Mashable

Syndicate content
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: 33 min 31 sec ago

Euphoria actor has surprisingly funny reaction to being almost completely cut from the show

17 hours 36 min ago

Blink and you'll miss Nika King in Euphoria Season 3.

The actor and comedian plays Leslie Bennett, Rue's (Zendaya) mother. She's appeared in some of the show's most memorable scenes, including a visceral fight with Rue in the series-best Season 2, episode 5.

SEE ALSO: How Sydney Sweeney surprised Trisha Paytas during her 'Euphoria' cameo

By Season 3, though, Leslie has been relegated to a presence at the end of Rue's phone. In episode 2, Rue leaves her a devastating voicemail from a gas station. In episode 6, Leslie picks up the phone, and the pair have a heart to heart about Rue hoping to come home.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

Viewers solely hear Rue's side of the conversation, similar to her episode 3 phone call with Fezco (the late Angus Cloud) from prison. Euphoria only cuts to Leslie at the very end of the call, when she tells Rue she loves her and hangs up.

It's the one time viewers see Leslie this episode, and based on King's reaction on Instagram, the lack of screen time and audible dialogue came as a shock. Thankfully, it seems like she's able to laugh about having such a minuscule part in the episode.

Nika King in "Euphoria." Credit: HBO

In an Instagram video posted after episode 6 aired, King laughs into the camera, saying, "I just watched my episode that I've been promoting all week, and my mom over here clowning me. My mom is clowning me! She said the internet waited all this time for me to just say one line."

"Three years," her mother, chef Sharon Allen, chimes in from the background.

"I can't do nothing but laugh," King says.

Allen finishes with a killing blow: "What you want me to say? You ain't had nothing to say [in the episode]."

"You better be glad I have a sense of humor," King responds. "You better be glad I got thick skin."

King went viral in 2024 for a stand-up set about the long-delayed Euphoria Season 3.

"People are like, 'We need Season 3.' I'm like, 'Bitch, I need Season 3!' I haven't paid my rent in six months," King says in her set. "And Zendaya's over in Paris at fashion week. I'm like, 'Bitch, come home! I need you. Mama needs you.'"

After fans expressed concern over King's situation, she clarified that her comments were jokes in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: "My reference about Euphoria during my stand-up tour was a lighthearted joke. Most people have seen me portray serious characters on-screen but my roots are in comedy."

However, King's time on Euphoria isn't over yet. In a reply to a comment on an April 26 Instagram post, King said she's in episodes 6 and 8. Of course, just how much of episode 8 remains to be seen, but surely anything will be more than her role in 6, right? Right?

New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Build up to 50 websites for just $20 with this AI tool

17 hours 36 min ago

TL;DR: Build a website or online store without knowing how to code thanks to this 1-year subscription to Hostinger Website Builder, now just $19.99 (reg. $207.94).

Opens in a new window Credit: Hostinger Hostinger Website Builder: 1-Yr Subscription $19.99
$207.94 Save $187.95   Get Deal

Got a great idea for an online store? Getting a professional website up and running is a pretty daunting task, but Hostinger Website Builder makes it much more manageable. This tool lets you launch a site or online store with zero coding knowledge, and right now, new users can snag a 1-year subscription to Hostinger Website Builder for just $19.99.

If you don’t know how to code and don’t have the funds to hire a developer, all hope is not lost when it comes to building websites. Hostinger Website Builder uses AI to create a complete website for you — from branded pages to working navigation and product layouts. And it can do it all in less than an hour just by typing a sentence about your business.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Wondering exactly how the AI works behind Hostinger? You can give it your brand name and have it design a logo, or provide an image of what you’re selling and have it whip up a product description.

If you’re not happy with the AI’s results, you can customize away using the easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, which lets you tweak colors, fonts, layouts, and copy to your liking. There are also over 300 designer-made templates you can start with if you prefer to handle the aesthetics yourself.

Once your website is up and running, it’s time to start selling your product. Hostinger allows you to list up to 1,000 products — from physical to digital or print-on-demand. There are over 100 payment methods you can accept, and you keep 100% of each sale because there are no transaction fees.

This 1-year subscription allows you to build up to 50 websites. It also includes a free domain for the year, professional email hosting, unlimited traffic, automatic daily backups, and access to expert support via live chat or email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lock in a year of website building for just $19.99 with this subscription to Hostinger Website Builder.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything we know about Googles upcoming Android XR smart glasses

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 21:59

Google I/O 2026 is just around the corner, and all eyes are on what Google has in store for the year. One of our big expectation for the annual event: some major announcements involving the company's planned smart glasses.

Google has already confirmed it will release a pair of smart glasses, built for the Android XR platform, in 2026. Until we have another name for these unreleased specs,, we've been calling them the Android XR glasses. (Remember: Android XR is also the name of Google's previously launched augmented reality operating system, which powers products like the Galaxy XR headset.)

Just don't call them Google Glass.

What we know about Android XR smart glasses

Google debuted a concept of its upcoming smart glasses at last year's I/O. The AI-powered smart glasses featured a full augmented reality in-glass interface with cameras, microphones, and speakers built in. Google also said it would be working with well-known brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to produce an array of styles. Unfortunately for Google, the live demo during I/O didn't exactly go as planned.

However, since Google first showed off that concept, there have been some new developments with what we're calling Android XR smart glasses — emphasis on glasses.

Google is, in fact, working on more than one Android XR smart glass model.

The first model of Google's Android XR smart glasses has been compared to Meta's Ray-Ban glasses. These smart glasses are equipped with a camera, speakers, and a microphone, and can interact with Google's AI assistant Gemini. There is no display with this model.

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Google I/O 2026: Gemini news, Android XR glasses

The second model notably does have an in-glasses display in order to show the user visual information, such as captions for translations and map directions. Google has generally referred to these glasses as AI glasses, and we got a better look at them in a December 2025 blog post.

Credit: Google

Both smart glass models run on Android XR, Google's smart glass operating system that debuted with the Samsung Galaxy XR headset.

Google previously confirmed that the no-dispay model of Android XR smart glasses will launch this year, so we should get a nice preview of what they will offer at Google I/O. 

The big question is how much more Google will unveil about the Android XR AI glasses with a built-in display. So far, the company has not yet shared a timeframe for the release of that model. Will we find out at Google I/O 2026? 

What else do we know? Not much, but not nothing.

Outside of a few demos, Google hasn't revealed too much about its smart glasses yet.

However, as Mashable's Chance Townsend reported, Google's developer design documentation for Android XR should offer a window into how the company is approaching all things AR, VR, and XR.

"Designing for AI Glasses with Android XR requires a thoughtful approach to user experience, prioritizing comfort and seamless integration with the user's daily life," reads the documentation. "Apps on glasses should feel like a natural extension of the user's perception, providing convenient access to information without being intrusive."

For more insight, our colleagues at CNET have tried on the unreleased Google smart glasses (again, definitely not Google Glass). In addition to Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, Samsung and eyewear brand Kering are also heavily rumored to be building smart glasses for Android XR. As CNET reports, Kering could even bring Gucci smart glasses to market in the near future.

Expect all of these glasses to feature heavy integration with Gemini.

To hopefully find out more, tune into Google I/O 2026 and follow Mashable's live coverage on May 19.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jury tosses Musk OpenAI lawsuit, saves Sam Altman

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 20:55

Elon Musk's $150 billion lawsuit against his fellow OpenAI founders died a quick and unceremonious death Monday.

After spending more than three weeks listening to witnesses, including Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the nine-member Oakland jury took just two hours to decide Musk's case had no merit — based entirely on its timing.

Musk was seeking damages over OpenAI's conversion from a nonprofit to a for-profit enterprise run by a nonprofit board. He claimed that a $10 billion Microsoft investment in 2023 was when he realized the ChatGPT maker was straying from the original terms of its charitable foundation.

But much of the courtroom drama turned on whether his lawsuit fell within the statute of limitations for such a case. Musk's team strained to prove that he wasn't worried about Microsoft "capturing" OpenAI before 2023 — despite a 2020 tweet from Musk that said exactly that, to take just one example.

Musk's lawyers at the courthouse Monday told reporters they will appeal the verdict.

SEE ALSO: 'Memes on his phone!' Sam Altman's trial testimony takes a turn

In theory, the jury's decision was advisory — meaning federal judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers could still have ruled in Musk's favor if she disagreed. But Rogers concurred, tossing the lawsuit.

Rogers showed herself to be no great friend to Musk during the trial, reminding the billionaire that he was "not a lawyer" despite him taking Law 101 in college.

Musk also didn't help his case by absconding to China last week, when the judge had required him to stay close in case he needed to testify again. Counsel for Altman and the other co-founders made hay out of this fact in their closing arguments, noting that their clients had actually shown up.

The jury seemed sympathetic to OpenAI's attorney then, and the speed of their verdict has confirmed their sympathies.

OpenAI emerges unscathed. The company will continue its march to a potential $1 trillion IPO — one of the most anticipated public offerings of the decade. Altman has cause to celebrate too, despite Musk's counsel painting him as fundamentally untrustworthy (echoing a recent New Yorker investigation) and causing him to confirm for the first time he does have an equity stake in OpenAI.

Musk hasn't tweeted since the trial verdict came in. Altman, meanwhile, merely congratulated the ChatGPT team on its latest build.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple officially sets WWDC 2026 schedule and drops a cryptic hint

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 20:40

Apple fanatics won't have to wait long to hear more about the next iteration of iOS.

In a newsroom post on Monday afternoon, Apple officially set the schedule for this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC 2026. This is Apple's annual showcase for all things software, usually including reveals for what's coming next in iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and more. However, we're also expecting a long-awaited update on Siri's AI transformation this year.

The big public-facing keynote livestream will happen on June 8 at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET), with some other more developer-focused events happening in the days to follow. You'll be able to watch the keynote live on the Apple TV app or on Apple's YouTube channel.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

Coming bright up, huh? Credit: Apple

As usual, this announcement was accompanied by an invite graphic sent to members of the media, including Mashable.

This year's invite has an intriguing dove-like logo with the text "Coming bright up" underneath it, which could honestly mean just about anything. However, the previous WWDC update from Apple was rumored to be a hint at Siri's new look and user interface, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

So, if we had to guess, we expect the new glowing dove symbol has something to do with the new Gemini-powered version of Siri. Could this be the logo for a new standalone Siri app, for example?

At any rate, don't be surprised if Apple spends a lot of time talking about AI and Apple Intelligence.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is Reddit down? Why Reddit is not showing images, saying ‘no internet connection’

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 20:26

Reddit services are disrupted, and the company says it has identified the problem and is working on a fix.

According to Reddit's status page, the platform began investigating elevated site errors and issues accessing media around 1:39 p.m. ET Monday.

By 2:06 p.m. ET, Reddit confirmed it had identified the issue, warning users they may encounter errors and general loading issues across feeds, posts, and search in the meantime. Recently uploaded images and videos are also affected and may not appear as expected. Desktop web, mobile web, and native mobile apps are all showing degraded performance.

The most commonly reported issues are app-related, followed by website problems, and then feed and timeline issues, according to DownDetecto (formerly owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis).

No timetable has been given for a full resolution. We'll update this story as more information becomes available.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Google I/O 2026

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 20:13

Google I/O 2026 kicks off tomorrow, May 19, and you won't need a ticket to catch any of it. The entire two-day event is livestreamed, and you can register to watch for free at io.google/2026.

How to watch Google I/O 2026

The main Google keynote starts at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m ET on May 19. The focus will be big-picture announcements, product reveals, and whatever CEO Sundar Pichai wants the world to walk away talking about (mostly Gemini, Google's AI product). You can find an embed to the YouTube stream of the keynote below:

In addition, our sister site CNET will be hosting a Google I/O live viewing party, also on YouTube, with live updates from reporters on the ground in Mountain View, California and a pre- and post-show. You can also ask questions and participate in the live chat.

A developer-focused keynote follows the same day at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m ET, which tends to get into the weeds on APIs, tools, and what's actually coming for builders. From there, breakout sessions run through May 20, covering Google AI, Android, Chrome, and cloud infrastructure, including one billed around agent-first workflows.

Based on everything that's leaked and quietly rolled out in the days leading up to the show — new Gemini Live models, a mysterious video generation tool called Gemini Omni, expanded thinking controls, and fresh third-party app integrations — Gemini is going to be at the center of almost everything. The smart glasses situation should get some stage time, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Gemini app to get deeper thinking and more third-party app support, report says

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 18:03

According to 9to5Google, the Gemini app is already rolling out a new "Thinking level" option for some users, letting them choose between Standard and Extended reasoning modes when using Gemini 3 Flash or Gemini 3.1 Pro.

The Extended setting, the outlet notes, is designed for more complex topics that benefit from additional processing time — a consumer-facing version of the thinking level controls Google AI Studio already offers developers. Gemini is also expanding its roster of third-party apps. GitHub, OpenStax, Spotify, and WhatsApp are already supported, but 9to5Google found support documentation pointing to the additions of Canva, Instacart, and OpenTable.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Google I/O 2026: Gemini news, Android XR glasses

The Canva integration would let users generate and edit designs directly through Gemini prompts, while Instacart support would allow users to add ingredients to a shopping cart from a recipe link or a simple list. OpenTable would bring restaurant search, booking, and reservation management into the chat window — including the ability to hand off a confirmed reservation directly to Google Calendar.

None of the three new integrations has rolled out yet, per the report. However, the timing is notable given that Google's I/O developer conference is literally a day away.

Perhaps the rollout marks the start of Google transitioning Gemini AI toward an agentic AI rather than a simple chatbot.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lanterns trailer promises jade DC action with Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 17:57

It's Green Lantern but not as fans know it, with a new teaser dropped for Lanterns on Monday. Based on the DC Comics and created by Chris Mundy, Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, the HBO series is one of the TV shows to look forward to this summer.

Aaron Pierre leads as new Lantern Corps recruit John Stewart, who is tasked with solving a strange murder in Nebraska alongside veteran Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler). That's right, the Green Lanterns aren't cruising around the galaxy this time, instead brought right down to Earth. But all the same, they're equipped with those all important powerful rings, dubbed by Hal as "the greatest weapon in the universe," along with their signature verdant light sources.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favourite creator today.

The cast is massive for this one, with Kelly Macdonald, Nathan Fillion, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, Sherman Augustus, Chris Coy, Paul Ben-Victor, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Cary Christopher, and Jasmine Cephas Jones starring.

Lanterns premieres this August on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What are those heartbeats on Hinge?

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 17:47

Hinge users may have noticed something subtle next to a potential date's profile: a tiny purple heart next to their name.

Hinge's new Signals feature. Credit: Hinge

Your eyes don't deceive you. This is a new feature called Signals, and it's currently in testing, according to a page on Hinge's Help Center. The badge indicates that the user demonstrates thoughtfulness and follow-through.

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

Users can't buy a Signals badge. It's based on baseline requirements:

  • A complete profile (with photos and prompt responses)

  • The user's profile must be in good standing, meaning they follow Hinge's Community Guidelines

  • The profile must be over a week old

  • Completed selfie verification

If any of these aren't checked off, your profile won't have a Signals heart. Additionally, users must exhibit three of five behaviors Hinge calls "Thoughtful Participation," all of which involve actively engaging with other profiles.

These behaviors include sending comments when Liking, actually sending messages to matches, and confirming a date. Hinge also considers "looking before liking" a thoughtfulness factor: reading prompts, and scrolling past the first photo before sending a Like, suggesting that Hinge can detect all these behaviors. Reviewing one's Likes and matching or skipping (instead of leaving folks in limbo) is another point of thoughtfulness.

Credit: Hinge Credit: Hinge

"With Signals, we are testing a new feature that would make it easier for your small but meaningful actions to stand out to people viewing your profile," Hinge's chief product and technology officer, Ben Celebicic, said in an emailed statement to Mashable. "It's based on the behaviors daters have told us matter to them, like taking time to notice the small details on a profile or keeping the conversation going."

Signals is dynamic and based on activities over the last 30 days on the app. It refreshes daily, but doesn't reflect real-time activity. The Help Center page states that the heart reflects in-app patterns only; it's not a background check or ID verification (other than requiring selfie verification), and it also doesn't guarantee how someone will act with you.

Recent Hinge features typically nudge users towards better behavior, like Date Ideas for actually figuring out what to do on a first date, and Conversation Starters so singles aren't hit with the dreaded "hey" message.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft Teams won’t put everyone in a virtual room anymore — no more Together-ness

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 17:43

Microsoft Teams is losing a feature that was launched back when many people were working remotely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Microsoft, the company is saying "goodbye" to Together mode in Microsoft teams and "moving to a simpler layout experience."

For those unfamiliar with Microsoft Teams, it's a cloud-based communication and collaboration platform that many businesses use as its part of the Microsoft 365 suite. Along with messaging and file sharing features, Microsoft Teams also provides Zoom-like video conferencing. 

In the summer of 2020, when remote work was at all-time highs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Microsoft rolled out Together mode in order to help users "feel like you're sitting in the same room with everyone else in the meeting or class." The feature basically removed the background for every user on a video meeting and put them in a virtual room. Basically, the feature gave everyone a shared background so it looked like they were in the same space.

An example of Together mode that Microsoft provided when the feature was first introduced in July 2020 can be seen in the image at the top of the article.

Microsoft says it's removing Together mode for a few reasons. The company says it "increases cognitive load for users," "fragments the meeting experience across desktop, web, mobile, and Teams Rooms," and "adds implementation complexity across platforms."

"Today, the core need Together mode was designed to support, namely seeing the people who matter in a meeting, can now be fully met by the modern Gallery view, which can display up to 49 participants at once," Microsoft said in its announcement.

Microsoft Teams will now focus on Gallery mode as the view option in video conferencing. This is the traditional boxed view in video meetings, popularized by Zoom. Microsoft says doing so will "simplify the meeting interface," "deliver higher and more stable video quality across meetings," and "free up service capacity that can be reinvested into foundational video improvements."

Microsoft said it's also removing scenes and custom scenes, including seat assignments, along with Together mode in Microsoft Teams as well.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Older Kindles lose support this week: What you can still do with them

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 17:27

If you've been using a trusty Kindle device for the past 15 years, this week might be tough for some of you.

In case you hadn't heard, Amazon announced recently that it is ending support for many older Kindle models on May 20. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to stop using the device entirely, but it does mean you need to be prepared for what comes next. Here is all the info you need for the old Kindle shutdown this week, including what you can still do with the device once it happens.

SEE ALSO: Durobo's Krono e-reader is the perfect palm-sized e-reader — and a great Kindle and Kobo alternative Amazon Kindle shutdown: What you can still do

For starters, it would be good to know exactly which devices are being affected this week:

  • Kindle (1st generation)

  • Kindle (2nd generation)

  • Kindle DX

  • Kindle DX Graphite

  • Kindle Keyboard

  • Kindle 4

  • Kindle Touch

  • Kindle 5

  • Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)

  • Kindle Fire (1st generation)

  • Kindle Fire (2nd generation)

  • Kindle Fire HD 7

  • Kindle Fire HD 8.9

In other words, basically every Kindle released before 2013 is included in the list. As I said, this will mostly apply to people who have been hanging onto the same device for a decade and a half.

Anyway, let's talk about what "ending support" means in this context. According to Amazon, all of the Kindle models listed above "will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content via the Kindle Store." They'll still turn on, and you can still use them to read books already installed on the device, but you will no longer be able to purchase or download new ones directly from the Kindle Store.

As for what you can do from here, there are a few options. Your first option is to just download as many books as you possibly can on the device in advance of this coming Wednesday, and live with the fact that those are the only books you can have on that particular Kindle.

Some users are finding ways to sideload books or jailbreak their devices, according to PCMag, though it's important to note that doing so almost certainly violates Amazon's terms of service.

If none of those options sound particularly appealing, your last and best bet will be to check out our list of the best e-readers of 2026 so far and purchase a new one. Spending money on a new e-reader isn't especially fun, but Amazon has sorta backed old Kindle owners into a corner here.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon has slashed $20 off the Fire TV Stick 4K Max — buy now for under $40

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 14:26

SAVE $20: As of May 18, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. This is $20 off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20   Get Deal

Summer's streaming lineup is already looking very exciting. If you've been hoping to get a new streaming device to watch everything in crisp 4K Ultra HD picture quality this year, it's worth checking out the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. At the moment, it's even discounted at Amazon during its Memorial Day sale.

As of May 18, Amazon has dropped the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max to $39.99. Usually it's listed for $59.99, so this is a great opportunity to pick it up for $20 off. It's only on sale for a limited time, so don't wait too long to take advantage of this offer.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

With support for 4K Ultra HD picture quality, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max will help make shows like House of the Dragon or The Bear stand out with clear, colorful detail. That's not all, though. Picture gets a further boost with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, alongside support for Dolby Atmos that surrounds you in crisp sound quality. It also supports WiFi 6E, so what you're streaming will come through smoothly.

For those moments when you're not watching anything, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max also comes with a cool feature called the Fire TV Ambient Experience. With this, you can put up pieces of art or photography on your TV, turning it into a fun display piece.

This offer may not last for long, so act fast to grab this excellent deal on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at Amazon.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

SNL UK Louis Theroux sketch gets a cameo from the man himself

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 14:00

Louis Theroux, legendary documentary-maker and the man behind that viral "Jiggle Jiggle" song, has such a long career in TV that he's created more than a few catch-phrases that beg to be parodied.

Fortunately he's clearly a very good sport about it, even popping up at the end of the SNL UK clip above in which cast members Larry Dean and Al Nash, and guest host Ncuti Gatwa, all play a version of Theroux.

Cue a lot of "Is that fair to say?" and "Shall we get started?"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung injunction partially blocks looming worker strike. But its not over.

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 13:14

Samsung has won an injunction partially blocking a planned strike by its South Korean workers later this week. However, it may not completely prevent all industrial action, with up to 50,000 Samsung employees poised to walk off the job this Thursday. If it goes ahead, it will be the largest strike in the tech company's history.

The dispute fuelling the planned workers' action primarily concerns bonuses. As reported by Yonhap, South Korea's state news agency, the union has requested that Samsung set aside 15 percent of operating profits for performance-based bonuses, as well as remove the cap on such payouts and commit to a fixed formula for calculating them. Samsung has reportedly offered to allocate 10 percent of operating profits for bonuses instead, as well as issue a one-time special compensation package. 

Samsung Electronics Co. workers outside the company's semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Apr. 23, 2026. Credit: SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Initial talks collapsed last week after Samsung and the union were unable to reach an agreement, according to Reuters. Last-minute negotiations were resumed on Monday, which were facilitated by the South Korean government. Unless an agreement is reached, Samsung's unionised workers are set to go on an 18-day strike beginning on May 21.

However, a new injunction will restrict what the workers can do as part of the strike. As Yonhap reports, Suwon District Court ordered on Monday that Samsung's unionised workers cannot take over the company's facilities or disrupt other workers. Normal staffing levels must also be maintained where matters of safety and security are involved, the news agency reported, such as when maintenance work is required to prevent equipment damage.

It's currently unclear exactly how this will impact Samsung employees' strike plans. However, while the injunction may have tempered the threat of industrial action, it doesn't appear to have completely stopped it.

South Korean government works to prevent Samsung strike A Samsung union rally in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Apr. 23, 2026. Credit: SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Samsung strike is of significant concern to the South Korean government. Samsung accounted for over 13 percent of South Korea's GDP in 2024, according to the country's Edaily media group, and is its largest employer with over 125,000 employees. The planned industrial action is anticipated to involve over a third of this massive workforce, and could have a significant impact on South Korea's economy.

"Just one day of suspension at Samsung Electronics' semiconductor factory is expected ⁠to incur direct losses of as much as 1 trillion won [approximately $US667 million]," Prime Minister ‌Kim Min-seok said on Sunday, as reported by the South China Morning Post. "What is more concerning is that a temporary pause on semiconductor manufacturing ‌lines leads to months of inactivity."

Kim further stated that if Samsung and the union are unable to come to an agreement, the government will consider issuing an emergency arbitration order under South Korean law. Per The Korea Times, this enables the labor ministry to suspend any strike action for up to 30 days if it "it is deemed likely to seriously harm the national economy or disrupt the daily lives of citizens."

A Samsung union rally at the the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus on Apr. 23, 2026. Credit: Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also addressed the issue, taking to social media on Monday.

"Workers must be able to receive fair compensation for their labor in return for providing their services, and shareholders who bear risks and losses through their investments share in the company's profits," Lee wrote on X, translated by the platform. He later added, "Under the current Constitution, the fundamental rights of all citizens are guaranteed, but they may be restricted within the scope that does not infringe on their essential content for the sake of public welfare and other reasons."

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

Samsung recently announced that its operating profit for Q1 this year was ₩57.2 trillion (approximately $US38.1 billion), an "all-time high" driven by the boom in demand for AI chips. This is a significant increase compared to the same quarter last year, when Samsung reported an operating profit of ₩6.7 trillion (approximately $US4.4 billion).

Categories: IT General, Technology

Googlebooks: Excited. Terrified. Heres why

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:29

Googlebooks promise everything Android users have wanted for years: A laptop that seamlessly works with your phone. The problem? It's Google. And Google has a habit of killing the things you love. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bose QuietComfort earbuds are below $150 at Amazon — act fast to save $30

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:22

SAVE $30: As of May 18, Bose QuietComfort earbuds have dropped to $149 at Amazon. This is $30 off their list price of $179.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbuds $149 at Amazon
$179 Save $30   Get Deal

Amazon's kicked off its Memorial Day sale, and for those looking to scoop up new earbuds for summer, we've spotted some great deals already. This includes a discount on the Bose QuietComfort earbuds, which have dropped to $149.

This deal knocks $30 off the Bose QuietComfort's full price of $179, which is a pretty solid saving on this great mid-budget pick. Every color is down to this price right now, so you can pick out your favorite.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If you've been searching for earbuds with solid sound quality and noise cancelling without the premium price tag, Bose QuietComfort earbuds are the answer. Ranked as our favorite mid-budget pick in our roundup of the best wireless earbuds, they're "an affordable answer to the brand’s line-up." They're also "reliable, have a long battery life, and are sure to please the pickiest of audiophiles."

When it comes to sound, Mashable's Bethany Allard said in her review that, "Right away, I was impressed by the sound quality of these earbuds. While I wouldn't consider myself the harshest audiophile in the world, I found that the lows, mids, and highs of songs came through balanced and clear, becoming only the tiniest bit muddled at higher volumes." And as for the noise-cancelling, Allard said it's "serviceable, especially for the price point, but it's certainly not at the same level as Bose's other headphones."

Treat yourself to some new earbuds this summer. Score $30 off the Bose QuietComfort earbuds right now at Amazon.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Euphoria Season 3, episode 7 trailer is tense and messy

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:20

Somehow we only have two episodes of Euphoria left — and there is still a lot to wrap up.

In the episode 7 preview above we see Maddy (Alexa Demie) confronting Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), Nate (Jacob Elordi) looking the worse for wear, and Rue (Zendaya) getting even deeper into a situation that's already nearly gotten her killed.

Lexie (Maude Apatow) probably summarises it best: "It's like you've all lost your f***ing minds."

New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Markipliers Iron Lung to stream on YouTube

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:17

Markiplier's feature film debut Iron Lung is about to hit home release on the creator's platform of choice: YouTube.

The 36-year-old creator and streamer also known as Mark Fischbach pivoted to filmmaking in the last few years, with his first feature-length horror movie released in cinemas in January to colossal success. Written, directed, edited, and starring Fischbach, and based on David Szymanski's 2022 post-apocalyptic horror game, Iron Lung made Sam Raimi's marooned horror Send Help sweat at the box office — and it even saw an extended theatrical release.

Now, Iron Lung will be available for to rent or buy on YouTube Movies on May 31, with a global rollout expected. The news was announced (of course) on YouTube by Markiplier on Sunday.

SEE ALSO: How content creators are redefining Hollywood's power structure

"I'm sorry it's later than I thought it'd be, but it's coming out May 31 in as many international territories as I can make work," the creator said in his characteristically candid announcement video (below).

"It's releasing exclusively on YouTube Movies, because I figured you guys are already here anyway. It made the most sense. They were the people that would talk to me, because I don't know how many other companies would have, or even given me a chance of doing something like this," he said.

"I don't know if it'll make much of a difference, but hey, at least I'll be in a position that I could do something about something, and that's a position that I wouldn't have been in if it wasn't for you guys. So, I am really grateful. I'm really excited to just focus on YouTube for a bit. That's something that I've been wanting for a long time."

"I figured you guys are already here anyway. It made the most sense."

The Google-owned platform makes total sense for Markiplier's movie. A YouTube gaming titan since 2012, Fischbach has amassed 38.6 million subscribers on the platform as of May 2026. He was included in Mashable's inaugural Mashable 101 list of the most influential creators in 2025.

Markiplier at the ‘Iron Lung’ premiere at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2025. Credit: Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach

Building on his sprawling empire of followers on YouTube, Instagram, and X, Fischbach made the move into screen work of a more scripted nature, starring in and executive producing Prime Video's The Edge of Sleep in 2024.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best deals this week, according to Mashables team of shopping experts

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:16

We're always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We've also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.

You can find a live hub for those deals right here.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker