Technology

Take the audio survey.

Here at Mashable, we’re always trying out the latest tech products to help our readers determine whether or not they’re worth it. But now, we want to hear from you about the products you use and love. In this edition of our Readers’ Choice Awards, we’re asking you about the audio gear you use in your daily life, including headphones and earbuds, speakers, and soundbars.

So, take a few minutes to fill out our audio survey. Your thoughts and feedback might just grant your favorite devices a Mashable Readers’ Choice Award — plus you could win a $250 Amazon gift card.

We’ll be running this survey until May 10, 2026, and then we’ll crunch the numbers to see which headphones/earbuds, speakers, and soundbars you all deem the best.

How to enter

There are two methods to enter the Sweepstakes: (1) fill out the online survey, or (2) enter by mail.

1. Survey Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes through the online survey, go to the survey page and complete the current survey during the Sweepstakes Period.

2. Mail Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, on a 3 x 5-inch card, print your first and last name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address. Mail your completed entry to:

Readers' Choice Sweepstakes - Audio
c/o M. Kern
360 Park Ave South, Floor 17
New York, NY 10010

Mail Entries must be postmarked by May 11, 2026, and received by May 17, 2026. For official sweepstakes rules and promotion start and end dates, please click HERE.

Nintendo is remaking Star Fox 64, reviving the retro gaming classic for the Nintendo Switch 2. Announced during a surprise Nintendo Direct livestream on Wednesday, Star Fox will not only upgrade the graphics, but also add new features updating it for modern gamers.

Also known as Lylat Wars, Star Fox 64 is a 1997 rail shooter developed for Nintendo 64. Playing as humanoid fox Fox McCloud, players defend the fictional Lylat star system by shooting down enemies and dodging obstacles in his spaceship. Star Fox 64 was a significant hit that is still fondly remembered today — and also spawned the classic meme "do a barrel roll."

Now Fox McCloud is back in Star Fox, sporting "a more animal-like design" alongside fellow Star Fox team members Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad.

"Star Fox is based on the Nintendo 64 game Star Fox 64, but the visuals have been completely updated," said Nintendo senior executive officer Yoshiaki Koizumi, speaking via a translator during the prerecorded livestream. "All of the characters in the game have also been redesigned."

Nintendo states that level layouts will be the same as in Star Fox 64, and that the banter between the Star Fox team is returning. Star Fox 64's vehicles are back too, with players able to pilot the Landmaster land vehicle, Blue-Marine submersible, and Fox McCloud's trusty Arwing spaceship. And yes, it will be able to do a barrel roll.

Credit: Nintendo Credit: Nintendo

The remake does make a few changes though, with new mission briefing cutscenes placed between stages to flesh out the story. Star Fox will have online multiplayer and matchmaking too, allowing players to work in teams and compete against each other remotely. The game will still have local co-op, but rather than the split-screen days of yore, players will be able to share Star Fox from a Nintendo Switch 2 to other local Switch devices via the GameShare.

Interestingly, Star Fox will let players split pilot and gunner controls for a single vehicle if they so choose, which seems like a handy co-op option for getting younger children involved. Players can also use a Joy-Con 2 controller like a mouse for more precise targeting, or go completely old-school with a Nintendo 64 controller.

Star Fox offers character avatars in the Switch 2's GameChat as well. This feature tracks players' head and face movements via webcam, animating characters to match it in real time and displaying this to others using Nintendo's voice and video chat system.

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Reaction to Nintendo's announcement has been mixed. While some are excited about the prospect of a new game in the Star Fox franchise, others have criticised the hyperrealistic look of its anthropomorphic animal characters, or bemoaned the fact that it's a remake instead of a new original game in the series.

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This isn't Nintendo's first Star Fox 64 remake. The company previously remade the game for Nintendo 3DS in 2011, entitled Star Fox 64 3D. Then in 2016, the Japanese gaming giant released Wii U reboot Star Fox Zero. A decade later, a new version of Star Fox 64 is now on its way, and it won't be long to wait.

Star Fox launches on June 25 for $49.99, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are open now.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an NBA fan.

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 7, 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: Big catch

• Green: Many

• Blue: A sports no-no

• Purple: Ascend and descend

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Fishing gear

• Green: Multitude

• Blue: Commit a basketball infraction

• Purple: Controlled with up/down buttons

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 #1061 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Fishing gear: FLY, HOOK, LINE, NET

• Multitude: DROVE, HOST, MASS, PACK

• Commit a basketball infraction: CARRY, DOUBLE-DRIBBLE, GOALTEND, TRAVEL

• Controlled with up/down buttons: CAR WINDOW, CHANNEL, ELEVATOR, VOLUME

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 7, 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 always ask for permission.

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 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Go right ahead!

The words are related to permission.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being allowed.

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 Give the Nod.

NYT Strands word list for May 7

• Approve

• Permit

• Sanction

• Give the Nod

• Allow

• Bless

• License

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're always on the move.

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 7, 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 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To move.

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 B.

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...

BUDGE

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.

Apple has reached a $250 million settlement in a lawsuit that accused the company of exaggerating Apple Intelligence's intelligence.

The suit claimed that Apple misled iPhone users about Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI tools, before and after the launch of the iPhone 16 in Sep. 2024. The settlement filing states that U.S. shoppers who bought certain iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025 may qualify to receive a portion of the $250 million settlement.

Multiple class-action suits were filed over Apple Intelligence marketing before being combined into a single action. According to the May 5 filing with a U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, both parties in the case have now agreed to settle.

Once a judge approves the agreement, qualifying Apple customers will be able to receive payments between $25 to $95.

As is typical in class-action settlements, Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing. The company defended itself in a statement sent to the New York Times: "We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users."

Why was Apple sued in the first place?

When ChatGPT burst onto the tech scene in 2022, it ignited a global AI arms race. While companies like Google have been able to release competitors to ChatGPT, Tim Cook's company staked out a cautious position on the sidelines.

In 2024, Apple launched its own AI tools under the banner of Apple Intelligence. Early marketing for Apple Intelligence highlighted a variety of use cases, such as writing emails and a more conversational, intelligent Siri.

The lawsuit states that Apple promised iPhone shoppers "enhanced Siri features" and advanced AI capabilities, and that its failure to deliver violated consumer protection laws.

Apple's stalled work on an AI version of Siri has been one of the biggest ongoing stories in the tech industry in recent years. The company is expected to finally release the updated Siri at the WWDC 2026 event in June, two years behind schedule.

In short, the suit claims that Apple oversold customers on AI features that weren't even built, and that remain undelivered today.

"We are proud to secure a historic settlement on behalf of consumers who should feel confident and protected when deciding where to spend their hard-earned dollars," said Ryan Clarkson, founder and managing partner of Clarkson Law Firm, one of the firms involved in the class-action case. "We are at an inflection point with AI, and the choices companies and regulators make now will shape how this technology impacts everyday people."

Clarkson told Mashable that "the balance of power between ordinary consumers and rich and powerful corporations" may depend on lawsuits like this, at least "until the political gridlock is cleared in Washington." He called out companies like Apple for "mandatory arbitration provisions buried in pages of so-called terms of service that avoid accountability, shut the courthouse doors, and force individuals to assert low-dollar claims in secret tribunals outside the public eye."

What iPhone models are included in the class-action settlement?

The agreement stipulates that shoppers who reside in the U.S. and purchased iPhones with Apple Intelligence features between June 2024 and March 2025 may be eligible for compensation. The phones named in the agreement include:

• iPhone 16

• iPhone 16e

• iPhone 16 Plus

• iPhone 16 Pro

• iPhone 16 Pro Max

• iPhone 15 Pro

• iPhone 15 Pro Max

Typically, class-action settlements like this require approval from a judge. Notices will go out automatically to many customers, and a settlement website will be created with additional information on consumers' rights in the case.

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

What a difference an inch makes.

That was my first thought on using the Paper Pure, the new entry-level e-ink tablet offering from Remarkable. And it's been my thought several times since, whenever I surprised myself by reaching for the Pure to write my daily journal when its pricier cousins were right there.

Remarkable is the Norwegian e-ink tablet maker behind the A4-sized Remarkable Paper Pro (from $579) and the reporters' notebook-sized Remarkable Paper Pro Move. Until now, the company has offered the $399 Remarkable 2 (originally released in 2020) as its entry-level e-ink tablet. And in some respects, the Paper Pure is a Remarkable 2 in new clothing.

Family portrait: The new Remarkable Paper Pure, center, flanked by the Paper Pro (L) and Paper Pro Move (R). Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

The size of the screen itself, 11 inches, is identical to the Remarkable 2. As with the Remarkable 2, the Paper Pure offers no backlight or color e-ink (if either are necessities for you, go directly to our Paper Pro, Paper Pro Move, or Kindle Colorsoft Scribe reviews).

The Marker stylus included at that $399 price point is the improved version also used on the Paper Pro models. You can pay more for one with a physical eraser on one end — the Marker Plus (which will set you back $40 more as part of a bundle that also includes a Sleeve Folio). But if you care about that rather than the on-screen eraser tool, you're probably in the market for a pricier e-ink tablet.

Likewise, if latency is important (that is, the gap between the stylus hitting the screen and ink appearing), the Paper Pure is a tiny step down from its pricier brethren — a 21 millisecond gap rather than 12 milliseconds on the Paper Pro models.

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

The Paper Pure feels lighter than air The plastic back of the Remarkable Paper Pure: Not cheap, super light. Credit: Remarkable

But what the Paper Pure lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in sheer usability. If you're new to the whole concept of e-ink tablets — the pen-on-paper-like notepads that are easy on your eyes, easy to use in sunlight, and in the style of a Kindle — then the Pure is the best place to start. If you're a power user who can afford both, the Pure may be the one you feel comfortable throwing into your work bag while keeping a Pro at home.

Part of that sense of usability is the weight difference. Not to weight-shame, but at 360 grams (0.79 lbs), the Paper Pure is 44 grams (1.55 ounces) lighter than the Remarkable 2 — even as the Remarkable 2 is a hair's-breadth slimmer than the Pure.

Does that make a difference? Heck yeah, it does, and your wrist will thank you. There's not even the mildest clenching of tendons in your forearm when your hand holds a Pure, the way you might be used to clenching when picking up a regular tablet. For comparison, the latest 11-inch iPad Air is 1.02 lbs (462g). The Paper Pure is the kind of tablet for which the designation "air" really makes sense.

Fortunately, you don't have to sacrifice much in the way of performance. The new e-ink tablet actually has double the RAM and four times the storage of its admittedly aged predecessor (2GB and 32GB, respectively).

Side view: Look at the lovely round edges. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

How did Remarkable achieve this lightness? It's largely in the housing; the Remarkable 2 used brushed aluminum for its backside, and the Paper Pure uses plastic. But the Paper Pure's plastic back doesn't feel cheap. In fact, it feels a tad more welcoming. The metal back on the Remarkable 2 and the Paper Pro both feel cold to the touch; the Pure is more like room temperature.

More weight has been shed by the decision to not include a connector for the Folio keyboard, which you could get as an extra for the Remarkable 2. To my mind, this is no great loss; I've had the Folio for years, and can count on one hand the number of times I've used it for any length of time. Typing is not the point on an e-ink tablet; handwriting (which can convert to text) and sketching are the point.

When you do need to type — and it is nice to have the option to go back and forth — I've found that the on-screen keyboard is enough. If you're typing all the time, maybe what you're looking for is a laptop, or an iPad with a Magic Keyboard, rather than an e-ink tablet. The refresh rate on e-ink is a perpetual problem, and it's always going to make typing seem slower than we're used to.

The Paper Pure is a little bit shorter Old vs. new: The Remarkable 2 (left) and the Remarkable Paper Pure. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Then there's that other crucial difference in form factor: height. The Pure is like a Remarkable 2, but roughly an inch shorter (8.9 in. vs 9.7 in., to be exact). It also has notably rounder edges, which is the kind of thing design nerds care about, but they do combine with the height and weight differential to make the Pure feel ... well, in a word, friendlier.

The battery life is also friendlier. Remarkable says a single charge lasts three weeks in the Paper Pure. That's the kind of claim it's hard to test for a launch-day review, but I have no reason to doubt it. Certainly, the Pure lasts longer than the Paper Pro and the Paper Pro Move, but in my experience, both tend to turn on at the slightest bag jostle, burning through battery life with that backlight.

Do you need a backlight, anyway? I thought I did, for end-of-day journal writing. But increasingly, research shows that any bright light at night (not just the blue light from regular LCD displays) can wake our brains up just when they're supposed to be going to sleep. After a few bouts of insomnia coincided with Paper Pro use, I've decided the Pure and a dimmed bedside lamp are all I really need at the end of the day.

The Remarkable Paper Pure Folio case — a good dust-catcher Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

And what about the Paper Pure versus the even smaller Paper Pro Move, which I rhapsodized about last year? I still love my Move, especially the ability to toss it in almost any jacket pocket. When packing for trips, when space is at a premium, the Move is the Remarkable I'll reach for. It's great for privacy, too, and it's the Remarkable to use on a plane with a nosy seatmate (or at a press conference).

Still, most of us aren't exactly secret agents, and the Move has turned out to be a little too small for many real-life use cases. Over time, I have noticed my handwriting looks significantly worse on the Move, compared to Remarkable devices with larger screens, and that my posture gets worse as I use it, peering at the smaller screen.

But with the Paper Pure, it feels more like you're toting around a kind of short-but-cheerful clipboard. (For this reason, I never saw a need to put the Pure inside its Folio sleeve case.) I can also see doctors using it while doing their hospital rounds if, for example, they can't afford to let their handwriting suffer on the Move. Or I can imagine pulling it out at a regular conference room meeting, without derailing the meeting with questions about your snazzy device (the downside of light and color on the Pro devices: they often attract attention.)

The verdict: An impressive e-ink tablet with a great price

The Remarkable Paper Pure is your workhorse e-ink tablet. Or if you prefer a horse racing analogy, the Pure is an excellent jockey — a job where being a couple of ounces lighter and an inch shorter can make all the difference.

You can order the Remarkable Paper Pure starting May 6 for $399 at the Remarkable online store. You can purchase a Sleeve Folio case for $69.

Opens in a new window Credit: Remarkable Remarkable Paper Pure $399 at Remarkable
  Shop Now

The world has no shortage of Pride and Prejudice adaptations.

On top of screen adaptations like the 1995 miniseries and the 2005 film (as well as Netflix's upcoming movie), Jane Austen's enduring novel has spawned several spin-off books, like P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley, Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy's Diary, and Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister. The latter is the source material for a miniseries that aired on BBC One earlier this year to critical and public acclaim. Now, The Other Bennet Sister has made its way to U.S. audiences via BritBox, and it's the perfect watch for any Austen head. If you love Pride and Prejudice (either the novel or its many reincarnations), then here are five reasons to make The Other Bennet Sister your next binge.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now 1. It revisits Pride and Prejudice through a fresh set of eyes.

The titular Bennet sister is Mary (Ella Bruccoleri), the Bennet family's bookish, occasionally scolding middle child. Her family, especially her mother (Ruth Jones), finds her plain and uninteresting, and therefore have all resigned themselves to the fact that she will never find a suitable match. Because of this, Mary spends much of her time as a wallflower. It's through her wounded eyes that we witness the events of Pride and Prejudice play out anew, from Lizzie's (Poppy Gilbert) first anger at Mr. Darcy's (Victor Pilard) rude comments to her rejection of Mr. Collins' (Ryan Sampson) marriage proposal.

Thankfully, The Other Bennet Sister doesn't just offer up a Pride and Prejudice rehash. (In fact, it speedruns the book in its first two episodes.) Instead, it gives Austen fans just enough hints at the broader story they know and love, while still centering Mary's outsider perspective. This approach leads to several moving reframes of book scenes. Remember when Mary sings horribly at a ball, much to Lizzie's disapproval? The Other Bennet Sister dives into why she's so intent on singing at this moment, and how awful she feels after Lizzie cuts her performance short. Scenes like these make you consider the book differently, while also letting the original stand on its own.

2. It will make you think differently about certain Pride and Prejudice characters.

The Other Bennet Sister won't just make you reevaluate the oft-shunned Mary's role in Pride and Prejudice. It will also prompt you to reconsider your ideas of some of the novel's most ridiculous or villainous characters.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Pride and Prejudice' teaser has bewitched us

Take Mr. Collins, for instance. He's often an insufferable source of comic relief, and while The Other Bennet Sister still plays his fuddy-duddyness for laughs, it also proposes that he's fully aware of how much others disdain him. On top of generating empathy for him, The Other Bennet Sister also spends extra time on Charlotte Lucas' (Anna Fenton-Garvey) choice to marry him, and even tries to get inside the head of the icy Caroline Bingley (Tanya Reynolds). Could these reappraisals spark a new appreciation for these characters on your next Pride and Prejudice read-through?

3. It features a charming lead performance from Ella Bruccoleri...

In Bruccoleri's hands, Mary Bennet surges from the margins of Pride and Prejudice and into the spotlight with resounding success. She wrings heartbreak from the Bennets' constant dismissals of Mary and manages to turn Mary's pedantic corrections of the most minute details into timid moments of rebellion. When Mary corrects her mother on whether someone is coming "up" or "down" from London, she's really trying to assert power over the person who puts her down the most. Bruccoleri delivers each correction as if it's a surprise even to Mary, the words flying out of her before she's had the chance to think them through. (Granted, the character's most grating tendencies have been sanded down a bit for the adaptation, and I do sometimes wish they had let Mary be more conceited.)

Bruccoleri especially shines as The Other Bennet Sister moves to London, where Mary meets up with people who see her true value. Here, she undergoes a metamorphosis. Not a rom-com-style glow-up, but an opening of her mind and heart to others. It's a sweet arc that Bruccoleri charts with a winning openness, even when Mary herself struggles to close herself off.

4. ... and a swoon-worthy love interest in Dónal Finn's Tom Hayward.

One of the people who sees Mary's virtues immediately is Tom Hayward (Dónal Finn), a lawyer with a penchant for poetry. He may not be an actual Austen character, but he does make a fine addition to the canon of Regency romantic heroes.

Tom always appreciates Mary wholeheartedly and is willing to meet her at her level no matter the circumstance. In one serious scene, the pair discuss a potential future before Mary begins imitating the bird calls she hears around them. Undeterred, Tom joins right in. Their earlier conversation can wait! He also seeks to broaden her horizons. When she admits she doesn't like poetry because she can't feel the meaning of the words on the page, he organizes a private poetry performance in a secret garden dripping with lilacs. It's official: Romance isn't dead thanks to Tom Hayward, as well as Dónal Finn's charismatic performance in the role.

5. It's a more grounded Regency romance than Bridgerton.

No hate to Bridgerton, especially its spectacular fourth season, but sometimes you just want your Regency romance without the string quartet pop covers or fantastical costumes. Enter The Other Bennet Sister.

While I'm no expert on "historically accurate" aesthetics (nor do I believe a show needs accuracy to be good), The Other Bennet Sister's less elaborate balls and quieter costuming nicely match Mary's practicality. This isn't to say there is no fantasy. After all, one scene late in the season riffs on Colin Firth's Darcy's infamous lake scene. Yet for the most part, The Other Bennet Sister and its central romance succeed in their restraint: in Finn's longing delivery of each polite "Miss Bennet," in each lingering shot of Tom's forearms as he rolls up his sleeves. There's yearning to spare here, and The Other Bennet Sister weaves it expertly into Mary's tale of self-discovery to create a sweet spring TV treat.

The first three episodes of The Other Bennet Sister are now streaming on BritBox, with new episodes every Wednesday.

TL;DR: A well-specced Dell 15 laptop for $306.99 — fast SSD, solid performance, and ready for everyday use.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell 15 2024 15.6-Inch (Certified Refurbished) $306.99
$349.99 Save $43   Get Deal

You don’t need to spend big to get a laptop that keeps up. If you are in the market for a new machine that doesn’t cost a small fortune, this near-mint Dell 15 is on sale for just $306.99 (reg. $349.99) while stock is still available.

This laptop features an Intel Core 3 processor with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which is a surprisingly solid combo at this price. This translates to it booting quickly, handling multiple tabs without choking, and keeping everyday tasks moving without frustration. Whether it’s emails, spreadsheets, streaming, or general browsing, it covers the basics comfortably.

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The 15.6-inch Full HD display gives you enough screen real estate to actually work without feeling cramped, and the anti-glare panel helps if you’re not always in perfect lighting. It’s the kind of laptop you can use for a few hours without constantly adjusting things.

Connectivity is where it over-delivers. You’ve got USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and WiFi 6, so it plays nicely with modern accessories and faster networks. No dongle drama necessary.

Battery life is rated up to around eight hours, which is enough for a work session, classes, or a long stretch away from an outlet.

And because it’s Grade A refurbished, you’re getting something that runs like new and looks close to new without paying full price.

If you want a reliable, no-nonsense laptop with the right specs in the right places, this is one of those rare options that makes a lot of sense.

Get this near-mint Dell 15 for just $306.99 (reg. $349.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The Toyota Crown Signia lands in a pretty interesting spot that a lot of entry-level luxury SUVs struggle to hit. It’s comfortable, well-built, and loaded with tech in a way that feels more premium than you’d expect at this price.

That was quick.

Some of the biggest AI companies have just agreed to provide the U.S. government with early access to their new AI models. And this went down just one day after a report from the New York Times detailed how the Trump administration was looking into government oversight of new AI models.

According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, three of tech's biggest AI companies — Google, Microsoft, and xAI — have all reached an agreement with the Trump administration to provide access to new frontier models before they are released to the public.

The three companies will provide this access to the Commerce Department’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), which will evaluate new AI models on their capabilities and security. OpenAI and Anthropic have both previously agreed to a similar agreement with the Commerce Department in 2024.

CAISI has already completed over 40 evaluations on AI models before their release to the public.

“Independent, rigorous measurement science is essential to understanding frontier AI and its national security implications,” CAISI director Chris Fall said to the WSJ. “These expanded industry collaborations help us scale our work in the public interest at a critical moment.”

Earlier this week, the WSJ also reported that the Trump administration is looking into a "cybersecurity-focused executive order," which would create an oversight group whose role is to create standards for AI models.

These recent developments come in the wake of the Trump administration's feud with AI company Anthropic earlier this year. The US government declared Anthropic and its AI chatbot Claude was a supply chain risk to national security after the AI company requested that the Trump administration not use its technology for warfare or mass surveillance purposes.

Previously, the Trump administration has taken a very pro-AI stance, citing the need for U.S. companies to maintain an edge over their Chinese rivals.

The Toyota Corolla is the safe, sensible choice, reliable, efficient, and brand new for the price. It’s the kind of car you buy when you want zero surprises. But in today’s market, that same money can unlock something far more exciting, if you’re willing to look in the right places.

Connections pulled a classic game design trick this week: showing the player a challenge they haven't seen before, but have unknowingly been preparing for this whole time.

The popular New York Times puzzle game, in which players usually are tasked with grouping a bunch of random words together into hidden categories, threw a heck of a curveball on Wednesday, May 6. If you haven't checked it out yet, today's puzzle is a bit strange in that it doesn't include words at all.

Instead, it's a bunch of symbols of mundane objects.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 6, 2026 Uh...what? Credit: Screenshot: The New York Times

The puzzle actually makes some sense if you do what I did and just look up the answers, but for everyday Connections players, it's obviously going to be a more stiff challenge than usual. Of course, people on the internet had some real thoughts about this. Mostly very negative thoughts, to be precise.

Turns out, people really don't like it when you mess with their daily New York Times gaming routine.

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But there was at least one person who thought it was pretty neat.

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Hopefully, tomorrow's puzzle is just words again.

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

Microsoft stands out as one of the most environmentally responsible companies in Big Tech, but a new report indicates it may be retreating from one of its most ambitious climate goals.

The Redmond, Washington-based company previously pledged to match 100 percent of its hourly electricity use with renewable energy purchases by 2030; Microsoft already meets its annual targets for renewable energy matches.

SEE ALSO: Trump plans to kill Energy Star appliance program

Now, with pressure to construct data centers to fuel AI, Microsoft is considering delaying or abandoning that hourly goal, Bloomberg reports.

The hourly clean power goal is named 100/100/0, indicating the intent to match all of its energy use, all of the time, with zero-carbon energy purchases. That goal is complicated by the enormous amount Microsoft is spending on data centers, around $190 billion through the end of the year. The data center boom has equated to less money for other corporate endeavors, like clean energy. In the wake of those costs, Microsoft has already begun reducing its carbon-dioxide removal program.

Many tech companies are looking to natural gas — which emits Earth-warming greenhouse gases — to partially power their data centers, rather than cleaner energy sources like solar, wind, or hydro power. 

The companies of Big Tech are all emitting more carbon in the wake of the AI race; Microsoft has seen a 23 percent jump in carbon emissions since late 2022, while Google's increased by 51 percent and Meta's by 64 percent during that same time period, Bloomberg reports.

You no longer have to shop the Ring lineup if you want an Amazon video doorbell with high-quality visuals. The company's Blink brand has released two new doorbells that promise a 2K resolution and AI alerts to help you learn who (or what) is outside.

Having spent 20 years building PCs from scratch, I've seen all kinds of hardware quirks and innovations come and go. I've been there when every PC without fail had an optical drive bay at the front, and I'm here now when that's just not a thing at all anymore. And while I love the new case aesthetics we were able to achieve by getting rid of that drive bay, I do miss it.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, vinyl has come back from the digital brink, outselling CDs in the U.S. since 2020 to become the leader in physical media sales. You’d have thought that success was solely on the back of nostalgia and reliving the glory days. But you’d be wrong. Generations that grew up streaming have also decided that holding a black petroleum disc in their hands is more valuable than a Spotify subscription.

A Utah law, enacted Wednesday, seeks to ban the use of VPNs to access porn sites.

The statute is part of SB 73, which contains amendments to the state's age-verification law. These laws typically require some proof of age to access adult content (or any content the state deems "harmful to minors").

Utah's age-verification law, SB 287, went into effect in 2023; it requires age verification via a digital ID card, a third-party verification service, or a credit card.

Pornhub promptly blocked users in Utah as the law went into effect.

SEE ALSO: Some UK users can go back on Pornhub. See if you're one of them.

Age verification often doesn't work because it can be circumvented. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which mask a user's real location, are one popular method for doing that. That's what the Utah law aims to tackle when it says porn sites must not allow VPN usage. Here's the relevant language:

A commercial entity that operates a website that contains a substantial portion of material harmful to minors may not facilitate or encourage the use of a virtual private network, proxy server, or other means to circumvent age verification requirements, including by providing: (a)instructions on how to use a virtual private network or proxy server to access the website; or (b) means for individuals in this state to circumvent geofencing or blocking.

"Utah just became the first state in the U.S. to target VPN usage, and they are embarrassing themselves," said Lia Holland, campaigns and communications director at digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, in a statement sent to Mashable.

Holland added that the legal language in question reads like AI slop.

"You cannot require a website doing age verification to determine where someone using a reputable VPN is browsing from — this feat is literally impossible by design for even the best hacker," Holland continued. Websites are left with three choices, Holland said: block everyone using a VPN (which is likely impossible), require every site visitor to verify their age, or censor everything that might fall under Utah's "harmful to minors" standard.

Fight for the Future says it will endorse any lawsuit filed against Utah to overturn this law.

The digital civil liberties nonprofit, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), also criticized SB 73. EFF's associate director of state affairs, Rindala Alajaji, wrote in a blog post published April 30: "These provisions won't stop a tech-savvy teenager, but they certainly will impact the privacy of every regular Utah resident who just wants to keep their data out of the hands of brokers or malicious actors."

Alajaii added: "attacks on VPNs are, at their core, attacks on the tools that enable digital privacy. Utah is setting a precedent that prioritizes government control over the fundamental architecture of a private and secure internet, and it won't stop at the state's borders."

"Protecting kids while preserving freedom is not a new concept," SB 73 sponsor Sen. Calvin Musselman told The Salt Lake Tribune, and compared it to policies about alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. (Alcohol, tobacco, and gambling aren't protected by the First Amendment, however; free speech is.)

SB 73 appears to be the first bill enacted to block VPNs, but another ban has been proposed in Michigan. The UK government is also considering a ban on VPNs for minors.

When speaking with Mashable last year about age-verification, First Amendment experts warned of second-order censorship. The first order is age verification, they explained, but people find workarounds. Second-order censorship means banning the workarounds.

Android might be famous as an open ecosystem, but Google has made some features exclusive to Pixel devices. A handful of Pixel-exclusive features have genuinely changed how I use my phone, but a few others are best left undiscovered. Here's every major Pixel exclusive, ranked from the one I can't live without to the one I'd happily never think about.

Affordable electric crossovers aren’t usually where you go looking for a premium experience. Most options in this segment focus on value first, with simple interiors, modest performance, and just enough tech to get the job done. Luxury brands, on the other hand, tend to sit comfortably above that price bracket. At least, that’s how it’s always worked.