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SAVE $70: As of May 9, Beats Studio Buds + are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's 41% off their list price of $169.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds + $99.95 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you've been looking to invest in new earbuds, there are some great deals available on a range of popular models right now. The Beats Studio Buds + have returned to their lowest-ever price at Amazon, so there's no better time to pick them up.

The Beats Studio Buds + are currently available for $99.95, a 41% discount off their retail price of $169.95. It's worth keeping in mind that these are listed as a limited-time deal right now, so they may not stay at this price for long. Act fast to scoop them up and save.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

The Beats Studio Buds + feature high-quality sound and noise-canceling features — Active Noise Canceling and Transparency mode, depending on how much outside sound you want to hear around you — that make listening to your favorite music, audiobooks, or podcasts an even more enjoyable experience. And with up to 36 hours of battery life with the charging case, they're a perfect option to take on your next trip or outdoor adventure as summer approaches.

This deal on the Beats Studio Buds + may not last for very long, so pick them up at their lowest-ever price without delay.

These aren't the only discounted earbuds we've come across recently. At the moment, the AirPods Pro 2 are enjoying a great discount at Amazon.

“I have rarely read a judge who is so obviously angry at a tech company.”

Apple is working on a bunch of specialized chips, and it shows how serious the company is about AI. It also indicates that Apple hasn't given up on its own version of smart glasses.

According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple is developing chips for wearable devices, including its first-ever smart glasses. We're not talking about the company's Vision Pro mixed reality headset, but something akin to Ray-Ban's Meta smart glasses, which wear like normal glasses but are equipped with speakers, cameras, and some basic AI capabilities.

This particular chip is based on the processor used in the Apple Watch, only it's been customized to make it even more power efficient. It will also be able to control the "multiple cameras" that Apple plans to build into its smart glasses.

The chip should be ready for mass production by the end of 2026 or sometime in 2027, meaning that's roughly when Apple could launch the smart glasses.

Apple is reportedly working on two different versions of the smart glasses, one simpler, lightweight, and similar to the Ray-Ban Metas, and the other having AR capabilities.

Apple is also working on several new chips for Macs, including the ones that will likely launch under the names M6 and M7. There's also a "more advanced" Mac chip being developed, but for that one we know nothing besides the codename: Sotra.

SEE ALSO: Google's stock falls as Apple actively considers AI search for Safari

Finally, Apple is working on specialized chips for AI servers, coming in 2027. These servers will be the ones remotely processing Apple Intelligence requests from customers — right now, according to the report, Apple uses its high-end Macs chips for that purpose, such as the M2 Ultra.

Ultimately, this means the AI requests would be completed faster, and would open up the path for more powerful AI capabilities down the road.

TL;DR: ExpressVPN is a reliable option for unblocking leading porn sites like Pornhub, XVideos, and ePorner.

If you want to unblock popular sites like Pornhub, Xnxx, and ePorner, you should seriously consider using a VPN. These cybersecurity services can hide your real IP address and connect you to servers in other locations, meaning you can bypass content restrictions to unblock your favourite porn sites from anywhere in the world.

This process might sound complicated, but it's actually really quick and easy.

How to unblock ePorner for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in another location. This process tricks streaming platforms into providing you with access, even if there is a block in place over your network.

Unblock ePorner from anywhere in the world by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to ePorner

4. Connect to ePorner from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are unfortunately not free, but most leading services do offer free trials or money-back guarantees.

By utilising these offers, you can unblock porn sites like ePorner without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it means you can temporarily unblock porn sites like ePorner for free. This method is particularly useful if you frequently use unknown or unsecured networks when travelling.

What is the best VPN for porn?

There are plenty of VPNs that can reliably bypass content restrictions to unblock streaming platforms, but ExpressVPN is tough to beat. It's not the cheapest service, but users get a long list of impressive features:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use the money-back guarantee to unblock ePorner without committing with your cash. This is sneaky, but it works.

Unblock ePorner for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $600: As of May 9, the Dreame X40 Ultra Robotic Vacuum with Mop is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's 40% off its list price of $1,499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: DREAME Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum $899.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $600 Get Deal

A robot vacuum can be a helpful purchase if you're looking for a little extra cleaning assistance around the house. If you've been trying to track down a good option to buy, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth a look. One of our favorites is the Dreame X40 Ultra, which has received a 40% discount at Amazon.

Normally, the Dreame X40 Ultra Robotic Vacuum and Mop is listed for $1,499.99, but this discount has dropped the price down to $899.99. It's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so if it has caught your eye, you'll want to act fast to secure this low price.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the only ones I'd buy in 2025

Featuring powerful 12,000Pa suction, this model will collect any dust, dirt, and debris that drops on your floor. And with MopExtend technology, it can mop and clean corners that would usually be out of reach. It can handle a variety of surfaces as well, from hard floors to carpet, so you can feel content knowing every corner of your home is getting a good clean.

Don't miss out on 40% off the Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon.

Looking for more robot vacuum deals? Right now you can also save on the Roborock Q5 Max+ at Amazon, if you want to spend a little less right now.

SAVE $500: As of May 9, the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off its list price of $999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: DREAME Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $500 Get Deal

If you're still getting some spring cleaning done around the house, a robot vacuum can be a helpful investment to take the weight off. If you're on the hunt for a good option to buy, the good news is that there are some very nice deals available on select models right now. This includes the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop, which has received a 50% discount at Amazon.

This has dropped the price of the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat from $999.99 to $499.99, saving you $500 on list price. This deal may not stick around for long, as Amazon has it listed as a limited-time deal.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the only ones I'd buy in 2025

Boasting 7,000Pa suction, the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat can tackle any dirt, hair, or dust that's gathered up on your floor. It covers a variety of surfaces as well, so it can help keep multiple areas around your home looking clean and tidy. And when it comes to mopping, it features a mop extension making for a more efficient clean.

Treat yourself to a new robot vacuum with 50% off the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 MotoGP is shaping up to be pretty special. Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez, and Francesco Bagnaia are battling it out at the top of the standings, with all eyes on Le Mans this weekend.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France?

The MotoGP Grand Prix of France takes place at Le Mans. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France race starts at 8 a.m. ET on May 11.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free

The MotoGP Grand Prix of France is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $100: As of May 9, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's $100 off its list price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $279.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $100 Get Deal

We made a massive fuss about the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 dropped to its lowest-ever price last month. We shouted from the rooftops, we rang the bells, and we lit the beacons. And now we look like monumental fools.

Shame on us for not seeing into the near future. We jumped on that lowest-ever price like greedy children crowding around birthday cake at the end of a party. We should have stepped back, assessed the scene, and realized that a much bigger, tastier cake was being held back for the adults. Well that cake has been wheeled in, and it's absolutely glorious.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

As of May 9, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's $100 off its list price of $379.99, and a new record-low price on Amazon according to camelcamelcamel. Congratulations if you remained patient when the last deal dropped and we made all that noise. Your reward is an extra $10 saving. Spend it on something nice, and wipe that smug grin off your face.

The lowest-ever price might provide you with the nudge you needed to buy, but in case you're not convinced, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 speaks for itself. This popular smartwatch offers a variety of health and fitness features to keep you in the know, including a heart rate tracker, sleep tracker, wellness tips, and an Energy Score that lets you know exactly how much you're going to struggle through the day.

Don't miss out on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The Justice Department and Google are wrapping up a three-week hearing that could have a major impact on the search giant and how people gather information online.

A federal judge’s recent ruling has made it possible for apps to sell software and subscriptions outside the App Store without having to pay a commission.

Court documents show the company commissioned a sham report and lied on the stand to justify its actions, which will cast a shadow over future lawsuits.

At a landmark antitrust trial, a judge is weighing how to define competition for the social media giant in order to decide whether it broke the law.

Have you received an urgent email from tech support company Geek Squad, charging you an exorbitant amount of money for a subscription renewal?

It's a scam. The email is not really from Geek Squad, which is a legitimate business owned by the electronics retail chain Best Buy. And while scammers love to make it sound like you're minutes away from a massive credit card charge, they can't really charge you. The large amount stated in the email is just there to scare you…that is, unless you respond and give the cybercriminals the information they want.

So, up top, let's be clear: Don't respond to these Geek Squad scam emails. Ignore them. Don't engage with the scammer.

Reddit What is the Geek Squad scam?

Fake subscription or payment scams have been quite popular in recent months. One growing scam in this vein is the E-Z Pass toll road text scam, which tries to trick targets into thinking they owe a payment for a toll road. Victims either pay a phony bill, or they hand over valuable personal information while trying to "correct" the penalty.

The Geek Squad scam is quite similar. The scammer sends a fake bill via email to an unsuspecting target. The bill is ostensibly for a subscription to Geek Squad's technical support services. Sometimes, the bill will be for general support or for a specific yet vague product like a "network shield" or "computer protection."

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

However, there is one common strategy that these Geek Squad scammers all use: The price for the service is usually an exorbitant amount. It's not uncommon for these emails to inform users that they will be charged in the range of $300 to $500 for a renewal of this nonexistent subscription service.

The pricing on the fake bill is quite purposeful. A target will see they are about to be charged a large sum of money and immediately reach out to the phone number provided in hopes of stopping the charge. This is both a common technique among scammers and a dead giveaway: Beware all emails and texts that try to create a sense of urgency. Legitimate businesses won't use these kinds of pressure tactics.

Reddit

As with the toll scams, there's another layer here: Some victims will reach out to the scammer to stop the erroneous charge. If they are a Geek Squad customer, they'll contact the number with the belief that they are talking to real Geek Squad representative. If they're not, the scammers will try to trick them into revealing credit card numbers, social security numbers, or some other valuable information.

The Geek Squad scam has been going around for a few years now, which means it must be rather successful for scam artists because they keep utilizing this strategy. Over the past few months, there's been an uptick in local news reports on the scam, particularly in New York and Wisconsin, so be on your gard.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to avoid getting scammed

While scammers have likely been raking in the cash with their Geek Squad scam, thankfully, it's also very easy to avoid getting scammed.

The scammer relies on their target seeing the fake bill and contacting them via a link or phone number included in the email. Once the victim makes contact, the scammer engages in basic social engineering strategies to trick the target into giving them private information. Victims have also reported that the scammer convinced them to install software that allowed them to remotely control the target's computer.

Simply do not engage with an email allegedly from Geek Squad. Do not reply to the email. Do not click a link in the email. Do not call the phone number listed in the email.

If you are a Geek Squad customer and must reach the company, please go to Geek Squad's official website at Best Buy, which provides a real number for legitimate contact.

In conclusion: If you're wondering if that Geek Squad email is real, assume that it isn't.

The past week or so has been a real whirlwind for anyone lookin forward to Grand Theft Auto VI.

Last Friday, Rockstar told us the game was delayed to the middle of 2026. Then, on Tuesday, we got a surprise second trailer for the game, full of story bits and some looks at the very realistic and lively looking version of Vice City that acts as its setting. Finally, on Wednesday, Rockstar revealed one more very interesting detail about the trailer itself: It was captured entirely on a base PlayStation 5 console, and apparently features "equal parts" gameplay and cutscenes.

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The first part of that announcement is a very pleasant surprise. There's been a vibe online for a while now that Rockstar is creating a game world so large, fully-featured, and vibrant that it will struggle to run on current hardware. Hearing that Rockstar was able to capture all of the footage in this trailer, which does indeed look incredible on a technical level, on a regular PS5, is heartening for folks who thought they'd be left behind without upgrading to at least a PS5 Pro.

SEE ALSO: ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ review: 'Grand Theft Auto' meets Shakespeare in hilarious, moving doc

It's tougher to suss out which parts of the trailer are cutscenes and which are gameplay. A large majority of it, to me, looks like cutscenes, but there are a few shots of the protagonists driving cars, airboats, and jet-skis that look like they could conceivably be gameplay footage. None of it is shown from a third-person gameplay camera angle, though, so it's really hard to tell what is and isn't running in real-time.

Beyond all of that, Rockstar posted an absolute bounty of 70 screenshots from the game on its website to go alongside the trailer. There are obviously way too many to share in this one article, but I picked out my favorites.

See the Grand Theft Auto VI screenshots Vice City at sunset. Credit: Rockstar Games Decidedly not Vice City. Credit: Rockstar Games The Miami party vibes are out of control in 'GTA 6.' Credit: Rockstar Games Lucia Caminos gets locked up. Credit: Rockstar Games Find your happy place, Cal Hampton. Credit: Rockstar Games A character named DreQuan Priest. Credit: Rockstar Games A character billed as Raul Bautista. Credit: Rockstar Games The character Leonida Keys, who has real Florida Woman vibes. Credit: Rockstar Games

There are more than 60 more to sift through beyond that, so have yourself some fun during downtime at work by looking at them and wishing the game was out this month instead of next year.

My wife and I ran a half-marathon in Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago. If you're a runner, it was us, along with probably half your timeline.

Carl Radke from Bravo's Summer House? Check. Sen. Chuck Schumer, for whatever reason? Check. White House stenographer and running influencer Kate Mackz? Check (and more on her later). This isn't entirely surprising, considering some 25,000 people showed up to jog 13.1 miles that Sunday. But it's a symptom of a bigger, more annoying problem.

Run clubs, running influencers, #RunTok, and the concept of running as a trend have gone too far. It's making running less enjoyable.

Am I an old man yelling at a cloud? No! I am an old man yelling at a group of 40 jabronis, dressed in sleek, moisture-wicking, wildly expensive gear. I'm yelling at that very same group, rumbling down the narrow Williamsburg bridge path, three-wide, impossibly jolly, barreling through the solitary walkers and joggers.

If you think I'm exaggerating, I'm not. These were the exact conditions of the training runs my wife and I took. No fewer than a half-dozen times were we entirely overwhelmed — like a picnic inundated with fit, person-sized gnats — by oversized run clubs. And if you think I'm airing a local, personal grievance in a national publication, well, you're only half correct. Because it is a personal grievance that ultimately gets at a wider trend.

First of all, I'm not the only one complaining about the overbearing NYC run clubs. A thread blew up on Reddit eight months ago debating the subject. And it's not just NYC. It's a hotly debated issue on runner forums, all over social media, in Australia, and pretty much everywhere, to some degree.

SEE ALSO: I ran a half-marathon in my backyard like that viral tweet. I don't recommend it.

Now, to be clear, I love that people are running. I have been a runner my entire life. Not to brag (but to brag), I've done three marathons and ran a backyard half for Mashable during the COVID lockdown. My day doesn't feel complete without a jog, and it's cool that more people agree nowadays. What started for lots of people as a COVID-friendly hobby has become a wildly popular means for socializing. RunSignUp had 7.4 million race registrations in 2019. By 2024, that figure was 10.8 million. RunTok has racked up more than a billion views and attracted major brands like Nike and Brooks.

Run clubs themselves are not even the problem, not really. Neither is #RunTok nor running influencers. It's the confluence of those things that's turning running into a trend rather than a fun activity. It's the internet's obsession with too much of a good thing. It's the same disease that turns every Internet Thing into something with a massive, mobbed-out line. A 40-minute wait for a viral croissant is equivalent to the 40-person blob of runners swallowing the sidewalk.

It's great that people are turning to running, so much so that it's been called the "new group chat." It's awesome to see people hang out IRL while getting in a nice sweat. But a group chat with 40-some people is just as overbearing as a run club that size. We, as runners, have to practice etiquette.

SEE ALSO: The internet will have you wait in lines. Don't do it.

My proposal? Ten people. A group of runners has no reason to be more than 10 people. That gives you plenty of runners to chat with and enough bodies to claim some space from cars and cyclists (don’t even get me started on car culture). But it limits your group so it's not hogging the street, sidewalk, or bike path. If your run club has more than 10 people show up that day? Sick! I'm so glad you're building a community. Split that community up into groups of 10, each running a different route. You can all end at the same park and chat after your respective jogs.

While I complain, it's also important to note that run clubs have become, in a good way, about much more than running. Some have morphed into matchmaking groups. Lots of run clubs, like Philly's Slow Girl Run Club, have made it a point to welcome in all kinds of folks and make the hobby more approachable. It's genuinely wonderful that you could meet your partner, find friends, get acclimated to a city, or build community via running.

SEE ALSO: The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the budget-friendly fitness tracker of our dreams

But we should also be wary of anyone commoditizing running, which can include run clubs or the bandleaders therein. One of the things that makes running so beautiful is that anyone can do it. Sure, you can spend thousands of dollars on the latest shoes, gear, and gadgets. And you can also throw on a pair of sweats and hit the pavement. There is no entry fee for running. You don't need anyone to tell you how to do it; it's already coded within your DNA. And you certainly don't need an influencer like Mackz, a Brooklynite who'd lean on her audience's morals for views.

But I'd argue Mackz was already a symbol of where running went wrong before, you know, cheerfully selling out to the Trump administration by interviewing its press secretary while pretending to have the critical thinking skills of a goldfish. What started as a harmless schtick — she interviews people while running — quickly became a vehicle for celebrity worship and naked shilling. Her whole brand became using the trend of running to sell you on celebs Being Normal. The fun of RunTok, of runners finding community, is stripped for parts and presented for sale.

Sorry, but that sucks. And no, that doesn't directly relate to the hordes of runners in run clubs. But it's of the same ecosystem. To paraphrase reality TV, it's not running for the right reasons. Run clubs are great until you're doing a run club because doing a run club is what everyone's doing. Because here's a little secret: Jogging in a group of 40-some people cannot be fun for the runners. If you've ever done a race, you know this. The start of any running race is cramped and miserable. You jostle to find open paths and fret about turning an ankle. You're constantly either passing or getting passed. Packing a large group of runners onto the sidewalk, which, mind you, is still occupied by walkers, dogs, kids, and other runners, is basically recreating those circumstances.

Running should be meditative, and fun, and difficult, and hard on your knees, and rewarding, and the last thing you want to do after a long day, and the thing you're glad you did once you've done it. Running has been around since...well...since human beings have been around. We don't need to reinvent jogging — it doesn't need to be a trend or more than it is.

Running is putting one foot in front of the other and repeating for an indeterminate amount of time and distance. That's beautiful. It's between you and the ground and gravity, and it does not require dozens of comrades to bear witness.

TL;DR: Turn your smartphone into a scanner with a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now just $41.99 with code TAKE30 through June 1.

Don’t have the space for a desktop scanner? Those bulky gadgets are no longer in high demand, but we still need to be able to scan documents. SwiftScan updates the scanning process for 2025, offering a simple way to digitize documents directly from your device.

Right now, you can turn your smartphone or tablet into an on-demand scanner forever with a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for only $41.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 through June 1.

Turn your smartphone into a scanner

It’s surprising how often we need to scan things nowadays. From saving receipts to snapping a barcode or filling out a form, SwiftScan’s user-friendly interface lets you create high-quality scans with one tap. And this lifetime subscription means you’ll have a scanner at your fingertips every day.

SwiftScan instantly identifies document edges and captures and crops your pages, saving them as premium-quality scans that start at 200 dpi. Color filters, auto-optimization, and blur reduction offer enhancements, allowing you to decide whether to save them as a JPEG or PDF.

Need to scan multiple pages? That’s no problem — SwiftScan can even save them as a single document with Multi-Page scans. It can also scan QR codes and barcodes to save contacts, open websites, view product information, and more.

Once you’ve scanned, you can easily send files to where they need to go via email, fax, or upload them to your preferred cloud storage service.

In addition to scanning, SwiftScan also serves as a PDF editor. You can draw, highlight, or erase text in your scans. There’s also the option to add signatures and notes, redact content, or add, remove, or reorder multiple pages, if needed. It also saves and organizes your scans in folders so you can easily find them later.

Make the scanning process seamless with a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for just $41.99 (reg. $199.99) with code TAKE30 now through June 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Maple Media SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $41.99
$199.99 Save $158 Get Deal

TL;DR: Keep track of your wallet once and for all with the KeySmart® SmartCard, now available in a three-pack for just $79.97 (reg. $119.97) through May 11.

Tired of hunting down your wallet every time you leave the house? Or searching for your passport at the last minute before a big trip? The KeySmart SmartCard makes finding your items as easy as opening the Apple Find My app. And right now, a three-pack of these sleek trackers can be yours for just $79.99 for the next two days.

Stop losing things with this sleek smart tracker

The KeySmart SmartCard is less than 2mm thick — about the size of two credit cards — making it an ultra-slim option that’s great for places AirTags just can’t fit, like wallets or passports. There’s also a lanyard slot available so that you can keep an extra eye on your ID cards or security badges.

Once you place your KeySmart® SmartCard, add it to the Find My app on your Apple device for easy tracking. It plays a sound when you need to locate it, and even notifies your Apple devices if you’ve left it behind.

If you lose an item, the KeySmart SmartCard can help you get it back by showing the last known location and displaying a message and contact information to anyone who finds your card.

Got an item that might be braving the elements? You can rest easy knowing it has an IPX8 rating, one of the highest possible waterproof ratings, so that it can survive up to an hour in 3.3 feet of water.

The rechargeable battery on the KeySmart SmartCard lasts up to five months on a single charge. And when you do need to recharge it, you can power it up with any Qi-enabled wireless charger, so you don’t need a special cable.

Act fast to score a three-pack of KeySmart® SmartCards for just $79.97 (reg. $119.97) now through May 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Works with Apple Find My (3-Pack) $79.97
$119.97 Save $40 Get Deal

At this point, just the sight of Tim Robinson's face is a comedic weapon.

Case in point: the opening scene of Friendship, which begins with a tight shot on cancer survivor Tami (Kate Mara) sharing with her support group. As the camera zooms out, her husband Craig (Robinson) comes into view beside her, and his look of too-intense concentration is enough to send anyone into orbit. It's not long before he opens his mouth to glibly interrupt Tami's worries about her cancer returning, just the first of many social faux pas Craig will commit across the course of Friendship.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

If you're both cringing and cackling at the thought of this interaction, that's the Robinson effect. The I Think You Should Leave creator is a master at wringing comedy from social anxiety, as well as crafting oddball characters whose quirks are only outweighed by their earnestness (and their propensity for shouting). All these qualities are on display in Friendship, a film that tests the limits of how much Robinson-style cringe comedy you can stand.

Hardcore Robinson fans will likely enjoy, but even as a Robinson appreciator, I felt that the I Think You Should Leave-style bits that make the film's early scenes such an uncomfortable blast quickly lose their sheen. They work well in sketches, but can they hold up the weight of an entire feature film? Friendship, written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, suggests not.

What's Friendship about? Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in "Friendship." Credit: A24

At its core, Friendship is all about the trials of male friendship and male loneliness. Robinson's Craig has little to no social life — as Tami points out, he always spends his evenings sitting in their living room. ("You don't know my schedule!" Craig spits, one of many great Robinson line readings.)

So when neighbor Austin (Paul Rudd) invites Craig over for a drink, it's more than just a friendly get-together. For Craig, it's the start of a brand-new, beautiful future. In fantasy sequences, he sees himself playing drums in Craig's band, then leading Craig and a larger crew through the apocalypse.

SEE ALSO: Why 'I Think You Should Leave' Season 2 is a major meme event

His encounters with Austin are almost as fantastical as his imagined future. Austin brings him through their town's sewer system to the top of city hall. He takes Craig mushroom foraging. He encourages Craig to ditch his phone, to buy a drum set, to try new things.

But their beautiful friendship collapses after a nightmare hang with Austin's other friends. One shattered glass door, several bruised noses, and one a capella cover of Ghost Town DJs' "My Boo" later, Craig is ousted from Austin's inner circle and left to spiral.

Friendship starts strong, then unravels. Tim Robinson in "Friendship." Credit: A24

These opening sequences of Craig and Austin's early meets are Friendship's strongest, with Robinson nailing the awkward catch-up of hanging out with someone you definitely want to be friends with. Rudd, meanwhile, excels as a character who has his own struggles and ambitions — like wanting to be the morning weatherman instead of the evening — but who also exists for Craig to project his fantasies of friendship onto. Their odd-couple dynamic is rife with opportunities for anxiety-inducing laughs, which comes to a fever pitch in the aforementioned group hang.

But once Craig and Austin have their friendship breakup, Friendship finds itself as adrift as Craig. The film meanders from one bit to the next — like a disastrous meeting with the town mayor, or an unsuccessful return to the sewers — with each acting like its own sketch that's been awkwardly strung together. Perhaps this unmoored feeling is DeYoung's goal, to place us in Craig's shoes as he navigates life without a friend who meant so much to him. Yet with so many sections feeling so underwhelming — only a toad-induced drug trip truly delivers on Friendship's comedic strangeness — you may find yourself feeling more disengaged than unmoored.

Something similar happens with Craig, who often reads as a collection of gags as opposed to a full-fledged character. He's both obsessed with wanting to see "the new Marvel" but deathly afraid of having it spoiled. He eats soap in order to repent for being a "bad boy." His biggest goal in life is finishing a local bar's novelty meal themed around the SEALs who killed Osama Bin Laden. These are all hilarious both in and out of context in Friendship, helped along by Robinson's reliably panicked — often screaming — delivery. But are we laughing because Craig is a character we've grown to know over the course of the film, or because we're projecting our prior experiences of watching Robinson in similar roles onto Craig?

Friendship still elicits plenty of laughs and discomfort from its look at a collapsed friendship. Ultimately, though, it overstays its welcome, much like Craig at a group hang.

Friendship is now in theaters.

When Mimi*, 22, was in college, she created a fake profile on the dating app Hinge to report another phony account. Someone was impersonating her then-boyfriend on the app, and the couple wanted to report this account together. "I didn't think much of it at the time," she says. But two years later, single and living in New York City, Mimi turned back to Hinge, this time in a real attempt to try online dating and meet someone new. She quickly discovered she had been banned.

Trying to reverse the situation, Mimi wrote a complaint to Hinge, outlining her circumstances in a few brief sentences. She wanted to use the app to restart her dating journey, preferring it over Tinder, Bumble, Raya, and the other seemingly countless options out there. Her appeal didn't help, though. Mimi says Hinge sent back a "somewhat automated response," telling her she had been permanently banned from using the app. She gained no further clarity from the email, with Hinge providing no other details. 

SEE ALSO: Sick of dating apps? Try a dungeon sound bath instead.

Mimi isn't alone in experiencing seemingly arbitrary and unfair bans from Hinge. Over the last three years, over 15,000 users have filed complaints about Hinge with the consumer advocacy group Better Business Bureau, many claiming to have been unfairly exiled from the app. Most of these users said the bans were irreversible. In the last year alone, Hinge received over 7,000 reports on the same platform. "I was unjustly banned from Hinge," reads one complaint. "I have not acted in any unlawful or inappropriate manner while using Hinge on or off the app," complains another. 

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Karma, 23, is based in New Delhi and tells Mashable she found most of her dates in the city via Hinge — that is, until she was banned from the app earlier this year. She isn't entirely sure why it happened. "I wasn't provided with any clear-cut reason," she says. She has a hunch, though. At some point, she asked a few matches to participate in a survey she was conducting, sending out a link in direct messages. People may have reported her "out of annoyance," she says.

"When it comes to bans, a lot of people report accounts out of sheer spite, and Hinge should really look thoroughly into the matter before banning a person straight away," she says. "I think using the app for non-dating purposes isn't a bad thing. Or, at least for petty reasons as such, [they] should start with a warning."

Hinge is "committed to keeping daters safe by using protocols that protect the integrity of [the] community," Tamika Young, Hinge's VP of global communications, tells Mashable. 

"If someone believes they were incorrectly removed from the platform, they are encouraged to submit an appeal directly in the app or via email. Every appeal is reviewed by a human moderator," continues Young. She pointed towards Hinge's Help Center and Terms of Service. Within the help center, the company explains that users get explanations for some appeal decisions, but not for others. 

Tinder takes "appropriate actions on accounts" that have violated the app's Terms of Use, Community Guidelines, or Policies, Philip Price Fry, VP of communications at the platform, tells Mashable. "Tinder uses a combination of AI and human moderation to detect these violations, and we work hard to reduce any wrongful removals from our platform," Fry tells Mashable. "If a member believes their account was banned in error, they can appeal from the Appeal Center within the app."

Of course, there are valid reasons for bans, from predatory behaviors to catfishing. Match Group, which owns Hinge, Tinder, and other dating apps, has recently come under fire for reportedly concealing assault cases and failing to ban users accused of sexual assault, even after reports were made directly to the company. Three in four dating app users have experienced abuse on these platforms, according to a 2022 study by the Australian Institute of Criminology. Staying safe on dating apps is imperative. Apps have introduced a selection of safety features over the years, such as Tinder's contentious background check option and Hinge's "Hidden Words" feature, which lets users filter out unwanted content. 

At times, seemingly random bans may be a widespread consequence of efforts to combat abusive behaviors, affecting those who are simply trying to meet someone. "Platforms are really trying to push back against bots and a lot of bad and inappropriate behaviors that come up," says Liesel Sharabi, an associate professor at Arizona State University specializing in the intersection of technology and relationships. "So I think that they're getting seemingly stricter about the bans."

Why are bans on Tinder and Hinge becoming so common? 

Across X and TikTok, dating app users allege these bans have been imposed on them, and they are left to speculate why. 

Most say whatever got them banned is unclear. Some think it's because of revenge reporting: ex-partners or unhappy matches report accounts out of malice. Some report being banned after ghosting matches (a repercussion Bumble formally introduced in 2023). Others say their accounts appeared too bot-like, even when they were real. In Mimi's case, creating a new account could have been a problem; according to The Tab, this is one of the many "innocent" actions that can get you exiled from the land of digital dating. There have also been discriminatory reasons for bans: in 2019, trans people were getting banned from Tinder as a result of people reporting them unfairly. Tinder acknowledged the issues trans people face on the app, releasing a statement declaring their commitment to inclusivity. 

On the Reddit forum SwipeHelper, a group dedicated to dating app qualms and queries, several users express confusion and even helplessness thanks to what they consider to be arbitrary bans. People complain the most on the subreddit about Tinder and Hinge and say that appeals are essentially useless, as cases like Mimi's show. Some said that once they were banned on Hinge, the same happened on Tinder, rendering both unusable. 

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These bans are becoming increasingly common, says Sharabi. She posits that many users don't read the terms of service on apps and end up getting inadvertently exiled. (Hinge was unable to provide how many users it bans year over year.)

"I think what's missing for a lot of people is the explanation," says Sharabi. "And for some people, that's going to be obvious, like they were misrepresenting themselves or something really blatant. But for other people, I think it's a lot more ambiguous, and they don't necessarily know how they can challenge that decision, or who they can talk to to have it reconsidered. They want to know what they did." She adds that people don't necessarily know how a decision can be challenged or reconsidered, leading to "a frustrating experience."

Mimi says she appreciates the security measures being taken by apps, but thinks that both the banning and appeal processes need reform. "It really does seem like their responses [to appeals] are completely automated, and I haven't heard of a single case in which someone who wrote an appeal had their ban removed," she says. "If they're putting in so much effort to get rid of bots, then they should stop acting like bots themselves." As with most large tech companies with vast user bases, this is unlikely to change: most will turn to automated solutions to sift through such reports. 

"If they're putting in so much effort to get rid of bots, then they should stop acting like bots themselves." - Banned Hinge user Mimi

In response to this dilemma, people have come up with some solutions to surpass bans themselves. On TikTok and Reddit, people suggest getting a new phone or number and using a fresh email address, although these fixes can easily lead to bad actors — who have been justifiably banned — managing to get back on these apps after getting removed. Some also say DatingZest, a platform created for the sole purpose of getting banned users back on the apps, has worked for them (others have pointed out that the service hasn't always done the trick). In a statement to Mashable, DatingZest says it has helped "countless users" make comebacks on apps, especially when it comes to Hinge. The platform was created after its team realized "how many innocent users get banned due to dating apps' automated systems, sometimes from a single false or revenge report." 

"The lack of transparency and inconsistent moderation is a major frustration for many daters," says DatingZest.

While some quick fixes are available to users, the problem goes deeper. In recent years, despite the ubiquity of online dating, people have faced serious swipe fatigue and felt a lack of trust in these apps. When it comes to the digital platforms that have become fundamental tools for matchmaking, frequent bans are just another cause for concern.

Getting in the way of love — and matches 

Today, it almost goes without saying that dating apps are central to dating culture. Heterosexual couples are more likely to meet online than in person, as researchers at Stanford University found in 2019. 53 percent of Americans under 30 report using such platforms at some point in their lives, according to 2023 data from the Pew Research Center. 

So when someone is banned from a prominent dating app, the effects — both perceived and in practice — are real. "Dating apps have become the single most common way that people meet in the U.S.," says Sharabi. "And so if somebody is getting banned from a dating app, that can seem like a minor thing, but it's actually quite a big deal. It's the equivalent of getting kicked out of the most popular club in town where everyone's meeting and you're now no longer allowed to enter."

Karma says getting banned from Hinge left her feeling uneasy. She says her experience with meeting people on Hinge, compared to other apps in India, was a positive one. "We can always meet new people at social events but Hinge was a very convenient way to do that," she says. 

"It's the equivalent of getting kicked out of the most popular club in town where everyone's meeting and you're now no longer allowed to enter." - Associate professor at Arizona State University, Liesel Sharabi

Mimi, similarly, says that she didn't think the ban would be "that big of a deal" at first. "But when you're out there on weekends, trying to meet people, that's when you realize it's simply not how it's done anymore," she tells Mashable. "The easiest way [to meet someone] is to do it digitally." 

"I think being banned from these apps definitely has social ramifications," Mimi says. 

Sharabi says that these bans can be scary for people, especially those who have been reliant on them in the past. "I think for people that are single and looking to date, there can be this feeling that they have to be on the apps to be successful," she explains. She also says that this dependence on apps begs the question of social utility: "They're providing a pretty essential service to people."

However, she senses a potential shift on the horizon. Sharabi mentions the onset of AI and its effects on dating, with its potential to improve the dating app landscape. She suggests that AI could help apps "reconfigure how they're matching people and re-examine how they're helping people form relationships." For users, AI has been increasingly wielded to help write profiles or craft messages. But she also says young people are leaning toward surrendering apps entirely to meet people face-to-face. But, as the numbers suggest, apps are still not going anywhere — and can't be ruled out. 

Mimi is one example: someone caught between exploring the world of online dating and wanting to forge connections outside of these platforms. She says she would love to meet someone in person now. "That's the dream, isn't it?"

* Names changed for privacy.

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