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Tempur-Pedic® offers cool relief for hot sleepers

Mashable - 2 hours 35 min ago

Sleep is essential for your physical and mental health, cognitive function, and mood regulation, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. But, as many of us know all too well, a good night’s sleep can’t be forced, especially if you’re a hot sleeper.

If you’ve tried everything to help you doze off — floor fans, blasting the air conditioner all night, sleeping in your birthday suit — and nothing works, maybe your mattress is the culprit.

Many mattresses simply aren’t the right fit for people who sleep hot. Some are made of materials that can trap your body heat and actually make you feel warmer as the night progresses. Some mattresses also have poor ventilation, keeping heat close to your body.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze® Collection Shop Now Why is sleeping cool important?

A cool sleep environment doesn't just feel better, it's also crucial to sleeping well. Our bodies prepare for and begin the transition into sleep by dropping in temperature, helping us feel drowsy. Sleeping cool helps to hasten the body's sleep onset — or the time it needs to fall asleep — and to stay asleep so we can cycle through its deepest stages.

The TEMPUR-Breeze collection stands apart from other Tempur-Pedic mattresses in that it’s specially designed to deliver a cooling experience that lasts from the minute you lie down to the moment you wake up.

Designed for space, perfected for hot sleepers

Tempur-Pedic has a fascinating origin story. In the late 1960s, NASA scientists created a groundbreaking viscoelastic, slow spring-back foam to cushion pilots during the rigors of test flights. In the 1980s, Tempur-Pedic took NASA’s foam technology and spent a decade perfecting it for sleep. And so, TEMPUR-Material™ was born.

Today, every Tempur-Pedic mattress is made with this exclusive TEMPUR-Material, which reacts to your body’s temperature and adapts to your unique weight and shape, delivering customized support. In addition, TEMPUR-Material absorbs an impressive amount of motion, so it feels like you have the entire bed to yourself, by limiting disturbances from your partner, pets, or kids.

How the cooling TEMPUR-Breeze collection stacks up

Both the ProBreeze® and LuxeBreeze® mattresses in the TEMPUR-Breeze collection feature Pure Cool or Pure Cool Plus material as their top layer. Pure Cool is an exclusive Tempur-Pedic technology that actually absorbs heat and pulls it away from your body. Pure Cool Plus, featured in all the LuxeBreeze mattresses, is an upleveled version of the Pure Cool material. Tempur-Pedic claims that a LuxeBreeze mattress can feel up to 10 degrees cooler all night long, making it a solid self-care investment for sweaty sleepers.

Each mattress in the TEMPUR-Breeze collection also contains a layer of Advanced Relief material — the most pressure-relieving material Tempur-Pedic has ever created. It helps to relieve those morning aches and it features added ventilation for increased airflow, another win for hot sleepers. 

To top it all off, each TEMPUR-Breeze mattress comes with a cool-to-the-touch and machine-washable SmartClimate® cover, made with cooling fibers that help you snuggle in under the blankets without heating up.

Get ready for deeper, cooler zzzs

We all need our sleep to feel our best and function during the day. If you’re having trouble falling and staying asleep, a Tempur-Pedic mattress might be a welcome respite. In addition to the adaptable body support and mind-blowing motion absorption, the TEMPUR-Breeze collection is a smart pick for hot sleepers because it can help you stay cool all night and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to roll.

Grab a supercharged Bluetti Solar Generator for $700 off

Mashable - 2 hours 42 min ago

GET $700 OFF: As of May 6, the Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 is available to Prime members for $700 off with an on-page coupon. You also get a free camping cookware set with purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 $999 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $700 Prime members can take advantage of the on-screen coupon to get $700 off and a free item Get Deal

A solar generator is your entry point to energy independence. Whether you're getting ready for a summer of car camping or making sure you have an alternate power source in case of emergency, you can grab a generator for a major 41% off today.

As of May 6, you can get the Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 for just $999, down from $1,699, with an on-page coupon for Prime members. That's a discount of $700. Additionally, when you take advantage of the deal, you'll qualify for a free camping cookware set from Bluetti; follow Amazon's directions to claim the free set after you add the generator to your cart.

SEE ALSO: This PGYOB Portable Power Station Deal is right on time for outdoor season

The Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 is a powerful solar generator and battery backup. The system has a 2073.6Wh capacity that can run a WiFi router for 72 hours. With fast charging, it can replenish 80% of its capacity in under an hour when plugged into a wall source. It can charge nine devices at the same time through a vast array of sockets.

At 53.35 pounds, this generator isn't featherweight, but it is on the small side and portable. Pack it in your truck and bring it with you to the backcountry.

A 17-year lifespan and around 6,000 cycles of full energy retention ensure this battery will be by your side for years.

Microsoft overhauls the Windows 11 Start menu and adds new AI features

Mashable - 2 hours 56 min ago

People with big monitors can rejoice.

That's because Microsoft is reshaping the Start menu in Windows 11 to be bigger, among other things, per an official company blog post released on Tuesday. The new Start menu not only has a larger layout, but a new view will also sort apps by how often you use them, giving you quick access to your most important apps. On top of that, you can connect an iPhone or Android phone to your PC and get a new phone companion menu on the side of the Start menu, showing contacts and other information.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft reveals 2 compact Surface devices starting well under $1,000

That's just a smaller part of a bigger slew of announcements, which include an AI agent built into the Settings menu and new AI features in Paint. For users with Copilot+ PCs, the new AI agent tool will help them automate and execute tasks in the Settings menu. That means users can describe what they need help with using plain English, such as "I want to make my mouse pointer bigger," and the AI agent will take care of the rest.

The Start menu upgrades were first noticed back in April (courtesy of The Verge) and will roll out over the next month. Microsoft also announced two new Copilot-enabled Surface devices alongside all of this on Tuesday.

But seriously, the Windows 11 Start menu was way too small. Justice has been served.

Attention new parents: Sign up for a free 3-month trial of Instacart+

Mashable - 3 hours 56 sec ago

GET A FREE INSTACART+ 3-MONTH TRIAL: New and expecting parents can sign up to get a free three-month trial of Instacart+ which comes with no delivery fees on most orders over $10. An annual Instacart+ subscription costs $99, which means this deal saves $24.75 over the three-month trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart Free 3-month trial to Instacart+ offer available to new and expecting parents Get Deal

New parents have a packed scheudle. Sure, infants sleep for most of the day, but that doesn't mean there's time to go grocery shopping. Instead of asking the baby's grandparents to delivery another meal, Instacart is stepping in to save the day with this deal.

Until May 31, expecting and new parents can take advantage of a free 3-month trial of Instacart+ which comes with $0 delivery fees on most orders of $10 or more. This deal is limited to the first 50,000 sign-ups, so it's possible the deal with end before May 31. You'll need to activate the free trial by June 13.

Instacart+ gives new parents the ability to order groceries to the doorstep with $0 delivery fees on most orders over $10. Or if you're in need of a hot meal, order dinner without paying a cent in delivery fees once you order $25+. The membership also comes with the ability to share perks with up to three other people, so you can invite your spouse or partner or the baby's grandparents. They'll be in line for the same delivery perks.

The Instacart network is massive, covering major grocery stores chains like Publix, Kroger, and Costco. You can also order with CVS, Lowe's, Best Buy, or Sephora. The list of retailers includes plenty of options to restock the diaper supply or place an emergency order at Petco when everyone in the house forgets to grab more dog food during errands.

SEE ALSO: It's a Lego Mother's Day with Lego flower sets starting at $6

An annual membership to Instacart+ usually costs $99, and the free trial is set to automatically renew, but you're free to cancel this at any time. A few other fine-print specifics are worth mentioning like that orders to Costco need to be $35+ to get free delivery and restaurant delivery fees are only waived once the order reaches $25.

Another fun benefit of Instacart+ is that it's bundled with free access to Peacock, so you'll be able to increase your streaming options. Annual memberships come with a free subscription to New York Times Cooking, giving you some inspiration of what to do with your recently delivered groceries.

Instacart is celebrating moms and all parents this Mother's Day by offering new and expecting parents the opportunity to get a free three-month trial of Instacart+ which means groceries to the doorstep come with free delivery. Since convenience is key with an infant, this deal is perfect for new parents.

Take $34 off the Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera and keep an eye on your furry friends

Mashable - 3 hours 5 min ago

SAVE $34.01: As of May 6, get the Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera for $64.99 at Petcube, down from its usual price of $99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Petcube Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera $64.99 at Petcube
$99 Save $34.01 Get Deal

The moment you step outside each day and leave your pet behind, you start wondering what they're up to. Is your dog getting into the kibble? Is your cat jumping on that shelf you tell her not to and knocking down all your precious china? Who knows? Whether you're worried about your furry friends causing mischief or you just miss them and want to see their sweet faces while you're away, a pet camera is the solution for all of these situations. And you can get a great one right now at a significant discount.

As of May 6, get the Petcube Play 2 smart pet camera for $64.99 at Petcube, down from its usual price of $99. That's $34.01 off and a discount of 38%.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy Auto-Empty C10 robot vacuum is nearly half off at Amazon

The Petcube Play 2 lets you check in on your pets at any time. It has full 1080p HD video quality with 8x digital zoom, two-way audio so you can chat with your pets when you check your feed, and night vision. Plus, you can set custom smart sound and motion alerts to notify you when your pets are making noise (barking and meowing) or when there's movement detected beyond the boundaries you set.

But it does more than just let you watch your pets. It has a built-in laser toy that you can use to play with them while you're gone. Set it to autoplay, and your pets can have a ball playing and chasing the laser without you having to control it for them.

If you're looking for an easy way to make sure your pets are happy and safe while you're gone, the Petcube Play 2 is it. With those summer getaways coming up, you can check in on them and enjoy peace of mind while you're away.

Upgrade your TVs sound on a budget with 23% off the Fire TV Soundbar Plus and subwoofer

Mashable - 3 hours 6 min ago

SAVE $85: As of May 6, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus and subwoofer is down to just $289.99 from $374.99. That's 23% in savings and the pairing's lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer $289.99 at Amazon
$374.99 Save $85 Get Deal

If your TV's sound system doesn't quite live up to its vibrant picture, Amazon's Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a great way to bump things up a notch without spending a fortune.

As of May 6, you can pick up the Fire TV Soundbar Plus with a wireless subwoofer for a grand total of $289.99. That's 23% off its typical cost of $374.99 and its best price on record.

Amazon's first foray into soundbars began with the basic Fire TV Soundbar, which is subpar at best. Last year, however, the brand expanded its lineup and added the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, which offers a much more appealing package. The 3.1-channel all-in-one soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume, which the original soundbar does not. It also offers precise tuning, a customizable dialogue enhancing setting, a wide frequency range, and four preset listening modes (movie, music, sports, and night). Paired with the wireless subwoofer, which instantly connects to the soundbar, you're in for some truly immersive audio that captures every detail — from the whispers to the explosions.

While built-in TV speakers are typically on the back of the TV and point down, a soundbar directs the sound outward toward the room. The Fire TV Soundbar Plus packs three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and two woofers that pump out sound in every direction. In other words, your room will be wrapped in sound. As a budget option, it won't be true surround sound (you'll need extra speakers for that), but it's pretty close. Either way, movie night will never be the same.

E-ZPass and toll scam texts are everywhere. What to do if youre targeted.

Mashable - 3 hours 13 min ago

You might've heard of those toll scam texts. Heck, at this point, you've likely gotten a text pretending to be from E-ZPass or some such entity.

We covered these scams at Mashable back in January, and they're back, if they ever left at all. The main points remain the same: Do not click any links and do not engage with potential scammers. If you get a text claiming to be from E-ZPass, FasTrak, Peach Pass, or some other regional toll service or DMV, be very skeptical, as this has only become a more pervasive problem in 2025.

We've got the latest details to keep you up to date.

What you need to know
  • Scammers are posing as toll collectors (E-ZPass, FasTrak, etc)
  • Do not click any links
  • Delete the text and mark it as junk or spam
What are the E-ZPass and FasTrak scam texts, and how do you spot them?

The E-ZPass toll scam has evolved and shifted over time, but the broad strokes remain the same: a text from a random number claiming you have unpaid tolls or fees, and that you have to remedy that fact or face some sort of consequence. That should immediately ring alarm bells — scammers often want you to feel a sense of urgency to keep you from thinking through your actions. Usually, this text leads you to a link, which could be used to gather your personal information.

Here's an example of a recent version posted to Reddit that received a spirited response in the comments.

Reddit

Look around online and you'll see lots of folks still posting about the scam texts, some four months after they began surfacing.

Oh no, some guy who calls himself a player is telling me I need to pay my toll

[image or embed]

— yuukasugai.itch.io (@yuukasugai.itch.io) April 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM

This is already coming in handy

[image or embed]

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra.bsky.social) March 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM

Once you're aware of these toll road scam texts, they should be pretty easy to spot. First: Check the sender. At first, these messages often came from a +63 country code, which is for the Philippines. More recent online posts now indicate the scammers have moved on to random email addresses. Regardless, E-ZPass, FasTrak, or your state's DMV office is not sending emails from these sorts of phone numbers or addresses.

Second: Look at the link. DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK. Often, the link redirects to an obviously sketchy site.

Third: Know that this is not how E-ZPass, FasTrak, or other toll services operate. They will snail mail you any bills they owe, and they certainly will not threaten to suspend your driver's license right from the jump.

What to do if you get an E-ZPass or FasTrak scam text?

Again, let us repeat, if you get a scam text: DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK.

From there, most phones have a delete and report junk option for messages, which is what you should do. If you're concerned that there was a modicum of truth to the text, the Federal Trade Commission recommends contacting your local tolling agency to check if it's legit.

But for the most part, tread carefully with any text from an unknown number. If you have to question if you're being scammed, it's likely a scam.

Georgia, California, Texas, and other states with toll scams

As these E-ZPass and DMV scams have proliferated, the scammers have expanded all over the country. In New York state, the toll scam texts were a big enough problem for Governor Kathy Hochul to issue a warning. Government agencies in Virginia and New Hampshire have also issued alerts.

Search trends from Google seem to indicate there are very few places in the U.S. where this scam is not a problem. The issue has clearly hit Georgia, with residents complaining of MyPeachPass scams, for instance.

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

To be clear, the proper response to all these variations of the E-ZPass scam is exactly the same — don't click links and report it as junk. Peach Pass itself put out guidance on its website to that effect.

"The complaint information indicates that the scam may be moving from state to state," the toll service wrote on its site.

Georgia is not alone. California's toll agency recently warned of Metro ExpressLanes scam texts as well.

"Metro ExpressLanes does NOT send out text messages asking for sensitive information or requesting payment," it wrote on its site. "If you receive a text message regarding tolls or violations, please do not respond to the message, do not click any links in it, and do not use any contact information provided in it."

The Texas DMV and Department of Transportation, Maryland's DriveEzMD service, the DC DMV, and other state agencies have all warned about similar toll road text scams. In short: Drivers in all 50 states should be on their guard. The good news: You can just report the text and move on.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

This PGYOB Portable Power Station Deal is right on time for outdoor season

Mashable - 3 hours 28 min ago

GET 36% OFF: As of May 6th, the PGYOB Portable Power Station is on sale for $139.98, saving you $80.01, or 36% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: PGYOB PGYOB Portable Power Station $139.98 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $80.01 Get Deal

Whether you're RVing or car camping, you might like to know that you have access to electricity when you want it. The PGYOB Portable Power Station is for these situations and more — it also serves as an insurance policy for power outages and natural disasters.

Right now, the PGYOB Portable Power Station is on sale for 36% off. Get it for $139.98 and save $80.01, or 36% off.

SEE ALSO: Whoa: The Apple M4 Mac Mini is now under $500 at Amazon

Designed for charging, the PGYOB Portable Power Station produces pure sine wave power that's safe to use with sensitive electronics like laptops and cell phones. It can also hit 600W peak power.

The PGYOB Power Station is compatible with solar panels, so you'll be able to charge this bank even after a natural disaster has knocked the grid out. It will also charge from wall outlets.

As of now, May 6th, the PGYOB Portable Power Station is one sale for $139.98, for a savings of 36% off, or $80.01.

With numerous plug types, this battery bank will connect to all sorts of devices. It has two USB-A plugs, one USB-C 30W plug, one USB-C 60W plug, two AC outlets, two DC outputs, and a 12V car outlet. With so many plug types, this battery bank makes itself useful for all sorts of needs.

Take 50% off a year of MasterClass and give mom the gift of knowledge

Mashable - 3 hours 46 min ago

50% OFF: As of May 6, get 50% off a year-long MasterClass subscription for Mother's Day through May 11. That's just $60 annually, down from $120.

Opens in a new window Credit: MasterClass MasterClass Membership $60 at MasterClass
$120 Save $60 Get Deal

Still trying to figure out something to give Mom for Mother's Day this year? A digital gift is always a great idea, and one of the most interesting out there is a MasterClass subscription. Mom can learn a variety of new skills from the pros, like comedy from Steve Martin, personal branding with Kris Jenner, or even basketball tips from Stephen Curry. And right now, you can get a huge discount just in time for Mother's Day.

As of May 6, you can get a yearlong MasterClass subscription for 50% off. That's just $60 for a year instead of the $120 it would normally cost. The deal is available through May 11, which should give you a few more days to make sure Mom is squared away.

SEE ALSO: Ban.do's $30 Mother's Day gifts are giving Kate Spade meets Andy Warhol

Choose from over 180 classes in 11 unique categories, with extensive courses and even original series on offer. There are more being added all the time. From picking up cooking tips from Gordon Ramsay to expanding your stage presence with Kevin Hart, there's a little something for everyone. Along with video classes with celebrity instructors, there are offline learning materials, course discussions, and regular Q&As to participate in, too.

If your mom loves learning new skills, or she just wants to satisfy her curiosity, a MasterClass subscription is a great idea. You can have it delivered digitally, and you can even watch the classes together. Everyone knows moms love spending time with their kids, so that might be the part of the gift she likes the most.

Get a free bouquet of flowers for mom when you sign up for Target Circle 360

Mashable - 3 hours 47 min ago

SAVE $20: As a special Mother's Day offer, you can get a free bouquet of Good Little Garden flowers for your mom (or yourself) when you sign up for a Target Circle 360 membership between May 5 and 10. The flowers are then redeemable through May 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target Get free flowers when you sign up for Target Circle 360 Get Deal

Whether you're searching for a last-minute gift idea or want to add a little something extra to your Mother's Day haul this year, you can never go wrong with a bouquet of flowers — especially when they're free.

As a Mother's Day special, Target is offering anyone who signs up for a Target Circle 360 annual membership between May 5 and 10 a free bouquet of Good Little Garden flowers. You can then have the flowers delivered right to your mom's door (or your own — treat yourself) through same-day delivery with an order over $35.

An annual membership costs $99 and unlocks access to free two-day shipping, extended return windows, same-day delivery from stores, access to a curated marketplace of other retailers and grocers via Shipt.com, and freebies on the first of every month, among other exclusive benefits and experiences.

Once you sign up, you'll have to redeem your free bouquet by Mother's Day on May 11. And just note, the deal is only valid at participating locations while supplies last.

Good Little Garden is Target's brand-new fresh floral brand, launched just last month. The brand includes over 60 options across seasonal and everyday assortments of fresh, colorful blooms, including fresh-cut roses, tulips, carnations, and mixed flowers. This deal is a good way for Target to spread the word about its new offering and for you to show mom a little extra love this holiday. Not to mention, you'll get to enjoy the perks of your Circle 360 membership all year long.

Sleep products for kids: Do they really help?

Mashable - 3 hours 52 min ago

Parenting a sleep-resistant child is a thankless task that can drive even the most mature, loving adults to desperation.

There are only so many times a night that you can be woken from a peaceful slumber to rub a child's back, adjust their blankets, or walk them back to bed.

Or maybe your struggles take place before anyone has actually gone to sleep, as your anxious child springs from their bed like a Jack In the Box and requires a sip of water, a snack, another song — basically anything that will forestall the inevitable. Let's not even speak of the exhausting tantrums that happen when bedtime becomes a power struggle.

SEE ALSO: How to wean your toddler off a tablet

There's no shortage of internet advice about fool-proof sleep solutions, but parents might be particularly interested in gadgets that leverage tech in service of improving their child's sleep. After all, adults can monitor their own sleep with wearables and use smart mattresses to optimize their rest.

The options for kids, however, are much more tailored to creating a calm bedtime routine or ritual. New entrants to the category include the audio player Tonies' expanded Sleepy Friends series, and Moonbird's moonbuddy, a handheld "breathing companion" designed specifically for kids.

But will gadgets geared toward kids — or their parents — lead to a transformational change in how easily and happily children go to sleep, and stay there?

To find out, Mashable interviewed pediatric sleep experts about how to tackle typical bedtime challenges, and personally tested the new Tonies and Moonbird products. What we learned may lead you to reconsider using tech gadgets for a better night's sleep.

Why children's sleep goes haywire

First, let's establish one rule: This is a judgement-free zone. We're not here to cast blame on parents who haven't been able to implement or keep a consistent bedtime routine.

"Life is hard as it is, and life for two working parents can be very difficult," says Dr. David Gozal, a pediatric sleep expert and dean of medicine and vice president for health affairs at Marshall University.

Yet Gozal also knows that everyone in a household, and especially children, need a dependable bedtime schedule. This means having time to wind down as well as going to sleep and waking at approximately the same time every day. So without this routine in place, a gadget that plays soothing white noise may have little to no effect on a toddler who'd rather stay up to watch a movie or play with a sibling, if that's what happens most nights.

For parents of children who don't want them to leave the room at bedtime, Gozal says it's possible to gradually transition away from the practice of remaining present until they've fallen asleep. Parents may start at their bedside and progressively increase their distance until they're standing at the door. Eventually, the child should be able to drift off and self-soothe if they wake overnight.

"Life is hard as it is, and life for two working parents can be very difficult." - Dr. David Gozal, pediatric sleep expert

Gozal also says that many parents unintentionally send their children the wrong message when they treat sleep as a burden rather than a blessing. In his experience, children pick up on this messaging very quickly, particularly if they see their parents skipping sleep or lamenting about losing time to rest.

If this sounds familiar, it's time to rethink your relationship with sleep so that you can present it to your child as something essential for physical growth, emotional well-being, and overall happiness. There's not a screen-free audio player in the world capable of doing that for you.

These dynamics can help explain why some children fight bedtime. But parents should also be aware of medical conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and allergies that can rouse them from sleep, says Dr. Sanaz Vaziri, a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco.

A child who's been woken up by an obstructed airway, for example, may have no clue why they're suddenly awake, but they still might ask for handholding to fall back asleep. A parent might become frustrated by such regular wake-ups. What's less obvious, though, is that untreated or poorly controlled asthma and allergies can lead to disrupted sleep thanks to airway inflammation and congestion.

Vaziri says parents should follow up with a physician if they notice that their child is consistently groggy or tired after what should have been a full night's sleep. Other red flags that may indicate an underlying medical problem include snoring, pauses in breathing, and restless sleeping. Technology, of course, will not solve sleep struggles if they stem from a medical condition, she says.

In general, Vaziri does not recommend a specific tech device to parents to help with sleeping challenges at home, partly because what works for one child may not work for another. When parents are evaluating a product, she suggests clarifying its purpose and ensuring that it's developmentally appropriate.

Most importantly, it should help a child relax and not pose any risk to them. Still, she discourages parents from relying on it solely.

"It shouldn't ever be a standalone solution," she says.

What to know about Tonies Sleepy Friends and Moonbird's moonbuddy

Tonies, the popular screen-free audio player, recently expanded its Sleepy Friends series with an ocean-themed collection. The player works by placing an adorably crafted figurine on top of the speaker, which prompts the content to play. (The player itself, known as a Toniebox, retails for $99.99. Each Sleepy Friends Ocean Collection Tonie is $19.99.)

The latest collection includes a pastel-hued miniature octopus and whale. The former cues up more than 40 minutes of bedtime stories while the latter offers more than two hours of instrumental lullabies.

Whether or not the Tonies Sleepy Friend content calms your child will be impossible to know until you've listened to it firsthand. You might have a sense based on past experiences with audiobooks and recorded songs at bedtime. If your child has scoffed at these in the past, it's unlikely this particular collection will change their mind.

The Sleepy Friends Tonies collection aims to help your child drift peacefully off to sleep. Credit: Tonies

Children who struggle to stay in bed instead of play with toys might also be tempted to handle their Tonies figurines, especially if more than one is available to them in their room.

For parents, the real downside to the Tonies audio player is that it cannot be controlled remotely from an adult's phone. The Tonies competitor Yoto has this functionality, which means that parents can remotely turn on or off audio content and white noise.

But if you want to stop a Toniebox before it's completed all the tracks or put a new Tonies figurine on it, you must sneak into your child's room to physically make the change. Depending on your child, that may require Mission Impossible-level stealthiness.

A similar strategy may be required of parents who decide to use Moonbird's moonbuddy for sleep, too.

Billed as "your child's new best friend in relaxation," the moonbuddy is a handheld, screenfree silicone device that gently inflates and deflates to help encourage calm breathing. With the help of removable sleeves, it can be styled to look like a bird or bear. It costs $89.

Moonbird's moonbuddy is a handheld device for kids designed to encourage calm breathing. Credit: Moonbird

A button on the back of the device can change the breathing rhythm to one of four settings, ranging from 6 to 10.5 breaths per minute. Each exercise is 4 minutes long, after which the moonbuddy shuts off automatically.

Testing in this reporter's household yielded positive reviews from a younger child who used the device prior to falling asleep, but it also prompted that child to call out for parental help to find their moonbuddy in the middle of the night.

Dear reader, it was lost somewhere in the sheets and wasn't discovered until the morning. Anticipating such a scenario, this reporter's husband tried to find it after the child had fallen asleep in order to place it in a prominent location to avoid middle-of-the-night discontent. Alas, upon stealthily entering the child's bedroom after they'd nodded off, this reporter's husband didn't see it, and also didn't dare to dig around for it, for fear of waking up the child.

The child wanted it the next night but their request was not granted, for hopefully obvious reasons, and they forgot all about it within a day.

This is but one anecdotal experience, but Dr. Gozal does question whether children need tech gadgets to help them sleep, if they have the other necessary conditions for sleep. Simpler interventions may make bedtime much easier than any device, he adds.

A warm bath, for example, raises body temperature, which can be conducive to sleepiness.

Still, parents may choose to add a calming tech product to their bedtime routine and find success. If they do, Gozal says just to avoid outsourcing bedtime stories or songs, or other nurturing aspects of the child-parent relationship, to any product.

"That bond cannot be replaced or supplanted by an electronic device," he says.

The Eufy Auto-Empty C10 robot vacuum is nearly half off at Amazon

Mashable - 3 hours 59 min ago

SAVE 44%: The Eufy Auto-Empty C10 robot vacuum is on sale for $269.99 at Amazon, discounted from the normal price of $479.99. That's a savings of $210 that matches the lowest price we've ever seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy Auto-Empty C10 robot vacuum $269.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $210 Get Deal

It's been a few years since you perfected that sourdough loaf recipe. While it's always amazing, there's one issue: crumbs. Instead of adding "vacuum the kitchen" to your to-do list, hand the task off to a robot vacuum. If you don't yet own a cleaning buddy, there's a great deal at Amazon today.

As of May 6, the Eufy Auto-Empty C10 robot vacuum is just $269.99, marked down from the standard list price of $479.99. That's a 44% discount that takes $210 off the price. It also matches the lowest price we've seen.

In the past decade, the brains on robot vacuums have gotten significantly smarter. Instead of worrying if the robot will get stuck under the couch, you can relax, since the Eufy uses Lidar navigation and smart mapping. Combined, these mean the robot vacuum can take off on an independent cleaning adventure. You're able to set the cleaning schedule for the Eufy C10, and you can create no-go zones, so the robot never tries to vacuum up the dog's food. Plus, the self-emptying station contains a 3-liter dust bag, which only needs to be replaced about once every two months.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop is still on sale for its lowest-ever price

This model operates with 4,000Pa suction power, which is ideal for homes with pets, as it can easily rid the carpets and floors of hair and dander. The slim design is convenient for cleaning under furniture to capture the dust bunnies that love to hang out under the bed and below the couch.

Instead of going out of your way to sweep up those crumbs on the kitchen floor, enlist the help of the Eufy Auto-Empty C10. Since it's back down to the lowest price we've seen of $269.99, your home will be in good hands for a good price.

Grand Theft Auto VI gets a surprise second trailer after being delayed

Mashable - 4 hours 9 min ago

Just a few days ago, we got word that Grand Theft Auto VI wouldn't make it out for 2025 after all. It's been delayed to May 2026, sadly.

That probably made a lot of people sad, but this won't. Rockstar dropped the second trailer for the hotly anticipated open-world crime game as a surprise on Tuesday morning. It's got nearly three minutes of footage, including some story setup for Jason and Lucia, the Bonnie & Clyde-esque crime couple at the center of the narrative. On top of that, you see some of the more colorful characters who inhabit modern-day Vice City, as well as plenty of goofy cultural satire stuff and explosions.

Yeah, this looks like GTA, alright.

OpenAI is buying Windsurf for $3 billion. What does that mean for ChatGPT?

Mashable - 4 hours 17 min ago

OpenAI is buying AI startup Windsurf for the tidy sum of $3 billion.

This is according to a Bloomberg report Tuesday, which claims that the two companies have reached an agreement but that the deal "has not yet closed," with Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter. If accurate, this would be OpenAI's largest acquisition to date.

Windsurf is an artificial intelligence app that focuses on coding. Formerly known as Codeium, Windsurf is self-described as "the future of software development."

Notably, the news arrived just a day after the OpenAI — the $300 billion company, that is — announced it would remain under control of OpenAI, the nonprofit.

Perhaps even more notably, OpenAI's reported acquisition of Windsurf comes just after Anysphere, which makes the AI coding tool Cursor, reportedly raised $900 million, at a valuation of $9 billion.

What does this mean for ChatGPT?

OpenAI's signature AI chatbot ChatGPT is already a useful tool for coding in its own right. The Pro version offers a few features aimed specifically for developers, including a code interpreter and a live editing, collaborative coding tool called Canvas.

The competition, however, is strong. Anthropic, which makes AI assistant Claude, Microsoft, which owns Github, as well as Anysphere's Cursor, all offer a few of their own AI tools or features that aid programmers.

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Windsurf, in particular, offers Cascade, a chat-based tool that monitors your project's progress, offers suggestions, and detects issues with your code. The company also offers Windsurf Previews, which can run a preview of a website you're building, allowing you to make changes on the fly.

Given that OpenAI and Windsurf declined to comment on Bloomberg's story, it's too early to tell how OpenAI plans to integrate Windsurf's capabilities, should the deal go through. We wouldn't be too surprised if tools such as Cascade and Previews make way into ChatGPT in the future, though.

How a four-legged robot is helping make firefighters jobs safer

Mashable - 4 hours 20 min ago

The Unitree B2 robot is now being adapted for fire rescue operations. In this video we break down the robot’s mobility, firefighting tools, and how it's being used in real-world emergency scenarios. The video also highlights its role in reconnaissance and post-fire monitoring.

Backbone just dropped a new mobile gaming controller: Meet the Backbone Pro

Mashable - 4 hours 56 min ago
Opens in a new window Credit: Backbone Backbone Pro $169.99 at Backbone
Shop Now

Backbone has just announced the latest addition to their lineup of popular mobile gaming controllers: The Backbone Pro.

The Pro is designed from the ground up to be your one-stop shop for mobile and cloud gaming, allowing you to play on any screen with one single device. Like earlier Backbone iterations, the controller includes a handheld mode that can connect to your mobile device via USB-C for zero-latency gaming, and doesn't need to be charged. Where the Pro changes things is in its wireless mode, which will allow you to connect to various devices via Bluetooth, like smartphones, tablets, laptops, VR headsets, and smart TVs. Thanks to the controller's FlowState technology, it'll recognize previously connected devices, letting you switch seamlessly between them at a moment's notice.

The physical design of the controller is different, too, employing a more ergonomic fit with full-size joysticks and remappable back buttons. This time, all of the device's other buttons are remappable using the Backbone app, which lets you create multiple profiles tailored to specific games you're playing.

SEE ALSO: The best PlayStation 5 controllers to pair with your new-gen console

Also within the updated Backbone app is a universal hub for all your games, whether you downloaded them from the App Store, Xbox Remote Play, Steam Link, or a cloud gaming platform like Nvidia GeForce Now. The App even has a built-in emulator now, which will give you the opportunity to play retro games. If you're subscribed to Backbone's premium service, Backbone+, you'll get access to a rotating library of free games that you can play at your leisure, some of them including enhanced features exclusively for the Backbone Pro.

The Backbone Pro is available to buy now on Backbone's website for $169.99.

The Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop is still on sale for its lowest-ever price

Mashable - 5 hours 23 sec ago

SAVE $300: As of May 6, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 43% on list price, and the lowest it has ever been priced at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop $399.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $300 Get Deal

Are you fed up of doing all the chores around the house? It might be time to upgrade to something that can handle the workload without complaint.

As of May 6, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $300 on list price, and marks the lowest-ever price on Amazon according to tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: The 3 best robot vacuums for apartments, condos, and other small spaces

This popular robot vacuum and mop combo can do (almost) everything you need without your input. It automatically empties its reservoir after cleaning, washes and dries the mop with room-temperature air, and shows how much water is left in its tank thanks to the clear reservoir. It also has dual sweeping and mopping modules so it can clean more efficiently. It offers 7,000 Pa of suction with a rolling brush and side brush, handling pet hair like a pro.

Get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for its lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Microsoft reveals 2 compact Surface devices starting well under $1,000

Mashable - 5 hours 12 min ago

Today, Microsoft confirmed some long-standing rumors and unveiled two new compact Surface devices, its second batch of Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs.

The devices include a more portable 13-inch Surface Laptop and a 12-inch Surface Pro, which are pared-down versions of Microsoft's flagship laptop and convertible. Both Surface devices feature an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with an NPU rated at 45 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS), which supports the latest Copilot+ experiences.

The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro will come with 16GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage, and three finishes: Ocean, Violet, and Platinum. They're set for release on Tuesday, May 20 starting at $899.99 and $799.99, respectively. Preorders are now available from the Microsoft Store and Best Buy.

The new 13-inch Surface Laptop: No more 'Go'? Credit: Microsoft

Measuring in at 11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 inches and 2.7 pounds, the new 13-inch Surface Laptop is the "thinnest and lightest Surface Laptop yet," according to a company blog post. It joins the Surface Laptop 7th Edition, Mashable's current favorite Windows laptop, which debuted in June 2024 in two sizes: 13.8 inches and 15 inches.

Compared to last year's model, the new Surface Laptop has a downgraded 60Hz touchscreen display with a lower resolution and contrast ratio. It's also a tad less powerful, as the existing Surface Laptop 7 is configurable with 10-core Snapdragon X Plus and 12-core Snapdragon X Elite CPUs with up to 64GB of RAM. It should still be plenty peppy, though: Microsoft's announcement claims it "outpaces the MacBook Air M3," Apple's previous-generation notebook.

SEE ALSO: Best Windows laptops for 2025: Our top pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook Pros

The 13-inch Surface Laptop might have one leg up over the flagship model in the stamina department. It's rated at 23 hours of local video playback per charge, whereas the Surface Laptop 7 is rated at 20 hours. That said, the latter lasted nearly 23 hours in Mashable's hands-on testing, so they could be equals in practice.

At $899.99, the new Surface Laptop is $100 cheaper than the entry-level Surface Laptop 7, and even cheaper than Apple MacBook Air laptops.

The launch of the 13-inch Surface Laptop seems to mark the end of Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go line of budget portable laptops, which was last updated in 2023 (we've reached out to a company rep to confirm this). It's also a sign that the tech giant is committed to Windows on ARM over x86-based processors (for its consumer-oriented products, at least). The most recent Surface Laptop Go 3, a 12.4-incher, was powered by a 12th-gen Intel Core CPU.

The new 12-inch Surface Pro: A tinier hybrid Credit: Microsoft

The 12-inch Surface Pro measures 10.8 x 7.47 x 0.3 inches and weighs in at only 1.5 pounds, making it "the thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC yet" across all brands, per Microsoft's announcement. That was a title previously held by the Asus ZenBook A14.

A hybrid device with a built-in adjustable kickstand, the new Surface Pro is a smaller alternative to last year's 13-inch Surface Pro 11th Edition, which came in two different configurations: a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus variant with a LCD touchscreen display, and a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite model with an OLED touchscreen display, both with up to 64GB of memory. Its own touchscreen has a worse refresh rate, resolution, and contrast ratio than both of the flagship options, but a better rated battery life of 16 hours of local video playback per charge (compared to 14 on WiFi-only models and nine with those sporting cellular connectivity). As with the new Surface Laptop, we'll see how that translates to real-world usage.

SEE ALSO: As tariffs come for tech, these are the best cheap laptops under $1,000

A new Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard will turn the Surface Pro into a laptop, while Microsoft's Surface Slim Pen will allow the user to draw or take notes on its display. (It can magnetically attach to the back of the new Surface Pro for safekeeping.) Both accessories are sold separately.

The new Surface Pro will start at $799.99, making it $200 cheaper than the base Surface Pro 11.

New Windows Copilot+ experiences

Microsoft introduced several new and updated Copilot+ experiences alongside its new Surface devices Tuesday, including a dynamic lighting feature in Microsoft Photos, a custom sticker generator in Paint, image description-reading capabilities for Narrator, and more Click to Do actions. They'll roll out to members of its Windows Insiders feature preview program over the course of the next month.

Copilot+ PC users will also soon have the option to enable an AI agent that can automate and execute tasks within their Settings menu. Users will be able to describe what they need help with in plain English, such as "my mouse pointer is too small," and the AI agent will take care of it.

Head over to the Microsoft Blog to check out the full list of new Copilot features.

Your Oura Ring can now track meals and monitor glucose levels

Mashable - 5 hours 13 min ago

On May 6, Oura Ring announced that it is bringing two new features to its smart ring app — AI-powered meal tracking and glucose monitoring.

Oura Ring is the best smart ring on the market (according to Mashable's tests, at least), and its holistic approach to health tracking helps users make decisions to improve their wellbeing. Now, the company is launching two new metabolic health tools in its app.

Best Oura Ring offers Oura Ring 4 $349 Shop Now Oura Ring App $5.99 Shop Now Oura Ring Sizing Kit $10 Shop Now Oura Ring and Dexcom Glucose Monitoring

Oura's glucose monitoring is a result of the brand's Dexcom partnership. Dexcom, a healthcare company specializing in round-the-clock glucose monitoring, usually specializes in diabetes management, but their Stelo Glucose Biosensor is made for individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who are not on insulin. However, it's also suitable for anyone curious about monitoring their blood sugar levels.

Alongside all your daily Oura Ring data, Stelo users can now track their Glucose levels. Credit: Oura

Glucose feedback is available 24/7 in the Oura app, though you will need the Stelo biosensor. Working with the glucose sensor, the app breaks down how glucose levels might be affected by sleep, activity, stress, and nutrition. It also delivers a "Time Above Range" metric, which tells users how much time they've spent above the optimal glucose level and what changes can be made to stay in range. But to incorporate nutrition into the glucose equation, Oura is also introducing another new feature.

Oura Ring Meals Tracking Just by taking a photo, Oura's AI will analyze your meals and their nutritional value. Credit: Oura

The Oura Rings Meals tool allows users to log their meals and get feedback from Oura's AI on their overall nutritional value. While meal tracking tools often recall the calorie-tracking stress of diet culture, the company wants to avoid this trap. To track meals, users upload photos of their meals to the Oura app. The photos are analyzed through AI to produce an overview of their nutritional content and provide feedback.

Meals is about more than just counting calories, Oura Ring says. The nutritional breakdowns focus on protein, fiber, fats, sugars, and carbs. And the insights that Oura provides aren't going to be scolding, like a parent nagging you to eat all your vegetables. Instead, the Oura Advisor gives non-judgmental feedback based on users' own goals. Meals is a permanent feature in the Oura app, and both features are available now to all United States-based Oura members.

In addition to the price of an Oura Ring, Oura memberships costs $5.99 a month or $69.99 annually. The Stelo Glucose Biosensor is available to purchase directly from Oura's website or via Amazon for $99.

Optimize your REM sleep with the best sleep tracker of 2025

Mashable - 5 hours 13 min ago

A good night's sleep is the best gift you can give yourself, but with the constant cycle of bad news and increased stress of daily life, it's no surprise that many of us are tossing and turning at night rather than catching some z's. A 2023 study out of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that just 31 percent of people are getting the recommended seven or more hours of sleep a night. If you're part of the other 69 percent, then consider a sleep tracker.

Sleep trackers — wearable devices that monitor all your vitals — provide detailed summaries of your sleep cycle so you know how many hours of REM, deep, and light sleep you're getting. Most fitness trackers come equipped with sleep tracking these days, but choosing the best from that bunch is not relatively as straightforward. These days, sleep trackers come in all shapes and sizes, and luckily, our experts here at Mashable have tested all of them.

If your sleepmaxxing routine of magnesium supplements and pillow sprays isn't cutting it, here are the best sleep trackers of 2025.

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