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TL;DR: Block ads and prevent contact with malware on family devices with a $15.97 AdGuard lifetime subscription.

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Set the scene: It's dinner time, and the kids are working on homework. You want to scroll through a recipe blog on your phone to whip something up. One kid needs your laptop to do some science class research.

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TL;DR: Live stream Ruud vs. Draper in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Madrid Open has delivered everything we hoped it would over the last couple of weeks as top players have looked to build some momentum before Roland-Garros. Ruud and Draper have done exactly that, and now they face off in the final.

If you want to watch Ruud vs. Draper in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Ruud vs. Draper for free

The 2025 Madrid Open final is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

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

Access free live streams of the 2025 Madrid Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Watch the 2025 Madrid Open final for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Musetti vs. Diallo without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Madrid Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

• 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 connection 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.

Live stream Ruud vs. Draper in the 2025 Madrid Open final for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

The opposite of always.

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

NEVER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To pay money.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPEND

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Removed from a place.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TAKEN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A short period of time.

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

STINT

Final Hurdle hint

A small storage space.

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

CUBBY

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

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, May 4, 2025:

AcrossWines that Napa Valley is renowned for, informally

• The answer is Cabs.

"Right away!"

• The answer is At once.

School students

• The answer is Pupils.

Make a mistake ... or 8-Across backward

• The answer is Slip up.

Many a new driver

• The answer is Teen.

DownItems of clothing that may be worn backward

• The answer is Caps.

___ Gawande, surgeon with the #1 New York Times best seller "Being Mortal"

• The answer is Atul.

Hasbro toy with a pull handle and twistable crank

• The answer is Bop it.

Criticize snarkily, with "at"

• The answer is Snipe.

You're reading it

• The answer is Clue.

$10 bill, informally

• The answer is Tenner.

Channel with "2" and "U" spinoffs

• The answer is ESPN.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Star Wars: A New Hope

The words are lines in popular Sci-Fi movies.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words the first lines in Star Wars films.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Opening Crawl.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 4

• Long

• Time

• Galaxy

• Space

• Opening Crawl

• Planet

• Empire

• Rebel

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.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: How you'd describe a well-done steak

• Green: Playing an instrument

• Blue: In a popular Taiwanese drink

• Purple: In our solar system

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

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

• Yellow: Qualities of overcooked meat

• Green: Play some electric guitar

• Blue: Ingredients in bubble tea

• Purple: Planets/Dwarf planet with first letter changed

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 #6913is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Qualities of overcooked meat: CHEWY, DRY, STRINGY, TOUGH

• Play some electric guitar: JAM, NOODLE, SHRED, SOLO

• Ingredients in bubble tea: BOBA, MILK, SUGAR, TEA

• Planets/Dwarf planet with first letter changed: BLUTO, CARS, DARTH, GENUS

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 4

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 4 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A freshwater fish.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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...

TROUT.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 4

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.

The early vote tally on Saturday night was “well past” the majority needed to approve the incorporation of Starbase, an election official said.

Marvel's Thunderbolts* looks to top the box office this weekend, bringing in $31.5 million on its opening day.

SEE ALSO: 'Thunderbolts*' end-credits scene, explained: Who are the New Avengers?

That opening gross puts the MCU antihero team-up movie on track for a domestic opening weekend total somewhere between $70 million and $75 million. While sizable, that's still on the lower end of Marvel openings. It's also not as much as this year's other MCU offering, Captain America: Brave New World, which drew an $88 million opening weekend before grossing a disappointing domestic total of $200 million overall.

A smaller opening may not be a problem for Thunderbolts*, though. The movie's grab bag of heroes may not have the same name recognition as Captain America: Brave New World, but stronger reviews than recent MCU projects and more positive word of mouth could propel it to longer legs. (Thunderbolts* currently has an audience Cinema Score of A-, compared to Captain America: Brave New World's B-.)

Speaking of legs, Ryan Coogler's Sinners continues to kill it at the box office, raking in $9.5 million on Friday, May 2, a 27% fall from the week prior. That puts it on track for a $33 million third weekend, even after losing IMAX screens to Thunderbolts*.

If Sinners continues to perform at this level, it won't be long before it takes Captain America: Brave New World's spot as the second-highest-grossing film at the domestic box office. A Minecraft Movie still comfortably sits in the number one domestic spot, while the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 is the highest-grossing film globally (Sinners currently ranks fifth globally).

Still, the fact that an original, R-rated film continues to hold strong at the box office even without premium screens proves that Sinners is on track to be 2025's biggest box office success story.

The conclave to elect a new pope has yet to begin, but President Donald Trump already has a pitch for who should lead the Roman Catholic Church: himself.

SEE ALSO: Apple isn't overly worried about Trump's tariffs. Here's why.

On Friday, May 2, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on Truth Social. The official White House X account then reposted the image.

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

The post comes days after Trump, who is not Catholic, told reporters he should be the next pope.

"I'd like to be pope. That would be my number one choice," he said, before adding: "I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York, who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”

Trump was likely referring to New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, whom he appointed to serve on the newly established Religious Liberty Commission alongside figures like TV personality Dr. Phil and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. According to Reuters and the BBC, Dolan is not on the shortlists of likely successors to the late Pope Francis.

Trump's fan casting of himself as the new Pope sparked waves of reaction on social media, from debates about whether it was facetious or genuine to further memes and AI-generated images.

I’M THE POPE NOW, THERE’S A PICTURE!

[image or embed]

— Rex Huppke (@rexhuppke.bsky.social) May 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM

If Trump isn’t elected Pope he’ll call it the most rigged papal election in history.

[image or embed]

— 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 (@sundaedivine.bsky.social) May 1, 2025 at 9:54 PM

Trump’s whole “I want to be pope” thing is a troll but this is still a very odd thing for the president to post in normal times.

[image or embed]

— Matt Novak (@paleofuture.bsky.social) May 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM

The “Trump for Pope” stuff is clearly meant to Trigger the Libs but most people are just reacting by noting how fucking weird these people are.

— Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM

I do not think this is trolling, I think Trump genuinely believes he should be the pope.

[image or embed]

— Michael Hobbes (@michaelhobbes.bsky.social) May 2, 2025 at 11:19 PM

The pope image isn't the first time Trump has posted fake AI-generated pictures. In the lead-up to the 2024 election, he shared an AI-generated image of Kamala Harris holding a communist rally and an AI endorsement from Taylor Swift.

Buying a new TV is intimidating. Look for one online and you’ll get bombarded with acronyms and numbers. Visit a store and you’ll come face-to-face with a wall of images that are more confusing than helpful. But we all know that once it’s in our living rooms, we’ll spend thousands of hours relying on that screen to transport us to The White Lotus, make sure we’re caught up on Oscar-worthy films, show us all the NFL action, and even serve as a hub for learning basically anything via YouTube. 

Since we spend so much time with our TVs, it’s worth doing a bit of research to make sure you’re buying the right TV for your preferences, including budget, made by a trustworthy brand. But instead of opening 57 browser tabs to Google all of the TV jargon, we’ve checked in with home entertainment expert Will Greenwald, a Lead Analyst at PCMag, which Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis, also owns.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

Following Greenwald’s expertise (he and the PCMag team use high-end equipment to test each TV) and Mashable’s experience, we’ve narrowed down the best TV brands to a list that’s easy to digest. Below, we’ll explain which TV brands excel where and mention a few top picks from each brand to help narrow down your endless options.

Best OLED brand: LG

LG makes some of the best OLED TVs on the market today. They offer superior image contrast and close to perfect black levels, and they tend to be great when viewed from an off-angle. The LG lineup of sizes and prices is also noteworthy, allowing shoppers to spend less than $1,000.

Best LG OLED TV LG Evo G5 OLED 4K TV (65-inch) $3,296.99 at B&H Photo Video
Shop Now Why we like it

Without wasting any time, Greenwald wrote to Mashable, “The LG Evo G5 is the best OLED TV I've seen yet,” which is truly impressive since he’s tested more than 170 TVs with highly specialized equipment. “If you can afford it, the stunning LG Evo G5 is simply one of the most gorgeous TVs you can buy,” Greenwald explained in his review.

The LG Evo G5 knocks it out of the park in terms of brightness, with super accurate colors. The “G” is LG’s Gallery series, which comes with a slim design meant to be hung on the wall, sitting nearly flush. The modern edge-to-edge screen comes with hardly any bezel.

In terms of gaming, the LG Evo G5 has a 144Hz refresh rate that can reach up to 165Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR). Greenwald’s testing shows input lag of 4.8 milliseconds, which is well below the 10-millisecond threshold considered to be acceptable for gaming. In simpler terms, that’s less than one frame of latency per second.

Size options

The LG Evo G5 comes in 55, 65, 77, 83, and 97 inches. 

Another pick worth considering LG C4 OLED 4K TV (65-inch) $1,496.99 at Walmart
$2,699 Save $1,202.01 Shop Now Why we like it

If you’re looking for an LG TV that’s less expensive than the Evo G5, the C4 is a standout model. Mashable’s sister publication, CNET (also published by Ziff Davis), considers the LG C4, which debuted in 2024, to be an excellent OLED TV. This model is brighter than its C3 predecessor and comes with a 144Hz refresh rate. CNET’s review said, “The LG C4 combines superb picture quality with a price that's not incredibly unreasonable, making it a top dog among its competitors.”

The size range here leans smaller, with the option of 42- and 48-inch versions, which are smaller than the LG Evo G5 goes (the smallest G5 is 55 inches). Of course, smaller means a more affordable price, and the 42- and 48-inch LG C4 come in at under $1,000.

Size options

The LG C4 comes in 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches.

Best budget brands: Hisense and TCL

You don’t need to spend several thousand dollars to get a great TV. Budget-friendly options come with plenty of features packed into a high-quality screen, and many options cost less than $1,000. In terms of brands, Greenwald says Hisense and TCL lead the way as the best options that offer affordable prices without skimping on quality. Here are a few picks Greenwald recommends after extensive testing.

Best Hisense Hisense U8N QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $947.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $552 Shop Now Why we like it

The 4K QLED Hisense U8N comes with features and a display that feels like it should cost much more. “Hisense once again hits it out of the park with a premium TV that rivals much more expensive competitors,” mentioned Greenwald in his PCMag review, while listing it as a “fantastic value.”

In Greenwald’s testing, the U8N was shockingly impressive, hitting 920 nits in HDR Theater mode and then achieving 2,755 nits when testing with an 18 percent white field. For comparison, the Samsung QN90D (which costs more than double the U8N’s price) only gets to 1,253 nits with an 18 percent white field. Greenwald also mentioned that off-angle viewing of the U8N is pretty perfect with no desaturation.

Best TCL TCL QM8 4N QLED TV (65-inch) $897.96 at Amazon
Shop Now Why we like it

On Mashable’s list of the best 65+ inch TVs, the TCL QM8 earns the top spot. Finding the balance between affordable price and great image quality, we consider the TCL QM8 to be an excellent option for most people. Greenwald’s testing showed incredible brightness levels thanks to the 4K QLED with HDR content in Dolby Vision. Greenwald also mentioned “very good color performance, and loads of useful features,” which add to the attractively affordable price. “It beats rival Hisense models in peak brightness, so it's the TV to get if you simply want the highest light output.”

Gaming stats are also impressive, with a 120Hz native refresh rate that can reach up to 144Hz with VRR support from AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Input lag is also impressive, measuring just 6.4 milliseconds in Game Mode, according to Greenwald’s testing, which makes it slightly quicker than the Hisense U8N. 

The TCL QM8's size options are also impressive, ranging from 65 to a massive 115 inches.

Size options

The TCL QM8 comes in 65, 75, 85, 98, and 115 inches.

Best brand for unique features: Samsung

Samsung earns the top spot as the best TV manufacturer with unique feature offerings. The brand has several impressive models that wow in terms of performance, plus it's one of the only manufacturers to release 8K TVs (but you don’t need one). Samsung’s The Frame lineup is also noteworthy. 

Best Samsung for displaying art Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $1,297.99 at Walmart
$2,299 Save $1,001.01 Shop Now Samsung The Frame Pro QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $2,197.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Why we like it

Without a doubt, Samsung’s family of The Frame models is what you want if you like the idea of your TV also serving as a digital picture frame. When you’re not watching TV, The Frame can go into Art Mode, giving you access to the library of graphics or giving you the option to display your own photos. Customizing The Frame’s functions is also possible, so the TV (including Art Mode) can power off when it detects no one is in the room. Greenwald also mentions that many libraries and museums offer free high-resolution images of paintings that you can add to The Frame’s library to display in your home.

The overall look of The Frame is meant to be similar to a hanging piece of art, sitting nearly flush with the wall, and the matte finish cuts down on glare while also adding to the overall art aesthetic. Greenwald explained in his review, “You can even set the ambient art mode to display a matte frame around the picture to further improve the illusion. With the backlight set to a moderate level, the effect is striking and stealthy enough that guests could mistake what appears on screen for a framed painting at first glance.” Thanks to these features, he’s ranked it as his top pick for a digital picture frame. 

Sadly, Greenwald doesn’t feel that The Frame’s performance as a TV justifies the price. He noted, “For watching videos, the TV's performance is more in line with very good budget models.”

The Frame Pro is an updated version of the original offering, and the nearly wireless design is a cool upgrade. It still needs a power cord, but everything else, like HDMI ports, is stored in a Wireless One Connect Box. Samsung also upgraded to a Neo QLED 4K display with The Frame Pro. But again, Greenwald thinks more affordable options, specifically the Hisense U8N, offer a better value unless you find the Art Mode features worth the cost.

Size options

Samsung The Frame comes in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches.

Samsung The Frame Pro comes in 65, 75, and 85 inches.

Best Samsung OLED Samsung S95D OLED 4K TV (65 inch) $2,297.99 at Amazon
$2,797.99 Save $500 Shop Now Why we like it

The Samsung S95D is a great option, performing well in terms of contrast, variety of features, and gaming specs. Greenwald said it has “fantastic contrast and color that OLED TVs typically offer, along with light output that rivals many high-end LED models.” The S95D earned a PCMag Editors’ Choice award thanks to its specs, including almost undetectable input lag. But the real appeal of the Samsung S95D is the picture quality with perfect black levels and detailed shadows, as seen by Greenwald’s testing results.

The included Eco Remote has solar recharging capabilities, which feels like a modern and thoughtful touch on Samsung’s part. Plus, it comes with Samsung’s One Connect Box, which is always welcomed since it moves all connection ports to an external component, allowing for a slimmer design.

Size options

The Samsung S95D comes in 55, 65, and 77 inches.

A Samsung OLED to keep an eye on Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV (65 inch) $3,297.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Why we like it

The 4K OLED Samsung S95F impressed Greenwald when he tested a pre-production version, being the brand’s brightest OLED yet, dethroning its predecessor, the Samsung S95D. The built-in speakers on almost all TVs aren’t worth using (you should probably upgrade to a soundbar), but Greenwald was actually impressed with the advanced speaker system on the Samsung S95F. The 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and acceptable input lag also make the S95F a nice gaming TV option.

Size options

The Samsung S95F comes in 55, 65, and 77 inches.

Gone are the days of clip-on pedometers. Now, it's all about tech wearables that maximize your physical potential with round-the-clock vitals monitoring — but I'm not talking about an Apple Watch or Fitbit. The next evolution of fitness trackers is here, and it's the smart ring.

Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.

If you're looking to upgrade your fitness tracker and want to make the leap to a smart ring, we've vetted the most popular models on the market through weeks of testing to find the best smart ring.

Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Smart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.

You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"

Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.

What's the best smart ring?

The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung just launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field. After spending weeks with the device, testing its hype, and comparing it to other devices, we can confidently say it is the best ring.

It offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.

However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some other viable smart ring options.

Please stop killing Pedro Pascal. I've had enough.

Look, even if you played the game and knew Joel's death was coming, The Last of Us's brutal exit for this character was harder to watch because it was Pascal. It's not just because the scene was intense. It's because it also gives Pascal fans PTSD-style flashbacks to all the other times Pedro Pascal has been killed onscreen.

Game of Thrones. Drive-Away Dolls. Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Gladiator II. The list goes on, if you go deeper into his filmography. And it all started with Joss Whedon, whose whole thing is, "Don't get too attached, I'll kill your favorite character." Somehow, even though Pascal just had a bit part on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Whedon was like, "THIS GUY!" Dead.

SEE ALSO: 'Drive-Away Dolls' cast on working with Pedro Pascal's 'head'

And it's not just that Pedro Pascal dies onscreen. His eyes get pressed into his pretty head. That head gets cut off. He gets pummeled to a pulp made effectively horrendous looking with just horrific prosthetics — that'll probably win an Emmy for Outstanding Makeup. Props to The Last of Us team. And sometimes he's literally thrown into a meat grinder.

It's just enough. Give us some time for him to smile, give Daddy vibes and warm charisma — and don't kill him. I'm looking at you, Disney! Because you got The Mandalorian Season 2, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the relaunch of the Avengers and more Star Wars stuff. Pascal will have plenty of opportunities to die nobly for a valiant cause. I just need you not to do it. Just give us a breather.

To the Pedro Pascal fans out there who just want a movie where he gets to be cute and charming and not die, we've got The Materialists coming up! It's a rom-com starring Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans. From Past Lives writer/director Celine Song, it has a love triangle — and look at that cast! We love to see it! And Pascal probably won't die! Right? Right?!

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, May 3, 2025:

AcrossGreiner of "Shark Tank"

• The answer is Lori.

Not making a sound

• The answer is Silent.

Super-stoked

• The answer is Psyched.

Convenience hidden in "get that money"

• The answer is ATM.

Indivisible

• The answer is One.

Eighth planet from the sun

• The answer is Neptune.

Sipped on slowly, say

• The answer is Nursed.

Mystic with a vision

• The answer is Seer.

DownAppropriate anagram of 5-Across

• The answer is Listen.

Mount where Zeus and Hera reigned

• The answer is Olympus.

___ league (amateur sports organization)

• The answer is Rec.

Using staff, rather than outside contractors

• The answer is In House.

Extend across

• The answer is Span.

$10 bill, informally

• The answer is Tenner.

Homeowner's document

• The answer is Deed.

III, in Italy

• The answer is Tre.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

Shokz has crept up the wireless audio ranks to become a trendsetter in the sporty earbuds category. Releases like the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit Air were complementary pieces to the brand’s excellent bone-conduction headphones. Now, it’s taking a page out of Anker’s and Bose’s playbooks by transitioning into the clip-on earbuds game with the recently launched OpenDots One. 

These awesome-looking earpieces are built for outdoor runners who want to enjoy music with the full openness of their environment. The OpenDots One clearly find inspiration from the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, adopting the same earring cuff-like appearance. However, Shokz' version is more durable, lasts longer, and gives Bose’s buds a run for their money in the audio department. 

With the good also comes the bad. As expected, the open-ear design lets in a lot of ambient noise, so you won’t hear music completely. The feature set is small, and the touch controls are spotty too.

The drawbacks might be dealbreakers for casual consumers, but for exercisers, who the OpenDots One are marketed toward, these are runner-friendly buds that finish the marathon in convincing fashion.

Scroll down to see why Shokz is a worthy contender for the best workout earbuds.

These aren't your typical earbuds. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds specs and setup

The OpenDots One’s spec sheet isn’t decked out like some of the market’s top-tier sports buds (e.g., Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, Jabra Elite 8 Active), but it’s noteworthy. See below: 

• Dual Speaker Driver Unit: 11.8mm

• Frequency Response: 100 to 20,000 kHz

• Dolby Audio support 

• Customizable EQ via Shokz app

• IP54 water resistance (buds only) 

• Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint technology

• 10 hours of battery life / 40 hours with wireless charging case

• 10-minute quick charge equals 2 hours of listening

• Colors: black and gray

Connecting the buds is standard procedure. Hold down the pairing button on the back of the case with the lid open, and you’ll enable pairing mode. Once the LED flickers, select the product from the Available Devices list in your Bluetooth settings. My unit paired instantly with my MacBook Pro. Multipoint pairing lets me connect to my iPhone 15 and OnePlus 11 smartphones at the same time.

Downloading the Shokz app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play grants access to all special features. It’s a small amount compared to other challengers. However, what’s given is serviceable.

A flashy, familiar, and functionally transparent design

Even though the OpenDots One look exactly like the Ultra Open Buds, they have a more innovative design. There are touch panels on the battery barrels, as well as the soft silicone grip that keeps the buds secure for intense training. I’ve worn them when performing lateral exercises (e.g., jumping jacks, side lunges), and there was no slippage. I don’t recommend them for leisure because they pinch your ears. This can hurt after about three hours of wear, depending on your pain threshold. 

The open-ear design is what’s most important. It is clutch for increasing ambient awareness, no matter where you are. Runners can keep tabs on traffic when jogging. I was well aware of cars and emergency vehicles when crossing streets. Bicyclists, chatty pedestrians, and construction sites were also transparent at high levels. 

The open-ear design allows you to hear your surroundings. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Some of the best sound I’ve heard on open earbuds

Shokz isn’t known for its sound quality, but the OpenDots One leave quite the impression. The 11.8mm drivers deliver crisp and lively sound to keep runners fueled on long runs. It’s great having audio personalization via EQ with preprogrammed presets. Each of these represents its audio categories fairly well. There’s also the ability to create your own sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies in the EQ setting, something audiophiles will appreciate. 

SEE ALSO: 10 best podcasts to listen to while running

The electric guitar strums on Hozier’s “Too Sweet” had fantastic reverberation that stimulated a second wind during my 5K run. Enabling the Dolby Audio mode enhanced definition and unveiled the track’s fine production layering; the steady snares and tinny tambourines were pronounced. Upbeat bangers like Mya’s “Best of Me, Part 2” gave me the head-bopping bass I desired, highlighted by punchy drums that blended well with the delicate piano keys. The balanced midrange boosted the singer’s soft, low-note vocals.

The buds are made to let in noise. Therefore, don’t expect to hear every detail when listening in rowdy environments. You can hear audiobooks, music, and videos clearly. It just requires being in a silent setting and playing music at high volume. These are not like typical wireless earbuds. Open-ear buds project audio to the ear, whereas wireless earbuds send audio directly into the ear canal.

Comparing the OpenDots One to other open earbuds

I put the OpenDots One up against the most popular sports buds and open buds: the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Audio, fit, and transparency were the three hallmarks I prioritized when comparing models. 

The Powerbeats Pro 2 produce superior sound output, thanks to their robust audio specs (e.g., dual-layer drivers, Personalized Spatial Audio) and an in-ear design that passively blocks out ambient noise. The Ultra Open Earbuds have 12mm drivers that provide crisp, full-bodied sound, plus hi-res streaming (aptX Adaptive) over Bluetooth. As for the OpenDots One, they sound better than most bone conduction headphones and open earbuds. 

Beats’ signature ear hook design creates the most secure fit of any sports buds out there. Bose’s and Shokz’ clip-on designs are dependable for stability and take up less ear real estate. 

Ambient listening is equally great on the OpenDots One and QuietComfort Ultra. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have a strong transparency mode that makes ambient sounds and conversations sound louder and more natural, but their active noise cancellation is disappointing.

Plenty of battery life

The OpenDots One generate up to 10 hours of playtime, with the wireless charging case holding an additional 30 hours. This is longer than the Ultra Open Earbuds (7.5 hours/27 hours) and on par with many of Anker’s current open-ear entries. A 10-minute charge can net you two hours of continuous playback. Those numbers held up during testing. 

Over the course of a week, I ran with the OpenDots One for six hours and used them specifically for calls. This left me with 30 percent juice. I used the buds moderately (est. four hours) a week later and they had to be recharged every three days. The case didn’t need to be recharged until the third week of use. 

Uniqueness presents compromises

As much as I love the ingenuity behind Shokz’ control scheme, it isn’t convenient or reliable. The silicone grip only accepts double taps (play/pause/call management), and the touch pads only register the two-finger pinch or long-hold gesture. There are no single- or triple-tap gestures available, which would have expanded operation. On top of that, whatever function is assigned to the touch pads (e.g., voice assistant, volume, previous/next track) will be assigned to both buds. 

The on-ear controls are nothing to write home about. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The Shokz app is low on upscaled features. Dolby Audio, multipoint technology, and the Find My Buds mode are nice to have, but you get more from other competitors. The Ultra Open Earbuds boast a hi-res codec and universal spatial audio, while several of Anker’s open earbuds have proprietary 3D audio modes.

Digital assistance works well on iOS/macOS devices, but the feature struggles on Android devices. Google Assistant is effective. It’s Google Gemini that demonstrates poor speech recognition. Most voice commands are either misinterpreted or don’t execute properly.

Lastly, the open-ear design isn’t for everyone. These buds only suit you if you’re some who wants to hear your surroundings during workouts or recreation. The OpenDots One excel at this and dish out impactful sonics at high volume to reduce a decent amount of ambient noise. They don’t completely neutralize external sounds like the best noise-cancelling headphones.

Are the Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds worth it?

Yes, but only if you’re an avid outdoor runner or a fitness fanatic who isn’t bothered by the common fracas at your local gym. The OpenDots One dish out satisfying sound that increases stamina when running low on energy, and the addition of Dolby Audio gives music a bit more thump. Battery life is sufficient for about a week of use, depending how long you exercise. The stylish design also stabilizes fit when sprinting at fast speeds.

Those looking for a pair of everyday buds to enjoy their favorite playlists should look elsewhere because the OpenDots One’s open-ear design doesn’t allow for full audio consumption. The lack of special features isn’t appealing either; most standard sports buds come with an ambient listening mode and extra perks (e.g., ANC, shortcut widget, spatial audio).

The Shokz OpenDots One are priced at $199.99 and can be purchased on Shokz’s website, as well as popular online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

Shokz OpenDots One $199.95 at Amazon
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Residents of Oakdale, Calif., have abandoned traditional media outlets for a mishmash of online sources. These days, they’re often not sure what information to trust.

Thunderbolts* comes by its unexpected tenderness honestly. In the latest installment of Marvel's never-ending superhero saga, the disaffected but charming Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) feels adrift, unfulfilled, and bored.

As her adoptive father Alexei "Red Guardian" Shostakov (David Harbour) observes, the light inside her has gone dim. What started as ennui now looks more like stifling depression.

Remarkably, Yelena's numbness gives way to an openness, a kind of calm curiosity, that becomes Thunderbolts* grounding force as the film explores what more than one character calls "the void."

SEE ALSO: 'Thunderbolts*' review: Florence Pugh can't rescue this flop from the MCU's worst impulses

This emptiness is what follows both a lifetime of disappointments as well as specific traumas that haunt Yelena, her ragtag crew of anti-heroes (aka the Thunderbolts), and even the film's villain. There are visual and verbal references to unforgivable betrayals, mental illness, domestic violence, parental neglect and death, and suicidal ideation.

Against the backdrop of these traumatic experiences, Thunderbolts* mounts an ambitious attempt to leave the viewer with a simple — perhaps simplistic — message: The void is survivable with human connection.

This is applaudable, especially for a could-be blockbuster, expected to match or rival the MCU's past box office performances. But there are also fundamental flaws in the execution.

To tell this story of redemption, Thunderbolts* turns Bob (Lewis Pullman), a civilian with a long history of psychic suffering, into the Big Bad known as The Void. As The Void, Bob's suicidal thoughts are weaponized against the entirety of New York City. From on high, he flattens unsuspecting victims into black shadows, presumably to relieve them of their own pain.

There's a general understanding amongst mental health experts that portraying people with mental illness as murderous helps no one. In real life, outside of Marvel's sprawling IP empire, people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence, not the other way around.

Importantly, Bob is not a willing participant in his transformation from an ordinary but desperate guy into Sentry, a superhero of immense powers, including flying and being able to toss Yelena and her fellow assassins across the room like rag dolls.

Instead, Bob participated in medical testing, courtesy of the morally rudderless CIA director Valentina (Val) Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). But he was promised a better, stronger self, not a starring role in the wholesale destruction of countless people's lives. (Note to Marvel: Maybe now would be a good time to cool it with the storylines about medical research misconduct and conspiracies.)

The story, co-written by The Bear's Joanna Calo, largely treats Bob with compassion, which isn't surprising given the way the FX show about a tortured chef sensitively handles topics like anxiety and suicide. Bob is given a complex, if somewhat cliché, backstory of growing up in a household surrounded by mental illness (his mother) and domestic violence (his father). But he also has delusions of grandeur, along with emotional highs and lows, and episodes when he blacks out.

When Val tries to play a nurturing but manipulative mother to Bob, it sets off a chain of events that turns him not into should-be-heroic Sentry, but the villainous Void. It's hard to know it then, but the scene is built on the idea that sons of abusive men will become abusers themselves, under certain circumstances.

Yelena epitomizes the gentle understanding that Thunderbolts* extends to Bob. When The Void unleashes hell on earth, Yelena steps into his black void —  not to end her own emptiness once and for all — but to find Bob and bring him back.

Fighting her way through a series of "interconnected shame rooms" in which she must confront her own horrific acts, she discovers Bob hiding in what appears to be his childhood attic. The scenes that follow could easily be a Marvel dramatization of a number of public service announcements geared toward reaching out to someone who needs help. "Be the friend who listens," implores the suicide-prevention campaign Seize the Awkward.

Yelena is indeed the friend who listens. When that isn't strong enough to ward off The Void, she and the other Thunderbolts find themselves with Bob, trapped in a simulation of the room where the medical experiments took place. The Void's blackened frame harangues Bob as a failure. It's clear, then, that Bob is at the mercy of his own inner critic, on anti-hero steroids.

This is arguably the film's most powerful scene as Bob tries to take control by pummeling The Void into nothingness. Yet the violence only accelerates everyone's doom. The all-consuming void can only be vanquished when Yelena and the Thunderbolts pull Bob off and surround him in a steady embrace. Another way to think about this is silencing one's inner critic with compassion, a counter-intuitive strategy that experts routinely endorse.

One would be well within their rights to view this scene cynically — a pat portrayal of friendship as an antidote to mental illness. It's certainly critical to feel less alone, but loneliness is one among many risk factors for feeling suicidal. Audiences may also watch Bob's or Yelena's stories unfold and see themselves as newly capable — and deserving — of human connection. That's a very good thing.

Still, the weaponization of Bob's mental illness can't be waved a way. Nor is it possible to justify the tail-end of his narrative arc, in which he recalls not a single thing that happened to him — including his own triumph over the proverbial demons that animated him as The Void. He returns to being Bob, but deprived of the details that would truly give his life the purpose and meaning he's long sought.

Perhaps there's more in store for Bob in a forthcoming film, but abandoning him in a state of not-knowing feels cheap. Ultimately Bob becomes little more than a cipher, or a useful but disposable cog in Marvel's billion-dollar filmmaking machine.

Strangely, the final minutes of Thunderbolts* surrender what the film fought so hard for: the sense that a meaningful life is possible, even when it feels against the odds.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Near the center of the Milky Way are enormous filaments of radio energy that sometimes look like bones, and one in particular has astronomers playing orthopaedists. 

If the new picture at the top of this story reminds you of an X-ray, well, that's because it is. Scientists used a space telescope to examine a conspicuous fracture along the bone's 230 light-year length. The images from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, coupled with data from the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa and the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array, have revealed what likely caused it to crack. 

The assailant, seen right at the point of the break, could be a fast-spinning neutron star, known as a pulsar. Scientists think that, as the object whizzed through the galaxy at breakneck speed, it slammed through the bone and just kept on going. The collision apparently distorted the bone's magnetic field and warped its radio signal.

SEE ALSO: Scientists discover a rebellious star family defying the cosmic order NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory helped scientists study The Snake, a filament of radio energy near the Milky Way's galactic center. Credit: NASA / CXC / J. Vaughan illustration

The discovery not only offers a diagnosis for how the filament fractured but highlights that a single star can rattle the galaxy, even long after its own death. The findings described by NASA this week were published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Researchers have named the filament G359-dot-something-something-something, but friends and fun astronomers just call it "The Snake." Why, you might ask? Because G359.13142-0.20005 just doesn't roll off the tongue. 

The glowing streak threads through the congested downtown of the Milky Way. Dozens of other such filaments appear in radio waves around the galactic center, lit up by particles spiraling through parallel magnetic fields. The Snake is one of the longest and brightest of its kind.

But why these structures exist — and what makes some longer and more luminous than others — remains a mystery. 

An annotated version of a composite image of The Snake shows a close-up view of the fracture and the object that likely created it. Credit: NASA / CXC / Northwestern University / F. Yusef-Zadeh et al / NRF / SARAO / MeerKat / SAO / N. Wolk

As for the assailant, it's trying to make a quick getaway. Neutron stars form when massive stars explode into supernovas, leaving behind a crushed stellar core, perhaps just 10 miles wide. But a pulsar beams radiation as it revolves like a lighthouse beacon. 

The new images also suggest extra X-rays may be coming from the area around the pulsar. Particles like electrons and positrons — tiny pieces of matter and antimatter — that sped up during the crash may have caused them. 

After a supernova, remnant neutron stars often get an intense kickback from the blast. Scientists estimate this pulsar could be flying at a dizzying 1 million to 2 million mph. 

Scores of new gadgets are introduced every year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the tech world's biggest showcase. Yet many of these products never make it to market. They're only proofs of concept or prototypes of devices that could maybe one day potentially hit the market.

That makes Bird Buddy's new $129 Petal smart nature camera somewhat of a phenom. After debuting at CES 2025 in January, the Petal and its modular Wonder Blocks system finally went up for preorder on Kickstarter on April 29, becoming an instant smash. A company representative said the campaign raised $1.5 million from more than 5,000 backers in 24 hours, crushing its $100,000 fundraising goal by 1,400 percent. (At the time of writing, it had drummed up over $1.8 million from 6,300 backers.)

Why all the hype? I wanted to share my take as someone who got to check out the Petal and Wonder Blocks on the CES showroom floor this past winter.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Bird Buddy to bee buddy

The Bird Buddy name alone has a big sway. The company's eponymous smart bird feeder, which has a built-in camera that can identify different avian species, has become hugely popular since it first launched in late 2020.

Bird Buddy co-founder and CEO Franci Zidar told me at CES that the company has cultivated an enthusiastic user base that's passionate about connecting with nature. Zidar said the Petal was an obvious next step to help people better understand their local ecosystems, going beyond just birds to capture backyard plants, insects, and pollinators, too.

Credit: Bird Buddy

Design-wise, the Petal is a 12MP camera in a cup-shaped case that comes in several colors. You can install the Petal by clipping it to the side of a pole or planter, or simply by wrapping its squiggly, bendable stem mount around a branch or gate. It's a lot friendlier-looking and less austere than your standard security camera. (To quote my CES writeup, the base and stem combo makes it look sort of "like a minimalist, bionic flower.")

The Petal ships with a swappable macro lens for detailed close-ups and an ovular solar panel that'll keep it running "indefinitely in most environments," according to its press materials. Without the panel, the device's "low-powered architecture" lets it run for over a month between charges.

SEE ALSO: Best of CES 2025: Everything that stole the show, according to our experts

The Petal isn't meant to be a cutesy backyard CCTV system: Its purpose is to get you on a "first-name basis" with your local flora and fauna, Zidar said in January. Its camera can identify more than 2,000 species using visual and audio cues. It can also detect shifts in its surroundings using an "advanced AI layer" called Nature Intelligence, which alerts users to these changes. For example, if a songbird starts building a nest in a nearby tree, you'll get a ping.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Per the press release, Petal's companion app has a "built-in storytelling engine" called Nature's Voice that can create "BBC Earth–style mini documentaries" using highlights from its 4K video footage. Its narrator does a pretty good Attenborough impression.

A feature called Impact Score gives the user insights into their backyard's biodiversity and the frequency of pollinator visits. Users hoping to up that frequency can look into Wonder Blocks, a modular habitat system for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that launched alongside the Petal. Together, they form what Bird Buddy calls a "Smart Nature Observatory."

The core Wonder Block configuration includes a Petal camera, an Observation Pole, and a self-watering planter base called the Habitat. The latter contains a built-in Bee Habitat, a Bee Observatory, and a "micro water feature" called the Stream. It ships with a seed pod that'll grow flowers native to your region. You can also add accessories like a butterfly shelter, hummingbird feeder, and a magnetic trellis.

Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Bird Buddy CEO Zidar originally told me that the Petal would cost less than $100, but Bird Buddy has it priced at $129 on Kickstarter for early backers. (There's also a Duo Bundle with two cameras and an Observation Pole for $249.) Wonder Blocks setups range from $299 to $1,199. A singular Habitat planter sans Petal is also available for $149.

For those who have been waiting to try the Petal and Wonder Blocks since their CES appearance, stay patient: They'll start shipping in mid-2026. I know, I know — that's a long way off.

In the meantime, the Bird Buddy smart bird feeder is available at Amazon and Target for $199.

Meet the Bird Buddy product line The original Bird Buddy smart bird feeder $199 (save $100) Get Deal Coming soon-ish Petal Smart Nature Camera $129 Pre-Order Here Coming soon-ish Wonder Blocks by Bird Buddy Starting at $299 Pre-Order Here

TL;DR: Ditch messy notebooks and let AI take over your note-taking with a lifetime My Notes AI Pro Plan for just $39.99 (reg. $299).

Still scribbling notes like it’s the 90s? It’s 2025, and we can now let AI handle the heavy lifting. My Notes AI Pro can serve as your personal note-taking assistant for life with this lifetime subscription to their Pro Plan, now just $39.99 (reg. $299).

Bring your note-taking into the 21st century

Your brain has enough to juggle. Let AI help you stay on track with My Notes AI. From video calls to in-person meetings, this app transcribes and summarizes everything so you can stay present without missing a detail. It works for Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams meetings, and you can even upload an audio file afterward. 

Stop trying to decipher your chicken scratch thanks to this powerful tool. It takes notes, turns transcriptions into helpful summaries, and even breaks them down into specific action items, so you can save time and effort.

If you need to share notes with a classmate or colleague, exporting transcriptions is just a few clicks away. And you can use My Notes AI’s organization tools to sort notes by topic, date, or project for quick, easy access.

My Notes AI may utilize intimidating AI technology, but the actual app is easy to use, featuring an intuitive interface that you can take advantage of on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. And once you're a pro, you can go on to unlock premium features like unlimited transcription, meeting recordings, instant AI summaries, and even more organizational tools. 

Let My Notes AI tackle all your note-taking needs from now on for $39.99 (reg. $299) with this lifetime subscription.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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