This digest compiles the latest from Mashable.
Today’s Mashable Roundup
Is your phone gross? Watch this.
Spring cleaning your phone goes beyond just wiping down the screen. Iyaz walks through how to safely clean and disinfect your phone and earbuds to remove built-up grime and bacteria, while also showing how to clean inside your device by clearing unused apps and using built-in Android and iOS tools to free up space and improve performance.
Former Meta employee accused of downloading 30,000 private user images
London’s cybercrime unit is investigating a former Meta employee who allegedly downloaded more than 30,000 private user images from personal Facebook pages.
Police say the employee, a company engineer, allegedly designed a script that allowed his activity to go undetected by internal security systems, according to court documents reviewed by The Guardian.
The incident was discovered by the company over a year ago, Meta explained in a statement to the BBC. In addition to terminating the employee, Meta notified affected Facebook users and updated its security protocols. Meta then referred the case to the UK police, and authorities arrested the man in November.
“After discovering improper access by an employee over a year ago, we immediately terminated the individual, notified users, referred the matter to law enforcement and enhanced our security measures,” the company said to the press. “We are co-operating with the ongoing investigation.”
Meta has previously been accused of failing to appropriately notify users of privacy policies and how their data is accessed by the company, including recent concerns about Meta AI chatbot prompts being made visible to the public.
Last month, an investigation found that offshore Meta workers in Kenya were being forced to review personal recordings taken by Meta Ray-Ban glasses wearers — videos that were being shared unbeknownst to users to train the company’s AI. In January, a group of international plaintiffs and whistleblowers filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that private WhatsApp conversations, which are end-to-end encrypted, were being accessed and analyzed by Meta employees. The company has denied the allegation.
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Best Buy is giving away a Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game case for free — how to claim
GET A FREE COLLECTIBLE GAME CASE: As of April 8, you can pick up a slick Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game case for free at Best Buy when you purchase two select Mario titles for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
There’s a lot of Mario talk lately between The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition release, and the 40th anniversary of the nostalgic Nintendo mascot. And Best Buy wants in on the conversation. For a limited time, the retailer is giving away free Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary collectible game cases. Here’s how you can claim yours.
There’s limited quantities of these slick collectible cases, so you’ll want to act semi-quickly if you want to ensure you get one. All you have to do to qualify is purchase two select Mario titles for Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 at Best Buy. Once you add two to your cart, you’ll see the game case added automatically for $0 (a $20 value). It can hold 24 games and showcases photos of Mario himself over the years.
There’s plenty of excellent games included in the list, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park, Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Nintendo Switch, and Mario Party Superstars for Nintendo Switch. Most of them are at full price, which is kind of a bummer, but we do think the majority of them are worth the money.
Regardless, this is your chance to celebrate four decades of Mario and get some sick merch to go along with it. And a free gift is a free gift!
Artemis II return date and time: When to livestream reentry and splashdown
After 10 days circling the Earth, the moon, and breaking records in deep space, the Artemis II crew is about to make one final, fiery plunge back to Earth.
This four-person crew made history on April 6, when Orion reached 248,655 miles from Earth, the farthest any human has ever traveled in space, surpassing Apollo 13’s record. Now, U.S. Navy teams stationed near San Diego are ready to bring them safely home.
If you don’t want to miss the Artemis II return, then tune in to the NASA livestream on Friday. That’s when Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen are expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PT (7:07 p.m. CT).
When to start watching
NASA+ coverage kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT, about 90 minutes before splashdown. But the action really heats up, literally, around 4:53 p.m. PT, when the Orion spacecraft hits entry interface, and the capsule begins its scorching journey through Earth’s atmosphere, where it will reach roughly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the Artemis II recovery, NASA will hold a post-splashdown news conference at 7:30 p.m. PT at Johnson Space Center.
Where to watch Artemis II reentry
Stream the Artemis II return free on NASA+ at plus.nasa.gov or on NASA’s YouTube channel.
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Dont panic: Amazon is discontinuing support on these 9 Kindle devices, but theyre not totally obsolete
On April 7, some Kindle users received an alarming email from Amazon. The email alerted users that, as of May 20, 2026, their Kindle devices will no longer be supported. Immediate reactions on social media devolved into panic, fearing that this meant beloved Kindles were no longer functional. Yet, I’m more impressed that 14-year-old Kindles are still going strong.
Before you run out to buy a new Kindle, you don’t have to fear — you can still use your Kindle. The news does not mean these Kindle devices are being deactivated; however, they’re no longer receiving software updates, nor will you have access to web services. And, yes, for Libby users, this means you’ll no longer be able to borrow books on your device since you need WiFi.
Here’s everything you need to know, including which devices are affected and what that means for you.
Which Kindle devices are affected?
Kindle users with an affected device linked to their Amazon account received an email informing them that support for their device is being discontinued. In fact, it’s not just Kindles but Fire tablets, too. The devices no longer being supported include:
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Kindle (1st generation)
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Kindle (2nd generation)
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Kindle DX
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Kindle DX Graphite
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Kindle Keyboard
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Kindle 4
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Kindle Touch
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Kindle 5
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Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)
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Kindle Fire (1st generation)
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Kindle Fire (2nd generation)
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Kindle Fire HD 7
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Kindle Fire HD 8.9
What does the change on May 20 mean?
In the email Amazon sent to users, it stated: “Amazon is discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier.” But what does discontuning support actually mean? Devices will no longer have web support; therefore, they won’t have the Send to Kindle feature, which requires an internet connection. It also means you won’t be able to borrow or download books from the Kindle Store, including Libby e-books, since they go through the Kindle Store. In Amazon’s email, they also mentioned that if you deregister and factory reset the device, you cannot register it again.
When reached for comment, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Starting May 20, 2026, customers using Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 and earlier will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content via the Kindle Store. These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time, and these devices will no longer be supported moving forward. We are notifying those still actively using them and offering promotions to help with the transition to newer devices. Their accounts and Kindle Library also remain fully accessible through the free Kindle app and Kindle for Web.”
Can you still use your affected Kindle after May 20?
The affected Kindles aren’t necessarily being deactivated; service will just be limited. You can still read the books you have already downloaded to your Kindle per usual. Plus, many users recommend jailbreaking the device.
If you connect your Kindle to a computer and use a program like Calibre, you can still easily transfer books to your Kindle. Who’s really losing out are Libby users, who have benefited from the Send to Kindle feature.
If the update is a huge deal-breaker, it may be time for a new Kindle, where you can access all the books you’ve ever purchased in the Kindle Store. For some, this update has left a bad impression and might mean it’s time to try out a different e-reader, like a Kobo.
Upgrade your smartphone with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for its lowest price yet
SAVE $200: As of April 8, get the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That’s a discount of 13% and the lowest price we’ve seen.
If a spring refresh means you’re updating everything in your life, not just cleaning your home, it might be time for a new smartphone. If that’s the case for you, you won’t want to miss this deal on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra we found at Amazon, which cuts the new smartphone down by a significant amount.
As of April 8, get the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That’s $200 off and a discount of 13%. It’s also the lowest price we’ve seen.
This unlocked phone comes with a new custom chip in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, 512GB of memory, a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a 3120×1440 resolution, a 5000 mAh battery, and a 200MP main camera.
Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth proclaimed that “this might be the year I switch to Android” after giving the phone a test drive, awarding it a 4.6 score in his review and praising its “incredible camera array”, “gorgeous AMOLED display”, and its processor’s ability to handle “everything I threw at it”.
Though the phone hasn’t been out very long on the market, saving $200 on the unlocked version is an extremely great deal, especially if you’re also on the fence about switching mobile teams, so to speak. It likely won’t last long at this price, so it’s a good idea to go ahead and pick it up while it’s still in stock.
Euphoria Season 3 review: It should be great. Instead, its gross.
“Anyone can reinvent themselves.”
These are the words of menacing Euphoria Season 3 newcomer Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). He speaks them to Rue (Zendaya) as she comes to a crossroads on her winding journey to redemption, but he might as well be describing series creator Sam Levinson’s thought process coming into Season 3. This time around, reinvention is the name of the game, as Euphoria moves from gritty teen drama to seedy neo-Western.
On the one hand, some form of reinvention is necessary. Euphoria‘s Season 2 finale aired four years ago. After that hiatus, it would be ridiculous to return to high school as if nothing had changed, especially since, during that time away, cast members like Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney blossomed into megawatt movie stars through decidedly non-high school roles. On the other hand, the path Levinson chooses for Euphoria Season 3 opens the show up to its worst impulses, marring its technical splendor and strong performances with exploitative storylines that feel primed for internet outrage.
Euphoria Season 3 doesn’t feel like the Euphoria you know.
Credit: Patrick Wymore / HBO
A five-year time jump between Euphoria Seasons 2 and 3 shakes the show up in a major way. The show’s core cast of characters has scattered to the winds in their new adulthood. Some, like Nate (Elordi) and Cassie (Sweeney), are settling down and getting married. Others, like Lexi (Maude Apatow) and Maddy (Alexa Demie), are hustling for success in Hollywood.
Rue’s life has taken a much more dangerous turn. Her debts to drug dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly) have caught up with her, and she’s now a drug mule. The season’s exhilarating opening catches her tearing across the Chihuahuan Desert on the way back to the U.S., complete with a tense pit stop at the border wall. Zendaya sinks right back into Rue’s live-wire energy, making it feel as if we’ve never left her.
However, most of the other aspects of Euphoria surrounding her have changed. Gone are the neon-soaked school hallways and city streets, replaced by wide-open Western vistas saturated with stunning color. The layered vocals of Labrinth’s score are nowhere to be heard either. Instead, Hans Zimmer takes the reins with a more orchestral sound (that at one point sounds eerily close to his work on Dune). Even the show’s title appears in a different font: a blocky yellow that recalls Western film titles. This season accompanies its first title card drop with the screech of a hawk, an extra bit of Western pastiche that hammers home the show’s new direction.
All the changes serve Levinson’s thesis that these characters’ early 20s are the Wild Wests of their lives. (For Rue, caught in a standoff between Laurie and strip club kingpin Alamo, that lawless Western element is a lot more literal.) Yet in making all these changes, Euphoria also loses the parts of its identity that set it apart from its teen drama counterparts in the first place. Now it feels more like a familiar crime drama. A prestige crime drama with an HBO budget, but still a recognizable one.
Euphoria Season 3 is an exercise in humiliation and fetishization.
Credit: HBO
One element of Euphoria that carries over to Season 3 is its gleeful pushing of the envelope, particularly when it comes to sex. In Season 3, Levinson is focused on sex work, a subject he’s already explored in part (but with very little sensitivity) in Kat’s (Barbie Ferreira) Season 1 cam girl storyline. This time around, sex work takes center stage in multiple storylines. Rue helps run one of Alamo’s strip clubs. Jules (Hunter Schafer) becomes a sugar baby. Cassie makes forays into OnlyFans, all in the hopes of earning enough money so she can pay for her dream flowers at her and Nate’s wedding.
Euphoria Season 1 portrayed Kat’s cam girl journey as primarily empowering, with very little consideration to the fact that she was underage at the time. Season 3 flips the script, turning a now-adult Cassie’s OnlyFans ambitions into an over-sexualized humiliation gauntlet. If you thought Season 2’s embarrassment of her was relentless, her Season 3 introduction alone blows that out of the water. Dressed as a dog, she perches atop a mini dog house and laps water from a bowl, desperate for validation online. Between this and “Wuthering Heights,” it’s a big year for Elordi characters dominating women through pet play. Fitting, as both Emerald Fennell and Levinson thrive on the empty provocation of throwing taboos at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Cassie’s sex work has no depth to it, and in her “right-wing suburban bubble,” everyone heaps shame on her, from her fiancé to her friends. Euphoria doesn’t interrogate these biases or examine the intricacies of sex work further. Instead, it’s happy to keep the shame coming, using Cassie’s aspirations as a springboard from which it can launch suggestive images designed to stir up the most controversy: Cassie draped in a sopping wet American flag shirt, or posing as a baby. That it’s Sweeney — herself a cultural lightning rod — in these tableaus makes Euphoria‘s desire for outrage even more clear. And while I clearly feel some of that outrage the show is gunning for, what I feel more is exasperation. Exasperation that a show with such incredible potential, and such undeniable talent in front of and behind the camera, keeps opting for lazy shocks.
These shocks even spill into Rue’s storyline, which has usually been Euphoria at its best and most introspective. In Season 3, Rue experiments with religion and surrendering herself to a higher power, a quest that stems from a diner conversation with Ali (Colman Domingo). Euphoria wisely knows that when it sticks Zendaya and Domingo in a booth and lets them play off one another, it gets magic. That’s why Rue’s special episode, “Trouble Don’t Last Always,” is a series highlight. Yet in the first three episodes of Season 3 sent to critics, Rue’s journey to fulfillment often falls to the wayside to make more room for what Euphoria knows will get people talking most: mess and controversy. In Rue’s case, those manifest in her work at a strip club, which is populated less by fully-formed characters and more by tragic sex worker archetypes.
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But even in non-overtly sexual situations, Euphoria finds a way to ogle its cast. An early sequence sees Rue and her co-conspirator Faye (Chloe Cherry) swallow golf-ball sized bags of drugs to smuggle out of Mexico. The camera lingers on their throats and their spit, while their gulps ring out loud and desperate. It’s a needlessly suggestive spectacle, and the same goes for what happens when the drugs need to come out the other end.
Unfortunately, it’s scenes like these that linger in the brain and get immortalized thanks to the meme treatment. Euphoria knows this, which is why it’s all too happy to keep humiliating Cassie and providing surface-level looks at controversial topics in Season 3.
There’s a great show lurking in here somewhere. So much of Rue’s journey proves it. Yet Euphoria keeps smothering that greatness with something far grosser, and that’s something no amount of reinvention can hide.
Euphoria Season 3 premieres Apr. 12 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
The Anker Solix C1000 with a 200W solar panel is half off at Amazon — one of my favorite models for summer camping
SAVE $898.01: The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station with a 200W solar panel is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the normal price of $1,548 at Anker. That’s a 58% discount.
at Amazon
$1,548
Save $898.01
It’s time to make camping plans for the summer. If you’ve heard about portable power stations but haven’t bought one for yourself, make this the year. Snagging one means you’ll have plenty of campsite power to keep phones charged up and brew some morning coffee. If this sounds ideal, check out this nice bundle deal at Amazon.
As of April 8, the Anker Solix C1000 portable power station with a 200W solar panel is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the normal price of $1,548 at Anker. That’s a 58% discount that saves you a massive $898.01.
It’s no secret Anker Solix makes an incredible lineup of portable power stations. The Solix C1000 is a great all-around model that combines a 1,056Wh battery, plenty of ports, and a lightbar. You get six AC ports, two USB-C, and two USB-A ports on the C1000 and it has quick recharging. Get back to 80% power with just 43 minutes of standard wall charging.
Chill out as temps rise with these fans from Shark, Dreame, and Dreo that are already on sale
However, today’s deal includes a 200W solar panel, so you’ll be able to recharge via the sun at the campground this summer. When testing the Anker Solix C1000, I became a huge fan of the Solix app. It’s simple and clean design make it a breeze to use, and it’s great for monitoring battery power without standing next to the unit.
Another major benefit of the original C1000 is the built-in lightbar. Brands have been getting away from this design, but I love to have a light source on the power station for illuminating the stairs when carrying it around during a power outage. It’s also excellent for creating ambient light while camping.
While it’s on a major 58% discount, upgrade your summer camping experience by snagging the Anker Solix C1000 portable power station with a 200W solar panel. As long as the sun comes out, you’ll be in line for unlimited power.
Home Depot revives its Halfway to Halloween sale: Shop the spooky drop before it sells out
The Home Depot has resurrected its annual Halfway to Halloween sale. The home improvement retailer surprise-released a selection of its popular Halloween decorations on Wednesday, April 8, marking nearly six months until the spooky holiday.
The items went live on the Home Depot’s website around 7 a.m. ET and are only available for purchase while supplies last. All of them have a limit of one per order.
Credit: The Home Depot
This year’s Halfway to Halloween drop includes 14 props — some new for 2026, some returning from previous years. Among them are a nine-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton; two undead horses; a menacing bunny animatronic; and a new app-controlled version of “Lethal Lily,” a witch animatronic that the Home Depot last sold in 2023 and 2024. Here’s the full list:
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5-foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Hearse ($399), a carriage with a sound-activated skeleton driver and LED lanterns.
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9-foot Grave & Bones Giant-Sized LED T-Rex ($399) with light-up eyes and a motion-activated roar.
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7-foot Wicked Woods Animated LED App Controlled Lethal Lily ($299) with a customizable RGB lantern. Users can speak through the animatronic and record messages for it to play via the Decor Pro app.
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8.5-foot Grave & Bones Giant-Sized Animated LED Knight Frostbane ($399), a light-up headless horseman.
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6.5-foot Animated LED Maleficent ($279), an officially licensed animatronic of the Sleeping Beauty villain.
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8.5-foot Grave & Bones Giant-Sized LED Undead Horse ($249), a rearing horse skeleton.
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7-foot Wicked Woods Animated LED Horrifying Hops ($199), a fanged rabbit zombie that can lunge at trick-or-treaters.
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4.5-foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Cabernet Casualty ($199), a blonde skeleton that pops up from a wine barrel.
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4.5-foot Grave & Bones Color Changing LED Groundbreaker ($199), an oversized skeleton torso that’s meant to look like it’s bursting out of the earth.
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6.5-foot Wicked Woods Animated LED Snarling Snowman ($199) with a glowing face and moving arms.
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6-foot Halloween Classics Animated LED Neon Nightmare ($179), a scary clown with motion-activated audio and an outfit that glows under blacklight.
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6-foot Halloween Classics Animated LED Checkmate Chuckles ($179), another motion-activated clown with a winding jack-in-the-box.
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6.5-foot Wicked Woods LED Pumpkin Vine Creature ($129), a gnarled scarecrow-like monster with posable arms.
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5.5-foot Grave & Bones LED Skeleton Pony ($129) with glowing red eyes.
Both of the clowns are at risk of selling out first: Less than 500 of them were available at the time of writing.
A Home Depot representative told Mashable that all returning items are priced the same as they were originally. The updated Lethal Lily is only $50 more than her non-app-controlled predecessor.
Notably absent from the drop is “Skelly,” the viral 12-foot-tall skeleton that the Home Depot has sold every year since 2020. Wannabe owners will just have to be patient: The company’s rep confirmed that Skelly will return in stores and online later this year.
Credit: The Home Depot
Credit: The Home Depot
The Home Depot typically releases its full Halloween collection in mid-July, though last year it arrived in early August. The retailer previewed several new additions to its 2026 lineup on Instagram in mid-March, including a giant mummy, skeleton pirates, a decaying velociraptor, and an app-controlled version of Skelly.
With this year’s Halfway to Halloween sale, the Home Depot’s seasonal programming has returned to its regular schedule. Mashable previously reported that the company canceled the sale last year amid fluctuating tariffs that threw the entire Halloween decor industry into uncertainty. The sale normally features a limited selection of brand-new items from the Home Depot’s annual Halloween collection, serving as a teaser to its full summer drop. Its 2025 hiatus disappointed Skelly and friends’ zealous fandom.
This year’s Halfway to Halloween sale is happening just a little earlier than usual. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, it was scheduled for late April.
These top-rated Soundcore headphones just dropped to a near-record low at Amazon
SAVE 43%: As of April 8, you can get the Soundcore by Anker Q20i for $39.99, down from $69.99, at Amazon. That’s a 43% discount or $30 savings.
Dropping $300 on a pair of headphones is just something I won’t do. I know a lot of other writers here would disagree, but there’s really no reason to when there are budget-friendly options that’ll do everything you need them to do for way less. (If you’re an audiophile, look away.)
Right now, you can get the Soundcore by Anker Q20i hybrid active noise-cancelling headphones for just $39.99 — that’s an insanely good price for a pair of top-notch headphones. (They have +59K reviews!) It’s also just a couple of bucks more than its all-time low price of $37.99.
The 12 best headphones of 2026 — we tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats
I mean, obviously, I’m not recommending you get headphones from a third-party seller, but Soundcore is one of our favorite budget-friendly brands. Mashable Shopping Reporter, Samantha Mangino, for example, just reviewed the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones, and she says they’re comparable to the Bose QuietComfort lineup and look great on.
“When I first spotted them out in the wild, I thought they were a pair of Beats because they looked like the Studio Pros,” she writes. “Turns out, the Soundcore and Beats logos just look remarkably similar.”
While the Space One models Mangino tested are definitely solid deals, the Q20i is even cheaper. They also have three times the reviews, with most shoppers saying the battery life is nothing short of “impressive.” You’ll get up to 40 hours of playtime with active noise cancellation turned on, and just five minutes on the charger will get you an extra four hours of listening time.
Claim a free Anker fast-charging block with Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds — heres how
GET A FREE CHARGER BLOCK: As of April 8, when you grab the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds at Amazon for $199.99, you can claim a free Anker Nano USB-C fast-charging block (a $19.99 value). Here’s how.
$230.01
Save $30.02
Free stuff isn’t easy to come by in 2026. Unless, of course, you know where to look. Amazon likes to hide free stuff in plain sight, like this Anker Nano charging block.
As of April 8, when you purchase a pair of Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds at Amazon for $199.99, you can claim a free Anker Nano USB-C fast-charging block. Once you add the Sleep A30 buds to your cart, head to this promotional page or click on “How to claim” underneath the Prime logo where it says “Get 1 free item when you buy 1 select item(s).” Since you’ve already added the earbuds to your cart, go ahead and tick the box for “Benefit items” on the left side of your screen (in the middle if you’re on mobile). Then add the Anker Nano USB-C charger block to your cart. You’ll see the savings reflected at checkout.
Obviously, that’s a lot of money to spend just to get a free charging block. But if you’re already shopping for a premium pair of sleep earbuds, you might as well take advantage of the free gift.
The Sleep A30 Special earbuds are our favorite amongst sleep earbuds. Not only do they offer active noise cancellation, but also decent battery life (8-10 hours with ANC), Calm app integration, and a design that’s comfortable for side sleepers. Mashable’s tester Bethany Allard writes, “They’re certainly the best overall pick for anyone looking for sleep earbuds suited to most any sleep setting.”
Snag the new M5 MacBook Air for its lowest price yet at Amazon
SAVE $150: As of April 8, get the Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $949 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099. That’s a discount of 14% and the lowest price we’ve seen.
If you’re shopping for a new laptop, there’s an easy recommendation we can make: one of Apple’s new MacBook Air models. Despite releasing nearly a month ago, this M5-equipped version of the laptop has dropped to the lowest price we’ve seen, which means it’s time to pick one up.
As of April 8, get the Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $949 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099. That’s $150 off and a discount of 14%. It’s also the lowest price we’ve seen.
This M5 version of the popular M4 Air isn’t leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, but it’s a great pick if you’re ready to bring home a new computer. It’s the perfect place to start with its expansive base storage, Apple’s N1 wireless chip for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support, and of course, the M5 chip.
It’s kitted out with all the niceties you’d expect from the M4 Air as well, including the 60Hz Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage webcam, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a lengthy 18-hour battery life to work with. That makes it a great contender for all the things you might need to get done on the go.
If you want to snag this zippy MacBook Air for an excellent discount this early, now’s the time to go ahead and buy in. Lock yours in before the discount disappears.
Watch out for viral AI videos of the Artemis II lunar flyby
Despite the fact that the Artemis II astronauts have been sending back absolutely stunning photos and videos of the lunar surface, a never-before-seen solar eclipse, Earthrise, and Earthset, viral AI videos of the moon are also going viral.
As with any major news event, AI slop farmers are taking the opportunity to share misleading and fabricated AI videos of the Artemis II mission. And even some of the more obvious examples of fake AI videos are racking up millions of views on platforms like X and TikTok.
We’ve seen the same phenomenon occur with other recent news events, from lighthearted viral moments like Punch the monkey to much more serious events like the war in Iran.
AI video models have become much more sophisticated over the past year, and it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between fiction and reality online. However, careful observation can often identify clear tells that you’re watching an AI video. In other cases, common sense can be your guide.
As the world watched the Artemis II lunar flyby, some social media users have been sharing fantastical AI videos and images depicting rocks rolling across the lunar surface or impossible geological formations. Other users are representing images of the lunar surface as if they were high-definition videos captured by the Orion spacecraft, dubbed Integrity by its crew.
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As ever, look for AI artifacts that suggest you’re watching altered or synthetic content. AI videos also tend to be made up of very short clips, typically eight to 15 seconds in length. Finally, they will typically be posted by low-authority accounts with a history of posting AI slop and engagement bait.
Fortunately, the imagery sent back from Orion has been breathtaking.
So, if you’re looking for never-before-seen glimpses of the lunar surface or planet Earth, all you have to do is bookmark the NASA image and video library — or keep an eye on Mashable’s space coverage.
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Save $600 on the Dreame L50 Ultra robot vacuum and mop in time for spring cleaning
SAVE $600: The Dreame L50 Ultra robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $799.99, down from the list price of $1,399.99 at Dreame. That’s a 43% discount.
Welcome to pollen season. It happens to coincide with warmer weather that begs for throwing open the windows. That invitation for pollen to drift inside is not ideal if you have seasonal allergies. However, a powerful air purifier and robot vacuum might just mean you can have open windows without major allergies. Check out this robot vacuum and mop combo deal at Amazon today.
As of April 8, the Dreame L50 Ultra robot vacuum and mop is on sale at Amazon for $799.99, down from the list price of $1,399.99 at Dreame. That’s a 43% discount that shaves $600 off the normal price.
Instead of worrying about pollen settling on the floors and in the carpet, enlist a robot vacuum to help clean up daily. The Dreame L50 Ultra uses 19,500Pa suction power to clean up dirt, dander, crumbs, and smaller particles like pollen. Plus, it comes with Dreame’s obstacle avoidance technology which is programmed to avoid over 180 objects like cables, shoes, toys, and more.
The Eufy E25 robot vacuum has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $400 right now
When it comes time to mop up messes, the Dreame uses TripleUp Tech which lifts the side and main brush while lowering the mop pads. Dreame mentions this ensures the vacuuming brushes stay dry. The PowerDock uses hot-water cleaning and drying to make sure the mop pads get clean between uses.
The Dreame L50 is also designed to handle higher thresholds and it’s equipped with retractable legs that allow it to climb as high as 1.65 inches. That won’t climb stairs, but it will ensure the robot can make it between rooms on the same floor.
While it’s on sale for a major $600 discount, equip your home with the powerful and versatile Dreame L50 Ultra robot vacuum and mop. Both the white and black colorways are on sale for under $800.
You can get the brand-new iPhone 17 Pro for literally $0 right now at AT&T
TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 Pro for $0.00 per month at AT&T when you trade in an eligible device and sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan on a 36-month installment agreement.
If you’ve been eyeing the new iPhone 17 Pro but your wallet is telling you to wait, we found a deal that might be good enough to change your mind.
Right now, you can get the brand-new Apple iPhone 17 Pro at AT&T for $0.00 per month. That’s basically a $1,100 discount. But there’s a small catch: You’ll need to trade in an eligible device (worth at least $230) and sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan under a 36-month installment agreement.
Although this deal is probably more appealing to new customers, existing customers on the Unlimited Starter or Starter SL plan can still get up to $830 on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max with a $130 or higher trade-in value. If you’re tied to another carrier, AT&T will offer up to $800 per line to help you break your contract and switch over.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 8, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you wear glasses.
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.
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.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
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:
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Yellow: Work buddy
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Green: Pleasing to the eye
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Blue: Barriers
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Purple: Found at LensCrafters
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
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Yellow: Cohort member
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Green: Aesthetic
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Blue: Kinds of bar apparatuses
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Purple: Eyewear in the singular
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 #1032 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
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Cohort member: ASSOCIATE, COLLEAGUE, FELLOW, PEER
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Aesthetic: DESIGN, LOOK, SCHEME, STYLE
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Kinds of bar apparatuses: MONKEY, PARALLEL, PULL-UP, UNEVER
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Eyewear in the singular: CONTACT, GOGGLE, SHADE, SPECTACLE
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? 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 yesterday’s Connections.
NYT Strands hints, answers for April 8, 2026
Today’s NYT Strands hints are easy if you love to stay in bed.
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.
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.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: We’re going under cover
The words are related to comfort.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe bed toppings.
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 Bed Clothes.
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NYT Strands word list for April 8
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Afghan
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Throw
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Blanket
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Bed Clothes
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Spread
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Comforter
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Quilt
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 yesterday’s Strands.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 8, 2026
Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love being by the water.
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.
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.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
A bay.
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter I.
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…
INLET
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 yesterday’s Wordle.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on April 8
The Moon is in its waning phase. This means that each night until the New Moon, it will appear smaller and smaller. This is because of where we are in the lunar cycle, a cycle of roughly 29.5 days as the Moon orbits Earth and the portion illuminated by the Sun gradually changes from our point of view. Keep reading to see where we are in that cycle tonight.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Wednesday, April 8, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 68% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.
There’s plenty for you to see on the surface of the Moon tonight, even if you don’t have any visual aids. Just looking up with your eyes, you should be able to see the Mare Imbrium, Tycho Crater, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With binoculars, you’ll also be able to see the Gassendi Crater, Grimaldi Basin, and Clavius Crater. Finally, if you have a telescope, expect to see features like the Apollo 12 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.
What are Moon phases?
According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to circle Earth, moving through eight unique phases along the way. Although we always see the same side from Earth, different amounts of its surface are lit by the Sun as it orbits, causing it to appear fully illuminated, partially lit, or as a thin crescent. These changing views are called the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:
New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
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. (Northern Hemisphere)
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.
The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $30
SAVE $30: As of April 8, the Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) is down to $99 at Amazon, a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer.
Warmer months are on the horizon, and that means more time to spend outside enjoying the sunshine. If you’re looking for a portable speaker that you can bring along on spring and summer adventures, the good news is some nice models are on sale right now at Amazon. This includes the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), which is down to $99 for a limited time.
Overall, this saves you $30 off the original list price of $129, but it also marks a return to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. What better time to grab it? Not to mention, every color is on sale at this price, so you can find your favorite at a discount.
The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) is a pretty special pick in our eyes. It earned the spot as the best Bose speaker in our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, as it’s the “ideal choice for travelers and urbanites who want top-tier sound in a palm-sized package.” This model offers “Improvements to audio architecture, battery life, and design” that “place the second-gen SoundLink Micro among category elites.”
Not to mention, it has a durable design that’s dust, shock, and rust resistant, and waterproof rated for IP67. So, no matter if you take it on a camping trip this year, to the beach, or just out into your backyard, it’s built to handle the journey.
It’s currently marked as a limited-time deal, so don’t wait too long to take advantage of this great offer on the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) at Amazon.
Beats Powerbeats Fit are down to their lowest-ever price at Amazon — act fast to save over $30
SAVE OVER $30: As of April 8, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are on sale for $169.95 at Amazon. That’s $30.04 off their list price of $199.99.
With the weather getting a bit warmer, now is the perfect time to take your workouts outside. If you’ve been searching for some new earbuds that can join you on outdoor routines, the Beats Powerbeats Fit are worth a look. That’s especially true right now, as Amazon’s dropped their price to $169.95 for a limited time.
Not only is this a solid discount of $30.04 from the Beats Powerbeats Fit’s usual list price of $199.99, but it also marks their lowest-ever price at Amazon, which is a great bonus. Plus, every color is on sale at this price, so you can pick out your favorite. Since they’re currently marked as a limited-time deal, this price may not stay live for long.
Sound is always an important element when it comes to finding a good pair of workout earbuds, but so is fit. The Beats Powerbeats Fit feature secure-fit wingtips that help keep each bud in place as you move through your workout routine. They also feature great sound quality and Active Noise Cancelling to block outside sounds, alongside supporting Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive listening experience.
With the help of the charging case, they also offer up to 30 hours of battery life. In terms of where they fall behind, our review from Alex Bracetti found that they, “simply lack modernization. I’m shocked as to why they operate on Apple’s H1 processor. This limits their upgradability, meaning you won’t get the latest Apple listening modes (e.g., Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness) or many other upcoming features via software update.”
However, Bracetti noted that, “Strong noise cancellation blends beautifully with resonant sound. Small touches to the design help optimize fit and portability. The increase in playtime is appreciated as well.” If the Beats Powerbeats Fit have caught your eye, this is a great time to grab them and save at Amazon.
Anthropic limits access to AI that finds security flaws, realizing hackers may use it for exactly that
The story goes like this: Anthropic creates Claude Mythos, an AI model that’s great at identifying security flaws in software. Due to security issues within Anthropic’s own content management system software, details about Mythos leak to the public ahead of time. After some thinking, Anthropic decides not to release Mythos to the public over concerns that hackers might use it for nefarious purposes.
Yeah, that was probably the right decision.
On Tuesday, Anthropic announced Claude Mythos Preview, a yet-unreleased AI model that could “reshape cybersecurity.” According to the company, it has already found “thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities, including some in every major operating system and web browser.” While this is a good thing, Anthropic also said that bad actors might use Mythos for evil, with potentially “severe” consequences for “economies, public safety, and national security.”
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So, instead of just launching Mythos like it would other models, Anthropic decided to only give access to a small number of select companies: Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Palo Alto Networks. Anthropic calls this “Project Glasswing,” an initiative to strengthen critical software infrastructure with the help of AI. The company also extended access to a group of over 40 additional organizations that “build or maintain critical software infrastructure.”
In an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Dianne Penn, Anthropic’s head of research product management, said that the move came after a lot of “internal deliberation,” and that it was about giving “a lot of cyber defenders a head start.”
Meanwhile on X, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a post, “Rather than release Mythos Preview to general availability, we’re giving defenders early controlled access in order to find and patch vulnerabilities before Mythos-class models proliferate across the ecosystem.”
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“The dangers of getting this wrong are obvious, but if we get it right, there is a real opportunity to create a fundamentally more secure internet and world than we had before the advent of AI-powered cyber capabilities,” he added.
While Claude Mythos Preview is particularly good at finding cybersecurity flaws, it’s actually a general purpose model. But the company does not currently plan to make it broadly available; instead, it will try to figure out how it can safely deploy Mythos-class models to everyone.
How to watch the 2026 Paris-Roubaix online for free
TL;DR: Stream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free on SBS on Demand, RTBF, FranceTV, or RaiPlay. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Hardcore cyclists really love to suffer, for some reason. We’re not exactly sure what’s so appealing about taking on a steep incline, but there must be something that keeps this dedicated group coming back for more torture.
What’s easier to understand is the appeal of watching the best cyclists in the world do battle over one of the most challenging routes imaginable. That’s what’s on offer from Paris-Roubaix.
If you’re interested in watching the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is Paris-Roubaix?
Paris–Roubaix is a single-day professional bicycle road race in northern France, starting just north of Paris and finishing in Roubaix. The race is nicknamed the “Hell of the North,” and it’s clear to see why. The route is 259.9 kilometres long with 29 cobblestone road sections totalling 55.7 kilometres.
Mathieu van der Poel won the 2025 Paris-Roubaix.
When is the 2026 Paris-Roubaix?
The 2026 Paris-Roubaix takes place on April 12.
Can you livestream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free?
The 2026 Paris-Roubaix is available to live stream for free on a number of services:
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Australia — SBS On Demand
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Belgium — RTBF
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France — France TV
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Italy — RaiPlay
These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations, meaning you can access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Belgium, France, or Italy
-
Visit SBS on Demand, RTBF, FranceTV, or RaiPlay
-
Stream the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free streaming sites without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Paris-Roubaix before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Paris-Roubaix?
ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free streaming sites to watch sport, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
-
Fast connection speeds
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the 2026 Paris-Roubaix for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
How to watch the 2026 Masters Tournament online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Masters Tournament for free on Masters.com. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The wait for the first major golf championship of the year will have been tough to handle for dedicated fans of the sport, but that wait is over.
The Masters is here to deliver top-quality action from the Augusta National Golf Club. Expect the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Rory McIlroy to be battling it out for the green jacket at the end of the weekend.
If you want to watch the 2026 Masters Tournament for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Masters?
The Masters is one of the four men’s major championships in professional golf. The tournament takes place in the first full week in April, making the Masters the first major golf tournament of the year.
The Masters is always held at the Augusta National Golf Club, a private course in the city of Augusta, Georgia.
When is the 2026 Masters Tournament?
The 2026 Masters Tournament will take place from April 9-12. Practice rounds began on April 6.
How to watch the 2026 Masters Tournament for free
The 2026 Masters Tournament is available to live stream for free on Masters.com.
This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S., but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock this free live stream from anywhere in the world.
Access free Masters live streams by following these simple steps:
-
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
-
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
-
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
-
Visit Masters.com
-
Live stream the 2026 Masters Tournament for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Masters before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for live sport?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
-
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
-
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
-
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
-
Fast connection speeds
-
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
-
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the 2026 Masters Tournament for free with ExpressVPN.
The best deals this week, according to Mashables team of shopping experts
We’re always looking for new and inventive ways to hit you with big savings on popular items. We cover hundreds of deals every month. You can find these deals on site, on socials, and on our newsletter. We’ve also launched a Mashable Deals text group. The daily deals that we send to this group are researched and assessed by the team with the same level of care that we dedicate to the rest of our shopping content.
You can find a live hub for those deals right here.
This curved 27-inch ASUS TUF gaming monitor is now at its best-ever price on Amazon — save $70
TL;DR: The ASUS TUF Gaming 27-inch curved monitor is on sale for $159 at Amazon, down from its $229 list price. That saves you $70 on a Full HD gaming display with a 1,500R curve, up to 280Hz refresh rates, a 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium support.
Fast gaming monitors can get expensive in a hurry, especially once you start looking for the kind of refresh rates that make competitive games feel properly fluid. This ASUS TUF model, though, has now dropped to a much easier price for anyone after a curved PC panel that leans more into speed than flashy extras.
As of April 8, the ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor is down to $159 at Amazon as a limited-time deal, which cuts $70 off its $229 list price. Better yet, that also brings this display down to its best-ever price on Amazon, as confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel.
For that money, you’re getting a 27-inch Full HD monitor with a 1,500R curve, which should give games a slightly more wrapped-in feel than a standard flat panel. At 1080p, this size won’t be for everyone, but it does make more sense when paired with a super-fast refresh rate like this, since it is generally easier for more gaming PCs to push higher frame rates at Full HD than at 1440p or 4K.
ASUS rates the panel for up to 280Hz, along with a 1ms gray-to-gray response time, making it a strong fit for twitchy multiplayer games like Marathon and Arc Raiders, where motion clarity is really important.
It also has the extra gaming features you’d want to see at this price. AMD FreeSync Premium is here to help keep gameplay looking smooth and tear-free, while ASUS’ Extreme Low Motion Blur tech is designed to reduce ghosting during fast movement. Shadow Boost should also help bring out more detail in darker corners of a game without washing out brighter parts of the image.
Outside of pure speed, there are a few welcome bonuses too. ASUS says the monitor covers 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut for richer-looking color, and it also includes Eye Care features, DisplayWidget Center support, and a three-year warranty.
For those who might feel like splashing some extra cash on a 27-inch OLED, the Samsung 27 Odyssey OLED G6 series gaming monitor is still $200 off. Meanwhile, the 32-inch 4K OLED LG UltraGear monitor is under $800.
Remi Cruz Parsons says longevity online comes down to one thing
Remi Cruz Parsons has spent more than a decade inviting viewers into her life. What began with room makeovers and lifestyle vlogs has evolved into a deeply loyal audience of millions that has followed her through every era, from YouTube uploads filmed in her parents’ house to podcasts, live tours, and now, her first cookbook.
With her new cookbook, Let’s Get Cooking: Everyday Meals, Tipsy Favorites and Comfort Food Cravings, the 31-year-old creator is bringing one of the most beloved parts of her content into readers’ homes. Filled with comfort food, Korean recipes inspired by her family, easy weeknight dinners, and dishes longtime viewers will instantly recognize from her vlogs, the book feels like a natural extension of the world she has built online.
We spoke with Remi about building a career online, finding longevity as a creator, protecting your privacy, and why cooking has become one of the most intimate ways she connects with her audience.
Credit: Zooey Liao/Mashable/Remi Cruz Parsons/Getty Images/YouTube/Instagram
I feel like I’ve really grown up with you, which you probably hear all the time.
Remi Cruz Parsons: I mean, I feel like I’ve grown up with everybody. We’ve all grown up. It’s been fun to grow up with everyone and go through similar experiences together.
I was looking at the very first video on your YouTube channel, posted 13 years ago. It was a room tour.
There were more, but they’re all private, so I need to go back and private them.
In it, you’re talking alking about Pretty Little Liars. That was my life.
I love meeting people my age because it feels like we were all doing the same things at the same time. Obviously, the internet has changed tremendously, but I’m still doing room tours.
Cooking has really become a big part of your content for many years. But at what point were you like, “OK, this is what people are connecting with”?
It was probably right around before COVID or during quarantine. At the time, I was making so much lifestyle content — room tours, beauty, fashion, all of that — and I still genuinely love those things. But I remember feeling like I was at a crossroads creatively. I didn’t feel as inspired by some of the lifestyle content anymore, and I wanted to challenge myself in a different way.
So I sat down and thought, “What do I really love doing?” And the answer was cooking. I loved cooking, I loved posting about it, and I realized I wanted to explore that more seriously. I still wanted to keep doing everything else because I genuinely enjoy it, but I also wanted to see what it would look like to really dive into the cooking world.
2020 really was the year so many people realized they wanted to turn their hobbies into something bigger.
And also, pretty much all I did was cook all day. I was like, well, if I’m vlogging too, this is perfect.
And people were really connecting with it.
Yeah, that’s why I feel really lucky. Throughout all the different journeys of my life and all the content that I’ve made, I’ve just been able to show what I’m genuinely doing and fall in love with it on camera. Whether it was DIY room decor or cooking, it wasn’t even a conscious thought. It was just, this is what I’m doing at the time, and people happen to be in similar places in their lives.
It’s because your audience really gravitates toward you.
That’s the dream for a content creator, though. So I feel very lucky.
When you were deciding which recipes should be in the book, what was that process like?
I sat down and thought about the fact that I vlog pretty much every day of my life, even if it’s just little moments here and there. I also dedicated the book to my viewers because I wouldn’t have any of these opportunities without them.
So I wanted the book to feel really authentic to the content I make, where viewers could pick it up and feel like there are little “if you know, you know” moments. But I also wanted it to appeal to people who are just walking through a bookstore.
I ended up laying it out almost like a Remi Life vlog. The chapters are split up based on the kinds of things you see in my content. There’s a grab-and-go breakfast chapter because I’m always running late or driving to the podcast studio and eating in the car. There’s a Korean chapter, which is really where I found my love for my culture and learned how to cook. There’s a weeknight dinner chapter because sometimes I come home after a long day and I don’t want to cook, but I still need to eat. I also love hosting. In my vlogs, I’m always posting holiday content, family gatherings, or any excuse to throw a party. So it’s nice because there’s variety, but it also feels really true to my life and my audience.
Credit: Simon & Schuster
If someone picked up this book in a bookstore and had never watched your content before, what’s the one recipe that feels most like you?
My gut reaction is the cheesy potato casserole. I’m actually making it tomorrow on the Today Show, which makes me so happy because I think it might have been the first recipe I learned to make. My mom always made it growing up, and every holiday, my brother and I would skip the turkey and just eat piles of that. Eventually, my mom was like, “I need help in the kitchen. You can take over this recipe.” That felt like such an honor.
Now, every Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family gathering, it’s always on the menu. Even my husband asked if we should start doing mac and cheese for holidays, and I was like, no — this is our thing. It’s comforting, everyone loves a casserole, and it’s honestly really easy to make.
I love any kind of one-pot meal situation.
Truly. Minimal cleanup, and it’s all basically done in maybe an hour and a half.
You’ve been on the internet for a long time and shared your life with millions of people, but cooking is its own form of intimacy. What has it been like to share this part of yourself?
I love the idea of cooking being intimate because it’s so true. To me, the kitchen is sacred. It’s the heart of the home. So for people to bring the book into their kitchens and hopefully incorporate these recipes into their holidays or weeknights or family traditions — that’s really special. Even seeing people recreate my recipes is so nerve-wracking because I want them to love it as much as I do. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. I saw someone on TikTok who got the book early and made my chocolate cookies, which I developed after having a Levain cookie years ago and thinking, “This is the best cookie I’ve ever had.” I wanted to figure out how to make a thick, cakey cookie like that. Now I keep the dough in my freezer all the time so I can make one whenever I’ve had a bad day or a good day. Watching her make them and react to them felt so intimate. I was sitting on the edge of my seat watching her review the recipe. She said she had to go for a walk because she ate the whole plate. It made me so happy.
It must be surreal to see something you created take on new lives when people start making it themselves.
Totally. My dream is for someone to make the potato casserole or another recipe from the book and have it become part of their family tradition.
You’ve been creating content for more than a decade now. When you look back at those older videos, do you see something that you instinctively understood about building an audience?
I do. The old content was definitely very of its time, and I cringe a little sometimes, but I’m also so grateful for that younger version of myself. I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for those videos and the courage it took to post them. It’s also really fun seeing creators who are just starting out now because the creator environment is so different.
When I started, it wasn’t a real job. I had to spend so much time convincing my parents to let me post videos in the first place, and then convincing them to let me take a break from school to pursue it full-time. Now it feels so much more accepted. I remember my first PR package. It was from ColourPop, and I was so excited. My dad was like, “Do not give our address to strangers.” But I was like, “No, you don’t get it. This is going to be my life.” And I was right.
I see that a lot with first- and second-generation kids, too. Your parents came here with one idea of success in mind, and then you’ve built something completely different.
Totally. Both of my parents immigrated from Korea. My mom always wanted me to go into medicine, and my dad was more like, “Do what you want, but still go to school.” Getting them to let me take a break from school was such a huge conversation. But now they’re my biggest supporters. My mom is in the book, her recipes are in the book, her photos are in the book. I posted a vlog this morning where I showed my parents the book for the first time, and my mom was hysterically crying before I even pulled it out. It was really sweet.
Credit: Courtesy of Remi Cruz Parsons
You mentioned how much the internet has changed. How have you had to rethink your strategy as a creator now versus when you first started?
When I started, it was basically just YouTube. Then Instagram came along, then TikTok, and I’m sure there will be more platforms in the future. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how to adapt and evolve with those changes. For a long time, I was so used to long-form content, and I’m still teaching myself how to do short-form. It’s funny because when I talk to shortform creators, they’re like, “How do you do longform?” It’s like your brain works one way or the other. If I post a 10-minute vlog on TikTok, it’s not going anywhere. You have to learn hooks and make things short and punchy.
But beyond the platforms, I think I’ve also learned to be more thoughtful about what I share. I’ve always been very open about my life, and that’s one of my strengths because people really connect to it. But it can also be a weakness. I think doing podcasts and other projects has taught me to be more aware of the audience and to think carefully about what I want to share and what I want to keep private.
That’s really important. I see so many younger creators sharing everything — where they live, posting from their location in real-time — without realizing how much they’re revealing.
Absolutely. Years ago, I did a full empty-house tour when I moved, and now things feel different. The internet feels scarier. People are smarter. People can figure things out more easily. Now I’m much more careful about not posting in real-time or giving too much away.
It’s also about protecting your mental health.
Exactly. Everything you do online gets put under a microscope. So it becomes a question of, what am I willing to share if it’s going to be scrutinized, perceived, or discussed by strangers? That applies to relationships, family, all of it.
You’ve built this incredible relationship with your audience, and now you have the cookbook, the podcast, and multiple channels. How do you expand without making it feel like you’re just selling something to your followers?
I never want anything to feel like a cash grab. I only want to do things that feel authentic and that I genuinely want to do. At the end of the day, I’m the one showing up and writing the recipes and making the content. There are things people always tell me I should do, like merch, but if I’m not ready, I’m not ready. With the book, I learned early on that it’s such a long process. It took almost three years. At first I thought, “I’m not ready right now,” but then I realized, “That’s OK, because I’ll be ready by the time it comes out.”
I think newer creators feel a lot of pressure to capitalize on everything immediately.
Totally. Alisha [Marie] and I talk about this all the time. We feel really lucky to have had longevity because we never expected any of this. But I see so many creators going nonstop, and I just don’t think there’s longevity in that. That’s how you burn out. At the end of the day, even if you have a team, you’re still the person who has to show up, film, post, and keep going. I wish people talked about that more.
What do you think is the key to longevity?
I think it’s just being yourself, as cliché as that sounds. For me, it never feels like work because I’m not playing a character. I can be talking to you right now, turn the camera on, and be the exact same person online. I think that’s what makes it sustainable.
I’m sure the launch of this cookbook is making you think differently about success. What does success mean to you now versus when you first started?
When I was younger, success was numbers. Subscribers, views, all of that. Now I really try to focus on my core community — whether that’s people who have watched my videos since day one, people who found me through the podcast, or people who are newer to my content. I focus on the people who are genuinely excited about what I make and who inspire me to keep creating. It’s easy to just see numbers on a screen and forget there are actual people behind them.
That’s why meetups and tours are so meaningful. Alisha and I went on tour last summer, and seeing people in real life changes everything. Sometimes people tell me, “I only get 500 views on my videos,” and I’m like, 500 people is still a lot of people. You have to think about them as actual individuals.
Those interactions matter more to me now than anything else.
I interview a lot of musicians, too, and it’s similar. Maybe they’re never going to sell out a stadium, but they can fill a theater with people who know every word.
Exactly. I’d rather have a small theater full of people singing every lyric than a stadium where people got free tickets and barely know who I am.
What excites you most about creating content these days?
Honestly, it’s the feedback and the community. I love the inside jokes, the comments that make me laugh, and seeing how people interact with everything. It feels like such a close-knit community between the podcast listeners, vlog viewers, TikTok audience, all of it. I’m always excited to post and see what people are saying.
So you do read comments?
I do. Unless I’m having a bad mental health day, then maybe not. But for the most part, yes. I’ve been doing this long enough that I know what to expect. And because we post so much content, especially with the podcast, it creates such an active community. We post two one-hour podcast episodes every week, which naturally leads to many conversations and much community-building.
Now, being a podcast host really means being a content creator too.
Totally. Alisha and I started our podcast eight years ago, and at the time, we were among the first YouTube creators to do so. Our agent called and said, “What do you think about podcasts?” and we were like, “What? Why would anyone want to hear us talk?” We did audio-only for the first three years, and now everything is video. Most people watch podcasts instead of just listening to them. It’s wild seeing how much it’s changed.
I usually listen while I’m working, but I also see podcast clips everywhere on my social feeds.
Same. We’re constantly recording and thinking, “Clip that. That’s a good clip.”
Do you feel like each platform has a different audience?
A little bit, but honestly, I see a lot of the same people everywhere. I’ll see inside jokes from the podcast show up in TikTok comments or YouTube comments. People will say things like, “I saw this in the vlog first.” I’m sure there are people who only watch TikTok or only listen to the podcast, but for the most part, it feels like a really loyal audience that follows me everywhere.
And with the cookbook, you’ll probably bring in a whole new audience.
That’s what I’m hoping for. Maybe some aunties, too.
Obviously, all the recipes are your favorites, but if you had to pick one?
I have to go back to the Korean chapter. The tteokbokki recipe is really special to me. I remember moving out on my own and craving it, but not knowing how to make it. I FaceTimed my mom, and she walked me through it step by step.
Growing up, there was always a crockpot of tteokbokki at family parties. That’s my ultimate comfort food. Whenever I go to Korea, if it’s on the menu, I’m ordering it. That recipe just has so much history and meaning for me.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 power station is $600 off at Amazon — this deal includes solar panels for less
SAVE $600: As of April 8, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $698.99 at Amazon. That’s a 46% discount off the list price.
Looking for a great portable power station deal? Look no further than the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 with solar panels at Amazon, which is currently reduced by $600. Normally priced at $1,299, this mammoth unit is down to just $698.99.
This is a seriously powerful Jackery unit, with a 1,500W AC output and 3,000W surge capacity, capable of running appliances such as fridges and AC units. But despite this, it’s relatively compact. Its lightweight design with a foldable handle makes it suitable for camping and using off-grid, not just at home.
For longevity, it’s built with an LFP battery, so it maintains over 70% of its capacity after 4,000 charge cycles. This equates to around 10 years of use. And it also supports fast charging via the Jackery app, reaching a full charge in about one hour in emergency mode or 1.7 hours in standard mode.
It features multiple outputs, including USB-C, USB-A, DC, and AC ports, so you can power several devices at once. Not to mention, these can all be managed through the app with different charging and efficiency modes.
Find this Jackery deal at Amazon now.
The TCL 65-Inch QM7K QLED TV has hit its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save over $200
SAVE OVER $200: As of April 8, the TCL 65-Inch Class QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV is on sale for $777.99 at Amazon. That’s $222 off its list price of $999.99.
Considering how many exciting shows and films are dropping on streaming services — from season 3 of Euphoria to season 3 of House of the Dragon and so many others — now is a great time to upgrade your TV. If you’ve been looking for something new, Amazon has some great deals available right now, including a discount on the TCL 65-Inch Class QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV.
As of April 8, the TCL 65-Inch Class QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV has hit its lowest-ever price of $777.99 at Amazon. Overall, this deal saves you $222 off its original price of $999.99, but not for long. It’s currently marked as a limited-time deal, so act fast to save.
This 65-inch TCL TV is a nice size for people who don’t want to go all-out with a huge TV for their home, but also don’t want something too small. It boasts very nice picture quality thanks to 4K resolution and QD-Mini LED technology that makes images on screen pop with bright colors, contrast, and crisp details. It even supports Bang & Olufsen audio and Dolby Atmos audio to treat your ears to immersive sound.
For those with a love of streaming, it even comes with Google TV built in. With this, you’ll be able to access all of your favorite streaming apps quick and easy from a dedicated home screen.
A limited-time deal like this may not last for long. If the TCL 65-Inch Class QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV has caught your eye, now is the time to pick it up and save at Amazon.
Google Chrome now has vertical tabs, and you should give them a try
When it comes to web browsers, I bet most of us don’t really want them to change. Browsing the web has become such an integral part of our lives that any little “upgrade” can feel like a huge hassle to get used to. Now, however, Google has turned one of the most basic Chrome features on its head, and we still think you should give it a try.
On Tuesday, Google launched vertical tabs in Chrome. Yes, instead of having the tabs horizontally strewn out above the URL bar, you can have them neatly ordered in a long list on the browser window’s left side.
I’m the first to admit that this is a change I don’t want to get used to, having browsed roughly the same way since the early days of Firefox (tabbed browsing was largely popularized by Firefox in 2002, even though there were browsers and add-ons that did it earlier).
But having your tabs laid out vertically does have some advantages. For example, when you have a ton of tabs open (I always do), they become so small that it gets hard to read which one is which. Having them on the left makes this easier to manage, as a big chunk of the tab’s headline stays visible (you can, however, greatly reduce the vertical tab bar’s size so that it only shows icons).
Credit: Google
The feature is fully optional, and can be enabled by right clicking on the tab bar and selecting “Show Tabs Vertically.” If you don’t see it, don’t worry; Google says the feature is currently rolling out, so it’ll probably show up in your Chrome soon.
The vertical tabs feature showed up in Google’s Chrome Canary (experimental build for developers) back in Nov. 2025, in slightly different format, but it was now made available to everyone.
Google also added a full-page interface for reading mode, making it even more distraction-free. To see how it looks, right-click on any page and select “Open in reading mode.”
End of today’s Mashable roundup.
