Technology

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

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:42
The best Memorial Day deals for under $50: BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal BEST TECH DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 (save $30 with code MAX4KNEW) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Chefman Roll n' Go food warming mat $39.95 (save $40.04) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 $34.99 (save $35) Get Deal Best Beauty and Skincare Deal Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA Exfoliant $28.00 (Save $7) Get Deal

Memorial Day weekend is (almost) finally here, and the sales have rolled out across the board. Despite the economically rocky first half of 2025, with tariffs catapulting prices across the board, we're pleasantly surprised by the number of deals floating around. You can even snag a handful of gadgets for less than $50. In fact, there's plenty to find at this affordable price point.

Whether you're looking to grab a pair of headphones for your summer travels, a Bluetooth speaker to jam out by the pool, a new streaming device to catch up on all your favorite shows, or a portable water bottle to up your hydration, there's a little something for everyone on sale for Memorial Day. Check out the best deals under $50 — we'll update this list as more sales go live, so stay tuned while you get your shop on.

Best Memorial Day headphones deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Our favorite budget earbuds of 2025, the Soundcore P20is, are on sale for less than $20 at Amazon during their Memorial Day sale. That's half off the usual list price of $40. It's hard to expect a lot from a pair of earbuds at that price, but we're shocked at how impressive they actually are. The battery life outshines the AirPods at 10 hours per charge, and with the equalizer presets on the companion app, they can produce the kind of well-rounded sound you'd expect from earbuds three times the price. You can even set up to three touch controls on each bud, and use the "find device" feature to keep track of them.

More headphones and speakers deals under $50Best Memorial Day streaming device deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 with code MAX4KNEW Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for a new streaming device, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers the most bang for your buck. It's the first and only Fire TV Stick with Ambient Experience, which lets you turn your TV into artwork like Samsung's The Frame, but for a small fraction of the cost. It packs over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality images to choose from. Plus, it has the most storage of any Fire TV Stick at 16GB; features WiFi-6E, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support; and lets you play Xbox games sans console. Just $59.99 on a regular day, it's only $29.99 for Memorial Day when you use the code MAX4KNEW at checkout.

More tech deals under $50Best Memorial Day home deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman Roll 'n' Go Food Warming Mat $39.95 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.04 Get Deal Why we like it

Before your Memorial Day shenanigans, you might want to grab this Chefman Roll 'n' Go food warming mat to keep all your delicious goodies hot for your guests. It'll only cost you $39.95 on sale, which is 50% off its usual cost and its best price on record. Its convenient rollable design makes it easy to travel with and store when you're not using it. Just unroll it, select between three temperatures, and you're ready to go.

More home and travel deals under $50Best Memorial Day beauty and skincare deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA Exfoliant $28 at Amazon
$35 Save $7 Get Deal Why we like it

Physical exfoliants can sometimes cause more damage than you want for sensitive skin, especially when it comes to your face. This chemical exfoliant can protect your skin while removing that dreaded layer of dead stuff. When used properly, it can assist with reducing the appearance of pores and even fine lines. It's best used in tandem with a barrier-restoring skincare routine, but it's great when added to any regimen thanks to its variety of skin-loving ingredients.

More beauty and skincare deals under $50 The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazons Memorial Day Sale is live — shop tech, home goods, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:38
The best Memorial Day deals to shop on Amazon right now: Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $174.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum cleaner $149.97 (save $50.02) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill $131.93 (save $118.06) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine (stainless steel) $599.99 (save $249.96) Get Deal Best home security deal Blink Video Doorbell $34.99 (save $35) Get Deal

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Sales galore. As usual, Amazon is ahead of the game with up to 55% off select items from Amazon devices, kitchen items, home goods, electronics, and more, so shoppers can start prepping for summer. The sale started on May 16 and runs through Monday, May 26. It's a great time to snag some new headphones, grab an affordable tablet to keep the kids busy on summer trips, or restock the outdoor gear.

SEE ALSO: Best Memorial Day mattress deals in 2025 that are already live: Shop Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, Purple, and more

Of course, these deals might get even better as the holiday weekend gets closer. (We’ll be keeping an eye on prices and updating this story regularly.) But there’s no harm in snatching up a few discounts now, especially for high-demand items with limited availability.

Here are some of the best Amazon Memorial Day sales you can shop now.

Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB 11" 2000x1200 Tablet $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is currently on sale for $174.99, down from $229.99. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen for this tablet (around $139.99 in November), but it’s still a pretty good deal for a newish tablet (it’s a 13th-gen, released in 2023).

The Fire Max 11 has an 11-inch display, 64GB of storage (you can expand it to up to 1 TB with a micro-SD card), and 14 hours of battery life. It’s ideal for streaming your favorite shows or reading e-books on the go. (You can game on it, too.) It’s also equipped with Alexa and compatible with the Amazon Stylus Pen.

More tech deals Best vacuum deal LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Stick Vac with Tangle-Resistant Design, Up to 50 Minutes, Powerful Suction, Rechargeable, Lightweight, and Versatile for Carpet, Hard Floor, Pet Hair, Black & White $149.97 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.02 Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum cleaner for just $149.97, down from $199.99. That’s 25% off and only $10 away from its lowest price ever.

This isn’t a Dyson, but it’s still a good vacuum if you want something that’s lightweight and cordless. The Levoit LVAC-200 has a suction power of 70 AW and a run time of up to 50 minutes with the Crevice or Pet Tool in Eco mode. You can also really get into those tight spots with the LED lights and 180-degree rotation.

More vacuum deals Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill Black $131.93 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $118.06 Get Deal Why we like it

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is currently on sale for $131.93, down from $249.99. That’s a 47% discount and a whopping $118.06 in savings. Again, it’s not the lowest we’ve seen on this grill (the lowest was $125.99), but it’s still a solid deal.

This is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of outdoor space or don’t want to deal with propane or charcoal. (Just be sure to read your lease! Some apartments don’t allow grills on balconies.) The TRU-Infrared technology cooks up to 50% juicier food (according to the manufacturer), and the grill has 320 square inches of cooking space, so you can still grill up plenty of food for friends and family.

More outdoor deals Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 at Walmart
$672.63 Save $443.63 See It Why we like it

If you have upcoming travel plans for the long Memorial Day weekend or you'll be heading abroad this summer, your packing list surely includes noise-cancelling headphones for the flight. Bose makes some of the most impressive noise-cancellation in the industry and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are on sale for just $229, marked down from the normal price of $349. This steep discount makes them a solid choice and might be a better fit if you've already dropped some serious money on flights. They're not quite as impressive as our favorite Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but those are still hanging out at full price, which is $429.

The Bose QuietComfort headphones come with bragging rights: getting up to 24 hours of playtime with a seriously comfortable design. The colorway options are also impressive, including your standard black and white but also a Chilled Lilac and Twilight Blue.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts More headphones, earbuds, and speaker dealsBest kitchen deal Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine (stainless steel) $599.99 at Amazon
$849.95 Save $249.96 See It Why we like it

While it's down to the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, grab the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine. Instead of paying the normal $849.95, you'll be able to become a professional home barista for just $599.99. Be sure to snag the stainless steel colorway options since the others are still well above this sale price.

With a sleek design and intuitive buttons, the Breville is your ticket to summer mornings spent in the backyard with an espresso. Or you could go with a latte thanks to the machine's manual milk foamer that achieves perfect texture. The dosing control grind is also incredibly useful, as is the built-in conical burr grinder.

More kitchen dealsBest home security deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 $34.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Since Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer vacation season, it's wise to upgrade you home's security. The Blink Video Doorbell with Sync Module 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $34.99, marked down from the standard price of $69.99 which means you'll be getting a 50% discount. The sale price is also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Blink Video Doorbell gives you a 1080p view of your home's front door which is useful both for when you're away on vacation but also when you're home. You'll be able to see the kids made it home from school on time or the grocery delivery arrived. Set-up takes just a few minutes with the included batteries and then connect up in the Blink app.

More home security deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

50+ of the best Memorial Day deals and sales already live: Mattresses, headphones, outdoor furniture, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:38
The best Memorial Day deals: Best mattress deal Nectar Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles Get Deal Best home deal Ruggable Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY Get Deal Best tech deal Best Buy Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more Get Deal Best kitchen deal Made In Save up to 25% off cookware Get Deal

While Memorial Day technically falls on May 26, the weekend's celebrations have already started. To kick off the unofficial start of summer, are a wave of great deals across retailers.

We've rounded up the best deals to shop right now. Leading the way are mattress deals, followed by home and kitchen deals. However, as we get closer to Memorial Day, tech deals are popping up too. Find savings up to $120 off on Sony's WH-1000XM line of headphones and earbuds.

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

But that's just the start of the deals, we've lined up. Here are all of the best Memorial Day sales to shop now.

Best Memorial Day mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nectar Nectar $649 at Nectar
$1,598 Save $949 Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles Get Deal Why we like it

A big sale event means big savings on mattresses. The absolute best savings we've found is on Nectar mattresses. This Memorial Day, save up to 65% on bundles and 50% on mattresses. Right now, you can grab Nectar's queen memory foam mattress for $649, down from $1,598 to save you $949.

More Memorial Day mattress and bedding deals

  • Amerisleep: Save up to $6,000 on any mattress with promo code MD600

  • Avocado: Take 10% off sitewide with promo code HONOR10

  • Bear: Save 35% on mattresses and get two free pillows with promo code MEMORIALDAY

  • Big Fig: Take 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY

  • Birch: Save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with a new mattress with code MEMDAY25

  • Brooklinen: Take up to 75% off sheets and pillowcase sets

  • Brooklyn Bedding: Take 30% off sitewide with promo code MEMORIAL30

  • Casper: Take up to 30% off on mattresses

  • Citizenry: Save 20% sitewide

  • Coyuchi: Take 20% off sitewide

  • Double Stitch: Save up to 50% with code CS50

  • DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Eli & Elm: Save up to 45%

  • Helix: Take 25% sitewide and get two free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

  • Leesa: Save 30% on mattresses and get a free sleep bundle

  • Layla: Get free pillows with every mattress and take up to $1,018 off bundles

  • Mattress Firm: Take up to 60% off and get a free adjustable base with select mattresses

  • Naturepedic: Take up to 20% off organic mattresses

  • Naturepedic: Take up to 20% off organic bedding

  • Nectar: Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

  • Nest: Take up to $60 off bedding

  • Nest: Save up to $1,321 on new mattresses and get a free bundle

  • Parachute: Save 30% sitewide

  • Puffy: Take up to $1,350 off with code MEMORIALDAY

  • Puffy: Save 15% on all mattress accessories including sheets and pillows

  • Purple: Take up to $700 off on a mattress and base, plus 20% off bedding and pillows, now through June 3

  • Saatva: Save up to $600 on mattresses

  • Silk & Snow: Save up to 32% on bedding bundles

  • Sleep Number: Save up to 50% on smart beds

  • Tuft & Needle: Save 20% on select mattresses

  • Tuft & Needle: Take 30% off on select bedding

  • Viscosoft: Take 25% off all mattress toppers

  • WinkBeds: Save $300 on all mattresses

Best Memorial Day home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY, excluding select pillows, pet beds, spot cleaners, gift card Get Deal Why we like it

The leader in washable rugs is without a doubt — Ruggable. Their two-part system rugs provide beautiful, cozy decor for your floors that can be thrown in the washing machine for a thorough clean. This Memorial Day, you can find Ruggable's washable rugs for 20% off using code 'MEMDAY' at check out. This deal excludes select pillows, pet beds, spot cleaners, and gift cards.

More Memorial Day home deals

  • Branch: Take up to 15% off home office furniture

  • Dyson: Save on cordless vacuums and beauty products, including the Supersonic Nural hair dryer

  • Home Depot: Save up to 25% on gardening supplies, 30% on outdoor furniture, and 35% on select appliances through May 28

  • Overstock: Save up to 60% off patio furniture

  • Revival: Spend $250 to $499 to take 10% off, $500 to $749 for 15% off, $750 to $1499 for 20% off, and $1500 and more for 25% off

  • SimpliSafe: Get any new system for 60% off, plus a free outdoor camera ($199 value) when you sign up for professional monitoring

  • Tumble: Save 30% on all washable rugs

  • Windmill: Save up to 25% on the Windmill air conditioner

Best Memorial Day tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Best Buy Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a one-stop shop for your tech shopping this Memorial Day, look to the Best Buy. Not only do they have a vast collection of tech products like computers, headphones, and TVs, but you can even shop large appliances.

Some of the best deals we've spotted ahead of Memorial Day include $400 off the Apple iMac desktop with M3 chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Or if you want a truly affordable deal, HP's 14-inch Chromebook is 60% off, bringing it down to $139.

More Memorial Day tech deals

  • Anker Soundcore: Save 15% on speakers with code OUTDOOR15

  • Best Buy: Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more

  • HP: Save up to 55% on select laptops, PCs, printers, and other HP tech

  • Lenovo: Save up to 50% off on ThinkBooks, desktops, Chromebooks, monitors, and the X1 Carbon Gen 12

  • Sony: Save up to 34% on Sony electronics. Get the Sony WH-1000XM5 for $100 off or the WH-1000XM4 for $120 off.

  • Ultimate Ears: Save $30 off $150, $70 off $250, and $150 off $450

Best Memorial Day kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Made In Made In Save up to 25% off cookware Get Deal Why we like it

This Memorial Day, as you fire up the grill, you might be hyper aware of how your indoor cookware is lacking. Made In cookware is up to 25% off this Memorial Day.

Right now, you can get a full stainless steel set of cookware for 25% off. Get Made In's 10-piece set for $729.99, down from $974, saving you $244.

More Memorial Day kitchen deals

  • HydroFlask: Save up to 25% on bestsellers, including tumblers, lunch boxes, and accessories

  • Made In: Save up to 25% on cookware

  • Ninja: Select outdoor grills are 15% off with code OUTDOOR15

  • Ooni: Save up to 20% on pizza ovens, oven accessories, and cookware

  • Owala: Take 30% off 24-ounce and 40-ounce tumblers through May 26

  • Sodastream: Save 25% sitewide

Miscellaneous Memorial Day deals

  • Eyebyedirect: Take 30% off lenses and 20% off frames with code MDWDEAL through May 25 and take 30% off designer brand glasses with code DB30 through May 26

  • Shark: Save up to $300 off select products, plus 20% off select hair care with code BEAUTY20

  • Solawave: Take 35% off kits

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

The best Memorial Day headphones deals already live: Shop Bose, Apple, Sony, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:37
Best Memorial Day headphones and earbuds deals: Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort $229 (save $120) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal

Headphones have become an essential part of life these days. We're tuned into our favorite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks, and that's thanks to our favorite pair of headphones or earbuds. If you're in need of an upgraded pair, Memorial Day sales are coming in hot with the deals. You'll be able to save up to 50% on a new pair that'll be great for upcoming travel or lounging at the park this summer.

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

Here are some of our favorite deals to shop today.

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

Like the name suggests, the Bose QuietComfort headphones bring ultimate comfort for all-day wear. The headphones usually sell for $349 but thanks to Amazon's Memorial Day sale, you can snag a pair for $229. Plus, this sale extends to the brand new Twilight Blue colorway.

Getting up to 24 hours of battery life, the Bose QuietComfort impress when it comes to sound and noise-cancellation. That'll come in handy during your upcoming summer travel plans. But you can also toggle them to Aware Mode should you wish to hear your surroundings.

More headphones dealsBest earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal Why we like it

If you keep misplacing your earbuds, snag a fresh pair of Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds for just $19.98 during Amazon's Memorial Day sale. At this price, you might as well grab a few pairs. Keep one in your work bag, one on your nightstand, and one in your travel bag, eliminating that heart-sinking feel of forgetting your earbuds at home.

On the Mashable list of the best earbuds, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are the top pick if you're shopping for a budget-friendly option. Getting an impressive 30 hours of battery life before they'll need a recharge, this pair is perfect for travel.

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

Shop massive Memorial Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Sony, LG, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:30
The best Memorial Day TV deals at a glance: BEST 43-INCH TV DEAL Samsung 43-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal BEST 55-INCH TV DEAL TCL 55-Inch QM6K QLED 4K TV $498 (save $301.99) Get Deal BEST 65-INCH TV DEAL Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $800) Get Deal BEST 75-INCH+ TV DEAL LG 77-inch C4 OLED evo 4K TV $1,999.99 (save $500) Get Deal

Memorial Day tends to be a huge day of deals for mattresses and home goods, but those are certainly not the only categories seeing major discounts. TVs of all shapes and sizes are also getting the deal treatment this holiday weekend, making it a particularly good time to upgrade your screen.

Many of the new releases from CES 2025 are officially on shelves and some of those are even seeing some surprisingly big price drops. We're tracking all the best Memorial Day TV deals at the three major tech retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. It's possible new deals will drop as we roll into the weekend, so we'll refresh this list with anything that catches our eye.

Best Memorial Day TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-Inch QM6K QLED 4K TV $498 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $301.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Just announced at CES 2025 and released in March, the TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is already shaping up to be one of our favorite TVs of 2025. For a TV in its price range, it gets seriously bright. CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) took it for a spin and also noted that its detailed shadows during darker movies clearly stood out compared to the similarly-priced Roku Pro. It's not as impressive as its more expensive sibling, the QM8, but ultimately, CNET summed up: "For the money, the TCL QM6K has some of the best picture quality, including great black levels, for an LCD-based TV. The QM6K has already seen some impressive discounts since its release, but this is the first time the 55-inch model has dropped this low.

More Memorial Day TV deals43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and up The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

Google debuts AI-powered Android XR smart glasses at Google I/O

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 10:18

Google is trying out smart glasses again.

At its Google I/O keynote address on Tuesday, Google showed off a product that was referred to simply as "Android XR glasses" in both the presentation and the accompanying blog post. No price or release date was given, so between all of that and the fact that the product doesn't seem to have a real name yet, this could be quite a ways off from being on store shelves.

If you think these glasses are just a ripoff of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, think again. While Meta's specs are really just a camera you wear on your face with zero augmented reality features of any kind, Google's glasses have a full AR UI built into the lenses, which you can use to search for information about things you're looking at or navigate with Google Maps while you're out and about. Google also mentioned that you can use these glasses to message your friends and make appointments. However, it's worth noting that Google described the in-lens UI as "optional" in the blog post. Of course, it's all powered by Google's Gemini AI tech.

Now with messaging functionality. Credit: Screenshot: Google A preview of a VR headset on the Android XR platform. Credit: Google SEE ALSO: All the Gemini announcements from Google I/O 2025: Free Gemini Live, a Sora competitor, AI Ultra

The glasses also have cameras, microphones, and speakers built-in. The one and only live demo Google attempted during the I/O keynote was for a conversational language translation tool that would theoretically enable two people speaking different languages to speak to each other in-person. However, "theoretically" is doing a lot of work there, as the demo failed after a couple of sentences, leading Google to hit the ejector seat before it could really get going.

During this segment, Google also announced that Samsung's Project Moohan XR headset will be the first consumer device to run on the Android XR operating system. Moohan will launch later this year, but other than that, Google didn't say a lot about it. On top of that, Google announced that the XR glasses will be manufactured in collaboration with glasses brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, so there could potentially be a little bit more variety to the way they look than Meta's Ray-Ban glasses.

Some of the product types coming to the Android XR platform. Credit: Google The live translation demo from Google I/O 2025. Credit: Screenshot: Google

Readers with functional memories might remember Google Glass, a similar product Google released to nearly universal derision in 2015. Glass very quickly transitioned from a consumer-focused product to an enterprise device within a couple of years of release, before Google stopped selling it altogether in 2023. It didn't work then, but maybe infusing the Android XR glasses with Gemini AI features will give them a leg up over Glass.

It should also be noted that one of Google's biggest competitors is reportedly interested in developing smart glasses, but today's news would put that company way behind the ball. Apple has been rumored to be developing AR glasses for a while now, but a report earlier this year indicated the project was dead. A different report just last month suggested Apple is still working on smart glasses, but they would be more akin to the Meta device than Google's new glasses. That would give Google a serious advantage in the market, to say the least.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ditch Microsoft 365’s fees for the lifetime version

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Save $90 on Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac through April 27.

You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it'll cost you way less in the long run.

Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you've been looking for. Instead of $10 monthly payments, simply pay $159.97 once and be set for life (reg. $249.99). It's that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.

What's included?

This license comes with: 

  • Word

  • Excel

  • PowerPoint

  • Outlook

  • OneNote 

The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you're switching to a lifetime license doesn't mean you'll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations. 

Once you've redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they're yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about. 

Why rent when you can own? 

Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for $159.97 (reg. $249.99) with no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License $159.97
$249.99 Save $90.02 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Utah

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 06:00

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Utah with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Pornhub has banned visitors from a number of U.S. states from accessing their website, but why? This move was in response to the introduction of laws that require visitors to upload ID before accessing porn sites. The stalemate is showing no signs of going anywhere, so potential users in these impacted states require a solution. Fortunately, a simple workaround exists.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Utah, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Utah

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

  4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Pornhub for free in Utah with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:00

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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 Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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.

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

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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Student classes

  • Green: Southwest-based sports conference

  • Blue: Famous players in the purple and gold

    Purple: NFL cities, unfinished

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

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

  • Yellow: College Student Classifications

  • Green: Big 12 Schools

  • Blue: Lakers in the Basketball Hall of Fame

  • Purple: First Words in the NFL Team Locations

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 Sports Edition #241 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

  • College Student Classifications - FRESHMAN, JUNIOR, SENIOR, SOPHOMORE

  • Big 12 Schools - COLORADO, TCU, TEXAS TECH, WEST VIRGINIA

  • Lakers in the Basketball Hall of Fame - BAYLOR, O'NEAL, WEST, WORTHY

  • First Words in the NFL Team Locations - GREEN, KANSAS, NEW, SAN

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.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:00

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.

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

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.

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

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 May 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: A rowdy gathering

  • Green: Someone's personality

  • Blue: Used in England

  • Purple: The shape of an animal's facial feature

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: Quite the party

  • Green: One's constitution

  • Blue: British imperial units of weight

  • Purple: What "Cat's Eye" can be used to describe

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 #712 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Quite the party: BASH, BLAST, BLOWOUT, RAVE

  • One's constitution: CHARACTER, FIBER, MAKEUP, NATURE

  • British imperial units of weight: DRAM, OUNCE, POUND, STONE

  • What "Cat's Eye" can be used to describe: EYELINER, GLASSES, MARBLE, NEBULA

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 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 23

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:00

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The musical fruit

The words are food-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of seeds that grow in a pod.

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 Bean Salad

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 23

  • Green

  • Kidney

  • Black

  • Fava

  • Bean Salad

  • Cannellini

  • Navy

  • Pinto

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 today's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:00

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 May 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 May 23, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Often done to corn on the cob.

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 S.

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...

SHUCK.

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 May 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for May 23, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 04:00

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To be happy about an accomplishment.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

PROUD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Gave out cards.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 23, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DEALT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Three-dimensional.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 23 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CUBIC

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A household task.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 23 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHORE

Final Hurdle hint

A colorful flower.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

PANSY

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Trump administration detonates expansion of rural broadband access

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 23:02

The Trump administration continues with its cost-slashing, anti-DEI agenda, and its coming for nationwide efforts to close the digital divide next.

On May 8, President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social that he was directing the end of the Biden-Harris era Digital Equity Act. Trump called the program — which allocated $2.75 billion to digital inclusion programs — "racist" and "illegal." Last week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) abruptly terminated grants for 20 different state projects under the act, including digital access in K-12 schools, veteran and senior programs, and rural connectivity efforts.

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) called the decision a "significant setback" to universal access goals. "SETDA stands with our state members and partner organizations who have been diligently building inclusive broadband and digital access plans rooted in community need, engagement, and systemic transformation. Equitable access to technology is not a partisan issue–it is a public good."

SEE ALSO: How are Asian Americans affected by online misinformation?

The decision points to an uncertain future for existing broadband and digital connectivity efforts managed or funded by the federal government. Since most serve specific communities and demographics which are at the highest risk of being technologically disconnected or left behind, they have entered the crosshairs of the administration's "anti-woke" crusade. Indigenous connectivity advocates, for example, warned that a Trump presidency would have an immediate impact on rural broadband projects that were in the process of breaking ground, as the president simultaneously promised to shake up the FCC and whittle down the federal government's spending.

“Ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in the U.S. face significant challenges with the recent termination of the Digital Equity Act, and potential drastic changes coming to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program," said Sharayah Lane, senior advisor of community connectivity for the global nonprofit the Internet Society and member of the Lummi Nation. "This will critically impact the future of affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet access in underserved areas, further limiting essential education, healthcare, and economic opportunities."

The Biden administration, which pledged billions of federal dollars to building out the nation's high speed broadband and fiber optic network, had made closing the digital divide a central component to its massive federal spending package, including launching the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and the BEAD initiative. BEAD funds, in particular, were split up between state broadband infrastructure projects, including 19 grants over $1 billion. But now the funds are being pulled out from under them.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has had the $42 billion BEAD budget under review since Trump took office, and has falsely claimed that the program "has not connected a single person to the internet," but is rather a "woke mandate" under the previous presidency.

SEE ALSO: Why the 'digital divide' persists within Indigenous communities

Meanwhile, Trump has pushed to open up an auction of highly sought after spectrum bands to serve WiFi, 5G, and 6G projects under his "One Big Beautiful Bill" — a move that may sideline rural connectivity projects focused on building reliable, physical connections to high speed internet. Advocates have long fought for federal investment in "missing middle miles" of fiber optic cables and broadband, rather than unstable satellite connections, such as those promised by Elon Musk's Starlink.

"We need to prioritize investments in sustainable infrastructure through programs like BEAD and the Digital Equity Act to ensure long-term, affordable Internet access for all Americans, strengthen the economy, and bolster the nation’s overall digital resilience," said Lane.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) online for free

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 23:00

TL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 NBA Conference Finals have started in style, with impressive wins for the Thunder and Pacers. The pressure is now on Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves to level the series in the Western Conference Finals. Of course, that's easier said than done when it comes to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

If you want to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2)?

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on May 22. This game takes place at the Paycom Center.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) for free

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free live stream from anywhere in the world. The process is actually really simple with a streaming-friendly VPN.

Live stream the NBA Conference Finals for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in India

  4. Visit YouTube

  5. Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the NBA Conference Finals before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like YouTube, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The cast of Mission: Impossible on the importance of humanity during the rise of AI

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 22:31

On May 23, the final installment of the Mission: Impossible saga is set to come to an end with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Known for its vicious villains, the franchise sports its Biggest Bad yet: an AI known as The Entity that's bent on wiping humans off the planet. Mashable Senior Creative Producer Mark Stetson sat down with the cast (Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis) to discuss the film's themes of humanity and friendship and its exploration of the future of AI.

First, Simon Pegg, who has played Benji Dunn since Mission: Impossible III — when we first get a hint of The Entity's existence — helped break down the origins of this Big Bad. "Yeah, I mean, the Entity was around in its nascent form a long time ago. It was a malicious code, basically, which itself evolved into what we are up against in Dead Reckoning, in The Final Reckoning. And I love the idea that McQ [Director Christopher McQuarrie] looked back into the past to see where things may have started, where the rumblings of the Entity may have begun. And further back as well, to, obviously, when Bill Donloe was exiled to Alaska."

Hayley Atwell, first appearing in the franchise as Grace in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, goes on to discuss film's theme of friendship and humanity in the face of its AI villain. "I feel like the core theme of this film is friendship. So that, of course, the anti-God and and the Entity...is the sort of the villain...the thing that sets up the stakes. But really it's a film about a team coming together and sacrificing personal ambition for the sake of the good of all people. And it's a triumph of the human spirit... It's so, so beautiful and so heartfelt."

Finally, Angela Bassett ties the interview up in a really nice bow when asked why it's important to prioritize humanity: "I mean, what do we have left without it? You know, we have to. We're made to be in communion with one another... So even though it's a great tool...we need to keep [AI] in its lane and [make sure] it's [a] benefit to us, not to the detriment of us."

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning opens exclusively in theaters on May 23.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best graduation gifts for her: Gift ideas for college grads

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 21:56

Springtime means bright blooms, longer days, and a new class that's getting ready to graduate college. And if you’re here, that means you’re preparing to look on proudly as a young woman accepts her diploma and takes her first steps into the real world of adulthood. Whether she’s your daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, girlfriend, or best friend, you know how much hard work she put in to get here — so you definitely want to find the perfect gift for her to celebrate how far she’s come. These are our suggestions to shower the college grad with love on her big day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best college graduation gifts for life in the real world

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 21:38

Graduation season is creeping up on us and that can mean only one thing: it's time to figure out what to give your favorite grad to welcome them to post-college reality. Graduates are about to enter the often overwhelming (and sometimes terrifying) world we call adulthood, and you're tasked with giving them something to help ease the transition. The trick is to find that sweet spot between something your college grad will really need in life and something they'll actually want to use. New graduates might not even know what they need to survive post-grad life — but that's where you come in.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $55 Bluetooth dongle made my long-haul flight way less miserable

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

My body refuses to fall asleep on planes, though not for lack of trying. I've stayed up late before flights, booked red-eyes, popped melatonin, ordered a couple glasses of red wine from the beverage cart — and yet there I sit, wide awake in my economy seat.

I need to keep busy with in-flight entertainment. I'm not built to be raw-dogging flights, and that tiny seatback screen keeps me sane at 30,000 feet. If I can't binge last year's Oscar nominees or lock into a weird HBO documentary for a few hours, I start to think a little too hard about the safety record of the Boeing 737 Max I'm trapped inside. (I am very fun to travel with.)

Knowing this, my extremely brilliant and thoughtful husband gifted me a Twelve South AirFly Pro for Christmas last year. This $54.99 Bluetooth transmitter gadget lets me watch in-flight movies with my wireless Bose headphones. It's not a glamorous device — it's just a dongle with an aux cable on one end — but it's an easy way I make flying more comfortable.

I used the AirFly Pro for the first time on round-trip flights between Chicago and London this spring, and I'll never fly without it again. Also worth noting: It's on sale.

Twelve South AirFly Pro $44.99 at Amazon
$54.99 Save $10 Shop Now Fly like a Pro

While wireless headphones and earbuds are vastly more popular than wired models nowadays, the airline industry hasn't adjusted accordingly. (United and Delta have added Bluetooth-enabled screens to some of their planes, but I've yet to fly on one personally.) To watch movies and shows on that seatback screen, you still have to plug in wired earphones with an old-fashioned 3.5mm audio jack.

Some airlines hand out complimentary cheapo wired buds for long-haul flights, but they sound terrible and don't offer a lick of noise cancellation. The AirFly Pro exists to bridge the technology gap for a better in-flight entertainment experience.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Setting up the AirFly Pro is ridiculously simple:

  • Plug it into the screen or armrest

  • Press and hold the power button

  • Turn on your headphones

  • Wait for them to pair

If you're traveling with someone, you can even connect the AirFly to both of your headphones at the same time. My AirFly Pro paired instantly with my Bose headphones and remembered them on my return flight.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones for flying: 8 picks to improve your travel experience

The AirFly Pro's audio sounded fine to me, and I never had connection issues. I did notice that in-flight announcements were a split-second delayed compared to the plane's PA system, but the sound and dialogue on movies always lined up perfectly.

Twelve South has the AirFly Pro rated at 25 hours of battery life, and that seemed accurate. Mine lasted the full eight-hour flight from Chicago to London, a few hours beyond that (because I forgot to turn it off), and then most of the way through my nine-hour return flight. When it finally died, 10 minutes of charging gave it enough battery for at least 30 more minutes before we landed.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The biggest downsides to the AirFly Pro? The fact that you can't use it while it's charging, and that it's kind of expensive for a Bluetooth transmitter. That said, it works like a charm and feels like a future-proofed purchase, since planes probably aren't getting rid of their 3.5mm audio jacks anytime soon.

Where to buy the AirFly Pro Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The $54.99 AirFly Pro (currently on sale for $44.99) comes with a soft travel pouch and a keyring cap in addition to its charger. For $20 less, you can pick up the AirFly SE, but you lose a little battery life and the dual listening mode.

I've seen the AirFly line sold at airports before, but I'd recommend snagging one before you jet off on your next trip, as my Pro model is easy to find on sale. At the time of writing, Amazon and Best Buy both had it listed for $13 off. The AirFly Pro is also available as part of some Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphone and earbud bundles.

Shop the Twelve South AirFly line: Twelve South AirFly Pro $54.99 Shop Now Twelve South AirFly SE $34.99 Shop Now Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 $59.99 Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Best gifts under $50 that are great for absolutely everyone

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 21:16

Some people possess an innate talent for finding gifts on a budget. No matter the occasion (anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) or recipient (wife, boyfriend, teens, in-laws), they somehow nail it every time — winning the unofficial "best gift-giver" award among those who are lucky to know them. If you're not the most intuitive gift giver, fear not. We've put together a list of the best gift ideas for under $50. These unique, budget-friendly gifts won't break the bank, and you might even see some solid discounts on them if you're lucky.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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