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Save $20 on the bass-heavy Soundcore Boom 2 for your outdoor music needs

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:39

SAVE $20: As of May 13, Anker's Soundcore Boom 2 speaker is on sale for $119.99 instead of $139.99 at Amazon. That's 14% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Boom 2 speaker $119.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

There's one thing a successful beach day, backyard barbecue, pool party, and tailgate all have in common: they're incomplete without music. Need an outdoor speaker to accompany your summer shenanigans? Check out the Anker Soundcore Boom 2, which happens to be on sale for $20 off.

As of May 13, you can pick up the Soundcore Boom 2 for an affordable $119.99 instead of $139.99. That's 14% in savings, which isn't a massive discount, but still puts it in a solid price range for its value.

The right outdoor Bluetooth speaker delivers powerful sound, a long-lasting battery life, and a build that can withstand the elements. The Soundcore Boom 2 checks all of those boxes. It'll last up to 24 hours per charge and delivers big bass sound (plus a BassUp 2.0 feature) in a floating waterproof body. Plus, it features some fun LED lighting to add to the party vibe and a built-in power bank to give your phone some juice.

Though we haven't tested it for ourselves, our friends at PCMag and CNET (both owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) gave the speaker sparkling reviews. PCMag writes that it "offers a good blend of power and personality" and "packs a serious bass punch for its size and price." CNET simply sums up that it "delivers top bang for your buck." Sure, there are even more powerful Bluetooth speakers overloaded with special features, but if you don't want to empty your bank account for good sound, the Soundcore Boom 2 is your guy.

The best deals from Amazon Pet Day — GPS collars, automatic feeders, and more

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:30
Best deals from Amazon Pet Day Best automatic feeder deal Petlibro Upgraded RFID Automatic Cat Feeder $127.38 (Save $42.61) Get Deal Best GPS collar deal Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar $159 (Save $30) Get Deal Best toy deal Catstages by Nina Ottosson Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play $13.55 (Save $5.44) Get Deal Best pet camera deal Furbo 360 pet camera $47 (Save $52) Get Deal

Amazon Pet Day is officially here, which means it's the perfect time to spoil your furry friend and show them how much you appreciate their companionship. Running from May 13 to 14, the sale features up to 30% off a variety of products, including automatic feeders, GPS tracking collars, toys, and more.

SEE ALSO: The best dog puzzles to occupy your pup and keep them mentally stimulated

There's a lot on sale during the event, but we took the liberty of finding you the very best deals from Amazon Pet Day so you don't have to waste your time sifting through it all. Check out our favorite deals below, and give your pet some scratches for us.

Best automatic feeder deal Opens in a new window Credit: Petlibro Petlibro Upgraded RFID Automatic Cat Feeder $127.38 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $42.61 Get Deal Why we like it

An automatic feeder can be a lifesaver for busy pet owners who can't be home 24/7, and Petlibro's upgraded cat feeder is a great option that's on sale for Amazon Pet Day. This feeder is unique in that it comes with an RFID collar tag for your pet, ensuring that only they can trigger the dispenser. If you live in a household with multiple pets, you know how helpful something like that could be. The device can also track your pet's dietary habits and give you a detailed breakdown within its companion app, which can also be used to schedule feeding times and more. Pick one up during the sale and save $42.61.

Best GPS collar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fi Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar $159 at Amazon
$189 Save $30 Get Deal Why we like it

A GPS collar is a must for people who take their pets on the go with them, and the Fi Series 3 is one of our favorites. The Fi Series 3 not only lets you track your pet's location in real time, but it also gives you analytics on their activity and sleep habits that you can view within the Fi app. It also has a three-month battery life and a durable stainless steel design. Get one for $30 off during Amazon Pet Day.

Best toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Catstages Catstages by Nina Ottosson Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play $13.55 at Amazon
$18.99 Save $5.44 Get Deal Why we like it

Enrichment puzzles can be a great addition to your pet's toy basket, and this super cute one from Catstages is slightly discounted during the Amazon Pet Day sale. It's easy to clean, will keep your pet occupied, and also acts as a slow feeder. Pick one up and save $5.44.

Best pet camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Furbo Furbo 360 pet camera $47 at Amazon
$99 Save $52 Get Deal Why we like it

There's almost a zero-percent chance you haven't heard of or bought the Furbo pet camera by now, but in case you haven't, you can snag one on sale for over $50 off the original price during Amazon Pet Day. Not only does it let you keep tabs on your pet when you're not home, but it also lets you toss out bite-sized treats to show them how much you miss them, and has a two-way audio function.

More deals from Amazon Pet Day The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

Carvana, a Used Car Retailer, Thinks Tariffs Could be Good for Business

NYT Technology - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:22
The chief executive of Carvana, which sells used cars online, said President Trump’s tariffs could help his company by increasing demand for its vehicles.

Is Slate Auto’s Electric Truck the Answer to Expensive Cars?

NYT Technology - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:22
Slate Auto, a start-up backed by Jeff Bezos, plans to sell a small, spartan electric truck that comes with no paint, stereo or touch-screens.

Save $90 on my favorite air purifier brand and stay sane during allergy season

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:20

SAVE $90: As of May 13, shop the Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max air purifier at Amazon for $90 off. Get it for $259.99, down from $349.99, to save 26% — your allergies will thank you.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blueair Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max air purifier $259.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $90 Get Deal

We can all agree that this year, spring allergies have been extra brutal. While I welcome the warmer weather and beautiful spring flowers, the pollen is totally taking me out. While my medicine cabinet is fully stocked with allergy meds, an air purifier is essential in combating seasonal and year round allergies.

Right now, you can score some major savings on an air purifier from my favorite brand, Blueair. Grab the Blue Pure 211i Max air purifier at Amazon for just $259.99, down from $349.99, saving you $90 for 26% off.

We're big fans of Blueair's air purifiers in my household. When I moved in with my partner and their cat, investing in an air purifier was a priority due to my allergies. We got a Blueair air purifier, and it totally changed the game. Gone were my stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes — all thanks to our air purifier.

SEE ALSO: A refurbished Dyson V15 Detect stick vacuum is $350 cheaper than buying new at Amazon

Since getting our first Blueair, we've added a second air purifier from the brand to our home. Not only are the Blueair purifiers powerful, clearing the air of dust, dander, and pollen, but they work quietly too. Our purifier cleans the air of our bedroom while staying totally silent.

The Blue Pure 211i Max air purifier works in large spaces, cleaning over 3,000 square feet in one hour. It does all of it with HEPASilent filtration, so you don't have the constant buzz of your air purifier in the background while you're trying to watch TV. Plus, with the Blueair app, you can monitor your air quality and schedule your air purifier to cycle through certain settings.

Shop the Blue Pure 211i Max air purifier at Amazon now and save $90.

Best home and kitchen deals

Outfit your home with a Samsung Soundbar for $170 off

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 11:10

GET $170 OFF: May 13th, the Samsung HW-B650/ZA 3.1 Channel Soundbar is currently on sale for $229.99, down from $399.99, for a savings of $170, or 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung HW-B650/ZA 3.1 Channel Soundbar $229.99 at Best Buy
$399.99 Save $170 Get Deal

Good TVs are better with good sound. If you're looking to supe up a home theater, Samsung is currently making it simple.

Shop now, May 13th, to get $170 off the Samsung HW-B650/ZA 3.1 Channel Soundbar — now $229.99.

SEE ALSO: The JBL Clip 5 just got its biggest discount of 2025

With three channels and a subwoofer, this soundbar provides directional audio for less. It has a crisp central speaker that enhances vocal clarity. With virtual surround sound, its secondary speakers bounce sound off the room around you to create the feeling of immersion.

While the speaker system is designed to connect to TVs and game devices, it's also simple to connect to with Bluetooth. Use it to stream concertos and live concert recordings, or put on a podcast.

Make your eardrums tingle with these standout audio deals

Right now, May 13th, Best Buy is offering 43% off the Samsung HW-B650/ZA 3.1 Channel Soundbar, getting you $170 in savings.

Whether you're looking to maximize immersion in your playthrough of The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remastered or really feel the opening theme music on that long awaited rewatch of The Wire, this Samsung soundbar will give your home audio wings.

The Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is back to its lowest price at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:52

SAVE $20: As of May 13, get the Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $99.99, down from its usual price of $119.99, at Amazon via on-page coupon. That's a discount of 21%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station $99.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If your nightstand is always cluttered with multiple chargers, you might want to try something that consolidates them. You need something that can handle most of your tech with just one plug to worry about — and Belkin has your back with today's deal at Amazon.

As of May 13, get the Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $99.99, down from its usual price of $119.99, at Amazon via on-page coupon of $20. That's a discount of 21% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Grab Amazon's flagship Echo smart speaker for $35 off

This 3-in-1 charging station can charge up to three items at once: your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. They're juiced up via fast charging powered by Qi2 technology, which can handle up to 15W charging, plus, it supports MagSafe. Since the charger itself is magnetic, all you have to do is drop your phone on the charging station with your AirPods and Apple Watch on their designated areas, and they'll start charging.

The entire unit is made from fire-resistant materials, and there's an LED light that comes on to let you know that everything is charging as it should be. It supports Apple Watches up to the Ultra 2 model, and you can even use your iPhone while it charges on the magnetic mount.

If you're tired of having to play musical chairs with your chargers, this is an excellent deal. Make some space on your nightstand and stop worrying about swapping out electrical outlets.

Best Tech Deals

Get ready for your next barbecue with this JBL party speaker — now $130 off

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:51

SAVE $130: As of May 13, shop the JBL Extreme 4 speaker for $249.95. That saves you $130 for 34% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Extreme 4 $249.95 at Amazon
$379.95 Save $130 Get Deal

With the warmer weather finally here, it's time to get outside. Grab your allergy meds and clean off the grill because it's barbecue season. As you get ready to host your first shindig, don't forget about the ambiance. If your bluetooth speaker kicked the bucket over the winter, then here's a deal for you.

As of May 13, shop the JBL Extreme 4 speaker for just $249.95. That's down from its usual $379.95, saving $130 for 34% off.

The JBL Extreme 4 speaker is made for partying. It comes with an attachable shoulder strap so you can take it on the go and comes with 24 hours of playback. With an IP67 rating, its dustproof and waterproof so it can withstand the great outdoors. Plus, did we mention the shoulder strap has a built-in bottle opener?

Shop the JBL Extreme 4 speaker on Amazon and save $130.

Best audio deals

New GOP bill would basically ban porn, experts warn

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:45

A bill that rewrites the legal definition of "obscenity" could potentially change the internet as we know it.

Last week, Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Illinois Rep. Mary Miller reintroduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA), which would redefine what is considered "obscene" material. Obscenity isn't protected by the First Amendment, which enshrines freedom of speech.

SEE ALSO: What the Supreme Court hearing about age verification could mean for you

"It may as well be an outright ban on pornography," adult industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein told Mashable, "because basically, under [Lee's] definition, all adult entertainment, all forms of pornography, will be deemed obscene."

Obscenity, porn, and the law

Obscenity is "outside the bounds of the First Amendment," explained Mike Stabile, director of public policy at adult industry trade organization, the Free Speech Coalition. "You cannot distribute it, you can't sell it, you can't post it online…it is something you can be prosecuted for."

In U.S. law, obscenity is currently determined by the "Miller test," a three-part test introduced after the 1973 Supreme Court case Miller v. California:

(a) whether "the average person, applying contemporary community standards" would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient [shameful or morbid sexual] interest… 

(b) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law, and...

(c) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. 


All three parts must be proven in order for material to be deemed "obscene" — not protected under the First Amendment.

IODA would redefine obscene material as visual media that:

(i) taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

(ii) depicts, describes, or represents, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or lewd exhibition of the genitals, with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person; and

(iii) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value

IODA would remove the "community standard" requirement. In the age of the internet, clearing that bar is more difficult, according to Stabile, because "what is the community standard of the internet?" A jury would have to agree on it. But if that portion's removed, then prosecutors wouldn't have to prove that most people believe the content is prurient (not just sexual, but shameful or morbid sexual interest) and doesn't have social value.

IODA would allow prosecutors to say, "'It no longer matters if it's offensive to the larger community…if it's offensive to us, we can bring a case,'" Stabile explained.

Further, the test in IODA also removes "and" — which means that instead of proving all three prongs of the Miller test, which is the current standard, only one part would need to be proven, according to Silverstein.

That doesn't mean there wouldn't be hurdles to proving content is obscene, said Stabile, but he doesn't think IODA itself is nearly as important as what it signals: the GOP wants to illegalize porn.

Project 2025 connections

As Mashable previously reported in an article about how Trump may handle porn in his second term, Lee first introduced IODA in 2022. He also introduced the Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act the same year, but both failed. The SCREEN Act calls for an expansion of age-verification laws, state requirements to upload a government ID or facial recognition scan in order to view explicit websites (that comply with the laws).

Lee reintroduced IODA and the SCREEN Act in the 2023-24 legislative session, and they both failed again. Lee and now Miller reintroduced SCREEN yet again this February, and IODA is back, too.

"If you pull back and you look at the broad picture of censorship that's going on, from any information about trans people to sexual health information, certainly to anything that has adult content, they are following their promises in Project 2025," said Ricci Levy, president and CEO of the sexual freedom nonprofit Woodhull Freedom Foundation. "And this is just another attempt."

Levy refers to Project 2025, the conservative policy blueprint for Trump's second term. Among many other measures, it calls for banning pornography and imprisoning the people who make it. 

Oklahoma Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced a bill to do just that — criminalize adult content — in January. Statutes like age-verification don't outright ban porn, but do so in a "backdoor" way, according to Project 2025 co-author and current director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. Last summer, undercover journalists caught Vought saying this on a secret recording.

So while free speech advocates and researchers have been saying age-verification laws don't work for their intended purpose, to stop minors from accessing porn, it seems that isn't the end goal of these laws. Nor would it be the end goal of IODA, experts say — despite what Lee said in the IODA announcement.

"Obscenity isn't protected by the First Amendment, but hazy and unenforceable legal definitions have allowed extreme pornography to saturate American society and reach countless children," Lee said in the press release.  

"That's just stuff and nonsense about children," Levy said, pointing to a Woodhull article on how minors aren't accessing porn at unprecedented levels. "It's just another one of those tried and tested sound bites that make these so challenging to fight."

"The bottom line is, this is all about speech suppression," Silverstein said. 

Censorship beyond porn

Stabile believes that on the surface, anti-porn prosecutors will be able to take more porn creators to court and render adult content illegal. Beyond that, bills like this would produce a chilling effect due to pressure and fear of being prosecuted. 

"If you had the federal government coming after you, it was incredibly expensive and incredibly hard to defend, and so people would just go out of business," he said of obscenity cases in the latter 1900s and early 2000s. An example is the 1990 obscenity charge against the Home Dish Satellite Corporation, a company that transmitted soft and hardcore porn through satellite across the country. It went out of business. 

"Certainly people did go to jail," Stabile continued. Among others throughout the decades, fetish porn maker Ira Isaacs received a four-year prison sentence in 2013 for producing and selling obscene material.

The potential chilling effect goes for porn creators, but also those who create content about sex and sexuality, period. 

"The focus of the right on the [adult] industry has been towards creating greater and greater liability for creating adult content and buying adult content," Stabile continued. He compared the GOP's treatment of the adult industry to that of reproductive rights: creating more and more regulations to make accessing it harder, such as with waiting periods for abortions and mandated ultrasounds. If you're a doctor or hospital, you have to comply — or be sued.

SEE ALSO: The OnlyFans creator mansion that's dividing the internet

"The intent we're seeing over and over again, whether it's Project 2025, or it's bills like this, or public statements, that that they believe that pornography should not be legal, and that they believe what they believe to be 'pornography' is this all-encompassing conversations about sex and sexuality in general," Stabile said.

"It's just such a slippery slope," said Levy, who mentioned the recent firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, who spoke out against book bans.

The ramifications of IODA are staggering, but it's not the law yet. It failed twice and could fail again.

Silverstein believes that Lee reintroduced IODA to fire up his far-right base, and that it's going to be unsuccessful once again. Regardless, it's still a terrifying time for the industry.

"It's very overwhelming. It's causing a lot of stress and a lot of angst for people in the industry, sex workers, adult entertainment workers across the board," he said. 

Silverstein, however, believes that IODA has "absolutely no chance of working." 

"You can't just pass a law to usurp what the U.S. Supreme Court has already ordered," he said. According to Silverstein, Lee is ignoring the First Amendment and the Constitution, and he'll lose.

"Since the inception of recorded pornography, the industry has continuously been under attack," Silverstein said. "We've seen this before. It's happened before, and we push back, and we fought back, and ultimately we won."

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, get a free storage upgrade and $50 Amazon gift card

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:38

SAVE $170: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge at Amazon to get 512GB storage for the same price as the 256GB version of $1,099.99. You'll also get a free $50 Amazon gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung / Amazon Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge preorder (512GB) $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,269.99 Save $170 Get a free storage upgrade and $50 Amazon gift card Get Deal

No one wants a chunky phone. We want a slim design that easily fits into a pocket or slides into a cross-body bag. We also don't want to worry about how much storage space is left because we all have a lot of dog photos that need to be saved. Samsung has listened to these pain points and delivered with a new member of the Galaxy S25 family — and it's not only on sale today, but you'll also get a free storage upgrade and gift card.

Through May 29, pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and get the 512GB version for $1,099.99. The 256GB version normally sells for $1,099.99, so this deal includes double the storage for free. You'll also get a free $50 Amazon gift card with the preorder, which comes out to a total savings of $170.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is all about a thin design. So thin that Samsung has noted it's the slimmest S Series phone to date, measuring just 5.8mm thick. It weighs 163 grams, which is just one gram above the baseline S25. However, it's much lighter than the current Samsung flagship of the S25 Ultra, which comes in at 218 grams.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. iPhone 16: Which should you buy?

Mashable's Alex Perry went hands-on with the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and said, "...it's remarkably thin when you actually see and feel it. The height and width are just about at the upper end of what I consider acceptable, in the sense that I could feasibly use the phone full-time with just one hand if I needed to," noted the review. "But it's just so thin and light, especially considering the state-of-the-art chipset inside of it and the high-powered camera lens on the back."

Like the other Galaxy S25 phones, the Edge uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. The Edge measures out to a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 128GB RAM. This preorder deal gives you the 512GB version for the same price as the 256GB. That means you get twice as much storage for the same price.

You'll also be getting a completely free $50 Amazon gift card, so you can buy yourself something nice or snag a case for your new Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Keep in mind the phone is set for a release date of May 30.

Before this deal expires on May 29, upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and get a super slim design that doesn't skimp out on functions. Thanks to today's sale, the 512GB version is all yours for the same price as the smaller 256GB phone. Plus, a free $50 Amazon gift card is a welcomed addition to the deal.

The best tech deals to shop this week

Grab Amazons flagship Echo smart speaker for $35 off

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:35

SAVE $35: As of May 13, shop the Amazon Echo for $64.99 — a limited time deal. That saves you $35 for 35% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo $64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35 Get Deal

Amazon's voice assistant — Alexa — is more powerful than ever. In 2025, Alexa got upgraded to Alexa+, which can do a lot more than play music on command. Now Alexa+ can do multi-step tasks including planning date night and reading a bedtime story to kids. With all of Alexa's new features, it's a pretty good time to invest in an Echo device, and luckily Amazon's flagship is now on sale.

There are a lot of Amazon Echo Devices to choose from: the Echo Dot and Pop are two of the most popular. Those Echos are downsized versions of the flagship Echo, which is now on sale. As of May 13, shop the 4th generation Amazon Echo for $64.99. That's $35 off of its list price of $99.99 for 35% savings. And this is a limited time deal. As soon as all of the deals are claimed, this sale is over.

Best home and kitchen deals

The Amazon Echo is a super charged smart speaker. It answers to your commands whether you need it to set a timer, play music from Spotify, or turn on the lights. It's also compatible with Amazon Fire TV, linking together to create a well-rounded home theater experience. Not to mention, the Echo can link with other Echo devices so your music can play throughout the whole house.

Grab the Amazon Echo speaker now for just $64.99.

Best tech deals

Stock up on Claritin with a $12.50 discount at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:20

GET $12.50 OFF: As of now, May 13th, Claritin Allergy Medicine for Adults, 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Loratadine 10mg Pills, Antihistamine, 100 Tablets are on sale at Amazon for $37.49, down from $49.99 for a savings of $12.50, or 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Claritin Claritin Allergy Medicine for Adults, 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Loratadine 10mg Pills, Antihistamine, 100 Tablets $37.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $12.50 Get Deal

Welcome to the worst allergy season ever. Stock up on Claritin for less at Amazon. If you've spent the last month and a half sneezing your way past cherry blossoms and community gardens, this deal is for you.

Right now, May 13th, Amazon is running a sale on Claritin Allergy Meds. Get 100 tablets of 24-Hour Non-Drowsy Claritin for $37.49 and save $12.50.

SEE ALSO: The Peloton treadmill just hit its lowest price this year at Amazon

This has been one of the worst allergy seasons I remember. Seemingly every week, I or one of my friends succumbed to seasonal allergy oblivion. I spent half of April trying to decide if I had a cold, or if I had (correctly) diagnosed myself with yet another bout of tree pollen asphyxiation.

Thankfully, allergy medicine like Claritin can take the edge off.

Shop home and kitchen deals that will reinvent your habits this summer

Right now, May 13th, Amazon is running a timely sale on Claritin Allergy Medicine For Adults. Grab 100 tablets for $12.50 off, and get ready for the next wave of seasonal allergies.

The early days of tree pollen might be behind us, but summer allergies will kick in soon. Be ready for grass and weed pollen to strike in June and July.

A refurbished Dyson V15 Detect stick vacuum is $350 cheaper than buying new at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 10:13

SAVE $200: As of May 13, you can grab a refurbished Dyson V15 Detect stick vacuum at Amazon for only $399.99, down from $599.99. That's 33% off its typical refurbished asking price and about 47% off the cost of buying new.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Refurbished Dyson Detect V15 stick vacuum $399.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $200 Get Deal

If you're not the type of person who finds cleaning enjoyable, perhaps you're just using boring tools. Upgrading to a laser vacuum could be the trick to turning you into a certified cleaning enthusiast. Dyson's laser vacuums are all but guaranteed to make the cleaning process more exciting, but every Dyson has one major con: the price. That's why we recommend grabbing a refurbished model instead.

The Dyson V15 Detect is "a powerful vacuum with a novelty (the laser) that will actually make you want to vacuum more," according to Mashable's reviewer, and, as of May 13, you can get a refurbished model for only $399.99. That's $200 cheaper than its usual refurbished asking price and a whopping $350 off the typical price of buying a new model. We've seen new models drop to as low as $549.99, but never as low as this refurbished unit.

SEE ALSO: Grab the Dreame L40 Ultra Robot Vacuum for a dreamy $1,000 off

Worried about buying refurbished? This Dyson V15 Detect has been certified by the Amazon Renewed program in excellent condition with no scratches or cosmetic damages. You'll still get all five attachments and a wall dock; it may just come in a generic box. You'll also get a 90-day warranty for peace of mind.

While it's a few years old and no longer the only Dyson vacuum to sport a laser, the V15 Detect is still one of the most powerful stick vacuums you can buy. It features a beastly motor that unleashes 230 Air Watts of cyclonic suction and the iconic green laser that illuminates specks of dust on your path. You'll see dirt and debris you never even realized was there, which is equal parts disgusting and satisfying.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

Fight or Flights Josh Hartnett and Charithra Chandran on the action movies wildest stunts

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 09:08

If you loved watching '90s heartthrob Josh Hartnett go wild as a girl dad/serial killer in Trap, you won't want to miss the murderous mayhem he brings to Fight or Flight.

Directed by James Madigan, Fight or Flight stars Hartnett as disgraced former American operative Lucas Reyes, who's given one last chance to redeem his name. On an international flight peopled by demanding tourists, annoyed flight attendants — including the whip-smart Isha (Bridgerton's Charithra Chandran) — and an array of contract killers, Lucas must not only identify the mysterious black hat terrorist known as the Ghost, but also turn them into the American secret intelligence agency alive. With a big fat bounty on the Ghost's head, that's not easy work. And neither was making Fight or Flight.

SEE ALSO: Josh Hartnett compares his new role in 'Trap' to his character Zeke from 'The Faculty'

Shot on location on a real plane, the film demanded the actors get very comfortable with fight choreography in cramped quarters, like aisles, bathrooms, and the galleys of a plane.

In an virtual interview with Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, Hartnett and Chandran spoke to the challenges demanded by this very action-packed movie. Hartnett was quick to commend the stunt team, including his stunt double, Clayton Grover. For her part, Chandran shared how her experience on Fight or Flight — where she has some stunt scenes — helped prepare her for her role as Miss Wednesday in an upcoming episode of the live-action anime adaptation One Piece.

Fight or Flight is now in theaters.

Spotify’s AI DJ now takes requests

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 09:00

Spotify is turning up the volume on personalization with a new feature that lets Premium users make real-time music requests using just their voice. The music streamer has officially launched DJ requests, an interactive update to its AI-powered DJ feature, now available in over 60 markets worldwide.

According to Spotify, this upgrade comes in response to growing user demand for more control and interactivity during listening sessions. Now, instead of passively enjoying a curated mix created by AI, listeners can shape the vibe on the fly, asking for anything from a specific genre or artist to a soundtrack that fits their current mood or activity.

SEE ALSO: When does Spotify Wrapped start tracking for 2025? What we know. How DJ requests work

To try it out, Premium users can simply go to the Search tab in the Spotify app and type in "DJ." After pressing play, the AI DJ kicks off a personalized mix complete with commentary. When it's time to switch things up, users can press and hold the DJ button in the lower right corner until a beep sounds. That’s the cue to speak a request, such as:

  • "Play me some electronic beats for a midday run."

  • "Surprise me with some indie tracks I’ve never heard before."

  • "Play modern country songs for my cowboy era."

  • "Play something chill for a rainy afternoon."

  • "Give me K-pop hits with strong choreography vibes."

If you’re not sure what you want, Spotify has you covered: a quick tap of the DJ button skips to the next section for a fresh vibe without needing a specific command.

As audio platforms race to deepen engagement, Spotify’s voice-interactive DJ could redefine how users experience music on demand. By merging personalization, ease of use, and interactivity, the company aims to keep Premium users tuned in and tuned up, wherever they go.

Sure, voice recognition in a music app isn’t groundbreaking tech, and early users may find that the novelty wears off if the feature doesn’t consistently understand or deliver on more nuanced requests. Still, Spotify's move into voice interactivity signals a larger trend in streaming: shifting away from passive listening toward more dynamic, AI-driven engagement.

For Premium users, it’s another tool in an increasingly complex listening toolkit, one that aims to turn Spotify from a simple music streaming platform into a more conversational, almost companion-like experience.

So whether you're heading out for a run, hosting a dinner party, chasing a vibe, or just need the perfect track for your "main character moment," your Spotify DJ is now ready to take your requests, no searching required. Just say it, and let the DJ handle the rest.

Apple adds accessibility labels to App Store, braille options to hardware

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 08:00

This year marks four decades since Apple founded its first accessibility office, an initiative to build more adaptable computers that would launch decades of device and operating system tools, including Assistive Access and Personal Voice. As Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 15) approaches, Apple is leaning into this legacy.

Previewing a slew of new features set to be released throughout this year, the company explained it was ushering in a "new level of accessibility across the Apple ecosystem," utilizing on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence. This includes brand new App Store, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro updates, accessible device modes, and inter-device compatibility.

SEE ALSO: Apple is working on a feature that will make connecting to hotel Wi-Fi easier

“At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year."

App Store Nutrition Labels

Debuting on the App Store worldwide, and to Apple product listings later this year, the company announced a brand new accessibility tagging system that hopes to make it easier for Apple users with disabilities to find apps and products that fit their needs. 

Scroll down on apps and games in the Apple store to find the new Accessibility Nutrition Label, which includes in-depth accessibility information like features and compatibility, as well as external links to developer information (the labels don't have anything to do with nutrition, they're just modeled on the iconic design of food packaging labels). 

For now, developers will be limited to nine marketplace labels, including VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, Captions, and Audio Description. Apple's announcement coincides with wider tagging efforts, including those in the gaming industry, and required nutrition labels for internet service providers.

New magnifier features

Apple will finally add its flagship Magnifier tool to Mac, enabling users to activate Magnifier on a connected camera, including iPhones, and view the feed on their computers. Users can then adjust brightness, contrast, color filters, and perspective to make text and images easier to see, live capture views through the camera, and use document view on saved text. 

VisionOS updates

Apple Vision Pro will get expanded vision accessibility features via a new visionOS update later this year, too. A more controllable Zoom tool will let users zero in on specific areas of their field of vision, such as a recipe in a cookbook, while keeping the rest of the view the same. 

Individuals can also use Live Recognition on Apple Vision Pro to have their surroundings described to them, find objects, and read documents using on-device machine learning. A new main camera API will also open up access to developers of person-to-person assistance apps, such as Be My Eyes — Meta added a similar integration to its Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses last year.

Revamped Braille experiences

Apple is launching a new feature they're calling Braille Access, which turns iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro devices into a full-featured braille note taker, the company explains. Using Braille Access, users can launch apps, take notes in braille format, and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille (used for math and science equations). Braille Ready Format (BRF) files can be opened directly in Braille Access, and, paired with Live Caption, the devices can translate live speech directly into Braille.

Credit: Apple Accessible Reader mode

Accessible Reader takes Apple's text personalization and applies it systemwide, meaning individuals can customize any text in any app to their preferred reading set-up, like a different font, color, spacing, or Spoken Content tools. The mode is also available in Magnifier, so users can take real-world text, convert and customize it.

Credit: Apple Expanded motion controls

Apple Watch users will be able to use Live Captions in tandem with Live Listen, a feature that amplifies external sounds and turns your device into a remote microphone. By connecting their iPhone or other listening device to their Apple Watch, users can follow along to Live Captions synced with a device across the room, for example. 

Credit: Apple Credit: Apple

Apple will be revamping its motion-related accessibility tools this year too, including faster eye and head tracking for typing and motion sickness reduction for Mac.

Apple also plans to release expanded language options for AI-powered Live Captions, a new assistive access viewing mode for Apple TV watchers, and a new settings option that lets users share their personalized accessibility selections with other devices in an instant. 

The Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum is back to its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 07:33

SAVE $6: As of May 13, the Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum set is on sale for $23.99 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $29.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum $23.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $6 Get Deal

Lego Botanicals sets always make for lovely displays around the house. This is especially true of the Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum set, a bright display that's perfect to set up ahead of the summer months. If you've had your eye on it, the good news is that it's discounted right now at Amazon.

The Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum is currently on sale for $23.99. This is a 20% discount from its list price of $29.99, and even marks a return to its best-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: Lego just revealed a Pixar Lamp set, and you can pre-order it now

Coming with 278 pieces, the Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum set features posable leaves and one flower in full bloom, one blossoming, and two in bud. They come in a cute little pot that's sure to look great on a desk, bookshelf, or wherever you choose to put it. What's even better is it doesn't require any maintenance once it's built. Simply set it up and admire the pretty colors for as long as you like.

Enjoy a vibrant pop of color in your home with this discount on the Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum set at Amazon.

Looking for more Lego flowers at a discount? Right now you can also save on the Tiny Plants set and the Lego Botanicals Orchid is still on sale at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are over $50 off at Amazon

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 06:11

SAVE OVER $50: As of May 13, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's 20% off their list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal

Released earlier this year, the new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are already enjoying a discount at Amazon. If you've been hoping to scoop up these sleek earbuds — which we consider to be the best for fitness in our roundup of the best earbuds — now is a great time to do it.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are currently marked down to $199.95 at Amazon, a 20% discount from their list price of $249.99. This deal applies to all of the available color options as well, so you can save on the jet black, quick sand, hyper purple, and electric orange earbuds.

SEE ALSO: Score Sony's WF-C700N earbuds at their best-ever price at Amazon

These earbuds are well worth it if you've been looking for an upgrade for your workouts. They feature both Active Noise Canceling and Transparency mode, so you can choose how much noise you want to hear around you, alongside up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case to keep you listening for far longer between recharges. These earbuds can even track your heart rate with Heart Rate Monitoring sensors, which is a great bonus.

Treat yourself to the new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 while they're still listed at 20% off at Amazon.

Alongside these earbuds, there are a few more Beats deals worth checking out right now. You can see our favorites at the moment in our breakdown of Beats headphones deals, which includes a great discount on the Beats Studio Pro.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Googles G icon is different. Can you see it?

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 06:09

Google's got a new icon — though you do have to look hard to notice it.

The company started updating the icon on its apps, starting with Google Search on iOS (as noticed by 9to5Google), as well as Google on Android.

The "G" in the icon still consists of red, yellow, green, and blue colors, and still has the same shape, but the colors now blend into each other, making the logo look a bit smoother and, perhaps, more modern.

The Google Search app on iOS sports the new 'G' icon. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Given the change, it's reasonable to expect other Google logos and icons to change in a similar fashion, but so far it hasn't happened. Also, the company is still using the old "G" icon in many places, including in the Google Search favicon on the web, and its Google Search blog. Google's official repository of company logos hasn't been updated, either.

SEE ALSO: How to watch Google's 'The Android Show: I/O Edition' event live

The company introduced the colorful "G" icon back in 2015; originally, the "g" was lowercase, and white on a blue background.

Jon Stewart reacts to Trump being given a free private jet

Mashable - Tue, 05/13/2025 - 05:40

The U.S. economy has been on a rollercoaster ride these past few months thanks to the ongoing tariff war, but at least the president is getting a shiny new private jet from Qatar.

"Qatar is giving us a plane that Trump gets to keep?" asks an incredulous Jon Stewart in The Daily Show monologue above. "He's like the reverse Oprah. 'I get a jet! And that's it.'"

Stewart goes on to play a clip of Trump defending the decision, with the president appearing baffled by the idea that he wouldn't accept the gift.

"It's not a free jet," responds Stewart. "That's the point. You know the expression, 'There's no such thing as a free lunch?' That's about being sceptical of the motives of somebody who gives you a sandwich. A sandwich. A BLT. Now imagine that that BLT has an engine, nine bathrooms, and funds proxy wars."

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