IT General

Who's ready to head back to the kitchen and hang out with our favorite crew on The Bear? While the new season is still over one month away, Hulu dropped a surprise prequel episode of The Bear earlier this week. Titled Gary, the episode chronicles a trip to Indiana featuring Mikey (Jon Bernthal) and Richie. While it's not an entire season's worth of episodes, it's a nice appetizer before the final season.

Many of my colleagues here at How-To Geek are experts on artificial intelligence and how to incorporate it into your everyday life. Some of my colleagues have shared ideas for making Gemini a more functional tool or using Claude to help with Raspberry Pi projects that come up on a whim. After listening to them speak about AI during our team meetings, I decided to use it myself.

Elon Musk's X is still the most unsafe social media platform for LGBTQ+ users, according to a new report by GLAAD.

The organization's annual Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) and its "platform scorecards" grade social media sites on LGBTQ safety, privacy, and expression. GLAAD assessed external-facing policies on diversity programs, content moderation, user suppression, and enforcement mechanisms, among other metrics, for six major companies: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, YouTube, and TikTok.

X scored just 29 points out of a possible 100. No platform has ever scored above a 67.

SEE ALSO: Parents on Instagram, Facebook: Expect a big message from Meta

While X may have received the worst marks of the bunch, none of the platforms analyzed by the organization got passing grades. Many, in fact, hit historic lows. GLAAD found that all platforms were "rife with anti-LGBTQ hate, harassment, and disinformation," and noted nationwide rollbacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.

The report specifically calls out Meta and YouTube's updated LGBTQ policies, including Meta's overhaul of its Hateful Conduct policy. YouTube's score fell 11 points, the most severe drop, compared to the 2025 analysis. TikTok was the only platform whose score did not decrease over the last year, although it still only earned a score of 56 out of 100.

GLAAD began issuing platform scorecards in 2021. Over the last five years, X has consistently earned some of the lowest scores among competitor platforms — X came out on top of TikTok in the organization's 2022 report. Scores are based on corporate transparency metrics established by global digital human rights organization Ranking Digital Rights and 14 LGBTQ-specific online indicators, GLAAD explained.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X settles $128 million lawsuit with Twitter executives

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis wrote:

"Leading social media companies today do not meet basic best practices in content moderation, transparency, data privacy, and workforce diversity — and continuously refuse to meaningfully prioritize the safety, privacy, and expression of LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities. Advertisers should question commitments to LGBTQ safety and the disregard for the safety of LGBTQ users as they plan which platforms to continue to support.

To LGBTQ creators, advocates, and organizations targeted on and by these platforms: these companies need to hear from you. The threats in your DMs, the disinformation fueling anti-LGBTQ legislation, and the bullying that leads to real-world violence are not just ‘part of the job.’ They are systemic failures that tech leaders have the tools to fix, yet they choose to profit from them instead."

Apple's MacBook Neo upended the PC market in part because of a $599 starting price that put many comparable Windows laptops to shame, but it might have to give up that advantage.

Even with the addition of tabs, the file browsing experience on Windows is still lackluster. The search is as broken as ever. I’m still waiting for bulk renaming, file locks, a bookmarks bar, or secure deletion. Panes have limited file previews and organization is bare bones. Let’s fix it all.

When you think about the history of smartphones, several iconic releases stand out. I'm talking about the Galaxy SIII, iPhone 4, HTC One M7, and even Google's LG-made Nexus 5 was a big deal, even if it didn't have sales numbers to back it up. But one phone that's often overlooked is this huge 12-year-old Motorola phone, the Nexus 6.

Sports cars are usually terrible financial decisions. They’re built to maximize fun, not preserve value, which is why most of them lose a painful amount of money the moment they leave the dealership. Practical sedans like the Toyota Camry are normally the safer long-term bet, at least on paper.

Endings are hard. How many times have you watched a movie that nails the first 80% before falling apart at the ending? I'm looking at I Am Legend, a good movie that collapsed in the final moments. That's why when a film nails its ending, it should be praised.

OpenAI has been under intense legal and public pressure to improve the way its flagship AI product ChatGPT responds when a user express suicidal feelings.

On Thursday, the company launched a feature called Trusted Contact, which allows users to designate an adult to notify should the user talk about self-harm or suicide in a serious or concerning way.

The optional feature only encourages the trusted contact to reach out to the user. It does not share chat transcripts or conversation details.

SEE ALSO: 4 reasons not to turn ChatGPT into your therapist

"Our goal is to ensure that AI systems do not exist in isolation," the company said in a blog post announcing the feature. "Instead they should help connect people to the real-world care, relationships, and resources that matter most."

OpenAI has been sued multiple times for wrongful death by family members of ChatGPT users who died by suicide after ChatGPT allegedly coached them to end their lives or didn't respond appropriately to their discussions of psychological distress. OpenAI has denied the allegations in the first of those lawsuits.

A designated trusted contact receives an invitation like this from ChatGPT. Credit: Courtesy OpenAI

The state of Florida is also investigating ChatGPT's links to "criminal behavior," including the "encouragement of suicide and self-harm."

Trusted Contact was developed with feedback from experts, including OpenAI's Expert Council on Well-Being and AI and the American Psychological Association.

"Helping people identify a trusted person in advance, while preserving their choice and autonomy, can make it easier to reach out to real-world support when it matters most," Dr. Arthur Evans, chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association, said in a statement.

How ChatGPT's Trusted Contact works

1. Users can start the Trusted Contact process by clicking on their ChatGPT settings.

2. One adult age 18 or older can be added via the Trusted Contact form.

3. The contact doesn't need a ChatGPT account.

4. The designated contact will receive an invitation from OpenAI explaining their role as a trusted contact. They must accept the invite within one week in order to activate the feature. The contact can share their phone number or email address as a contact method. Should the person decline, the user can add a different adult.

5. When OpenAI's automated monitoring systems detect discussion of self-harm or indicates a serious safety issue, ChatGPT alerts the user that the company may notify their trusted contact. The user prompt encourages outreach to the trusted contact and provides conversation starters.

6. The safety issue is then reviewed by what OpenAI describes as a "small team of specially trained people." When the human reviewers confirm a possible serious safety concern, ChatGPT sends the Trusted Contact a brief email or text message. If the person has a ChatGPT account, they will receive an in-app notification.

7. The notification doesn't include details about the user's discussion. Instead, it informs the trusted contact that the user mentioned self-harm and encourages the contact to reach out. The message includes a link to guidance for having sensitive conversations.

8. Users are free to remove or edit their Trusted Contact at any time. The Trusted Contact can also remove themselves via ChatGPT's help center.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

Of all things related to PCs, the BIOS/UEFI seems to be the one that most people would rather steer clear of. Most PC users only venture into the BIOS when something has gone terribly wrong, and even then, many would just rather skip it entirely. And I get it—no matter how user-friendly motherboard makers try to make it seem, it's never as easy as just clicking your way around an operating system.

Lexus is finally expanding its electric SUV options beyond the two-row RZ. The brand just introduced the 2027 TZ, its first three-row electric SUV, and a few luxury-oriented features that are firsts for Lexus as a whole, not just its EV lineup.

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen surprised the business world on May 3 when he announced that GameStop was making a bid to acquire eBay for $55 billion.

The news raised an obvious question: How could GameStop, valued at roughly $12 billion, afford to buy eBay?

In a now-viral CNBC interview on Monday, Cohen declined to answer this riddle, and the interview only raised more questions about the acquisition.

In its announcement, GameStop said it would offer half cash and half stock, and noted that GameStop's 1,600 physical storefronts could serve as hubs to authenticate and fulfill eBay orders. In addition, GameStop has also quietly purchased a 5 percent stake in eBay in recent years, and Cohen presented CNBC with a letter from TD Securities confirming that the bank would provide $20 billion in financing.

However, for many analysts, the math simply isn't mathing. When pressed on how he would get to $55 billion, Cohen repeatedly told CNBC he didn't understand the question.

Mashable reached out to GameStop for clarification on Cohen's interview, and the company responded on Wednesday with a link to a recent post from Cohen on X, where he joked, "I’m selling stuff on eBay to pay for eBay." That post is now pinned to the top of Cohen's profile.

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

In a follow-up X post, Cohen shared a screenshot of an eBay listing for old socks, along with a warning that his account had reached a $50,000 monthly limit for eBay listings. And not long after that, Cohen shared a screenshot of an email that said his ryan_5050 eBay account had been "permanently suspended because of activity that we believe was putting the eBay community at risk." (The ryan_5050 eBay profile is still online, with active listings for vintage software and gaming memorabilia.)

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

This is what's called "leaning into the spin."

GameStop has a history as a meme stock, but by all accounts, the bid for eBay is no joke. In later interviews, Cohen described the deal in more detail, and the New York Times described the offer as "a deal that sounded like a reverse merger." Before becoming chairman and CEO at GameStop, Cohen founded the popular online pet store Chewy.

eBay confirmed receipt of the acquisition bid in a May 4 press release.

The bare-bones press statement says that eBay had received an "unsolicited proposal" and that it "had no discussions with or outreach from GameStop prior to receiving the proposal."

It also said that eBay's board of directors would review the proposal and consider whether or not GameStop was really capable of delivering an "actionable proposal." (Mashable reached out to eBay with questions, but we have not received a response.)

The New York Times reports that Michael Burry, a GameStop investor who was famously portrayed by Christian Bale in The Big Short, has since sold all of his GameStop holdings.

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

Google announced a few new AI-related updates to Google Search this week, including a new feature that appears as "Expert Advice" in AI Mode and the AI Overview section at the top of the search results page. 

When a user performs a search, Google will now bring in social media posts and forum discussions from around the internet in order to help answer a user's query. The content will appear beside the creator's name, handle, or the community name where the information was posted. A link will also be included to the source.

In one of Google's examples, a search about taking pictures of the Northern Lights provided the user with "Expert Advice" from sources such as photography news website DPReview and a WordPress-hosted website for an aurora borealis tour company. However, the advice also featured commentary from Reddit's r/photography subreddit.

Google's new update for AI Overviews brings perspectives from social media and online communities into Google Search. Credit: Google

Labeling social media and forum posts as "Expert Advice" could certainly be problematic for certain search queries. Search results from platforms like Reddit have become very popular among users looking for reviews or recommendations on products or services.

However, users likely shouldn't trust these sources for something like medical advice. And because many spammers are taking advantage of Reddit's newfound visibility in Google Search, not all Reddit commentary comes from actual users.

Google says that these new sources won't always be labeled "Expert Advice." The company is describing this content as a "preview of perspectives." In some of Google's examples of the feature, the social media and forum content appears under the title of "Perspectives" or "Community Experiences."

Along with this new feature, Google announced a few more updates to AI Overviews and AI Mode as well.

AI Overviews will now provide users with recommendations on topics or queries for "Further Exploration" in order to encourage users to dig deeper. 

In addition, Google has launched a link preview feature inside AI Overviews to give users more information about a certain source. Users will see a pop-up with a preview of the website when hovering over a link.

Speaking of links, Google is making links in AI Overviews more obvious, too. Relevant links in AI responses will be highlighted and appear right next to the information.

Google is also rolling out a feature that will highlight links in AI Overviews from news sources that a user subscribes to. According to Google, in its testing of the feature, users were more likely to click links for sources that they were already subscribed to. 

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Home Assistant's latest update has added a new feature that will significantly expand the range of devices that can connect to the platform. The Home Assistant 2026.5 update has introduced native radio frequency support, allowing users to connect devices that function on radio frequency using transmitter integrations.

Smart TVs seem like an all-in-one solution for today’s streaming era. In one device, you can connect to the internet to access video and music services, control your smart home, and even get alerts—like when your laundry is done—if you have compatible devices.

GET A FREE $35 GOOGLE STORE CREDIT: Preorder the Google Fitbit Air before it launches on May 26 to get a free $35 credit to the Google Store. The credit arrives after your order ships.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Fitbit Air $99.99 at Google
get a free $35 Google Store credit Pre-order Here

A new fitness tracker has entered the chat. The Google Fitbit Air is set to launch on May 26, and it comes packed with useful and user-friendly features. If you're considering an upgrade to the latest Fitbit, check out these preorder benefits.

Through May 25, preorders for the Fitbit Air come with a free $35 Google Store credit. Google will provide the credit after the fitness tracker ships. Additional bands start at $34.99, so the free credit is a great opportunity to snag a band that matches your preferences.

SEE ALSO: Ending soon: Rate your favorite audio brands for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card

In addition to the free Google Store credit, preorders get three months of free access to Google Health Premium, which also launches on May 26. A month's subscription to Google Health Premium normally comes with a price of $9.99.

Google says this service uses Gemini to give personal health and fitness coaching, adaptive to your lifestyle and preferences. It gives users a detailed sleep score, weekly coaching spotlights, medical record summaries, and fitness plans that adapt to their goals. It also contains a workout library and meditation sessions.

Co-designed with NBA star Stephen Curry, the Google Fitbit Air is a lightweight and minimalistic fitness tracker, falling into the category of a screenless fitness tracker like the Whoop. However, unlike the Whoop, the Fitbit Air comes with a starting price of just $99.99.

If you're looking for a thin and lightweight fitness tracker, the latest Fitbit Air could be perfection. Preorder it from Google before it launches on May 26, and you'll get a free $35 Google Store credit.

Now that the Fitbit Air has arrived, Google is rethinking its fitness app strategy — and that includes sending another app to the graveyard, if for the right reasons.

When it comes to some of the best streaming sites, Hulu immediately always comes to mind. With any kind of Hulu subscription, you can access some amazing movies and television shows—and what’s even better is that Hulu has connections to many currently airing shows, so you can often watch new episodes the next day.

TL;DR: Through May 21, new and returning anime fans can get three months of Crunchyroll Fan for $1.99 per month (reg. $9.99 per month) or Mega Fan for $2.99 per month (reg. $13.99 per month) directly or as a Prime Video add-on during the Crunchyroll ANi-MAY sale.

The best deals from Crunchyroll's ANi-MAY 2026 Sale: Crunchyroll Fan $1.99/month for 3 months (save $24) Get Deal Crunchyroll Mega Fan $2.99/month for 3 months (save $33) Get Deal Crunchyroll Fan (Prime Video Add-On) $1.99/month for 3 months (save $24) Get Deal Crunchyroll Mega Fan (Prime Video Add-On) $2.99/month for 3 months (save $33) Get Deal

Crunchyroll jacked up its prices earlier this year after ending its free streaming plan, much to the dismay of anime fans. But the streamer is kind of making up for it with its ANi-MAY Sale this month.

Through May 21, new and returning subscribers can get three months of the Crunchyroll Fan subscription tier for just $1.99 per month (reg. $9.99) or the Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription tier for just $2.99 per month (reg. $13.99). That's $24 or $33 total in savings across three months. The deal is available through the Crunchyroll app or website directly or as a Prime Video add-on subscription.

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

The Fan subscription gets you ad-free access to the entire Crunchyroll library, including new episodes shortly after airing in Japan. You'll also get offline viewing, 5% off select products in the Crunchyroll Store, and the ability to stream on one device at a time. With the Mega Fan subscription, you'll unlock access to the Crunchyroll Game Vault, 10% off select products, members-only offers, early access to sales, and the ability to stream on four devices at a time.

The anime-streaming giant is loaded with a vast selection of popular titles, Crunchyroll Originals, and simulcasts, including One Piece, Gachiakuta, Solo Leveling, Demon Slayer, and the beloved Witch Hat Atelier.

If you've ever been the least bit curious about anime and want to explore the genre, this is the subscription to get. And what better time than during the ANi-MAY Sale, when it's only a couple of bucks per month. Just imagine how much you can watch in three month's time.

An older desktop had been in use for a while. It still worked fine for everyday tasks, but the connectivity situation had degraded. The machine was tied to Ethernet through a slightly awkward setup, and Bluetooth support came from one of those tiny USB dongles.