IT General

PREORDER NOW: As of April 24, Nintendo Switch 2 is listed for preorder at Walmart for $449. It releases June 5 and comes with a larger HDR display, 4K dock, upgraded Joy-Cons, and 256GB of internal storage. This item is currently listed as "out of stock" but we expect more stock allocations throughout the day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449 at Walmart
Pre-order Here

I’m not buying this for Mario Kart. I’ve played enough of that to last a lifetime. When Nintendo Switch 2 launches in June, I’m diving straight into Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom (again), but this time on hardware that can actually do them justice. I preordered the console at Walmart for $449, and I’m genuinely glad I did.

Given the current tariff mess and general chaos in the world of electronics pricing, I was bracing for a price hike. Instead, it landed at a reasonable $449. That’s surprisingly level-headed for what looks like a full generational refresh. Of course, that mercy doesn’t extend to the accessories, which are already priced like luxury goods. Need another set of Joy-Cons? Better hope you weren’t planning on groceries this week.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder retailer guide: Best Buy, Gamestop, Walmart, and Amazon

Specs-wise, this thing’s a solid leap forward. The 7.9-inch screen supports HDR and up to 120 fps, which makes it feel less like a handheld and more like a mini gaming monitor. The dock now outputs 4K if your TV can handle it, and GameChat lets you voice and video chat while playing. I might not use it, but it’s there, and that’s new.

Specifications:

• Price: $449

• Retailer: Walmart

• Release Date: June 5

• Display: 7.9-inch HDR LCD, up to 120 fps

• Dock: 4K output when connected to a compatible TV

• Voice Chat/Video: GameChat built-in

• Storage: 256GB internal, expandable via microSD Express

• Controllers: Joy-Con 2 with magnetic attachment and mouse input

• Game Compatibility: Physical and digital Switch games

• Multiplayer: Same-system, local wireless, and online

Storage is 256GB by default, and it supports microSD Express if you want to expand. The updated Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically and add mouse control support. I’m not fully sure how that’ll play out in-game, but it’s an interesting shift.

So if you missed the Mario Kart bundle (or just weren’t interested) this preorder is a clean, modern alternative. In my opinion, this one’s built for the next wave of games, and it’s arriving right on time.

SAVE $30: As of April 24, the Pokémon Charizard ex Super Premium Collection is available for $49.94 at Amazon. That’s 38% off its regular price of $79.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Company Pokémon Charizard ex Super Premium Collection $49.94 at Amazon
$79.95 Save $30.01 Get Deal

I’ll be honest — I’m not usually one to splurge on collectible bundles, especially ones that come in oversized boxes with dramatic artwork and plastic windows. But when I saw this Charizard ex Super Premium Collection marked down to $49.94 on Amazon, it felt like the kind of thing I’d regret skipping. At 38% off, it’s priced like a decent night out except it doesn’t come with awkward small talk.

This set comes with three foil cards: Charizard ex, Charmander, and Charmeleon. They look great. They also don’t show up in regular booster packs, which makes them feel more intentional than just another card you’ll forget exists by next week. There’s also a Charizard figure in the box, which, yes, is very much for display. It’s not subtle, but that’s the point.

SEE ALSO: Pokemon Go players are actually training a giant AI model

What pushed this from “kind of cool” to “I’m buying it” was the pack count. Ten booster packs are generous for this price, especially considering they’re from recent sets like Twilight Masquerade and Paradox Rift. You’re getting cards that people are still trading, pulling, and mildly obsessing over.

Specifications:

• Price: $49.94 $79.95

• Retailer: Amazon

• Included Cards: 1 foil Charizard ex, 1 foil Charmander, 1 foil Charmeleon

• Booster Packs: 10 total (includes Twilight Masquerade, Paradox Rift, Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, Obsidian Flames)

• Figure: 1 Charizard display figure (It can hold a Pokémon card!)

• Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (based on 882 ratings)

In my opinion this is a strong pickup for anyone who still enjoys cracking open packs or wants something cool to sit on a shelf. It’s also the kind of box that sells out and then magically reappears two months later at double the price, so now seems like the smarter move.

SAVE OVER $80: As of April 24, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air has dropped to a new record-low price on Amazon. You can now score the base model for just $911.42 (normally $999).

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $909 at Amazon
$999 Save $90 Get Deal

Apple's latest MacBook Air just keeps getting cheaper and cheaper thanks to Amazon. After dropping the 13-inch base model to $939 on Tuesday, April 22, the retail giant has put it on sale for an even better price a mere 24 hours later. And it's still available at that low price.

At the time of writing, the midnight black variant of the M4 MacBook Air was listed for only $911.42 on Amazon, or almost $88 off its $999 MSRP. (Other colorways had fallen to $912.) For shoppers interested in a slightly bigger, nicer display, the 15-inch version had dipped to $1,117 in starlight and silver — that's an $82 discount on its $1,199 sticker price. Both come with 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage, and the 15-inch model has a slightly higher resolution plus two extra speakers.

SEE ALSO: Review: I went hands on with the M4 MacBook Air (2025)

Apple released its M4 MacBook Air refresh in mid-March, adding open-lid support for two external displays and a new 12MP Center Stage camera in addition to that zippy new CPU. After testing the 15-inch model, Mashable's Stan Schroeder deemed it "impressively powerful" and "the best-buy Apple laptop, period." We recently named it the best MacBook for most people, and the 13-inch model will soon be crowned our favorite budget MacBook. (Full disclosure: The only reason I spotted Amazon's excellent deal was because I was in the process of adding it to our "best cheap laptops" guide. Stay tuned for its full writeup.)

Snagging either M4 MacBook Air through Amazon right now means locking its lowest price to date — and its lowest price anywhere. B&H Photo had the sky blue 13-inch model on sale for $912 the last time we checked, but all other configurations of both sizes were pricier there than on Amazon. And while you can technically save a whole $100 by going directly through the Apple Store, that offer is reserved for college students and educators.

Meanwhile, the M4 MacBook Airs are stuck at full price at Best Buy.

Quick links: Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $911.42 (save $87.58) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,117 (save $82) Get Deal

TL;DR: Finally make peace with PDF files with this lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro; now just £18.08 (reg. £75.36) with code SAVE20 through April 27.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License £18.06
£75.36 Save £57.30 with code SAVE20 Get Deal

Whether you're filling out forms, signing contracts, or reviewing documents, PDFs have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them. If you're armed with PDF Converter Pro, handling them doesn't have to be a headache.

You can score a lifetime subscription to PDF Converter Pro for just £18.08 (reg. £75.36) when you use code SAVE20 through April 27.

Let PDF Converter Pro take the pain out of PDFs

PDF Converter Pro takes the frustration out of working with PDFs. This all-in-one tool lets you quickly convert PDFs into formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, HTML, JPG, and more. And if you need to convert them the other way, it's just as easy to turn your files into PDFs in just a few clicks. 

The conversion process is done at an ultra-fast speed, but that doesn't mean the file quality is sacrificed. You'll see high output quality with the integrity of your files remaining intact every time. 

Aside from converting PDFs, PDF Converter Pro includes extra tools that help you work with this pesky file format. Built-in OCR technology helps you extract text from image-based PDFs. And you can also merge, split, or compress PDFs easily. 

If you're working with sensitive information, PDF Converter Pro offers password protection and the ability to lock and unlock your files. Want a little more security? They also allow for encryption. 

Secure this lifetime subscription to PDF Converter Pro for just £18.08 (reg. £75.36) with code SAVE20 now through April 27. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: A wide range of free online courses from MIT are available to take on edX.

There's a secret bank of free online courses from some of the most famous educational institutions in the world on edX. Well, it's not really a secret. But it's not common knowledge either, so we're on a mission to let the world know that you could become a student of a famous school like MIT without spending anything.

You can find free lessons on useful topics like AI, Python programming, investing, and so much more with edX. There's a lot to consider, so we've got you started with a standout selection of free online courses from MIT.

These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:

• Becoming an Entrepreneur

• Cell Biology: Cell-Cell Interactions

• Cell Biology: Transport and Signaling

• Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis

• Circuits and Electronics 2: Amplification, Speed, and Delay

• Circuits and Electronics 3: Applications

• Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications

• Derivatives Markets: Advanced Modeling and Strategies

• Energy Economics and Policy

• Financial Accounting

• Financial Regulation: From the Global Financial Crisis to Fintech and the COVID Pandemic

• Foundations of Modern Finance

• Foundations of Modern Finance II

• Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes

• Fundamentals of Statistics

• Genetics: Analysis and Applications

• Genetics: Population Genetics and Human Traits

• Genetics: The Fundamentals

• Introduction to Biology: The Secret of Life

• Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science

• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

• Leadership in Planning: How to Effectively Advance Great Urban Planning Initiatives

• Learning Time Series with Interventions

• Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning

• Management in Engineering: Accounting and Planning

• Management in Engineering: Strategy and Leadership

• Mathematical Methods for Quantitative Finance

• Mechanics of Deformable Structures: Part 1

• Molecular Biology — Part 1: DNA Replication and Repair

• Molecular Biology — Part 2: Transcription and Transposition

• Molecular Biology — Part 3: RNA Processing and Translation

• Probability: The Science of Uncertainty and Data

• Structural Materials: Selection and Economics

• Supply Chain Analytics

• Supply Chain Dynamics

• Supply Chain Fundamentals

• Supply Chain Technology and Systems

• Sustainable Building Design

• Sustainable Energy

• Understanding the World Through Data

• Visualizing the Birth of Modern Tokyo

The catch is that these free courses do not come with a shareable certificate of completion or graded assignments/exams. But you can start learning at a pace that suits you, so there's really nothing stopping you from enrolling.

Find the best free online courses from MIT on edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at edX Get Deal

TL;DR: Unblock XVideos from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best VPN for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Your access to porn sites like XVideos will be restricted in many locations around the world. There are good reasons for these restrictions, but there is also something to be said for protecting your right to online freedom.

There's nothing wrong with accessing your favorite site at an appropriate time and place, so we're giving you the information you need to bypass online restrictions and access sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world. You can thank us later.

Want to unblock porn sites like XVideos for free from anywhere in the world? We have the information you need.

How to unblock XVideos for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses content restrictions so you can access porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world.

Unblock XVideos by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to XVideos

4. Unblock XVideos

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're temporarily away from home on an unsecured network.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like XVideos, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming 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.

Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 MotoGP is already looking super competitive, with a number of riders battling for top spot in the standings. Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez, and Francesco Bagnaia have all looked impressive in the early rounds, with everyone in the running for a race win in Spain this weekend.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain?

The MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain takes place at the Circuito de Jerez. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain race starts at 8 a.m. ET on April 27.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain for free

Every 2025 MotoGP race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming 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 — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Kisses the groom.

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

BRIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Takes care of children.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 24, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NANNY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To smudge.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 24 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 24, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SMEAR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A semi-aquatic animal.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 24 Hurdle Word 4 answer

OTTER

Final Hurdle hint

Insane.

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

BATTY

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

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

All fitness and weight loss journeys are different. But many of them have the same starting point: on the dreaded bathroom scales. We say dreaded because so many of us dread looking down after stepping on. And it's hard work rolling back those numbers, but it's worth the effort. What you need is focus, commitment, and a helping hand. In this day and age that means tech-based assistance.

There are plenty of devices out there to help make your journey a little easier — running watches, for instance, can give you the advantage on the track. But what about a set of smart scales? With all the advanced tech included, stepping onto a smart scale could be that first crucial leap towards your ultimate fitness goal.

But before you jump ahead and start shopping, let us help take some weight off your mind — and maybe your body — by explaining what makes these scales so smart.

What are smart scales?

Regular old scales only measure your weight, which is fine if that’s all you need. Smart scales provide you with extra data that helps tailor your weight-loss plan, with apps or online services to track various metrics and store information for you.

Most of the apps are compatible with the likes of Fitbit, Apple Health, and Google Fit, so you can sync your data to provide a clearer picture of your progress. Smart scales can provide the motivation to lose, maintain, or even gain weight.

Once you step on the scale, your information is recorded and sent to the accompanying app. These apps track your weight, providing charts that let you set goals for yourself. The ability to see goals and monitor progress can motivate you in ways that simply jotting down your weight can't or won't.

How do smart scales work?

Some scales use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology to measure body composition. This technology uses electrical currents to gather measurements, so consult your doctor before hopping on if you are pregnant or have a pacemaker.

The number of measurements that are tracked will vary from scale to scale. Some only track a handful of metrics, like weight, fat, lean mass, and body mass index (BMI). Others, such as the RENPHO scale, track 13 different body composition metrics.

Some of these measurements might be surplus to your fitness journey requirements. If you are just casually watching your weight, for instance, you probably don’t need to track bone mass and skeletal muscle. Finding the right smart scales depends on which specific metrics you want to track, which features suit your lifestyle, goals, and medical history.

What is the perfect weight?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this, because it depends on your size and various factors, such as age, muscle-fat ratio, height, sex, and body shape.

The best way to determine whether you’re at a healthy weight is to measure your BMI. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. BMI measurement is standard on smart scales.

It's important to not obsess over these numbers. Everyone has a different set of circumstances that may influence where you fall on the scale. The most important thing to remember is that you're on your own personal fitness journey, and things take time. Focus on feeling fitter and healthier, and the rest will fall into place.

Which app do you need for smart scales?

The best app will depend on which smart scale you purchase. Some will need you to download and use a specific app, while others will have universal compatibility that syncs with popular fitness apps such as Garmin Connect, Nike+, and Google Fit. Check this out before making a purchase — it could mean extra costs.

What is the best smart scale?

There’s a whole world of smart scales out there – and lots of brands you’ve probably never come across. You might feel more comfortable going with a brand you know, such as Fitbit or Garmin. These are well-trusted, top-of-the-range fitness tech manufacturers and their smart scales sync with their other devices.

We've scoured the internet and weighed up the pros and cons of the best smart scales from the top brands. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list. All you need to do is pick a favourite and jump on.

These are the best smart scales in 2025.

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

It's amazing how much of a difference a little pair of earbuds can make to your life. Good quality earbuds, that is, because poor quality buds are a false economy. C'mon, we've all made the mistake of buying a crappy pair and quickly regretting it. They're just not worth the cost — even if they're cheap.

Good quality earbuds can offer a whole range of features to suit and improve your lifestyle — they can sync to your devices, offer a voice assistant, or cancel out the world around you — not to mention deliver great sounds directly into the ears.

There's no shortage of premium, feature-heavy earbuds out there. It's just a matter of finding the pair that perfectly suit you. If you need some help dialling down the noise of all those choices and tuning into the best options, here's a quick guide.

What's best — over-ear headphones or earbuds?

It’s all down to personal preference. Some people like big chunky headphones that cover the ears. Others prefer something more inconspicuous. There are certainly benefits to choosing earbuds over headphones. They’re more compact and generally better suited to fitness. Earbuds will also suit anyone who prioritises portability — whether that’s for commuting, air travel, or taking to the gym — and anyone who gets uncomfortable from long, sweaty sessions under padded headphones.

Are there different types of earbuds?

Technically, earbuds fall into two categories — earbuds, which rest on the inner part of the ear; and in-ear headphones, which fit into the ear canal. To keep things simple, we’ve recommended a selection of each kind.

You can further break down earbuds into a few categories:

• Wired earbuds — These connect to your device by a cable (it’s an increasingly outdated approach — particularly with Apple removing the regular headphone jack from the iPhone — so there are none on this list).

• Wireless earbuds — These are connected to each other via a cable but independent from the device.

• True wireless earbuds — These have no cables at all. Simple, right?

Keep these categories in mind when shopping around for something that works for you.

What is true wireless?

When shopping around you may see the term true wireless, or “truly” wireless as it’s sometimes known. This relates to headphones that have no cord connected to your phone or device. True wireless headphones can use different types of wireless technology to transmit the sound into your ears. The most common form is Bluetooth.

Do earbuds sound good?

Over-ear headphones are generally considered the go-to option for serious audiophiles. It comes down to the fact that over-ear headphones have more powerful drivers (the components that convert electrical signals into sound). But there are earbuds geared towards high-quality sound, which can match over-ear headphones at the same price point. Many top brands also provide an app that allows you to adjust EQ levels and tweak the audio to sound exactly as you want it.

What are codecs?

Wireless sound quality can be affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, but also the codec software that your headphones support. Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for earbuds with low latency (this is the time it takes for the sound to hit your ears) and which support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs. These are generally reviewed as the best codecs, particularly for streaming video content on your phone and ensuring the picture and audio stay in sync.

Do earbuds have noise cancellation?

Earbuds will always do a certain amount of passive noise cancelling because they block your ears by design. But many earbuds also have active noise cancellation (ANC). This feature uses tiny microphones to create anti-noise sound waves and block out any ambient noise. This allows you to totally shut off the outside world and fully immerse yourself in the music. There may also be a transparency mode that lets in some external sounds, such as other people's voices.

What are the best earbuds?

Since it's always good to get a personal recommendation, we did some research and pulled out the best earbuds online. Whatever your preference or price range, you're sure to find some that don't suck. We've lined up all the best earbuds from top brands like Bose and Apple. These earbuds will be literal music to your ears.

These are the best earbuds in 2025.

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

Around a decade since they first caught on, air fryers are one of the must-have kitchen appliances. Indeed, when it comes to 21st Century countertops, the air fryer stands comfortably alongside the toaster, kettle, and coffee machine.

The appeal, of course, is all about easy cooking. All you need to do is chuck your food in, press a button, and occasionally give it a stir. But the big sell is the fact that air fryer-cooked food isn't just tasty — it's healthier too.

If you're in the market for an air fryer — or a more health conscious diet — we've put together a list of the best air fryers available right now. But before you tuck into to our top choices, here's some helpful info. An air fryer appetiser, if you like.

What is an air fryer?

Simply put, it's like a deep fryer without the oil. In other words, deep frying without the unhealthy part. Some people might say cut back on fried foods, but is that really the only option? Nope. Deep fryers heat food from frozen to ready-to-eat in minutes by dunking them in a bath of super hot oil. This is how your food gets brown and crispy and delicious, but also drenched in fat. While your typical deep fryer needs enough oil to completely drown the food, an air fryer barely uses any. A tablespoon at most.

How does an air fryer work?

Air fryers use a convection fan to surround the food with hot air instead of oil. The air bounces off the bottom of the air fryer and back up through the food, cooking it all over to create a crisping effect in a matter of minutes — something that was previously only possible with deep frying. Not only are you getting that great taste and texture, but you're getting it in just a fraction of the time. And more healthily.

Air fryers can also cook more foods than a deep fryer. They can be used for things like grilling steaks or baking pizzas. It's like having a combo oven and deep fryer, except it fits on your counter and it doesn't require you to thaw out your frozen food first.

Are air fryers actually healthy?

Eliminating the guilt from guilty pleasure eating is one of the reasons you want an air fryer, right? Manufacturers claim that air frying can reduce calorie intake by up to 80%, so yes, air frying is certainly a much better alternative. They're health-ier. However, scientists aren't messing around with the whole "moderation is key" thing, and calories aren't the only factor to measure health.

Owning an air fryer doesn't mean that a diet consisting of french fries and pizza is OK. Making sure you get those plant-based oils and vitamins from fruits and veggies should still be a priority. If you've got a picky eater at home, air fryers are a great way to crisp up courgettes, carrots, squash, and more to give them added taste and crunch, teaching kids that they don't always have to run for cover when the veggies come out.

What is the best air fryer?

As with any appliances, there are various sizes, features, and options from all of the major brands you'd expect. We'll keep it simple and fill you in on the need-to-know details and differences, so your brain doesn't get too, erm, fried.

These are the best air fryers in 2025.

Nobody said gardening was easy. It categorically isn't. It takes love, hard work, and — more than anything — a luscious lawn. You can fill your garden with as many flowers, trees, water features, and ornaments as you want, but it simply isn't up to scratch if that lawn looks unkempt and uncared for. It's really ties the whole garden together.

A good lawn requires good tools. In other words, a good lawn mower. And you can make the job a little easier by going down the cordless lawn mower route. There are other options — electric, manual, and petrol devices mowers — but there are also lots of reasons to go cordless. They're light, hassle free, and give you more freedom.

But where to start? Not everybody is an expert gardener with a deep knowledge of the best tools and equipment. Here's a quick guide on cordless lawn mowers.

What is a cordless lawn mower?

Like it says on the box, a cordless lawn mower is exactly that: Cordless. You don't have to plug it into the mains, which means no cord trailing behind — which also means no tripping over or cutting through the cord by mistake. Cordless lawn mowers are powered by rechargeable batteries, giving you more freedom in the garden.

What are the benefits of a cordless lawn mower?

Cordless lawn mowers give you a much bigger range and have easier, lightweight handling. They’re best for small and medium-sized gardens, but allow you to reach spots that might be hard to cut when tethered to a cord. They also need relatively little maintenance, unlike petrol mowers. Other than charging the battery, of course.

What are the drawbacks of a cordless lawn mower?

All that added convenience comes at a higher price. And there’s the added issue, as stated above, of keeping the battery topped up. It’s worth remembering to recharge after use, rather than realising the battery’s dead every time you get the lawn mower out of the shed. And while they’re especially good for smaller and medium-sized gardens, if you have a large or hilly garden, or seriously tough grass to cut through, the extra power you get with an electric or even petrol lawn mower is probably better.

What features do cordless lawn mowers have?

Cordless lawn mowers, with their added convenience, are often easy to store away, so look out for models that have folding handles or other storage features. Depending on your lawn layout and style, you might want to check that your new lawn mower has close edge cutting — which allows you to go right to the edges — or a rear roller for creating a stripe effect on your lawn. Other features include adjustable cutting heights and easy-to-empty grass boxes — all bonuses that make cutting the grass easier.

How long does a cordless lawn mower battery last?

A good battery is perhaps the most important feature of all. You want a battery that gives you plenty of juice, if only to save the hassle of constantly recharging or running out of power when you're only half finished. Look out for cordless lawn mowers that offer 25 minutes or more, but be aware that some cheaper mowers offer much shorter runtimes — it could all come down to how much you want to spend.

What is the best cordless lawn mower?

If a cordless lawn mower seems like the best option for your garden, you're in luck. There are lots of impressive models out there from some of the biggest gardening brands. To make your decision making process that little bit easier by shortlisting a selection of the very best options, giving you more time for actual gardening.

These are the best cordless lawn mowers in 2025.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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 Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Behind the scenes when they're on the clock

• Green: Happens at the combine

• Blue: Same position

• Purple: Draft locations

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

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

• Yellow: People involved in making a draft pick

• Green: Drills performed by NFL draft prospects

• Blue: QBs drafted outside the first round

• Purple: Recent NFL draft host cities

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 Sports Edition #213 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• People involved in making a draft pick - COACH, GM, OWNER, SCOUT

• Drills performed by NFL draft prospects - 3-CONE DRILL, 40-YARD DASH, BENCH PRESS, VERTICAL

• QBs drafted outside the first round - BRADY, HURTS, MONTANA, PURDY

• Recent NFL draft host cities - CLEVELAND, DETROIT, KANSAS CITY, PHILADELPHIA

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.

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

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 today's Connections.

Though Windows is popular with consumers due to its ease of use and flexibility, Linux has an enormous share of the professional market. Whether you're just looking to dabble or you're looking for an easy way to use Windows and Linux side-by-side, the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has something for everyone.

The hour is nearly upon us. It's almost time to preorder a Nintendo Switch 2.

With most U.S. retailers set to finally push preorders live at midnight ET on April 24, the priority for most Switch enthusiasts will surely be grabbing one during this first wave. However, let's collectively resign ourselves to the very real possibility that the Switch 2 is going to sell out.

Earlier today, Nintendo issued an apology when interest in the Japanese preorder far exceeded the available supply. In Japan alone, Nintendo said that 2.2 million people applied to preorder the Switch 2 from the My Nintendo Store lottery. That doesn't bode well for American gamers, unfortunately.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Why might the Switch 2 preorder sell out?

If you don't recall, the last time there was a big console launch with the PlayStation 5, global supply shortages made it nearly impossible to get one unless you got incredibly lucky, and for an inordinately long time. Now, to be fair, COVID-19 played a huge role in that, but it's not like the Nintendo Switch 2 is launching in ideal conditions either, thanks to President Donald Trump's tariffs and an escalating trade war with China. We asked the big retailers (Walmart, Best Buy, Target) how they planned to cope with potential price gougers eager to snap up supplies of the Switch 2, but have yet to hear back.

So, if your retailers of choice don't work out (and the direct-from-Nintendo option doesn't pan out either), you don't need to panic. There will inevitably be more chances to preorder a Switch 2, or even buy one after launch.

There's no telling what the Switch 2 purchasing ecosystem will look like over the next several weeks; it may be tough to get your hands on one. But if you follow these tried-and-true steps for tracking stock online, you can put yourself in a better position to snag a Switch 2 than the average person if it sells out.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder retailer guide: Best Buy, Gamestop, Walmart, and Amazon How to track Switch 2 restocks online

Be warned: This is more of an art than a science. But with these tactics, you can at least know when Switch 2 consoles are available, if nothing else.

Switch 2 restocks from retailers themselves

One very quick and simple thing you can do is go to the store pages for retailers like Walmart and GameStop right now, before preorders start, and sign up for stock alerts straight from the source. Those two retailers in particular have prompts on the right side of the store page offering to let you know when stock is available if you give them your email address.

I should note that I've had spotty luck with this feature in the past. It perhaps isn't the most reliable way to track restocks, but it's one of many options to have in your back pocket.

From stock tracking websites

There are various websites that track retail stock in an easy-to-navigate manner. One such site is Restock Tracker, which straightforwardly lists which console models (regular or Mario Kart bundle, in this case) are available at which retailers. You can sign up for email alerts if you feel like making an account, too. I should note that I haven't personally used this particular site before, as I tend to rely on social media for restock alerts, but it looks like it should work okay for this purpose.

Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable From social media accounts

Speaking of social media, I've found that this is (perhaps sadly) the easiest way to keep on top of which consoles are available where. I know, I know — we all want to stop doomscrolling through our feeds. But for Nintendo Switch gamers, you're going to have to do it some more.

Thankfully, there's a whole cottage industry of folks out there who meticulously track things like console sales and deals, and post them to X and BlueSky. Specifically for Switch 2 purposes, Jake Randall and Matt Swider on X should serve your needs, and both have hundreds of thousands of followers, if that somehow proves their legitimacy to you.

My personal favorite social media account for this sort of thing is Wario64, who can be found on X and BlueSky. The enigmatic operator of this account tracks all kinds of stock alerts and deals across mostly the world of gaming, but they also dabble in tech and other pop culture things, too. Wario64's reach can definitely be a little broad if you want to turn on post alerts for an account to find Switch 2 restocks, but I would also say that this account is how I got both a PS5 and Xbox Series X when those two consoles were hard to come by in 2020. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is one of the most important social media accounts in my life right now.

And if all else fails, you can try smashing the refresh button at your go-to retailer when preorders go live at midnight tonight. Good luck.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Walmart
Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Target
Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at GameStop
Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Best Buy
Pre-order Here

Get ready to say goodbye to the familiar Google Assistant on your wrist. Google’s continued push to replace Assistant with Gemini appears to be hitting Wear OS smartwatches. The changes are small–for now.

If you’re going stargazing, there are a handful of things you should bring with you or keep in mind. It doesn’t matter if you’re just using your eyes, binoculars, or a telescope, they always hold.

I love my MacBook Pro. It's a great computer, but, when it comes to simply getting work done and lasting all day on a single charge, well, it doesn't do either of those things adequately. Because of that (and more), I really want a Chromebook again.

It is no secret that expansion cards for Xbox tend to be pricey, but you can still occasionally get a good deal. Amazon is running a big sale on the WD_Black C50 2TB Storage Expansion Card, dropping its price to $179.99 on the website from $229.99, a 22% discount from the original MSRP.

Your Intel Core Ultra 200-series computer might already be fast. But one perk you have by buying newer hardware is that sometimes, new optimizations are found that can make things even faster. Arrow Lake users can now enjoy faster performance—and more importantly, for free.