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The best Memorial Day power station deals: We found powerful deals on Jackery, Anker, DJI, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:14
The best Memorial Day portable power station deals at a glance: Best overall deal Anker Solix C1000 $449.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best waterproof portable power station Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $899.10 (save $99.90) Get Deal Best power station deal for creators DJI Power 1000 V2 $386.10 (save $42.90) Get Deal

If you go by the calendar, the official start of summer is June 21. But we won't hear anything of the sort. We prefer to celebrate the unofficial start, aka Memorial Day weekend. And as the season turns to outdoor activities and adventures, now's the time to think about upgrading any relevant tech and devices — the kinds of things to get the fun going all summer long.

If you've yet to jump on the portable power station bandwagon, this is the moment to do it. Camping season is very nearly here, so it's worth snagging a powerful model to stay fully charged. It'll keep your phone juiced up, along with Bluetooth speakers, laptops, and anything else you might need on that camping trip. You can also use the electric air pump for the inflatables before hitting the beach or pool.

The great news is that Memorial Day not only marks the unofficial start of summer, it also means a whole bunch of deals and discounts as retailers jump aboard the festivities with sales. We've rounded up all the best discounts we could find on power stations below.

Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 $449.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix C1000 here.

For weekends at the campground, it's impossible to go wrong with the Anker Solix C1000. It has 1,056Wh of capacity for keeping your phones charged up and for plugging in the string lights. If you're feeling like more of a glamping experience, pack along the coffee maker and air fryer for comforts from home and easy camping meals. Unlike plenty of models, the Anker Solix C1000 has a built-in LED light which is excellent for both visibility for getting your devices plugged into the ports but also for illuminating the campsite.

Best waterproof portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $899.10 at Amazon
$999 Save $99.90   Get Deal Why we like it

If your summer camping trips might involve wet weather, head out with the waterproof Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra. Rare for portable power stations, it comes with an IP65 waterproof and dust-proof rating. That means it'll hold up to light splashes or sitting near a pile of sawdust in the work shed.

Best portable power station deal for creators Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 $386.10 at Amazon
$429 Save $42.90   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the DJI Power 1000 V2 here.

We're all familiar with DJI cameras, drones, and mics, but the brand has been building its lineup of portable power stations in the recent years. The DJI Power 1000 V2 comes with great features for creators, especially those who use DJI drones. The quick-charging SDC ports means super quick recharging of drone batteries.

Even if you're not a creator, the sale price of $386.10 is excellent for a portable power station that offers 1,024Wh of capacity. It also focuses on quiet operation which is great if you'll be using this at home during an outage in a bedroom at night.

More Memorial Day power station deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The new MacBook Air M5 is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save over $100 this weekend

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:13

TL;DR: The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $949 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale. That's $150 off the list price and the record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air M5 (13-Inch $999 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $100   Get Deal

We're doing our best to keep tabs on all the new Memorial Day deals dropping this weekend. It's a tough ask, because there are a lot. Between the deals on TVs, power stations, mattresses, and everything in-between, we can barely keep up.

But what we can always make time for is a deal on the latest MacBook Air, especially when that deal drops the price down to a record low.

The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is on sale for $949 in Amazon's Memorial Day sale. That's $150 off the list price and the record-low price for this popular model. We can't guarantee anything at this point, but we don't expect this price to stick around for long. With Prime Day fast approaching, we wouldn't be surprised to see Amazon bump the price up to $999 (or more).

The MacBook Air M5 is a super portable laptop that delivers power in abundance. In Mashable's review of this popular machine, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth said the new MacBook Air "takes everything good about the MacBook Air and adds the faster M5 chip." Werth adds that it's "incredible" but wishes it was "$200 cheaper."

This is where a deal comes in handy. This Memorial Day discount brings it down to a level that's hard to ignore.

Pick up the MacBook Air M5 for its best-ever price at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Anker's new Soundcore earbuds set a Guinness World Record for call quality—here's why

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:11

Anker's Soundcore brand just unveiled its successors to the Liberty 4 Pro, and the true wireless earbuds promise a leap forward in call performance — one large enough that the company sought a world record to prove it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

60+ of the best Memorial Day deals: We found TVs, mattresses, headphones, and more on sale

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:03
The best Memorial Day 2026 deals at a glance: Best Amazon deal Ninja Slushi $259 (save $90.99) Get Deal Best TV deal Toshiba 65-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV $264.99 (save $265) Get Deal Best tech deal Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal Best home deal Ruggable save up to 25% sitewide Shop Now

The unofficial start to summer is almost here, but you don't have to wait until Memorial Day itself on May 25 to find those Memorial Day deals.

There are already deals live at Amazon, where you'll find savings of up to 40%. There are also plenty of savings from other online shopping destinations, with deals on products such as mattresses, TVs, furniture, and outdoor patio items. Plenty of brands are getting in on early MDW action — you can grab the Dyson Airwrap i.d. for $150 off and the Bose QuietComfort headphones for $120 off.

We'll be updating all the best Memorial Day deals throughout the weekend, so be sure to keep checking back on this page for the biggest and best savings.

Best Memorial Day Amazon deals Ninja Slushi $259 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $90.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

What says start of the summer better than slushies on demand? When Mashable's Leah Stodart reviewed the Ninja Slushi, she pointed out the merits of the Slushi over a regular blender: no ice is required, and it keeps drinks frozen while in its cooling cylinder. From cola slushies to frosé, this might just be the ultimate summer drink machine. It has some downsides (sugar-free beverages are a no-go), but if you're a frozen drink enthusiast, this deal is worth a closer look.

More Amazon dealsBest Memorial Day TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 65-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV $264.99 at Best Buy
$529.99 Save $265   Get Deal Why we like it

Best Buy and Amazon have been racing to match prices on this Fire TV. Best Buy was initially $75 cheaper than Amazon, so Amazon dropped its sale price to keep pace. But that's only a piece of the picture demonstrating just how good this deal is. Our resident TV expert, Leah Stodart, pointed out that this $264.99 price point is so good that it's less than the sale price of the 43-inch version of Amazon's most basic Ember 4K Fire TV. In other words, if you're looking to score a solid deal on a smart TV this Memorial Day, this could be the one for you.

More TV deals

43-inch to 50-inch TVs

55-inch TVs

65-inch TVs

70-inch TVs and up

Best Memorial Day mattress deals

  • Avocado: Get up to 20% off organic mattresses, bed toppers, and bedding.

  • Amerisleep: Get up to $1,000 off all mattresses and 40% off bundles

  • Bear: Get 35% off sitewide, plus $275 worth of free accessories

  • Casper: Get up to 30% off select mattresses and 35% off bundles

  • Purple: Get up to $900 off a mattress and a base

  • Helix: Get 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY25

  • Leesa: Get 30% off select mattresses

  • Mattress Firm: Get up to 60% off select mattresses with queens starting at $189.99

  • Nectar: Get up to 50% off select mattresses and 66% off bundles

  • Saatva: Save up to $650 on mattresses, including the Saatva Classic and Memory Foam Hybrid mattresses

  • Serta: Save up to $600 on select mattress and adjustable base sets

  • Sleep Number: Save up to $1,200 on ClimateCool and ComfortNext mattresses, BOGO free Ultimate Shape Pillows, and BOGO 50% off sheets

  • Tempur-Pedic: Save 40% on the Tempur-Cloud Mattress or up to $500 on adjustable mattress sets, plus free gifts

Best Memorial Day home deals

  • Brooklinen: Refresh your bedding for summer with 25% off sitewide

  • Buffy: Save up to 25% sitewide

  • Caraway Home: Save up to 30% on cookware and bakeware

  • Cozy Earth: Save 20% sitewide or 25% when you buy three or more items

  • Crate & Barrel: Save up to 60% on rugs, 35% on kitchen brands, and 30% on furniture

  • Cuisinart: Save 15% on $99.95+, 20% on $149.95+, and 25% on $249.95+

  • Home Depot: Save up to 40% on select appliances, 20% on select patio furniture, and up to $175 off on select tools now through May 27

  • Joybird: Take up to 45% off on bestselling furniture and up to 35% off sitewide through May 25

  • Kohl's: Save up to 50% sitewide on clothes, kitchen appliances, bedding, patio furniture, and more

  • Lovesac: Save 40% sitewide through May 31

  • Lowe's: Save on appliances, grills, patio furniture, gardening supplies, and more through June 3

  • Mellow Sleep: Get $20 off $100, $50 off $200, or $100 off $300

  • Nest New York: Save 25% sitewide with code 25OFF

  • Parachute: Save 25% sitewide plus 30% on bundles

  • Ruggable: Save up to 25% sitewide

  • Rugs Direct: Save up to 80% sitewide on brands like Safavieh, Chris Loves Julia, Loloi, Rifle Paper Co., and Rugs USA

  • SharkNinja: Save up to 30% on Ninja kitchen appliances and Shark vacuums, hair tools, and fans

  • Target: Target's Hello Summer Sale brings deals on summer favorites, including up to 20% off kids' outdoor toys and up to 45% off patio furniture and garden essentials

  • Wayfair: Save up to 70% sitewide

Best Memorial Day tech deals

  • Best Buy: Save on TVs, Apple products, laptops, monitors, Sony cameras, Bluetooth speakers, and more

  • BJ’s Wholesale Club: Get up to 50% off TVs and electronics, 25% off mattresses, and 15% off home and kitchen

  • HP: Save up to 72% on OmniBook laptops, Omen gaming PCs, All-in-One desktops, and more

  • Lenovo: Save up to 30% on ThinkPad, Yoga, ThinkBook, IdeaPad, and Legion laptops

  • LG: Save up to 44% on TVs, 40% on monitors, and up to 58% on appliances

  • Tile: Save up to 40% on trackers

  • TP-Link: Save up to $220 on select products, including the Tapo C460 (4-Pack) + H500, plus get an additional 10% off sitewide with code USA10

Best Memorial Day beauty deals

  • Dyson: Save up to $150 on the Dyson Airwrap i.d., Airstrait, and Supersonic Nural

  • FabFitFun: Save 40% on your first box, plus get a free Vacation bonus box ($250 value) with an annual membership signup

  • L'ange: Save up to 44% on select tools with code MEMORIAL, plus an extra 15% off your entire order with code EXTRA15

Best Memorial Day outdoor deals

  • Bote: Save 15% sitewide

  • Columbia: Save up to 40% on "almost everything"

  • Dick's Sporting Goods: Save up to 50% on bikes, kayaks, tents, grills, and golf gear, save up to to 40% on Nike and adidas

  • Huffy: Save 25% on select bikes

  • HOVERAir: Save up to 47%

  • Rumpl: Save 25% sitewide

  • Solo Stove: Save 15% on select fire pits and pizza ovens

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Memorial Day tech deals you can shop this weekend — save on headphones, laptops, and more

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:02
The best Memorial Day tech deals of 2026: Best headphone deal Nothing Headphone (a) $169 (save $30) Get Deal Best speaker deal Sony SRS-XB100 $43 (save $21.99) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $940 (save $150) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon Ember 50-inch 4-Series with Fire TV (2025) $309.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro $69 (save $30) Get Deal Best smart home deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 (save $25 with code SELCT4K) Get Deal

Replacing a busted laptop or losing your favorite earbuds is painful enough without having to pay full retail price to replace them. Memorial Day is historically a great weekend to score discounts on big-ticket electronics (and mattresses!), but finding a real deal among all the manufactured holiday markdowns can be confusing, and a little insulting. (Looking at you, inflated list prices!)

SEE ALSO: The best deals this week, according to Mashable's team of shopping experts

To help you find the biggest discounts, I sifted through the sales to round up the best tech deals happening this weekend. I prioritized Mashable's favorite tech — so you get genuinely good, vetted gear, not just whatever inventory retailers are trying to clear out of their warehouses.

Best Memorial Day headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (a) $169 at Amazon
$199 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the Nothing Headphone (a).

Mashable's Lead Shopping Reporter is fresh off reviewing Nothing's new mid-range headphones, which she rated a 4.3/5. She thinks they're better than the flagship Nothing Headphone (1) because they offer the same app experience, comparable noise cancellation, and a comfier fit at a lower price. Moreover, they last for up to 135 hours on a single charge (!) without ANC, and their retro design is fun. Amazon has them on sale for a record-low price ahead of Memorial Day, saving you 15%.

More Memorial Day headphone deals Earbud dealsBest Memorial Day speaker deal Sony SRS-XB100 $43 at Amazon
$64.99 Save $21.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Read our full guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.

If you're looking for a portable speaker that you can just grab and throw in your bag, I couldn't recommend the Sony SRS-XB100 enough. I've had this exact one for years and it goes everywhere with me — I take it to the beach, hang it in the outside shower at my parents' OBX house, and set it up when I'm hanging with friends on the balcony. It has serious sound for how small it is, and right now you can get it for $43 (down from $64.99). That's a total steal for a speaker this good.

Want to pay even less? You can get a "renewed" Sony SRS-XB100 for $39.99.

More Memorial Day speaker dealsBest Memorial Day laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $199.01   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Read our full review of the M5 Apple MacBook Air.

The MacBook Neo is only $10 off on Amazon right now, but the brand-new 13-inch MacBook Air is $100 off there — you can get the base model for just $949. This is the lowest price we've seen it go for since April 6. In our review, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth said the new MacBook Air "takes everything good about the MacBook Air and adds the faster M5 chip."

More Memorial Day laptop dealsBest Memorial Day TV deal Amazon Ember 50-inch 4-Series with Fire TV $309.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $90   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Right now, you can get last year's Amazon Ember 50-inch 4-Series with Fire TV for $309.99. (If you're a new Xbox GamePass customer, you'll also get a month of the subscription service for free.) That's a 23% discount and not too shabby of a deal for a 2025 TV.

More Memorial Day TV deals Best Memorial Day smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro $69 at Amazon
$99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro.

The Mashable Choice Award-winning CMF Watch 3 Pro features great health, fitness, and sleep tracking tools, and it lasts forever — it's rated at up to 13 days per charge with average use. It's not as sleek as other wearables, but it's an impeccable value at its $99 MSRP: "Please, no one tell Nothing they should be charging a lot more for this watch," writes Mashable Contributor and reviewer Lauren Allain. Right now, it's yours for 30% off.

More Memorial Day smartwatch dealsBest Memorial Day smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25 Enter code SELCT4K at checkout. Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon's budget 4K streaming stick has been going on sale regularly since its launch last fall, but it's never been this cheap before. (Be sure to enter the coupon code SELECT4K at checkout.) At 63% off, it's very difficult to see it getting any cheaper come Prime Day.

More Memorial Day streaming stick dealsHome security deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Why I still spend $5 on this forgotten PC component

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 17:01

Most PC troubleshooting tips start with digging into the settings of whatever operating system you're using. Maybe you'll run a benchmark. Maybe you'll open up the case. You might run down the list of various ways PCs get accidentally damaged and try to figure out what went wrong.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 LEGO 3D printing projects to build this weekend (May 22 - 24)

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 16:46

LEGO and 3D printing may seem like a perfect combination, but there’s more to it than first meets the eye. While you can 3D print LEGO blocks, tight tolerances can produce disappointing results if you aren’t prepared to experiment a bit first.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 newly-added Netflix documentaries to stream this weekend (May 22-24)

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 16:30

You'd think that with May winding down, Netflix would be stretching a little thin when it comes to some fresh things to watch on the streaming service. Perhaps you haven't gotten around to watching Steph Curry's fun cartoon movie GOAT, or maybe you're still reeling after watching the harrowing car-crash documentary The Crash that I wrote about last weekend, but if you're ready for a few new suggestions that have come to Netflix recently, then read on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Ryobi tools everyone laughs at (until they actually use them)

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 16:15

It is easy to look at certain tools and mistake them for cheap toys that won't hold up during a serious project. We typically assume that "real" work needs heavy, specialized machinery, but dragging out massive equipment for simple tasks gets frustrating very quickly. Ryobi makes many exciting tools, but also many unusually small, battery-powered tools.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Passkeys were a headache until I moved them to my own home server

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 16:00

Google's password manager takes care of syncing passkeys between Android devices. The same passkeys will sync with Chrome on any platform as long as you're using the same Google account. However, I exclusively use Firefox on my phone and computers. I'm also a huge fan of self-hosting whenever possible, so I prefer a solution that doesn't rely on Google. Here is the setup I'm using for that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Spider-Noir review: Nicolas Cage rules in a Spider-Man story unlike any youve seen before

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 16:00

What's black and white and fun all over? Spider-Noir, a new superhero series led by Nicolas Cage.

The show has its roots in 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, in which Cage voiced the Spider-Man variant known as Spider-Man Noir. Appearing in black and white and always accompanied by a rain-scented wind, Spider-Man Noir managed to steal scenes in a film already overflowing with goodness. A large part of that comes down to the casting of Cage, who commits wholeheartedly to Spider-Man Noir's over-the-top slangy dialogue. ("You gonna fight or you just bumping gums, you hard-boiled turtle-slapper?") That Cage's work is much-memed adds an extra layer of hilarity to the role, a wink to the audience that yes, the film got the Nicolas Cage to channel old-timey film detectives.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now

As much of a scene stealer as he is, Spider-Man Noir is only onscreen for about five and a half minutes of Into the Spider-Verse. With Spider-Noir, Cage gets to take this Spider-Man variant to new heights in a technically dazzling thrill ride. Sure, it's familiar — it's a Spider-Man story, and we've seen plenty of those! — but Spider-Noir manages to find a new lease on spidey life with its loving embrace of film noir.

What's Spider-Noir about? Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Prime

The superhero we meet in Spider-Noir is not the same one from Into the Spider-Verse. Cage plays Ben Reilly, a down-on-his-luck private investigator who once moonlighted as New York City's only hero, the Spider.

Like the Spider-Verse films, Spider-Noir knows we've seen enough Spider-Man origin stories to fill hundreds of comic books, so it wisely motors through the beats we're familiar with. In the first of the show's many stylish flairs, it overlays scenes from Ben's life on windows of a New York City skyscraper he's climbed, catching us up to speed on all things Spider. That includes him meeting, then losing, the love of his life, Ruby. Following her death, Ben hung up his mask and goggles for good.

SEE ALSO: 'The Boroughs' review: Stop what you're doing and watch retirees fight monsters in this fantastic sci-fi series

However, just because Ben's retired the Spider doesn't mean he won't wind up trapped in dangerous webs of others' making. And Spider-Noir presents a fascinating web indeed, one involving crime lord Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson), lounge singer Cat Hardy (Li Jun Li), and a rogue's gallery of superpowered men, including well-known Spider-Man villains like Flint Marko (Jack Huston), aka Sandman, and Lonnie Lincoln (Abraham Popoola), aka Tombstone.

Spider-Noir is a gorgeous love letter to film noir. Li Jun Li in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Prime

The way these threads converge isn't necessarily ground-breaking. Obviously, Ben will put on the mask and seek redemption, even if he doesn't think it's worth it. And obviously, the origins of these superpowered villains have ties to Ben's own genetic mutation. But the show's carefully calibrated style manages to make each familiar plot point feel like a new discovery.

Recent superhero shows have tried to set themselves apart by dabbling in genres beyond just "superhero." That's how you get gangster dramas like The Penguin, or a legal comedy like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. But not since WandaVision has a show so thoroughly immersed itself in a different genre. Unlike WandaVision, Spider-Noir holds fast to its genre trappings throughout, and that steadfastness elevates it over every other superhero show's genre dabbling.

SEE ALSO: 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' review: The power of Tatiana Maslany makes this thriller a must-watch

The visuals are the key here, starting with the show's unique presentation. Prime Video offers viewers the choice of watching in both black and white and color. While I recommend checking out the color version at least once to take in all the details on the show's costumes and set pieces, black and white is certainly the way to go here. Spider-Noir thrives in the contrast between light and dark, casting bold, inky shadows across city streets in pointed tribute to the film noir genre that inspired it. In a world where so many TV shows are underlit or visually flat, it's a joy to see a series take full advantage of lighting as a key way to build mood and atmosphere.

Elsewhere, Spider-Noir has a ball with stylistic staples of the film noir genre, from Dutch angles to a moody score, courtesy of Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons. Don't think of Spider-Noir as being focused on style over substance, though. It's more style as substance, as the series engages seriously with film noir's thematic tropes. Ben is a classic world-weary antihero, while Li's enigmatic Cat falls squarely into the femme fatale archetype, going from crooner to double-crosser at the drop of a fedora.

Nicolas Cage was meant for Spider-Noir. Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Aaron Epstein / Prime

Film noir — and '30s-era films in general — are key to Spider-Noir because they're key to Ben as well. As he reveals to Cat, in the wake of his mutation, he was overcome with arachnid instincts. He had to go to the movies to relearn how to be human from the actors.

That gives Cage free reign to channel film noir's leading men, and he does it with gusto. In Ben's scenes with his closest confidants, like his secretary Janet (Karen Rodriguez) or his reporter friend Robbie (Lamorne Morris), he carries himself more naturally, with a tinge of grumpiness. Once he's out in the field, though, he dials up the hard-boiled detective to a solid 11. He slings quips like they're webs, alternating between charming and brooding his way out of danger.

Ben's bag of tricks also includes disguising himself. He poses as everything from a plumber to a doctor in his efforts to crack his case, and Cage embraces a new outlandish persona in each role. Viewers may be tempted to add these moments to their "Nicolas Cage losing his shit"-style compilations, but these moments, on top of being extra fun, do remain motivated by the needs of the show. Rarely does Spider-Noir unleash a Cage crash out for memes' sake. (Although the show does play up the meme-iness a little bit, like when Morris unleashes a surprisingly solid Cage impression in the perfect context.)

Cage's dedication to a role as strange as "film noir detective Spider-Man" especially shines through when Ben succumbs to his spider instincts. His physicality is both mesmerizing and bizarre, whether he's contorting himself in strange ways or just lying, twitching, on his bed. While his voice acting in Into the Spider-Verse is delightful, it's moments like this, where you see Cage embodying Ben's uncanny physical experience, that made me truly understand why this show exists.

Between Cage's performance and distinct styling, Spider-Noir proves that there's still ways to freshen up superhero shows. The key is just commitment.

All episodes of Spider-Noir premiere May 27 on Prime Video.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I ditched Gmail for Thunderbird, and email feels perfectly boring again

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 15:45

Gmail on Android is polished, familiar, and reliable. Unfortunately, over time, it has stopped feeling like a simple tool for reading mail and started feeling like another entry point into Google’s all-in-one ecosystem. I decided that I wanted something that was just an email client, so I made the switch to Thunderbird. It's a free, open-source, privacy-focused app, and it makes email feel like it used to.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 sound-reactive ESP32 projects to make this weekend (May 22 - 24)

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 15:30

The ESP32 is one of the best microcontrollers on the market for building low-power sensors. By connecting a microphone (and sometimes a few additional components), the ESP32 can react to sound in some interesting ways.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 brilliant weekend NAS upgrades that cost almost nothing

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 15:00

A NAS is easy to set up in a corner and then forget, but even a few free or inexpensive upgrades can make it more useful and more reliable in the long-term. You don't even need to do much—these are 5 ways to improve your NAS without breaking the bank or using up your entire weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The MasterClass Memorial Day sale is live now — top courses are up to 40% off

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 15:00

SAVE UP TO 40%: From May 22-25, take up to 40% off MasterClass courses and MasterClass Certificates in the Memorial Day sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass and MasterClass Certificates: Save up to 40%   Get Deal

For anyone who's looking to do a bit of life enrichment over the summer, MasterClass offers a great option. The platform is full of courses taught by industry pros that are sure to prove insightful. To celebrate Memorial Day, MasterClass has a great sale on tap.

Between May 22 and May 25, save up to 40% on MasterClass lessons and professional MasterClass Certificates.

From cooking courses to personal styling lessons, MasterClass has something everyone will find worthwhile. With lessons in science, technology, writing, music, health, and plenty more, the platform gives access to exceptional learning activities.

SEE ALSO: 40+ of the best Memorial Day deals — TVs, mattresses, headphones, and more on sale

MasterClass Certificates is designed to offer professional advancements through lessons that range from 15 to 20 hours. Taught by industry leaders, they're a great way to learn new in-demand skills that complement your career.

Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or buy a class as a thoughtful graduation gift, jump on saving up to 40% off on MasterClass lessons this Memorial Day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Im watching the Canadian GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 14:45

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Canadian GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Japanese GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

I don't care what anyone says — I've really enjoyed this season of F1. I know the new F1 regulations are not for everyone, not least the drivers. But I like the unpredictability of this season and I'm keen for more after a break post Miami.

Kimi Antonelli continues to lead the standings coming into the Canadian GP, but there's a feeling that McLaren are closing the gap to the Mercedes drivers. Could the tide finally turn this weekend and we get our first winner from another team? It's a Sprint weekend, so it always feels like there's a greater chance of upsetting the odds.

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Canadian GP?

The Canadian GP is the fifth race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve:

  • Practice 1 — 12:30-1:30 p.m. ET on May 22

  • Sprint Qualifying — 4:30-5:14 p.m. ET on May 22

  • Sprint — 12-1 p.m. ET on May 23

  • Qualifying — 4-5 p.m. ET on May 23

  • Race — 4 p.m. ET on May 24

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Canadian GP for free

I subscribe to Amazon Prime. I very happily pay for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. The access to Prime Video is actually not all that important to me. I occasionally watch the Champions League and NBA, but that's about it. That was until this season of F1 came to Apple TV.

It is now possible to sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel this automatic renewal at any time.

By cancelling ahead of the renewal, you can watch the Canadian GP this weekend without spending anything.

I already pay for Amazon Prime, so you could argue that this isn't really free. I get that, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you're new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races for free this season.

Already used this hack to watch a race this season? It's not your only option.

I suggest you go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.

The best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. If you're planning on upgrading to something from the Apple lineup in Memorial Day sales, you could gain access to Apple TV for a pretty large chunk of this season. You will obviously need to buy something, but if you were already in the market for an upgrade, this method makes a lot of sense.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026 Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop buying smart switches for every room—this sensor can replace them

How-To Geek - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 14:45

Smart switches are very useful in the smart home. They give you the best of both worlds: you can automate your lights, but you can also control them manually when you need to. Smart switches aren't always the best option for every room, however.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 22, 2026

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 14:37

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you always follow back up.

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.

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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.

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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 Pips hints, answers for May 22, 2026 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: Circle back

  • Green: That's how it is

  • Blue: They go round and round

  • Purple: Women's names

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Reach back out

  • Green: The way things are done

  • Blue: Places with conveyor belts

  • Purple: Starting with name homophones

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 #1076 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Reach back out: CHECK IN, FOLLOW UP, RECONNECT, TOUCH BASE

  • The way things are done: CONVENTION, CUSTOM, SOCIAL NORM, UNWRITTEN RULE

  • Places with conveyor belts: ASSEMBLY LINE, BAGGAGE CLAIM, CHECKOUT LANE, REVOLVING SUSHI BAR

  • Starting with name homophones: CARRY-ON, EL NIÑO, LOOSEY-GOOSEY, TAILOR-MADE

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 May 22, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 22, 2026

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 14:37

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you go big or go home.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 May 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Put down your ruler

The words are related to size.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe large things.

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 Its Big.

NYT Strands word list for May 22

  • Boundless

  • Epic

  • Vast

  • Immense

  • Its Big

  • Whopping

  • Astronomic

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 today's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 22, 2026

Mashable - Fri, 05/22/2026 - 14:37

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't like to venture out.

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 hints today: Clues, answers for May 22, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for May 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Regional.

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Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

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...

VOCAL

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.

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 today's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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