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NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 25, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 22:00

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's The Mini crossword answers for May 25 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: Used in poker

  • Green: Lookalike

  • Blue: Where one would wear a ring

  • Purple: Ways to send a message

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

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

  • Yellow: Playing cards

  • Green: Doppleganger

  • Blue: Ear piercing sites

  • Purple: ___ Mail

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 #714 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Playing cards: ACE, JACK, KING, QUEEN

  • Doppleganger: CLONE, DOUBLE, RINGER, TWINS

  • Ear piercing sites: CONCH, HELIX, LOBE, ROOK

  • ___ Mail: CHAIN, ELECTRONIC, JUNK, SNAIL

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 25

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

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 25

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 22:00

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Get out the dust buster!

The words are home-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to tidy up for a new season.

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 Spring Cleaning

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 25

  • Donate

  • Spring Cleaning

  • Sell

  • Declutter

  • Label

  • Reorganize

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 May 25, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 22:00

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 25 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 25, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To scam.

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 G.

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...

GRIFT.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 25

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.

Hurdle hints and answers for May 25, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 22:00

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Usually done in one's sleep.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

DROOL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Seen in a fashion show.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MODEL

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A wool fabric.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TWEED

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Your parents' sister.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

AUNTY

Final Hurdle hint

An Australian dog.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

DINGO

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

Oh, hello, its me: A 65-inch QLED TV for $379 at Amazon

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 15:34

SAVE 24%: As of May 24, you can get a 65-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series Smart Fire TV for $379.99, down from $499.99, at Amazon. That's a 24% discount and a $120 savings. And here's the kicker: this is the lowest price we've ever seen for this model.

Hisense 65-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K TV (2025 model) $379.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Looking for a brand-new TV that won’t cost you a month’s rent? Amazon’s Memorial Day Sale has a ton of TV deals right now, and some of the best ones we're spotting are from Hisense.

As of May 24 at Amazon, you can get the 65-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED TV for only $379.99, down from the retail price of $499.99. Not only is this a $120 discount, but it's also the lowest price we've ever seen for this model.

This is a particularly good deal if you’re looking for a 2025 model TV for under $500. It's got a QLED display, which is a nice step up from the standard LED screens you often find on more budget-friendly TVs. We also spotted an option for no-cost delivery and unpacking (usually an extra $29.99).

SEE ALSO: Memorial Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Sony: Get a 65-inch TV for $299

The 65-inch Hisense Class QD6 Series QLED TV isn’t a “budget TV” even though it’s priced as such. It features a QLED display, a 4K AI upscaler that upconverts lower-resolution content to near 4K quality, and Dolby Vision and Atmos for next-level cinematic visuals and sound. There’s also a Game Mode Plus setting that's built to reduce input lag, prevent screen tearing, and keep the action smooth.

And with the Fire TV operating system built-in, you can stream from all your go-to platforms, like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Max, and more.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Trump warns Apple and Samsung that 25% smartphone tariffs could land in June

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 15:17

In a Friday morning Truth social post, President Donald Trump threatened to levy a 25 percent tariff on iPhones if Tim Cook didn't move manufacturing to the United States. It turns out the situation is a little more complicated than that.

While speaking to the media later that day, Trump clarified that the tariff would apply to any company selling foreign-made phones in the U.S., not just Apple. The president said the new 25% smartphone tariff could arrive by the end of June, per Bloomberg. He also made sure to single out Samsung, the second-most popular smartphone brand in the U.S. market. This broader approach makes a bit more sense than the initial threat against Apple, as it was unclear how the Trump administration planned to place tariffs on one single company's products.

Even so, it wasn't the first time Trump made a tariff threat against a specific company, and it may not be the last. Besides Apple, President Trump previously threatened to target toymaker Mattel with tariffs. Milan Miric, PhD, Associate Professor of Data Sciences and Operations at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, explained to Mashable how President Trump could effectively target a single company with tariffs.

SEE ALSO: Apple smart glasses could come as soon as 2026

"For Apple, hardware products are their most important business line. All of the other competitors in the U.S. that can compete on hardware would be foreign companies manufacturing abroad (e.g. Samsung)," Miric told Mashable via email. "Therefore, if you wanted to target consumer electronics coming from China, the U.S. company that would be the most directly affected is Apple."

For context, Apple relies far more heavily on hardware sales to bolster its business than U.S.-based competitors like Google and Microsoft, which are primarily service companies that happen to sell some hardware too.

According to Miric, all of this could be a prelude to something resembling a trade deal with Apple, as Trump has negotiated with foreign governments.

"You could imagine a scenario where large American companies strike a compromise with the government, where some of their own products that are very popular with American consumers and important to American business get exceptions, but then tariffs apply broadly to foreign companies, effectively providing additional protection to these American companies," Miric said.

Earlier this year, Apple promised to spend $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years and build a new factory in Texas, but iPhone manufacturing specifically is unlikely to return to the United States. As Mashable's Stan Schroeder previously reported, a U.S.-made iPhone would likely cost at least $3,000.

While new tariffs on smartphones could be arriving as soon as June, the president's tariff policy has included a few surprising reversals. Wall Street is paying attention, however.

Samsung and Apple stock both fell on Friday after the president's remarks.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is back to its lowest price for Memorial Day

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 14:20

SAVE 25%: As of May 24, you can get the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) for $299, down from $399, at Amazon. That's a solid 25% off, saving you $100. Plus, this is the best price we've seen for the wearable since April and the lowest price it's ever reached.

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal

Amazon’s Memorial Day Sale has been in full swing since May 16, but don't worry if you haven't shopped yet — new deals are still popping up on tons of great tech, including Apple products.

As of May 24, you can get the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) for $299, down from the usual $399. That's a solid 25% off for total savings of $100. While we've seen the Series 10 hit this price before, we've never seen it dip lower than this, so you're getting the best possible price. This specific deal is for the 42mm silver aluminum case with the denim sport band (s/m), but you can also find deals on other colors and variations.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch: Which health and sleep tracker is right for you?

The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger display than previous models (up to 30 percent more screen area) and a thinner, lighter design. It also has a fast-charging feature that can charge up to 80 percent of the battery in about 30 minutes.

“With previous versions of the Watch, I'd typically either charge it at night (thus giving up on sleep tracking), or I'd put it on a charger and forget it before I go outside,” Mashable’s Senior Editor, Stan Schroeder, writes in his review. “With the Series 10, I was able to charge it in very brief periods of time, keeping it operational for days without the need for a long charging session.”

This model also includes all the standard Apple Watch features you’d expect, like heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, and activity tracking. It’s durable, too; it’s IP6X-certified for dust resistance and is water-resistant up to 50 meters. You’ll also get advanced health metrics like ECG readings and vitals, along with important safety features such as fall and crash detection, and Emergency SOS.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Nintendo Switch 2 supports third-party USB mice, too

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 14:15

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn't done surprising us in the weeks leading up to its June 5 launch.

In a developer-commentated YouTube clip for the Switch 2 version of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening CE (via Engadget), producer Michi Ryu confirmed something we didn't already know about the hotly anticipated new Nintendo console: It has USB mouse support on top of the ability to use a Joy-Con controller as a mouse. According to Ryu, you can plug a USB mouse into the Switch 2 during gameplay in Nobunaga's Ambition, and the game will seamlessly recognize it, giving the USB mouse control priority over the Joy-Con.

SEE ALSO: MicroSD Express Cards are a must-have Switch 2 accessory — if you can find one in stock

To be clear, this is just one game. There has been no word yet about any other Switch 2 games supporting USB mice, but the fact that one game can do it means any game can potentially do it in the future. It's worth pointing out you could technically do this on an original Switch as well, but it's an entirely different ballgame now that the console's default controllers have mouse functionality built in. That means mouse support is something more developers are going to actively think about including, and support for USB mice could come alongside that.

For context, fewer than 30 original Switch games let you use a mouse, so I would expect the total number of Switch 2 games with this functionality to be much larger than that by the time we're moving onto the Switch 3 a decade from now. We'll be on the lookout to see if some of the other prominent mouse-controlled Switch 2 games like Metroid Prime 4 and Civilization VII support third-party USB mice when the console launches in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, if you don't have a confirmed preorder, make sure you're tracking the latest Switch 2 restocks.

You can get a Dyson stick vacuum for only $350 during Amazons MDW sale

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 13:18

SAVE 26%: Amazon has the Dyson V8 Plus cordless stick vacuum for $349.99, a nice $120 drop from its usual price of $469.99.

Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum (Silver/Nickel) $349.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $120 Get Deal

If you’ve been longing to become a Dyson owner, Amazon’s Memorial Day Sale has plenty of opportunities to join the brand's cult following — and without dropping $700 or more. Right now, we’re seeing tons of Dyson products on sale, including the popular Dyson V8 Plus cordless stick vacuum.

As of May 24, Amazon has the Dyson V8 Plus cordless vacuum for $349.99. That's a nice $120 drop from its usual price of $469.99, which works out to a 26% discount. This isn't the lowest price we've seen (it dipped a bit lower for Black Friday), but saving $120 right now is still a pretty sweet deal.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Dyson: Which cordless vacuum should you get?

This cordless vac has two power modes (Powerful and MAX mode), a lightweight feel, and can run for about 40 minutes, which is great for apartments or smaller homes. It easily switches to a handheld vac too, and comes with a hair screw tool (in addition to three other Dyson-engineered accessories). It also includes a two-year warranty — just make sure to register your vacuum on the MyDyson app to get it covered.

But what if you had your heart set on one of those Dyson vacuums with the laser attachment? While the V8 is an older model, the newest generation of Dyson's laser-equipped Detect vacuums is also on sale for MDW.

If your home is on the larger side, or if you're really curious about that laser illumination feature for spotting all that hidden dust (especially with pets, I totally get it!), the Dyson V15 Detect is also on sale right now. With the V15 Detect, you’re looking at two advanced cleaner heads, plus five accessories to help you clean everywhere, from high corners to under the sofa.

Mashable’s Rachel Kraus even said the V15 Detect made her want to vacuum.

“The laser illuminates dust and other particles you can't see with your naked eye — and it actually really works,” she writes in her review. “The vacuum itself is powerful and efficient — going back over a spot I just vacuumed with the laser shows that the detritus is no longer there.”

Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner $649.93 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $100.06 Get Deal The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Amazons Memorial Day Sale is here: Get tablets for $179, Casper mattresses under $500

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 13:04
The best Memorial Day deals to shop on Amazon right now: Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $174.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum $349.99 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill $131.93 (save $118.06) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine (stainless steel) $599.99 (save $249.96) Get Deal Best home security deal Blink Video Doorbell $34.99 (save $35) Get Deal Casper Sleep Element, Queen 476 (Save $119) Get Deal

Memorial Day weekend is officially here, and you know what that means: Sales galore. As usual, Amazon leads the way by offering up to 55% off select items, including Amazon devices, kitchen appliances, home goods, gadgets, mattresses, TVs, and more. The sale started on May 16 and runs through Monday, May 26, which means you're running out of time to save. This pre-summer sale is a great time to snag new headphones, grab an affordable tablet to keep the kids busy on summer trips, or restock on outdoor gear.

SEE ALSO: Best Memorial Day mattress deals in 2025 that are already live: Shop Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, Purple, and more

Of course, these deals might get even better as the holiday weekend gets closer. (We’ll be keeping an eye on prices and updating this story regularly.) But there’s no harm in snatching up a few discounts now, especially for high-demand items with limited availability.

Here are some of the best Amazon Memorial Day sales you can shop now.

Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB 11" 2000x1200 Tablet $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is currently on sale for $174.99, down from $229.99. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen for this tablet (around $139.99 in November), but it’s still a pretty good deal for a newish tablet (it’s a 13th-gen, released in 2023).

SEE ALSO: Memorial Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Sony: Get a 65-inch TV for $299

The Fire Max 11 has an 11-inch display, 64GB of storage (you can expand it to up to 1 TB with a micro-SD card), and 14 hours of battery life. It’s ideal for streaming your favorite shows or reading e-books on the go. (You can game on it, too.) It’s also equipped with Alexa and compatible with the Amazon Stylus Pen.

More tech deals Best vacuum deal Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum $349.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

We're not sure how exactly Dyson stick vacuums became status symbols, but here we are. If you've never had the pleasure of using one of these cordless vacuums, we promise they live up to the hype. And for MDW, you can grab the starter V8 model on sale for $349.99, a $120 discount from the usual retail price. This vacuum has a slick design and powerful suction, but it's also easy to maneuver around your home.

More vacuum deals Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill Black $131.93 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $118.06 Get Deal Why we like it

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is currently on sale for $131.93, down from $249.99. That’s a 47% discount and a whopping $118.06 in savings. Again, it’s not the lowest we’ve seen on this grill (the lowest was $125.99), but it’s still a solid deal.

This is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of outdoor space or don’t want to deal with propane or charcoal. (Just be sure to read your lease! Some apartments don’t allow grills on balconies.) The TRU-Infrared technology cooks up to 50% juicier food (according to the manufacturer), and the grill has 320 square inches of cooking space, so you can still grill up plenty of food for friends and family.

More outdoor deals Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

If you have upcoming travel plans for the long Memorial Day weekend or you'll be heading abroad this summer, your packing list surely includes noise-cancelling headphones for the flight. Bose makes some of the most impressive noise-cancellation in the industry and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are on sale for just $229, marked down from the normal price of $349. This steep discount makes them a solid choice and might be a better fit if you've already dropped some serious money on flights. They're not quite as impressive as our favorite Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but those are still hanging out at full price, which is $429.

The Bose QuietComfort headphones come with bragging rights: getting up to 24 hours of playtime with a seriously comfortable design. The colorway options are also impressive, including your standard black and white but also a Chilled Lilac and Twilight Blue.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts More headphones, earbuds, and speaker dealsBest kitchen deal Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine (stainless steel) $599.99 at Amazon
$849.95 Save $249.96 See It Why we like it

While it's down to the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, grab the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine. Instead of paying the normal $849.95, you'll be able to become a professional home barista for just $599.99. Be sure to snag the stainless steel colorway options since the others are still well above this sale price.

With a sleek design and intuitive buttons, the Breville is your ticket to summer mornings spent in the backyard with an espresso. Or you could go with a latte thanks to the machine's manual milk foamer that achieves perfect texture. The dosing control grind is also incredibly useful, as is the built-in conical burr grinder.

More kitchen and home dealsBest home security deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 $34.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Since Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer vacation season, it's wise to upgrade you home's security. The Blink Video Doorbell with Sync Module 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $34.99, marked down from the standard price of $69.99 which means you'll be getting a 50% discount. The sale price is also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Blink Video Doorbell gives you a 1080p view of your home's front door which is useful both for when you're away on vacation but also when you're home. You'll be able to see the kids made it home from school on time or the grocery delivery arrived. Set-up takes just a few minutes with the included batteries and then connect up in the Blink app.

More home security dealsBest mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Casper Casper Sleep Element, Queen $479 at Amazon
$595 Save $116 Get Deal Why we like it

Casper is the best-known mattress-in-a-box brand, and there's a reason it's still so popular after all these years. The company makes affordable mattresses with a generous 100-night sleep trial, making it a little bit easier to shop for a mattress. This particular model is popular among Amazon shoppers even when it's not on sale, and it's a medium-firm memory foam bed. If you need a new pillow to go along with your bed, check out Casper's entire Memorial Day sale at Amazon.

More mattress deals

Take $80 off the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and get a free SmartTag2 at Amazon

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 12:04

SAVE $109.99: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) is on sale at Amazon for $249.99, down from the list price of $329.99 which works out to a 24% discount. Plus, Amazon is throwing in a free Samsung SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker, which ordinarily sells for $29.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) + Free Samsung SmartTag 2 Bluetooth tracker $249.99 at Amazon
$359.98 Save $109.99 Get Deal

This Memorial Day Weekend, we're seeing awesome deals if you need a new TV or you're looking to upgrade your mattress. But it's also proving to be a great time to snag some gadgets you've been eyeing but haven't been able to go for yet. If you happen to be in the market for a smartwatch and you like free items, check out this Samsung deal at Amazon.

As of May 24, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) is on sale for $249.99, marked down from the normal price of $329.99, and it comes with a totally free Samsung SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker. In total, you'll be saving $109.99 with the watch's discount and the free SmartTag2. You have until June 30 to snag this deal, but be sure to get the Green or Silver Galaxy Watch 7 to score the savings.

Samsung went all out with the fitness features on the Galaxy Watch 7 giving users an energy score, wellness tips, 24/7 heart-rate tracking, and sleep monitoring. Of course, you can also reply to texts and stream your favorite playlists right from your wrist with the Galaxy Watch 7.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The free Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Bluetooth tracker is fantastic for keeping tabs on your most important items, like the car keys, your backpack, or your wallet. It's both waterproof and dustproof, so you won't need to worry about the weather while trying to find your lost item. Samsung mentions the Bluetooth tracker can get up to 500 days of battery life, which offers even more peace of mind.

After your Memorial Day Weekend barbecue, snag a major discount on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and get a free Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2. While Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has plenty on offer, this one feels like an extra special treat.

Take over $70 off the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ during Amazons MDW sale

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 11:49

SAVE 26%: The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB) is on sale at Amazon for $199.17, down from the normal price of $269.99. That's a savings of $70.82 for Memorial Day Weekend.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, Graphite) $199.17 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $70.82 Get Deal

The long Memorial Day Weekend is finally here, and with it tons of great sales. If you're not in the mood to wait until July for Amazon Prime Day to upgrade your tech, Memorial Day is proving to be a great option. If your old and slow tablet isn't doing the job anymore, or if the iPad is just too dang expensive, then check out this deal on a popular Samsung tablet.

SEE ALSO: 50+ of the best Memorial Day deals and sales already live: Mattresses, headphones, outdoor furniture, and more

As of May 24, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB) is on sale for $199.17 at Amazon in select colorways, marked down from the standard retail price of $269.99. That means you'll get a 26% discount and save $70.82.

With an 11-inch display, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ looks sharp and boasts a refresh rate that can get up to 90Hz. An upgraded chipset means you'll be in for 8GB RAM with 128 GB of storage, which will come in handy during the upcoming summer travel season. Plus, it weighs just one pound, so it won't be a nuisance to pack.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ supports the brand's Multi Active Window function, which allows you to use multiple apps on one screen at the same time. That's useful if you'll be watching a lecture while taking notes or video chatting with a friend about which hotel to book.

You'll also be getting quad speakers with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, which are powered by Dolby Atmos. We know you wouldn't listen to your tablet at full volume without headphones in public, but this addition makes the tablet perfect for late-night binging your new favorite show.

Snag the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ at Amazon this Memorial Day Weekend. You'll be saving over $70 while scoring a tablet with impressive specs.

Looking for more Amazon Memorial Day deals? We've got 'em right here.

Wait, Napster is back? Technically, yes.

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 11:35

Around the turn of the century, Napster was the place for online file sharing (or piracy, as the music industry would call it). If you were a millennial or Gen X-er at the time, you'll remember Napster as the renegade brand that introduced the world to listening to music online. Or, perhaps you remember Justin Timberlake's take on Napster founder Sean Parker in The Social Network. The brand played an important and controversial role in early internet history, until it was sued out of existence.

Now it's back, but it sounds like something else entirely.

A Floridian startup called Infinite Reality has apparently decided to rebrand itself as Napster Corporation, Forbes reported. The decision was reportedly announced on a Zoom meeting with investors earlier this month, though it should be noted that the company's website is still filled with Infinite Reality branding. This came a couple of months after Infinite Reality purchased Napster, which has existed as a paid music streaming app with several different parent companies for the past several years.

SEE ALSO: These are the 30 songs of the summer, according to Spotify

The Forbes report doesn't go into great detail about what this new Napster Corporation plans on making for consumers, though it noted that the company is looking to provide "AI-powered digital experiences." When Infinite Reality bought Napster earlier this year, it pledged to turn the brand into a purveyor of 3D virtual spaces for music performances, a la Fortnite. Right now, the only Napster-branded part of the Infinite Reality website is for "Napster Spaces," a service that purports to help businesses make their websites more immersive via AI.

It's all very vague and buzzword-y (Forbes mentioned that Infinite Reality had been marketing itself as a metaverse company until recently), in other words. Most importantly, it doesn't seem to have much of anything to do with Napster beyond the name. Admittedly, it is a more memorable and recognizable name than Infinite Reality.

Let's just hope Metallica doesn't find out about this.

Apple AirPods Max headphones get a Memorial Day price drop at Amazon

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 11:25

SAVE 13%: For Memorial Day Weekend, you can get the famous Apple AirPods Max wireless over-ear headphones for $479.99, down from $549. That's a 13% discount and a savings of $69.01.

Apple AirPods Max Headphones (UBS-C model) $479.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $69.01 Get Deal

Memorial Day weekend is finally here, and Amazon’s celebrating with major deals across just about every product category. If you've been holding out for Prime Day to snag new headphones, you might not have to wait. Amazon's got some good deals happening right now.

As of May 24, you can get the Apple AirPods Max wireless over-ear headphones for $479.99. They usually go for $549, so that's a 13% discount, saving you $69.01. Now, it's true they were a tad cheaper back in January at $449.99, but hey, saving nearly $70 is still a pretty good deal if you can't wait for Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Max review: If you can't Beats 'em...

The AirPods Max have an Apple H1 chip and software for lossless audio, “pro-level” active noise cancellation (they remove up to two times more background noise), and spatial audio. With Transparency Mode, you can tune in and out of the world around you. But these headphones aren't just about the specs. They also have an undeniable cool factor that you just don't get with other over-ears.

“Wirelessly, when the signal switches to lossy, everything still sounds crisp, but that sense of openness is gone, especially on live recordings,” Mashable’s Senior Editor Stan Schroeder says of the new lossless audio feature. “Switching back to lossless, and the complex interplay between the instruments is easier to digest as each individual instrument has more space to breathe.”

You’ll get up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge (with ANC activated or Transparency Mode enabled), and five minutes of charging gives you 1.5 hours of listening.

They come in five colors: blue, midnight, purple, orange, and starlight. You’ll also get an AirPods Max Smart Case plus a Lightning to USB-C charging cable.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

101 Memorial Day Weekend deals: Get AirPods for $148, save 50% on mattresses

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 10:53
The best Memorial Day deals: Best Amazon deal Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $148.99 (Save $30.01) Get Deal Best mattress deal Nectar Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles Get Deal Best tech deal The Frame Pro 65-inch Class Neo QLED 4K Art TV (2025 model) 1999.99 (Save $200) Get Deal Best home sale Ruggable Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY Get Deal Best kitchen sale Made In Save up to 25% off cookware Get Deal

While Memorial Day technically falls on Monday, May 26, the MDW shopping celebrations have officially started. To kick off the start of summer, we've gathered a wave of great deals across retailers. Maybe you're spending the weekend relaxing with family, but during your downtime, you're browsing the best Memorial Day deals.

We've rounded up the best sales from across the web to shop right now. Leading the way are mattress deals, followed by home and kitchen deals. However, great tech deals are popping up too. Find savings up to $120 off on Sony's WH-1000XM line of headphones and earbuds. Get a new pair of noise-cancelling AirPods for under $150. And pick up 65-inch smart TVs for under $400 with the top Memorial Day TV deals.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more

But that's just the start of the deals we've lined up. Here are all of the best Memorial Day sales to shop now.

Best Memorial Day deals at Amazon

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $148.99 at Amazon
$179 Save $30.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's newest generation of AirPods has been a hit with Apple customers, which is hardly a surprise. The new base model (AirPods 4) comes with and without active noise cancellation, and for the Memorial Day Weekend, the version with ANC is back down to its sale price of $148.99. This is a fairly typical sale price for these Apple pods, but if you need a new pair of earbuds, then go ahead and add them to your cart. There are also a ton more Amazon deals to shop this weekend, from savings on Dyson vacuums to 4K smart TVs for under $500.

More Amazon Memorial Day dealsMemorial Day TV deals at AmazonBest Memorial Day mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nectar Nectar $649 at Nectar
$1,598 Save $949 Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles Get Deal Why we like it

A big sale event means big savings on mattresses. The absolute best savings we've found are on Nectar mattresses. This Memorial Day, save up to 65% on bundles and 50% on mattresses. Right now, you can grab Nectar's queen memory foam mattress for $649, down from $1,598, to save you $949. It's also a great time to refresh your bedding and grab some new sheets from Brooklinen while they're 25% off and upgrade to Purple pillows, which are already marked down and eligible for another 25% off when you buy two.

More Memorial Day mattress and bedding deals

  • Amerisleep: Save up to $6,000 on any mattress with promo code MD600

  • Avocado: Take 10% off sitewide with promo code HONOR10

  • Bear: Save 35% on mattresses and get two free pillows with promo code MEMORIALDAY

  • Big Fig: Take 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY

  • Birch: Save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with a new mattress with code MEMDAY25

  • Brooklinen: Take up to 75% off sheets and pillowcase sets

  • Brooklyn Bedding: Take 30% off sitewide with promo code MEMORIAL30

  • Casper: Take up to 30% off on mattresses

  • Citizenry: Save 20% sitewide

  • Coop Sleep Goods - take up to 40% off sitewide and get a free silk pillowcase on orders of $150+

  • Coyuchi: Take 20% off sitewide

  • Double Stitch: Save up to 50% with code CS50

  • DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Eli & Elm: Save up to 45%

  • Helix: Take 25% sitewide and get two free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

  • Leesa: Save 30% on mattresses and get a free sleep bundle

  • Layla: Get free pillows with every mattress and take up to $1,018 off bundles

  • Mattress Firm: Take up to 60% off and get a free adjustable base with select mattresses

  • Naturepedic: Take up to 20% off organic mattresses

  • Naturepedic: Take up to 20% off organic bedding

  • Nectar: Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

  • Nest: Take up to $60 off bedding

  • Nest: Save up to $1,321 on new mattresses and get a free bundle

  • Parachute: Save 30% sitewide

  • Puffy: Take up to $1,350 off with code MEMORIALDAY

  • Puffy: Save 15% on all mattress accessories including sheets and pillows

  • Purple: Take up to $700 off on a mattress and base, plus 20% off bedding and pillows, now through June 3

  • Saatva: Save up to $600 on mattresses

  • Silk & Snow: Take 20% off sitewide and save $300 on mattresses

  • Sleep Number: Save up to 50% on smart beds

  • Tuft & Needle: Save 20% on select mattresses

  • Tuft & Needle: Take 30% off on select bedding

  • Viscosoft: Take 25% off all mattress toppers

  • WinkBeds: Save $300 on all mattresses

Best Memorial Day home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY, excluding select pillows, pet beds, spot cleaners, gift card Get Deal Why we like it

The leader in washable rugs is without a doubt — Ruggable. Their two-part system rugs provide beautiful, cozy decor for your floors that can be thrown in the washing machine for a thorough clean. This Memorial Day, you can find Ruggable's washable rugs for 20% off using code 'MEMDAY' at check out. This deal excludes select pillows, pet beds, spot cleaners, and gift cards.

More Memorial Day home deals

  • Branch: Take up to 15% off home office furniture

  • Dyson: Save on cordless vacuums and beauty products, including the Supersonic Nural hair dryer

  • Ecovacs: Save $200 on the Deebot N20 Plus robot vacuum and mop

  • Home Depot: Save up to 25% on gardening supplies, 30% on outdoor furniture, and 35% on select appliances through May 28

  • Humanscale: take 15% home office furniture off with code ACTIVE15

  • Mill: Take $125 off your order

  • Overstock: Save up to 60% off patio furniture

  • Revival: Spend $250 to $499 to take 10% off, $500 to $749 for 15% off, $750 to $1499 for 20% off, and $1500 and more for 25% off

  • SimpliSafe: Get any new system for 60% off, plus a free outdoor camera ($199 value) when you sign up for professional monitoring

  • Shark: Use code CORDLESS10 to take 10% off select cordless vacuums

  • Tumble: Save 30% on all washable rugs

  • Windmill: Save up to 25% on the Windmill air conditioner

Best Memorial Day tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 65-inch Class The Frame Pro Neo QLED 4K Art TV (2025 model) $1,999.99 at Samsung
$2,199.99 Save $200.00 Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more Get Deal Why we like it

One of the best TV deals we've spotted is a $200 savings on the 65-inch version of Samsung's The Frame Pro QLED 4K TV, which brings the price down to under $2,000. This art TV was just released in April 2025, so it's a pleasant surprise to see it on sale. If you're a design lover, this TV is the ultimate flex, though it will cost you.

If you need a one-stop shop for your tech shopping this Memorial Day, look to Best Buy. Not only do they have a vast collection of tech products like computers, headphones, and TVs, but you can even shop for large appliances. Amazon is deep into the Memorial Day deals action by offering the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for just $39.99 and a $70.82 savings on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ tablet, which is gonna be great for the kids to use during upcoming summer road trips.

Some extra deals we've spotted ahead of Memorial Day include $400 off the Apple iMac desktop with M3 chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Or if you want a truly affordable deal, HP's 14-inch Chromebook is 60% off, bringing it down to $139.

More Memorial Day tech deals

  • Anker Soundcore: Save 15% on speakers with code OUTDOOR15

  • Apple: Save 32% on the Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) at Amazon

  • Best Buy: Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more

  • Google: Take 20% off the Google Pixel 9 Pro

  • GoPro: Save $100 on the GoPro Hero13 Black

  • HP: Save up to 55% on select laptops, PCs, printers, and other HP tech

  • Lenovo: Save up to 50% off on ThinkBooks, desktops, Chromebooks, monitors, and the X1 Carbon Gen 12

  • Sony: Save up to 34% on Sony electronics. Get the Sony WH-1000XM5 for $100 off or the WH-1000XM4 for $120 off.

  • Ultimate Ears: Save $30 off $150, $70 off $250, and $150 off $450

Best Memorial Day kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Made In Made In Save up to 25% off cookware Get Deal Why we like it

This Memorial Day, as you fire up the grill, you might be hyper aware of how your indoor cookware is lacking. Made In cookware is up to 25% off this Memorial Day.

Right now, you can get a full stainless steel set of cookware for 25% off. Get Made In's 10-piece set for $729.99, down from $974, saving you $244.

More Memorial Day kitchen deals

  • Gozney: Take up to $200 off pizza ovens

  • HydroFlask: Save up to 25% on bestsellers, including tumblers, lunch boxes, and accessories

  • Made In: Save up to 25% on cookware

  • Ninja: Select outdoor grills are 15% off with code OUTDOOR15

  • Ooni: Save up to 20% on pizza ovens, oven accessories, and cookware

  • Owala: Take 30% off 24-ounce and 40-ounce tumblers through May 26

  • Sodastream: Save 25% sitewide

Miscellaneous Memorial Day deals

  • Eyebyedirect: Take 30% off lenses and 20% off frames with code MDWDEAL through May 25 and take 30% off designer brand glasses with code DB30 through May 26

  • Galison: save 30 to 60% on all puzzles

  • Macy's: Take up to 60% off outdoor furniture, dinnerware, luggage, toys, and beauty

  • Peloton: Save up to $400 on Peloton bike packages

  • REI: Save up to 30% during the retailer's Anniversary Sale

  • Shark: Save up to $300 off select products, plus 20% off select hair care with code BEAUTY20

  • Segway: Take up to 40% off electric scooters

  • Solawave: Take 35% off kits

  • Solo Stove: Save up to $120 on smokeless fire pits

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Memorial Day TV deals from TCL, Samsung, Sony: Get a 65-inch TV for $299

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 10:12
The best Memorial Day TV deals at a glance: Best Amazon Fire TV deal Amazon Fire TV 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD TV 359.99 (save $100 at Amazon) Get Deal BEST 43-INCH TV DEAL Samsung 43-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV $699.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best TCL TV Deal TCL 65-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV 379.99 (save $70) Get Deal BEST 55-INCH TV DEAL TCL 55-Inch QM6K QLED 4K TV $498 (save $301.99) Get Deal BEST 65-INCH TV DEAL Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $800) Get Deal BEST 75-INCH+ TV DEAL LG 77-inch C4 OLED evo 4K TV $1,999.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best Budget TV deal Insignia 65-inch Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD TV 299.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best QLED TV deal TCL 65-Inch Class Q65 QLED 4K Fire TV 399.99 (save $150) Get Deal

Memorial Day tends to be a huge day of deals for mattresses and home goods, but those are certainly not the only categories seeing major discounts. TVs of all shapes and sizes are also getting the deal treatment this holiday weekend, making it a particularly good time to upgrade your screen.

Many of the new releases from CES 2025 are officially on shelves and some of those are even seeing some big price drops. Or if you prefer to stay securely in budget TV territory, you can find a surprising number of 65-inch TVs on sale for under $400 at Amazon. We're tracking all the best Memorial Day TV deals at the three major tech retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. It's possible new deals will drop as we roll into the weekend, so we'll refresh this list with anything that catches our eye.

Best Memorial Day TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-Inch QM6K QLED 4K TV $498 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $301.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Just announced at CES 2025 and released in March, the TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV is already shaping up to be one of our favorite TVs of 2025. For a TV in its price range, it gets seriously bright. CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) took it for a spin and also noted that its detailed shadows during darker movies clearly stood out compared to the similarly-priced Roku Pro. It's not as impressive as its more expensive sibling, the QM8, but ultimately, CNET summed up: "For the money, the TCL QM6K has some of the best picture quality, including great black levels, for an LCD-based TV. The QM6K has already seen some impressive discounts since its release, but this is the first time the 55-inch model has dropped this low.

Best Memorial Day TV deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-Inch Class Q65 QLED 4K Smart TV $399.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $150 Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon always comes through with some big TV deals during big shopping events, and TCL is usually leading the way. That's certainly the case for Memorial Day Weekend, with this 27% off deal on a TCL QLED Fire TV. Most budget TVs on sale right now offer basic LED displays, but this 65-incher lets you enjoy pristine QLED-powered visuals without leaving budget territory. It's also a relatively new 2024 model. This TV is powered by Amazon's Fire TV OS, so you'll have full access to your favorite streaming apps (if you have a subscription, of course).

More Memorial Day TV deals at AmazonMore Memorial Day TV deals43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and up The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Rick and Morty cast sound off on line envy and which catchphrases they claim as their own

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 09:34

This Sunday, Rick and Morty returns with Season 8 on Adult Swim. To celebrate, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko sat down with the voice cast to dig into what it's like returning to the world of Pickle Rick, Space Beth, and many, many Mortys.

SEE ALSO: 'Rick and Morty' Season 8 gets an Easter-themed teaser (on April Fool's Day)

With a crackling team of comedy writers, this sci-fi cartoon series has thrilled critics and fans season after season. But is there ever a time the voice cast is a bit envious over a particularly killer line of dialogue? For Ian Cardoni, who took over voicing Rick Sanchez in Season 7, it's been a dream to make some of the mad scientist's catchphrases his own.

Spencer Grammer, who voices Rick's surly granddaughter, Summer Smith, admits she's in the scene that's a personal favorite. But it was her thirsty scene-partner's lines she wished were hers. (If you're thinking "beekeeping age," you win a million flurbos!)

As for Harry Belden, who took over voicing Morty in Season 7, he admits it's Morty's mom, Beth (Sarah Chalke), that he can't help quoting. And his co-stars agree.

What kind of wild one-liners and rants about lust will come this season? You'll have to tune into Adult Swim to find out.

Rick and Morty Season 8 premieres May 25 at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim, and streams on Max and Hulu Sept. 1.

I tried the $2,600 robot vacuum with a mechanical crane arm, and its absurd

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 05:04

Maybe you heard that Roborock made a robot vacuum with an arm back in January 2025, when the Saros Z70 was announced at CES. Maybe you were today years old when you found out such a thing exists. Either way, one unanimous question arises: Could a robot vacuum with an arm that picks up obstacles possibly be worth it?

The price tag further obscures the question of practicality here: The Roborock Saros Z70 costs $2,599. That's a full $1,000 more than the other two flagship Saros robot vacuums Roborock released this year. Even if you catch the Saros Z70 at its sale price of $1,999, it's still remarkably steep compared to the rest of the market.

So, for my Saros Z70 video review, I put the device to the test in my apartment for a month. I attempted to use the claw machine-style arm to pick up socks, sandals, and a few other common obstacles, and compared the Saros Z70's cleaning skills to the Roborock Saros 10 and 10R vacuums that also live with me. Here's how it went.

The best open earbuds that stay put, sound great, and keep you aware of the world around you

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 05:00

Noise-cancelling earbuds are a popular choice for many people, but if you're someone who wants to hear the world around them or finds an in-ear design uncomfortable, there's a better option out there: open earbuds.

SEE ALSO: We've found the 9 best headphones of 2025 after extensive testing

Though open earbuds share the common feature of sitting on the exterior of the ear, they come in many shapes and sizes, from clip models to ear hook models. Some are more geared toward working out, while others are better for everyday use. Below, we've compiled some of the best open earbud models available in 2025. This guide is a work in progress, so we'll possibly be shifting (or expanding) our recommendations as we continue to test pairs.

What are open earbuds?

Open earbuds allow you to get as close as you possibly can to the feeling of not wearing earbuds at all. Unlike in-ear earbuds which sit in your ear canal (as the name states), open earbuds sit just outside your ears. Some models hold the speaker component in place with an ear hook while others opt for an ear cuff.

SEE ALSO: The best fitness trackers you can buy in 2025: From smartwatches to rings

People generally opt for open earbuds for three main reasons:

  1. They provide a private listening experience while leaving you almost completely aware of the world around you. It's like the best transparency mode you've ever used.

  2. For some people, not having an earbud physically in their ear is generally more comfortable.

  3. The hooks and cuffs (along with the general awareness of your surroundings) make them a great option for keeping them in place, and keeping you alert, while you're working out.

What are the drawbacks of open earbuds?

As you may have gathered from the section above, open earbuds don't generally come with active noise cancellation. That's mostly thanks to how much sound they let in (by design) and the difficulty of cancelling out sound without having the device covering your actual ear canal.

Also thanks to the whole open ear-canal situation, these aren't going to be the earbuds for audiophiles. That's not to say open earbuds sound bad — if you've never tried them, we promise they sound much better than you're imagining — but you will lose out on some of the nuance of a song without having the earbud actually in your ear.

SEE ALSO: We tested every pair of Bose headphones to find the best for noise cancellation, sound quality, more

That said, many pairs still have equalizers on their companion apps to help you make them sound their best. Our upgrade pick, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, even have a spatial audio feature that worked surprisingly well.

Most open earbuds will also boast some form of special technology that keeps them from leaking too much sound. While these pairs do pretty well in keeping the sound just to you, most pairs (including our picks) while be prone to some leakage, especially at higher volumes.

Finally, some open earbuds — mainly those with ear hooks — tend to have slightly bulkier cases. If you like to travel light, it's something to be aware of.

What about bone conduction headphones?

Bone conduction earbuds work exactly like the name implies they do — they use your skull to conduct sound waves, instead of projecting the sound into your ear, like most of the picks are on list. Typically, a band runs from either side of the users head to help hold the headphones in place.

Shokz, the brand behind our top pick, is a popular maker of these kinds of headphones. While we do consider them open earbuds, we have yet to test any bone conduction earbuds — look out in the future for that update. On that note:

What's next in our testing pipeline

The open earbuds market is rapidly expanding, so we'll be testing more as we can get our hands on them. Up next, we'll be trying out budget pairs of open earbuds under $100, as well as more pairs from Shokz.

In addition to the earbuds that made our final guide in May 2025, we tested out the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds ($149), the Sony Linkbuds Open ($199.99), the Anker Soundcore AeroClip earbuds ($169.99), and the Shokz OpenFit Air ($119.95). While none of the above were bad earbuds by any means, we found our picks to outshine them in their comfort and sound quality, especially when considering their respective prices.

MicroSD Express Cards are a must-have Switch 2 accessory — if you can find one in stock

Mashable - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 05:00

Planning to use your trusty MicroSD card for your Switch 2 when it finally arrives? Then we have bad news. Gamers require a whole new storage medium this time around. Specifically, you need MicroSD Express cards for the Switch 2.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to be one of the most successful video game console launches of all time, with high demand for preorders globally. The hype for Nintendo’s next-generation console is understandable, as it’s an improvement over the nearly decade-old original in meaningful ways. It has a larger, higher-resolution screen, significantly faster processor, better GPU, support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, a built-in microphone, and two USB-C ports. It also has the ability to play games in 4K, up to 120Hz (at 1080p and 1440p), with HDR (High Dynamic Range) enabled for better contrast and colors. This bump in power was necessary for the Switch 2 to compete with the latest crop of capable portable PCs, including the ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and Steam Deck OLED.

Comparing the new and old Switch consoles. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Nintendo outfitted the Switch 2 with 256GB of internal storage, which is eight times as much as was available in the original Nintendo Switch. That’s a big bump, but it might not be enough space if you have a large library of digital games for the original Nintendo Switch and plan on staying all-digital during the Switch 2 generation. Game file sizes for both first and third-party Switch 2 games have been announced, and several launch titles, including Cyberpunk: 2077: Ultimate Edition, Split Fiction, and HITMAN World of Assassination Signature Edition, will each eat up over 50GB of space apiece. Mario Kart World, Nintendo’s most-anticipated launch day game, will eat up 23.4 GB of space. 

If you’d like to spend time playing games instead of deleting and redownloading them, you can augment the Switch 2’s internal storage by popping in a microSD Express card. All existing Switch games and upcoming Switch 2 games can be downloaded and played from a MicroSD Express card. Critically, the Nintendo Switch 2 is not compatible with a standard microSD card, which was the storage medium used by the original Nintendo Switch. Let me say that again: The Nintendo Switch 2 is not compatible with a standard microSD card.

The difference between MicroSD and MicroSD Express cards

Here’s how you can tell the difference. MicroSD Express cards have a little “EX” insignia (highlighted below) on them. 

Note the "EX" in small print on the right-hand side of the card. Credit: SanDisk

So, if the card you’re looking at doesn’t have the “EX”, then you can’t use it with the Nintendo Switch 2. This is confusing because microSD cards are typically augmented with words like “plus,” “ultra,” or “extreme,” all of which sound like they have more to do with performance than “express.” SanDisk prints the words “microSD EXPRESS” on its cards, which is a nice courtesy, but some other companies don’t, so it’d be impossible to tell whether the card was compatible with the Switch 2 without looking for the “EX” print.

Nintendo embraced the MicroSD card as a storage medium over a decade ago with the “New” 3DS XL before continuing to support it with the Switch. The reason the company turned to this new storage format is simple: speed. A microSD Express card can read and write data at 880MB per second and 480MB per second, respectively. This is a giant leap over the read and write speeds of a standard MicroSD card, which top out at 190MB per second and 90MB per second. These improved speeds are required to run modern games without being a bottleneck in performance. 

MicroSD Express cards are available from multiple companies in sizes up to 1TB, but most of them have been sold out since Nintendo fully unveiled the Switch 2 in early April. This won’t matter if you’re holding off on buying the new console, but it will make it difficult for early adopters who want to snag one at launch. If you’re in that boat, we've gathered the best MicroSD Express card options for the Nintendo Switch 2 right now. 

Where to buy MicroSD Express Cards for Switch 2

The most readily available MicroSD Express Card is the 128GB model from SanDisk. This card can hold dozens of smaller games, or a couple of larger ones with some space left over for indie titles. SanDisk also offers a 256GB card, but it’s been out of stock frequently (including at the time of publication), so it’s a riskier bet. Best Buy is offering a Nintendo Switch 2-branded 256GB Samsung MicroSD Express card for preorder. You’ll be able to pick up this MicroSD Express card in store the day the Nintendo Switch 2 is released. Best Buy says it’ll ship the card on June 5, so you’ll get it within a few days of the system’s launch. 

Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk 128GB microSD Express microSD Card $53.99 at Amazon
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If you’re patient and you want an ultra-high capacity MicroSD Express card to hold all of your digital Switch and Switch 2 games, there are two routes to take. Walmart is offering a 512GB MicroSD Express card from its in-house onn brand, which is currently sold out but an excellent value. That card has four times the storage capacity as SanDisk’s MicroSD Express card for roughly the same price. Having said that, I’ve tested several SanDisk MicroSD Cards over the years and never had trouble with them, while I’ve never had any experience with onn cards. 

Similarly, Lexar is offering MicroSD Express cards with a capacity of up to 1TB, all of which are currently sold out, of course. However, going to the Lexar website allows you to plug in your name and e-mail address to get notified of restocks. When the 1TB MicroSD Express card comes back in stock, you’ll get an e-mail, and can pick one up accordingly. There’s no telling when this MicroSD Express card is going to be available again, but if you’re fine playing the waiting game, it’s smart to keep your name on the list. (The same goes for tracking Switch 2 restocks.)

Your last option: Try to get your hands on the Samsung MicroSD Express cards, designed specifically for Switch gamers. You can find these available for preorder at Best Buy and the Nintendo Store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung MicroSD Express Card 256GB $59.99 at Best Buy
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The good news is that if the Switch 2 is anything like the original Switch, then you’ll be able to use the same MicroSD Express card you get at launch for the next decade or so. The only time you’ll have to swap one out is if it’s defective or you switch (pardon the pun) to a higher capacity card. As new cards become available, we’ll keep you updated on the best MicroSD Express cards to pick up for the Switch 2.

Does the Switch 2 come with a MicroSD Express card?

Unfortunately, it does not. According to Nintendo, storage cards for the Switch 2 are sold separately.

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