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TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
Access to Pornhub is in turmoil. Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website. The same situation then took place in France, and although Pornhub is complying with the UK's age verification law, users are now required to provide personal information to access the site.
The situation is constantly changing, but you can stay one step ahead with a quick and easy hack. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
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Visit Pornhub
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite site, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Pornhub?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:
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Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.
Place your bets, grab your best hat, and make yourself a mint julep. It's Kentucky Derby time once again, folks.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is the 152nd running of the annual horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. As per usual, the race coverage will last for over eight hours, but the race itself will happen in a flash. There's a reason they call it The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. Here's what you need to know so you don't miss the most important moment — and how to watch everything leading up to it.
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?The 152nd Run for the Roses is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. Coverage will begin at noon ET on Peacock and NBCSN and at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The post time for the race itself is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. You'll want to make sure you're tuned in well before that so you don't miss a beat.
Who is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby 2026?After a couple of scratches ahead of the official race, the favorite is now Renegade (5-1), with Commandment (6-1) and Further Ado (6-1) close behind. Chief Wallabee (8-1) and The Puma (10-1) round out the top five favorites. Odds are expected to change as bettors make their wagers ahead of the race.
How to watch the 2026 Kentucky DerbyKentucky Derby TV coverage starts at noon on Saturday, May 2, on NBCSN and will switch over to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET. The official post time for the race is 6:57 p.m. ET, and coverage will end around 7:30 p.m. ET. Don't have cable? No problem. Cord-cutters can also stream the Kentucky Derby live on Peacock or through a paid TV subscription like YouTube TV or Sling.
Peacock subscriptions start at $10.99 per month, while most live TV subscriptions offer introductory trial periods, then start at around $20 per month. Don't want to pay full price? Below, we've rounded up the best ways to save money on your subscription.
Best Peacock streaming dealsBest long-term Peacock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealWhile a Peacock Premium monthly subscription typically costs $10.99, you can save about 17% by committing to an annual subscription instead. At $109.99 per year, that drops the monthly rate to just $9.17. In other words, you'll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10. The same goes for the Premium Plus plan without ads; while a monthly subscription would run you $16.99 per month, the price drops down to just $14.17 monthly if you pay for a year up front.
Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Get DealI highly recommend checking the eligibility deals below before signing up for Peacock if you're an Xfinity customer. There's a chance you could score a subscription for free. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible:
Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.
NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.
New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.
College students can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for just $5.99 per month for an entire year. Just prove your student status using your .edu email address through SheerID, and you'll receive a unique promo code to secure the discount. Just note that the discount code can only be used once. Young adults who aren't students can also score the same deal.
Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $6.99/month (save $4.month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get DealFirst responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers can all secure a Peacock Premium subscription (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month. So long as you can verify your professional status using SheerID, you'll be able to knock $4 per month off the usual subscription cost. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew your subscription yearly. Just note that rates are subject to change.
Best for Instacart users Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart+ / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get DealAn Instacart+ subscription ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, credit back on eligible pickup orders, and more perks. Not to mention, you'll get a free two-week trial to test the waters before you're charged. That's plenty of time to watch the Kentucky Derby for free (just saying).
Best for Walmart shoppers Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ subscription (free Peacock Premium) $98/year Get DealA Walmart+ subscription now gives you the option to subscribe to either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential for free (you can switch every few months). Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value on its own, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal. You'll also get a ton of other perks, including free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events. Did I mention it comes with a free 30-day trial?
Best live TV streaming dealsWhile Peacock is the most straightforward option for cord-cutters, it's not the only option. If you're looking to watch the Kentucky Derby live, along with other sports, live TV streaming services like Sling and YouTube TV are also great options. Even better, some offer free trials — so you can watch all eight hours of Derby coverage on NBC for free, then cancel before you're charged the full monthly fee (which can be kind of steep). Here are the best deals for watching the annual horse race and more via live TV streaming. Double-check that NBC is offered in your zip code before you commit to a service.
Most affordable: Sling Select Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Select package starting at $19.99 per month Get DealSling's Select package is by far the most affordable live TV streaming service. It includes access to your local NBC network to watch the Derby live in select networks (be sure to check yours first) and costs just $19.99 per month. And since Sling subscriptions are a la carte, you can add or take away from your plan with no worries and cancel or pause at any time.
Best intro offer: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV free 5-day trial, then $59.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV offers a massive 100+ channel lineup, which includes your local NBC network to watch the Kentucky Derby, as well as other local favorites for sports, news, and entertainment. We're not huge fans of its $82.99 per month fee, but through June 30, the streamer is giving new users a sweet introductory offer. You'll get your first 21 days for free, then your first three months for just $67.99. That's $45 in savings, should you choose to stick around after catching the Kentucky Derby for free during your trial period.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintThanksgiving dinner.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerFEAST
Hurdle Word 2 hintSanctuary.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerALTAR
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Hurdle Word 3 hintA photo filter.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerSEPIA
Hurdle Word 4 hintA crevice.
Hurdle Word 4 answerCLEFT
Final Hurdle hintA leaf.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerFROND
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
It's the day after the Full Moon, and it still looks almost 100% in the sky. With this in mind, be sure to look up and try and catch a glimpse of some features on the surface tonight.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Saturday, May 2, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 100% of the moon will be still be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.
Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mare Crisium and Vaporum, and the Tycho Crater. With binoculars, you'll see the Posidonus Crater, Archimedes Crater, and the Alphonsus Crater. And, finally, with a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 14 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Descartes Highlands.
When is the next Full Moon?There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.
What are Moon phases?According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to circle Earth once, going through eight distinct phases in the process. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes as it moves in its orbit. The shifting light creates the changing shapes we know as full, half, and crescent Moons. Altogether, there are eight main lunar phases.
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you read the morning paper.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 2, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Sixth Sense
Green: Performed in a theatre
Blue: Governmental agencies
Purple: Read all about it!
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Clairvoyant
Green: Staged performances
Blue: U.S. cabinet departments
Purple: Starting with newspaper names
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #1056 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayClairvoyant: EXTRASENSORY, MENTAL, PSYCHIC, TELEPATHIC
Staged performances: BALLET, MUSICAL, OPERA, PLAY
U.S. cabinet departments: EDUCATION, INTERIOR, STATE, TREASURY
Starting with newspaper names: GLOBETROTTER, HERALDRY, POST-IT, TIMES TABLES
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 2, 2026Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love to bust a move.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All the right movesThe words are related to movement.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe dancing.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Line Dance.
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NYT Strands word list for May 2Pony
Scuff
Kick
Shuffle
Line Dance
Wizard
Sailor
Coaster
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you never show up empty-handed.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 2, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:To take along.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter PB
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
BRING
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Low-cost airline carrier Spirit is running on fumes right now, potentially ceasing operations this weekend as rising fuel costs have brought it to the brink of closure.
News reports from last month indicated that the federal government might bail out the Florida-based airline for over $500 million and a 90 percent stake in the company. The airline is facing its second bankruptcy in two years, CNBC reports.
That deal with the federal government did not materialize, but President Trump told reporters on Friday that, "I guess we're looking at [bailing Spirit out]. If we can do it, we'll do it. No institutions been able to do it. I'd like to save the jobs, but we'll have an announcement sometime today. We gave them a final proposal."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reports that only two of the Spirit's three major creditors have signed on to the government's aid package, and its bondholders have not signed off on the deal.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Spirit, which has more than 10,000 employees, hasn't announced any updates on its website or X feed, but it is responding to posts on the social media site.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.If the airline shuts down, people who have booked flights will likely get refunded by their credit card companies, CBS News reported. Those flying when and if the airline is grounded would likely have to book their connecting flights on another airline. Spirit competitors may offer "rescue fares" to those flyers, possibly allowing them to reach their destination at a discounted price. If Spirit shuts down, the airline's frequent flyer miles will likely be worthless.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Spirit is often the butt of jokes for its bare-bones (though inexpensive) service — they charge for all carry-on luggage and do not offer free water or snacks.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Do you remember Friendster?
The early-2000s social networking platform has now returned roughly 24 years later with a whole new gimmick: Users can only connect with real-life friends.
The founder of the new Friendster, Mike Carson, is promoting the relaunched social media platform as being free of any ads and algorithms. But, that's not all that's missing either.
Friend currently exists as an iOS app. And once a user downloads the app and sets up their account, they'll see completely blank space. Friendster doesn't show users any posts. In fact, there are no suggestions about who to follow at all.
The new Friendster is built for users to strictly follow people they know in real-life. And the platform makes sure it's being used that way too. In order to follow someone on Friendster, the two users need to physically tap each other's phones while the app is open. This is the only way to connect with someone on the platform.
SEE ALSO: It's time for MySpace to make a comeback What happened to FriendsterBefore even MySpace took off, there was Friendster.
Friendster was officially launched in March 2002 by its founder Jonathan Abrams and is largely considered to be the first major online social networking platform. However, shortly after its launch, other social networks like MySpace quickly took off and Friendster was unable to maintain a foothold with American users.
The platform did find a significant user base in Asia and was eventually sold to a Malaysian company, before Friendster pivoted to become a social gaming website in 2011. Eventually, however, Friendster was completely shut down in 2015.
Carson, the new owner, said he noticed that the Friendster.com domain was once again resolving to a website filled with pop-up ads in 2023. Carson reached out to the new owner of the domain and found out that they had won Friendster.com at an expired domain auction one year earlier for just $7,456. Carson eventually struck a deal with the domain owner, purchasing Friendster.com for $20,000 in Bitcoin along with another domain Carson owned that generated $9,000 per year.
In a blog post discussing his journey acquiring the Friendster domain, Carson said he has plans to enable a Friends of Friends feature, that will allow users to connect solely online if they are already connected to another friend that one of the users have actually met.
In addition, Carson would like to roll out a Fading Connection feature which nudges users when they haven't been in the same room with one of their Friendster connections for more than a year.
"Not a punishment — a gentle nudge that real friendships are kept alive in person, not online," Carson explains.
After downloading the app, I must point out that all the nothingness makes it feel daunting to use the app. However, the new Friendster seems like a very interesting idea – if it can take off. The real challenge seems to be getting users on there to begin with, because they too will see an app with empty space until they start making real-life connections.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is currently embroiled in some courtroom drama, but the engineers back at the OpenAI lab just solved a minor drama (really a comedy) with ChatGPT.
OpenAI published a lengthy, detailed report on its website about goblins. No, really. Since the release of GPT 5.1, ChatGPT models have developed a weird fixation on goblins and gremlins, regularly bringing up both in contexts where it doesn't make sense. Users took note of this and OpenAI noticed it, too, prompting an investigation. You can read the full report if you want all the juicy details, but basically, it all goes back to an arguably poor understanding of what nerds are like.
SEE ALSO: DeepSeek V4 is here: How it compares to ChatGPT, Claude, GeminiIf you don't use ChatGPT, the AI chatbot offers a variety of "personalities" you can choose to tailor the tone of its responses. One of those personalities was (until recently being removed) "nerdy." According to OpenAI's research, while "nerdy" responses accounted for only 2.5 percent of all ChatGPT queries, a staggering 66.7 percent of all mentions of goblins came from that 2.5 percent. From there, these responses somehow became "rewarded" and spread to other personality types beyond "nerdy."
"The rewards were applied only in the Nerdy condition, but reinforcement learning does not guarantee that learned behaviors stay neatly scoped to the condition that produced them," OpenAI wrote. "Once a style tic is rewarded, later training can spread or reinforce it elsewhere, especially if those outputs are reused in supervised fine-tuning or preference data."
Anyway, after all that, OpenAI retired the "nerdy" personality in March and has instructed its latest models not to mention goblins or gremlins unless it makes sense.
Still struggling to spot when you're streaming AI-generated music instead of human-made tunes? Spotify is trying to help.
On April 30, the streaming giant announced it would be launching an official "Verified by Spotify" badge across its platform to distinguish human artists from synthetic-only profiles.
The badge, a light green check mark next to the artist's name, is determined by an automatic filtering system based on the profile's engagement history and listener activity, its compliance with Spotify policies, and authenticity markers found on and off the platform. Spotify's system will look for live concert dates, merchandise, and linked social accounts, for example.
SEE ALSO: AI can reason like a doctor, study saysSpotify says it will also use human reviewers to verify profiles "behaving in good faith," based initially on the platform's most searched artists. The company says the policy will continue to evolve with the music industry, including considerations for human artists who use AI to create music.
In addition to verification, Spotify is beta-testing expanded artist information — akin to "nutrition facts" on food products — that will provide more context about an artist's history and authenticity. Artists will also be given greater control over what appears on their profiles.
The badge will roll out slowly over the coming weeks.
Users have called attention to a growing number of AI-generated songs and AI-only artist pages on Spotify, as well as a rise in algorithmic recommendations that push AI music into user playlists. Last year, the platform came under fire for allegedly adding AI-generated music to the profiles of deceased artists. Many Spotify listeners have bristled at the presence of entirely AI-generated profiles on the streaming app and have called for visible AI disclosures on music pages. Spotify has previously announced expanded spam filtering systems, AI disclosures, and impersonation policies.
In January, the company told Mashable editor Rachel Thompson that the platform "doesn't give AI-generated music any special treatment." A Spotify spokesperson added, "While we don’t penalize artists for using AI responsibly, we are aggressive about taking down content farms, impersonators, or anyone trying to game the system."
Gaming hardware tends to come with some sticker shock. But if your current setup is feeling lifeless, this weekend is a good excuse to upgrade your monitor for less. Some major brands, including LG, Alienware, and ASUS, have previous-generation gaming monitors on sale for record-low prices and we've rounded up our favorites below.
Whether you're hoping to bump up your refresh rate or enhance your visual experience, here are the best gaming monitor deals to shop this weekend.
Best curved gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) $649.99 at AmazonGaming is addicting on this 34-inch Alienware AW3425DW monitor. Thanks to a steep 1800R curved OLED panel that wraps the game around you, plus high performance specs like a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and an aiming point editor called AlienVision, you'll be fully immersed in every game and any world you choose. Combined with a stellar color range, VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400, 1000 nits peak HDR brightness, and G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro certifications, it's hard to believe it's only $649.99 (reg. $799.99). At just shy of 20% off, this is its lowest price on record.
Best flat gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED gaming monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 at AmazonThis $400 discount on the LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED gaming monitor knocks it down to its best price ever.
While it's over a year old at this point, it still packs some solid specs. Like the Alienware model above, it features an OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time for fluid gameplay, and is validated for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It's a bit smaller at 27 inches and isn't curved, but some folks prefer a flat display — particularly at this size. The matte 1440p panel is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified, so colors pop and blacks are rich and deep. And as a bonus, the detachable base and stand allow for infinite adjustments to suit your gaming habits.
Best entry-level gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF 32-inch curved gaming monitor (VG32VQ1B) $209 at AmazonIf you're new to the gaming world or you're just a casual player, the ASUS 32-inch TUF curved monitor is an affordable entry-level model with decent specs. Plus, it's $80 off this weekend — its second-best price ever. It features an ultra-steep 1500R curve, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync Premium supported through DisplayPort and HDMI. It won't wow you quite like the first two monitors, but at only $209, who cares?
More gaming monitor deals this weekendASUS 27-inch TUF QHD gaming monitor (VG27AQM5A) — $199 $299 (save $100)
Alienware 34-inch WQHD curved gaming monitor (AW3425DWM) — $289.99 $349.99 (save $60)
LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor (27GX704A-B) — $477.99 $799.99 (save $322)
Samsung 40-inch Odyssey G75F WUHD curved gaming monitor — $695.99 $999.99 (save $304)
ASUS 34-inch ROG Strix OLED curved gaming monitor (XG34WCDG) — $749 $999 (save $250)
Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC OLED curved monitor — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)
Did you know that spring is the third-best time to buy a TV? I know “third-best” sounds like a scam, but there's a real reason for it. Since CES has officially come and gone, retailers are dropping prices on "older" (i.e., basically brand new) TVs to clear out inventory — and we're even seeing early discounts on the shiny new 2026 models that just debuted at the show.
SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every sizeYou can read the full breakdown of how this works in our guide on the best time to buy a TV, but if you're just here to shop, these are the best deals I could find this weekend.
Best Samsung deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F) $1,067.95 at AmazonIf you want the deep, inky blacks and vibrant colors of an OLED screen without entirely draining your bank account, this 2025 Samsung model is the one to grab right now.
As of this weekend, the 65-inch S85F is marked down to $1,067.95, from $1,797.99, which is a 41% discount or $730 savings.
For that price, you get a built-in NQ4 AI Gen2 processor that automatically upscales whatever you're watching into sharp 4K resolution using 20 neural networks. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate to keep fast-moving sports and games looking smooth.
Best Hisense deal Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro) $899.99 at AmazonHisense is somehow already offering discounts on its brand-new 2026 lineup, and the price drops are just too good to ignore.
Right now, you can get the 75-inch Hisense U6 Pro Series Mini-LED 4K TV for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount (or an extra $500 in your pocket) on a TV that practically just hit the market.
The Hisense U6 Pro Series uses Mini-LED backlighting, which means the picture stays clear and detailed no matter the lighting. It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate, and Fire TV is built right in, so you can access your fave streaming apps without buying a separate stick.
Best Toshiba deal Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R) $2,497.99 at AmazonNobody needs a 100-inch TV (at least, not IMO). But if you have the wall space and are determined to turn your living room into a home theater, you might as well get one while it's discounted.
Like the Hisense above, this Toshiba Z670 Series is a brand-new 2026 release, and it's already marked down to $2,497.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or a $1,502 price cut.
More TV deals this weekendSamsung 43-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $397.99 $549.99 (save $152)
Samsung 65-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $427.99 $629.99 (save $202)
Hisense 75-inch U6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $499.99 $1,299.99 (save $800)
Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV — $647.99 $999.99 (save $352)
Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $999.99 $2,199.99 (save $1,200)
Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,249.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,250)
SAVE OVER $10: As of May 1, the Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet is on sale for $47.99 at Amazon. This is $12 off its list price of $59.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet $47.99 at AmazonIf you're searching for a fun Mother's Day gift to give this year but don't want to fall back on something like a regular bouquet of flowers, Lego's Botanicals sets are an excellent alternative. Amazon even has some great deals available on select sets right now, including the delightful Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet.
As of May 1, the Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet has dropped to $47.99 at Amazon. This is a $12 drop from its $59.99 list price, but also just a few cents away from its lowest-ever price of $47.95. Amazon says that it'll arrive before Mother's Day if you order it now, so why wait? This is the perfect time to pick it up.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Lego Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet comes with 749 pieces that create a variety of vibrant flowers: daisies, cornflowers, eucalyptus, elderflowers, roses, ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, a campanula, and a waterlily dahlia.
These beautiful, brick-built blooms each have an adjustable stem, so you can choose how you want to display each flower in a vase once you're finished. They can even be combined with other Lego Botanicals sets, if you'd like to have a colorful arrangement on display.
The clock is ticking to get these in time for Mother's Day. Now is the time to make a move on the Lego Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet.
TL;DR: Amazon has the ASUS TUF Gaming 27-inch 1440p monitor on sale for $199, down from its $299 list price. That saves you $100 on a QHD gaming display with a 300Hz refresh rate, 0.3ms response time, Fast IPS panel, ELMB Sync, Shadow Boost, and DisplayWidget Center support.
Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS 27-inch 1440p ASUS TUF Gaming Monitor $199 at AmazonA fast 1440p gaming monitor can get very expensive, especially if you’re looking beyond the usual 144Hz and 165Hz panels. But ASUS has thankfully cut the price on its most prolific monitor — letting you properly upgrade on a budget.
As of May 1, the ASUS TUF Gaming 27-inch 1440p monitor is on sale for $199 at Amazon, marked down from its $299 list price. With this 33% discount, you’re saving $100 on the VG27AQM5A model — though Amazon also has used and resale listings starting from $181.09.
Price tracker camelcamelcamel shows that this is the lowest-ever price for this monitor at Amazon.
You're getting a 27-inch QHD display with a 2560x1440 resolution, which gives you a noticeable sharpness upgrade over 1080p without demanding quite as much from your PC as 4K. Gamers who prioritize speed will be especially happy, as ASUS rates this model for up to a 300Hz refresh rate with a 0.3ms GTG response time for all the video games you love playing now and in the future. Whether you’re diving into Fortnite and any other fast-paced shooters, intense racers like the upcoming Forza Horizon 6, or any other multiplayer game on the level of League of Legends, you’ll be all set.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This gaming monitor also boasts ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync, which is designed to reduce ghosting and tearing during high-frame-rate gameplay. Shadow Boost is included as well, helping brighten darker areas without blowing out the rest of the image, which can be handy when you’re trying to spot enemies hiding in dim corners.
As a crowning touch, the ASUS TUF monitor also supports HDR, covers 95% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, includes built-in speakers, and works with ASUS DisplayWidget Center for easier mouse-based settings control.
Director Andy Serkis' animated Animal Farm adaptation features several key differences from George Orwell's classic anti-authoritarian satire. For starters, there are far more fart jokes. There's also a brand new main character: a piglet named Lucky (voiced by Gaten Matarazzo).
SEE ALSO: How Lonely Island's Jorma Taccone and BriTANick went from 'SNL' to HollywoodIn a Say More interview with Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards, Serkis explained that the character of Lucky was created as part of the film's bigger project: to bring Orwell's work to younger audiences.
"One thing about the book is that it's very objective. There is no protagonist," Serkis said. "In a movie, on the whole, you need to see the movie through a set of eyes. I just thought it would be really interesting if we see this world of Animal Farm through a young piglet's eyes, because the piglets obviously become the elite."
Lucky becomes the audience's entry point into Animal Farm, acting as an innocent character caught between the two pigs jockeying for control of the farm: intellectual Snowball (voiced by Laverne Cox) and brash Napoleon (voiced by Seth Rogen). Serkis likened Lucky's dilemma to Robert De Niro's A Bronx Tale, which sees a young man similarly torn between his hard-working father and a flashy gangster.
"We really wanted to put young kids in that position in this story, and let them be the ones who are accountable," Serkis explained.
Check out the full video above to hear Serkis discuss his 15-year journey of bringing Animal Farm to the screen, the enduring quality of Orwell's work, and the perils and potential of AI in Hollywood. Plus, stay tuned for the second part of the interview, coming May 3, where Serkis breaks down his upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box on sale for $139.99, down from its $164.70 list price. That saves you $24.71 on a 30-pack box, bringing each booster down to under $5.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box $139.99 at AmazonAs of May 1, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box listed for $139.99, down from its usual $164.70 price. That's the best price this box has been with the retailer so far (confirmed via camelcamelcamel). It'd also a 15% discount, saving you $24.71 on the full Play Booster display.
Better yet, Amazon’s main listing is actually shipped and sold by Amazon, with free delivery as early as May 6 — or May 4 for Prime members.
Amazon is not the only place worth checking out. TCGplayer’s market price is currently sitting lower at around $134.58, with a listed median of $143.97. Walmart has also been listing the box at $141.99, putting Amazon somewhere in the middle for price, but ahead if you prefer Amazon as your go-to trading card retailer.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Inside the box, you’re getting 30 Secrets of Strixhaven Play Boosters, with each pack containing 14 Magic cards. Each booster includes one to five rares or higher, three to six uncommons, five to eight commons, and one land card. Every pack also comes with at least one Traditional Foil card of any rarity, while 20% of packs swap in a Traditional Foil Land.
The latest Strixhaven expansion’s big hook is the Mystical Archive card included in every pack, giving you one instant or sorcery spell with special art and a showcase frame. That makes the set an easy pick for drafting with friends, cracking packs for fun, or heading back to Magic’s mage-school plane of Arcavios without paying full list price.
Among boxes for other popular MTG expansions, you can also buy the 30-pack Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box on sale for $125. Meanwhile, Avatar fans can score 24 packs of Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender packs for just under $95.
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