IT General

Digital storage manufacturer Buffalo is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the limited-edition HD-SKL Skeleton HDD. It's an attractive little showpiece—an external hard drive with a "window" that lets you see the spinning platter and R/W head—but it appears to be a Japan-exclusive item.

SAVE 25%: As of May 6, the JBL Tune 510BT Bluetooth Headphones are on sale at Amazon for $29.95, down from $39.95. That's a discount of $10, or 25% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune 510BT Bluetooth Headphones $29.95 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $10.00 Get Deal

Subways, streets, airports, and office: a good set of headphones will follow wherever you lead. And you can nab a pair of Bluetooth headphones designed to accompany you anywhere for under $30 today.

As of May 6, the JBL Tune 510BT Bluetooth Headphones are on sale at Amazon for $29.95, down from $39.95. That's a discount of $10, or 25% off.

SEE ALSO: Beats Solo 4 headphones are back to their lowest-ever price at Amazon

JBL Tunes prioritize reliable sound quality and budget prices. These headphones are meant to last. They're comfortable, too, with cushioned on-ear cups and an adjustable headband.

This Bluetooth model has a long, 40-hour battery life. It also charges quickly; just five minutes of charging will get you two hours of playback, while the whole battery charges in only two hours.

These headphones also have a built-in mic, so you can take voice calls on the street or access Siri and Hey Google.

As good as Gemini is—it's personally my main AI chatbot, after all—it still has some limitations that keep it from reaching its full potential. Among them, the fact that it limits you to uploading one single image at a time. Now, this is finally getting addressed.

SAVE $100: As of May 6, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 for $199.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $299.99. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Looking for a last-minute Mother's Day gift? Try something a little different this year, and get Mom a smartwatch. Skip the flowers and give her something she can use long after the holiday ends, and she'll remember this year forever. A smartwatch can of course do much more than track fitness goals and tell time, and if Mom is an Android user, she'll get a lot out of this particular Samsung watch that's on sale right now.

As of May 6, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 for $199.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $299.99. That's a discount of 33%

The Galaxy Watch 7 offers a variety of fitness tracking options and apps, with heart rate tracking with Galaxy AI, personalized wellness tips, sleep tracking, and more. It can even help to detect sleep apnea as well as analyze additional insights to offer a daily Energy Score so Mom can see whether she's ready to tackle the day or not. Meanwhile, Galaxy AI filters out small movements in the body to offer a more accurate set of readings.

If Mom is someone who likes pushing herself and improving her run times or other accomplishments, the watch also tracks and compares past performance times to current ones, giving her something to strive toward right on her wrist. And of course the watch can be used to sync with her phone to read and write texts, make calls, and handle other phone-related tasks. There's a lot more to it than just fitness.

Give Mom a smartwatch this year and she'll be able to do a lot more on the go. Plus, it's a lot more functional than a necklace or a Bath and Body Works gift set.

I carried around a Light Phone 2 for years, and I tried out various dumbphones before that. There are the sacrifices you expect, and then there are those you don't. It's the latter that really get you.

Thanks to the fallout from the Epic Games v. Apple ruling on April 30, you can now purchase books directly through Amazon's Kindle app on iOS.

California judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple can no longer take a 27 percent cut from purchases made outside the App Store or prevent developers from directing users to other payment options. (Apple is appealing the ruling, of course.) The court found those restrictions to be anti-competitive.

SEE ALSO: Meta lobbies Apple and Google to take over age verification for young people online

Apple has appealed the decision but is complying with it for now. The decision has allowed Fortnite to return to the app store, and apps like Spotify and Kindle for iOS have pushed out updates that make it easier to complete purchases within the app. It’s a welcome change, since part of Kindle’s dominance in the e-reader space came from the convenience of buying books directly on the device.

With the update, Kindle users on iOS now see a new "Get Book" button next to titles. Tapping it opens a mobile web browser to complete the purchase.

Credit: Amazon Kindle / Timothy Beck Werth

This is far simpler than before, when users had to manually visit Amazon’s web store through a browser, sign in, and then wait for the book to sync back to the app.

That workaround existed to dodge Apple’s 2011 App Store policy requiring developers to strip out links to external purchasing. Then in 2024, Apple added a 27 percent fee for external payments, on top of the 30 percent it already takes for in-app purchases.

That 30 percent fee is still in place, plus Apple could still win its appeal. But for now, buying ebooks on the Kindle iOS app is finally less of a hassle.

Sleep is essential for your physical and mental health, cognitive function, and mood regulation, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. But, as many of us know all too well, a good night’s sleep can’t be forced, especially if you’re a hot sleeper.

If you’ve tried everything to help you doze off — floor fans, blasting the air conditioner all night, sleeping in your birthday suit — and nothing works, maybe your mattress is the culprit.

Many mattresses simply aren’t the right fit for people who sleep hot. Some are made of materials that can trap your body heat and actually make you feel warmer as the night progresses. Some mattresses also have poor ventilation, keeping heat close to your body.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze® Collection Shop Now Why is sleeping cool important?

A cool sleep environment doesn't just feel better, it's also crucial to sleeping well. Our bodies prepare for and begin the transition into sleep by dropping in temperature, helping us feel drowsy. Sleeping cool helps to hasten the body's sleep onset — or the time it needs to fall asleep — and to stay asleep so we can cycle through its deepest stages.

The TEMPUR-Breeze collection stands apart from other Tempur-Pedic mattresses in that it’s specially designed to deliver a cooling experience that lasts from the minute you lie down to the moment you wake up.

Designed for space, perfected for hot sleepers

Tempur-Pedic has a fascinating origin story. In the late 1960s, NASA scientists created a groundbreaking viscoelastic, slow spring-back foam to cushion pilots during the rigors of test flights. In the 1980s, Tempur-Pedic took NASA’s foam technology and spent a decade perfecting it for sleep. And so, TEMPUR-Material™ was born.

Today, every Tempur-Pedic mattress is made with this exclusive TEMPUR-Material, which reacts to your body’s temperature and adapts to your unique weight and shape, delivering customized support. In addition, TEMPUR-Material absorbs an impressive amount of motion, so it feels like you have the entire bed to yourself, by limiting disturbances from your partner, pets, or kids.

How the cooling TEMPUR-Breeze collection stacks up

Both the ProBreeze® and LuxeBreeze® mattresses in the TEMPUR-Breeze collection feature Pure Cool or Pure Cool Plus material as their top layer. Pure Cool is an exclusive Tempur-Pedic technology that actually absorbs heat and pulls it away from your body. Pure Cool Plus, featured in all the LuxeBreeze mattresses, is an upleveled version of the Pure Cool material. Tempur-Pedic claims that a LuxeBreeze mattress can feel up to 10 degrees cooler all night long, making it a solid self-care investment for sweaty sleepers.

Each mattress in the TEMPUR-Breeze collection also contains a layer of Advanced Relief material — the most pressure-relieving material Tempur-Pedic has ever created. It helps to relieve those morning aches and it features added ventilation for increased airflow, another win for hot sleepers. 

To top it all off, each TEMPUR-Breeze mattress comes with a cool-to-the-touch and machine-washable SmartClimate® cover, made with cooling fibers that help you snuggle in under the blankets without heating up.

Get ready for deeper, cooler zzzs

We all need our sleep to feel our best and function during the day. If you’re having trouble falling and staying asleep, a Tempur-Pedic mattress might be a welcome respite. In addition to the adaptable body support and mind-blowing motion absorption, the TEMPUR-Breeze collection is a smart pick for hot sleepers because it can help you stay cool all night and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to roll.

TL;DR: Watch Inter Milan vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Fans were expecting big things from the Champions League semi final between Inter Milan and Barcelona, but the first leg exceeded all those expectations. Lamine Yamal was incredible, Inter Milan were aggressive, and it's all still to play for after an electric 3-3 draw. We can't wait to see how things unfold at the San Siro.

If you want to watch Inter Milan vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Inter Milan vs. Barcelona?

Inter Milan vs. Barcelona in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. BST on May 6. This fixture takes place at the San Siro.

How to watch Inter Milan vs. Barcelona for free

Inter Milan vs. Barcelona is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video.

If this fixture is not available to watch for free in your location, you should consider using a VPN to live stream the Champions League for free on Prime Video. The process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Inter Milan vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Inter Milan vs. Barcelona on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Inter Milan vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

GET $700 OFF: As of May 6, the Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 is available to Prime members for $700 off with an on-page coupon. You also get a free camping cookware set with purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 $999 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $700 Prime members can take advantage of the on-screen coupon to get $700 off and a free item Get Deal

A solar generator is your entry point to energy independence. Whether you're getting ready for a summer of car camping or making sure you have an alternate power source in case of emergency, you can grab a generator for a major 41% off today.

As of May 6, you can get the Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 for just $999, down from $1,699, with an on-page coupon for Prime members. That's a discount of $700. Additionally, when you take advantage of the deal, you'll qualify for a free camping cookware set from Bluetti; follow Amazon's directions to claim the free set after you add the generator to your cart.

SEE ALSO: This PGYOB Portable Power Station Deal is right on time for outdoor season

The Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 is a powerful solar generator and battery backup. The system has a 2073.6Wh capacity that can run a WiFi router for 72 hours. With fast charging, it can replenish 80% of its capacity in under an hour when plugged into a wall source. It can charge nine devices at the same time through a vast array of sockets.

At 53.35 pounds, this generator isn't featherweight, but it is on the small side and portable. Pack it in your truck and bring it with you to the backcountry.

A 17-year lifespan and around 6,000 cycles of full energy retention ensure this battery will be by your side for years.

People with big monitors can rejoice.

That's because Microsoft is reshaping the Start menu in Windows 11 to be bigger, among other things, per an official company blog post released on Tuesday. The new Start menu not only has a larger layout, but a new view will also sort apps by how often you use them, giving you quick access to your most important apps. On top of that, you can connect an iPhone or Android phone to your PC and get a new phone companion menu on the side of the Start menu, showing contacts and other information.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft reveals 2 compact Surface devices starting well under $1,000

That's just a smaller part of a bigger slew of announcements, which include an AI agent built into the Settings menu and new AI features in Paint. For users with Copilot+ PCs, the new AI agent tool will help them automate and execute tasks in the Settings menu. That means users can describe what they need help with using plain English, such as "I want to make my mouse pointer bigger," and the AI agent will take care of the rest.

The Start menu upgrades were first noticed back in April (courtesy of The Verge) and will roll out over the next month. Microsoft also announced two new Copilot-enabled Surface devices alongside all of this on Tuesday.

But seriously, the Windows 11 Start menu was way too small. Justice has been served.

Getting into off-roading can be an expensive venture, especially if you’re looking to buy a brand-new car. Most options start at around $40,000, which is a tough sell for those on a budget. However, there is one small crossover that is affordable and performs better off the beaten track than you’d expect.

Toyota’s hatchbacks have long balanced practicality with a touch of fun—but for 2026, they’re dialing up the attitude. The automaker is dusting off a classic nameplate from the ’80s and bringing it back with a bold, modern twist.

GET A FREE INSTACART+ 3-MONTH TRIAL: New and expecting parents can sign up to get a free three-month trial of Instacart+ which comes with no delivery fees on most orders over $10. An annual Instacart+ subscription costs $99, which means this deal saves $24.75 over the three-month trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart Free 3-month trial to Instacart+ offer available to new and expecting parents Get Deal

New parents have a packed scheudle. Sure, infants sleep for most of the day, but that doesn't mean there's time to go grocery shopping. Instead of asking the baby's grandparents to delivery another meal, Instacart is stepping in to save the day with this deal.

Until May 31, expecting and new parents can take advantage of a free 3-month trial of Instacart+ which comes with $0 delivery fees on most orders of $10 or more. This deal is limited to the first 50,000 sign-ups, so it's possible the deal with end before May 31. You'll need to activate the free trial by June 13.

Instacart+ gives new parents the ability to order groceries to the doorstep with $0 delivery fees on most orders over $10. Or if you're in need of a hot meal, order dinner without paying a cent in delivery fees once you order $25+. The membership also comes with the ability to share perks with up to three other people, so you can invite your spouse or partner or the baby's grandparents. They'll be in line for the same delivery perks.

The Instacart network is massive, covering major grocery stores chains like Publix, Kroger, and Costco. You can also order with CVS, Lowe's, Best Buy, or Sephora. The list of retailers includes plenty of options to restock the diaper supply or place an emergency order at Petco when everyone in the house forgets to grab more dog food during errands.

SEE ALSO: It's a Lego Mother's Day with Lego flower sets starting at $6

An annual membership to Instacart+ usually costs $99, and the free trial is set to automatically renew, but you're free to cancel this at any time. A few other fine-print specifics are worth mentioning like that orders to Costco need to be $35+ to get free delivery and restaurant delivery fees are only waived once the order reaches $25.

Another fun benefit of Instacart+ is that it's bundled with free access to Peacock, so you'll be able to increase your streaming options. Annual memberships come with a free subscription to New York Times Cooking, giving you some inspiration of what to do with your recently delivered groceries.

Instacart is celebrating moms and all parents this Mother's Day by offering new and expecting parents the opportunity to get a free three-month trial of Instacart+ which means groceries to the doorstep come with free delivery. Since convenience is key with an infant, this deal is perfect for new parents.

SAVE $34.01: As of May 6, get the Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera for $64.99 at Petcube, down from its usual price of $99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Petcube Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera $64.99 at Petcube
$99 Save $34.01 Get Deal

The moment you step outside each day and leave your pet behind, you start wondering what they're up to. Is your dog getting into the kibble? Is your cat jumping on that shelf you tell her not to and knocking down all your precious china? Who knows? Whether you're worried about your furry friends causing mischief or you just miss them and want to see their sweet faces while you're away, a pet camera is the solution for all of these situations. And you can get a great one right now at a significant discount.

As of May 6, get the Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera for $64.99 at Petcube, down from its usual price of $99. That's $34.01 off and a discount of 38%.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy Auto-Empty C10 robot vacuum is nearly half off at Amazon

The Petcube Play 2 lets you check in on your pets at any time. It has full 1080p HD video quality with 8x digital zoom, two-way audio so you can chat with your pets when you check your feed, and night vision. Plus, you can set custom smart sound and motion alerts to notify you when your pets are making noise (barking and meowing) or when there's movement detected beyond the boundaries you set.

But it does more than just let you watch your pets. It has a built-in laser toy that you can use to play with them while you're gone. Set it to autoplay, and your pets can have a ball playing and chasing the laser without you having to control it for them.

If you're looking for an easy way to make sure your pets are happy and safe while you're gone, the Petcube Play 2 is it. With those summer getaways coming up, you can check in on them and enjoy peace of mind while you're away.

SAVE $85: As of May 6, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus and subwoofer is down to just $289.99 from $374.99. That's 23% in savings and the pairing's lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer $289.99 at Amazon
$374.99 Save $85 Get Deal

If your TV's sound system doesn't quite live up to its vibrant picture, Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a great way to bump things up a notch without spending a fortune.

As of May 6, you can pick up the Fire TV Soundbar Plus with a wireless subwoofer for a grand total of $289.99. That's 23% off its typical cost of $374.99 and its best price on record.

Amazon's first foray into soundbars began with the basic Fire TV Soundbar, which is subpar at best. Last year, however, the brand expanded its lineup and added the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, which offers a much more appealing package. The 3.1-channel all-in-one soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume, which the original soundbar does not. It also offers precise tuning, a customizable dialogue enhancing setting, a wide frequency range, and four preset listening modes (movie, music, sports, and night). Paired with the wireless subwoofer, which instantly connects to the soundbar, you're in for some truly immersive audio that captures every detail — from the whispers to the explosions.

While built-in TV speakers are typically on the back of the TV and point down, a soundbar directs the sound outward toward the room. The Fire TV Soundbar Plus packs three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers that pump out sound in every direction. In other words, your room will be wrapped in sound. As a budget option, it won't be true surround sound (you'll need extra speakers for that), but it's pretty close. Either way, movie night will never be the same.

Mastering Microsoft Excel's tools is a never-ending process, even for those who have used the program at work or at home for decades. With this in mind, here are some of my favorite Excel hacks I've picked up over the years that you can take away and use to speed up your spreadsheet workflow.

You might've heard of those toll scam texts. Heck, at this point, you've likely gotten a text pretending to be from E-ZPass or some such entity.

We covered these scams at Mashable back in January, and they're back, if they ever left at all. The main points remain the same: Do not click any links and do not engage with potential scammers. If you get a text claiming to be from E-ZPass, FasTrak, Peach Pass, or some other regional toll service or DMV, be very skeptical, as this has only become a more pervasive problem in 2025.

We've got the latest details to keep you up to date.

What you need to know

• Scammers are posing as toll collectors (E-ZPass, FasTrak, etc)
• Do not click any links
• Delete the text and mark it as junk or spam

What are the E-ZPass and FasTrak scam texts, and how do you spot them?

The E-ZPass toll scam has evolved and shifted over time, but the broad strokes remain the same: a text from a random number claiming you have unpaid tolls or fees, and that you have to remedy that fact or face some sort of consequence. That should immediately ring alarm bells — scammers often want you to feel a sense of urgency to keep you from thinking through your actions. Usually, this text leads you to a link, which could be used to gather your personal information.

Here's an example of a recent version posted to Reddit that received a spirited response in the comments.

Reddit

Look around online and you'll see lots of folks still posting about the scam texts, some four months after they began surfacing.

Oh no, some guy who calls himself a player is telling me I need to pay my toll

[image or embed]

— yuukasugai.itch.io (@yuukasugai.itch.io) April 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM

This is already coming in handy

[image or embed]

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra.bsky.social) March 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM

Once you're aware of these toll road scam texts, they should be pretty easy to spot. First: Check the sender. At first, these messages often came from a +63 country code, which is for the Philippines. More recent online posts now indicate the scammers have moved on to random email addresses. Regardless, E-ZPass, FasTrak, or your state's DMV office is not sending emails from these sorts of phone numbers or addresses.

Second: Look at the link. DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK. Often, the link redirects to an obviously sketchy site.

Third: Know that this is not how E-ZPass, FasTrak, or other toll services operate. They will snail mail you any bills they owe, and they certainly will not threaten to suspend your driver's license right from the jump.

What to do if you get an E-ZPass or FasTrak scam text?

Again, let us repeat, if you get a scam text: DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK.

From there, most phones have a delete and report junk option for messages, which is what you should do. If you're concerned that there was a modicum of truth to the text, the Federal Trade Commission recommends contacting your local tolling agency to check if it's legit.

But for the most part, tread carefully with any text from an unknown number. If you have to question if you're being scammed, it's likely a scam.

Georgia, California, Texas, and other states with toll scams

As these E-ZPass and DMV scams have proliferated, the scammers have expanded all over the country. In New York state, the toll scam texts were a big enough problem for Governor Kathy Hochul to issue a warning. Government agencies in Virginia and New Hampshire have also issued alerts.

Search trends from Google seem to indicate there are very few places in the U.S. where this scam is not a problem. The issue has clearly hit Georgia, with residents complaining of MyPeachPass scams, for instance.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

To be clear, the proper response to all these variations of the E-ZPass scam is exactly the same — don't click links and report it as junk. Peach Pass itself put out guidance on its website to that effect.

"The complaint information indicates that the scam may be moving from state to state," the toll service wrote on its site.

Georgia is not alone. California's toll agency recently warned of Metro ExpressLanes scam texts as well.

"Metro ExpressLanes does NOT send out text messages asking for sensitive information or requesting payment," it wrote on its site. "If you receive a text message regarding tolls or violations, please do not respond to the message, do not click any links in it, and do not use any contact information provided in it."

The Texas DMV and Department of Transportation, Maryland's DriveEzMD service, the DC DMV, and other state agencies have all warned about similar toll road text scams. In short: Drivers in all 50 states should be on their guard. The good news: You can just report the text and move on.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

GET 36% OFF: As of May 6th, the PGYOB Portable Power Station is on sale for $139.98, saving you $80.01, or 36% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: PGYOB PGYOB Portable Power Station $139.98 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $80.01 Get Deal

Whether you're RVing or car camping, you might like to know that you have access to electricity when you want it. The PGYOB Portable Power Station is for these situations and more — it also serves as an insurance policy for power outages and natural disasters.

Right now, the PGYOB Portable Power Station is on sale for 36% off. Get it for $139.98 and save $80.01, or 36% off.

SEE ALSO: Whoa: The Apple M4 Mac Mini is now under $500 at Amazon

Designed for charging, the PGYOB Portable Power Station produces pure sine wave power that's safe to use with sensitive electronics like laptops and cell phones. It can also hit 600W peak power.

The PGYOB Power Station is compatible with solar panels, so you'll be able to charge this bank even after a natural disaster has knocked the grid out. It will also charge from wall outlets.

As of now, May 6th, the PGYOB Portable Power Station is one sale for $139.98, for a savings of 36% off, or $80.01.

With numerous plug types, this battery bank will connect to all sorts of devices. It has two USB-A plugs, one USB-C 30W plug, one USB-C 60W plug, two AC outlets, two DC outputs, and a 12V car outlet. With so many plug types, this battery bank makes itself useful for all sorts of needs.

The Last of Us Season 2 is all about revenge, and no one knows that better than Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever).

SEE ALSO: Josh Peck breaks down his 'pinch-me' guest role on 'The Last of Us'

The entire season kicked off with Abby's desire to avenge her father, the Firefly doctor whom Joel (Pedro Pascal) killed at the end of Season 1. But after she got her vengeance on Joel — emotionally breaking audiences everywhere in the process — she unknowingly started someone else's revenge quest: Ellie's.

As Ellie is primed to head down a darker, more violent path, Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards asked Ramsey about the evolution of their performance, and how it may mirror Pascal's in Season 1.

"Ellie really is becoming Joel in a certain way, and would hate that if you said it to her, because she thinks that she's the opposite to him," Ramsey said. "In fact, they're kind of two sides of the same coin."

Mashable also spoke to Dever about Abby's headspace at the beginning of the season, in the wake of her father's death — a headspace that echoes Ellie's in the latter half of Season 2.

"She's a little lost, she's really broken," Dever said. "I think that she's just trying to make sense of what's just happened to her."

New episodes of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.

Watching The Last of Us and want to play the games? Here's how.

50% OFF: As of May 6, get 50% off a year-long MasterClass subscription for Mother's Day through May 11. That's just $60 annually, down from $120.

Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass Membership $60 at MasterClass
$120 Save $60 Get Deal

Still trying to figure out something to give Mom for Mother's Day this year? A digital gift is always a great idea, and one of the most interesting out there is a MasterClass subscription. Mom can learn a variety of new skills from the pros, like comedy from Steve Martin, personal branding with Kris Jenner, or even basketball tips from Stephen Curry. And right now, you can get a huge discount just in time for Mother's Day.

As of May 6, you can get a yearlong MasterClass subscription for 50% off. That's just $60 for a year instead of the $120 it would normally cost. The deal is available through May 11, which should give you a few more days to make sure Mom is squared away.

SEE ALSO: Ban.do's $30 Mother's Day gifts are giving Kate Spade meets Andy Warhol

Choose from over 180 classes in 11 unique categories, with extensive courses and even original series on offer. There are more being added all the time. From picking up cooking tips from Gordon Ramsay to expanding your stage presence with Kevin Hart, there's a little something for everyone. Along with video classes with celebrity instructors, there are offline learning materials, course discussions, and regular Q&As to participate in, too.

If your mom loves learning new skills, or she just wants to satisfy her curiosity, a MasterClass subscription is a great idea. You can have it delivered digitally, and you can even watch the classes together. Everyone knows moms love spending time with their kids, so that might be the part of the gift she likes the most.