IT General

Stay cool with a Tempur-Pedic cooling pillow for $110 off at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 18:50

SAVE $110.51: The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud cooling pillow (queen) is on sale at Amazon for $88.49, down from the listed MSRP at Tempur-Pedic of $199. That's a 56% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud cooling pillow (queen) $88.49 at Amazon
$199 Save $110.51 Get Deal

Not many people know about this sleep secret, but Memorial Day is one of the best times to get an entirely new sleep set-up. It's an ideal time of the year to score a new mattress at a deep discount. And that means it's also a great time for new pillows. If you can't remember the last time you bought new pillows, there's a nice deal at Amazon today.

As of May 21, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud cooling pillow (queen) is on sale for $88.49, marked down from the price listed at Tempur-Pedic of $199. That works out to a 56% discount at Amazon, which save you $110.51 on the pillow.

SEE ALSO: The best pillows for a good night's sleep after a doomscrolling session

We know what you're thinking: $200 for a pillow is a whole lot of money. And you're not wrong. Tempur-Pedic makes some of the most high-end bedding including mattresses, sheets, and pillows. And with that comes high prices, which is why we're pretty jazzed to see this high-end pillow drop to an affordable price.

The cooling pillow can be a huge relief if you tend to sleep hot and need to flip your pillow to the cool(er) side several times per night. Tempur-Pedic used cooling gel foam on both sides of this pillow, so it resists absorbing your body's heat. Instead, you'll be able to sleep well on the extra-soft pillow that's designed for side, back, or stomach sleepers.

Plus, the removable cover is machine-washable, and the material packs down well so you can bring it along on summer vacation without needing to check an entire suitcase for a pillow.

While it's on sale for $88.49, snag the cooling Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud pillow. You deserve a good night's rest without waking up sweaty.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $80 on a 14-in-1 Anker docking station at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 18:39

SAVE $80: As of May 21, get the Anker Prime Docking Station for $189.99, down from its usual price of $269.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Prime Docking Station $189.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $80 Get Deal

Whether you work from home or you just need a way to tidy up your computer station, you should consider a docking station to house all your charging and cable needs in one spot. And you can get one for a great price at Amazon right now.

As of May 21, get the Anker Prime Docking Station for $189.99, down from its usual price of $269.99. That's $80 off for a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: Snag Soundcore by Anker earbuds at Amazon for just $20

This 14-in-1 docking station can charge up to four devices at once, with 160W of total output. It has three USB-C ports with 100W max each and one USB-A port at 12W max and 11 additional ports with speeds up to 10Gbps. It can also support dual streaming or mirroring across 2 displays should you need two of them for work or play.

You don't have to worry about connecting everything to one desktop or laptop with this station, and it can make having everything you need to handle a work shift or navigating a small space at home feel much more manageable.

At this price, you can get everything set up for under $200.

Best Tech Deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Take $130 off the Dyson Purifier Cool TP10 fan at Amazon and prep for summer heat

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 18:22

SAVE $130.04: The Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 purifying fan is on sale at Amazon for $299.95, marked down from the standard price of $429.99. That's a 30% discount that comes within 95 cents of the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 $299.95 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $130.04 Get Deal

Summer heat waves are about to take hold. If you don't have a fan set-up yet, it's a great idea to snag one before they sell out. If you're also interested in cleaner air, there's a great sale price at Amazon today on a Dyson purifying fan.

As of May 21, the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 purifying fan is on sale at Amazon for $299.95, down from the usual price of $429.99. That's a 30% discount that takes $130.04 off the normal price. It also comes in at just 95 cents more than the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more

With 350-degree oscillation, you'll get a whole-room breeze this summer without a fight over who gets the cool air. Plus, Dyson makes some of the most sophisticated filtrations systems on the market. That's especially useful if you deal with pollen allergies or live in an area that gets summer wildfire smoke.

The Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 uses Dyson's glass HEPA filter combined with a carbon filter, which can help reduce airborne irritants like dust, dander, pollen, and smoke. Plus, this model comes with a remote control for extra convenience.

Come bedtime, switch the Dyson Purifier Cool to night mode, which dims the display and uses the quietest settings possible.

Before the summer's sticky heat arrives, snag the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 while it's $299.95 at Amazon. You'll save over $130.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag Soundcore by Anker earbuds at Amazon for just $20

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 18:11

SAVE 50%: As of May 21, you can get the Soundcore by Anker P20i true wireless earbuds for just $19.98, down from $39.99, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $20.01 in savings. It's also a new record-low price.

Soundcore by Anker P20i true wireless earbuds $19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01 See It

If you’re looking for a new pair of earbuds that are affordable, durable, and won’t fall out while you’re exercising, the Soundcore by Anker P20i true wireless earbuds might be worth a try — especially now that they’re on sale for their lowest price ever.

As of May 21, you can get the Soundcore by Anker P20i true wireless earbuds for just $19.98, down from $39.99, at Amazon. That's a 50% discount and $20.01 in savings. It's also a new record-low price by exactly one cent. (But a deal's a deal, right?)

SEE ALSO: 50+ of the best Memorial Day deals and sales already live: Mattresses, Bluetooth speakers, outdoor furniture, and more

The P20i earbuds have “oversized” 10mm drivers for strong bass, come in five colors, and have a battery life of up to 30 hours with the charging case (10 without it), which is pretty impressive for earbuds in this price range. You’ll also get an extra two hours of power after a quick 10-minute charge.

The app lets you set tap controls and customize the sound with 22 EQ presets. And, you can also make hands-free calls sans background noise thanks to its AI-enhanced microphones. That’s not bad for earbuds that cost less than $30.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Get LGs C4 *and* C5 OLED TVs up to $500 off at Best Buy

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:57

SAVE UP TO $500: As of May 21, most sizes (42-inch through 83-inch) of the 2024 LG C4 OLED TV and 2025 LG C5 OLED TV are on sale at Best Buy. Savings range between $200 to $500 off (up to 20% off) depending on size, plus free shipping.

Memorial Day sales may be best known for mattress deals and discounted summer essentials, but Memorial Day TV deals are definitely still a thing.

For instance, Best Buy's Memorial Day Sale has dropped the price on one of the most highly-awaited TVs of the year: The LG C5 OLED. It's the newest edition of what is possibly the most beloved OLED on the internet, and all three sizes are seeing slight discounts after just coming out in March.

SEE ALSO: Save over $50 on a 12-month subscription to Peacock with this handy coupon code

But that's not the only C-something LG OLED that's getting attention. Best Buy also has the 2024 LG C4 on sale in every single size, and these discounts beat the percentage off you'd be getting on the C5. Like we always say: Spring is one of the best times to find TVs on sale because the old ones go on sale to make room for the new ones that just came out. Memorial Day has full summer vibes, but it's technically still in spring.

Here's the full breakdown of the C4 and C5 deals at Best Buy to easily compare price differences between sizes:

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG C4 OLED TVs Save up to $500 Get Deal LG C4 deals

The percentage off of these C4 models actually beats that of the current discounts on the more budget-friendly LG B4 OLED. The 65-inch B4 in particular is only $100 less than the 65-inch C4, and Reddit would tell you that the C4 is the way to go. If you're buying this TV for an elevated gaming experience, a mere $100 is negligible to secure the C4's 144Hz refresh rate, a brighter SDR picture, and better reflection handling.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG C5 OLED TVs Save up to $400 Get Deal LG C5 deals

As the successor, the LG C5 sees natural improvements over the C4, like better brightness and heightened accuracy in HDR. Its overall image quality is expectedly dazzling and is particularly legible in bright rooms. But after comparing the two, CNET's Ty Pendlebury says that the C4 is the better value than the C5 at this time — there's just not a big enough difference in quality to justify the giant price hike between sizes of the C4 and C5.

That's probably still true when both series are on sale. But if you'd rather just get the latest and greatest, here's a chance to shave off a few hundred dollars.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Record-low price alert: The Ecovacs Deebot N30 robot vacuum and mop is $400 off at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:47

SAVE $400: The Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, down from the standard MSRP of $799.99. That's a $400 discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot N30 omni robot vacuum and mop $399.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $400 Get Deal

These days, vacuuming can be pretty quick with a cordless stick model, but mopping is a whole other thing. If you'd like to relinquish the task of vacuuming and mopping to an intelligent robot, there's a nice deal at Amazon today.

As of May 21, the Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $399.99, marked down from the list price at Ecovacs of $799.99. That's a major 50% discount that takes $400 off the normal price. It also matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Ecovacs Deebot N30 works as both a robot vacuum and a mop, and it does so with impressive features. For one, it used the Ecovacs ZeroTangle 2.0 technology, which means this is a nice model for those with pets that shed. The vacuum's 10,000Pa suction is also really useful in that regard, as well as when it comes to picking up dust and debris.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

In terms of mopping, the Ecovacs Deebot N30 relies on Ozmo Turbo 2.0, which works at 180 rotations per minute with 1.57 pounds of force. Perhaps one of the best mopping qualities of the Ecovacs Deebot N30 is its auto mop washing compete with hot air drying — which means no damp, smelly mop pads.

Instead of wasting more of life's precious time on cleaning the floor, snag the Ecovacs Deebot N30 while it's on sale at Amazon for $399.99.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why TikToks For You page isnt a safe space for women

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:39

TikTok's For You page has revolutionised the way we consume content online. Creators catapult to virality overnight, and algorithms dictate the videos we consume, rather than our following lists. This is a positive for creators and influencers in some ways, as it can make it simpler to find new and relevant audiences and grow. But as clever as these algorithms are, they don't always get it right. And it's all too easy for a video to end up on the screen of the wrong person. 

This is a particular concern for female creators, with the rise of misogyny online. In fact, 60 percent of teen girls in the U.S. have encountered harassment on social media platforms, according to a 2023 survey by Pew Research Center. In the UK, the Office for National Statistics found that 23 percent of women aged 16 to 24 have reported incidents of sexual harassment, with the UK government recently recognising violence against women, which includes online abuse, as a national threat.

SEE ALSO: AI job interviewers are going viral on TikTok

Dealing with misogyny online is difficult for anyone, but it becomes a particular issue when posting content online is your job. Not only do you rely on the income you make on social media, but you also must spend a lot of time on these apps. When you're dealing with misogynistic abuse on a daily basis, going online becomes unenjoyable, unsafe, and a threat to your career.

Misogyny on the FYP

When influencer and author Hari Beavis's recipe content and vlogs started to go viral on TikTok, she quickly became subject to abuse. "If one of my videos hits a male audience, I will not look at the comments because I know there will be hate or misogynistic comments," she tells Mashable. This includes comments sexualizing her body: "There are endless comments about my breasts on some videos," she says.

Beavis isn't alone in her experiences either. Eliza Hatch is the founder of Cheer Up Luv, a feminist platform she founded in 2017 to address the public sexual harassment women face across the world. But it wasn't on that platform, but her own personal social media page, when Hatch started posting videos of herself skateboarding that she found herself subject to an extreme amount of online misogyny. "When I started posting about my skateboarding journey on TikTok, I initially received a lot of negative comments from men telling me how shit I was and that skateboarding isn't for girls," she says. "I was really surprised at that level of vitriol I was experiencing just from posting about my personal experiences of skateboarding."

One of the reasons online misogyny is such a concern right now is because of the rise of incel culture online, and social media algorithms play a big part in this. A 2024 algorithmic study by University College London found that the amount of misogynistic content shown to teen users on TikTok could increase by 400 percent in just five days, which has a huge knock-on effect for women sharing content online.

Certain incel groups online promote networked misogyny, when high-profile figures encourage others to actively harass women online, explains Dr Carolina Are, a social media researcher at Northumbria University's Centre for Digital Citizens. 

"Some of them may just be reacting to content they see, while others may search keywords or be part of groups where content is dropped to trigger harassment," Dr Are says, adding: "This is to destabilise individual creators, but it's also more sinister: it's an active campaign to silence specific users, and to create a homogenous idea of acceptable femininity based on archaic gender roles."

One of the issues with algorithms that promote recommended content rather than showing your posts to a list of people who have chosen to follow you is that it's almost impossible to hide your posts from people you don't want them to reach. Plus, algorithms are driven by engagement, but it doesn't matter why or how someone is engaging with the content. When someone who is using a social media app to promote misogyny sees and engages with a video, it's pushed out to a similar audience because the algorithm thinks they might engage with it too, which turns into a toxic cycle in which the creator is suddenly exposed to a huge amount of trolling.

Furthermore, many people use apps like TikTok anonymously. "On TikTok, a lot of people have faceless accounts because not everyone makes and posts TikToks, so they feel they can say anything they want, and in my case, it's always from men about my body," Beavis says. Hatch agrees that she feels safer on apps where she's interacting with people who have chosen to follow her: "On Instagram, I've got such an amazing community that I always feel protected — everyone stands up for each other," she says.

"A lot of accounts, particularly on platforms like TikTok, are anonymous and just exist to lurk, either for harassment purposes or because they're not interested in creating content," Dr Are explains. "Without a stable identity, these users aren't encouraged to act in a civil way."

Making social media safer for women

Finding safe spaces online for women is, therefore, becoming increasingly difficult, as more and more social media apps switch to algorithmic formats that show you recommended posts. For Beavis, this meant stopping posting on TikTok for a period. 

"I didn't post on TikTok for a few months as it really got me down and I didn't see the point in posting if my videos were just going to an audience that [was] going to objectify me," she says. It was also one of the reasons she made a private community specifically for women, called The Big Tittie Committee. As you might have guessed from the name, the community is designed for women with larger breasts, sharing tips, recommendations, and experiences. For Beavis, the obvious decision was to make this account private with an admissions process. "I wanted this to be my private female empowerment page — a place without men on social media," she says.

Aside from making private accounts, there's no simple solution to eradicating this type of misogyny from social media for the creators experiencing it. But is there any way of making these algorithms safe for women? "I don't think these mechanisms are inherently harmful because they are similar to offline life — they just act on a much more heightened scale and with [fewer] checks and balances," Dr Are says. "If I have one person on the street harassing me, it's just one person and I can hopefully report them to the police," she continues. "If I go viral, it's like a whole city is harassing me all at once without any consequences for them and no protection for me."

SEE ALSO: The hidden consequences of being banned from dating apps Relying on ourselves, not platforms

According to the TikTok Community Guidelines, misogyny is called a hateful ideology. When asked for comment, a TikTok spokesperson echoed some of this definition and told Mashable: "Misogyny is a hateful ideology that is not tolerated on TikTok, and we remove 88 percent of content found to break these rules before it is reported to us." The app will take action against comments that violate its policies. 

But the creators Mashable spoke to noted that they feel as though a lot of the responsibility falls on them to manage these comments themselves, by deleting and reporting them. "In my own experience, following some of my videos going viral, I was the one who had to insert keywords such as 'rape' in my comment filters," Dr Are says.

The added responsibility of moderating what is an overwhelmingly hateful comment section is a particular issue when you're using social media as your main form of income, having to choose between continuing to earn money by posting or refraining from doing so to protect yourself from misogyny. "With a larger following, as it grows, you become susceptible to more unwanted comments," says Beavis, who has over 300,000 followers on Instagram.

It's unfortunate, given that influencing is a career that's dominated by women (an estimated 77 percent of influencers globally are women), that online spaces feel far from safe. "Social media can be so amazing in so many ways, but for a woman, it can be really destructive," Beavis says. Hatch agrees that as much as she's tried to ignore the abuse, it has changed her experience of using social media: "I definitely don't post as much about skateboarding anymore — it has had a lasting impact," she says.

Ultimately, all of this goes to show just how novel algorithms like the For You page are and the potential dangers of relying on automated systems, as well as artificial intelligence, to keep us safe online. And it leads us to ask: Is there a world in which social media platforms can prioritise healthy, meaningful usage and interactions over a pursuit for maximal, and ultimately unhealthy, levels of engagement? The idea already feels utopian, but it's essential if we're to hope for a feminist digital world.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save up to 60% on Craftsman tools at Amazon and tackle those summer projects

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:30
Best Craftsman Tools on Sale at Amazon Best Craftsman Tool Set Deal Craftsman Versastack Mechanics Tool Set $99 (Save $100) Get Deal Best Craftsman Drill and Impact Driver Deal Craftsman V20 Max Cordless Drill and Impact Driver $99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Craftsman Blade Deal Craftsman Bi-Metal Oscillating Tool Blade for Wood and Metal $16.99 (Save $22.99) Get Deal

The weather is getting warmer, and that means you might want to start working on all those DIY projects you've been putting off. Whether that means fixing that leaking faucet or working on an extension of your home, one thing holds true: you're going to need the right tools to get it done. Craftsman has those tools for you in droves, no matter what it is you're looking for.

If you're looking to grab a few that can save you some serious money before you dive into the projects on your to-do list, you can head to Amazon right now, where you'll find tool sets, impact drivers, and more on sale now for up to 60% off.

Head on over to Amazon to browse the full selection of Craftsman tools on sale, and find some of our favorite picks from the sale below to get started.

Best Craftsman tool set deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Craftsman Versastack Mechanics Tool Set $99 at Amazon
$199 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

This 230-piece set comes with everything you need to get started on some of your more complex projects. That includes 1/4-, 3/8-, and half-inch standard American imperial ratchets and socket sets, a handheld screwdriver, box wrenches, specialty bits for unique repair jobs, and more. At half off, you aren't going to beat this tool kit, especially if you need to outfit a beginner for any of the items on your to-do list, or you want to get into repairing things on your own.

Best Craftsman drill and impact driver set deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Craftsman V20 Max Cordless Drill and Impact Driver $99 at Amazon
$149 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

This cordless drill and impact driver set is the perfect kit to get started on whatever you need to handle around, inside, and outside your home. The drill's powerful motor offers up to 280 uwo of power, and the impact driver's easy bit change feature makes it simple to change things up when you need to. Plus, both items come with an LED light to help you see, and a special case to hold everything.

Best Craftsman blade deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Craftsman Bi-Metal Oscillating Tool Blade for Wood and Metal $16.99 at Amazon
$39.98 Save $22.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Need to cut wood or metal? These blades are the perfect option. They can get through difficult pieces or items that refuse to move, like old furniture in your home or newer pieces that you're creating by hand. Plus, you get a pack of three, which means you don't have to stop and go buy another blade should something happen to the first one you've got. All that for under $20 makes for a fantastic deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Sony ULT Field 1 speaker is back down to its best-ever price of $88

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:12

SAVE $41.99: As of May 21, the Sony ULT Field 1 is back down to $88, down from $129.99, at Amazon in every color variety. That's 32% in savings and matches its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 $88 at Amazon
$130 Save $42 Get Deal

It didn't take long for Sony's ULT Field 1 speaker to join the ranks of our favorite Bluetooth speakers. Just a year old, we're still singing the Mashable Choice Award winner's praises — even more so now that it's steadily on sale for less than $100.

As of May 21, the Sony ULT Field 1 is back on sale for its lowest price ever, just $88, in every color option. That's 32% off its list price of $129.99 and only the third time it's dropped down this low.

SEE ALSO: My go-to portable speaker, the Sony SRS-XB100, is back down to its lowest price ever

Mashable's Miller Kern tested the speaker last year when it launched and gave it a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars review, writing that she could see it becoming her new go-to outdoor speaker. It's waterproof, dustproof, rustproof, and shockproof. Plus, this baby can get loud AF. "I can’t imagine ever playing music at full volume in my apartment. This speaker would be amazing for beach days or barbecues, though," Kern writes in her review.

While the battery life could be better, it's still satisfactory at 12 hours. Plus, its sound quality, customizable EQ levels, low-profile design, and bass-thumping ULT setting are so good it's easy to overlook the so-so battery. As Kern put it, "The ULT Field 1 speaker is impressive, there’s no denying that."

At full price, we called it a great bang for your buck. At only $88, it almost feels too good to be true.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Bluetti AC70 solar generator is back down to its record-low price

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:03

SAVE 45%: As of May 21, you get the Bluetti AC70 solar generator for just $329, down from $599, at Amazon. That's a 45% discount and a savings of $270. You won't find a better price on this model — this is the lowest it's been since March.

Bluetti AC70 solar generator $329 at Amazon
$599 Save $270 Get Deal

Generators aren’t just for apocalyptic scenarios (though, you’d be the most popular person in town if you had one). They can also come in handy when you want to spend a weekend in the woods or tailgate at the big game, among other, less dramatic situations. And right now, you can get a Bluetti solar generator for nearly half the price.

As of May 21, grab the Bluetti AC70 solar generator for just $329, down from $599, at Amazon. That's a 45% discount and a savings of $270. You won't find a better price on this model — this is the lowest it's been since March.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more

The Bluetti AC70 has a capacity of 768Wh (which means it can output 768 watts for one hour or 76.8 watts for 10 hours) and 1,000W AC output. It can charge from zero to 80% in just 45 minutes using AC power, or you can use the solar charging cable or the car charging cable (though it’ll take 2 hours and 3.2-7 hours to charge with those options, respectively).

The Bluetti app lets you monitor energy usage, set up notifications and alarms, and chat with support.

The best tech deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Astronomers saw one galaxy impale another. The damage was an eye-opener.

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 17:00

Two extremely distant galaxies appear to be ramming into each other over and over again at speeds of over 1 million mph. 

The pair — dueling it out 11 billion light-years away in space — has given astronomers their first detailed look at a galaxy merger in which one impales another with intense radiation. The armed galaxy's lance is a quasar, a portmanteau for "quasi-stellar object." 

"We hence call this system the 'cosmic joust,'" said Pasquier Noterdaeme, one of the researchers from the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, in a statement.

A quasar is a blindingly bright galaxy core — brighter than all of the galaxy's starlight combined, according to NASA. Through telescopes, these sometimes look like a single star in the sky, but they're actually beams of light from a feasting black hole at a galaxy's core. Scientists have suspected quasars may "turn on the lights" when two galaxies crash into each other. But finding direct proof has been challenging. 

Not only did the new observations show how a cosmic collision helps a quasar light up, it also revealed that the quasar can be a weapon of mass destruction, snuffing out another galaxy's ability to form new stars. These findings, published in the journal Nature, may help scientists better understand how supermassive black holes can shape the fates of other entire galaxies. 

SEE ALSO: Hubble spots a roaming black hole light-years from where it belongs A galaxy's quasar, right, snuffs out another galaxy's ability to form new stars in this artist's rendering. Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser illustration

When astronomer Maarten Schmidt found the first quasar in 1963, it looked like a star, though it was much too far away for that to have been the source. Scientists have since learned that quasars are relics of a much earlier time in the universe. 

The nearest quasars to Earth are still several hundred million light-years away, meaning they are observed now as they were hundreds of millions of years ago. That quasars aren't found closer to home is a clue they existed when the universe was much younger. But scientists seek them out for studies because they may provide insight into the evolution of the universe. 

Though the research team saw the collision as if it was happening now, it occurred long ago, when the universe was only 18 percent of its current age. That's possible because extremely distant light and other forms of radiation take time to reach our telescopes, meaning astronomers see their targets as they were in the past.

"We hence call this system the 'cosmic joust.'"

To conduct the study, an international team of astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, both peering up at the sky from the Chilean desert. 

Their research supports a long-held theory: that galaxy mergers can trigger quasars, and that the energy from them can alter their surroundings in powerful ways. 

"Here we see for the first time the effect of a quasar’s radiation directly on the internal structure of the gas in an otherwise regular galaxy," said co-author Sergei Balashev, a researcher at the Ioffe Institute in Russia, in a statement.

The gas that would usually feed star-making activity within the wounded galaxy was transformed: Rather than being dispersed evenly in large loose clouds, the quasar's radiation clumped the gas in super tiny, dense pockets, rendering it useless for star births. This suggests the quasar's energy effectively sterilized the galaxy — at least wherever the radiation hit.

Black holes in general are some of the most inscrutable things in the cosmos. Astronomers believe these invisible giants skulk at the center of virtually all galaxies. Falling into one is an automatic death sentence. Any cosmic stuff that wanders too close reaches a point of no return. 

A wide view of the two galaxies on the verge of merging, dubbed "the cosmis joust," in the distant universe. Credit: DESI Legacy Survey

But scientists have observed something weird at the edge of black holes' accretion disks, the rings of rapidly spinning material around the holes: A tiny amount of the material can suddenly get rerouted. When this happens, high-energy particles get flung outward as a pair of jets, blasting in opposite directions, though astronomers haven't quite figured out how it all works. It's also still a mystery as to when exactly in cosmic history the universe started making them. 

The quasar didn't just affect the other galaxy. The sparring apparently allowed new reserves of fuel to flow into the galaxy hosting the quasar, bringing fresh gas within reach of the supermassive black hole powering it. As the black hole eats the material, it perpetuates the violence. 

"These mergers are thought to bring huge amounts of gas to supermassive black holes residing in galaxy centers," Balashev said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Caught Stealing trailer sees Zoë Kravitz and Austin Butlers cat-sitting gone awry

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:56

Darren Aronofsky's swaggering, star-studded film Caught Stealing promises on-road action, surprise gangsters, and Matt Smith donning a punk mohawk.

In Sony Pictures' trailer, you'll meet Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) and Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), whose steamy romance gets momentarily interrupted when Hank's neighbor Russ (Smith) asks them to cat-sit. Seems straightforward, even for dog people. Unfortunately, for our lovers, said cat owner has run afoul of a rough crowd of gangsters, who turn up with their eyes set on Hank. Will Hank's love of baseball come in handy here?

With a screenplay by Charlie Huston based on his own novel, Caught Stealing feels like Aronofsky's foray into Guy Ritchie territory, and we'll take it — especially with a cast including Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Carol Kane.

Caught Stealing hits cinemas Aug. 29.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get a big Hydro Flask for its lowest price ever at Amazon and stay hydrated

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:51

SAVE $9.99: As of May 21, get the Hydro Flask 24-ounce Travel Bottle for $29.96 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $39.95. That's a discount of 25% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hydro Flask 24-ounce Travel Bottle $29.96 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $9.99 Get Deal

You're probably always hearing that you should drink more water. If you're struggling to drink as much as is necessary for you to see a marked improvement in how you feel (or how good your skin can look), you might want to invest in something that makes it a little easier. That could mean a stylish Hydro Flask, which you can get on sale right now.

As of May 21, get the Hydro Flask 24-ounce Travel Bottle for $29.96 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $39.95. That's $9.95 off and a discount of 25%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The best Memorial Day deals under $50: Soundcore earbuds, Fire TV Sticks, Blink cameras, and more

This lightweight cup can keep your water ice cold for up to 24 hours, thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation. Most importantly for many of us, it's also leakproof when closed, so you can toss it in a bag or a purse and it won't get jostled around and spill everywhere. It also fits most cupholders, so it's good to go when you get in a car and need a place to stow it.

Some bottles have openings to drink out of, but this Hydro Flask has a straw, so you can feel like you're casually sipping if that makes it easier for you to want to drink more, too. Plus, it comes in multiple colors, so you can make your new emotional support water bottle truly your own.

Best Memorial Day Deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

My go-to portable speaker, the Sony SRS-XB100, is back down to its lowest price ever

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:32

SAVE 37%: As of May 21, you can get the Sony SRS-XB100 Bluetooth portable speaker at Amazon for just $38, down from $59.99. That's a 37% discount and $21.99 in savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen since November 2024.

Sony SRS-XB100 $38 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $21.99 Get Deal

If you’re looking for a small Bluetooth speaker that’s durable, surprisingly loud, and has a battery life long enough to get you through the day, I definitely recommend the Sony SRS-XB100.

As of May 21, you can get the Sony SRS-XB100 Bluetooth portable speaker for just $38, down from $59.99. That's a 37% discount and a $21.99 savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen since November 2024.

SEE ALSO: The best speakers in 2025

This portable speaker is super compact and includes a strap so you can clip it onto a backpack or hang it in your shower. It’s not as heavy as you might expect, and it has an IP67 rating, making it the perfect speaker to bring to the beach or pool. Despite its size, this Sony speaker gets pretty loud (you can make it even louder if you pair it with a compatible speaker) and even has a built-in microphone for hands-free calling.

It has a 16-hour battery life, takes a USB-C charging cable, and comes in multiple colors. Mine is light gray, but it also comes in black, orange, and blue.

Best Memorial Day Deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Coinbase breach affected nearly 70,000 members and involved $20 million ransom

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:25

A recent, high-profile breach of cryptocurrency platform Coinbase affected nearly 70,000 users.

Coinbase, one of the most-used and well-known crypto exchanges, revealed today that 69,461 people had been affected in the breach. That's according to an official filing with Maine's attorney general, which is required by law in the state. (For the curious Mainers out there, "approximately 217" people in the state were affected.)

The filing noted that the breach occurred on December 26, 2024 and was not discovered until May 11, 2025. It also listed "insider wrongdoing" as the official description of the breach.

SEE ALSO: Tech Science Life Social Good Entertainment Deals Shopping Games Search Home > Tech Coinbase confirms data breach with hackers demanding $20 million ransom

The breach from Coinbase is a frightening one. The company wrote in a blog post that hackers recruited customer-support agents to gain access to user data. That data included customer names, addresses, phone numbers, contact info, government documents, account balances, and transaction histories. A major fear is that the hackers could access — or even threaten users in order to access — their crypto holdings.

In a blog post about the breach, the company wrote:

Cyber criminals bribed and recruited a group of rogue overseas support agents to steal Coinbase customer data to facilitate social engineering attacks. These insiders abused their access to customer support systems to steal the account data for a small subset of customers.

We now know that "small subset" was nearly 70,000 people. Coinbase wrote in that same blog post that it received a ransom note extorting the company for $20 million, which it did not pay. Instead, the company said, it established a "$20 million reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the criminals responsible for this attack."

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

Save $120 on the ultra cozy Bose QuietComfort headphones at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:23

SAVE $120: The Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale at Amazon for $229, down from the normal price of $349. That's a 34% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen on the Twilight Blue colorway.

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

Memorial Day sales prove to be some of the best discounts of the year. Aside from shopping frenzy periods like Black Friday, Memorial Day is a really great time to grab some new tech, upgrade your mattress, or grab some new outdoor gear for summer. If your current pair of noise-cancelling headphones are falling apart, check out this great deal at Amazon.

As of May 21, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for just $229 at Amazon, marked down from their standard price of $349. That's a 34% discount or a savings of $120. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen on the new Twilight Blue colorway. You'll need to be a bit selective about your colorway choices to score this discount since some options like Moonstone Blue are on sale for $249, making them $20 more expensive than some versions.

It's hard to go wrong with a pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones, and the QuietComfort truly are some of the most comfortable. They'll be perfect for upcoming travel or for giving your ears the luxury they deserve while you commute to work each day.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

Of course, the QuietComfort come with Bose's renowned noise cancellation, but you can easily toggle back to Aware Mode, which allows you to hear sounds around you. Plus, the Bose QuietComfort can get up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, so you won't need to plug in every day. A 15-minute charge will add another 2.5 hours to the headphone's life.

Uniquely, the Bose QuietComfort come with an included audio cable so you can use them without Bluetooth or even when they have no battery when connected to an in-line microphone jack.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more

If you need to upgrade your headphones but don't feel like waiting until Amazon's Prime Day sale in July, hop on this Memorial Day savings by saving $120 on the Bose QuietComfort. Since the new Twilight Blue colorway is down at the lowest price of $229, now is the perfect time to snag fresh headphones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best price ever: Get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for only $30

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 16:14

SAVE $30: As of May 21, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for only $29.99 at Amazon with the code MAX4KNEW. That's 50% off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Got Samsung The Frame TV taste, but lack the funds for a major TV upgrade? Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max can turn your existing TV into artwork for that bougie on a budget aesthetic.

As of May 21, the already affordable Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for a very low $29.99 at Amazon when you enter the code MAX4KNEW. That's $30 or 50% off its list price of $59.99 and its lowest price on record.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best Memorial Day deals under $100 on Amazon

The first and only Fire TV Stick with Ambient Experience, the 4K Max lets you choose from over 2,000 works of fine art or use AI art to design your own masterpiece by asking Alexa to generate an original image and choosing a painting style. The only limit is your own imagination. You can also customize your screen with Alexa widgets like calendar, to-dos, weather, and more, and control your compatible smart home devices from your TV. Someone knocking on your front door and interrupting your movie? No need to get up — just ask Alexa to show you your front door camera.

The 4K Max packs the most storage of any Fire TV Stick at 16GB, so it won't get bogged down by too many apps. It also features WiFi-6E, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support. Translation: smooth streaming that looks and sounds great.

Casual gamers will also appreciate that they can play games just like they stream movies with either Amazon Luna or Xbox Game Pass. No need to splurge on an expensive console. This $29.99 streaming stick (paired with a compatible controller) will get the job done.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sony is giving away free TVs with select purchases. Heres how to get yours.

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 15:53

SAVE OVER $500: Until June 8, Sony is giving away TVs for free with select purchases. Learn more about how to qualify here.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Free Sony Class X77L 4K HDR LED Google TVs Learn More

Memorial Day is just around the corner, which means deals are incoming. You'll find sales on everything from laptops to clothing, but we think we've just found the deal of all deals. Until June 8, if you buy a select TV from Sony, you'll get another one completely free. Yes, you read that right.

If you buy a Sony Bravia 8 II 65-inch Class QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV, you will get a 55-inch Class X77L 4K HDR LED Google TV completely free. Currently, this TV retails for $589.99. And that's not all. If you buy a BRAVIA 8 II 55-inch Class QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV, you'll get a free 50-inch Class X77L 4K HDR LED Google TV, normally priced at $529.99.

SEE ALSO: Sony XM6 headphones too pricey? Save over $100 on XM5 headphones at Amazon.

And if the free TV wasn't enough to sway you towards the Bravia 8 II, this model is impressive enough on its own. This TV is packed with clever tech. It’s got over 8 million self-lit pixels and a Quantum Dot panel and XR Triluminos Max to enhance all the colors and brightness.

It also benefits from an AI-powered XR Processor to boost scenes in real time. Plus, with Google TV built-in, you can enjoy all your streaming apps in one spot, with a super easy-to-use interface. And lets not forget high-quality perks like Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced.

Head to Sony to score this BOGOF deal. Remember, you only have until June 8.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

All the best places to click on when you want to get off

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 14:26

Let's be real — so much of the internet is porn. Past estimates suggest some 30 percent of the internet's bandwidth is devoted to explicit content. With so much to chose from, where do you go for the very best porn? We have gathered a mix of different places that offer many different kinds of porn — because variety is the spice of life.

This isn't an exhaustive list by any means, but it's one that includes visual, audio, and written explicit content. Some of these sites can be viewed for free, while others are paid only. If you're financially able, we highly recommend you pay for your porn. The people who make porn need to make a living — and clearly you're benefiting from their labor! Sex work is work, but unfortunately, sex workers are more likely than others to face financial discrimination. As Mashable previously reported, banks and financial apps have shut down accounts held by adult content creators. But they provide a service, and should be able to make ends meet.

SEE ALSO: Get laid, not played: These are the best hookup apps of 2025

We're also living in a moment where adult content is in danger. Project 2025, the conservative policy wishlist for Trump's second term, calls for banning porn and imprisoning people who create it. Already, there's a bill introduced by Republicans that would basically ban online porn, experts told Mashable. Age-verification laws, which are requirements to prove your age with something like a government ID or facial recognition scan, are enacted by around a third of states. They don't really work (according to an early study and free speech experts), but they still restrict access to this content.

Okay, we'll get off our soap box and onto what you're really here for: the list. These links are all (obviously) NSFW and this is only content you should enjoy if you're over 18. Alright, well then, here we go. Here are 10 porn resources for all the horny folks out there.

SEE ALSO: This OnlyFans model found her photos on Reddit — with someone else's face 1. Pornhub

Considering Pornhub is literally one of the most visited websites in the world, this is pretty obvious. The biggest tube site there is, Pornhub is pretty much YouTube for porn videos. Whether it's your favorite pornstar or amateur videos, hardcore or soft, chances are Pornhub has what you're looking for — just endless amounts of sex videos.

Note that Pornhub may be blocked depending on which state you're in. This is due to the above-mentioned age-verification laws. Mashable has guides on unblocking porn sites.

2. Dipsea

Tired of watching videos and looking for something new? It might be a time to give audio erotica a try. Dipsea is a good place to hit up if you're just dipping a toe into audio porn. It's an app that features a diverse and carefully curated selection of erotic stories. While you can do a free trial, it is a subscription service, which means you're actually supporting the people behind the stories.

3. xHamster

OK, xHamster is pretty similar to Pornhub if we're being honest here. xHamster is, as the name suggests, another XXX site that's chock full of free porn.

4. FrolicMe

As Mashable's Anna Iovine has covered in great detail, the website FrolicMe is aimed at providing porn actually aimed at women. That means the women featured in the porn are enthusiastically enjoying the sex in various idyllic settings.

"I want real chemistry, I want real connection, I want real intimacy," Anna Richards, founder of the erotic site, told Mashable. "I want to show real sex as opposed to a performance."

5. Bellesa

Bellesa is a self-described feminist porn site. It offers free, long clips from the creators themselves. While it may offer porn made by women, that doesn't mean its offerings are only for women. These are scenes meant to get all kinds of people off.

6. OnlyFans

You might have noticed that OnlyFans was suddenly everywhere during and after lockdown. Lots of famous, infamous, and everything-in-between people joined the cam site. Basically, it's a website where you can directly support performers creating adult material.

7. ManyVids

ManyVids is a community-focused online platform that gives creators control of their content and actually pays them when their work gets viewed. Users can purchase videos, custom videos, livestreams and more. There is also a free selection of videos from creators as well.

SEE ALSO: This OnlyFans model found her photos on Reddit — with someone else's face 8. Quinn

Another repository of erotic stories, Mashable's Iovine wrote that Quinn is effectively "the YouTube of audio porn." On Quinn, you'll find user-uploaded amateur audio erotica of all different varieties. In recent years, Quinn has also released original erotic stories featuring celebrity voices, like that of Andrew Scott.

9. Fansly

Like OnlyFans, Fansly is a subscription-based platform for adult content creators to host their material. On this platform, creators can interact directly with fans. Fansly offers creators both free and paid subscription services.

10. Literotica

If you love books and romance novels and also you're kind of horny, then Literotica is the place for you. It's written erotic materials that'll help you get off.

This post was originally published in August 2020 and updated in May 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the 30 songs of the summer, according to Spotify

Mashable - Wed, 05/21/2025 - 12:21

What will be the song of the summer for 2025? Who else got 'em obsessed "like JENNIE?" Spotify has some ideas.

The audio streamer has made some big calls annually about which songs will rule the hot season, and on Tuesday, Spotify announced its predictions for the 30 songs of the summer.

SEE ALSO: Spotify’s AI DJ now takes requests

Listed not by ranking but alphabetically by artist first name, the 2025 "global songs of summer predictions" include WizTheMc, bees & honey, and Tyla's summery smash "Show Me Love," Charli xcx's TikTok favourite "party 4 u," Bad Bunny's superb "NUEVAYoL," Lady Gaga's Swift-like "How Bad Do U Want Me," and Ravyn Lenae's situationship ode “Love Me Not," among many more.

Here's the list:

Spotify's 2025 songs of the summer predictions

  • “Ordinary” – Alex Warren

  • “NUEVAYoL” – Bad Bunny

  • “Super” by Bb trickz 

  • “Mystical Magical” – Benson Boone

  • “All The Way” – BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman

  • “party 4 u” – Charli xcx 

  • “My Darling” – Chella

  • “With You” – Davido and Omah Lay

  • “NOKIA” – Drake

  • “YA BABA” – DYSTINCT and French Montana

  • “Running Around” – Ely Oaks

  • “Summer Sweat” – Hannah Cohen

  • “like JENNIE” – JENNIE

  • “Blue Strips” – Jessie Murph

  • “Gnarly” – KATSEYE

  • “How Bad Do U Want Me” – Lady Gaga

  • “MUTT” – Leon Thomas

  • “Dark Thoughts” – Lil Tecca

  • “What Was That” – Lorde

  • “Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix” – MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea 

  • “Say My Name – Remix” – Morgan Seatree and Florence + The Machine

  • “What I Want” – Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae 

  • “You’ll Be in My Heart – Spotify Singles” – NIKI 

  • “Love Me Not” – Ravyn Lenae

  • “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” – ROLE MODEL

  • “back to friends” – sombr

  • “No One Noticed” – The Marías

  • “Brunette” – Tucker Wetmore

  • “La Plena – W Sound 05” – W Sound, Beéle, and Ovy On The Drums

  • “Show Me Love (with Tyla)” – WizTheMc, bees & honey and Tyla 

Of course, Spotify has a playlist of all 30 summer predictions ready to go:

What do you think? Is your own personal song of the summer on Spotify's predictions list?

FWIW, my personal songs of the summer to be are Obongjayar's "Not in Surrender" and TOKiMONSTA, Anderson .Paak, Rae Khali's "On Sum," but it's not my list is it?

Categories: IT General, Technology
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