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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: 1 hour 11 min ago

Hands-on: This tech lets you livestream with 7 cameras. It isnt cheap.

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 23:42

If you're interested in a career as a creator, you can go a long way with a tripod and a smartphone equipped with 4K video (which is most of them). Maybe you upgrade, at some point, to a gimbal.

But when you're ready to graduate from a webcam or smartphone to a more professional setup? That's when livestreaming suddenly gets a lot more complicated. And that's where multi-camera livestreaming products from a Chinese company called Obsbot can help.

At the International Innovations expo at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas, I got the chance to try out Osbot's setup. Using the company's touchscreen Video Switcher Monitor, you can combine up to seven streams at once — in theory, cutting between shots, angles, and cameras for your audience on Twitch or YouTube.

Osbot cameras at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

This could be particularly useful when hosting a livestream with multiple participants — but even for a simple setup where you're talking to the camera, having multiple angles and cameras will instantly make your show look more professional.

Obsbot has been on the livestreaming scene since 2016; it was the official webcam partner of the 2025 Esports World Cup. Still, the company cites a very broad range of potential use cases: pastors livestreaming church services, gamers livestreaming on Twitch, professors teaching digital classes, and video creators of all kinds (or as we used to call them, vloggers).

The company's app supports livestreaming on Twitch, YouTube, X, Vimeo, and other popular platforms. Obsbot has webcam-style cameras and tracking cameras that can follow your face using AI, or operated by remote control.

In the demo, there was something very satisfying about remote-controlling the cameras, and watching them track my face as I moved around. Most webcams now offer some type of face tracking, of course, but Osbot's gimbal cameras are rare in offering 360-degree facial tracking.

Osbot cameras at SXSW 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Unfortunately, there is a downside to graduating from your camera and tripod era: the price tag.

The Osbot Video Mixer Monitor will set you back $1,099, and the Tail Air 4k Streaming Camera and remote is priced at $549. Still, you can supplement these pricier elements with more traditional webcams, like the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite, a 4K webcam, for only $179.

When you start adding all the cameras and accessories you need to make the mixer monitor work, the price can rise quickly. For example, if you want to go all-in, B&H Photo & Video has an Obsbot Streaming bundle with the video mixer, three Tail 2 AI cameras, three NDI license keys, three tripods, filters, and more accessories. The cost? A cool $6,669.

But, hey, if you're a professional creator, you can always write it off come tax season.

Products featured in this story Tiny 2 Lite 4K Webcam $119 (save $60) Get Deal OBSBOT Tail Air NDI 4K Streaming Camera $499 Shop Now Obsbot Talent Video Switcher Monitor $1,099 Shop Now Obsbot Tail 2 Streaming Combo $6,669 Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

NASA is so dead set on an April moon launch, it wont talk backup dates

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 23:30

NASA has cleared Artemis II for launch following a lengthy flight readiness review, mission managers said Thursday, as teams work toward a liftoff as early as April 1.

The new timeline follows the discovery of a helium-flow problem in the mega moon rocket's upper stage that required teams to roll the vehicle back to its enormous hangar for repairs. After swapping out seals and testing them, along with replacing some batteries, mission managers said they're ready to fly. 

So dead set is the space agency on launching next month that its managers have refused to provide launch windows beyond April 30. 

"I've said in the past that, yes, there are opportunities in other months," said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for exploration systems development, on Thursday, "but right now, we are solely focused on April." 

The flight readiness review serves as the final, agency-level check of hardware, teams, and plans before the Space Launch System and Orion spaceship move back to the launch pad. "Polling go" means the agency is comfortable sending astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day flight around the moon, the first crewed deep space mission in more than 50 years.

SEE ALSO: The interstellar comet gets stranger as scientists learn what's in it

Mission managers said they expect to roll the 322-foot stacked rocket back to its launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, next week on March 19.

Engineers identified and fixed a blocked helium seal in a ground line. The problem caught teams by surprise after a near-perfect fueling test in late February. NASA tested a redesigned connector and installed the modified part on the upper stage. Teams also replaced flight-termination system batteries and tested abort system batteries for the crew module.

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NASA said it remains on track to attempt liftoff as early as April 1, with the launch window opening at 6:24 p.m. ET. Backup dates are available April 2 through 6. The crew will enter pre-launch quarantine on March 18 and travel to Kennedy Space Center in Florida about five days before the launch, as part of standard procedures to protect crew health and readiness.

During the news conference, NASA officials had a tense exchange with reporters regarding the probability of a mission failure or crew loss. When pressed for a single risk number, mission managers balked, offering rough historical comparisons. Test flights often face high uncertainty, said John Honeycutt, chairman of the Artemis II mission management team.

When asked about it again, NASA moderator Rachel Kraft declined to let the panel answer. 

"We've addressed the risk question several times," she said. "We have plenty more questions to get to."

From left, astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen will be the first crew to fly in deep space since Apollo 17 about half a century ago. Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky

Work still remains in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Teams will complete checkouts, remove access platforms, and secure the hardware for moving back to the pad. 

NASA does not plan to have another wet dress rehearsal, a practice launch countdown with actual fuel, that would eat up time in the April launch window. Instead, the agency aims to fill the rocket on a day that could lead directly into a launch.

The flight readiness review, albeit a significant achievement for any mission, was just a "step along the way," Honeycutt said. 

"We're not going to celebrate 'til we get Reid and Victor and Christina and Jeremy safely home," he said.  

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is Jake Paul running for political office?

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 22:55

At a Wednesday rally in Kentucky, President Donald Trump heaped praise on YouTuber Jake Paul and insinuated the influencer would soon run for political office.

Trump was in the Bluegrass state to campaign for Congressional candidate Ed Gallrein, who is running against Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican and avowed enemy of Trump’s. After Gallrein spoke to the crowd, Trump heaped praise on Paul, calling him a powerful fighter, a "great guy," and "a very tough cookie."

Paul came out briefly, saying he and Trump "never back down from a fight." The influencer also stated that he hopes to see more factories thriving in the area and throughout the country, possibly hinting at future issues he’ll campaign on.

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel reacts to Jake Paul speaking at a Trump rally

After Paul left the stage, Trump said, "I predict, I’m gonna make a prediction, that [Paul] will be, in the not-too-distant future, running for political office. And you have my complete and total endorsement."

Trump’s embrace of Paul is quite a reversal for the creator, whose California home was raided by the FBI in 2020. The raid was connected to a looting at an Arizona mall; Paul was never charged with any crimes.

Paul was accused of sexual assault by TikTok star Justine Paradise in 2021, but denied the claims.

In the years since, Paul has become as well known for his MMA and boxing careers as his highly lucrative work as a YouTuber and influencer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Maps receives major upgrade with 3D redesign, AI feature

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 22:49

Google Maps just got a major upgrade. A really major upgrade. In fact, according to Google, it's the biggest update to the company's mapping service in more than a decade.

What's new? Two features that have the power to change how users use the app entirely: Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation.

Ask Maps

The new AI feature, Ask Maps brings Google's most advanced Gemini models into the app. The goal: allow users to ask destination questions in a conversational way.

Users can get real specific, the company says, and ask questions like “My phone is dying — where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?”

Ask Maps will then suggest locations where they can do exactly that. How accurate the suggestions are is another question.

Ask Maps Credit: Google

Google Maps users can also provide Ask Maps with a list of locations they are planning to visit, and ask if there's anything interesting they should check out.

The company says that it "analyzes information from over 300 million places, including reviews from our community of more than 500 million contributors" in order to build each user's itinerary.

Ask Maps will also reference your previous preferences when recommending locations and businesses — for example, a type of restaurant.

Ask Maps Credit: Google

Once a user picks a spot, Ask Maps says it can help book reservations at the restaurant, save the location to a list for a later date, and share locations with friends.

Immersive Navigation

What's a bigger deal than yet another Google app getting an AI feature? Answer: Immersive Navigation.

Google has basically introduced a whole new way to use Google Maps, with a redesign that the company is calling "a complete transformation of the navigation experience, with redesigned visuals and more intuitive guidance."

Immersive Navigation provides a 3D way to navigate in the app. The environment your avatar is driving through highlights important road details like lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs. Surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain will match more closely what they look like in real-life.

Immersive Navigation Credit: Google

Google Maps is also getting a slew of smaller features: more advanced notices for your routes, more natural and conversational voice guidance, parking recommendations when approaching your destination, and real-time road disruption alerts.

And when you're deciding whether to continue using the current direction, or opting for an alternate route that the app discovers, Google Maps will now offer more context for your decision.

Ask Maps is rolling out today in the U.S. for iOS and Android devices, and will come to the desktop app later in the year. Immersive Navigation will begin to roll out today in the U.S. and expand over the next few months to eligible iOS and Android devices, CarPlay, Android Auto and cars with Google built-in.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Anima review: Science fiction with a generous dose of human yearning

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 22:25

There's a slippery magic that can occur between two strangers. At first, they are nothing to each other, except perhaps a means to an end. Maybe they are even slightly repelled by each other. Then something flicks, and they are not just strangers anymore. They are people who, for better or worse, can see truly each other, even if they never see each other again.

This is the story at the core of Anima, which has a sci-fi setup that might suggest a cold world of disconnected folk. The story begins with Beck (Alien: Earth's Sydney Chandler), a young woman with a bob that's best described as retro-futuristic while French. Though trained as an engineer, Beck's lack of people skills has her searching for work. When a company that promises it can upload human consciousness into a cloud system is hiring, she'll take any job they've got on offer. Little does she expect it'll be a life-changing journey.

Anima is an entrancing road-trip movie.

An unappealing entry-level gig is how Beck meets Paul (Shōgun's Takehiro Hira), a man who's made his fortune on buttons (the clothing kind, not the pushing kind). Paul is a client of this consciousness-cloud storage company; she's been hired to pick him up and drive him to his final appointment. There, he will, according to the sales pitch, be copied over to a computer drive and then euthanized.

The instructions Beck is given from a formal executive (Birth/Rebirth's Marin Ireland) are simple: Drive him here and see that he has a good last meal. But Paul throws a curve into their journey by demanding they make a few stops along the way.

See, before he goes, Paul wants to make amends. Well, maybe "amends" isn't the right word. But he has some regrets to get off his chest, and Beck will be his sidekick whether she likes it or not.

Anima is a tale of opposites finding common ground.

At first, Beck regards Paul as a job, perhaps in part so she won't think too much about what their destination has in store for this soon-to-die man. But as their car ride kicks off, she soon is sneering at him — and understandably so! Sulking in a leather trench coat and business suit, he demands detours, detests the radio, and drags Beck into backyards, shops, and humble homes on his unhinged quest for resolution.

Along the way, they'll meet characters who burst with energy neither of these heroes can muster. A poolside vixen with a mouth painted perfectly red and welcoming. An American business colleague who practically cheers at Paul's arrival. An awkward teen clerk whose hobby is talking to an AI chatbot modeled after a Twin Peaks character. With each encounter, Beck sees who Paul is in contrast to those he'll leave behind. And in each stop, she reveals a bit of herself too.

Sydney Chandler and Takehiro Hira have a strange but compelling chemistry.

Writer/director Brian Tetsuro Ivie sculpts a story lean yet deep, where small plot points echo across the road trip. A stolen CD plays a song about a broken parent-child bond, allowing Beck and Paul to connect over a shared heartache from opposite sides. Something flips, just like that, and these two are not strangers but friends. So what will that mean for the end of their journey? I wouldn't dare reveal. But I will say that Chandler and Hira manage each step with a resonating reserve.

In dialogue, they move from crisply rude to hesitantly curious to trippingly warm to achingly vulnerable. Yet despite its themes of life, death, and regret, Anima never falls into suffocating sentimentality or tear-jerking theatrics. Its tone is softer and more elegiac, but never stoic.

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There's a thrum of yearning reverberating through Ivie's vision of a not-so-distant future. There, these heroes are often bathed in cool tones, perhaps reflecting the icy exteriors that have been their respective shields. But as they collide with the friends and family of Paul's life, the palette grows warm, as if to indicate life choices that really could have made the grass greener.

Paul's early rejection of the radio sets up a soundtrack that is selective, not constant. Sometimes the only music is the whispering of a river, or the hum of the car speeding down the highway. Other times, it's a deceptively cheery pop song, an artist perhaps singing the feelings neither Paul or Beck can dare to confess.

In the end, Anima is a touching story of human connection in a world where tech suggests we can do without. Moving and meditative, this drama is a ride well worth the taking.

Anima was reviewed out of SXSW.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Disclosure Day trailer: Steven Spielberg and aliens remain a match made in heaven

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 21:41

The latest trailer for Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day, ahem, discloses a bit more information about the film's plot than its initial teaser.

According to the trailer, Josh O'Connor plays a whistleblowing cybersecurity administrator who's planning to reveal the sensitive information he's paid to protect. The information? That humans aren't alone in the universe.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Thrash' trailer is hungry sharks after tsunami after hurricane

Soon, he'll be mixed up in a vast fight for the truth, and he won't be alone. He'll team up with a Kansas City TV meteorologist (Emily Blunt) who begins emitting alien clicking sounds while on air. His acquaintance Jane (Eve Hewson) also gets wrapped up in things, crossing paths with a menacing administrator (Colin Firth) who appears to be able to project himself anywhere in the world thanks to a machine he's wired up to. Said machine also seems to give him mind control powers and the ability to change his eye color, making it a Swiss Army knife of cool powers. (That doesn't mean I'd like to cross paths with anyone using it, though.)

The rest of the trailer is chock-full of intriguing imagery, from crop circles to a mysterious deer leading a young girl toward a glowing door. Do I know what's going on? No. Do I trust Spielberg to deliver another alien banger? Given that he's behind E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, that's going to be an absolute "yes."

Disclosure Day was written by Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, from a story by Spielberg. Colman Domingo and Wyatt Russell also star.

Disclosure Day hits theaters June 12.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tinder drops a slew of updates, including an AI way to cut through dating fatigue

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 20:00

Tinder just announced several product updates at its inaugural event, Tinder Sparks — from its subtly teased AI matchmaker to safety upgrades and an astrology mode.

Up top, Tinder is "modernizing" its look with a Liquid Glass design (like Apple's) and full-screen photos and content. The app also wants to enhance onboarding new users by encouraging them to complete their profiles — from bios to multiple photos, instead of just uploading a selfie. Beyond that, here's a breakdown of all the newness coming to the dating app:

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered New Tinder AI features

Like other major dating apps, Bumble and Hinge, Tinder is leaning into the AI craze. This isn't new — they've rolled out AI-powered features before — but today's announcement continues the trend.

First, there's Chemistry, an AI-powered matchmaker that's already being tested in Australia and New Zealand, but rolls out in the U.S. and Canada today.

Chemistry is "Tinder's AI-powered way of cutting through dating fatigue," according to Tinder's press release. Chemistry will use a Q&A and scan your camera roll to "get a better sense" of who you are, and in return, Tinder users will receive a daily curated match recommendation.

Credit: Tinder

The camera roll scan is an opt-in feature within Chemistry that helps discover "Photo Insights" such as your interests based on patterns in your camera roll. This seems similar to Photo Selector, an AI feature Tinder rolled out in 2024, that helped you pick a profile pic.

Similar features in the pipeline are Visual Interests and the AI-powered Photo Enhanced, which will reportedly highlight individuals' favorite things and make photos clearer, respectively.

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In addition, Tinder's real-time recommendation system, "Learning Mode," aims to quickly understand what you're looking for and gather feedback to serve you better potential matches. Internal testing of Learning Mode suggests that, for women joining Tinder for the first time, it's associated with a higher likelihood of returning to the app within the first week.

New modes for music and astrology lovers

Tinder previously introduced College Mode and Double Date Mode, and now it's continuing the trend.

Music Mode launched in 2021 in collaboration with Spotify, but Tinder has now redesigned it. Music Mode will now prioritize profiles with shared tastes and promises a sleeker user interface. In early testing, one in 10 Tinder users under 22 adopted it.

Then there's the new Astrology Mode, likely building on the growing online interest in astrology and already influencing Tinder users. Now, users can add their birth data to "unlock" their Sun, Moon, and Rising signs and see compatibility insights with a potential match. Women with Astrology profiles sent 20 percent more Likes in early testing, according to Tinder.

Credit: Tinder

Both Music Mode and Astrology Mode are live globally.

Encouraging more IRL moments

Capitalizing on the IRL trend, Tinder is piloting an Events feature in Los Angeles that lists local IRL happenings, allowing users to signal their interest in attending. Tinder plans to partner with event hosts to offer opportunities to get off the app and into in-person flirting, say, at a pottery class or trivia night. Both Tinder and Bumble have thrown IRL events in the past, but this is new.

Credit: Tinder

If you'd rather stay home but still want to see a date's face, you may prefer the new video speed-dating feature (also testing in Los Angeles). If you're photo verified (and all new U.S. users need to scan their face to join the app as of October last year), you can join scheduled, three-minute-long speed dates. You can add more time if you'd like, or connect with multiple matches in real time. Very 2020 of Tinder!

Tinder safety upgrades

Tinder has long had twin features, "Are You Sure?" and "Does This Bother You?"which ask users whether they want to send a potentially harmful message and prompt them to report if a message is making them uncomfortable, respectively.

Credit: Tinder

Now, Tinder announces that these features are (unsurprisingly) getting an AI-powered upgrade. "Are You Sure?" is "being fine-tuned to more accurately detect harm," according to Tinder, while "Does This Bother You?" will soon auto-blur potentially disrespectful messages.

Duolingo and Beli...on Tinder?

Tinder's had Spotify integrations since 2016, and now the app is introducing more partnerships — with language-learning app Duolingo and restaurant review app Beli. Expect that to drop globally later this year.

"With more than half our users under 30, we're building alongside a generation that wants dating to feel more authentic, lower-pressure, and worth their time," Match Group and Tinder CEO Spencer Rascoff stated in the press release.

If you're looking to get into Tinder but don't know how it all works, read Mashable's guide to Tinder.

Categories: IT General, Technology

MacBook Neo: Heres everything reviewers didn’t like

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 19:03

We've already reviewed (and loved) the MacBook Neo, the newest member of Apple's laptop family. Its positive aspects include that $599 price point (or $499 with open-to-all education pricing), fun colors such as citrus, and a powerful A18 Pro chipset. And that sentiment is pretty much unanimous amongst tech reviewers.

Still, amongst all the adulation for Apple's most affordable laptop ever, there are drawbacks. These aren't necessarily flaws — Apple had to pick and choose what to include and what not to include in order to make its low-cost MacBook a reality. The positives outweigh the negatives, but it's still important for consumers to know what they're getting into. Here's why the Neo might not be your cup of tea.

Only 8GB of RAM

Most outlets, from Mashable to The Verge, have pointed out that the MacBook Neo only comes with 8GB of RAM. Regardless of which model you buy, there's no option to upgrade your MacBook Neo's memory nor is it possible to upgrade it at a later time. For most general use cases — writing documents, browsing the internet — 8GB will be more than enough. But if they need to multitask — or perform processor-hungry video editing, say — users will likely feel the need for a few more GB.

Few ports in a storm

The MacBook Neo is seriously lacking ports. As our review notes, the MacBook Neo doesn't have a Thunderbolt 4 port, meaning that it can only offer transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s. Compare that with 40Gb/s for the latest MacBook Air.

As for the Neo's two USB-C ports? Well, as Macworld writes, they aren't exactly equal. One is for 10Gb/s data transfer and displays, while the other one is only a 480Mbps port — which should be used mostly for charging purposes.

Single-core processes: Good. Multi-core processes? Ehh.

The MacBook Neo and its A18 Pro chip are surprisingly faster at many single-core processes than even the more powerful M Series chipsets. In 9to5Mac's benchmark tests, the Neo was faster than the M1, M2, and even M3 MacBook Air laptops when used for tasks like web browsing and basic photo editing. 

However, the MacBook Neo is significantly slower when it comes to more complex use cases like video exporting and AI processing  that require multi-cores. 9to5Mac found that the MacBook Neo was only slightly faster than the more than a 5-year-old M1 MacBook Air, and slower than the rest of the M Series chips.

Want slim? Consider the MacBook Air

Bloomberg, as well as our colleagues at CNET, make an interesting point. While the MacBook Neo is small thanks to its 13-inch display, it is still thicker than the MacBook Air. This makes sense — when you're paying the extra for an Air, you're paying for a slim build. But it means the Neo isn't quite as easy to tote around as you might think. (The Neo and the 13-inch MacBook Air both weigh the same, around 2.7 lbs.)

CNET also found that the MacBook Neo's battery life didn't last as long as some other MacBooks, including the MacBook Air.

MacBook Neo's base model may not be enough

As many reviewers noted, the $599 model only comes with 256GB of storage space and does not have Touch ID. In this day and age, 256GB of storage space isn't much. System data will take a chunk of that space off the bat; once you install apps, there might not be too much left for documents and downloads. Touch ID is really handy, meanwhile; it removes the need to type in most passwords.

Apple does provide an upgraded MacBook Neo model which doubles the storage space to 512GB, and includes Touch ID, for an extra $100. But that takes away the allure of the base model MacBook Neo's extremely low pricing.

As BGR points out, it seems Apple sent most early reviewers the 512GB model with Touch ID. That hints at which MacBook Neo model Apple considers standard. 

Bottom line: the MacBook Neo appears to be a powerful computer at an amazing price as long as you're using the device for basic, everyday tasks. In more advanced use cases, it may still fit your purposes — but we recommend taking a look at what else Apple has to offer, just to be sure you're buying the appropriate MacBook for your needs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

TikTok launches TikTok Radio and Podcasts with iHeartMedia

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 17:10

With most TikTok FYPs already brimming with podcast clips, it's clear the social media company is now trying to break into the genre.

On Friday, the company is launching the TikTok Podcast Network and a new platform called TikTok Radio. Both projects are working with iHeartMedia to help fill out the audio-first content. The idea behind TikTok Radio is, basically, an FYP for, well, radio and podcasts.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is using Charli XCX's 'House' better than "Wuthering Heights"

Wrote TikTok in a press release:

"TikTok Radio captures the speed and cultural momentum of the For You feed in real time, blending trending music with commentary from TikTok creators and established iHeartRadio personalities. The station will broadcast live for the first time on March 13 from SXSW, and will be available on the free iHeartRadio app and across 28 broadcast stations nationwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, Miami, and more."

The TikTok Podcast Network, meanwhile, also launches on Friday with a lineup of creators enlisted to start pods. Among those creators were Lele Pons, Carter Gregory, and Caroline Vazzana. The idea is to give fans deeper insight into their favorite creators.

Here's a breakdown of the five long-form podcasts launching with the TikTok Podcast Network:

  • The Set List: Hosted by media personality, music executive, host, and cultural tastemaker Carter Gregory (@thecarterb), The Set List takes listeners into the backstage spaces where culture is being created for intimate conversations with top artists and creatives, giving fans new insight into the creative DNA behind their work.

  • Suite 305 with Lele Pons: Hosted by multihyphenate and social media star Lele Pons (@lelepons), listeners will step into the world’s most unfiltered slumber party. Suite 305 is where the people who shape culture finally get to be themselves.

  • Caroline’s Closet: Hosted by fashion editor, author, and personality Caroline Vazzana(@cvazzana), Caroline is drawing back the curtain on the fashion industry and giving listeners a front row seat. 

  • Sports Slice: Hosted by Tim Martin (@timbosliceoflife12), Sports Slice is where the biggest stories in sports get cut down and served with loud takes, real conversations, and absolutely no safe picks. 

  • The Clifford Show: Hosted by former college football player turned viral sports creator Clifford Taylor IV (@clifford), The Clifford Show is your VIP pass to the hustle and grind of making it in sports and in media. 

"We couldn’t be more excited to launch TikTok Radio and introduce our inaugural slate of hosts for the TikTok Podcast Network," said Dan Page, global head of media and licensing partnerships at TikTok, in a statement.

"At TikTok, empowering creators to turn their passions into lasting careers is core to everything we do, and this partnership unlocks powerful new opportunities for them to expand their voices across radio, podcasts, and live moments, while connecting with fans in new ways."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple AirTags have never been this cheap — score this low price before they go out of stock (again)

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:56

SAVE $15.09: Apple AirTags is on sale for $13.91 at Amazon, down from the list price of $29. That marks a new record-low price at Amazon. If they're sold out at Amazon, check Walmart which is also offering the $13.91 sale price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag $13.91
$29 Save $15.09   Get Deal

Sometimes it's the simple things that make life so much easier. Bluetooth trackers fall into the category of items we're not sure how we lived without. If you could use a few extra Apple AirTags, today's your lucky day because they've never been this affordable.

As of March 12, Amazon is selling single Apple AirTags for $13.91, marked down from the list price of $29. That works out to a massive 52% discount or a savings of $15.09 per tracker, which is the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. This deal has been coming in and out of stock, so if it's sold out at Amazon, check on stock at Walmart where they're also $13.91.

SEE ALSO: Attention Apple fans: The brand new M5 MacBook Air already has its first discount

In case you haven't heard, Apple has a new version of the AirTag. Sure, it comes with improved performance but the first generation saved us from losing luggage, pets, and car keys. Plus, the sale price of $13.91 makes for a damn compelling reason to stock up. Each 2nd Gen Apple AirTag is sitting at full price of $29, so today's deal on the previous model basically makes these buy one, get one free.

With spring break travel starting soon, this is great timing to grab some extra AirTags. Keep in mind stock has been fluctuating with this epic sale price, so check Amazon and Walmart to make sure you're scoring this new record-low price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stay prepared for anything with the Growatt Helios power station — now $400 off at Amazon

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:30

SAVE $400: As of March 12, get the Growatt Helios portable power station for just $1,199. That's $400 off the power station's $1,599 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Growatt Growatt Helios Portable Power Station $1,199 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $400   Get Deal

Portable power stations are essential devices whether you spend most of your time indoors or outside. Not only can it serve as a back-up power source in the case of an emergency power outage, but it can also accompany you on all your adventures. If you're headed out on a camping or RV trip this summer, a power station might just be the companion you need for keeping your devices charged.

If you're looking for a great power station, let us steer you in the direction of the Growatt Helios portable power station. As of March 12, it's on sale at Amazon, saving you $400 on its $1,599 list price. That brings it down to $1,199 for 25% off. It's not quite the power station's lowest-ever price of $1,099, but it's close.

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The Growatt Helios portable power station with 3,600W output and 3.6kWh. Let us translate that. It can power heavy duty devices including air conditioners and refrigerators. When fully charged, the Growatt Helios generator can power your fridge for 24 to 72 hours. It supports USB, DC, and AC power so you can charge multiple devices at once. Plus, you can power it up fast with solar.

Get the Growatt Helios Portable Power Station at Amazon for $1,199.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Attention Apple fans: The brand new M5 MacBook Air already has its first discount

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:15

SAVE $49: As of March 12, the brand new Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is on sale for the first time in both the 13-inch and 15-inch models. Get the 13-inch for $1,049.99 (reg. $1,099) and the 15-inch for $1,249.99 (reg. $1,299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,049.99 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $49.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,249.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $49.01   Get Deal

The brand new Apple M5 MacBook Air officially has its first discount. It made its formal debut just yesterday, March 11, and is already on sale in both the 13-inch and 15-inch varieties.

The starting price for the M5 MacBook Air is $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model. Both base models feature 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. As of March 12, you can knock $49.01 off each laptop, bringing the starting price down to just $1,049.99 or $1,249.99. Sure, that's not a huge discount. But considering the base models are already technically $100 cheaper than their predecessors, that's pretty sweet value.

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So what's new about these laptops? Honestly, not a whole lot. Obviously, the M5 chip is a step up from the previous generation's M4 chip. They now have the same wildly fast processor as the 14-inch MacBook Pro from last fall. They also start with more base storage, are configurable with up to 4TB (up from 2TB) for the first time, and have added Apple's N1 wireless chip to bring support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Otherwise, the new M5 MacBook Air is largely the same as the M4 MacBook Air — same 60Hz Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage webcam, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and 18-hour battery life. While that's not necessarily a bad thing (we loved the M4 Air), it certainly makes it a non-essential upgrade unless you're rocking a MacBook that's a few generations old. Still, there's no denying what a great value the laptop is, particularly now that it's $49 cheaper in both sizes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Game in 4K and save $300 with this OLED Samsung monitor

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 15:27

SAVE $300: As of March 12, get the Samsung 32-inch OLED M9 smart monitor for $1,299.99 at Amazon. It's marked down about 20% at Amazon, saving you $300 off its $1,599.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-inch OLED M9 Smart Monitor $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $300   Get Deal

It might be time to upgrade your gaming setup. As much as you may love your gaming laptop, that crook in your neck from hunching over it may be saying otherwise. For a better picture (and posture), bring in a monitor. If you want to go all out, look for a 4K OLED monitor. Although it'll be an investment, you can always find some savings to sweeten the deal.

As of March 12, shop the Samsung 32-inch OLED M9 smart monitor for $1,299.99. That saves you $300 off its $1,599.99 price tag. The 19% drop in price brings the monitor to its lowest price ever, but there are more savings to be had.

There are extra savings on Samsung monitors, TVs, and soundbars at Amazon. Right now, when you buy two qualifying items, save $100 with code BUYMORE, with savings maxing out at $500 off up to five qualifying items.

So, what's so special about the Samsung 32-inch OLED M9 smart monitor? Picture quality stuns on this monitor with OLED technology. Plus, you won't get bogged down with lag with a 165Hz refresh rate. This monitor, which is designed for gaming, doesn't necessarily need a PC or console to operate thanks to the Samsung Gaming Hub.

Shop the Samsung 32-inch OLED M9 smart monitor for $1,299.99 and save $300.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Renpho smart scale is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — act fast to save over $40

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 15:20

SAVE $44: As of March 12, the Renpho MorphoScan Nova Smart Scale is on sale for only $189.98 at Amazon. That's just shy of 20% off and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Renpho Renpho MorphoScan Nova Smart Scale $189.98 at Amazon
$233.99 Save $44.01   Get Deal

There's a whole lot more to your health than just your body weight. If you need a little guidance along your health and fitness journey, there's tons of tech that can help you see the big picture — starting with a smart scale. The Renpho MorphoScan Nova Smart Scale gives you a breakdown of your full body composition and for a limited time, it's down to its best-ever price.

As of March 12, you can grab the Renpho MorphoScan Nova Smart Scale for only $189.98 at Amazon instead of $233.99. That's nearly 20% in savings and its best price on record. But you'll have to act fast to secure the savings. As a Lightning deal, this discount will disappear when the timer runs out.

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The Renpho Smart Scale uses eight high-sensitivity electrodes to track over 50 body metrics, including weight, body fat, muscle mass, BMI, and much more. All metrics will show on the 4.3-inch TFT display, as well as in the user-friendly Renpho app, which can sync up with Apple Health, Google Fit, and MyFitnessPal. The app supports unlimited user profiles and offers personalized health insights for each.

You'll get historical body data and detailed charts to help you track long-term metrics and get a better glimpse at the big picture, rather than dwelling on daily fluctuations. In other words, this is not for casual users.

The clock is running down, so act quick to score the Renpho MorphoScan Nova Smart Scale for its best price to date.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A new, AI-powered version of Bumble is coming

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 15:14

Bumble will soon test an AI dating experience called, simply, Dates.

Dates will be powered by Bee, a standalone product feature designed as a personal dating assistant and matchmaker, Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO, said during its Q4 2025 earnings call.

SEE ALSO: Bumble announces AI-powered Profile Guidance and Photo Feedback

As Bumble told Mashable, users will start using Dates with an onboarding conversation to discuss values, relationship goals, communication style, lifestyle, and dating intentions. These conversations, which will be with "Bee," will apparently be private and not shared on your profile. Users will also be able to control what elements of the conversation Bee uses to search for matches.

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Then, Bee will identify a highly-compatible profile and notify both users with a description of why they're a match. If the interest is mutual, the connection moves to a conversation.

"To fully recover and return to growth, we must focus on product and technology innovation, which is where our efforts are now," Wolfe Herd said during Bumble's earnings call. Bumble's total revenue and paying users had decreased year over year (14 percent and 21 percent, respectively) compared to Q4 2024.

Wolfe Herd said that since the start of this year, she's been spending 90 percent of her days with the tech and product teams "reimagining what finding love looks like in the era of AI."

"We are rearchitecting the entire Bumble experience from start to finish," she said. Bumble can't use its legacy tech stack (the set of technologies that together build an app), so it's building a new, cloud-native tech stack with a targeted launch in Q2. Wolfe Herd said it's not just a backend upgrade, but a fully new platform coming.

Wolfe Herd also acknowledged the burnout and disillusionment with dating apps as of late. "Daters across the industry are dissatisfied with being reduced to images and potentially dismissed with a swipe," she said. "Bumble 2.0 introduces a chapter-based structure designed to help members tell their stories more authentically and understand one another more deeply."

SEE ALSO: App fatigue is real. I tested the best dating apps of 2026 to find the ones that really work.

She said the AI prioritizes fewer, more relevant matches over volume, combats swipe fatigue, and helps members move towards real-world connections.

The beta of Dates is launching soon, and future iterations are expected to incorporate date suggestions and anonymous feedback. Bumble already launched some AI features, Profile Guidance and Photo Feedback, last month.

Back in 2024, Wolfe Herd discussed an AI-powered dating concierge that would basically date for you, so it's unsurprising that the app is taking this direction.

Other major dating apps, particularly Tinder and Hinge, have also added AI features in the last few years. Tinder is also reportedly testing an AI matchmaker, while Hinge's latest AI feature helps start better conversations. Hinge's founder, Justin McLeod, left the app last year to launch an AI dating service called Overtone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra torn apart by YouTuber. This is what he found.

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 14:56

Popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything tore down the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, performing one of the most fun and anticipated tests of the new, premium phone.

JerryRigEverything took an extended look at the guts of the new phone and found that Samsung neglected to make a big deal of an upgraded camera system. Still, as most tech products go these days, the Galaxy S26 Ultra seems to be an incremental upgrade over previous models.

JerryRigEverything called it a "decent upgrade over last year, but I still wouldn't rush out to buy a new one if you have a phone that was made in the last two or three years."

In his review of the phone, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth wrote that the S26 Ultra was a very good smartphone, mostly aimed at power users.

He wrote: "Still, for dedicated Android users — or anyone who loves big phones and hates Liquid Glass — the S26 Ultra is worth the investment. If you're a professional creator, an AI superuser, or a developer who can make the most of the snappy Qualcomm processor, then I think you'll be very happy."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collections now only $32 at Walmart — save $5 vs. Amazon

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 14:39
Where to buy Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collections: Best Walmart Deal Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $32.25 at Walmart Get Deal Best Amazon deal Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection $37.98 at Amazon Get Deal

Keen Pokémon TCG collectors hunting for affordable Ascended Heroes packs have another solid option right now, thanks to Walmart quietly lowering the price on one of the expansion’s smaller collections.

As of March 12, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collection is available for just over $32 at Walmart, undercutting Amazon’s current $37.98 listing by roughly $5. The collection is shipped as a randomly selected Charmander or Gastly edition, which means you won’t know exactly which promo card you’re getting until it arrives. 

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Each Tech Sticker Collection comes with one foil promo card featuring either Charmander or Gastly, along with a themed tech sticker sheet spotlighting Charmander and Mega Charizard Y or Gastly and Mega Gengar. On top of that, you’ll also get three booster packs from the Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes expansion, each containing the usual 10 Pokémon trading cards.

This is the best way to get Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes boosters at a half-decent price. Individually, Ascended Heroes booster packs cost $18.97 at Walmart and $24.99 at Amazon. Comparatively, this Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker collection means you’re only paying $10.75 per pack, saving you $8.24 compared to buying them on their own.  

For other Pokémon TCG deals, consider the Perfect Order Booster Box price cuts at Amazon and Walmart. What’s more, the Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Bundle is still available to preorder at Amazon for $59.99

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple reveals celebration plans for its 50th birthday

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 14:39

Apple turns 50 on Apr. 1, 2026, and the celebration start with a letter.

The company's CEO Tim Cook published a letter on Thursday titled "50 years of thinking different" on Apple's website. "Fifty years ago in a small garage, a big idea was born. Apple was founded on the simple notion that technology should be personal, and that belief — radical at the time — changed everything," he wrote.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Fold will let you run apps side by side, report claims

Cook's celebratory letter focuses on Apple's roots as a company that aims to "think different," and one that focuses on improving people's lives. Though it doesn't mention co-founder Steve Jobs by name, it ends with one of his quotes: "the people crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

In a separate post on Apple's website, the company revealed a little bit on how it plans to celebrate this occasion (the celebration was first hinted at by Cook himself when he addressed employees at an internal Apple meeting).

"In the coming weeks, Apple and its global community will celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, recognizing the creativity, innovation, and impact that people around the world have made possible with Apple technology."

Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write?

While that doesn't tell us much (except, perhaps, that the celebration will stretch over a period of time), it is in the company's spirit to never spill the beans on anything that's coming, even if it's just a birthday party.

"While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the people and communities who have thought different with us, and to honor the enduring values that continue to guide our work," the post said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflixs Thrash trailer is hungry sharks after tsunami after hurricane

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 14:38

Like 2012 Australian horror movie Bait, Netflix's upcoming film knows that tsunamis can be the least of your worries after a Category 5 hurricane.

Sharks (!) wash in with the tide in Thrash, the latest from writer-director Tommy Wirkola (Violent Night, Dead Snow). In the trailer above, we see the meat truck chum hit the floodwaters as stars Phoebe Dynevor, Djimon Hounsou, and Whitney Peak find themselves surviving wave after wave of natural forces.

Shark movie fans, this one's for you.

Thrash hits Netflix April 10.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The top 10 most-followed Instagram accounts

Thu, 03/12/2026 - 14:17

With billions of users worldwide, Instagram is arguably the most popular photo sharing platform. With the ability to share posts, reels, and 24-hour stories, Instagram allows everyone and anyone to share snippets of their lives. The top accounts on the platform, primarily belonging to celebrities, show just how much we love to see the daily goings-on in lives different from our own.

Ever wondered who holds the top spot for the most followers? Here are the 10 most-followed people on Instagram, according to Social Blade.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 672 million followers

The most followed person on Instagram is none other than Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time of writing, Ronaldo has amassed a whopping 667 million followers. Unsurprisingly, his posts mostly theme around football and his current team, Al Nassr. Ronaldo also holds the record for most liked Instagram comment when he wrote on Kylian Mbappé's Real Madrid announcement post "my turn (to watch)."

2. Lionel Messi – 511 million followers

Sticking with the footballer theme, the second most followed account belongs to Inter Miami CF player, Lionel Messi. His account also features mostly football content, sharing glimpses into life on and off the pitch. His most liked post is a series of photos celebrating Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup win.

3. Selena Gomez – 415 million followers

Actress, musician, and founder of cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez is up next on the list. She shares career highlights, Rare Beauty promotions, and glimpses into her daily life, making her one of the most-followed celebrities on the platform.

4. Kylie – 390 million followers

The first of the Jenner-Kardashian clan to feature is Kylie. As of March 30, she has amassed an unbelievable 393 million followers. Her posts regularly give us an insight into her life, her Kylie Cosmetics empire, and family life with her two adorable children. Kylie previously held the record for the most liked photo on Instagram, a picture of her newborn daughter Stormi. However, she later lost this position to a photo of an egg (yes, an egg...).

5. Dwayne Johnson – 390 million followers

If you need motivation, The Rock's Instagram is your go-to. Dwayne Johnson’s Instagram followers are given a regular insight into his fitness routine, movie projects, and personal life. He shares workout clips with the sets and reps listed out for you to try at home, if you're feeling brave.

6. Ariana Grande – 371 million followers

The star of recent Wicked fame is number 6 on our list. An incredible singer and actress, Ariana Grande also holds Instagram-follower fame. Recent content has, of course, been heavily influenced by the recent release of Wicked, with the Oscar-nominated actress sharing behind-the-scenes images with co-star Cynthia Erivo.

7. Kim Kardashian – 353 million followers

Kim Kardashian's Instagram account is as aesthetic as her. It's full of glimpses of her Skims brand, family life and various other collaborations. Fashion is definitely a strong theme of her posts, and you can expect some serious glam envy.

8. Beyoncé – 307 million followers

Another musician to make the list is Beyoncé. Hot off a successful awards season for her latest album, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé's Instagram account is the perfect insight for fans. Posts regularly include her latest Levi's partnership, her new fragrance release, and of course, awards season success.

9. Khloé Kardashian – 299 million followers

Number 9 on the most followed list is Khloé Kardashian. Another insight into the Kardashian-Jenner family, Khloe's posts are primarily wholesome family shots.

10. Justin Bieber - 292 million followers

Justin Bieber takes the 10th spot on the most followed people on Instagram. The musician recently surprised fans with the release of another album, entitled Swag II.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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