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $8,997.99, down from the list price at Samsung of $14,999.99. That's a huge 40% discount that shaves $6,0002 off the price. It matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. It also comes with free professional wall-mounting service which usually costs $239.99.

SEE ALSO: The huge 100-inch Hisense U6 Pro Series TV is over $1,000 off at Amazon — save ahead of the World Cup

If your TV room can handle a 98-inch TV, is there a reason to not go big? With a glare-free design and a QLED display, the Samsung will do a great job when viewing in bright afternoon sun. Samsung also notes this model uses the brand's most advanced 4K AI processor for getting the best picture possible no matter what you're watching.

When it comes to watching sports or reading subtitles, the Samsung AI Motion Enhancer Pro is designed to smooth the motion of fast movements, reducing blue or any flickering that could cause issues. You also get Samsung's SolarCell Remote which recharged with a built-in solar panel or through USB-C if you're not getting enough sunlight.

Before this deal leaves Amazon, upgrade to the 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV. You'll be saving over $6,000 and getting free professional wall-mounting installation.

One of the best quality-of-life and security upgrades you can make to your network doesn't require you to buy any new hardware or install any software—it relies on DNS filtering instead.

SAVE $100: As of May 19, get the Sonos Move 2 for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sonos Move 2 $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100   Get Deal

The weather is heating up, and that means it's time to start thinking about heading out for some summer fun. If you've got some summer outings planned this year, why not liven things up with a portable speaker? Take all your favorite music and podcasts with you wherever you go and share them with your whole crew. And if you're not sure which model to choose, we've got a fantastic one to pick up right now that's on sale.

As of May 19, get the Sonos Move 2 for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's $100 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The best speakers in 2025

The Sonos Move 2 brings bombastic sound to the table, with acoustic architecture that features two tweeters and deep bass thanks to its specially-tuned woofer. It uses automatic Trueplay tuning to optimize its sound for wherever you are to give you the best possible listening experience, which means up to 24 hours of playback on one charge.

Its casing is durable, shock absorbent, and rated IP56 to make sure you don't have to worry about accidental splashes or drops ruining the entire speaker. Its built-in handle also makes it easy to tote around if you want to take it with you on the go. Mashable's Stan Schroeder praised its as sounding "absolutely stellar" in his review, adding that it surpassed "most home speakers" he's heard.

If you're ready to take the plunge, be quick about it -- this speaker will likely go fast at this price, especially since it's prime portable speaker time with the gorgeous warm weather across the country.