IT General

Tired of hunting through logs? Here's how I automated the entire process

How-To Geek - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 12:30

If you've ever debugged a web application, you've probably done this more than you'd like to admit. An error pops up. You scroll through your logs. You find what looks important. You copy a chunk of it. Then you paste it somewhere. Maybe into a chat with a teammate, maybe into a document, or increasingly, into an AI tool to help you make sense of it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Adult Friend Finder app: Where to download the AFF app and how secure is it?

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 12:08

There isn’t actually an official Adult Friend Finder app, but a lot of the site’s users still access its content on mobile devices. Many of them do so using the site’s mobile version, through either Safari or Google Chrome, but diehard fans of the site have created a workaround to mimic the experience of using an app.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Why doesn’t Adult Friend Finder have an app?

Both Apple and Google strictly police the kinds of content they allow on their respective app stores, and because Adult Friend Finder allows on-site nudity, including in profiles, chat forums, and live broadcasts, they haven’t been granted permission to create an official app for the two most-used mobile platforms.

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Unfortunately, these rules apply even if you don’t have nudity on your profile or have turned on all the filters that restrict the display of adult content when using AFF, so there isn’t even a watered-down version of the app available and likely never will be.

What’s the best alternative?

If you really want to mimic the experience of using an app on your phone, you can simply create a homescreen shortcut to the Adult Friend Finder site. If you have cookies enabled and have already logged in, you can even remain logged in each time, saving you having to re-enter your login credentials.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet and NSFW chats

To create a homescreen shortcut on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to AdultFriendFinder.com in your Safari mobile browser (no third-party browser will work)

  2. Tap the ellipsis icon in the bottom right corner of your Safari app, and then tap the Share icon at the top of the pop-up menu

  3. Scroll towards the bottom of the option list and select "Add to Home Screen"

  4. You will be prompted to assign a name to the icon before you can hit "Add"

For Android users, the steps are slightly different:

  1. Navigate to AdultFriendFinder.com in your Chrome mobile browser (no third-party browser will work)

  2. Tap the menu icon in the upper right corner of your Chrome app, and then tap "Add to Home Screen"

  3. You will be prompted to assign a name to the icon before you can hit "Add"

How secure is this home screen icon approach?

This method of accessing Adult Friend Finder is functionally no different than opening Chrome or Safari first, so it's no less safe than using the actual site, but there are a few things to consider:

  • If you share your phone or tablet with someone else, they will be able to see the AFF icon and possibly even access your account just by clicking on the app

  • If you prefer to keep your Adult Friend Finder use hidden, consider hiding the icon within a sub-folder or within a password-protected folder

  • To ensure your login credentials aren't saved, create the icon itself using your mobile browser's incognito or private browsing function

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Booster Display Box preorders are finally live on Amazon — but theres a catch

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:41

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box available to pre-order for $344.44, although that's far from the cheapest listing. Walmart has the same 36-pack box for $238.99, while TCGplayer’s lowest unopened presale listing is $245.87 shipped

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Box $344.44 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Amazon is finally taking preorders for the Pokémon TCG’s highly anticipated Chaos Rising expansion, including the coveted 36-pack Display Box. However, anyone who prefers shopping for their trading cards with the retailer should know that this convenience comes with an important caveat. 

As of April 28, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box listed for preorder at $344.44 with free shipping. The listing is sold by Collectors Expedition, with delivery currently shown for May 28-29, a week later than the expansion’s release date.

What’s more, Amazon’s listings currently cost a lot more than preorders elsewhere. For instance, Walmart has the same Chaos Rising Booster Box listed at $238.99 with free shipping. That makes Walmart $105.45 cheaper than Amazon before tax, which is a massive gap for the same 36-pack Booster Display Box. 

TCGplayer is also coming in far lower than Amazon. Unopened presale listings for the Chaos Rising Booster Box start at $245.87 with shipping included, while the marketplace’s current market price is sitting at $241.56. Compared to the lowest shipped TCGplayer listing, Amazon is $98.57 more expensive. 

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The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box includes 36 booster packs from the upcoming expansion. At Amazon’s $344.44 preorder price, that works out to about $9.57 per booster pack before tax. Walmart’s $238.99 listing comes out to around $6.64 per pack, while TCGplayer’s lowest shipped listing is about $6.83 per pack.

Chaos Rising includes over 120 cards, more new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, more than 25 Trainer cards, and more than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations. The expansion features Mega Floette ex, Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex, and Mega Dragalge ex.

If you’re catching up on other expansions, you can now buy the 36-pack Perfect Order Booster Display Box for $229. In addition, you can also buy the Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box for around $70.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel reacts to Melania Trump calling for him to be fired

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:34

"Sometimes you wake up in the morning and the First Lady puts out a statement demanding you be fired from your job. We've all been there, right?"

That's how Jimmy Kimmel started his monologue on Monday, the same day Melania Trump posted from the official FLOTUS account, calling the host's words "corrosive" and writing: "It's time for ABC to take a stand."

The call to be fired came after Kimmel last week hosted his own mock "alternative" version of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, during which he roasted Donald Trump and his administration. The real event took place over the weekend but was abruptly ended after an armed man attempted to breach a security checkpoint to gain access to the ballroom.

"I greeted the day facing yet another Twitter vomit storm, and a call to fire me from our First Lady, Melania Trump, saying I should be fired because of a joke I made, again five nights ago. It was a pretend roast, I said, 'Our First Lady Melania's here, look at her, so beautiful, Mrs Trump you have a glow like an expectant widow,'" explains Kimmel in the clip above. "It was a very light roast joke about the fact he's nearly 80 and she's younger than I am. It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination and they know that, I've been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence in particular."

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel brutally roasts Trump during 'alternative' White House Correspondents' Dinner

Kimmel goes on to say he agrees with Trump on one of her points, before offering some advice on how best to tackle the issue.

"I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject," says Kimmel. "I do, and I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Hisense 75-inch QD7 TV has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save almost $100

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:22

SAVE $87.94 : As of April 28, the Hisense 75-inch QD7 TV is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch QD7 TV $499.99 at Amazon
$587.93 Save $87.94   Get Deal

The Hisense 75-inch QD7 TV just dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon, so if you've been shopping around for an upgrade, this is the time to buy.

As of April 28, the Hisense 75-inch QD7 TV is almost $100 off, bringing the price down to $499.99. And it's not the only size reduced — you can go as small as 50-inch or slightly bigger at 80-inch.

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This TV has Mini-LED backlighting with Full Array Local Dimming, helping create deeper blacks and more precise highlights, while reducing halo effects for a cleaner picture. The QLED color technology uses quantum dots to produce over a billion shades, so you get rich and accurate color reproduction with everything you watch or stream. Combined with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, this TV gives you a more cinematic experience from the comfort of your home.

For fast and smooth performance, the TV features a native 144Hz panel with Motion Rate 480 and AI Smooth Motion technology, making fast-paced sports and gaming look clear. Gamers also benefit from 144Hz Game Mode Pro and AMD FreeSync Premium for reduced lag and screen tearing.

Get this TV deal online at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are $50 off at Amazon — buy now for under $300

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:13

SAVE $50: As of April 28, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on sale for $299 at Amazon. That's an 11% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal

If you're looking for a great pair of headphones at a good price, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are back on sale at Amazon.

The latest deal saves you $50 on the list price. This sees the price drop from $449 to $399, and it doesn't just apply to the black color. Choose from driftwood sand, midnight violet, desert gold, and white, all for the same discounted price.

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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones give you a seriously advanced listening experience. There are different noise cancelling modes, and you can switch between them depending on your needs. There's Quiet Mode for full isolation, Aware Mode to stay connected to your surroundings, and Immersion Mode, which combines noise cancellation with Bose Immersive Audio for a more cinematic feel.

These headphones also have a feature called Cinema Mode which is designed to enhance video content by balancing dialogue, background sound, and effects for a more theater-like listening experience. And for calls and meetings, the built-in microphones use AI-based noise suppression to keep your voice clear, even in noisy environments.

You'll get up to 30 hours of battery life, so these headphones are built for long listening sessions without the need to constantly recharge. And for comfort, they are designed with soft ear cushions and a balanced headband.

Get this Bose deal online at Amazon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back — download free romance book in this 1-day event

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:06

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on April 28. The Romance Book Blast, hosted by Romance Booklovers, is offering romance books from a number of sub-genres.

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back once again, and this time it's all about romance.

The Romance Book Blast, hosted by Romance Booklovers, is offering up free romance books from a number of sub-genres. And everything that you download is yours to keep forever, so this is your best opportunity to stuff your e-reader with juicy material to cover you through the rest of the year. OK, that might not be feasible for the greediest of bookworms, but it's still a chance to stock up without spending anything.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to get yours

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Romance Book Blast takes place on April 28. This free giveaway only lasts 24 hours, so you will need to act fast to secure everything on your list. The next free event of this type takes place on Oct. 27, so don't miss out on this limited-time promotion.

Which ebooks are free?

The Romance Book Blast has a helpful hub page run by Romance Booklovers. Everything is organized by sub-genre, so you can find exactly what you want to read:

You can find these free ebooks from the Kindle Store and other popular retailers. There really is something for everyone in this latest romance book blast.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so don't hold back.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Shop Now Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle Paperwhite.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Shark Navigator robot vacuum is on sale for under $200 at Amazon — act fast to save $110

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:05

SAVE OVER $100: As of April 28, the Shark Navigator robot vacuum has been discounted to $189.99 at Amazon. This is $110 off its list price of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Navigator Robot Vacuum $189.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $110   Get Deal

Now that spring is here, it means more time outside. That also means more chance for dirt to be tracked in your house. If you want a little extra cleaning assistance over these warmer months, a robot vacuum can help. Amazon even has some models discounted right now, including the Shark Navigator robot vacuum.

If you're just looking for a vacuuming model, rather than an all-in-one option that can also mop, the Shark Navigator robot vacuum is down to $189.99 at Amazon. This is a $110 discount off its original list price of $299.99. Just keep in mind it's currently marked as a limited time deal, meaning it may not be available for long at this price.

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From carpeted surfaces to harder floors, the Shark Navigator boasts powerful suction to clear up any dirt, dust, or debris that's scattered around. It also comes with a feature called SmartPath Navigation that uses liDAR technology to map out your home and clean in rows, which makes sure each room gets an efficient clean.

It even has a helpful detection system that helps it avoid any objects in its way. So if you've accidentally left some shoes or other items lying around on your floors, it can easily scoot around them while it cleans.

If you're not looking for an ultra-fancy robot vacuum, the Shark Navigator can keep your floors clean without hassle. Don't miss out on this great chance to pick it up for under $200 at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Verizon is offering up the Samsung Galaxy S26+ for free — how to claim this offer

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:02

TL;DR: You can get the Samsung Galaxy S26+ for free when you open a new line on Verizon's Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Verizon: Samsung Galaxy S26+ for free   Get Deal

If you’re thinking about upgrading your smartphone, there are a few ways to bring the price down (if you know where to look).

Mobile carriers often run promotions in which they heavily discount devices or bundle savings through long-term contracts and eligible trade-ins. One standout deal of this type that's live right now is on the Samsung Galaxy S26+ with Verizon. And better yet, there's no trade-in required.

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Verizon is offering the Samsung Galaxy S26+ for free when you open a new line on either its Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan. The deal works by giving you $1,100 in bill credits spread over 36 months, which essentially cancels out the phone’s cost. But this only works if you stay on an eligible plan for the duration.

To qualify, you’ll need to add a new line, choose one of the qualifying unlimited plans, and either buy the phone outright or on a 36-month, 0% APR installment plan. You’ll still pay taxes and a $40 activation fee upfront, and if you cancel your line or switch to a cheaper, ineligible plan, the remaining credits stop and you’ll have to pay off the balance.

With this smartphone, you'll be getting a device built around Galaxy AI, so everyday tasks are faster and easier to complete. It’s powered by Samsung’s latest high-performance processor for fast and smooth performance, and it benefits from an ultra-vivid display.

Get this great mobile deal at Verizon now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

New space images reveal an enormous halo around this famed galaxy

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

The famous Sombrero Galaxy now appears as more than a wide-brimmed hat floating in deep outer space

New images from the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile reveal a gigantic halo surrounding the galaxy, stretching three times its width. Already considered one of the largest objects in the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, the galaxy's expansive glow is roughly 150,000 light-years wide. 

The pictures come from the Dark Energy Camera, an instrument mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation's Victor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope. Though the camera was built for a study that ended in 2019, it continues to aid astronomers, providing new insights for even the most photographed cosmic targets. 

"This may be the first time the halo has been captured with this level of detail and at this large a scale," according to NOIRLab, a program of the National Science Foundation. 

SEE ALSO: Mars did have complex carbon. A NASA rover found its hiding place.

Discovered in 1781 by the French comet hunter Pierre Méchain, the Sombrero is a nearly edge-on spiral galaxy about 30 million light-years away from Earth in the Virgo constellation. Méchain was an associate of renowned astronomer Charles Messier, but the object was only scribbled onto Messier's personal copy of the Messier Catalogue. 

It wasn't until two other astronomers — William Herschel and Camille Flammarion — observed the galaxy that it was formally added to the catalog in 1921. Back then, it was merely known as Messier 104. 

The intriguing galaxy later earned its nickname for its uncanny resemblance to a Mexican hat. Its central bulge looks like the crown and a dark dust trail brings to mind a wide brim. Though the object can't be seen with the naked eye, many amateur astronomers enjoy gazing at it through binoculars and small backyard telescopes. 

But different observatories tend to bring out different features in the galaxy. The James Webb Space Telescope homed in on the Sombrero about 1.5 years ago, and showed it in a different light — literally. From Webb's infrared perspective, the hazy bulge was decapitated, revealing instead a smooth core. 

Researchers are interested in the galaxy for its roughly 2,000 globular clusters containing hundreds of thousands of old stars. Though the stars within them are of similar ages, their masses and characteristics vary. 

The new images also highlight a stellar stream emerging from the south side of the galaxy. The feature is faint but vast. 

"The halo and the stellar stream are populated with stars that have been torn from their home galaxies," according to NOIRLab, "hinting at a past galactic merger between the Sombrero and a smaller satellite galaxy."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Seeing everyone play Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is giving me serious FOMO

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

I've never been a Nintendo person. And yet, I've never been this completely captured by one of its games until the company's latest release, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.

My rapturous attention to it is equal parts FOMO and genuine amazement at the unhinged ways people are playing this game. It's taken over my timeline and is slowly dismantling my will to resist buying a Switch.

For context, Living the Dream is the third entry in Nintendo's series of casual social simulators — think The Sims or Animal Crossing — in which you oversee and manage an island populated by Miis, Nintendo's customizable avatars (a portmanteau of Wii and me). It shares Animal Crossing's DNA in that you're tending to an island and its residents, but unlike that game, you actually get to create the islanders yourself. Thus, no need for housing discrimination and forced migration to phase out the "ugly villagers."

A massive part of the game's appeal is its creation suite, which lets you draw virtually anything and drop it into the game as an interactive item for your Miis to use. Uncensored, mind you. On top of that, like its predecessors, Living the Dream features a text-to-voice modulator that has Miis speaking in a robotic, Vocaloid-adjacent cadence. Also uncensored. You can even make the TV shows they decide to watch. Big news for fans of yaoi.

It is, in short, the perfect game for post-COVID, chronically online Gen Z. Just ask poor Charlie Kirky what happens when they get hold of your likeness.

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The result is near-infinite replayability and, for those of us without a Switch, near-insufferable FOMO. I want to create an island where my characters bicker over a pack of Marlboro Reds. I want a Mii to dream about him and his friends worshipping the unregistered firearm I left sitting on the beach. The memes and playthroughs circulating online are so genuinely unhinged that I'm not sure a "normal" playthrough of this game is even possible. Plus, in a resounding win for Big Tobacco, cigarettes are practically a staple item at this point, and I've lost count of how many islands I've seen with one.

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We've got a tiny Obama doing a freaky little shimmy. Jennifer Coolidge is enjoying a bottle of Hennessy. Kitty White is getting rejected by Leon S. Kennedy, then immediately harassed on the beach by Miss Piggy and John Pork. I want to be clear that those are all real sentences describing real videos that exist on the internet right now.

My personal favorite, though, is a Mii cast video edited to the theme from Living Single, featuring a roster of Black cultural figures like Steve Harvey, Madea, the Smokestack Twins from Sinners, just living their lives on this little island together. Delightfully, irreverently unserious.

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Yes, it's a bummer that the game still lacks real online functionality and built-in Mii- and screenshot-sharing. For a title that has thrived almost entirely on user-generated content going viral, that feels like a conspicuous oversight. Nintendo, we are begging.

But the internet, as always, persists. My FOMO is real, and it is winning. I want my own island. I want to see what my created characters fight over and who they fall in love with. I want to create something deeply questionable and watch the social fallout unfold in robotic text-to-voice. I want in on this. The internet is having the time of its life on a little island somewhere — and I intend to join them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

New phishing scam targets your FOMO with fake party invitations

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

Phishing scams have always tried to trick you into clicking malicious links, often relying on scare tactics — fake bank alerts, IRS threats, parking tickets, the works. The new playbook is a little more devious: They're targeting your FOMO instead.

According to a report from the New York Times, a new wave of phishing scams is now disguising itself as party invitations, spoofing the look of popular invitation platforms like Paperless Post, Evite, and Punchbowl.

In some cases, the phishing emails actually come from someone you actually know — a former colleague, an old college friend, a distant relative — with a compromised email account. That makes them significantly harder to clock as fake.

One Mashable editor received a phishing email disguised as a Punchbowl invitation from her sister-in-law and clicked the link. However, when the website prompted her to enter her Gmail password, she contacted her sister and confirmed her email account had been hacked.

SEE ALSO: Meta accused of profiting from scam ads in class-action lawsuit

The scam works two ways, per the Times. In one version, the link appears dead when clicked, but the click itself quietly triggers malware that harvests your passwords and personal data in the background. In the other, the link works, and asks you to enter your login credentials, which then hands hackers full access to your personal accounts.

Rachel Tobac, CEO of cybersecurity firm SocialProof Security, told the Times the scam first appeared around last holiday season and that its effectiveness stems from basic human psychology. Every few months, she noted to the publication, phishing schemes find a new emotional lever to pull — and the fear of missing out is a powerful one.

Fake invitations tend to be vague, according to Evite's VP of brand Olivia Pollock, who also spoke with the Times. Generic phrases like "birthday party" or "celebration of life," rather than the specific, niche events most real invitations advertise these days, tend to be the biggest red flags.

In response to these scams, Paperless Post has set up a dedicated email address — phishing@paperlesspost.com — for users to submit suspicious invitations for verification.

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The invitation scam is the latest in a long line of phishing schemes that have proliferated over the past few years. As Mashable has covered extensively, 2025 was defined by text-based scams in particular. Common examples include fake E-ZPass toll notices, phony DMV warnings threatening to suspend your license, fraudulent job offers impersonating Indeed, and IRS impersonators pressuring victims to pay up before they have time to think.

Nearly a quarter of Americans have been the victim of a tax scam alone, or know someone who has, according to a 2025 McAfee survey. All of these phishing tactics rely on the same tricks — urgency, familiarity, and just enough plausibility to make you act before you think.

So, the bottom line is this: If you get an unexpected invitation and something feels slightly off, trust that instinct before you click.

You can report phishing emails to your email service provider, delete them, or simply ignore them.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get more out of the Mac you already own with this $25 tool

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Make your Mac even more productive with this lifetime license to MacMagic, $25.50 (reg. $99.99) with code SAVE15 through May 10.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koingo MacMagic: Lifetime Upgrades License $25.50
$99.99 Save $74.49   Get Deal

It’s time to stop underusing your Mac. You paid top dollar for a premium device, so you should make sure you’re getting everything out of it. MacMagic lets you discover hidden Apple features and tap into your Mac’s full potential. Right now, a lifetime license can be yours for just $25.50 with code SAVE15 until May 10.

It’s time to see what your Mac can really do. Thanks to MacMagic, you don’t need to be super tech-savvy. This easy-to-use, all-in-one utility app can unlock hidden macOS features you may have never even heard of.

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Wondering what MacMagic can do for you? Let it find missing features — from an image converter that can batch scale, rotate, and convert your images into more than 100 formats to a force delete button for stubborn files.

Erase recent application history, clear caches and logs to free up disk space, and reveal or hide files in Finder with MacMagic. You can also show or hide desktop icons, make certain files and folders visible or invisible, and turn on the option to see hidden files system-wide.

MacMagic also lets you employ little hacks like cutting your network connection without shutting off your Wi-Fi, locking and unlocking folders, and generating QR codes for vCards, Wi-Fi, locations, SMS, emails, and more.

Before purchasing, make sure your Mac is running macOS 11 or later.

Lock in this lifetime license to MacMagic for just $25.50 until May 10 with code SAVE15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Self-growth can be sustainable thanks to this microlearning app, now $48 for life

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Self-improvement is simple with this lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, on sale now for just $47.97 (reg. $299.95), the best price online, through May 10.

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $47.97
$299.95 Save $251.98   Get Deal

It’s never too late to work on your New Year’s resolutions. If you were hoping to work more on yourself this year, let this be your sign. Headway Premium serves up the key ideas and insights from some of the world’s best nonfiction books in 15-minute summaries, and a lifetime subscription can be yours for just $47.97, the best price online, until May 10.

Self-growth doesn’t have to be painful. Headway Premium makes it both easy and entertaining with 15-minute summaries of nonfiction books you can listen to, watch, or read. Learn about business strategies on your lunch break or pick up personal development skills in line at the grocery store.

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Headway Premium lets you choose between a written or professionally narrated audio summary of books like The 80/20 Principle or How to Talk to Anyone, delivering the key concepts in a bite-sized format. While it doesn’t replace reading the whole book, it’s a great way to discover new topics you’d like to dig into further.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Forbidden Fruits review: What if The Craft was set in a mall?

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

A messy (but formative) part of girlhood is the reckless appropriation of various trends, traditions, and cultural elements in a haphazard attempt to build an identity. For some girls, this means trading one clique for another, or jumping from band geek to cheerleader. For others, it means dabbling in witchcraft. 

30 years ago, The Craft became iconic for a generation of '90s girls who dreamed of power, beauty, and boys. A coven of four teen girls could cast spells and hexes, and the only threat to their power was one another. Now arises Forbidden Fruits, a twisted teen comedy that feels like The Craft with a girly-pop aesthetic. 

Forget the goth gear and smudged eyeliner. These witches are "mall royalty" who proudly work at a chic clothing store, and when they're not eye-rolling over customers, they're doing racy rituals and swallowing sequins as if they're psychedelics. However, where The Craft became a coming-of-age story and cautionary tale about not being true to yourself, Forbidden Fruits is more interested in gnarly twists than any kind of PSA message. 

Forbidden Fruits is a tale of rotten sisterhood.  Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, and Alexandra Shipp play the Fruits in "Forbidden Fruits." Credit: Shudder

Helmer Meredith Alloway makes her feature film directorial debut with this screen adaptation of playwright Lily Houghton's Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die. Together they scripted the adapted screenplay, which switches a Free People store for the less lawsuit-inducing "Free Eden." There, a trio of intimidatingly cool girls — known as "the Fruits" — wear daring fashions and form a clique so tight, it's suffocating. 

The bubbly blonde who favors skimpy pink clothes and endlessly seeks external validation is Cherry (Victoria Pedretti). The chill astrophysics nerd, saving up for grad school and clad in dark purples and blacks, is Fig (Alexandra Shipp). And the Queen Bee of their coven is Apple (American Sweatshop's Lili Reinhart), who has a cold stare but a heart that yearns for a "mini-me" to be her protégé. 

As in Mean Girls or Clueless, the girls spot a diamond in the rough in the film's protagonist, Pumpkin (Lola Tung). Sure, she's dangling at the bottom of the social ladder, working as a free samples girl in the food court. But there's something about her that intrigues the trio. Before you can recite the long title of Houghton's play, Pumpkin is being initiated with a ritual that involves blood, dirty panties, a bitch slap, and some fresh tears. 

However, much like the heroine of Mean Girls, Pumpkin isn't just looking to be cool with killer clothes. She has a hidden agenda, which has her low-key stalking Fig and Cherry, seeking out dirt on Apple and gossip on the she-who-shall-not-be-named ex-bestie Pickle (Emma Chamberlain). Through all this, Forbidden Fruits veers from familiar teen comedy tropes into wobbly witchiness and then some outright horror movie violence to create a film that's a wild ride, though not a satisfying one. 

Forbidden Fruits is chaotic and superficial in its influences. 

Let's begin with the Bible. The title of Houghton's play, Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die, comes from a Bible verse, Ecclesiasticus 25:24, which essentially argues a woman's role is to be a good wife, or else she is wicked and worth only scorn. In the film's third act, Apple will wear this quote/title on a baby tee as she snarls at her coven mates. But the deeper meanings of this passage get lost amid a clash of pop culture references and shallow girl-boss talk. 

Apple's built her coven on a self-serving homespun feminism that demands they uplift other women, eliminate those who take pleasure in others' pain, and never talk to boys outside of emojis. Apple's preaching is constructed of buzzwords, while the coven's icons range from off-brand Barbie dolls to Taylor Swift, Marilyn Monroe, and Miranda Priestly. Rather than a rich tapestry, Apple's brand of witchcraft feels like a clumsy collage of ideas. Perhaps that's intentional, meant to reflect how teen girls might try on new identities like so many jeans at the mall. But it also makes it hard to get a beat on who these girls are beneath their constant posturing. 

Still, this dizzying barrage of allusions collides with an aggressively colorful world, and over-the-top performance styles push the horror comedy into a surreal space. In that setting, we, like Pumpkin, are encouraged to believe that Apple is more than an intimidating Head Bitch in Charge. She could well be a sorceress who can use magic to curse those who wrong her. Power to Forbidden Fruits — with all its style and strangeness, it is hard to predict. However, its abrupt genre shift makes for a wild climax that leads to an infuriating conclusion. 

Forbidden Fruits falls flat, protagonist first. 

Alloway and Houghton make a curious choice in centering their story on Pumpkin. Early on, it's revealed that she's spying on the Fruits, but not why. Who is it she's reporting to about their betrayals and insecurities? Her own Janis Ian? Her mom? A boy!?! 

Because we don't know, Pumpkin is presented at a distance that won't disappear until the film's third act. While Reinhart is a compelling villain, Tung is a tepid screen presence who suffers under the thin writing for Pumpkin. 

That makes Fig and Cherry, whose secrets are most swiftly exposed, more intriguing than the heroine. Shipp, who shines in movies stranger (Tragedy Girls) and more spectacular (X-Men: Apocalypse), is enchanting in Fig's kindness and nerdiness. Perretti, who went from sweet to scorchingly sadistic in You, is a deranged delight as the needy Cherry. Yet the film's third act disregards them with shocking brutality, leaving us to watch a showdown that's lost much of its flavor. Then, without spoilers, a mid-credit scene delivers a big reveal that punches a plot hole right through everything we thought we knew about Free Eden's fruity witches. 

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While there's plenty of style in Forbidden Fruits, it's lacking in substance. Rather than digging into the toxic female friendships that can define then drain us, Alloway uses the idea as a lure for a mystery that's just not as interesting. Or maybe I'm missing something. That was the nagging feeling as I watched Forbidden Fruits. To her credit, Alloway's film, however scattershot in genre shifts and references, exudes a smirking confidence. Whether she's showcasing Apple's unique brand of mean girl power, exposing Cherry's love of cheap thrills in trendy fashion, or tearing her dolls to bits, there's an assurance in the vision, even if I can't see it. In the end, I wasn't satisfied, but got the sense that this is an inside joke I'm just not on the inside of. 

Forbidden Fruits was reviewed out of the 2026 SXSW Film Festival; it's now available for purchase on Prime Video.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The most unique gifts for less than $50

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 11:00

Some people just have a natural talent for finding gifts on a budget, whether it's Christmas, an anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day (which, don't forget, is coming up on May 11). Some people nail it every time, getting the "best gift-giver" award among those who are lucky to know them — wife, husband, boyfriend, teens, in-laws, and everyone else.

If you're not one of those people, don't fret. We're here to help no matter the occasion. We've put together a list of the best gift ideas for under $50, from expected-but-useful trinkets to cool items they definitely don't have yet. These unique budget-friendly gift ideas come from variety of categories so you're sure to find something they'll love. You might even catch a few of these awesome gifts at marked down sale prices.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for April 28, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 10:58

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 Tuesday, April 28, 2026:

AcrossSound effect in a long hallway
  • The answer is Echo.

Something you might not want to wake up to?
  • The answer is Alarm.

1980s role for Stallone
  • The answer is Rambo.

"The sky's the ___!"
  • The answer is Limit.

Bit of folklore
  • The answer is Myth.

Down___ of Grantham, noble title on "Downton Abbey"
  • The answer is Earl.

Insurance filing
  • The answer is Claim.

Leg muscle that can be "pulled," informally
  • The answer is Hammy.

Planet's path
  • The answer is Orbit.

Fluttering insect that lends its name to a national storytelling event
  • The answer is Moth.

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 today's Mini Crossword.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AT&T is handing over the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for free — how to score this free deal

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 10:53

TL;DR: AT&T is giving away the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for free when you trade in an eligible device and sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google AT&T: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for free   Get Deal

When looking to upgrade your smartphone, there are so many different ways to save money. Whether it's retail events slashing the total cost of a new handset or mobile carriers like T-Mobile offering the iPhone 17 Pro for free, it really does pay to shop around.

And if you've been eyeing up the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, it now has its own trade-in deal from AT&T that could see you walk away with this popular handset for free.

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AT&T is offering the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for free when you trade in an eligible device and sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan. The saving comes through bill credits of up to $1,250 spread over 36 months (the full price of the device is $1,249.99), so you won’t pay for the phone upfront as long as you stay on the plan for the duration.

To score this deal, you need to choose an eligible unlimited plan, trade in a device that meets AT&T’s criteria, and agree to a 36-month, 0% APR installment plan. The exact credit amount depends on your trade-in and plan. If you cancel your service or pay off the phone early, the remaining credits stop and the balance is due immediately.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is a superb phone, especially when you can get it for free. It combines Google’s Gemini AI with a next-gen Tensor G5 chip for a faster and smoother performance. It also has a pro-level camera system with up to 100x zoom, 50MP photos, and 8K video.

Head to AT&T to grab this limited-time Google Pixel offer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 Pro for free right now — how to qualify

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 10:42

TL;DR: T-Mobile is offering the Apple iPhone 17 Pro for free when you trade in an eligible device in any condition and sign up for an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 Pro for free   Shop Now

T-Mobile has been offering the iPhone 17e and iPhone 17 for free for some time, but the popular mobile carrier has stubbornly refused to include the iPhone 17 Pro in these offers. That is until now.

T-Mobile is now giving away the iPhone 17 Pro for free (via $1,100 in 24 monthly bill credits) when you trade in an eligible device in any condition and sign up for an Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plan. There's usually a lot of fine print with this type of offer that excludes anyone with a cracked screen, but that's not the case here. By offering up to $1,100 for trade-ins in "any condition," T-Mobile are really pushing for you to make the switch.

SEE ALSO: Apple may have already given us a big hint about AI Siri

For power users, it doesn't get much better than the Experience Beyond plan. It's designed for anyone who wants the best in 4K streaming, huge hotspot data (250GB), and masses of international roaming. You’re also getting Hulu, Apple TV+, Netflix, and MLB.TV. It's obviously not a cheap plan, but that bumper entertainment package offsets a large portion of that cost.

Get the Apple iPhone 17 Pro for free with this limited-time offer from T-Mobile.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Champions League live streams online for free

Mashable - Tue, 04/28/2026 - 10:33

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.

If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2025-26 Champions League?

The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.

How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 with free coverage of the Champions League

  4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, or Prime Video (free trial)

  5. Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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