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It may be May, but documentary zealots still have a few new titles to check off their lists on Netflix that squeaked in at the tail end of April, and are just getting traction on the streaming service now. Which is really good news, because as we enter the month and wait anxiously for everything coming to Netflix to arrive, there are still some good doc options to be had for U.S. subscribers.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is currently embroiled in some courtroom drama, but the engineers back at the OpenAI lab just solved a minor drama (really a comedy) with ChatGPT.

OpenAI published a lengthy, detailed report on its website about goblins. No, really. Since the release of GPT 5.1, ChatGPT models have developed a weird fixation on goblins and gremlins, regularly bringing up both in contexts where it doesn't make sense. Users took note of this and OpenAI noticed it, too, prompting an investigation. You can read the full report if you want all the juicy details, but basically, it all goes back to an arguably poor understanding of what nerds are like.

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek V4 is here: How it compares to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

If you don't use ChatGPT, the AI chatbot offers a variety of "personalities" you can choose to tailor the tone of its responses. One of those personalities was (until recently being removed) "nerdy." According to OpenAI's research, while "nerdy" responses accounted for only 2.5 percent of all ChatGPT queries, a staggering 66.7 percent of all mentions of goblins came from that 2.5 percent. From there, these responses somehow became "rewarded" and spread to other personality types beyond "nerdy."

"The rewards were applied only in the Nerdy condition, but reinforcement learning does not guarantee that learned behaviors stay neatly scoped to the condition that produced them," OpenAI wrote. "Once a style tic is rewarded, later training can spread or reinforce it elsewhere, especially if those outputs are reused in supervised fine-tuning or preference data."

Anyway, after all that, OpenAI retired the "nerdy" personality in March and has instructed its latest models not to mention goblins or gremlins unless it makes sense.

To be productive, human beings need periods of focus without interruption. If you're constantly interrupted, you keep wasting mental energy to get back on track, and that gets old fast.

The Linux community is dealing with its gravest security risk since 2022's Dirty Pipe. Researchers at cybersecurity firm Theori have shared details of Copy Fail, a vulnerability that gives attackers root access to nearly all Linux distributions with relatively little effort.

There's a lot to enjoy with an Amazon Prime membership: a plentiful streaming service full of acclaimed originals, same-day shipping, and Grubhub+. But that's just a sampling of the extensive benefits for members. Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program.

Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads   Learn More What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 per book.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the eight full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

May 2026 Amazon First Reads books May's First Reads picks include a short read by New York Times bestselling author Liv Constantine. Credit: Amazon / Mashable

May's First Reads lineup features eight novels and one short read. This month's short read, The Replacement, comes from New York Times bestselling author Liv Constantine. The suspenseful short story details the twisted relationship between a Hollywood icon struggling for relevancy and a newcomer with her own agenda. But in addition to this month's short read, there are eight novels featured, including the latest from Mindy's Book Studio, Two Lives with You.

Here are all of the First Reads picks for May 2026:

• The Replacement by Liv Constantine

• Two Lives with You by Lauren Ho

• Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg

• The Promise of Wonder by Katherine Webb

• The Confession Artist by Christine Carbo

• The Magic of Us by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi

• The Girl in the Lake by Lauren Oliver

• Westerly by Susan Donovan Bernhard

• The Quitters Club by Jessica Strawser

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

Still struggling to spot when you're streaming AI-generated music instead of human-made tunes? Spotify is trying to help.

On April 30, the streaming giant announced it would be launching an official "Verified by Spotify" badge across its platform to distinguish human artists from synthetic-only profiles.

The badge, a light green check mark next to the artist's name, is determined by an automatic filtering system based on the profile's engagement history and listener activity, its compliance with Spotify policies, and authenticity markers found on and off the platform. Spotify's system will look for live concert dates, merchandise, and linked social accounts, for example.

SEE ALSO: AI can reason like a doctor, study says

Spotify says it will also use human reviewers to verify profiles "behaving in good faith," based initially on the platform's most searched artists. The company says the policy will continue to evolve with the music industry, including considerations for human artists who use AI to create music.

In addition to verification, Spotify is beta-testing expanded artist information — akin to "nutrition facts" on food products — that will provide more context about an artist's history and authenticity. Artists will also be given greater control over what appears on their profiles.

The badge will roll out slowly over the coming weeks.

Users have called attention to a growing number of AI-generated songs and AI-only artist pages on Spotify, as well as a rise in algorithmic recommendations that push AI music into user playlists. Last year, the platform came under fire for allegedly adding AI-generated music to the profiles of deceased artists. Many Spotify listeners have bristled at the presence of entirely AI-generated profiles on the streaming app and have called for visible AI disclosures on music pages. Spotify has previously announced expanded spam filtering systems, AI disclosures, and impersonation policies.

In January, the company told Mashable editor Rachel Thompson that the platform "doesn't give AI-generated music any special treatment." A Spotify spokesperson added, "While we don’t penalize artists for using AI responsibly, we are aggressive about taking down content farms, impersonators, or anyone trying to game the system."

Thanks to all the tracking algorithms and ads, it’s easy to forget how fun discovering a new app can be. If you want to explore new apps on your phone this weekend, I’ve done the work of trying out software that you can enjoy without any of the crud. One is completely free, while the other two are partially free and very affordable to fully unlock.

May is an extra special month for astronomy fans, because there isn't just one Full Moon, there's two. The first is the Flower Moon, named for the time of year when little signs of Spring start to appear. At the end of the month, we’ll see a Blue Moon. This doesn't have anything to do with its color, but simply the name given to a second Full Moon within the same calendar month.

Keep reading to find out more about this month’s Full Moon.

When is the May full moon?

The full moon will occur on Friday, May 1. Time and Date estimates it will peak at 1:23 p.m. ET.

What is the May full moon called?

One of the most beautiful parts of Spring is the return of flowers blooming. Daffodils are in full swing and wildflowers start to reappear, and summer starts to feel closer. This very experience is why the May full moon is called the Flower Moon, explains Royal Museums Greenwich.

When is the next full moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are the lunar phases?

The Full Moon is one of eight stages the Moon moves through during its roughly 29.5-day orbit around Earth. At each stage, a different portion of its surface is illuminated by the Sun from our viewpoint on Earth. Although we always face the same side of the Moon, the shifting position of sunlight across its orbit is what creates the changing appearance, from fully lit, to partially bright, to almost dark as the cycle progresses.

The phases are:

• New Moon — The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (so, we don't see anything).

• Waxing Crescent — A small sliver of light appears on the right side

• First Quarter — Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

• Waxing Gibbous — More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

• Full Moon — The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

• Waning Gibbous — The moon starts losing light on the right side

• Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) — Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

• Waning Crescent — A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

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The best gaming monitor deals at a glance: Best curved monitor deal Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) $649.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best flat monitor deal LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best entry-level monitor deal ASUS 32-inch TUF curved gaming monitor (VG32VQ1B) $209 (save $80) Get Deal

Gaming hardware tends to come with some sticker shock. But if your current setup is feeling lifeless, this weekend is a good excuse to upgrade your monitor for less. Some major brands, including LG, Alienware, and ASUS, have previous-generation gaming monitors on sale for record-low prices and we've rounded up our favorites below.

Whether you're hoping to bump up your refresh rate or enhance your visual experience, here are the best gaming monitor deals to shop this weekend.

Best curved gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) $649.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Gaming is addicting on this 34-inch Alienware AW3425DW monitor. Thanks to a steep 1800R curved OLED panel that wraps the game around you, plus high performance specs like a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and an aiming point editor called AlienVision, you'll be fully immersed in every game and any world you choose. Combined with a stellar color range, VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400, 1000 nits peak HDR brightness, and G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro certifications, it's hard to believe it's only $649.99 (reg. $799.99). At just shy of 20% off, this is its lowest price on record.

Best flat gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED gaming monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

This $400 discount on the LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED gaming monitor knocks it down to its best price ever.

While it's over a year old at this point, it still packs some solid specs. Like the Alienware model above, it features an OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time for fluid gameplay, and is validated for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It's a bit smaller at 27 inches and isn't curved, but some folks prefer a flat display — particularly at this size. The matte 1440p panel is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified, so colors pop and blacks are rich and deep. And as a bonus, the detachable base and stand allow for infinite adjustments to suit your gaming habits.

Best entry-level gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF 32-inch curved gaming monitor (VG32VQ1B) $209 at Amazon
$289 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're new to the gaming world or you're just a casual player, the ASUS 32-inch TUF curved monitor is an affordable entry-level model with decent specs. Plus, it's $80 off this weekend — its second-best price ever. It features an ultra-steep 1500R curve, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync Premium supported through DisplayPort and HDMI. It won't wow you quite like the first two monitors, but at only $209, who cares?

More gaming monitor deals this weekend

• ASUS 27-inch TUF QHD gaming monitor (VG27AQM5A) — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Alienware 34-inch WQHD curved gaming monitor (AW3425DWM) — $289.99 $349.99 (save $60)

• LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor (27GX704A-B) — $477.99 $799.99 (save $322)

• Samsung 40-inch Odyssey G75F WUHD curved gaming monitor — $695.99 $999.99 (save $304)

• ASUS 34-inch ROG Strix OLED curved gaming monitor (XG34WCDG) — $749 $999 (save $250)

• Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC OLED curved monitor — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

The best TV deals to shop this weekend: Best Samsung deal Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F) $1,067.95 (save $730.04) Get Deal Best Hisense deal Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro) $899.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best Toshiba deal Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R) $2,497.99 (save $1,502) Get Deal

Did you know that spring is the third-best time to buy a TV? I know “third-best” sounds like a scam, but there's a real reason for it. Since CES has officially come and gone, retailers are dropping prices on "older" (i.e., basically brand new) TVs to clear out inventory — and we're even seeing early discounts on the shiny new 2026 models that just debuted at the show.

SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every size

You can read the full breakdown of how this works in our guide on the best time to buy a TV, but if you're just here to shop, these are the best deals I could find this weekend.

Best Samsung deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F) $1,067.95 at Amazon
$1,797.99 Save $730.04   Get Deal Why we like it

If you want the deep, inky blacks and vibrant colors of an OLED screen without entirely draining your bank account, this 2025 Samsung model is the one to grab right now.

As of this weekend, the 65-inch S85F is marked down to $1,067.95, from $1,797.99, which is a 41% discount or $730 savings.

For that price, you get a built-in NQ4 AI Gen2 processor that automatically upscales whatever you're watching into sharp 4K resolution using 20 neural networks. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate to keep fast-moving sports and games looking smooth.

Best Hisense deal Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $500   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Hisense is somehow already offering discounts on its brand-new 2026 lineup, and the price drops are just too good to ignore.

Right now, you can get the 75-inch Hisense U6 Pro Series Mini-LED 4K TV for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount (or an extra $500 in your pocket) on a TV that practically just hit the market.

The Hisense U6 Pro Series uses Mini-LED backlighting, which means the picture stays clear and detailed no matter the lighting. It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate, and Fire TV is built right in, so you can access your fave streaming apps without buying a separate stick.

Best Toshiba deal Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R) $2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Nobody needs a 100-inch TV (at least, not IMO). But if you have the wall space and are determined to turn your living room into a home theater, you might as well get one while it's discounted.

Like the Hisense above, this Toshiba Z670 Series is a brand-new 2026 release, and it's already marked down to $2,497.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or a $1,502 price cut.

More TV deals this weekend

• Samsung 43-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $397.99 $549.99 (save $152)

• Samsung 65-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $427.99 $629.99 (save $202)

• Hisense 75-inch U6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $499.99 $1,299.99 (save $800)

• Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV — $647.99 $999.99 (save $352)

• Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $999.99 $2,199.99 (save $1,200)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,249.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,250)

If you moved into a new home with pre-wired Ethernet and noticed your internet speed doesn’t match your plan, the problem might not be your ISP, router, switch, or other networking gear. Sometimes, the wiring itself is to blame.

Some smart home projects are so impressive that you want to show them off to the world. Others may seem pretty dull, but can be incredibly useful. A project that tracks your groceries or measures your energy usage may not sound thrilling, but it can make a big difference in your day-to-day life.

If you've recently upgraded to a new monitor and noticed that the image is disappointingly dull, you're not alone. Your display is likely set to HDR by default, which can cause issues with regular content. Here's why and how to fix it.

Microsoft OneNote has had the advantage of being one of the first note-taking apps. It gives you a large space where notes, clippings, and drawings can exist together, and it seemed like a good place to keep things for someone who works with information. Being able to click and place text or images anywhere on a page gives you a lot of freedom. Having the freedom to place anything anywhere turns notes into a disorganized archive, which leaves essential information scattered. The solution is to go to a better open-source app (that is loved on Linux), which can make things a lot simpler.

I’ve been using Evernote since 2016, when I was a junior in high school. It’s been a reliable place to store notes, ideas, and journal entries. It handled most of what I needed, but it was never a perfect fit.

All ESP32 (and some ESP8266) devices can make use of at least one type of mesh network to communicate, peer-to-peer, without the need for a centralized “router.” Others can be used to interface with existing smart homes, communicate over long distances, or take advantage of low-latency data transfer in useful projects that are fun to make.

Fans of Ryobi and its bright 18V ONE+ power tools know that the company offers a little bit of everything, from drills to lawn mowers. And while most people own a drill or two, an impact, and other basics, there are several lesser-known Ryobi tools that, once you buy, you'll absolutely love.

SAVE OVER $10: As of May 1, the Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet is on sale for $47.99 at Amazon. This is $12 off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal

If you're searching for a fun Mother's Day gift to give this year but don't want to fall back on something like a regular bouquet of flowers, Lego's Botanicals sets are an excellent alternative. Amazon even has some great deals available on select sets right now, including the delightful Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet.

As of May 1, the Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet has dropped to $47.99 at Amazon. This is a $12 drop from its $59.99 list price, but also just a few cents away from its lowest-ever price of $47.95. Amazon says that it'll arrive before Mother's Day if you order it now, so why wait? This is the perfect time to pick it up.

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The Lego Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet comes with 749 pieces that create a variety of vibrant flowers: daisies, cornflowers, eucalyptus, elderflowers, roses, ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, a campanula, and a waterlily dahlia.

These beautiful, brick-built blooms each have an adjustable stem, so you can choose how you want to display each flower in a vase once you're finished. They can even be combined with other Lego Botanicals sets, if you'd like to have a colorful arrangement on display.

The clock is ticking to get these in time for Mother's Day. Now is the time to make a move on the Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet.

TL;DR: Amazon has the ASUS TUF Gaming 27-inch 1440p monitor on sale for $199, down from its $299 list price. That saves you $100 on a QHD gaming display with a 300Hz refresh rate, 0.3ms response time, Fast IPS panel, ELMB Sync, Shadow Boost, and DisplayWidget Center support. 

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS 27-inch 1440p ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100 Get Deal

A fast 1440p gaming monitor can get very expensive, especially if you’re looking beyond the usual 144Hz and 165Hz panels. But ASUS has thankfully cut the price on its most prolific monitor — letting you properly upgrade on a budget. 

As of May 1, the ASUS TUF Gaming 27-inch 1440p monitor is on sale for $199 at Amazon, marked down from its $299 list price. With this 33% discount, you’re saving $100 on the VG27AQM5A model — though Amazon also has used and resale listings starting from $181.09.

Price tracker camelcamelcamel shows that this is the lowest-ever price for this monitor at Amazon.

You're getting a 27-inch QHD display with a 2560x1440 resolution, which gives you a noticeable sharpness upgrade over 1080p without demanding quite as much from your PC as 4K. Gamers who prioritize speed will be especially happy, as ASUS rates this model for up to a 300Hz refresh rate with a 0.3ms GTG response time for all the video games you love playing now and in the future. Whether you’re diving into Fortnite and any other fast-paced shooters, intense racers like the upcoming Forza Horizon 6, or any other multiplayer game on the level of League of Legends, you’ll be all set.

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This gaming monitor also boasts ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync, which is designed to reduce ghosting and tearing during high-frame-rate gameplay. Shadow Boost is included as well, helping brighten darker areas without blowing out the rest of the image, which can be handy when you’re trying to spot enemies hiding in dim corners. 

As a crowning touch, the ASUS TUF monitor also supports HDR, covers 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, includes built-in speakers, and works with ASUS DisplayWidget Center for easier mouse-based settings control. 

I recently bought a new accessory for my Raspberry Pi on a whim, with no real idea of what to use it for. When I finally came up with an idea, I had no clue how to make it a reality. Using Claude, I was able to get it working incredibly quickly.