Blogroll

You can't beat a classic. But you can relive it, particularly when it's been respawned with better graphics and gameplay mechanics. And judging by the recent trend of videogame reboots and remasters, these reformed and repackaged classics are in high demand.

With all of the world talking about Trump's tariffs — you know, the set of levies on basically the entire world that's set to wreak havoc in the global trade and make your iPhone more expensive — an important question looms: Has the Trump administration used an AI to calculate those tariffs?

It would be unheard of. Trump's "Reciprocal Tariffs" table — while certainly not definitive at this point — could turn out to be the most important document of the decade. But the numbers on the table indicate tomfoolery.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert jokes about Trump using ChatGPT for tariff formula

Without going into intricacies of tariffs for every specific country, the thing is, these tariffs aren't reciprocal, despite Trump calling them so. It appears that the White House used a pretty basic formula that divides the trade deficit for the U.S. for a country, then divides that by the total imports from that country, and then divides the result in two. Note that there are no actual tariffs in that formula; a country could be charging a tariff on U.S. imports, but this formula disregards it (the White House countered this by basically providing more proof that this was exactly the case, per finance writer James Surowiecki).

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

Then there's the question of the countries and territories included, which include places where there are no people (which is why the internet is today flooded by penguin memes).

Tech artist Gordon Chapman then dropped a bombshell on Threads, indicating that the White House's tariff table corresponds to internet top level domains (instead of, you know, actual countries), which could be proof that it was generated by an AI. Chapman later withdrew the post, explaining that the tariffs table is likely based on this data.

View on Threads Who did the math?

Still, the question remains: How much (human) thought went into the tariffs calculations if the entire thing is just a simple formula applied onto a list of territories which doesn't entirely correspond to places that the U.S. should reasonably be imposing tariffs upon?

According to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, United States Trade Representative (USTR) economists had worked on this stuff for years. Some experts, per Reuters, dismiss this as they consider the tariffs to have "no methodology" that produced "nonsense numbers."

Interestingly, if you ask an LLM, such as ChatGPT, to calculate U.S. tariffs on other countries in an "easy way," you get pretty much the same formula that the White House used. Ouch.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What happens next is unclear

The tariffs figures can be viewed as starting point for further negotiations. In fact, Eric Trump said it pretty bluntly on X: "I wouldn’t want to be the last country that tries to negotiate a trade deal with @realDonaldTrump. The first to negotiate will win - the last will absolutely lose. I have seen this movie my entire life...," he wrote. So maybe the math behind the numbers is less important, if the numbers are all going to change soon.

But if the tariffs calculations have been hastily put together by an AI, that would indicate a new depth of incompetence for the Trump administration, closely following that of using Signal chat to plan military operations and including a journalist in that same chat.

It's hard to prove that the White House used ChatGPT or an equivalent for its tariffs math. The AIs themselves give a fair share of warnings that their calculations are imperfect and simplified, which should give pause to...anyone, really. The signs are out there, though, and we shudder to think what else the White House experts may leave to AI to do.

SAVE $50: As of April 4, the AirPods Pro 2 are on sale at Amazon for $199, 20% off their list price of $249.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50 Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale featured some nice deals on Apple devices, including on various AirPod models. Even though the sale event is behind us now a few of them are still on sale, even if they're not quite as low as they were during the sale itself. My personal favorites, the AirPods Pro 2, are included in this discounted selection right now. If you've had your eye on them, now is still a good time to pick them up.

The AirPods Pro 2 are currently on sale for $199, which is a 20% discount from their list price of $249. While this isn't as low as they were during the Big Spring Sale, this is still a worthy deal to jump on if they've been on your radar. They've even made our lists of the best earbuds and the best headphones, so you know they're worth the investment.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are still at their lowest-ever price at Amazon after the Big Spring Sale

No matter if you enjoy kicking back with new music or getting lost in an audiobook, you'll experience excellent sound quality with the AirPods Pro 2 thanks to the H2 chip. This is further bolstered by noise-canceling features that keep you completely immersed. Active Noise Cancellation gets rid of any outside noise, transparency mode opens things up for you to hear the world around you without disrupting what you're listening to, and Adaptive Audio shifts the noise control depending on where you are and how loud it is.

If you're already immersed in Apple's ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 are worth adding into your Apple family. Scoop them up for 20% off their list price at Amazon today.

They aren't the only Apple deal that's available right now, either. You can also save on the 2024 Mac Mini right now at Amazon and the Apple Watch Series 10 is still discounted there as well.

Linux is a great operating system, but I just can't use it as my main desktop. I've tried in the past, and there are a few things that hold me back from switching over. I would if I could, but I just simply can't.

SAVE $300: As of April 4, the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum is on sale at Best Buy for $499, 37% off its list price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot - Roomba j7+ (7550) Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal - Graphite $499 at Best Buy
$799 Save $300 Get Deal

Looking to get some cleaning done as the springtime weather rolls in? The good news is you can still score some great deals on items like robot vacuums to help you out, even with many of the spring sales behind us now. One of our favorite discounts at the moment is on the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum at Best Buy, which has received a $300 discount.

This has dropped the price of the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum from $799 to $499, which is a very nice deal to take advantage of especially considering many of the big spring sales and their deals on robot vacuums have come to an end by now. If you've been looking for a robot vacuum to help make your household cleaning just a little bit easier, the Roomba J7+ is worth every cent. It has powerful suction and empties itself into a bin that can store up to 60 days worth of dirt, so you don't have to worry about it for months.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the best for every budget in 2025

When it comes to cleaning, the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum features a three-stage cleaning system that offers a powerful clean as it moves around your house, covering hard floors and carpets alike. It can also move around any objects in its way, so there's no need to worry about tidying up before it sets out to clean for the day. And with Imprint Smart Mapping, you can customize a cleaning schedule to figure out specific rooms you want cleaned around the house and when you want them done.

This deal on the iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum at Best Buy may not stick around for long, so act fast to save $300 on it.

It isn't the only robot vacuum deal that's crossed our radar recently. Over at Amazon, you can also score a sweet deal on the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum, which is 50% off at the moment.

The Friend co-stars Bill Murray and Naomi Watts discuss the films they are most proud of and the relationship between sacrifice and art.

The Friend is now in theaters.

We've faced Liberation Day, and everyone is still scrambling to get their heads around how Trump's tariffs will impact the struggling economy.

Stephen Colbert breaks the past 24 hours in the Late Show clip above, from the stock market reaction to the way Trump may or may not have calculated his tariff formula.

"Everybody's trying to figure out the logic behind these tariffs, and according to some guys on the internet who actually did this, the formula is apparently what you get if you ask ChatGPT to make tariff policy," says Colbert, referencing an article by professor and former NYT columnist Paul Krugman. "Ohhh, busted! Somebody cheated on your tariff homework. 'Oh God, I didn't finish my project for Liberation Day! Or start it, or decide what it is! Help me out, Secretary Robo-brain.'"

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 4 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Part of plankton.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter K.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

KRILL.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 4

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Wordle.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: The surplus

• Green: Road trip

• Blue: Where you'd watch the Yankees, Red Sox, etc.

• Purple: Minus "E"

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

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

• Yellow: What's leftover

• Green: Car trip

• Blue: Baseball venues

• Purple: Companies with "E" removed

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #663 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• What's leftover: BALANCE, DIFFERENCE, REMAINDER, REST

• Car trip: CRUISE, DRIVE, RIDE, SPIN

• Baseball venues: DIAMOND, FIELD, PARK, STADIUM

• Companies with "E" removed: BAY, HARMONY, INK, TRADE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 4

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Connections.

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

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Step on it!

The words are meant for walking.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are something you would take steps on, typically inside.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Flooring.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 4

• Hardwood

• Linoleum

• Terrazzo

• Laminate

• Concrete

• Flooring

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Strands.

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

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

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

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

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

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

• Yellow: Underperforming

• Green: Still have a shot at women's championship

• Blue: Teams that have had the same player

• Purple: Words with an ending related to Serena Williams' sport

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

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

• Yellow: Not meeting expectations

• Green: Teams in the Women's Final Four

• Blue: Teams Kawhi Leonard has played for

• Purple: Ends in a piece of tennis equipment

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #193 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Not meeting expectations - BUST, DISAPPOINTMENT, DUD, FAILURE

• Teams in the women's Final Four - BRUINS, GAMECOCKS, HUSKIES, LONGHORNS

• Teams Kawhi Leonard has played for - AZTECS, CLIPPERS, RAPTORS, SPURS

• Ends in a piece of tennis equipment - BRACKET, EYEBALL, HORSESHOES, INTERNET

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Connections.

SAVE $50: As of April 4, the JBL Boombox 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is on sale at Amazon for $449.95, 10% off its list price of $499.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Boombox 3 Black Portable Bluetooth Speaker $449.95 at Amazon
$499.95 Save $50 Get Deal

The arrival of springtime weather means more opportunities to go outside and enjoy some sunshine. There's nothing better than listening to some music outside as well, and to do that you need a good portable speaker. Thankfully, there are still some deals on them available after Amazon's Big Spring Sale, including on the JBL Boombox 3 if you're looking for some big sound to take on the go.

The JBL Boombox 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has been marked down at Amazon from its list price of $499.95 to $449.95, offering a 10% discount. There are two color options available at this price as well, so you can choose between the black or camouflage speakers. That's not all, either. Your purchase also comes with a 90-day free trial of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan. Keep in mind that this offer is only available to new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited, though.

SEE ALSO: There's still time to save on the JBL Go 4 portable speaker at Amazon after the Big Spring Sale

Though the JBL Boombox 3 has a larger build it comes with a metal handle so you can carry it around on your adventures, no matter where you go. And with that in mind, it's also dustproof and waterproof, so it can join you on a hike through the woods or on a trip to the beach. You can expect big, rich sound with this speaker as well and an extra-long 24 hour battery life to keep the party going all day.

Amazon has this listed as a limited time deal, so if the JBL Boombox 3 has caught your eye you'll want to act fast to score it at this price.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Y2K' at home: BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy or rent 'Y2K' on Prime Video $19.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent Get Deal BEST OVERALL Max (With Ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST NO-ADS OPTION Max Ad-Free annual subscription $169.99/year (save 16%) Get Deal GET MAX FOR FREE Max (With Ads) for Cricket customers Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $9.99/month) Get Deal GET MAX FOR FREE Max (With Ads) Free for DashPass annual plan subscribers (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 38%) Get Deal

What if the Y2K conspiracy theories ending up being true? That's essentially what A24's Y2K asks and answers in its nostalgic teen disaster comedy.

If you're craving some Chumbawumba "Tubthumping" and killer Tamagotchis, you've come to the right place. The wild millennium stoner comedy is officially available to stream at home this spring — here's everything you need to know to watch.

What is Y2K about?

Directed by Saturday Night Live alum Kyle Mooney and written by Mooney and Evan Winter, Y2K follows two high school besties — Danny (Julian Dennison) and Eli (Jaeden Martell) who aren't exactly in the cool clique. They decide to crash a New Year's Eve house party on the last night of 1999. Unfortunately, Eli's attempts to get his crush Laura's (Rachel Zegler) attention are stifled when the Y2K bug hits at midnight and the technology turns against them. Computers, ceiling fans, microwaves, and even Tamagotchis become weapons, which leads to a midnight massacre.

Check out the full trailer:

Is Y2K worth watching?

"As a first watch, Y2K is a lot of fun. Its teen cast overall has terrific energy, and a supporting cast that includes Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, and Mooney — as a burnout video store clerk — brings welcomed microdoses of weirdness," Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko writes. "The celebration of all things '00s is undeniably charming, even if used superficially. Jokes come fast and frantic, so even if some don't land, there's plenty of laughs to be had."

While the Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience ratings are pretty bleak — just 42 percent and 52 percent, respectively —  our reviewer writes that it's a good time, despite falling short of greatness.

Read our full review of Y2K.

How to watch Y2K at home Credit: A24

Y2K made its theatrical debut on December 6, then almost immediately became available to watch at home later that month via digital video-on-demand platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV. You can purchase the film for your digital collection or rent it for 30 days for $9.99 or $5.99, respectively. Take note that renting a film gives you 30 days to watch, but only 48 hours to finish once you begin. The A24 horror comedy made its streaming debut in April. Scroll on to learn more.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $9.99, rent for $5.99

• Apple TV — buy for $9.99, rent for $5.99

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $9.99, rent for $5.99

• Google Play — buy for $9.99, rent for as low as $4.99

• YouTube — buy for $9.99, rent for as low as $4.99

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Rent or buy 'Y2K' at Prime Video $5.99 or $9.99 Get Deal Is Y2K streaming?

2000s nostalgia arrived on the small screen this spring — Y2K made its streaming debut on Max on April 4, 2025. A24's new theatrical releases exclusively stream on Max before anywhere else. Thus, Kyle Mooney's disaster comedy will join other recent A24 hits like MaXXXine, Heretic, Queer, and Babygirl.

Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to save some money on your plan. Check out the best Max streaming deals below.

The best Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on Max with ads annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (with ads) yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

While the cheapest monthly Max subscription goes for $9.99 (with ads), an annual subscription brings that cost down to just $8.33 per month. Of course, you'll have to pay for the year up front for $99.99, but it will ultimately end up saving you 16%. You could also just sign up for a single month of service, watch Y2K and whatever else you desire, then cancel before the month ends.

Best Max deal with no ads: Save 16% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (No Ads) annual subscription $169.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal

Similarly, you can save an extra 16% by committing to a yearly plan of the Max ad-free tiers, for those who cannot fathom watching with ads. You have two tiers to choose from: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic ad-free tier costs either $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month), while the Ultimate tier costs either $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month).

Note: Both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, but the Ultimate tier comes with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.

Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Get Deal

Cricket customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan can get Max with ads for free. That's a $99.99 per year value for zero dollars. Just choose Cricket as your provider when logging into Max and enter your credentials to log in. Boom — you're able to watch whatever you want on Max. This is one of your only options to get Max for free in 2025.

Best Max deal for DoorDash users: Free Max with ads with DashPass annual plan Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash / Max Max (with ads) Free with DashPass annual plan ($8/month) Get Deal

Another way to get Max for free in 2025 is through DoorDash's annual DashPass plan. An annual DashPass membership costs $96 per year ($8 per month) and gets you $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders, plus a Max subscription (with ads). Eligible subscribers must activate their Max subscription in their DoorDash account. While the free deal only applies to the Max plan with ads, you can also choose to upgrade for a discounted rate to eliminate them.

Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can sign up for an entire year of Max (with ads) for just $4.99 per month instead of $9.99. That's 50% in savings. Just verify your student status with UNiDAYS to retrieve your unique discount code and drop the price.

Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / Max Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

While it's not the cheapest way to watch Y2K and other A24 flicks on Max, the Disney+ bundle is honestly one of the best streaming deals around. You'll get Max, Disney+, and Hulu with ads for only $16.99 per month, as opposed to paying for all three separately for a grand total of $25.97. If you choose to go ad-free, it'll cost you $29.99 per month, which is still a steal compared to the usual cost of $48.97. That's up to 38% in savings for access to three full streaming libraries.

You are a small, pixelated human living in a hamlet known as Pelican Town. Residing on your late grandfather's farm, life is all about toiling the land, improving the tiny village's amenities, and forming meaningful relationships with your fellow townspeople.

The desire for such bucolic simplicity is at the heart of Stardew Valley, a 2016 farming simulation that turned turnip harvesting into an uplifting community activity. Nearly ten years later, the game is a global hit, selling more than 41 million copies and becoming a prime example of a growing genre known as "cozy games." 

SEE ALSO: A brief history of meditation video games Cozy games are the future of gaming

Mary Kish, Head of Community at streaming giant Twitch, was one of the very first people to review Stardew Valley after it launched on PCs in 2016.

"Stardew Valley's meditative activities often lead to personal reflection in the real world," Kish wrote in her GameSpot review of the farming sim. "It’s a game that tugs at your curiosity as often as it does your heart. Stuffed with rewarding opportunities, Stardew Valley motivates naturally, with blissful optimism."

Stardew Valley had a huge impact on a generation growing tired of Shoot 'Em Up (or "Shmup") games. "I think it might be the most prolific example of what a cozy game is, at least for this generation of gamer," Kish says now. "When I got to play Stardew Valley, it almost felt like time froze. I could feel myself completely letting go of my day-to-day concerns," she told Mashable. Not only did Kish sleep better, a needed reprieve from a stressful early career, she had Stardew dreams — "the best dreams I've ever had," she says, and would wake up "with a sense of agency."

Cozy gaming has evolved since then, in an appropriately low-key way. Twitch's "chill" stream tag, for example, was the most watched tag of 2024, and has been added to 3.43 million broadcasts in 2025 so far. Games like Stardew Valley and mega-popular Animal Crossing continue to rack up millions in both sales and Twitch views. 

'Engaging in genuine play is good for you' - Kurt Squire, professor of informatics, UC Irvine

So what makes a cozy game? According to players, they tend to be low on stimulation, built around aesthetics many of us would call "cute" or "soft." Many involve life simulations — running a coffee shop, or power washing a particularly dirty town. Most importantly, cozy games aren't really about winning. They encourage players to enjoy the ride. 

Soaring in popularity during the pandemic, cozy gaming became an oasis for many during a period of increased anxiety and depression. Gamers often describe cozy games as helping them enter relaxed, meditative states and reduce their daily stress. And science can explain why.

The psychology behind mindfulness and cozy gaming

Here's what research on wellbeing, social and emotional learning, and play tells us: "Engaging in genuine play is good for you and is restorative," says Kurt Squire, a professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine and a veteran video game researcher. "Being surrounded by cuteness and/or positive things is also good." 

Research also suggests gaming can help in achieving meditative flow states, which is why more creators are designing video games explicitly for mindfulness and meditation. Games studied include the nature-driven Flow or the Stardew Valley precursor Harvest Moon. And then there are breath counting games, for which Squire received a grant to build and study with the help of neuropsychologist Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds. 

In 2019, the Center for Healthy Minds published a study that showed specially designed video games could help young players train their attention and minimize distraction. This was essential to building positive emotional responses, as well as improve focused meditation and open mindfulness practices.

One of the study's authors and Healthy Minds Innovations senior scientist, Tammi Kral, says mechanics matter just as much as cozy vibes. A game "can have really beautiful art and music, but if the mechanics are frustrating it won't be calming," she says. "Some games might not seem calming, but if someone is able to easily play the game and they enjoy it, they might find relaxation."

Games can also foster a feeling of contentment and self awareness, with low learning curves that help keep frustration at bay. That last point, says Kral, is essential. In clinical studies, such games can be seen reducing a player's levels of the stress hormone cortisol — just as mindfulness practice does.

Casual video gamers show greater engagement and can better restore their moods in response to stressful stimuli, as well as lower heart rates and blood pressure at levels comparable to meditation. A study by researchers at the University of Central Florida, Orlando found that one particular low-stress puzzle game, Sushi Cat 2, had a measurable effect on players' emotional states. 

The cute kittens definitely helped.

Cozy games show an evolution in digital habits 

Cozy games, and the Twitch streamers who play them for thousands of viewers every day, don't explicitly advertise themselves as cortisol-reducing, or flow state-inducing. Still, so-called comfort creators are riding a wave of wellness and mindfulness-centered trends on platforms like TikTok.

Creators like JubileeWhispers stream both whimsical cozy games, like the popular diorama building game Tiny Glade, and nostalgic games like Super Mario Odyssey, while adding the calming whispered elements of ASMR. Twitch users are devoting hours to watching cozy gaming content, while TikTok cozy creators have dedicated their pages to calming curation.

Kennedy, also known as Cozy.Games on TikTok, has become something of a spokesperson for the community. She first got into what the industry would later call "cozy gaming" to destress from law school. The budding cozy games community, then mainly on Instagram and predominately women-centered, felt like a welcoming oasis compared to other gaming spaces. 

"We will always stumble into uncomfortableness in our lives, especially in games. It's how you approach your problems that defines you." - Mary Kish, Head of Community, Twitch

When Kennedy started playing Harvest Moon, she says, something clicked. "I grew up playing platformers, like Mario, and shooters. There weren't really moments to slow down and be and exist. Harvest Moon was the first moment for me where that happened. I was like, 'This is where I want to be forever and ever and ever.'" 

Dedicating much of her life to cozy games has changed Kennedy's own perception of her time and mental health. "I think it's really valuable to be able to read your own emotions," she says. "I realized over time that you couldn't just force yourself to do an activity because you wanted to do it. Sometimes your brain's not ready to do that activity.

"Instead of beating myself up about that, I've come to realize you just have to work with where your brain is in the moment, and sometimes you just need a little 'brain off' time."

Now, cozy games are marketed by big game developers, like Nintendo and Xbox, and have their own category at the annual game awards. Still, Kennedy says that the community have remained overwhelmingly conflict-free, with the genre's main drama stemming from whether or not a game is "cozy enough." 

That's a rare feat within an industry that is often exclusionary. Online hate and harassment is still a major problem among women and people of color in gaming spaces, making strong moderation essential to a beneficial gaming experience. But in removing the pressure of real life socialization, Kral says, these spaces can have outsized benefits for members of marginalized communities, such as trans players and gamers of color. 

Labels may be important, too: People who ritually played and felt stigmatized by their interest in "less serious" video games, uncomfortable with claiming to be more than a hobbyist, may find community and identity in being a "cozy gamer," added Kennedy. And while much has been written about the COVID-19 lockdown creating a new cohort of gamers, it also encouraged lifelong gamers to slow down and take a breath.

"Now they're seeing this community of people who are very proud to say, 'Yeah, I am a gamer, and here's how I game a little bit differently. And I'm proud that it's different,'" said Kennedy.

Cozy games foster mindfulness, even if you're not playing them 

People aren't just playing cozy games, they're also watching others do so, and living vicariously through them. On a growing number of Twitch streams, Twitch's Kish says, users are seeking stress-free, relaxed, and immersive environments. "It's not just about de-stressing, it's actually about finding commonality among other people, other gamers, that understand and empathize," she notes. "You're not just watching a game on Twitch. You're actually hanging out with the streamer, and you're hanging out with everybody in chat too."

While more study is needed into the benefits of watching another person play, Squire and Kral both say watching cozy streams could have a similar effect to playing cozy games. 

"There's a ton of research in general, and some research specific to gaming, showing that people can have vicarious experiences," explained Kral. "Just by watching someone else do something, you can gain and you can share in that experience." Mirror neurons, essential to empathy building, fire when looking at video games as much as they do when staring at a fellow human.

Watching others navigate less cozy, more complicated games could have positive benefits, too. "There is a sort of camaraderie and feeling of connection," said Squire. "Part of it is also learning to reframe your mistakes as growing opportunities. Watching other people do it can be revelatory." Comfort creators, in other words, may be modeling better social emotional processing for viewers.

SEE ALSO: When the urge to gamble strikes, try mindfulness

And that could have wider implications for the streaming community at large. Kish says game developers, seeking to meet the evolving demands of cozy players, may choose to invest more in building games that have replayability. If you've wrung out all the benefits you can out of playing a cozy game, maybe there's a little more juice left in watching others do so.

"It's like a slightly cheaper, easier way to potentially get some of those benefits or experiences that the actual player is having," says Kral.

"That separation allows you to enjoy their experience passively," adds Kish. "The reality is that we will always stumble into uncomfortableness in our lives, and especially in games. It's how you are able to approach your problems or the obstacles that you face that defines you."

Young people are spending more and more time online, seeking socialization and companionship in an often unhealthy digital environment. And that's where games centered around social-emotional learning (of which many cozy games are sneaky transmitters) can help. 

"Having an activity where you are spending time with yourself and you are able to regulate your emotions after a long day is so important," says Kennedy. "Have that routine, even if it's just like 5 to 10 minutes a day, where you're having intentional time with yourself."

Cozy gaming, she adds, "can truly be so beneficial to your mental health."

Let's be real: PC gaming offers the best possible experience for gamers. We love consoles, too, but you just can't deny it.

High-end gaming computers pack more graphical and processing power than any home console, and they offer a level of freedom in terms of customization and game choice that you’re just not going to find anywhere else. Unfortunately, a desktop PC does force you to keep your gaming sessions tied to your desk.

While desktops deliver elite performance, the best gaming laptops fit into the modern lifestyle more smoothly thanks to their portability. It’s more convenient to take your gaming rig with you on the go, whether that’s to a friend’s place or just to another room. Whether you're looking for a powerhouse that supports eye-popping visuals, a lightweight notebook to fit snugly in your backpack, or hoping to find a gaming laptop on a budget, we promise there's a machine for you.

SEE ALSO: Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer What's the best cheap gaming laptop, and is it worth it?

When it comes to gaming laptops, it's totally fine not to immediately spring for the top-of-the-line, $3,000-plus powerhouse. Plenty of gaming laptops fall below the $1,000 mark and are well worth the money. But, we would advise you against going too cheap. You really do get what you pay for, and if you settle for a bottom-of-the-barrel machine, you're not going to be able to run the games you want to play anyway.

Testing the Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop for this guide. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable

However, if you're looking to keep a tight budget and don't mind playing via cloud streaming, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a great option (more details on that laptop below). And if you're looking to spend even less, the Lenovo Gaming Chromebook 16 is another solid cloud gaming laptop, which you can read about in our guide to the best laptops under $500.

What are the best gaming laptops?

Finding the best laptop for your needs and budget can be tricky. They may be easier to parse than their desktop counterparts, but gaming laptops still require a fair bit of careful spec scrutinization. These are no consoles — you can’t just pick the latest generation system off the shelf and get playing. Choosing between the many graphics cards, processors, storage sizes, and screen types can be a real head-scratcher. Thankfully, you've got us to guide you through the process.

Read on to find our recommendations for the best gaming laptops of 2025.

After Wednesday morning's explosive Nintendo Direct livestream dedicated to Switch 2, I got a chance to spend several hours playing some of the games that will bless the new Nintendo console after it launches on June 5. It may not surprise you to hear that the biggest ones from Nintendo itself all seem kind of awesome.

Namely, the two most notable games I played were Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong: Bananza. The latter isn't a launch game, but they both made strong first impressions – not only as games themselves, but also as demonstrations of what the Switch 2 can do. Let's dig in.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorders will start on April 9: Everything you need to know ahead of time Mario Kart World is going to take over the world

I totally understand if you're completely out on Mario Kart World, at least initially, because of the $80 price tag. It's a lot to swallow considering we only just started getting $70 games a few years ago. I can't necessarily defend or explain the price tag right now, but I can say that after doing a handful of races across multiple modes, World has the potential to be an unbelievably cool entry in the Mario Kart canon.

The big story here is that it's set in a large, seamless open world. This seems to affect every part of the game, as even the traditional Grand Prix mode (in which racers compete across four tracks with a winner declared after all four races are done) has been overhauled to include parts where you have to drive from the end of one track to the beginning of the next.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on: 3 things that make it a must-buy

There is no reprieve from racing, except for in a free-roam mode that I didn't get to try. Races have been expanded from 12 drivers to 24, increasing the amount of on-screen chaos by a great deal.

As far as I'm concerned, the main attraction is Knockout Tour, an elimination-based mode that has players race each other from one end of the continent to another. Along the way, there will be five or six checkpoints with a placement number displayed on it. If you drive across a checkpoint that says "16" while you're in 17th place, the race ends for you while everyone else keeps going.

This is kind of a classic mode in several other racing games, but it's new to Mario Kart and plays very nicely with the sort of Cannonball Run mentality of hoofing it from one end of the world to the other. Knockout races are longer than your average Mario Kart race, but that just adds to the stakes as you keep going and get closer and closer to the end. I haven't been that stressed (complimentary) about a Mario Kart race in a long time.

This is what a Knockout Tour race looks like before you start. Credit: Nintendo

I also appreciate the huge number of new costume options for characters, such as Mariachi Waluigi, a version of King Boo dressed like a little fancy lad, and a Toad whose head is a cheeseburger. Importantly, Nintendo seems to have removed (or at least sidelined in the demo I played) kart customization.

You no longer pick a body, wheels, and a glider, you just pick a character and a kart, like the old days. That feature never really sat right with me in Mario Kart, which is a game that anyone should be able to pick up and play within 30 seconds. I also couldn't tell if characters had stats in this game like they have in some previous games. At the very least, they aren't surfaced on the selection screen.

SEE ALSO: The internet reacts to Nintendo's new Switch 2, 'Mario Kart World'

Other odds and ends include new moves like rail grinding and wall-jumping. The former can be done at several points along any given track, while the latter didn't show up in any of the races I did in my brief time with the game.

I appreciate any additions to the standard Mario Kart moveset nonetheless. There are also mid-race costume changes, parts where everyone will transform into a Goomba while Goombas stampede on the track for some reason, and more. Mario Kart World is a game where something nonsensical and funny happens every 5 to 10 seconds, which is what I want from it.

Donkey Kong: Bananza is doing incredible things with the concept of 'punching' This feels so good to do. Credit: Nintendo

Last but certainly not least was Donkey Kong: Bananza, the incredibly titled 3D platformer starring Donkey Kong, his first starring turn in a game like this in 25 years.

Let's get right to it: This is a game about punching stuff. There are four face buttons on a Switch controller and three of them do different kinds of punches depending on which direction you need to swing at. The other one jumps, in case you were wondering. Nearly all of the terrain in its big, vertically oriented levels is destructible, so if you see something, you can more or less just punch your way through the dirt to get to it. Donkey Kong is not interested in precise platforming. He just wants to smash everything.

SEE ALSO: 'Donkey Kong Bananza' announced at Nintendo Switch 2 event

My time with Bananza was pretty brief, which made the controls a little hard to get used to, though not in a way that made me worried about the game at all. There's just a lot you can do; for instance, DK can rip up a piece of the ground below him and either throw it at enemies or ride around on it like a snowboard made of stone. He can also freely climb up vertical surfaces and roll around in a ball, which makes him a more mobile 3D platformer hero than Mario normally is.

Based on my short time with Bananza, it seems like a game with a lot of secrets to hide. The real magic here is that you can start digging through the world in a way that feels like you're breaking the game or doing something you shouldn't do, only to find that there was actually a secret area beneath you the whole time. Crucially, it just feels really good to punch everything in your path. I'm so glad this game is only coming out about a month after the console launches.

TL;DR: Stop waiting to learn something you'll love when you pick up a guitar with this $29.97 course bundle for beginners.

"Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul/I wanna get lost in your rock 'n' roll" — this you? If you've been dreaming of getting lost in rock 'n' roll, now's the time to make it happen. Conquer beginning guitar with The Complete Beginner to Expert Guitar Lessons Bundle by Dan Dresnok, now just $29.97.

What's in the bundle?

This $2,800-valued course bundle contains over 80 hours of content spread between the following 14 courses:

• Songwriting for the Curious Guitarist

• Children's Songs for the Guitar

• Guitar Lessons for the Curious Guitarist

• Jazz for the Curious Guitarist

• Blues for the Curious Guitarist

• Ear Training for the Curious Guitarist

• Beginner Guitar Lessons Crash Course

• Easy Blues Guitar Crash Course

• Christmas Songs for the Curious Guitarist

• Guitar Jam Method

• Fingerstyle for the Curious Guitarist

• Guitar Technique

• Strumming for the Curious Guitarist 

• Bluegrass for the Curious Guitarist

Course content is available in video and PDF format. Students can access it on both desktop and mobile or download it for offline viewing. Jump right in with the 18-lesson "Beginner Guitar Lessons Crash Course," where you can explore theory, notes, chords, and tabs. Channel your inner Bob Dylan in "Songwriting for the Curious Guitarist" and pair lyrical talents with your new guitar skills.

Throughout all the courses, you'll be led by an expert teacher. Instructor Dan Dresnok has over 30 years of experience teaching guitar and boasts thousands of students, from both online and in-person lessons. Across educational platforms, Dresnok has received many high rankings for instruction. He specializes in jazz, blues, and rock guitar, as well as music theory. Dresnok is also the author of The Curious Guitarist.

Can you hear the chords playing yet? Now's the time to get this beginner guitar bundle for just $29.97 and kickstart your new hobby.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dan Dresnok Beginner guitarists cover the basics in this 14-course bundle from 30-year music veteran Dan Dresnok for just $29.97. $29.97
$2,800 Save $2,770.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Streamline your PDF conversion and editing process when you get this SwifDoo PDF Pro license for $29.97.

Editing PDFs with images and multiple text types within them can be a professional nightmare. Not only do you lose formatting, but now you spend twice as much work time fixing the PDF as you would have just editing it. Take your time back and keep your formatting with SwifDoo PDF, a program offering all-in-one editing, conversions, and translation of files, now just $29.97 for a perpetual license (reg. $129).

Advanced PDF editing features

Professional files should be clean and high-quality. Edit and create PDFs precisely the way you need them with SwifDoo. It includes tools to make PDFs from images, files, scans, CAD, and HEIC documents. Edit them as you go or annotate them with notes for a later review. Enhance images or change their size from scanned images for the best presentation. 

Stay productive and efficient even while making big changes to your PDFs. Add or subtract pages easily. Merge several PDF documents together or split one into a few different documents. Insert links or images to fine-tune document content. Use these tools and others to batch-process multiple PDFs simultaneously.

End multi-step file-sharing processes that are inconvenient for teammates and clients. The PDF editor helps make your files shareable by compressing the file size or converting to various formats, including Word DOC/DOCX, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, HEIC, EPUB, and CAD. Print directly from the program to make double-sided documents or booklets.

SwifDoo can even help you create secure legal documents. Add or remove watermarks and encrypted files that contain confidential information. Input handwritten or uploaded signatures to finalize contract files. Less back-and-forth file sending for your clients means a more pleasant experience working with you.

Use optical character recognition (OCR) to extract text from scanned images. You can turn these into editable file formats while retaining format and layouts. This also works with foreign languages and offers in-program translation for smooth communication.

Process PDFs efficiently with SwifDoo at your fingertips when you get this deal on a perpetual license for just $29.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwifDoo SwifDoo PDF Pro: Perpetual Lifetime License for Windows $29.97
$129 Save $99.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Charge your iPhone on the go with a Speedy Mag wireless charger on sale for $34.97 through April 27.

Opens in a new window Credit: VistaShops Speedy Mag 5,000mAh Wireless Charger for iPhone $34.97
$119.95 Save $84.98 Get Deal

After a few years, even an iPhone battery starts to decay. The days of only charging once a day might be long gone, but that doesn't have to mean you stay glued to an outlet. iPhone users have long had the option to get portable power banks directly from Apple, but have you seen how much the MagGo Power Bank costs?

The Speedy Mag works just like Anker's MagGo at a fraction of the price, and it actually just got cheaper. During this limited-time sale, you can get one of these wireless iPhone chargers on sale for $34.97 (reg. $119). 

A 5,000mAh battery that goes anywhere

The Speedy Mag Wireless iPhone Charger is compact and convenient. It has a built-in magnet that securely attaches to your iPhone to keep a stable charge while you're on the go. The Speedy Mag has a 5,000mAh battery capacity, meaning it can fully recharge some iPhones 1.5 times before it needs to be plugged in. 

This portable charger is compatible with iPhone 12 and newer models, along with any Qi-compatible devices. It even has a spot for wired connections if your phone isn't compatible with wireless charging. 

Don't worry about lugging around a bulky charger. This thing is sleek and slim, so you can still use your phone while it's charging. 

April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the cutoff to get a Speedy Mag Wireless Charger on sale for $34.97

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Swap your big, pricey phone for the mini $89.97 NanoPhone when you're headed out to sporting events or days at the beach for an affordable, practical backup phone.

Opens in a new window Credit: NanoPhone NanoPhone $89.97
$199.99 Save $110.02 A Miniaturized Smartphone Packed with Mega Features Get Deal

There are just some places your expensive daily driver phone doesn't belong, like dropped in mud while mountain biking or buried under your kids' sandcastle during a beach day.

Swap your SIM into the NanoPhone and stay connected to all the apps you need in this better-than-a-burner backup phone, now just $89.97 (reg. $199.99).

Connection without having to be careful

Carrying a $1,000 piece of tech in your pocket changes how you act. You may not be ready to stick your feet in the surf or follow a friend up a rough trail. But if you swap it out for the NanoPhone, which is small enough to tuck away safely — just the size of a credit card — you'll be ready to get out there. 

And you can stay connected while you do it. Unlike burner flip phones that offer the most basic call and text options, the NanoPhone has typical smartphone capabilities. The NanoPhone runs Android 10, so you can access WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and any other supported favorite apps.

Don't change your activities; change your phone. The NanoPhone is affordable enough to replace if it gets damaged, but you don't have to worry about it thanks to its durable build and included case and screen protector. Keep the 2000mAh battery charged up with a USB-C interface for hours of fun and connection.

Pop in one or two SIMs so you're reachable by your work number. You're connected as long as you're in the range of 4G or WiFi. Navigate with GPS support. Text, watch video tutorials, snap photos with back and front cameras, and make emergency calls — the NanoPhone functions just like your everyday phone without the size (or price tag). 

Do better than a burner phone when you get the $89.97 NanoPhone with this price drop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.