IT General

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Pack Lot is down to $74.45 at Amazon. That’s a 7% discount from its $79.99 list price, saving you $5.54 on eight sealed booster packs with 80 cards in total.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Pack Lot $74.45 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $5.54   Get Deal

The original Mega Evolution set’s price has been steadily going up in the Pokémon TCG market since other expansions have come out, as there’s less supply to meet demand. However, Amazon sellers are dropping occasional trading card deals to help you save on individual packs. 

As of May 21, Amazon has the eight-pack Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Pack Lot available for $74.45, down from its $79.99 list price. With that 7% discount, you’ll save an extra $5.54 on a batch of eight Mega Evolution Booster Packs (each with 10 cards for a total of 80).

Although that initial 7% discount seems small, the major savings kick in when you weigh up the prices of buying packs individually. At the lowest, you can buy individual Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution booster packs for $12.84 on Amazon. To buy eight, that would set you back $102.72 altogether. 

By purchasing the eight-pack lot at this new low price, you’ll now save $28.27 in total — compared to $22.73 before the new 7% discount. 

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As for what you’ll be getting in these packs, Mega Evolution is the titular first expansion that marked the Pokémon TCG’s return to focusing on Mega Evolutions — including valuable chase cards like Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex. 

Among other reasonable prices in the Pokémon TCG, you can still grab a Perfect Order Booster Bundle for just under $50. If it’s Ascended Heroes Booster Packs you’re trying to buy, you can pick up the Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box on sale for under $70. 

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, May 21, 2026:

AcrossNot such a wild place to see an elephant

• The answer is Zoo.

Mark who wrote "Man was made at the end of the week's work, when God was tired"

• The answer is Twain.

Symbol on the U.S. quarter

• The answer is Eagle.

Parts of a dental exam

• The answer is X rays.

What Wile E. Coyote is always exploding himself with

• The answer is TNT.

DownBig name in restaurant ratings

• The answer is Zagat.

Like your hands after eating potato chips, perhaps

• The answer is Oily.

Lowest numbers in sudoku

• The answer is Ones.

Reach out with your fingers?

• The answer is Text.

Give an alert

• The answer is Warn.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

SAVE OVER $400: As of May 21, the Sunseeker S4 robot lawn mower has dropped to its lowest-ever price of $1,399 at Amazon. This is $400.99 off its full price of $1,799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sunseeker Sunseeker S4 LiDAR Robot Lawn Mower $1,399 at Amazon
$1,799.99 Save $400.99   Get Deal

Memorial Day is a great opportunity to save on helpful items for your home, including those for your outdoor space. For those looking to have extra help with yard work this year, the Sunseeker S4 is a robot lawn mower that can assist with keeping the grass under control. And it's on sale right now in Amazon's Memorial Day sale.

As of May 21, the Sunseeker S4 robot lawn mower has dropped to $1,399 at Amazon, which is just over $400 off its full price of $1,799.99. To make this deal even better, it also marks a brand new all-time low price. No better time to add it to your cart.

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If manually mowing the lawn is one of your least favorite chores to do, the Sunseeker S4 is the answer to keeping your lawn managed without having to push around a mower yourself. Featuring Vision AI and 360° 3D LiDAR technology, it can create a 3D map of your lawn and build out a mowing path to efficiently trim it. The 3D LiDAR technology also helps it move around any obstacles in its way, so it won't be slowed down as it gets the job done.

This particular model features a maximum cutting area of 0.25 acres. If it sounds like the perfect fit for you and your yard, don't miss out on this great deal on the Sunseeker S4 robot lawn mower at Amazon.

Looking for more great Memorial Day deals right now? Check out our roundup of the best Memorial Day deals to see some of our favorites.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Actor and filmmaker Joy Ofodu, host of the Dating Unsettled podcast and comedy creator, was seriously and strategically looking for a boyfriend who'd become her husband someday. A lot of her friends mentioned Bumble, so it was the first dating app she joined when she became single in 2021.

She was on a slew of other apps, too: Hinge, BLK, Raya, Tinder, The League — at different points over a year and a half. "It was so exciting and fascinating, almost the entire time," she told Mashable. "It really opened me up to a lot of wonderful Black men from different walks of life who made me feel seen and valued."

SEE ALSO: Dating apps feel broken. But these couples found love anyway.

There were horror stories of disgusting interactions and bad treatment, too. But the process was so meaningful to her that she started Dating Unsettled to document and remember it. 

"Right before I met Ivan, I had almost given up on finding that more serious connection that aligned with all of my prayers and criteria for partnership," she said. 

But then she and Ivan, an estimation engineer and head soccer coach, met, and while they spoke as friends for the first few months, they're now preparing to get married.

They're just one of many couples who fell in love after swiping right Mashable interviewed four such couples about their experiences, and each of them has advice for today's singles — like not setting expectations and remaining open.

Believing in love (on the apps)

Joy does believe that, from what she can see from afar, dating apps have changed since she and Ivan got into a relationship. 

"I'm in conversation with single women who have been on the apps for years and are still looking for their partner," she said in an email to Mashable. "I think this widespread fatigue is contributing to the ghosting phenomenon that everyone's experiencing, so now the apps are trying to prompt people to do or say or voice note ANYTHING that will continue the conversation."

Joy’s advice for today’s dating app users? Don't let the horror stories determine your private dating experience, she said. "Your outcome is not dictated by others' experiences or surveys or statistics, or even by your worst experience."

Don't waste time educating or convincing skeptics or naysayers, Joy continued. Instead, "focus on spending time with daters and community members who actually believe that healthy love and partnership from the apps is possible."

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock

"Surround yourself with romantics and artists and believers. Someone in this gigantic world is looking for the exact person that you are and will be. If you give up, they will not be able to find you."

"Surround yourself with romantics and artists and believers. Someone in this gigantic world is looking for the exact person that you are and will be. If you give up, they will not be able to find you." - Joy Ofodu

Elizabeth, a 31-year-old social media manager has also seen how dating apps have changed since she met her husband, Joe, on Hinge in 2020. She compared what's going on on dating apps — like screenshotting weird messages — to how everyone's attention span has eroded in recent years.

"TikTok is so popular, and…you're watching every video on 2x speed," she said, "I feel like that kind of goes hand in hand with dating apps, too."

SEE ALSO: App fatigue is real. I tested the best dating apps of 2026 to find the ones that really work.

She advised daters to put their best foot forward and show as much of their personality as they can. 

When Joe re-signed up for Hinge, he didn't set expectations, which is his advice for others. 

"A lot of people, in general, are very idealistic about what they're looking for," he said. "I just feel like that's a surefire way to be disappointed."

Sexologist, sociologist, and relationship expert Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus suggests balancing hope, discernment, and emotional honestly. She also believes that if you do set expectations, do so based on your values and needs.

"When reading through profiles and looking at photos (and when you start DMing), consider what values the other person is conveying," she told Mashable over email. "But it's also valuable to directly share your values and needs and ask about theirs!"

Acknowledging harmful messages

Ashley, who met her husband Matt on OkCupid, remembers receiving "heinous messages" from other dating app users, another common complaint. Major dating apps have attempted to remedy this, such as Tinder's "Are You Sure?" feature, which detects potentially harmful messages before they're sent, and "Does This Bother You?", a prompt that lets users report inappropriate messages. 

"It's still so easy to feel in the moment like, 'OK, like, I really want to do this. I really want to meet people,' and go through profiles and swipe, and then close the app and kind of forget to open it again for several weeks," Ashley said. "It hasn't really changed in that aspect, and it feels like it's the same for other people."

When Portia, a Black sex educator and content creator, was on the apps, some people said horrible, racist things that made her really uncomfortable. She said she can't even imagine what that's like now, "because I feel like people are so used to hiding behind a screen, even more so than they were nine or 10 years ago."

Professor and Mozilla Foundation fellow Apryl Williams argued in her 2024 book, Not My Type, that dating apps are not neutral platforms and that they perpetuate sexual racism. 

In an interview with The Harvard Gazette at the time, Williams stated, "Dating apps allow sexual racism to flourish because they rely on the white heteronormative standards of attraction, desirability, and gender aesthetics to perform the sorting and matching algorithms that we are so comfortable with these days."

A 2025 article in the journal Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology came to a similar conclusion, finding that dating app algorithms "reinforce patterns of exclusion and discrimination by filtering and prioritizing certain profiles over others." 

Portia has also heard horror stories from women in her life who feel dehumanized and disposable. Some of her single friends are a little afraid to be clear and direct — to plainly state that they're dating just to date, or hookup, or looking for a long-term partner. And in some cases, those single women have given up because dating apps have made them feel that way. 

Because of her work, Portia sees how dating apps have devolved over time. "There is perhaps too much of a good thing, and too much access to too many people can lead to devaluing of connections," she said. "It can make it really hard to navigate."

Licensed psychologist and relationship expert, Dr. Nikki Coleman, told Mashable it's not surprising that racist encounters happen online. "If someone experiences racism on dating apps, first, they should know that it has everything to do with the senders’ bigotry and nothing to do with their worth," she said over email. 

Coleman advises taking action that gives a sense of safety and care. "That can include simply leaving the conversation, reporting the user’s profile as a violation of community standards, blocking the user, or even responding directly to let them know how the comment has impacted them." 

"Most importantly, those experiences should not discourage someone from finding the right person for them," Coleman continued. "My best advice: Keep swiping and let the next match be what you look forward to!"

Be willing to grow together

Matt, a 42-year-old mover who married Ashley in 2020, would strongly encourage daters to accept that the person you're looking for "might need some work."

"They might not be fully cooked and ready when you meet them," he said. "Maybe they just need a year or two of like, being in a relationship with you to get more to that level of what you're going to want to be with in the long term." 

It's good to be open to dating somebody that might not be the "final product" of what you're looking for, relationship experts say. Kinsey Institute executive director Justin Garcia said much of the same when he spoke with Mashable in Feb. about Gen Z and love. 

"[A] relationship is the container for making mistakes and finding yourself and having a trusted co-pilot to pick you up and to support each other," Garcia said at the time.

"[A] relationship is the container for making mistakes and finding yourself and having a trusted co-pilot to pick you up and to support each other." - Justin Garcia

Ashley said she doesn't think people should necessarily put their all into trying to make it work with someone who's just not ready to be in a relationship, but in the transactional and quick nature of online dating, "maybe you are passing over people that you can have a connection with, just because it's so easy to do that."

Alternatively, you can explore spending time with someone who is a "big investment," Matt said.

Be clear about what you want

34-year-old sales representative Brian's advice is to be genuine, clear, and honest about who you are and what you're looking for. In a world of pickup artists and looksmaxxers, you may not find a real match if you're not being authentic.

Portia, Brian's partner, had a fun, fruitful, and exploratory dating life, and even though there were highs and lows, she believes she had a lot of highs "because, number one, I was always clear about what I wanted," whether it was a partner or not.

Gunsaullus mentioned something similar. "Instead of trying to attract and appeal to as many people as possible, switch to being clear enough, honest enough, and grounded enough to find someone who is actually a good fit for the real you," she said.

And if you are looking for a partner, you can't approach every scenario and interaction like it's life or death, Portia said. 

"I treated dating primarily as a mirror for myself and an opportunity for me to learn about me," she said, "to see how I respond to certain situations and certain types of people." 

For example, if she was on a date with someone she deemed "out of her league," or if she was on a date with someone who made her feel uncomfortable, she'd explore how that made her feel and how she reacted.

"Particularly if you're under 35 and you're not actively looking for a partner, dating is primarily an opportunity for you to learn about yourself and grow," she said. "And if you get to have great sex, if you get taken on awesome dates, if you have these beautiful connections, all of that is a bonus."

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love a sweet treat.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 21, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Dessert

• Green: Backend

• Blue: Sports words

• Purple: Condiment

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Kinds of pies

• Green: Things associated with butts

• Blue: Tennis scoring terms

• Purple: ___ Mustard

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1075 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of pies: CHESS, PECAN, PUMPKIN, SHOOFLY

• Things associated with butts: CABOOSE, CAN, MOON, PEACH

• Tennis scoring terms: ADVANTAGE, DEUCE, FORTY, LOVE

• ___ Mustard: COLONEL, HONEY, HOT, YELLOW

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 21, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know how to sew.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In a material world

The words are related to cloths.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe textiles.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fabrics.

NYT Strands word list for May 21

• Denim

• Silk

• Cotton

• Velvet

• Fabrics

• Fleece

• Linen

• Satin

• Wool

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're cooperative.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 21, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To go along with.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

AGREE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

SAVE $1,700: As of May 21, the 100-inch Toshiba Z670 Series is on sale for $2,299.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series TV $2,299.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,700   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a "go big or go home" TV, you'll be pleased to know the 100-inch Toshiba Z670 Series TV is on sale at Amazon for its best-ever price.

As of May 21, the 100-inch Toshiba Z670 Series TV has dropped from $3,999.99 to $2,299.99, saving you $1,700 on list price. This price is for the 100-inch model, but if that's too big for your space, you can also find discounts on smaller options, from 85-inch down to 55-inch.

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This TV combines Mini LED with Full Array Local Dimming to give you an incredible viewing experience. It’s powered by the REGZA Engine ZRi Gen3, which uses advanced AI processing to adjust the picture and sound scene by scene for a more natural viewing experience. For audio, REGZA Power Audio Pro with a built-in bass woofer adds deep tones, and the dual speakers keep it clear and balanced.

It runs on Amazon's Fire TV, so you'll get access to live channels, apps, and streaming services like Prime Video and Netflix. And they're all easily accessed on the home screen. It also has Alexa built in which you can use to search queries online or navigate through different platforms to find what you want to watch.

This TV deal is available at Amazon now.

If you're on the single side of TikTok right now, you know how brutal the dating landscape is — so much so that people use war-like euphemisms for it. 

"Being in the trenches" is code for being uncoupled and swiping. Meanwhile, "catching the last chopper out of 'nam" means that, like New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, you did find love on The Apps™. It's hard out here, if the date recap videos have anything to say about it.

And yet, like Mamdani and NYC's first lady Rama Duwaji, there are those who made it out of the apps both alive, coupled up, and with their faith in love still intact.

Nearly a third of couples who were married in 2025 met on an app, according to an informal study by wedding planning website The Knot. It’s a stark difference from 1995, when just two percent of couples married after meeting online, according to a Stanford University report. 

SEE ALSO: Dating apps feel broken. But these couples found love anyway.

By 2035, more couples will meet online than in person, and by 2037, half the babies born will likely have parents who met online, according to reports. Those who’ve made the leap to marriage after meeting online say the key to finding their match is moving at your own pace, freeing yourself from stigmas, and bringing your authentic self to your profile.

Credit: Mashable

For those who found love in what so many believe is a (dare I say it) hopeless place, I'm curious: What's their secret? I myself was on dating apps for seven years, but ended up meeting my fiancée on then-Twitter of all places. I interviewed four couples who met on the apps to find out how they met amid ghosters, pen pals, and potential scammers we hear about on DatingTok, and eventually found their way down the aisle together. 

While their advice isn't limited to online dating, I did learn that every couple's story is unique, regardless of how they met.

Ashley and Matt Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock

Movers Ashley and Matt, 37 and 42, met on OkCupid in 2011 and, "in true dating app fashion, we did not actually meet for another year," Ashley joked in an interview with Mashable. 

But before then, when they matched, Ashley thought Matt was attractive in his pictures and was drawn to his sense of humor. Matt, meanwhile, recalls being attracted to how she was dressed in one photo (but it was actually a costume for a friend's student film). He also liked that she was a native New Yorker and, at the time, writing every day. 

They messaged each other for a year, though, primarily on Google Chat. In 2012, Ashley spontaneously asked to meet up in Brooklyn, as she was going there for a show. 

SEE ALSO: App fatigue is real. I tested the best dating apps of 2026 to find the ones that really work.

"I was living in Manhattan at the time, and Matt was in Brooklyn," she explained. "So it was basically an ocean apart." 

While Ashley and Matt have been married since 2020, that first date didn't lead to fireworks. "I distinctly remember Matt 'raising the roof' at one point. I was, I don't know, 23, and something wasn't connecting." She figured that Matt was cute and fun, but they may not have been on the same page at that time.

"I was living in Manhattan at the time, and Matt was in Brooklyn...so it was basically an ocean apart."  - Ashley

While they didn't meet up in person again until much later, they kept messaging — on Google Chat, over email, sometimes even over the phone for hours. 

"It was never the right timing," said Matt (who didn’t quite remember the roof-raising). "Either we were in another relationship or it just wasn't right. But somehow the distance between us made our communication more intimate and honest, because we didn't have any mutual friends, we weren't in each other's lives."

Slow burn: From OKCupid to GChat 

Their chemistry built over time, usually over GChat and email, in sharp contrast to the "love at first sight" many dating app users seek. 

"We just had this chemistry and this unique relationship that developed in GChat," Matt said. While he was in his late 20s and early 30s, and in and out of different relationships, Ashley was always at the back of his mind.

As psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel noted in a blog about the myth of instant chemistry, "Attraction doesn't just happen — it grows in the space where curiosity and anticipation meet."

We tend to prefer people we’re more familiar with, according to decades-old behavioral science research. Singles looking for immediate sparks may be disappointed when they don’t find them, and may prematurely move on to try to find chemistry with someone else, instead of letting attraction grow over time. 

In 2018, Ashley and Matt started dating — for real, this time. Matt sent Ashley a Facebook message while she was in a relationship that she said was "past its expiration date." She decided she should catch up with Matt over the phone, and they ended up chatting for four hours. 

The two met for a drink shortly after that, moved in a year later, and married in 2020. Their original wedding was canceled due to COVID, but they wed in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, with a few friends officiating and witnessing. Their puppy, Suitcase, was there too, of course.

Ashley's thoughts for online daters? She said she doesn't think people should necessarily put their all into trying to make it work with someone who's just not ready to be in a relationship, but in the transactional and quick nature of online dating, "maybe you are passing over people that you can have a connection with, just because it's so easy to do that."

Some other advice, which she admits she needs to take herself, is, "if you really want to find a connection, whatever kind of connection that is, it takes a certain level of commitment and vulnerability." 

Elizabeth and Joe Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock

Social media manager Elizabeth and digital product designer Joe, 31 and 34 respectively, lived blocks from each other in Brooklyn when they met in 2020 — but they never crossed paths in person, at least not that they remember. They met each other on Hinge. 

"I set my radius to one mile," Elizabeth said. "I was not trying to get on the train or go anywhere." 

Joe was actually the first person that Elizabeth met on Hinge after a friend recommended she try it. She had been on dating apps casually since moving to New York in 2018. She thought his profile was funny and he seemed like her type in terms of fashion and music taste. Joe, meanwhile, liked Elizabeth's photos and a prompt that said, "We'll get along if you never grew out of your emo phase."

"I set my radius to one mile...I was not trying to get on the train or go anywhere."  - Elizabeth

On the first date, Elizabeth liked Joe's tattoos and that he kept up the conversation. Joe thought Elizabeth was good-looking and had a good vibe. 

"Then we met and just hung out every day after that," Elizabeth joked. 

During their interview with Mashable, Elizabeth and Joe reminisced on grabbing "to-go drinks" together, a New York City phenomenon unique to COVID times.

Never would have met without Hinge

She thinks her relationship developed faster than it would've because of the pandemic and because they lived so close to each other. In 2020, that was a familiar story for new couples, many of whom were attached quickly. 

Elizabeth said her roots in the Midwest – where she said people are more inclined to look for a long-term partner as they hit their mid-20s – also played a role in the pairing. Hinge had (and still does have) a reputation for fostering serious relationships, whereas Tinder is often associated with more casual connections.

Joe tried Tinder before, and a previous iteration of Hinge years before he met Elizabeth (back when Hinge tried to connect "friends of friends"), but he didn't love the experience. 

Elizabeth is from Indiana, while Joe is from Massachusetts, and they believe they wouldn't have met if not for dating apps. Six years later, they’re married and have relocated to Los Angeles together. 

When Joe joined Hinge (a second time after not loving his first stint), he didn't set expectations, which is his advice for others. 

"A lot of people, in general, are very idealistic about what they're looking for," he said. "I just feel like that's a surefire way to be, like, disappointed."

Portia and Brian Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock

Sex educator and content creator Portia, 34, matched with sales representative Brian, 37, on Tinder within a week of her moving to New York City in 2017.

"I remember his bio was something like, 'coffee and music,' just those two words, probably," she said. "And I was like, 'Cool'…I like those things, too." 

They started talking, and he was one of the few people Portia met who didn't want to be a pen pal — aka a dating app match who is stuck in messaging mode, never wanting to meet IRL.

Not Brian, though. He said they should go to dinner. 

"I could tell from her bio that she was super sweet," he said.

He was living in a basement studio apartment at the time. It was summer, he was out and about, and he said they had a really good time at dinner. Portia was going back and forth to Michigan, where she's from, but when she got back to the city, they became inseparable. 

"I could tell from her bio that she was super sweet." - Brian

Now, nine years later, Portia and Brian are engaged.

Getting over the Tinder stigma

But back when she was on Tinder, Portia was having fun and not taking it too seriously. She was looking for connections and trying to get to know New York City through her dates. But there was a stigma attached to it.

"I remember telling my brother that Brian and I met on Tinder, and he was like, 'What?' And mind you, this is my older brother, and I think he had a different impression of what Tinder was and what it was for," she said, as her brother thought of it as a "hookup app."

It's true that Tinder has that reputation, so much so that its CEO, Spencer Rascoff, announced last year that he wants to move the app away from this notoriety. 

"I did feel some occasional need to clarify what I was doing and why, and what my intentions were, and so sometimes there was, like, a kind of stigma to it, more so than anything, that maybe colored the way that I felt about being on the apps." 

While some people use dating apps compulsively, constantly swiping, Portia didn't feel that way. She was having a good time.

For Brian, joining Tinder was like joining Instagram for the first time, back when people didn't try to "game" it or use it to gain followers or make a living; they were just posting photos of their lives. Whereas there are forums and content creators today who claim to be able to "game" Tinder, back then, it seemed like people just wanted to use it to meet people. He felt a certain kind of stigma, too, though: that everyone was "supposed" to meet their partner in-person.

"But I wasn't the type of person usually where, if I was at a bar, I was gonna go try to talk to strangers," he said. "It just wasn't my personality." Apps were a more comfortable way to connect, but in the back of his mind, he thought people might judge him, he added.

Clearly, however, it worked for both of them. Not only have they been together for nine years, but they're also getting married this month. Letting go of the stigma and judgments and enjoying the experience helped, Portia said. 

"Particularly if you're under 35 and you're not actively looking for a partner, dating is primarily an opportunity for you to learn about yourself and grow," she said. "And if you get to have great sex, if you get taken on awesome dates, if you have these beautiful connections, all of that is a bonus."

SAVE $500: As of May 21, the Aiper Scuba V3 is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aiper Aiper Scuba V3 $899.99 at Amazon
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Keeping a pool clean during the summer months can turn into a full-time job. Leaves, dirt, and all kinds of debris building up can take ages to scoop out. But thankfully, there's an easier way.

Following the trend of vacuums and lawn mowers, robot pool cleaners are becoming a popular upgrade to keep your pool in top shape. They can handle both the scrubbing and vacuuming for you while you sit back and enjoy the water. And right now, the Aiper Scuba V3 has dropped in price at Amazon. As of May 21, you can buy it for its lowest-ever price of $899.99. That's a saving of $500 on list price.

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This pool cleaner uses an AI Patrol System with a front-facing camera that can detect more than 20 different types of debris, navigating directly towards them for more targeted cleaning. It also has a Cognitive AI Navium Mode that creates weekly cleaning plans based on things like your pool size, the weather, and cleaning history.

After it's done cleaning, the robot automatically returns to the waterline and sends a notification to the app, so it's easy for you to remove from the water. And it's lightweight for lifting out of the pool too, weighing just 8.2 kilograms.

Head to Amazon to get this great robot pool cleaner deal.

NVIDIA has released its Q1 earnings for the 2027 financial year, revealing that it's profited handsomely from the current AI boom despite losing its Chinese market share. The company reported $81.6 billion in revenue during Q1, primarily attributable to heightened demand for their AI chips.

This is a 20 percent increase in revenue compared to last quarter, and a massive 85 percent jump compared to the same time last year, breaking the chipmaker's records.

SEE ALSO: NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang says AGI is here — sort of

"The buildout of AI factories — the largest infrastructure expansion in human history — is accelerating at extraordinary speed," NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said in a statement released alongside Wednesday's earnings call. "Agentic AI has arrived, doing productive work, generating real value and scaling rapidly across companies and industries."

NVIDIA also announced it is investing $80 billion into its stock buyback program, working to reacquire its own shares, while increasing dividends from $0.01 to $0.25 per share as well.

U.S. government hinders NVIDIA's sales in China

These strong results come in spite of NVIDIA's foothold in China's large market disapperaing over the past few years. While sales to China accounted for around one fifth of NVIDIA's revenue in the 2023 financial year, this dropped to 13 percent in 2024 and has continued to decline since. Last year, Huang stated that NVIDIA had gone from dominating 95 percent of China's advanced chip market to being out of it completely, holding zero market share.

Much of this drop can be attributed to U.S. government policies concerning exports to China, which have greatly impacted NVIDIA's business in the country. In 2022, the Biden administration restricted deliveries of NVIDIA's A100 and H100 chips to China due to national security concerns. The Trump administration continued to block the company's exports, preventing the company from selling its most advanced Blackwell chips to Chinese companies last year.

There are still some less powerful NVIDIA chips available in China, with the U.S. government approving sales of NVIDIA's H20 AI chips to Chinese companies last July. Created specifically for the Chinese market, these H20 chips are actually H100 chips that have had their performance throttled in order to comply with U.S. restrictions. 

Unsurprisingly, uptake of these weakened chips was limited, with the Chinese government expressing national security concerns and discouraging use of NVIDIA's H20 chips.

The Trump administration also approved sales of NVIDIA's advanced H200 chips to select Chinese customers at the beginning of the year, with the U.S. government set to collect a 25 percent fee. Sources speaking to Reuters state that approved customers include Alibaba, Tencent, and even TikTok owner ByteDance, each of which are permitted to purchase up to 75,000 chips. 

Despite this, there have reportedly been no deliveries of NVIDIA's chips to these approved Chinese buyers. It seems as though Chinese companies no longer have any interest in them, particularly amidst evolving restrictions and advice from both the U.S. and Chinese governments. 

"They chose not to [buy the H200]," said Trump, speaking to reporters last Friday after his recent visit to Beijing. Huang also attended the trip, a last-minute addition to Trump's tech CEO entourage. "They want to try and develop their own."

The Chinese government further banned NVIDIA's RTX 5090D V2 gaming chip during Trump and Huang's visit. Like the H20, this chip was also developed specifically for China in compliance with U.S. export restrictions.

In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Huang stated that NVIDIA has "largely conceded" the Chinese market to competitor Huawei. NVIDIA's CEO previously estimated that China's AI market could climb to $50 billion within the next few years, and that being unable to access it would be a "tremendous loss." 

"The demand in China is quite large," Huang told CNBC. "[Huawei] had a record year, they’ll likely, very likely, have an extraordinary year coming up, and their local ecosystem of chip companies are doing quite well, because we've evacuated that market."

Huang told Bloomberg earlier this week that he believes the Chinese market will eventually open up over time. For now, the AI boom seems to be more than enough to keep NVIDIA buoyed.

The battle of the premium open earbuds begins. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Pricing and specs

The Sony LinkBuds Clip earbuds cost $229.99 and come with the following specs:

• Microphones: 2

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (AAC/SBC codecs) with multipoint

• Battery: 9 hours per charge (37 hours with case)

• Quick charge: One hour of extra play time after three minutes of charging

• Charging: USB-C only (cable not included)

• IP rating: IPX4

• Spatial audio: N/A

• Colors: Lavender, black, green, and greige

• Materials: Plastic

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds, on the other hand, cost $299 and come with the following specs:

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (AAC/SBC codecs) with multipoint

• Battery: 7 hours per charge, 4.5 hours with immersive audio (19.5 hours with case)

• Quick charge: Two hours of extra play time after 10 minutes of charging

• Charging: USB-C

• IP rating: IPX4

• Spatial audio: Immersive audio

• Colors: Black, white smoke, moonstone blue, midnight violet, lunar blue, driftwood sand, desert gold, moonlight grey

• Materials: Plastic, metal, and silicone

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Sound quality

When I first tried the Sony LinkBuds Clip, I knew they would pose a real threat to Bose's audio supremacy. Testing them head-to-head with the Ultra Opens revealed some less-than-ideal aspects of the soundscape, however.

The Bose Ultra Open buds can undeniably reach louder temperatures. Mashable Contributor Simon Cohen pointed to the LinkBuds being rather quiet in his review of the earbuds, needing to put them up to 80 percent battery at most times. I had the same experience, even just sitting in my home office.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best wireless earbuds we've ever tested

Some songs do reveal this difference less — Chappell Roan's "My Kink is Karma" sounded noticeably louder on the Bose buds, but Japanese Breakfast's "Kokomo, IN" (a less instrumentally dense and overall quieter song) sounded roughly the same.

In fact, that latter song revealed where Sony's strength did lie: the details. Where Bose is loud, Sony is precise, giving a sound profile that features each component of a song — from a softer string accent to punchy percussion — while never sacrificing the overall blend. Picking out these individual elements wasn't quite as easy on the Bose buds.

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Listening modes

The Sony earbuds come packed with plenty of ways to customize your listening experience. There are four listening modes you can select through the companion app: standard, voice boost, sound leakage reduction, and background music.

While I mostly stuck to the standard mode, I appreciated modes like the sound leakage reduction when I worked in quieter spaces like a library, where open earbuds can legitimately show one of their biggest flaws in leaking a minor amount of sound.

Left: How the Sony LinkBuds Clip look on. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Right: Versus how the Bose Ultra Open look. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Sony also featured a custom equalizer with 10 bands in its companion app, plus four presets and three spots for personal settings.

Bose, on the other hand, has four presets and a three-band custom equalizer. Where it does have Sony beat is in the presence of an immersive (or spatial) audio feature that can be adjusted for motion and still modes. While neat to have, open earbuds by nature aren't the most sound-first way to listen to music, so I didn't find myself using this mode too often.

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Design

Let's talk cuff design. One of the major benefits is that, done right, it can be a great way to have as unobtrusive an open earbud as possible while still being secure enough to stay in place for activities like running or bike rides without giving you too much to worry about.

Thankfully, both Sony and Bose do this design right, and while your stance on their aesthetics may just boil down to a matter of preference, I did find Bose to have a slightly more elegant version of the cuff.

Two styles of cuffs: Sony Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Two styles of cuffs: Bose Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Both earbuds are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear for hours on end. Earring wearers or folks used to having any accessories on their ears may find that they altogether forget they're wearing the earbuds.

Though the shape is similar, Sony's speaker component is slightly more bulbous, which makes it ever so much more present on the ear. While I couldn't tell for sure, I also felt the flat, paddle shape of the Bose speaker brought it closer to my ear canal, which could certainly account for the better volume read from those earbuds.

As a note: Cuff-style earbuds can take some adjusting to find just the right spot where their sound quality really shines. Luckily, both of these were easy to move around the ear, but it's worth playing with when trying them out.

In terms of aesthetics, the Sony buds have more of a cute, retro look, while Bose leans into the stylish, futuristic design. Sony has four colorways: lavender, greige, green, and black, with colorful case covers available for purchase for $12.49. Bose, on the other hand, has double the amount of colors: black, white smoke, moonstone blue, midnight violet, lunar blue, driftwood sand, desert gold, and moonlight grey.

Both are IPX4 rated, so they're both safe to sweat in during exercise.

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: On-ear controls

While never really the make-or-break feature of any pair of earbuds, the on-ear controls are an important part of the design, especially for earbuds you plan to use during exercise.

If you're dead set on touch controls, you may prefer Sony's, but as a tactile control freak, I love Bose's design here. Let's break it down.

Sony's touch controls lie on the band portion of the cuff. It is easy to touch it by accident, so a single press doesn't correlate to any action — pausing or playing music comes from a double tap, and a triple tap can be programmed to your choice of action. Even after weeks of use, I would find myself triple instead of double-tapping, or sometimes find I wasn't tapping hard enough. Turning on a higher sensitivity setting through the app helped rectify the former issue somewhat, but for $229.99, I hoped for better.

The band that wraps around the ear is where your remote earbud controls are for the Sony buds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Bose, on the other hand, ingeniously put a small button on the top of the cylindrical battery portion of the bud that sits behind the ear. It's simple to register a press without thinking: one press plays or pauses music, while two switches the song. It's intuitive, it's smart, it's the best design for touch controls on open earbuds I've encountered so far.

Me holding up the 'Love Actually' "To me, you are perfect" card to this Bose button. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Battery life

This section really just comes to numbers: Sony's buds can handle nine hours of playback, and 37 hours with the case total. Bose can handle less, with seven hours per charge — that drops down to 4.5 hours if you're listening to immersive audio the entire time. With the standard audio settings, you'll get 19.5 hours of charge in the case.

Bose could've done better here. After all, the press release for these earbuds stated that the Ultra Opens "were made to be worn throughout the day." They do have 48 hours of standby mode if you're not listening to music constantly, so that may help some, but overall, you'll have the better battery life experience with the Sonys.

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Companion app

The two companion apps are quite similar, laying out most of their features in rectangular menu options.

A scroll down takes you to the rest of the settings. Credit: Screenshot / Sony While Bose keeps the design more condensed. Credit: Screenshot / Sony

I appreciated the look of Sony's a bit more, from the color matching the earbuds to the option to decide which panels live on the home screen in the app. I also liked the menu up top that opened up to every customization available for the earbuds in one handy list.

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Microphone

Open earbuds aren't known for having the best mics, and these two premium options are unfortunately no exception, as I discovered upon recording voice notes with both.

Sony has the slight edge for having a more consistent pickup: my voice could be clearly heard, even though I can speak on the softer side. The Bose earbuds, on the other hand, required more consistent projection on my part — otherwise, there would be some mild clipping of my voice that made me strain to make out the words I was saying. Definitely not ideal for a phone call.

Sony LinkBuds Clip vs. Bose Ultra Open: Which is better for you?

If you're looking for a pair of open earbuds that sound great, you're likely to be pleased with either option here, especially if you're open to paying premium prices.

While Bose's design and volume have some edge over the Sony LinkBuds Clip, the $70 price discrepancy makes it hard to say that edge is worth it. If you can catch a good deal on the Bose earbuds, and you anticipate needing more variation in your volume, they might just be worth it to you.

But for everyone else, the Sony LinkBuds Clip offer the better overall experience, and for a more palatable price point. That said, Bose's earbuds are two years older, so a new release from the brand may reignite this challenge in the near future.

Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

Read our full review of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

Where to buy the Sony LinkBuds Clip and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Amazon Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $299 Shop Now Amazon Sony LinkBuds Clip $229.99 Shop Now

SAVE $120: As of May 21, Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for $229 at Amazon. That's a 34% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120   Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting to pick up a pair of premium over-ear headphones, the Bose QuietComfort headphones have dropped in price at Amazon.

As of May 21, all color options including black, ice blue, petal pink, and moonlight grey are available for the same discounted price of $229, saving you $120 compared to the usual list price.

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These headphones are wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling technology combined with passive noise reduction features designed to reduce outside distractions. They have two listening modes: Quiet Mode for full noise cancellation and Aware Mode for hearing more of your surroundings.

They include plush ear cushions and a padded headband, so they're designed to be comfortable for long listening sessions. And thanks to the impressive battery life, you'll have plenty of listening time. In fact, they are rated for up to 24 hours on a single charge, and a 15-minute USB-C charge will give you up to 2.5 hours of extra listening time.

They also support wired listening using the audio cable (included with the headphones) with inline microphone, letting you use them without Bluetooth or when the battery is running low.

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NASA's Psyche spacecraft just snapped some unusual new views of Mars that may require cocking your head sideways.

These space images can play tricks on your brain. At first glance, the bright white feature looks less like a polar ice cap and more like the eye of a storm or a cloud bank hanging off the edge of Mars. But that glowing patch is actually the planet's frozen south pole. Because Psyche approached the Red Planet from a steep angle during its May 15 flyby, the familiar orientation has shifted dramatically here, pushing the south pole to the side of the frame instead of the bottom.

The photos, captured as the spacecraft used Mars for a gravity assist on its way toward the asteroid belt, offer the sharpest look at the water ice-rich south polar cap. The frozen region stretches more than 430 miles across, and Psyche photographed it at a resolution of just over a half-mile per pixel.

The flyby itself was more than just a photo op. Psyche passed within 2,864 miles of the Martian surface, using the planet to boost its speed by roughly 1,000 mph and redirect its path toward the asteroid Psyche, a metal-rich object orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.

Scientists are especially interested in Mars' south polar cap because researchers still debate what may lie beneath it. Radar observations have hinted at possible underground liquid water under the ice, while newer studies suggest the signals could instead come from buried rock or dust layers.

"This new data won't settle the debate," said Gareth Morgan, first author on research that was published six months ago about the ice cap, but "it makes it very hard to support the idea of a liquid water lake."

SEE ALSO: SpaceX's 12th Starship flight: How to watch the test live

The mystery has kept the region under close scrutiny for years. In 2018, scientists working with the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter announced evidence that suggested it may have a buried lake under nearly a mile of ice. Because liquid water is considered one of the key ingredients for life, the juicy finding immediately drew global attention.

But newer observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter complicated the picture. Using a more powerful radar technique, researchers revisited the same region and found weaker signals than expected for liquid water. Some scientists now suspect the readings point to smooth rock layers or ancient lava flows trapped beneath the ice.

NASA's Psyche captured the sharpest-yet view of the ice cap at Mars's south pole after it made its close approach on May 15, 2026. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU

The polar caps are scientifically important because they record Mars' climate history. The caps consist of stacked layers of water ice, frozen carbon dioxide, and dust deposited over vast spans of time. Scientists compare them to pages in a history book because the layers may preserve evidence of how Mars' conditions changed over billions of years.

Though Psyche's flyby captured thousands of images of Mars and its atmosphere, scientists used the encounter primarily as a rehearsal for the mission's future arrival at asteroid Psyche. During the close approach, engineers calibrated cameras and other instruments.

Scientists suspect asteroid Psyche could be the exposed metallic core of an early failed planet, offering a rare glimpse into the deep interior of worlds like Earth. But given that the robotic spacecraft won't arrive for another three years, the team has plenty of time to keep an eye on the planet in its rear view, said Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. 

"As the spacecraft continues its journey after the flyby," Bell said in a statement, "we'll continue calibration imaging of Mars for the rest of the month as it recedes into the distance."

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

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

21. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

This sequel to 2023's smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie brings in new characters, like Yoshi, Princess Rosalina, Bowser Jr., and Fox McCloud, for a befuddling adventure across the Nintendo galaxy of IP.

While there's technically a plot about Bowser Jr. abducting Rosalina so he and Bowser can build a new domain together, the movie is more interesting in tapping into gamer nostalgia. It functions more as a commercial than a film.

SEE ALSO: 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' review: Death is coming for us all

As I wrote in my review, "I don't hate this movie. I hate what it so nakedly stands for. With the rise of the internet and streaming, movie theaters are in a grim battle to keep audiences interested. And despite seeing such heartening box-office successes for original movies like Sinners, Weapons, and KPop Demon Hunters, we're also being served horrendously unoriginal, ugly, and uninspired trash like this. It's not meant to challenge us or thrill us. Movies like this are meant to distract us briefly from the world on fire and then urge us to buy something. It's the worst part of TikTok and Saturday morning cartoons invading theaters masquerading as cinema. Like its predecessor, it may make tons of money, but that won't make it good." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Brie Larson

How to watch: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now available for rent or purchase on digital.

20. Reminders of Him

Another day, another Colleen Hoover novel adaptation, with Reminders of Him set for home release this week. Directed by Vanessa Caswill (Love at First Sight) and co-written by Hoover and Lauren Levine, this drama is all about processing guilt and finding a path forward in unthinkable circumstances. Longlegs star Maika Monroe plays Kenna, a woman who serves time for the vehicular manslaughter of her boyfriend, Scotty (Outer Banks' Rudy Pankow).

Having given birth to a daughter named Diem (Zoe Kosovic) in prison, Kenna's freedom comes with getting to know this now-six-year-old stranger, the apprehension and complexity of reconnecting with Scotty's parents and best friend Ledger (I Know What You Did Last Summer's Tyriq Withers), and the all-too-present consequences of her past. Tear-jerker for sure. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Graham, and Bradley Whitford

How to watch: Reminders of Him is now available for rent or purchase on digital.

19. Mating Season

The creators of Big Mouth are back with another raunchy comedy about love and sex. This time, they turn their focus from teenagers and their hormone monsters to wildlife having a tough time coupling up during mating season. Follow along with bear Josh (voiced by Zach Woods), raccoon Ray (voiced by Nick Kroll), deer Fawn (voiced by June Diane Raphael), and fox Penelope (voiced by Sabrina Jalees) as they search for a mate in the very horny animal kingdom. Seriously, the trailer is already at a 10 in terms of animal horniness (see: a joke about a skunk expressing her anal glands), so I'm expecting the full show to take that to an 11.* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Nick Kroll, Zach Woods, June Diane Raphael, and Sabrina Jalees

How to watch: Mating Season debuts on Netflix on May 22.

18. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War

John Krasinski headlines and co-wrote this Ryanverse film, which is a continuation of his TV series Jack Ryan, based on Tom Clancy's novels.

As that show wrapped in 2023, Ghost War begins with the eponymous former U.S. Marine retired from the CIA, leaving spy work for a "nice civilian job." But when the Deputy Director of the CIA interrupts his daily jog, it's not long before he's back on the espionage trip. This time, he'll be facing off against a dangerous black ops team. Expect lots of gunfire and explosions.* — K.P.

Starring: John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, and Sienna Miller

How to watch: Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War is now streaming on Prime Video.

17. Kyle Larson vs. The Double

If you've ever double-booked your social calendar, NASCAR champion Kyle Larson's efforts will seem herculean to you. The driver recently attempted to complete the legendary 1,100-mile Memorial Day "Double" — both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, in Indiana and North Carolina, respectively — on the same day. Twice. And although not everything went to plan, director Cynthia Hill tracks every mile of Larson's 2025 attempt in a new Prime Video documentary.

If you're a longtime fan or new to the whole racing game, this level of behind-the-scenes access is top-tier. — S.C.

Starring: Ashley Aldridge, Jared Allen, Justin Allgaier, Jeff Andrews, Jake Backer, and Aldo Barletta

How to watch: Kyle Larson vs. The Double is now streaming on Prime Video.

16. The Chi, Season 8

After eight seasons, Lena Waithe's longtime Showtime series The Chi is set to say farewell, with the final season hitting Paramount+ this week. The creator's moving, powerful ode to her hometown of Chicago has seen its characters through it all as they've grown up on the city's South Side.

Returning for the last chapter are Emmett (Jacob Latimore), Kiesha (Birgundi Baker), Trig (Luke James), Papa (Shamon Brown Jr.), Jake (Michael V. Epps), and Tiffany (Hannaha Hall), each with their own interconnected paths ahead of them. The finale of The Chi will mark the end of one of the longest-running Black drama series on TV and the longest-running Black drama in premium cable history, according to Essence. It'll be tough to say goodbye.  — S.C.

Starring: Jason Mitchell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jacob Latimore, Alex R. Hibbert, Tiffany Boone, Yolonda Ross, Armando Riesco, Barton Fitzpatrick, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, Curtiss Cook, Lynn Whitfield, Hannaha Hall, Jason Weaver, Ahmad Nicholas Ferguson, Cortez Smith, Daniel J. Watts, and Rotimi

How to watch: The Chi Season 8 debuts on Paramount+ on May 22.

15. This Is Not a Test

Teenagers seek refuge in their abandoned high school during a zombie apocalypse in This Is Not a Test, Adam MacDonald's horror/thriller that looks like your typical claustrophobic end-of-the-world monster romp. Are there many, many other movies out there about trapped characters battling a zombie horde? Absolutely. But anyone who loves this subgenre will know that you can never have too much of a good, undead thing. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Olivia Holt and Froy Gutierrez

How to watch: This Is Not a Test debuts on Shudder on May 22.

14. Wanda Sykes: Legacy

A groundbreaking stand-up, Wanda Sykes is back to make sense of a world on fire that feels like "the shittiest escape room ever."

For her third stand-up special for Netflix, this celebrated comic took to the stage at her alma mater, Hampton University. Sporting a customized varsity jacket, she slings her unique brand of humor. Plus, she shares some unflinching truths, like "If you drive a Cybertruck, you're a dick." — K.P.

Starring: Wanda Sykes

How to watch: Wanda Sykes: Legacy is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Bluey minisodes

Bluey is such a worldwide hit that audiences young and older can't get enough of the plucky Australian Cattle Dog and her loving family, who's always game to pretend. There's a movie in the works, Bluey’s Big Play — The Stage Show (now on Disney+), and now 10 more minisodes for fans to flock to.

SEE ALSO: 'Bluey' has an unexpected Dropout connection beyond the 'Game Changer' shock

Where most episodes of Bluey are seven to nine minutes, these are all shorter, allowing for kids to get a little dose of family-friendly fun in under three minutes. The new minisodes include "Humpty Dumpty," "Green Bottles," "Flying Saucer," "Tea Party," "Pea Pod Sausages," "Old Macdonald," "Honk," "Lollipop Song," "Cinderella," and "Make Mum Laugh." — K.P.

Starring: David McCormack and Melanie Zanetti

How to watch: Bluey minisodes are now streaming on Disney+.

12. Kylie

Can't get Kylie Minogue out of your head after four decades of pristine pop? You're in good company.

Netflix's new documentary puts the Australian music icon centre stage where she belongs, from her early career doing "The Loco-Motion" and starring on Neighbours to worldwide stardom. Over the course of her career, Minogue's topped charts, sold 80 million records, toured the globe, navigated illness, performed decades of philanthropy, and executed "Spinning Around" in golden hot pants (which now live in a museum collection).

In this three-part documentary from director Michael Harte, Minogue takes fans into her own personal treasure trove of behind-the-scenes photos and home footage, while giving her own accounts of it all. With appearances from friends and family including Dannii Minogue, Nick Cave, Jason Donovan, and Pete Waterman, Kylie tracks four decades of one of the most consistently influential and impactful pop artists on the planet. — S.C.

Starring: Kylie Minogue

How to watch: Kylie is now streaming on Netflix.

11. Rick & Morty, Season 9

Rick & Morty is returning with new episodes, and the still-toxic twosome are ready for mind-bending sci-fi misadventures.

What's happening this season? The trailer above gives a hint, showing some kung fu fighting, a battle with a couch, creepy critters, breakfast drugs, and some truly bonkers tech. Are you ready for more, more, more? — K.P.

Starring: Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Sarah Chalke, Ian Cardoni, and Harry Belden

How to watch: Rick & Morty Season 9 premieres on May 24 at 11:00pm ET/PT on Adult Swim. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on HBO Max and Hulu beginning June 15.

10. Normal

If you loved Nobody and Nobody 2, you won't want to miss Normal. Acclaimed leading man Bob Odenkirk reteams with screenwriter Derek Kolstad for an action-packed Western that's darkly outrageous.

Directed by Ben Wheatley, Normal stars Odenkirk as the interim sheriff of the titular town, which is turned upside down by a bank robbery. Rather than spoil the weird twists of this funny film, let me just quote my review out of SXSW, "With this strong cast and Kolstad's clever script, Wheatley delivers an action-comedy that is wildly entertaining, hilariously twisted, and ultimately shockingly feel-good." — K.P.

SEE ALSO: How Bob Odenkirk and the ‘Nobody’ team set out to elevate the genre with ‘Normal’

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey,  and Jess McLeod

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

9. Arco

French director Ugo Bienvenu's animated film Arco is part fanciful tale of rainbows, time travel, and childhood friendship, part climate change fable. It all kicks off when 10-year-old Arco (voiced by Juliano Valdi in the English-language dub) steals his sister's time-traveling cloak and journeys from 2932 to 2075. There, he becomes fast friends with young Iris (voiced by Romy Fay), and the two endeavor to get him home. The pair's efforts play out against a sobering backdrop of ecological disaster, creating a poignant portrait of a world in crisis, and the hopeful young souls who will inherit it.

With its climate change angle and unlikely friendships, Arco recalls two of 2024's animated standouts: Flow and The Wild Robot. But it also forges an identity of its own thanks to its stunning 2D animation, which plays like a combination of the styles of Jean Giraud (aka Mœbius) and the films of Studio Ghibli. As I wrote in my review, "In a mainstream animation landscape dominated by 3D-animated films, Arco's visuals are a testament to the enduring power of 2D work, as well as French filmmakers' commitment to the medium. If you love animation, run, don't walk — or better yet, fly by rainbow — to catch it."* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Romy Fay, Juliano Krue Valdi, Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, Flea, America Ferrera, and Mark Ruffalo

How to watch: Arco debuts on Hulu on May 22.

8. Alien: Romulus

The Alien franchise returns to its roots with Alien: Romulus, a stone-cold horror fest that pits a group of young space colonists against the scariest creatures in the galaxy: good ol' Xenomorphs. Chests will burst. Faces will be hugged. And director Fede Álvarez will deliver what might be the most gonzo, gross-out third act of an Alien film to date. The only thing holding Alien: Romulus back from true perfection? Too much fan service, including a cameo that's sickening — and not in a good way.

Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko said as much in her review. While she praised everything from the sound design ("you don't just watch Alien: Romulus; you are absorbed into it") to the film's gore ("this movie had me dry-heaving") to David Jonsson's performance as android Andy ("David Jonsson steals this movie"), she also noted that its deference to what came before felt stifling.

"Alien: Romulus won't be sunk by its flimsy final act," she wrote, "but some of the thrill is lost amid the clutter of callbacks."* — B.E

Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu

How to watch: Alien: Romulus is now streaming on Hulu.

7. Josh Johnson: Symphony

You probably know Josh Johnson from his work on The Daily Show, having risen up the ranks from writer to correspondent and now to one of the rotating hosts. But he's also a stand-up comic, and Josh Johnson: Sympathy is his new special. From the trailer, we can expect anecdotes on health and family delivered in Johnson's trademark deadpan style. Judging by the reviews, this will be one to keep an eye out for. — S.H.

Starring: Josh Johnson

How to watch: Josh Johnson: Symphony debuts on HBO Max on May 22.

6. The Yogurt Shop Murders: The Final Chapter

In 1991, a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas, was the scene of a nightmarish quadruple homicide that took the lives of four teenagers. Documentarian Margaret Brown (Descendant) looks back on the cold case in this four-part docuseries with sensitivity and care. Beyond searching for clues or fresh leads, The Yogurt Shop Murders explores the lives of those who were lost, and how their families were impacted — and how they continue to endure the lingering mystery around what happened that night.*

The first four episodes of this true-crime doc series began airing on HBO last August. As it ran, detectives were running down a new lead in the cold case. This final chapter brings together all that's come out since then, and does so with great compassion for the victims and the survivors.

But be warned: This murder mystery may hook you, and haunt you. — K.P.

How to watch: The Yogurt Shop Murders: The Final Chapter debuts on May 22.

5. The Bride! 

On paper, The Bride has prestige pic written all over it: Maggie Gyllenhaal (Academy Award–nominated writer/director of The Lost Daughter) writes and helms a new film starring Academy Award winners Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. And it's inspired by a classic Universal film, James Whale's iconic 1935 offering The Bride of Frankenstein. But look at this trailer. The Bride is not playing it prestige or remotely safe.

This bold reinvention imagines Frankenstein's monster as a misfit in 1930s Chicago, who entreats pioneering scientist Dr. Euphronious (five-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening) to build him a mate from the remains of a murdered woman. It's a love story that's wild, criminal, and intoxicating.*

In my review, I cheered, "While I relished this movie's wild journey, I also grinned to imagine the girls who will watch this like I once did The Craft, appreciating its genre thrills and, beyond that, seeing myself in the furious and feminine at its core."

Starring: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penélope Cruz

How to watch: The Bride begins streaming on HBO Max on May 22.

4. Game Changer, Season 8

This week Dropout brought back Game Changer, the game show where every episode has new players, new rules, and wild laughs. For the Season 8 premiere, host Sam Reich welcomed three improv comedians known for pushing the envelope to an episode where that's entirely the point.

"Don't Wake Standards and Practices" plays like a parody of the board game Don't Wake Daddy, except here getting Dropout in lawsuit territory will awaken a big lawyer puppet (aka "girl boss"), who'll boot the players back to start.

SEE ALSO: How Dropout's 'Game Changer' got away with 'Don't Wake Standards and Practices'

It's a laugh-out-loud funny episode that promises the new season of Game Changer will be another wild ride. — K.P.

Starring: Sam Reich, Ally Beardsley, Lou Wilson, and Jeremy Culhane

How to watch: Game Changer Season 8 is now streaming on Dropout.

3. Mother Mary

David Lowery has wowed critics with a surreal array of films, ranging from the artsy A Ghost Story to the whimsical Pete's Dragon to the mind-bending The Green Knight. With Mother Mary, he offers two highly acclaimed actresses facing off over passion and fashion.

Anne Hathaway stars as Mother Mary, a pop star who's long been away from the spotlight. On the eve of her comeback performance, she returns to Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel), a bold costume designer — and the best friend that Mother Mary betrayed.*

In my review for Mashable, I cheered, "Mother Mary is not only slippery, riveting, unnerving, and haunting, but also one of the most enthralling films 2026 is likely to reveal." —K.P.

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, Atheena Frizzell, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Alba Baptista, Sian Clifford, and FKA twigs

How to watch: Mother Mary is now available for rent or purchase on digital.

2. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed

All hail Tatiana Maslany! The Emmy winner leads Apple TV's darkly comedic thriller Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, starring as newly divorced mom Paula Sanders. When Paula witnesses a crime during a session with cam boy Trevor (Brandon Flynn), she finds herself caught in a web of blackmail, scammers, and murder. But just how far does this conspiracy go?

Between its juicy twists and Maslany's magnificent performance, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is a must-watch. As I wrote in my review, "Maslany and series creator David J. Rosen have crafted a compelling trainwreck of a character, one whom you'll want to follow to the ends of the earth — or at the very least, the end of 10 pulse-pounding episodes." — B.E.

Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Brandon Flynn, Murray Bartlett, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Nola Wallace, and Dolly De Leon

How to watch: Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed is now streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes each Wednesday.

Best of streaming this week: The Boroughs

Stranger Things meets Cocoon in Netflix's fantastic new sci-fi show The Boroughs. Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and produced by the Duffer Brothers, the series transports viewers to a seemingly idyllic New Mexico retirement community. But when mysterious monsters begin to attack, its residents band together for an investigation that brings them more friendship and excitement than they'd ever have expected from their golden years.

Boasting an incredible ensemble — including Alfred Molina, Denis O'Hare, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, and Clarke Peters — as well as Amblin-inspired adventures, The Boroughs is a rollicking start to summer TV. It's also not afraid to pack a punch when it comes to its depiction of aging and grief. As I wrote in my review, "In terms of pure adventure, The Boroughs establishes itself as the spiritual successor to the best parts of Stranger Things. But it's the show's embrace of its older ensemble, in all their joy and grief, that sets it apart and makes it truly worthy of that Spielberg-style awe its characters experience so often." — B.E.

Starring: Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Bill Pullman, Carlos Miranda, Jena Malone, Seth Numrich, and Alice Kremelberg

How to watch: The Boroughs is now streaming on Netflix.

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

TL;DR: Start investing confidently with help from the From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle, on sale now for $39.99 (reg. $140).

Opens in a new window Credit: Stack Commerce From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle $39.99
$140 Save $100.01   Get Deal

If you’re looking for a well-rounded education in stocks, forex, and futures, without ever setting foot into a classroom, you’re going to want to check out this bundle. The From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle is packed with seven courses filled with 89 hours of instruction, and right now you can secure it all for just $39.99 — less than $6 a course.

Investing doesn’t have to be intimidating. The From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle simplifies things for you and lets you learn at your own pace with seven informative courses to work through.

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Each class is taught by Skillet Academy, an online learning provider that is geared toward beginners. Their structured lessons and hands-on projects give you real-world experience, so you can go from total newbie to advanced trader.

Kick things off with Day Trading Masterclass: Beginner to Advanced Day Trading. This course shows you how day trading really works, providing step-by-step instruction on reading price action, using indicators and volume tools, spotting high-quality setups, and more.

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Forex Trading Masterclass: Forex Fundamentals To Advanced gives you a better understanding of the Forex market. Discover why currencies move, and learn how to read charts using price action, trends, and key levels. Then work your way through four more info-packed courses until you feel confident enough to invest.

Invest in yourself with the From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle, now only $39.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The VIONTA B5 power bank with a built-in kickstand is $59.99 (reg. $75) right now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Adam Elements VIONTA B5 5000 mAh Solid-State Power Bank with Foldable Stand $59.99
$75 Save $15.01   Get Deal

Running out of battery halfway through the day? We’ve all been there. You need an upgrade that keeps your phone alive without adding bulk.

Right now, the VIONTA B5 5000 mAh Solid-State Power Bank is $59.99 (reg. $75). That’s $15 back in your pocket for something you’ll actually use (and probably more than you’d like to admit).

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

This power bank is a compact, identity-friendly model with a solid-state battery that’s more stable and safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries. It’s especially ideal if you travel, commute, or just want to toss it in your bag without worrying about taking up space or feeling like it’s going to be fail on you from daily use.

It supports 20W USB-C fast charging and magnetic wireless charging, so you can plug in, go cable-free, or even juice up two devices at once, keeping your phone and earbuds from dying at the same time.

A stellar feature is the built-in foldable stand with 360° rotation. It lets you prop your phone up while charging, making it useful for streaming, FaceTiming, or keeping an eye on notifications at your desk. It also helps turn a quick charge into something more usable when you’re stationary for a bit.

It has a soft-touch finish for extra grip and an LED indicator, so you’ll always know how much juice you’ve got left.

This charger is certainly a plus if you want a lightweight backup charger for commuting, travel days, or long outings. It stays small enough to slip into a pocket or small bag without thinking twice.

This is a straightforward upgrade over a basic portable charger, with faster charging, safer battery tech, and a more usable design.

At $59.99 (reg. $75), the VIONTA B5 5000 mAh Solid-State Power Bank is an easy add to your daily carry without overthinking it.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

It's a podcast, but make it hosted by two AI-generated hosts talking to each other about the game last night.

Reader, I hate it.

Announced on Tuesday, Alexa Podcasts is Amazon's latest venture for Alexa+, the company's rebooted AI-powered virtual assistant. Described by the company as "AI-generated audio episodes on any topic," these on-demand offerings essentially replace an entire team of human podcast producers and presenters with artificial intelligence — "no documents or prep work needed."

SEE ALSO: AI audiobooks are invading Libby. Here’s how I avoid them.

It's essentially a Big Tech-backed pile of "podslop" or AI-generated podcasts, which are on the rise along with other AI audio formats. A recent analysis by The Podcast Index found that 39 percent of recently uploaded podcasts were probably created using AI, with companies like Inception Point AI churning out the episodes.

Now, Amazon's joining the surge with Alexa Podcasts. Users (anyone with a Prime membership) can ask the AI assistant to cover any topic from news roundups to sports results to the consensus of movie reviews, "and let you adjust the length and direction conversationally." That means you can pick both the AI assistant's personality — these are dubbed "Alexa, Brief, Sweet, Chill, and Sassy" — and its "conversation style" — "from concise and efficient to warm and conversational."

Then, Alexa will generate a short episode with two AI hosts, which will be sent to your Echo device and the Alexa app.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favourite creator today.

Without a human research team, where is all this precious information coming from? According to Amazon, over 200 news publications have signed up as sources, including local U.S. newspapers as well as "Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post, TIME, Forbes, Business Insider, Politico, USA Today, and and publications from Condé Nast, Hearst, and Vox." Cool cool cool.

Everything about this makes me want to throw my tech in the sea, especially when you listen to...the examples Amazon has provided on Soundcloud (on Soundcloud!). Why listen to painstakingly researched history podcasts like Greg Jenner's You're Dead to Me and Marc Fennell's Stuff The British Stole when you can have two AI voices regurgitating generic Ancient Roman facts at you? Who needs groundbreaking investigative journalism at a time of casual convenience like this? Why be educated by music historians like Cole Cuchna on Dissect when you can have AI tell you what's good? Why listen to actual athletes and sports commentators present their analysis of the game when you can hear it generated?

Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write?

I listen to podcasts for the hosts, whose personalities and production teams cannot be replicated by Alexa's "Sassy conversational" or "Brief efficient" settings — Ira Glass, Trixie and Katya; Hrishikesh Hirway; Kid Fury and Crissle West; Monét X Change and Bob The Drag Queen; Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang; Kara Swisher; Taylor Lorenz; Gabrielle de la Puente and Zarina Muhammad; Keke Palmer; Amy Poehler; Jon Lovett; Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Stephen Thompson, and Glen Weldon; Richard Osman and Marina Hyde; Louis Virtel, and so many more, not to mention the enormous amount of human news teams providing daily news podcasts from the BBC to CNN, and my colleagues at Mashable pouring their creativity and energy into the craft.

It's enough platforms like Spotify and Libby are feeling the creep of AI-generated music and audiobooks, now podcasters are two AI chatbots talking to each other? I don't want to, as Amazon suggests, "turn your dinner table conversations into learning opportunities." What, are we gathering 'round the Alexa for an AI-generated podcast on the Apollo 11 mission? I'm out of here.

SAVE OVER $600: As of May 21, the Mammotion Luba 3 is on sale for $2,899 at Amazon. That's a 17% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion Luba 3 $2,899 at Amazon
$3,508 Save $609   Get Deal

Summer is nearly here, which means lawns are about to need a lot more attention. Rather than wrestling with a heavy mower every weekend, more people are switching to robot mowers that can keep the grass trimmed automatically with barely any effort. If this sounds like a great idea to you, why not check out this latest Amazon deal on the Mammotion Luba 3?

As of May 21, the Mammotion Luba 3 has dropped to its lowest-ever price, now $2,899. That's a saving of more than $600. This price is for the 1.25 acres model with an included garage.

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This is a seriously advanced mowing machine. It uses Tri-Fusion Navigation Technology that includes 360° LiDAR, NetRTK, and dual-camera AI vision to help it successfully navigate around your yard. It also has a rechargeable lithium battery that lasts for up to 215 minutes of runtime with coverage of up to 500m² per hour. That makes this is a great choice if you have a large outdoor space.

It features four motors for all-wheel-drive performance, so it can climb slopes up to 80%, pivot using an omni wheel for turning, and cross thresholds like curbs or uneven ground. The AI processor also helps it detect more than 300 obstacle types and helps it navigate to avoid them.

This robot mower deal is available at Amazon now.

The best Memorial Day mattress deals at a glance: Best mattress deal overall DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (Queen) $649 (save $1,243) Get Deal Best mattress deal for people with back pain Saatva Rx (Queen) $2,799 (save $650) Get Deal Best organic mattress deal Avocado Green Mattress (Queen) $1,359 (save $240) Get Deal

Memorial Day is one of the best times of the year to buy a new mattress — that's just a fact of life. Discounts during this extended holiday weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer, typically drop prices by $400 (or more in some cases), and brands love to throw in free add-ons — things such as pillows, sheets, and bedding bundles. It's gentle on your bank balance — not to mention your back, neck, and sense of relaxation.

SEE ALSO: Saatva is already taking $650 off luxury mattresses for Memorial Day

It's true that sleep is no place to place to cheap out. I recently upgraded to the Saatva Rx, which has been one the best decisions I've made all year. But while investing in a good bed is important, there's no reason to pay full price when with all these great a holiday discounts currently available. So, if your current mattress is sagging, overly springy, or you're just tired of waking up stiff as a board, now's the time to scope out the mattress deals and take advantage.

Best Memorial Day mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Classic Hybrid (Queen) $649 at DreamCloud
$1,892 Save $1,243   Get Deal Why we like it

The best deal you can get right now is on a DreamCloud. The brand's top-rated hybrid Queen mattress — which features six layers, a CloudQuilt quilted cover, cooling fiber technology, and 1 inch of "pressure-relieving" memory foam — is on sale for just $649 (!!) right now. Or, if you need a base and all, the company's basically giving away bundles. You can score a bundle that includes the mattress, an adjustable bed frame, and a full sheet set (pillows and all) for under $2K.

More Memorial Day mattress deals

• Amerisleep: Get up to $1,000 off all mattresses and 40% off bundles

• Bear: Get 35% off sitewide, plus $275 worth of free accessories

• Casper: Get up to 30% off select mattresses and 35% off bundles

• Purple: Get up to $900 off a mattress and a base

• Helix: Get 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY25

• Leesa: Get 30% off select mattresses

• Mattress Firm: Get up to 60% off select mattresses with Queens starting at $189.99

• Nectar: Get up to 50% off select mattresses and 66% off bundles

Best Memorial Day mattress deal for people with back pain Opens in a new window Credit: Saatva Saatva Rx (Queen) $3,074 at Saatva
$3,449 Save $375   Get Deal Why we like it

I'm only 32, but because I live with endometriosis and interstitial cystitis, I experience back pain on the reg. Like, chronic, can't sleep, going to rip my hair out, back pain. This month, I decided to switch from Purple (my former go-to mattress brand) to Saatva, and I couldn't be happier. For someone with chronic, debilitating back pain, the Saatva Rx is the mattress to get, and right now, you can get it (or any mattress on the Saatva site) for $375 off.

Best organic Memorial Day mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Avocado Avocado Green Mattress (Queen) $2,039 at Avocado
$2,399 Save $360   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're trying to be a little greener, Avocado is offering up to 20% off select mattresses, including its luxury mattress collection, and 15% off its Avocado Green Mattress (a best-seller). The Avocado Green Mattress is the "most certified organic mattress" and has a 4.5 average star rating with around 19,439 reviews. It's formaldehyde-free (you'd be surprised how many products contain this nasty stuff!), OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, and is available in five comfort levels. Of course, the price will vary depending on the size you get, but a Queen with a "medium" top will cost you $2,039 with the discount.

More organic mattress deals

• Essentia: Get 25% off sitewide plus a free, luxury sheet set (worth $749) when you buy the Dormeuse REM9 Active or Classic REM5 Active

• Birch: Get up to 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY25

• Naturepedic: Get up to 20% off sitewide

• Plush Beds: Get up to 50% off select mattresses and free white-glove delivery, plus 25% off all toppers and bedding through May 18