Technology

Few laptops have as much of a legacy as the ThinkPad. It first started as an IBM product, and while the lineup is managed by Lenovo today, they are still awesome pieces of hardware. Now, if you need a keyboard with a nub in your life, there's a few new ThinkPads. And they all look great.

20 years ago, a 19-second video in crisp 240p changed everything. You might not remember it, but a humble video simply titled "Me at the zoo" quietly marked the dawn of a new era. Oh, how far we've come since then.

You can't just throw away batteries in the trash, nor can you recycle them with normal bottles and plastic. Make sure to recycle them properly for the environment.

SAVE $12: As of April 23, the Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet is on sale for $47.99 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $59.99.

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$59.99 Save $12 Get Deal

Lego sets are always a fun gift idea. Personally, I'm a big fan of Lego, and it's always great to see the new sets coming out. Some of the cutest sets from Lego are the various floral arrangements, and right now you can score a nice deal on the Lego Botanicals Wildflower Bouquet. With Mother's Day coming up, this is a fun gift idea to scoop up.

The Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet has received a 20% discount at Amazon, dropping its price from $59.99 to $47.99. This deal is very close to its lowest-ever price of $47.95, so there's no better time than now to add it into your shopping cart.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away Grogu models for free to celebrate Star Wars Day. Here’s how to get yours.

Complete with 939 pieces, this set offers a beautiful variety of wildflowers, including cornflowers, lavender, Welsh poppies, cow parsley, leatherleaf ferns, gerbera daisies, larkspur, and lupins. It's an arrangement bursting with color and even comes with 16 individual stems so you can set them up in a vase.

This Lego set is a great gift to work on together this Mother's Day. Don't miss out on 20% off the Botanicals Wildflower Bouquet set at Amazon.

Lego has even more to offer this Mother's Day, too. If you visit a select Lego Store on April 27 (from 12-2 p.m.), you could have the opportunity to participate in a Lego Mother's Day Flower model make and take event to get a cute flower set for free.

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's The Mini crossword answers for April 23 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: Found on a Redwood

• Green: Features of common house pets

• Blue: SNL is full of these

• Purple: The second half is the same

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a tree

• Green: Canine/feline features

• Blue: Comedic routine

• Purple: __Pole

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 #682 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a tree: BRANCH, LEAF, ROOT, TRUNK

• Canine/feline features: FUR, MUZZLE, PAW, TAIL

• Comedic routine: ACT, BIT, GAG, SKETCH

• __Pole: BEAN, FLAG, MAY, TAD

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 April 23

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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 today's Connections.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for April 23 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's The Mini crossword answers for April 23, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A gas found in Earth's atmosphere.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

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...

OZONE.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 23

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 today's Wordle.

Are you looking for a board game that can be 3D printed at home? Whether you're avoiding spending money or just want to be able to say that you've made your own game, these are some of the best board games to print at home.

Ford has announced three fresh recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The move affects various popular models, including the F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator.

SAVE OVER $40: As of April 23, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds are on sale for $78 at Amazon. That's 35% off their list price of $119.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C700N Earbuds $78 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal

A good pair of earbuds are a must if you listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more — especially if you have travel plans this year, as they can keep you entertained on any sort of journey. If you've been on the hunt for a new pair, there are some worthwhile deals floating around right now. This includes a discount on the Sony WF-C700N earbuds, which have returned to their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are 35% off, which has dropped their price from $119.99 to $78. They're currently listed as a limited-time deal, so if they've caught your eye you'll want to act fast to pick them up at their lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

Sony's WF-C700N earbuds are worth the investment. Boasting up to 15 hours of battery with the charging case and a comfortable fit, these earbuds will keep you entertained for ages, making them a great fit for any long trips you have coming up. They also have noise-canceling features, so you can remain immersed in what you're listening to without anything leaking in.

This limited-time deal won't last for long, though. Score the Sony WF-C700N earbuds back at their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

If you'd prefer to have over-ear headphones, you can also take advantage of some great deals on Sony's WH-1000XM4s and Sony ULT WEAR headphones.

The HyperX Pulsefire Saga Pro is a pretty run-of-the-mill gaming mouse when it comes to specs, but that's not what makes it special. With a wide range of 3D printable files, this mouse can be customized like none I've ever used before, and I absolutely love that.

SAVE $30: As of April 23, the JBL Flip 6 portable speaker is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's 23% off its list price of $129.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal

If you're planning some trips this year, whether it's to the pool or out camping, a portable speaker can be a great traveling companion to keep you busy with music and more. The good news is there has been a wide range on sale lately, so you can save on something new. One of our favorites at the moment is this deal on the JBL Flip 6, which has dropped below $100.

The JBL Flip 6 portable speaker is currently listed for $99.95, a 23% price drop from $129.95. Several different color options are on sale as well, so you can choose between black, blue, camo, green, grey, pink, red, teal, and white. On top of the deal, select speaker colors also come with a 90-day free trial of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan. This offer is only available to new subscribers.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best Bluetooth speakers, tested

JBL's Flip 6 speaker boasts powerful sound and a compact build that's perfect for taking on any journeys you go on. No matter the location, it's also waterproof and dustproof to handle some of the elements around it. And with up to 12 hours of battery life, you can keep the tunes going for longer between charges.

Make your outdoor adventures even more fun with the JBL Flip 6 portable speaker. Don't miss out on 23% off at Amazon.

If you prefer to listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts on your own, there are some great headphone deals available right now. Over at Amazon, you can also score discounts on Sony's WH-1000XM4s and the Sony ULT WEAR headphones.

Astronomers have accidentally found a planet with a debris trail like a comet that stretches up to 5.5 million miles in space. 

This strange exoplanet, located 140 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Pegasus, appears to be rapidly falling apart. Its blistering host star is so close, the radiation is effectively melting it down, leaving behind a long tail of dust. 

Scientists say the rocky world, labeled BD+05 4868 Ab, is losing about one Mount Everest's worth of rock material with each orbit. At that rate, it may completely disintegrate in 1 million to 2 million years.

A team of MIT-led researchers discovered the planet with NASA's TESS mission — short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite — a probe designed to find new worlds as they pass in front of their host stars. The findings are published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

"We weren't looking for this kind of planet," said Marc Hon, the paper's lead author, in a statement. "I happened to spot this signal that appeared very unusual."

SEE ALSO: A star was wrongly accused of a cosmic crime: devouring its own planet A team of MIT-led researchers discovered the planet with NASA's TESS mission — short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite — a probe designed to find new worlds as they pass in front of their host stars. Credit: NASA illustration

Only three other planets with tails, all discovered more than a decade ago, are known. But this one stands out for the length of its tail and how bright its star is, making it easier to study with powerful telescopes. The research team intends to follow up with James Webb Space Telescope observations this summer to study the tail's features and decipher what minerals make up the planet. 

One thing they already know about the tail is that its dust particles are surprisingly large — the size of sand grains. Without this gargantuan tail, scientists may not have known the planet was crumbling. The tail had been blocking some of the star's light after the planet passed in front of it, which caused the star to dim in unexpected ways. Those dimmings were uneven and appeared to change each time the planet zipped by.

"We got lucky with catching it exactly when it's really going away," said Avi Shporer, one of the paper's co-authors, in a statement. "It's like on its last breath."

Exoplanet BD+05 4868 Ab is about the size of Mercury and wraps around its star once every 30.5 hours — meaning its year is only slightly longer than a day on Earth. That's possible in part because the planet is roughly 20 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the sun. At that distance, the planet’s surface is perhaps 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and covered in magma. 

The team believes the star has whittled away the planet over billions of years. Its diminutive size means it doesn’t have enough gravity to hold onto its material, thus compounding the effect.

Researchers are now sifting through TESS data, hoping to find more planets with tails like BD+05 4868 Ab. They may have stumbled upon a unique way to directly study the interior composition of a rocky planet. Such work could give astronomers a better understanding of the diversity of other terrestrial planets like Earth in the galaxy.

"Sometimes with the food comes the appetite," Shporer said.

Flying was never the most stress-free way to travel, but thanks to never-ending airline delays, unruly passengers, and the incredible shrinking airline seat, it can be a nightmare. Not to mention the added anxiety of recent airplane crashes. If you're ready to upgrade your flying experience, picking up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way.

You definitely have options: plenty of headphones, from over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds, offer active noise cancellation. And in 2025, it's not too hard to find ANC headphones for under $100. That said, we do recommend spending a little more to enjoy maximum calm at 35,000 feet. To make sure your investment is worth it, we've tried and tested the top noise-cancelling headphones on the market.

SEE ALSO: Are you scared to fly? The internet is, too. How much should I spend on noise-cancelling headphones?

If you want to find the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying, you should be prepared to pay $250 to $500. Premium headphones offer improved active noise cancellation, customizable settings, and transparency modes that allow you to hear those all-important gate announcements.

Many cheap headphones claim to offer "noise-cancelling" features, but a random pair of $50 over-ear headphones with passive noise cancellation will let a lot of sound through. They'll also struggle to connect and switch between devices easily, or simply feel uncomfortable.

SEE ALSO: What does Airplane Mode do?

At the end of the day, going for that good all-around pair is worth it, because on a flight, ANC on its own won't save the day — otherwise, we'd just direct you to our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones. For long flights, comfort is also key. It won't matter if your headphones block sound if you only want to wear them for two out of five hours of your flight. And because this is a flying-focused roundup, we did give extra points to headphones with thoughtful design that makes storage easy.

If that $250-plus price range feels totally out of the question, we've included a couple of budget earbuds in the under-$100 category, but they come with tradeoffs. If you're okay with a mid-range pick, consider buying wireless earbuds with ANC instead of over-ear headphones.

If the cost of a pair of headphones is off-putting, you can always wait for a sale to start. We see headphones from Bose, Sony, and Apple get marked down year-round — if you don't want to keep your eyes peeled yourself, Mashable's deals coverage is a great place to find any noteworthy headphone deals. For the picks on our list, we recommend waiting to buy at the following prices:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — At least $349, if not $329

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — At least $329, if not $299

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 — At least $189, if not $179 or lower ($199 is technically a sale price, but typically what these earbuds go for at Amazon)

SEE ALSO: The best gifts for people who love to travel What are the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying?

Noise-cancelling headphones are at their most useful on airplanes. It's difficult to find a moment's peace when so much is going on around you. Frequent flyers may prefer to rest or work, and the best way to prepare for either is by using the best ANC headphones to block out the chaos. 

Because shopping for headphones shouldn't be as stressful as heading to the airport, we've done extensive testing to bring you the top options. So, read on to find the best noise-cancelling headphones for airplanes in 2025 — all based on Mashable's hands-on testing.

SAVE $63: As of April 23, the Garmin vívoactive 5 is on sale for $236.92 at Amazon. That's a 21% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $236.92 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $63.07 Get Deal

The Garmin vívoactive 5 is a go-to watch if you're looking for impressive fitness and lifestyle tracking, and even better, it's currently on sale. As of April 23, this model is currently priced at $236.92, saving you $63.

The watch was released in late 2023, bringing a stark upgrade from the previous modelIt is no longer the newest in the range, with the release of the vívoactive 6 this year. However, if having the latest in the range doesn't matter to you, then this is an excellent choice.

Unlike the vívoactive 4, the 5 benefits from a bright AMOLED display, making colors incredibly vibrant and stand out more. It also has a much-improved battery life, boasting 11 days when in smartwatch mode.

Stats-wise, this is as impressive as you would expect from a Garmin. It's packed with advanced health-tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, stress tracking, and in-depth sleep insights. The sleep insights have also had an upgrade from earlier models, now featuring sleep coaching.

And if you're purchasing for sports tracking, this includes running, cycling, swimming, and lots more. It is worth noting, however, that unlike some of the higher-end watches in Garmin's lineup, the vívoactive 5 is missing more advanced features such as training status and training readiness. For statistics like these, you'll want to look at the Forerunner range. But if these aren't as important to you, this is a fantastic option full of useful stats and tracking abilities.

Head to Amazon to grab this great Garmin deal.

​With billions of users worldwide, Twitch is one of the world's most popular live streaming platforms, particularly favored by gamers and creators. Launched in 2011, Twitch has evolved into a huge community where individuals can share everything from gaming to general live broadcasts.

And the site's popularity is only highlighted through the follower counts, with the platform's most-followed channels boasting tens of millions, but who holds the top spot? Here are the 10 most-followed Twitch channels, according to Social Blade.

1. Ninja – 19.2 million followers

Tyler "Ninja" Blevins is a well-known American gamer and streamer. He initially gained recognition through his exceptional skills in games like Halo 3 and later achieved immense popularity with Fortnite: Battle Royale.

2. ibai – 17.29 million followers

Ibai Llanos is a prominent Spanish streamer and content creator. In June 2022, he set a Twitch record with a peak of over 3.3 million concurrent viewers during his "La Velada del Año II" boxing event. ​

3. KaiCenat – 17 million followers

Kai Cenant is an American streamer known for comedic content and his month-long November 2024 "Mafiathon " subathon.

4. auronplay – 16.78 million followers

Raúl Álvarez Genes, also known online as auronplay, is another Spanish streamer and YouTuber. His content focuses mostly on gaming streams and interactive content, amassing almost 17 million followers on the platform.

5. Rubius – 15.69 million followers

Rubius is a Spanish-Norwegian creator who joined Twitch in 2019 after immense success from his YouTube channel, elrubiusOMG. He has since amassed over 15 million followers for his gaming and interactive content.

6. jadoreshayne – 12.24 million followers

The jadoreshayne account has a whopping 12.24 million followers, however, it has minimal streaming activity, with no videos on the account.

7. TheGrefg – 12.19 million followers

Another Spanish content creator, TheGrefg is a popular content creator who primarily revolves around games like Fortnite and Minecraft, as well as interactive "Just Chatting" sessions. In January 2021, he set a Twitch record by attracting over 2 million viewers during the reveal of his personalized Fortnite skin.

8. xQc – 12.04 million followers

Félix Lengyel, better known as xQc, is a Canadian content creator and former professional esports player. His content includes a variety of games and "Just Chatting" sessions.

9. juansguarnizo – 11.52 million followers

Juan Sebastián Guarnizo, known as juansguarnizo, is a prominent Colombian content creator and streamer. Juan's content includes a variety of types, including "Just Chatting" sessions and gameplay streams.

10. Tfue – 11.32 million followers

Turner Ellis Tenney, known online as Tfue, is an American streamer and former professional esports player. Tfue gained popularity in the gaming community through his skills in titles like Destiny, Call of Duty, and, notably, Fortnite.

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

Earth isn't as extreme as the sci-fi desert planet Arrakis, of Dune fame. But it still hosts some colossal dust storms.

On April 19, two National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellites snapped footage of an immense dust storm sweeping across parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Northern Mexico. Meteorologists were impressed with the views below.

"An incredible view of a dust storm charging south across Mexico," the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, a multidisciplinary science organization, posted on X.

"I don't post imagery here very often anymore but this one is an all-timer," added Dakota Smith, an atmospheric scientist who's keen on posting salient or impressive weather phenomena online.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

A cold front passed through the region, and in its wake, strong winds whipped up this desert sand and dust, producing an expansive dust storm that traveled south into Northern Mexico. Visibility in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for example, was about a quarter mile.

"An incredible view of a dust storm charging south across Mexico."

The clip below is from the GOES-18 satellite, and is followed by a shot from the GOES-19 satellite ("GOES" is short for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite). Both satellites, invaluable parts of the United States' weather observation and atmospheric science programs, orbit in space about 22,236 miles above Earth’s equator. This high-altitude area is called geostationary orbit, which is a unique place around Earth where spacecraft orbit at the same rate Earth is rotating, meaning they stay locked in the same position relative to our planet.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The GOES-19 satellite's view of an expansive dust storm blowing across parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Northern Mexico on April 19, 2025. Credit: NOAA

The sprawling storm couldn't be avoided. "Several Blowing Dust Warnings were issued by the NWS Forecast Offices in El Paso and Midland, which at times covered parts of Interstates 10 and 20 in New Mexico and Texas," Scott Bachmeier, a CIRA meteorologist, explained in a weather blog. Beneath the dust storm, you can also spot smoke plumes from wildfires.

These modern GOES satellites, built by NASA and operated by NOAA, are technological marvels with great public benefit. Their imagers scan our planet with four times the resolution of previous GOES satellites.

And they return copious amounts of data. "The imager provides images of weather patterns, hurricanes, and severe storms as frequently as every 30 seconds," NOAA explains.

TL;DR: You can save $269 on the Hurley J-Bay 7-speed electric bike with a refurbished model that’s even greener than buying new — only while supplies last.

So you swore you’d be more eco-conscious after Earth Day? That’s an incredible goal. But let’s be real, biking everywhere sounded a lot cuter before the uphill parts or days when you’re running late. That’s what makes electric bikes a lot more realistic for commuting, running errands, or simple joyrides.

The usual downside of e-bikes is that they can cost a pretty penny, but not when you shop refurbished models. This is also a bonus for those with a newfound green thumb, as you’re giving these bikes a second shot at life. If you don’t mind re-homing a bike, you can get a Hurley J-Bay e-bike for only $629.99 instead of $899.

You’ve got the power (and cool green ways)

This isn’t one of those bulky, clunky-looking e-bikes. The step-thru alloy frame keeps things sleek and practical, hiding the battery inside so you can charge it conveniently without removing the whole setup.

Your rides are powered by a 350W rear hub motor with a 36V battery, giving you enough boost to cruise at speeds up to 20mph. Whether you’re pedaling to the grocery store or hitting a bike trail, you’ll feel that assist kick in just when your legs start yelling “why?”

Don’t think of buying a refurbished e-bike as like getting one from Facebook Marketplace — you’re ordering one from a certified reseller. Each one has been thoroughly tested, inspected, and cleaned to arrive in near-mint condition. Your purchase is also backed by a 90-day warranty.

The only real downside? These affordable e-bikes are limited in inventory, so get yours for $629.99 while supplies last (reg. $899).

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Hurley Hurley J-Bay 350W 7-Speed Electric Bike (Refurbished) $629.99
$899 Save $269.01 Get Deal

Few creators can turn internet ephemera into something intimate, but that’s exactly what Ayamé Ponder does. Her deadpan TikTok reactions to breaking bottles and hydraulic presses, her quick "smash or pass" decisions, and her singing when she found someone attractive turned mundane internet moments into emotional touchpoints, drawing in millions of viewers.

She's built a platform that’s as entertaining as it is unexpectedly heartfelt, and once you speak to her, it's easy to understand why. Ayamé is warm. She's thoughtful, she's funny, and her creative drive seems to seep out of her through each sentence. And, potentially most important, she's a riot. So it makes perfect sense that she found a way to fuse viral storytelling with real-world impact — and somehow make it entertaining, too.

SEE ALSO: The trade war’s surprising targets: content creators

For about six months, Ayamé was the center of a very public courtship with fellow TikTok creators Yuval and Oliver Mills. The trio made a collective 50-some videos with over 189.6 million views. It wasn't clear if the love triangle was real or not, but it didn't really matter: each view helped raise money for families affected by the war in Gaza, with funds channeled through initiatives like Pass the Hat and Operation Olive Branch. At one point, Yuval raised $200,000 in a single day, teasing a trip to the UK to visit Ayamé.

Today, Ayamé continues to donate all earnings from the TikTok Creator Fund. She has collaborated with brands such as Loewe, Boss, Samsung, Audible, Spotify, and The GRAMMYs. In 2023, she launched her podcast, In Ayamé We Trust, and has since hosted premieres for Warner Bros. and Netflix. TikTok has recognized her as one of the UK’s rising stars.

In conversation with Mashable, she opens up about what it means to use her platform for good, how she navigates burnout, and her next creative projects. As she puts it: "It’s good to be hot and on the right side of history."

Mashable: You first caught a lot of attention with your reaction videos. It’s easy for creators to get stuck in a niche once something works, but you’ve managed to keep doing those while evolving past them. How did you avoid getting boxed in?

Ayamé: It was difficult. When I first started creating content, I fell into it. First with one niche, which was to do Harry Potter and Christmas, and then carried on and fell into another niche, which was the "sing if you find attractive." And then fell into another niche, which was smash or pass, and then it was the [breaking] bottles. So, essentially, it's all been reactionary content. But I've had a big fear of being trapped in those niches.

I'm still finding it difficult to branch out, especially if people really took to my reaction content or to the obsession love triangle I was in last year. They take to specific things. Sometimes when I do say, "Hey, I wanna juggle this week, please let me juggle," people are like, "No, go back to the bottles." So that's sometimes difficult, but you kind of keep persevering. I've been quite lucky in that each niche I've fallen into, I've still been able to showcase my personality. So it's not too far of a jump.

You did. And now you have this platform with millions of followers. Was there a specific type of content or moment that shifted things for you?

The first fat step I'd say was when I did the "sing if you find attractive" [trend], that got me to my first million followers. I don't understand how it got so big, but I'm glad it did. And then the second big fat launch was the reactionary bottles and the hydraulic press. People lost their minds [over that], which was great. Each jump has been my next million. Funny enough, the love triangle wasn't my biggest jump, so those men actually got bigger jumps from me.

Last year was when I really found my team. Last year was a massive jump because it included that strategy, brand image, moving into the fashion space, and moving into writing and acting. 

When you got your team, is that when you realized you could turn this into a full-time career? 

No, I'd been full-time before having this team. This is the team that will stick [with me] for the rest of my life. I went full-time six months after my first viral video. So, like mid-2022 is when I went full-time. But last year was the year when it was like, "I'm gonna be a star." So that was having a team and a strategy and moving into different spaces. That was when it was like, [brings fake cigar up to her mouth and puts on an old-timey newboy accent] "Oh, you're big time baby."

Speaking of moving into different spaces, congrats on the first season of the podcast! How do you figure out what creative lane to pursue next? Is it instinct, opportunity, or something else?

It is difficult, and I feel like most creators kind of take the same route. Creative people just want their finger in every pot and feel as though they can do everything. They just want to be creative.

My two strongest ones have always been acting and writing. Historically, I've always loved writing. It's been a natural progression for me. Writing, for me, is a big creative outlet. If I can't do silly videos all the time, I'll always want to write — try acting, as well. I really wanna get into modeling. 

Most creators are polymaths. They want to do everything and be creative in as many fields as they can. At one point, I may tape a banana to a wall and sell it for $3 billion. Who knows where it'll go?

F*ck, marry, kill: Acting, writing, TikTok videos?

I'd say marry writing. I really just love it. I'll have intercourse with acting because it's a big dream, but like friends with benefits, regular intercourse. I would kill TikTok videos. But I do love the chaos of TikTok, so can I just keep it in my basement?

Do you ever get in creative ruts? How do you break out of that?

When I get in my creative moods, I get really inspired, and then I think I'm going to write it all. I'm going to write a feature film, I'm going to write a documentary. I use all of my brain power on it. And then I have no funny left. So that happened recently: A couple of weeks ago, I was like, "I can't write anymore. I can't. I have nothing left in my mind." 

To get out of it, you have to wait for it to pass. I don't think there's, personally, anything that I can do. I'm not like a lawnmower that you can take into the garage, give it a kick, really rev it up, jumpstart it. I can't do that. So I just let it pass. I went for a walk. I went for several walks. One thing leads to another. 

I don't fear burnout, which I guess is maybe a bad thing because I like to burn myself out to then get it back, you know? Now that I think about it, I don't know if that's healthy, but alas, it's worked so far.

Do you tend to write more in the mornings or in the evenings? Do you follow a schedule?

I'm more funny in the evenings.

Oh?

I'm writing quite different things. I do comedy usually in the evening, and I prefer to do the novels in the morning. Anything drama in the morning.

You have helped raise a lot of funds for Palestinian families. How has that experience changed the way that you think about your platform? Not necessarily the art that you create, but the power you have? 

It made me really attuned to the fact that I have such a big platform, which is kind of silly, but last year, I personally raised over a million pounds for Palestinian families. I was just trying to reach these goals of raising as much money as possible, making people aware, and doing as much good as possible.

I have a bit of a controversial opinion, I'd say, and not many creators agree with me, but I feel a personal responsibility to be vocal and be on the right side of history and do good because I'm lucky enough to have this platform. I'd feel almost irresponsible not using it for good on some level. I'm not a political creator. I don't do a lot of political content, but when there are things that are screaming at you to speak on, I think a lot of other people in the industry also do the same. It's important that we be authentic and also just be positive and do good. It doesn't hurt to do good. It's good to be hot and on the right side of history. That's my little tagline.

I think a lot of creators are afraid of backlash or losing brand deals if they get political. Was that ever a fear for you?

I'm gonna do it. Don't even tell me no. I'm gonna post it right now. And so I did that. When I started getting some comments that were a bit like, "Hey, what about this?" I'd be like, "Oh, OK. Maybe I might get a little bit of backlash from that side." But then that was quite a passing moment. Don't care! Because this is the good work. A lot of brands [are run by] regular people, and they also believe what I believe.

Throughout the whole time that I've been vocal, I've also been vocal about brands that I won't work with just because of the BDS [a nonviolent Palestinian-led movement promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel]. But for some reason, those brands will still contact me. Nine times out of ten, they just want the platform. 

Has the potential for a TikTok ban in the U.S. changed your approach as a creator in the UK? 

A little, a tiny bit, just because a lot of my audience is based in the U.S., so I did feel as though my child was getting ripped from me when you guys left for those 12 hours. So, yes, it has made me a little bit more conscious. I do post a lot more on Instagram now as well. As for the creator rewards program with TikTok, all of that gets donated. 

Creators are often at the mercy of these tech platforms — your income, your reach, your whole connection to your community can disappear overnight. How do you sit with that anxiety?

It doesn't scare me that much because I feel we're under the control of a lot of tech people that we don't even know. TikTok and social media are ever-changing. It's just this moving beast. Remember Vine?

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