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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 37 min 33 sec ago

Bernie Sanders proposes bill to give the public a 50% stake in AI companies

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 20:10

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders announced today that he will introduce legislation to give the American public a direct ownership stake in the country's largest artificial intelligence companies.

Writing in the New York Times, Sanders laid out the case for the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act — a bill that would create a federally managed fund created not with cash, but with stock. Specifically, Sanders proposes a one-time transfer of 50 percent of equity from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI to the government. The idea: since AI is built on the accumulated knowledge, creativity, conversations, and labor of the American people — typically without permission or payment — the American people deserve a cut of the profits.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Elon Musk found the cheat code for capitalism. The SpaceX IPO proves it.

Here's what Sanders is proposing.

What the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act would accomplish

The fund would acquire half the stock of the largest AI companies in the country through a mandated equity transfer — Sanders is explicit that this is not a profits tax. The government would then hold voting shares and receive equal board representation at each company, giving it formal power to block decisions deemed harmful to the public.

Revenue generated by the fund would flow directly to Americans as cash payments, with Sanders indicating that, as the fund grows, proceeds would eventually support broader public goods, including healthcare, education, and housing. He points to Norway's sovereign wealth fund and Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend as working models of the concept.

Sanders' core argument is that AI models were built on the writing, art, journalism, code, and research produced by millions of people without their consent or compensation. Sanders argues that because the technology is derived from collective human output, the wealth it generates should be shared collectively. As Sanders prepares his legislation, AI industry leaders are prepping for a massive payday when Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX (which recently merged with xAI) go public this year.

Sanders notes that versions of this idea have come from the AI industry itself. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed a public wealth fund tied to AI-driven economic growth. Anthropic has called for national sovereign wealth funds holding AI equity stakes. Musk has advocated for a "universal high income" to offset AI-related job displacement.

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Sanders frames these industry positions as validation — though notably, endorsing a concept in the abstract and accepting a 50 percent equity transfer are very different things.

What's still unresolved

Sanders acknowledges the legislation is still being written. Several significant questions still lack answers.

Profitability is one. OpenAI is notoriously not profitable and has operated at a loss for most of its existence. A sovereign wealth fund built on equity in companies that aren't profitable doesn't generate dividends, and Sanders hasn't addressed what the fund looks like if the AI sector's financial trajectory doesn't match analyst projections.

Scope is another. Sanders says applying government ownership to companies where AI is only part of the business is "complicated," without explaining how that would be handled in practice. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon all have major AI operations — it's unclear whether or how they'd fall under the legislation.

Environmental impact gets no mention. AI infrastructure — data centers, energy consumption, water use — carries real costs that fall on communities that don't always benefit from generative AI, and the proposal offers no specific mechanism beyond the general promise of government oversight to address them.

SEE ALSO: The NAACP is fighting back against AI data centers

However, a well-structured sovereign wealth fund could distribute some AI wealth downward, in theory. Government board representation could also create some accountability for a powerful and fast-growing new industry. The populist proposal is far bolder than anything else in the current policy conversation.

Until the senator drops the actual legislation, what we have is a premise that's hard to argue with and a plan that's still very much a sketch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Anthropic beats OpenAI to blockbuster IPO filing

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 18:57

The AI giant Anthropic has submitted its draft S-1 registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday morning, setting the stage for an initial public offering later this year.

Anthropic made headlines when it reached a near-trillion-dollar valuation, surpassing OpenAI as the largest privately held AI company. Anthropic raised $65 billion from Altimeter Capital, Greenoaks, Dragoneer, and Sequoia Capital. This came after it reached a peak influx of a million new users a day, the company said in March.

Once the SEC completes a review of Anthropic's confidential filing, the company will be able to go public. Anthropic said the timing "will depend on market conditions and other factors."

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk found the cheat code for capitalism. The SpaceX IPO proves it.

Anthropic revealed the news via a short announcement on its website, noting that the share price has not yet been set.

It isn't the only tech giant prepping for an IPO this year. Elon Musk's SpaceX, after its merger with xAI, filed its own IPO paperwork in May. ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is expected to move forward with its own IPO as early as this month.

These IPOs could break records and create unprecedented wealth. If the SpaceX IPO goes as planned, Musk is widely expected to become the world's first trillionaire.

Anthropic founder and CEO Dario Amoedi, who only owns 1% of the company, will not enter the Musk stratosphere of wealth — but he could be worth tens of billions of dollars when Anthropic hits the market.

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Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

For one day only the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is cheaper than the MacBook Neo

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 18:57

SAVE $350: As of June 1, you can get the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 at Best Buy for $549.99, down from $899.99. That's a 38% discount or $350 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 $549.99 at Best Buy
$899.99 Save $350   Get Deal

If you're thinking about grabbing the new MacBook Neo, you should probably check Best Buy's daily deals first. Right now, you can get the 15.3-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 for $549.99 (that's a $350 price drop) — but the deal ends tonight.

SEE ALSO: MacBook Neo review: I think Apple's going to sell millions of these

The Neo is a solid starter laptop, but the base model (now only $589.99) comes with a 13-inch screen, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. For $40 less, this Lenovo comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of solid-state storage. That's double the RAM and double the storage for less money.

You'll also get a 15.3-inch 2K touchscreen, which is a nice practical upgrade over Apple's smaller, non-touch 13-inch display. If you don't care about labels (e.g., having the Apple logo on the back of your laptop) or don't need to sync your iPhone to your computer, getting better hardware at a lower price is a pretty easy choice.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Last chance: Preorder the new Anker Solix S2000 portable power station for $599 before the price jumps up

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 18:55

SAVE $600.99: Preorder the new Anker Solix S2000 get the portable power station for just $599 instead of the normal MSRP of $1,199.99. That's a 50% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix S2000 $599 at Anker
$1,199.99 Save $600.99   Pre-order Here

The thought of a power cut is never anyone's idea of a fun time. We have to deal with dwindling phone battery, dead earbuds, a laptop with low power, and maybe worst of all, food spoiling in the fridge. Plenty of portable power stations are designed for a weekend of camping but not all can handle the task of keeping the refrigerator cooling. Anker Solix takes aim at this issue with its latest model — the S2000 and preorders are in for a massive savings. But you only have a few hours left to score the saving.

Preorder the Anker Solix S2000 before its launch on June 2 to score the portable power station for only $599, down from the list price of $1,199.99. That's a major savings of $600.99 or a 50% discount. To get the discount, sign up with your email address. On June 2, you'll get an early access discount code in your inbox which is valid through June 8. You'll also get access to priority shipping. From June 2 onward, the price shifts to $679.99.

Anker Solix designed the S2000 to excel when the power cuts at home. Its 2,010Wh capacity is rating for 1,500W output and peak at 3,000W. Anker claims it's capable of offering 35 hours of fridge backup. The brand is putting that claim to the test starting at 5 p.m. PT June 2 with a live YouTube stream.

Building on the idea the S2000 is ideal for home backup, Anker placed AC ports on both the front and the back of the unit. Plug the fridge into the back and you still have access to three AC ports for other items like the coffee pot or a lamp. It also comes with dual UBS-C ports and a USB-A.

Anker also focused on a compact, portable design with this model. It weighs just a bit over 35 pounds and is impressively small for packing in over 2,000Wh of battery capacity. Plus, the built-in handles make for easy carrying. When it comes time to recharge the S2000, the ultrafast recharging option brings it back to 80% capacity in 1.2 hours with standard wall AC recharging. If you can offer 400W of solar input, you're looking at 80% capacity in 4.5 hours.

Before the $599 preorder deal expires tonight, upgrade to the new Anker Solix S2000. It'll give you reassurance a power outage won't spoil the entire contents of your refrigerator. Plus, getting a power station that offers over 2,000Wh for under $600 is an incredible deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for just $29.99 at Amazon

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 18:37

SAVE 40%: As of June 1, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for $29.99 at Amazon, down from $49.99. That's a 40% discount or $20 savings.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal at Amazon

Summer's finally here, which means you'll probably (hopefully) be traveling quite a bit for vacation or family events. If you're visiting family, it's likely you'll be in a cabin, an older hotel, or staying in your childhood bedroom without a smart TV.

SEE ALSO: The 30 best comedies streaming on Netflix right now

Instead of watching basic cable, just pack a streaming stick. Right now, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus for $29.99 at Amazon, down from $49.99. That's a 40% discount or $20 savings. But you'd better hurry — this deal ends in about 15 hours.

This specific model supports Wi-Fi 6, which helps keep your 4K movies from buffering when you're sharing a spotty connection. You can also stream games like Call of Duty directly through the stick via Xbox Game Pass — just remember you'll need a subscription and a Bluetooth controller to actually play. On top of that, it comes with Amazon's new Alexa+ AI, which lets you search for a movie by describing the plot or by reciting a quote into the remote.

The only catch is that full access to Alexa+ features is free only if you already have an Amazon Prime account. If you don't, the AI assistant will cost you an extra $19.99 a month.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Early adopters can get the Xreal 1S AR glasses for only $450

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 18:27

SAVE $80: The Xreal 1S AR glasses are on sale at Amazon for $449, down from the list price of $529. That's a 15% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Xreal S1 AR/XR glasses $449 at Amazon
$529 Save $80   Get Deal

If you've been watching the evolution of smart glasses but haven't felt like it was the right time to invest in a pair, the tide might be shifting. We now have smart glasses that come with excellent sound, 3D capabilities, and some can pair with your handheld gaming console. A model that does all of this is on sale at Amazon today.

As of June 1, the Xreal 1S AR glasses are on sale at Amazon for $449, marked down from the list price of $529. That's a 15% discount that takes $80 off the price.

Xreal is coming in hot with advancements in smart glasses, and the Xreal 1S have some great features. For one, the sound is powered by Bose for immersive audio with 3.0 Spatial Sound Field. This model, like all in the One Series, features real 3D. Paired with the ability to display up to 200 inches, we're talking a whole new experience when viewing movies.

SEE ALSO: This 32-inch LG UltraGear 4K OLED monitor is $500 cheaper at Amazon today

Xreal also snagged TÜV Rheinland certification for this model which means you're in for a more eye-friendly display with a flick-free full viewing area and low blue light. Xreal also made it easy to connect devices with a simple USB-C port. You won't need to mess around with any app connectivity or setup to connect your phone or gaming consoles.

Other noteworthy specs include 1,200P HD resolution, 700 nits of peak brightness, and up to 120Hz global refresh rate. Today's deal includes the Xreal 1S AR glasses, three sizes of nose pads, a cleaning cloth, a protective case, and more.

Before the sale price vanishes, hop on the Xreal 1S AR glasses. They're on sale for $449 at Amazon and come with tons of latest-tech features.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Home Speaker release date reportedly leaks

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 18:03

Google's first speaker in nearly six years should finally make its way to stores before the end of the month.

According to a leaked product page on Best Buy's Canadian website, the Google Home Speaker will officially launch on June 25.

The product page, as first noticed by 9to5Google, lists the speaker at a price point of $139.99 Canadian dollars. This appears to back up Google's announced U.S. launch price point for the speaker at $99.99.

In addition, Best Buy only lists the Hazel and Porcelain color options, whereas Google's U.S. product page shows that the smart speaker will also come in Berry and Jade colors as well. In design, the new Google Home Speaker looks like a cross between an Echo Dot and an Apple HomePod.

The upcoming Google Home Speaker with Gemini. Credit: Google

Google previously announced the Google Home Speaker last summer. It will be powered by Gemini instead of the traditional Google Assistant, which has been the subject of numerous complains in recent months. While the speaker comes with Google Gemini, users will have to sign up for a monthly subscription to access additional AI features such as Gemini Live.

SEE ALSO: Is Google Home another victim of ensh*ttification? Redditors discuss, Google responds.

According to Google, the launch date for the Google Home Speaker was originally targeted for Spring 2026. However, the company delayed its release so it could focus on rolling out Gemini for Home. A June 25 rollout would only put the release a few days outside Google's originally targeted launch window.

The Google Home Speaker will be Google's first since 2020. It also marks a shift from the company, as the Google Home Speaker doesn't have the Nest branding that many Google smart home products used to carry. The Google Home Speaker will feature Gemini processing, 360-degree audio, multi-room support, and the ability to pair multiple Speakers with the Google TV Streamer for stereo surround sound.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $40 on the stylish Apple AirPods Max 2 headphones

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 17:58

SAVE $40: As of June 1, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are on sale at Amazon for $509 instead of $549. That's $40 cheaper than usual and matches their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max 2 $509 at Amazon
$549 Save $40   Get Deal

If you already have the original AirPods Max headphones, you should definitely not spend $500+ on the AirPods Max 2. But if you're shopping for over-the-ear headphones for the first time and you've had your eye on the undeniably stylish Apple headset, you should at least grab them while they're on sale.

As of June 1, the AirPods Max 2 are $509 instead of $549. Sure, $40 off isn't the biggest discount, but it does knock these noise-cancelling headphones back down to their best price on record. And that's something.

The first proper upgrade to Apple's first and only set of over-the-ear headphones, which took six years, isn't a major one. The AirPods Max 2 look the same as the AirPods Max, come with the same case, have the same battery life, come in the same color options, and cost the same amount. It's what lies inside that's actually different. The new generation headphones come with Apple's H2 chip inside (the same as the AirPods Pro 3), which means they have better active noise cancellation and a few new smart features.

Mashable reviewer Stan Schroeder can vouch for this. He notes that the noise cancellation has been audibly improved compared to the old model. "Not only did the new AirPods Max 2 block more noise, but they were also better at reducing noise depending on where I turned or how I moved my head," he writes.

Another new thing to note is the ability to toggle on/off features like adaptive audio, live translation, loud sound reduction, conversation awareness, and Siri interactions however and whenever you desire.

While they're not a groundbreaking upgrade over the older model, the AirPods Max 2 are still pretty great. And if you're an avid Apple fan and have been saving up, we recommend grabbing them while they're down to their best price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pixel Watch 5 reportedly found in the ocean

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 17:41

Google's yet-to-be-announced Pixel Watch 5 has turned up somewhere the company almost certainly didn't intend — on the ocean floor near the Caribbean island of St. Martin.

The source of the leak is Gearbox Software founder Randy Pitchford, who posted two images on X showing what appears to be an unreleased Pixel Watch 5 in his possession. A bizarre sentence for sure, but the former studio head wrote that a friend had discovered the smartwatch while scuba diving, and it was still partially functional despite its time underwater. It was only able to display the correct time on what appeared to be a reserve charge.

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In the age of AI, it's hard to trust photographs entirely, but Pitchford's photos seem legit. "Pixel Watch 5" is clearly visible around the rim, and Pitchford's own face is reflected in the screen as he takes the shot. Beyond that, there's not a ton to learn from it — the ocean stay did a number on the battery, so hands-on impressions are limited to "it exists."

On the specs side, don't expect a dramatic leap from the Pixel Watch 4, which launched last fall. Android Central reported back in August 2025 that blood pressure monitoring and arterial stiffness tracking could be on the way, along with a proprietary Google Tensor chip for the watch codenamed "NPT."

Pitchford later confirmed on X that the watch's owner had been found and that a return was in the works. Mashable reached out to Google for comment, but did not receive a response before publication time.

If Google sticks to last year's launch schedule, the Pixel Watch 5 should be released in August.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything Nvidia revealed at its Computex keynote

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 17:32

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took the stage at Computex to unveil the new Vera Rubin AI computing platform, the Vera CPU, a new collaboration with Microsoft that promises to “reinvent” the PC and its new open source AI models.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Oura Ring 4 is on sale at Amazon, but theres a catch

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 17:27

TL;DR: The Oura Ring 4 is finally on sale at Amazon. As of June 1, you can score up to 31% off select colors, including midnight (ceramic), petal (ceramic), and stealth (metallic).

Oura Ring 4 (ceramic, midnight) $398 at Amazon
$499 Save $101   Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been eyeing the Oura Ring 4, but couldn't justify the $399 price tag, you have a short window to get it on sale at Amazon. With the Oura Ring 5 making its debut on June 5 (it's available for preorder now), the company is temporarily knocking the price off of select finishes/colors/sizes.

SEE ALSO: I tried the best smart rings of 2026 — yes, there's more than just Oura

The only catch is that the discounts vary depending on your finger size and the finish you want. If you happen to be a size 8 and want the ceramic midnight colorway, you're in luck — it's 31% off. For everyone else, you'll just have to click through your specific size and preferred color to see the markdown.

Even though it's about to be replaced by the newer model (which is said to be 40 percent smaller), the Oura Ring 4 is a Mashable Choice Award winner that still accurately tracks your sleep, activity, and cycle data without the premium price tag. At $345, it’s a much more reasonable entry point into smart rings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The epic Lord of the Rings Minas Tirith Lego set now comes with two free gifts

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 17:04

PREORDER THE NEW LEGO LORD OF THE RINGS LEGO SET AND GET TWO FREE LEGO SETS: Preorders for the Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith quality for two free Lego sets. Get a free Lego Grond set and a free Lego Ninja Cole's Car with preorders. The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith set sells for $649.99 with a release date set for June 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith (11377) $649.99 at Lego
get two free Lego sets with order Pre-order Here

We've all heard the warnings — this summer is going to be a scorcher. Instead of sweating it out at the beach, how about working on a massive Lego project that's nearly 1,000 pieces? On June 4, Lego is releasing The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith set, and preorders come with great perks.

Through June 7, orders for the new Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith (11377) come with two free Lego sets. The Lego set comes with a price tag of $649.99 with a release date of June 4. Orders qualify for a free Lego Grond set and a free Lego Ninja Cole's Car set. In total, you'll be saving $34.98 with the two free sets.

There's never a bad time to start a giant Lego built. Clear the dining room table or the coffee table because the Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith is taking over, in the most welcomed way. The set has 8,278 Lego pieces with 10 minifigures. Perfect for those with a Middle-Earth collection, Minas Tirith includes both exterior and interior details fans are sure to enjoy both building and displaying.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Cherry Blossom set is just $8 at Amazon right now

Once competed, the set measures about 24 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 15 inches deep, so clear a large spot on the bookshelf for this one. Plus, the freebies are fun. The Grond Lego build will add to The Lord of the Rings Lego collection and the Ninja Cole's Car is great mini build.

If you're a Lord of the Rings fan and enjoy Lego builds, hop on this great deal to score two free Lego sets. All three sets combined will be the perfect summer activity done from the comfort of indoors.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Scoop up the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 speaker (our fave under $100) for its best price ever

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 16:34

SAVE $48.55: As of June 1, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker is on sale at Amazon for only $51.44. That's just shy of 50% off its list price and its lowest cost on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $51.44 at Amazon
$99.90 Save $48.46   Get Deal

Mashable's shopping team's favorite Bluetooth speaker under $100 is now under $55. We've tested tons of Bluetooth speakers and the itty bitty Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 made quite the impression. If you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker that's an absolute powerhouse, we highly recommend scooping it up while it's on sale.

As of June 1, the Wonderboom 4 in blue is down to just $51.44 at Amazon. That's nearly 50% off its list price of $99.99 and the best price on record according to the price-tracking tool camelcamelcamel.

When we say itty bitty, we aren't being dramatic. The Wonderboom 4 fits snugly in the palm of your hand, but is surprisingly powerful and balanced. There's even an outdoor boost button to crank things up a notch when the moment calls for it. "The sound profile is well-rounded and can get loud," Mashable's reviewer Bethany Allard writes, but adds that she wishes there was a companion app for more customization.

Still, for a no-frills speaker, it's an excellent value. It can last up to 14 hours per charge, handle drops from up to five feet without breaking a sweat, and be fully submerged in water for up to half an hour and still live to tell the tale. Whether you want something to take along on hikes, beach trips, pool days, or anything in between, it's a easy grab-and-go speaker that's a total powerhouse for its size and price — especially now at just over $50.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hands-on with Baseus Bowie MC2 open earbuds: Find out how to get them for $50

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 16:00

The open earbuds market is one of the fastest-expanding audio categories of 2026, and a new budget contender just entered the space.

Meet the Baseus Bowie MC2 earbuds, officially available as of June 1. Priced at $79.99, they're one of the most affordable open models on the market. (Keep reading to learn about their discounted launch price.)

Despite their lower price point, Baseus seeks to blend solid sound quality, innovative comfort, and a battery life that bests earbud options over triple the price of the MC2s. So how do they stack up? While I don't have a full review just yet, I've spent a few days with the newest open earbuds and have some early thoughts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Baseus Baseus Bowie MC2 $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00 Save $30 with code MC2OWSPR Get Deal

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

Baseus Bowie MC2: Price and specs

As mentioned above, the Baseus Bowie MC2 earbuds are available now for $79.99, with a special launch price of $49.99 if you use the coupon code MC2OWSPR at checkout. For the price, these earbuds come loaded with:

  • Battery: 11.5 hours with Bass Boost (55 hours in case) or 13 hours without Bass Boost (60 hours in case)

  • Driver: 11mm dynamic

  • Microphones: 8 microphones, plus two bone conduction sensors

  • Connection: Bluetooth 6.0

  • Codec: SBC, AAC, LDAC

  • Multipoint: Yes, up to two devices simultaneously

  • IP rating: IP67

  • Ear cushion sizes: M, L, XL

  • Colors: Cosmic black, stellar white, deep sea blue

Baseus Bowie MC2: First impressions The Baseus earbuds comes with three sizes of silicone ear covers so you can find the best fit possible. Credit: Baseus

For most people, the draw of open earbuds comes from what they can offer you while you're out and about in the world. The awareness open earbuds provide is generally better than any transparency mode you'll find on traditional earbuds, giving the user the flexibility to listen to music in the park or go for a jog around your city without feeling totally shut out from the world around you.

With that in mind, the Bowie MC2 earbuds make a strong initial case for themselves on a few fronts.

Impressive battery life

If I can listen to music while staying aware of the world around, chances are I'll be keeping my earbuds in and powered on for much of the day. Baseus accounts for this in its battery life, offering an impressive 13 hours per charge, or 11.5 with Bass Boost on. In my experience so far, Bass Boost is pretty essential for getting the best sound quality, even if you're a non-bass head. Otherwise, the music can sound too distant.

To put things into perspective, the only other pair of open earbuds I've encountered with comparable battery life are the Shokz OpenFit Pro, which get 12 hours per charge and 50 hours in the case. They're also $250.

Interchangeable ear covers for maximizing comfort

Most times with budget earbuds, I don't expect a ton of innovation, but with the Bowie MC2, Baseus introduces a feature I've never seen on open earbuds — interchangeable ear covers, which the brand calls CloudComfort 2.0 cushions.

The soft silicone covers are comfortable, but the sizing is somewhat limited. The earbuds come set up with the medium size, but you'll find large and extra-large covers in the box. I tried the larges because out of the box, the earbuds felt a tiny bit loose on me compared to other cuff-style earbuds I've tried. However, I found the larger cover to fit even less securely.

I'm anticipating that this might be due to the size of the band that wraps around the ear, which is also larger than I've encountered on other earbuds. I imagine this is in the service of providing a more comfortable fit, but I've never found smaller bands to be too snug before. In my testing, I'll be looking at how this looser fit works in an exercise context — though I hope it works well, as the IP67 rating could make these earbuds a great pair of workout earbuds.

Their budget earbud competition

At $79.99 (and $50 on sale), these earbuds offer potentially excellent value, especially in a landscape where many of the more popular open earbuds from major audio brands can set you back $200 or more.

The only real competition I see are the EarFun Clip earbuds, which cost $69.99 at full price and are frequently on sale for under $50. Similar to the Baseus earbuds, they have LDAC support, Bluetooth 6.0, and are just behind the Baseus buds in terms of battery life, offering 10 hours per charge and 40 hours in the case.

Baseus Bowie MC2: Where to buy

The Baseus Bowie MC2 earbuds are available now at Amazon for a special launch price of $49.99 when you use the code MC2OWSPR. The code is valid through July 31.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Apples smart glasses arent coming very soon, new report claims

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 14:41

Apple's oft-rumored smart glasses probably aren't coming this year.

A new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the glasses are planned for "late 2027," with the reason being unspecified development roadblocks.

Just last month, Gurman said Apple was working on four different designs for its smart glasses, with a planned unveiling in late 2026 and a launch in 2027.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new, smarter Siri could look like this

Apple still considers the smart glasses, which would be a direct competitor to the Meta Ray-Bans, a very important part of its future lineup, according to Gurman's latest report. The devices will likely have cameras for capturing photos and videos, as well as microphones and speakers for phone calls and music. AI integration and health-related features should be big selling points, too.

Design-wise, Apple is reportedly looking into four different variants: One with a larger, rectangular frame (think Ray-Ban Wayfarers), one with a slimmer rectangular design, and two oval designs, one larger and one smaller. Color options that Apple is said to be looking into include light brown, ocean blue, and black.

As for the price, Gurman has a range, but it's not very precise: They could cost anywhere between $200 and $500 in the U.S.

As far as the also-rumored, cheaper version of the company's Vision Pro mixed reality headset goes, that's probably not coming until 2028 or even 2029, wrote Gurman.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Will there be a Euphoria Season 4?

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 14:00

Euphoria Season 3 came to a fittingly dramatic close on Sunday, but did we just watch the end of the season, or the end of the show itself?

Given the massive time jump between Seasons 2 and 3, you could be forgiven for thinking that more seasons of writer, director, and creator Sam Levinson's show wouldn't be out of the question in future.

But when asked, the man himself seems pretty definitive with his answer.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' actor has surprisingly funny reaction to being almost completely cut from the show Will there be a Euphoria Season 4?

Levinson appeared on the New York Times' Popcast podcast shortly after the release of the Euphoria finale, and was asked directly whether there would be more episodes.

"In terms of the story that we set out to tell, which is a story about addiction and its consequences, this feels like the end to me," Levinson told NYT reporter Joe Coscarelli and critic Jon Caramanica. "It was such a fulfilling journey in terms of this cast, the crew, what we were able to accomplish...I mean, there's thousands of things that have to go right in order to make something like this, and I'm just immensely proud of the work we did, the story we told, and, you know, it's a tragic one in the end, but it's also the truth."

"This feels like the end" doesn't feel like a definitive answer, but fortunately Coscarelli followed up by asking again if Euphoria ends here.

"Yep," responded Levinson. "I mean what else is there to say?"

Well, that sounds pretty final. HBO reportedly also confirmed Levinson's announcement to Variety, which gives it further weight. Mashable has reached out to HBO for further comment.

UPDATE: Jun. 1, 2026, 12:56 p.m. HBO had no additional statement, but confirmed that "Euphoria" has ended.

Euphoria Season 3 is streaming now on HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hinge officially launches a badge that signals good dating behavior

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 14:00

Weeks after dating app users began spotting a new heartbeat feature on Hinge, the app is officially launching the feature: Signals.

Signals is a purple heart that appears on some users' profiles, showcasing that they're actively engaging with potential dates on the app. As Mashable reported in May, in order for a Signals badge (the heart) to appear, a user needs to satisfy both baseline requirements and three of five behaviors that signify "Thoughtful Participation."

SEE ALSO: Hinge's latest feature makes date planning a little easier

The baseline requirements are:

  • Completing one's profile (having both photos and prompt responses)

  • Having an account in good standing, meaning you follow Hinge's Community Guidelines

  • Having an account that's over a week old

  • Completed selfie verification

And users must exhibit three out of five of these behaviors:

  • Sending comments when Liking someone

  • Sending messages

  • Looking through someone's profile before Liking (not just Liking the first photo)

  • Reviewing one's Likes and either matching or skipping (not leaving others in limbo)

  • Confirming dates

Hinge uses technology to help identify and surface these patterns, the app told Mashable. The app can detect your moves, but that's not exactly novel. Hinge has long had pop-ups like "We Met," which appears day after exchanging numbers to ask if you met IRL.

Users can't buy a Signals badge. Instead, it reflects a user's activity over the past 30 days and refreshes daily based on recent activity.

Credit: Hinge

In the nearly 15 years since the launch of Tinder and the modern dating app landscape, singles have been loud about their frustrations using them, including bad behaviors like ghosting and pen palling (aka, messaging but never meeting up). And while dating app love stories aren't necessarily uncommon, it's likely that those who have found someone special have also liked someone who wasted their time. Ergo, Hinge is trying to signal — literally — who may want to prove the app's "designed to be deleted" tagline.

"People are tired of games," Hinge's lead relationship scientist, Logan Ury, said in a press release shared with Mashable. "Tired of waiting six hours to text back, decoding mixed signals, and pretending not to care. Our research shows daters are ready for something more honest, where effort is celebrated. Signals makes that thoughtfulness visible — so it's easier to find the people who are already showing up that way on Hinge."

Recent feature additions on Hinge have also encouraged better behavior, like Date Ideas, which helps you plan a date so you're not stuck messaging endlessly.

During a test of Signals, Hinge saw an increase in selfie verifications, the number of daters sending likes with comments, and conversations that started after matching, the app shared with Mashable. So, at least for now, it seems like Signals makes users act on their best behavior.

Hinge is introducing Signals through a phased rollout as it gathers feedback and learns how daters use it. The feature is now available globally, except for the UK and EU.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything Nvidia revealed at its GTC keynote

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 13:56

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took the stage at GTC to unveil the new Vera Rubin AI computing platform, the Vera CPU, a new collaboration with Microsoft that promises to “reinvent” the PC and its new open source AI models.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Legos Cherry Blossom set is just $8 at Amazon right now

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 13:21

SAVE $6.99: As of June 1, the Lego Cherry Blossom set (#40725) is marked down to its lowest price yet at Amazon to $8. This is $6.99 off its full price of $14.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Cherry Blossom (#40725) $8 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $6.99   Get Deal

If you're a big fan of Lego's Botanicals sets and are looking for some extra flowers to combine with your other arrangements, Amazon has a great deal for you right now. As of June 1, the retailer has dropped the price of the lovely Lego Cherry Blossom set (#40725) to its lowest price yet at just $8, making now a perfect time to pick them up for your brick-built bouquets.

Compared to this Lego set's full price of $14.99, this is a huge 47% discount to take advantage of. However, it may not be live for long since it's a limited-time deal. If it's a set that's been on your radar, this is the time to make a move on it.

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While it's made up of just two small stems, the Lego Cherry Blossom set doesn't have to be bought as an addition to an existing bouquet. If you enjoy this set on its own, it looks like quite a sweet, smaller display to have in its own vase. The set's 430 pieces create two cherry blossom branches that are covered in pretty pink and white buds. They measure just over 14 inches, so that you can find a perfect vase placement for them, perhaps on a shelf or windowsill.

This Lego set isn't just for adults, either. It's actually recommended for those aged eight and up, so younger Lego fans can piece it together if they enjoy how the Lego Cherry Blossoms look.

If you've had your eye on this Lego Cherry Blossom set, you'll want to be quick to take advantage of this great discount at Amazon.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab Marshall Monitor III headphones at their lowest-ever price at Amazon. Save $150 now.

Mon, 06/01/2026 - 12:24

SAVE OVER $100: As of June 1, the Marshall Monitor III headphones have dropped to their lowest price yet at Amazon, at $229.99. This is $150 off their full price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones $229.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $150   Get Deal

While we wait for more news on this summer's Prime Day sale, Amazon still has quite a few deals worth checking out. If you've been hoping to save on a new pair of headphones this year, the Marshall Monitor III is currently sitting at its lowest price yet at the retailer. So why not scoop them up now?

As of June 1, the Marshall Monitor III headphones (both in black and cream) are on sale for $229.99 at Amazon. This is a massive $150 discount from their original price of $379.99, which is well worth taking advantage of. We're big fans of them, too, with Mashable's Bethany Allard writing "These retro-designed headphones sound as good as they look" in her review.

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Allard's review continues on to call them a "mid-range contender to be reckoned with," explaining, "Are they perfect headphones? No. But if you don't need class-leading sound and ANC and can make do with both of those being just pretty good instead, the Monitor III headphones pick up the slack in areas where the most popular headphones overlook."

As for where these headphones really stand out? Allard notes that "Their design is unique, but actually functional, their tactile controls are the best I've tried, and their customization is hard to beat." On top of all that, they boast quite a hefty battery life of up to 70 hours with ANC enabled. That can even be pushed to 100 hours without ANC. Yes, you read that correctly.

If they've caught your eye, now is the time to save big on the Marshall Monitor III headphones at Amazon before their price goes back up.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

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