Technology

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a skier.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Bend down

• Green: Journalism

• Blue: Your Honor

• Purple: Hit the slopes

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Get low

• Green: Fourth estate

• Blue: Parts of a courtroom

• Purple: Ski ___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1082 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Get low: DUCK, HUNCH, SQUAT, STOOP

• Fourth estate: MEDIA, NEWS, PAPERS, PRESS

• Parts of a courtroom: BAR, BENCH, PODIUM, STAND

• Ski ___: JUMP, LIFT, LODGE, SLOPE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 28, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you collect perfumes.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Talking scents

The words are related to smell.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pleasant smells.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fragrance.

NYT Strands word list for May 28

• Sandalwood

• Musk

• Neroli

• Fragrance

• Jasmine

• Pear

• Bergamot

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you golf.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 28, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A chunk of grass.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

DIVOT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 28, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this red space must be different. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 28 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically

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

Meta officially launched paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp on Wednesday, giving users the option to pay a few dollars a month for extra features across its flagship apps. The company made the announcement in an Instagram post, where head of product Naomi Gleit provided an outline of the new paid "Plus" plans.

Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus run $3.99 a month, while WhatsApp Plus is slightly cheaper at $2.99, according to TechCrunch. The plans are now rolling out globally.

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For Instagram, the $3.99 gets you more control over your Stories and profile. Subscribers can see how many people rewatched a Story in aggregate, build unlimited audience lists, extend Stories past the usual 24-hour window, and preview a Story without registering as a viewer. There's also a weekly spotlight option, animated Super Heart reactions, custom app icons, customizable bio fonts, and additional profile pins.

Facebook Plus mirrors much of that, with features focused on social expression and profile customization. WhatsApp Plus takes a different angle, adding app themes, custom ringtones, premium stickers, and extra pinned chats.

As TechCrunch notes, none of these plans replace Meta Verified, which remains its own separate offering focused on account verification and protection against impersonation.

For now, Plus plans are just the start. Meta is also testing a broader subscription umbrella called Meta One, which will eventually house AI-focused tiers and professional plans for creators and businesses, perhaps tied to Muse Spark, the company's new flagship AI model. That's still in early testing phases in select markets, though.

Luxury SUV ownership is starting to feel like more hassle than it’s worth for a growing number of buyers. Between complex tech, turbocharged engines, and rising repair costs, the shine of premium badges isn’t hitting the same way it used to.

The Steam Deck OLED has been one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market for years, but it's not the value it used to be anymore.

Valve announced that the OLED version of the Steam Deck has gotten a significant price increase, after months of being out of stock entirely. Well, it's back in stock, but you'll have to pay a lot more to get one now.

The 512GB version, which used to cost $549, is now $789. The 1TB variant, meanwhile, has gone from $649 to $949. That's one of the most substantial price increases we've seen yet for gaming hardware, amidst the ongoing global memory shortage (aka RAMageddon) that's causing everything in tech to get more pricey.

SEE ALSO: 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' is a clever, gorgeous Switch 2 adventure for all ages

For reference, recent PlayStation 5 price hikes put that device anywhere from $150 to $200 higher than it cost at launch. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 (after less than a year on the market) got a $50 price increase earlier this month. Valve's price increases for the Steam Deck OLED are bigger than those, though they still pale in comparison to the nearly $700 price increase that Dell just applied to some of its XPS laptops.

As IGN pointed out, you can still get a refurbished model for a little less than that. Refurbished 512GB and 1TB OLED models are now $629 and $759, respectively. Meanwhile, the discontinued LCD Steam Deck (which is largely the same device with a lower-quality display) can still be obtained refurbished for as low as $279, but that's with a measly 64GB of storage.

It needs to be emphasized that, prior to the AI arms race that is driving up memory costs, it was normal for hardware prices to go down over time. Now, game consoles are cheapest at launch. Feels backward, doesn't it?

Compact SUVs have become more expensive than ever, especially as automakers push heavily toward electrification and higher-tech interiors. For many buyers, the Toyota RAV4 has traditionally been the default recommendation thanks to its efficiency and reputation for reliability. However, its latest redesign and hybrid-only approach have also pushed pricing noticeably higher, leaving room for rivals to make a strong case on value.

Before signing on as Mashable's tech editor, I reviewed the GoPro Hero12 and Hero13 Black for the site. They were both equally impressive cameras, while also being slightly underwhelming, with iterative upgrades to battery life and new software features like vertical video. Both cameras had the same GP2 processor and 1/1.9" CMOS sensor as the Hero11.

This year, instead of dropping a Hero14 Black, GoPro is introducing an entirely new line of cameras with some exciting new abilities — the Mission 1 Series. Finally, we have a new GoPro sensor and processor to play with.

GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera $699.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at GoPro

I've just started testing the Mission 1 Pro, and like my colleague at CNET (both Mashable and CNET are owned by Ziff Davis), I'm not yet ready to render a final verdict. I can say that I've been impressed with this camera so far, and I'm excited to try and push it to the limits.

I can also tell you that while the new Mission 1 cameras solve some of GoPro's recent problems, they don't solve them all.

Meet the GoPro Mission 1 cameras Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro (the model I've been testing) launch on May 28 for $599.99 and $699.99, respectively. In Q3, GoPro will also launch the Mission 1 Pro ILS, a mirrorless version of the Mission 1 Pro with an interchangeable lens mount, allowing creators to use professional lenses with GoPro's pocket-sized, ultra-durable cameras. I bet a lot of pro photographers and videographers are excited about that one, which will also be priced at $699.99.

Both the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro introduce a new GP3 processor (finally), as well as a larger one-inch sensor with a native resolution of 7,680 x 5,760 pixels. For $100 more, the Mission 1 Pro also offers a headline-grabbing 960fps slow motion video, 8K open-gate recording, and improved low-light video. You can capture 44.2MP stills from video or take 50MP action shots.

Both cameras are noticeably larger and heavier than the latest Hero13 Black, yet they still feel like action cameras and offer all the durability and motion stabilization you expect from a GoPro.

GoPro Mission 1 Series: By the numbers Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Mission 1 is available May 28 for $599 (or $499 for GoPro subscribers).

• New 1-inch sensor

• New GP3 processor

• Open Gate 4K120 video at 4:3

• 8K30/25 at 16:9

• Up to 8x Slo-Mo

• 4K120 at 16:9

• 50MP Photo + RAW

• HLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2

• Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

The Mission 1 Pro is available May 28 for $699 (or $599 for GoPro subscribers).

• New 1-inch sensor

• New GP3 processor

• Open-gate 8K30 video (50MP) at 4:3

• Open-gate 4K120 video (12MP) at 4:3

• 16:9 video up to 8K60/50

• 960fps slow-motion video (up to 32x)

• Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

• 50MP Photo + RAW

• HLG HDR / 10-Bit + GP-Log2

• Up to 5+ hours battery life (2,150mAh Enduro 2 battery)

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro with Dual Battery Charger and new Point-and-Shoot Grip. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Along with the new cameras, GoPro is also introducing new accessories, including the new GoPro Wireless Mic Complete Kit (again, finally), a Point-and-Shoot Grip for the Mission 1 Pro, a new Media Mod, an ND Filter four-pack, Protective Housing (waterproof to 196 feet/60 meters), and a Vertical Mount Adapter.

GoPro's Mission 1 Series has a lot to offer pros and creators GoPro provided this sample photograph shot on the new Mission 1 Pro. Credit: GoPro

In a briefing ahead of the launch, GoPro representatives told me that the Mission 1 Series was specifically designed to support professionals and creators who want the highest level of control over their content. For example, the cameras offer a new 240Mbps high bit-rate mode, which just so happens to be Netflix's required specs for footage.

Their reviewer's guide even helpfully includes recommended LUTs for video editing. And that's a nice and easy way to answer the question: Is the Mission 1 Series worth it for me? I'll put it this way: If you don't work with LUTs, know what GP-Log2 means, or mess around with color grading, then you probably don't need to spend the extra money to invest in the Mission 1 Series.

The GoPro Hero and MAX cameras will do you just fine.

GoPro visualization of the new one-inch sensor in the Mission 1 Series. Credit: GoPro

For pros, creators, and near-pros, the Mission 1 Pro seems mighty impressive to me so far. It's competing more with Sony vlogging cameras and BlackMagic cinema cameras than the average action cam.

The ability to shoot open-gate video in 8K and 4K will be a game-changer for a lot of folks, as will the larger sensor. So, even if I can't yet render a verdict on the new sensor and processor, if you implicitly trust GoPro, I think you can safely invest in these cinematic action cameras.

My very early hands-on impressions Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Having shot with GoPro cameras before, the Mission 1's larger sensor does seem to give you more flexibility. The Hero13 Black already featured digital lenses that let you switch the field of view, but the Mission 1 has even more input to work with. It feels a little bit like a magic trick when you instantly switch from the broad field of view of the Linear (22-27mm) lens to the classic GoPro fisheye look of the Wide (16-24mm) lens.

When editing, you can also switch back and forth from 16:9 to vertical video aspect ratios like 3:4 and 9:16. Again, that's not new with the Mission 1, but with a larger sensor and open-gate capture, you have a much larger and richer canvas to work on.

It's as easy as ever to connect your camera and upload footage in the Quik app. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app Switch from 16:9 to 9:16 in an instant. Credit: Screenshot: Quik app

Thanks to the larger sensor and new GP3 processor, the new GoPro cameras also have much improved low-light performance. And for adventure athletes, classic GoPro features like motion stabilization and horizon lock should also work better than ever, as will digital zoom and subject tracking. The touchscreen and voice controls, auto uploads over WiFi, and Quik app are all highlights for me as well.

GoPro still faces serious competition, and the Mission 1 is only a partial fix

The name "GoPro" is still synonymous with action cameras, but the company is no longer the only name in the game. In recent years, the Chinese companies DJI and Insta360 have introduced some very impressive action cameras of their own, even offering better specs in some regards.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offered a variable aperture, Leica optics, and 8K shooting (the Hero13 Black's maxes out at 5.3K). The DJI Osmo Action 6 Pro boasts better low-light performance than the Hero line thanks to its large sensor. On top of that, DJI also makes the hugely popular Mic Mini and Mic 3.

The new Point-and-Shoot mount. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In the last few years, I've seen DJI in particular become hugely popular with Mashable shoppers, and I've had great experiences working with the DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal, Osmo Pocket cameras, and the TikTok-famous DJI Mic Mini. And while GoPro is now releasing its own wireless mic kit, Insta360 just released a very cool-looking wireless mic with a customizable e-ink display. If you want to stick within a single product ecosystem, DJI now has a lot to offer beyond action cameras and drones.

So, while the Mission 1 Pro (and especially the upcoming Mission 1 Pro ILS) offers a boundary-pushing option for professionals and creators, for the everyday consumer, GoPro still has some hard work ahead. For instance, I'm not sure why you'd buy the new GoPro wireless mic kit unless it was part of a bundle or you're deeply brand-loyal to GoPro.

GoPro seems to be catering to its most hardcore customers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Should you buy the GoPro Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro? Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

If you're a long-time GoPro fan looking to upgrade your camera, then the Mission 1 and Mission 1 Pro have a lot to offer. And with the $100 discount you get as a GoPro subscriber, these cameras are significantly more affordable.

For now, I'll say this: The Mission 1 Pro is expensive for a GoPro action camera, but it's a great price for a cinematic camera.

GoPro Mission 1 Cinematic Action Camera $599.99 at GoPro
  Shop Now at GoPro GoPro Mission 1 Pro Cinematic Action Camera $699.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at GoPro

A quick look at the May 2026 Sony TV releases Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB 4K TV starting at $2,099.99 (55 through 98 inches) Shop Now Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV starting at $3,599.99 (65 through 85 inches) Shop Now Sony Bravia Theater Trio $2,199.99 (9 speakers total) Shop Now

Sony officially unveiled its highly-awaited True RGB TVs on May 27. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II enter the crowded arena of fresh RGB TV releases from Samsung and Hisense, as well as the LG Micro RGB TV that's currently available to preorder. (Tell me RGB was one of the biggest TV trends at CES 2026 without telling me.)

Though Sony's flagship RGB TV announcement came later than those of the other big brands, the two new models are making up for lost time by skipping the preorder window. The Sony Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II are both available for purchase at Sony.com and Best Buy, along with their new home audio sidekick, the Sony Bravia Theater Trio. Let's dive into the differences.

How are the True RGB TVs different than other Bravia models?

Not to be confused with the mini-LED Sony Bravia 7 or Sony Bravia 9 models without "II" on the end, the Bravia 7 II and Sony Bravia 9 II use a new type of backlighting that we've never seen from a Sony TV.

The Sony Bravia 7 II comes in six sizes. Credit: Sony The Sony Bravia 9 II comes in four sizes. Credit: Sony

The traditional LCD panels behind those mini-LED Bravia models stream blue or white LEDs through quantum dots to create color. Those hues definitely beat what you'd see from a regular LED TV without quantum dots, but mini-LEDs still don't achieve 100 percent coverage of the color gamut (the full possible spectrum of colors visible to humans).

Sony's True RGB TVs, however, draw their light from true red, green, and blue light sources — the best you could ask for in terms of color accuracy and saturation. Each of those red, green, and blue LEDs operates independently of one another, offering unprecedented picture quality across the screen. According to the press release, Sony's new RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro processor should improve brightness, reduce blooming, and produce purer color than conventional mini-LED displays.

A Sony OLED TV on the left vs. Sony's new RGB TV on the right. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

This means that the screen should appear just as vibrant to the person sitting on the far edge of the couch as the person in the middle, OLED-style. But unlike OLED TVs, these RGB TVs should be much easier to see in a sunny room.

SEE ALSO: Sony celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 1000X series with a new pair of headphones

Both Sony True RGB Bravia TVs also include Ambient Optimization, which will automatically tweak picture and audio to the current environment. From there, the Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II have a few key differences.

First, here's how much the Sony Bravia 7 II lineup costs:

• Sony 50-inch Bravia 7 II — $1,599.99 (coming this summer)

• Sony 55-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,099.99

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 II — $2,599.99

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,099.99

• Sony 85-inch Bravia 7 II — $3,999.99

• Sony 98-inch Bravia 7 II — $8,999.99

Compared to the RGB flagships from Samsung, LG, and Hisense, Sony will be the only brand to offer a 50-inch RGB model. Until that size launches, the 55-inch $2,099.99 price point isn't outlandish to kick off the tier — that's less than the new 9-speaker Bravia Theater Trio Dolby Atmos system, which costs $2,199.99.

The Sony Bravia 9 II and Theater Trio. Credit: Sony

The Bravia 9 II takes bright room performance up another notch with a special set of advanced backlight controllers and Sony's new glare-free Immersive Black Screen Pro (we saw it in person, and it genuinely is glare-free). The Bravia 9 II may not be an art TV by name or wall mount, but it certainly checks off the matte screen and ambient mode boxes. And yes, Sony has its own art gallery app.

Here's how much the Sony Bravia 9 II lineup costs:

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 9 II — $3,599.99

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 9 II — $4,599.99

• Sony 85-inch Bravia 9 II — $6,499.99

• Sony 115-inch Bravia 9 II — $30,999.99 (coming this fall)

Sony is no stranger to being the most expensive TV choice in any given category, but both Bravia models seem pretty reasonably priced compared to the competition. Samsung and Hisense's two RGB tiers are slightly more affordable than Sony's, with LG's Micro RGB evo leading the pack. Though operations under Sony and TCL's partnership aren't expected until April 2027, could we already be seeing a shift toward (slightly) more affordable Sony TVs?

On the heels of what has (and still is!) been a pretty great month of May, which saw an exploding blood-bag-filled series finale of The Boys, a great new season of Citadel, John Krasinski returned to the role of Jack Ryan, and (still to come this week) Nicolas Cage is Spider Noir, Prime Video just released its lineup of June TV shows and movies to kick off the summer!

Volvo has spent decades building one of the most respected names in the automotive industry. The Volvo XC40, which arrived for the 2018 model year, brought that reputation into the compact SUV segment. Not surprisingly, it earned a loyal customer base on the strength of its Scandinavian roots, which are evident throughout the vehicle, from its interior design to its safety credentials.

When the concept of an "always-on" display was first introduced, many people were immediately turned off by the idea due to battery concerns. I was one of those people. However, after spending years without it, and now owning a phone with an AOD, I’ve realized the feature is far more useful than it initially appears.

YouTube is upgrading its AI labeling system, including a new automatic detection tool, as tech companies ramp up their investments in content provenance.

Previously, videos featuring photorealist AI had to be tagged by their creators or face a strike — once it was tagged as AI, a disclosure label would be added to the description. Now, that label is moving up to the top, more prominently displayed for all to see next to the video's title and in the bottom corner of YouTube Shorts.

SEE ALSO: What to do when your teen replaces you with a chatbot

In a first since the platform introduced labels in 2024, YouTube will also begin scanning content and automatically adding labels to any unmarked videos with significant AI use. "It’s important to note that a disclosure label alone does not change how a video is recommended or whether it’s eligible to earn money," the platform wrote in a recent blog post. "In a world where AI is changing what’s possible, our goal is simple: make it as easy as possible for creators and viewers to have the right information."

YouTube has faced criticism for an abundance of AI "slop" and AI-generated advertising, and the platform has removed millions of channels and videos in response. YouTube CEO Neil Mohan stated that curbing AI slop is a top priority.

Meanwhile, child safety advocates have recently called on the platform to address what they call a dangerous proliferation of AI-generated, animated content aimed at children. In an April letter sent to Mohan and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, a coalition of child advocacy groups urged the platform to ban AI-generated content on YouTube Kids, institute clear AI labels for all content, and implement new parental controls aimed at limiting AI videos.

At the time, YouTube told Mashable it was working on developing labels for YouTube Kids. The company also explained that its current labeling approach doesn't apply to YouTube Kids because of other safety policies, including a lack of descriptions on Kids content.

For now, the new labels only apply to the main YouTube website, not content found on YouTube Kids. In addition, the automatic labelling system will only scan for "photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated" content, a policy which so far has excluded animated or highly stylized video.

Whether you drive a Ford or a Ferrari, you want your car to look its best. I know I do. But the reality is that cars, trucks, and SUVs exist in the real world. They travel on highways where flying rocks and debris pose a constant threat. In parking lots, they're surrounded by vehicles owned by people who may not care as much about their cars as we do about ours.

Google users are flocking to the alternative search engine DuckDuckGo.

According to data provided to Mashable by DuckDuckGo, U.S. installs of the search engine's mobile app are up 18.1 percent week-over-week on average following Google's big I/O event, where the search giant introduced a slew of new AI features into its search product. DuckDuckGo app installs peaked at 33 percent growth on May 25.

Just looking at DuckDuckGo's iOS installs, the growth following Google I/O is even more astonishing, with 33 percent week-over-week growth and peaking at a whopping 69.9 percent on May 25.

According to DuckDuckGo, traffic also spiked to its AI-free search page, noai.duckduckgo.com. This DuckDuckGo search page has every AI featured turned off by default and saw an average of 22.7 week-over-week growth following Google I/O, with a peak of 27.7 percent on May 24.

DuckDuckGo said it wasn't only the timeframe that was relevant, either. The growth happened mainly in the U.S. following Google's "U.S. centric announcement" and does not indicate a coincidental global trend.

The alternative search engine said this growth held throughout the Memorial Day weekend, when traffic usually tends to drop as well.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

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"Google is force-feeding AI with no way to opt out," DuckDuckGo Founder and CEO Gabriel Weinberg said in a statement. "As result, their results are getting worse, not better. We want to be the place that puts users in charge and allows them to decide how much or how little AI they want. That's why we're seeing a spike in people coming to DuckDuckGo this week, it's as simple as that.” 

For years, DuckDuckGo has enticed privacy-seeking users to switch from Google to its alternative with a focus on a pro-privacy feature set. Now, it looks like DuckDuckGo has found a market among users tired of AI taking over the internet as well.

“Not only do we respect user choice, but also user privacy: everything you do in DuckDuckGo is private, we don’t collect search histories or chats and nothing is used for AI training," Weinberg said.

DuckDuckGo has previously launched AI features for its search engine. Search Assist, for example, is DuckDuckGo's version of Google's AI Overviews. The search engine also has a Duck.AI product, which is similar to Google's AI Mode.

However, DuckDuckGo has maintained that these AI features are optional and never forced on users. The company has also launched features that actively remove AI as well, such as AI Image Filter, which filters out AI images from DuckDuckGo's search results.

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USB-C feels like the sensible ending to a long story, and not all of that story made a whole lot of sense. USB took plenty of strange detours before getting there, and some ideas were genius, while others didn't stand the test of time.

Summer is kicking in with full force, and with the temperature rising, Netflix's summer slate of releases, too, picks up heat. It's time for your watch list to get a new look, whether you're looking forward to a cozy romance watch or an addictive new series.

If you’re shopping for an affordable luxury sports sedan, the usual answer has always been a compact Lexus. However, rising prices and a shrinking lineup have opened the door for a newer rival to steal the spotlight. In 2026, one Korean sedan stands out by offering sharper performance, a richer interior, and a lower starting price than its Japanese competitor.

Xreal is taking a swing at the budget end of the smart glasses market. The company announced the a01, a $299 pair of display glasses launching under a new sub-brand called X by Xreal (xbx) is arriving in the U.S. in July, according to a press release shared with Mashable.

As our colleagues at CNET noted, the more affordable AR glasses will compete with the TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro glasses, which significantly undercut Xreal when they launched at $299 earlier this year and introduced HDR10 support to the category.

Credit: Xreal

Like Xreal's other glasses, the a01 functions as a wearable USB-C tethered monitor. It does make some trade-offs to hit that price — the field of view is 50 degrees, slightly narrower than the pricier Xreal One Pro and 1S, and it drops the dimming lens and the chipset that locks a display in place.

Where the a01 makes up ground is brightness. The micro OLED panels push significantly higher nits than previous Xreal hardware and add HDR10 video support. The glasses go up to 1,600 nits and have 14 levels of adjustment. The whole frame comes in under 65 grams. A "anti-shake" mode also aims to smooth out video playback during movement.

The most interesting wrinkle, though, is aesthetic: the a01 comes with snap-on swappable faceplates, letting users swap between clear and sunglass lens styles on the fly. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of detail that makes a budget product feel considered rather than stripped down.

SEE ALSO: Project Aura: Everything to know about Xreal's Android XR glasses Credit: Xreal

The a01 hits China first, then the U.S. in July. An English-language website for the X by Xreal brand is live, but the "Shop" button links to a Chinese order page.

The xbx a01 AR glasses with the Xreal Beam Pro dock. Credit: Xreal