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Anthropics new Claude Opus 4 can run autonomously for seven hours straight

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 13:06

After whirlwind week of announcements from Google and OpenAI, Anthropic has its own news to share.

On Thursday, Anthropic announced Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4, its next generation of models, with an emphasis on coding, reasoning, and agentic capabilities. According to Rakuten, which got early access to the model, Claude Opus 4 ran "independently for seven hours with sustained performance."

Claude Opus is Anthropic's largest version of the model family with more power for longer, complex tasks, whereas Sonnet is generally speedier and more efficient. Claude Opus 4 is a step up from its previous version, Opus 3, and Sonnet 4 replaces Sonnet 3.7.

Anthropic says Claude Opus 4 and Sonnet 4 outperform rivals like OpenAI's o3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro on key benchmarks for agentic coding tasks like SWE-bench and Terminal-bench. It's worth noting however, that self-reported benchmarks aren't considered the best markers of performance since these evaluations don't always translate to real-world use cases, plus AI labs aren't into the whole transparency thing these days, which AI researchers and policy makers increasingly call for. "AI benchmarks need to be subjected to the same demands concerning transparency, fairness, and explainability, as algorithmic systems and AI models writ large," said the European Commission's Joint Research Center.

Opus 4 and Sonnet 4 outperform rivals in SWE-bench, but take benchmark performance with a grain of salt. Credit: Anthropic

Alongside the launch of Opus 4 and Sonnet 4, Anthropic also introduced new features. That includes web search while Claude is in extended thinking mode, and summaries of Claude's reasoning log "instead of Claude’s raw thought process." This is described in the blog post as being more helpful to users, but also "protecting [its] competitive advantage," i.e. not revealing the ingredients of its secret sauce. Anthropic also announced improved memory and tool use in parallel with other operations, general availability of its agentic coding tool Claude Code, and additional tools for the Claude API.

In the safety and alignment realm, Anthropic said both models are "65 percent less likely to engage in reward hacking than Claude Sonnet 3.7." Reward hacking is a slightly terrifying phenomenon where models can essentially cheat and lie to earn a reward (successfully perform a task).

One of the best indicators we have in evaluating a model's performance is users' own experience with it, although even more subjective than benchmarks. But we'll soon find out how Claude Opus 4 and Sonnet 4 chalk up to competitors in that regard.

This app turns your iPhone into an easy scanner youll keep for life

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 13:00

TL;DR: Scan anything, anywhere, with this lifetime subscription to iScanner, now A$39 (reg. A$312) with code SCAN through 1 June.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription AU$39
AU$312 Save AU$273 Get Deal

Raise your hand if you've ever had to rush to the library to print something. If most of us don't have the space for clunky printers, chances are we also don't keep a scanner at home. That's what iScanner is for.

This iOS app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a handy little scanner that works for basically any document type. It's also only A$39 (reg. A$312) for a lifetime subscription.

No more wasted desk space

Even if you're one of the few with a physical scanner still in your presence, you can now clear some counter space thanks to iScanner. And while you're at it, you can throw away that dusty old filing cabinet, too. 

iScanner is the number one US-based scanning and document management tool, letting you knock items off your to-do list from anywhere. Need to save a receipt for taxes? Do you have a contract you need to digitize? You can scan any document using just the phone on your iOS device. 

Students, entrepreneurs, educators, and stay-at-home moms alike will all find endless uses for a scanner in your pocket. The AI-powered tools ensure your documents' borders are detected and automatically adjusted, while also straightening scan pages and ditching curves and skews. 

Thanks to AI, you can also use iScanner to help you solve complicated math problems.  Or put its OCR technology to the test and let it help you decipher text in up to 20 languages.

Once things are scanned, the app becomes a full PDF editor and file manager. Edit your scans, including signing them, adding text, or autofilling them with custom templates. Then, use the file manager's folder via drag and drop to keep them safe and organized. 

Scanning something confidential? You can also protect files and folders by locking them with a PIN. 

Use code SCAN by 1 June at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an iScanner lifetime subscription on sale for A$39. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Amazons latest AI shopping feature produces quick audio product summaries

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 12:24

Amazon is aiming to make shopping just a bit easier. This week, Amazon launched a new generative AI feature that produces short audio summaries, detailing everything you need to know about a product.

The audio descriptions, which Amazon is calling "hear the highlights", are created from on-page product summaries, reviews, and information from other websites, crafting short snippets that deliver everything you need to know about a product. The product summaries are now available on a limited number of items on Amazon and for US customers only. To access "Hear the highlights", you can do so in the Amazon app.

This is just the latest feature in Amazon's AI line-up. Launched in 2024 but still in beta testing, Amazon's Rufus is a chatbot to help you find the right product. You can chat with Rufus to ask questions about which coffee maker is right for you. Within product pages you can ask Rufus details about a product and get quick answers without needing to do the research yourself.

If you're looking to use Amazon's "hear the highlights", here's how.

How to use "hear the highlights" Credit: Amazon

"Hear the highlights" is only available within the Amazon shopping app for US-based customers. When you click into a product page, you'll see a "hear the highlights" button. By clicking on the button, you can then hear the short summary, delivering the essential production description, helping you make your choice.

This feature is only available on certain products. You can view it now on the following listings:

My favorite Dyson hair tool is back down to its lowest price yet at Amazon

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 12:14

SAVE $100.99: As of May 22, get the Dyson Airstrait Straightener for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499.99. That's a discount of 20% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Airstrait Straightener $399 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal

As someone with bright, multicolored hair, I end up going to see a hairstylist more often than I want to. The visits add up, and so do the costs. But I like to keep the pink and purple in my hair, and I'm not about to do it myself. The one thing I love best about these salon visits, however, is having pin-straight, gorgeous hair. But I can't blow my budget on a weekly blowout. That's why I invested in an important tool that ended up saving me some serious cash: the Dyson Airstrait Straightener.

As of May 22, you can get the Dyson Airstrait Straightener for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499.99. That's $100.99 off and a discount of 20%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is finally on sale at Amazon — get it for its lowest-ever price

I decided it was finally time to grab one the last time this straightener went on sale for a similarly low price, and it worked some serious miracles on my unruly, thin, and fine hair. Not only does it give me a polished, super-straight style even on days when I'm dealing with what feels like a grease pit on my head, but it's easy for someone like me, who can barely braid my hair.

It can take your hair from wet to dry (and pin straight) in a few minutes without the use of hot plates and supposedly without heat damage, though I'm never without a heat protectant spray, just in case. I run it through my hair right after I've towel-dried my locks and it is true to its word: I have shiny, straight strands that I'm always shocked to see produced without a blow dryer. It adjusts the power and speed of airflow when it senses hair is in between its arms, giving you style and heat protection.

Overall, it is a huge time saver, because I'd normally have to first dry my hair (a task I abhor) and then switch to blowout mode. When I'm on the go after work just about every day, this is time saved that I truly appreciate. And, most importantly, it's money saved.

It's still quite pricey even with its sale price. But if the alternative is heading to the salon and paying upward of $60 each visit for a few days' worth of looking good, I'd go back to the Dyson every single time.

Best Home and Kitchen Deals

The best Memorial Day headphones deals include Bose, Apple, Sony, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 12:08
Best Memorial Day headphones and earbuds deals Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort $229 (save $120) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal

Headphones have become an essential part of life these days. We're tuned into our favorite playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks and this is thanks to our favorite pair of headphones or earbuds. If you're in need of an upgraded pair, Memorial Day sales are coming in hot with the deals. You'll be able to save up to 50% on a new pair that'll be great for upcoming travel or lounging at the park this summer. Here are some of our favorite deals to shop today.

SEE ALSO: 50+ of the best Memorial Day deals and sales already live: Mattresses, headphones, outdoor furniture, and more Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $229 at Amazon
$349 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

Like the name suggests, the Bose QuietComfort headphones bring ultimate comfort for all-day wear. The headphones usually sell for $349 but thanks to Amazon's Memorial Day sale, you can snag a pair for $229. Plus, this sale extends to the brand new Twilight Blue colorway.

Getting up to 24 hours of battery life, the Bose QuietComfort impress when it comes to sound and noise-cancellation. That'll come in handy during your upcoming summer travel plans. But you can also toggle them to Aware Mode should you wish to hear your surroundings.

More headphones dealsBest earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore by Anker P20i Wireless Earbuds $19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal Why we like it

If you keep misplacing your earbuds, snag a fresh pair of Soundcore by Anker P20i earbuds for just $19.98 during Amazon's Memorial Day sale. At this price, you might as well grab a few pairs. Keep one in your work bag, one on your nightstand, and one in your travel bag, eliminating that heart-sinking feel of forgetting your earbuds at home.

On the Mashable list of the best earbuds, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are the top pick if you're shopping for a budget-friendly option. Getting an impressive 30 hours of battery life before they'll need a recharge, this pair is perfect for travel.

More earbuds deals The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

JD Vance calls dating apps destructive

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:51

Dating apps are getting a lot of flak lately. Daters are opting for in-person events — even dungeon sound baths — and moving away from increasing AI features and apps that seem to be copying each other.

Vice President JD Vance also has no love for dating apps, apparently. In an interview on the New York Times's "Interesting Times" podcast, Vance spoke about his "noneconomic" concerns with AI and tech. He told host and Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat, "If you look at basic dating behavior among young people — and I think a lot of this is that the dating apps are probably more destructive than we fully appreciate." (Vance met his wife, Usha, in law school.)

SEE ALSO: The hidden consequences of being banned from dating apps

"I think part of it is technology has just for some reason made it harder for young men and young women to communicate with each other in the same way," he continued. "Our young men and women just aren’t dating, and if they’re not dating, they’re not getting married, they’re not starting families."

With regards to communication, Vance hits on longtime criticism of dating apps and social media in general. A recent survey found that eight in 10 Gen Z adults would marry an AI, and a theory behind why is that AI is nonjudgmental. Social media users, however, are hypercritical on a large scale. If one has social anxiety, chatting online (to a person or bot) may feel easier than chatting face-to-face. Studies show, however, that face-to-face interaction is unbeatable when it comes to connecting with others.

Vance also believes that AI can be "profoundly dark and negative"— not in the cases of people losing jobs, but in teenagers talking to chatbots. A recent report from nonprofit Common Sense Media found that AI bots aren't safe for under-18 use, because they foster emotional attachment and dependency.

When it comes to marriage and families, though, Vance didn't touch on the higher cost of living and rising inequality facing Americans. He also didn't discuss childcare costs, let alone how much it costs to give birth in the U.S. So, no, dating apps aren't the only problems here.

What is the TikTok Chromebook challenge?

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:39

Youths of the world — and I can't believe I have to tell you this — please don't stick metal objects into your laptop until it catches on fire. Yes, this is a real trend on TikTok dubbed the Chromebook challenge.

The challenge has led to actual fires and countless warnings from school officials. Here's what you need to know.

What is the Chromebook challenge?

In short: Kids are jamming objects — things like paperclips or pens — into the ports of their (often school-issued) laptops in an effort to get the machines to short-circuit, which can result in sparks or even fire. Laptops have lithium-ion batteries, which can generate toxic gas, fires, or even explosions when damaged and heated too much. And yes, unlike other overhyped challenges, this is does seem like something that is actually happening, at least to some degree.

A report from NBC News documented multiple cases in Maryland, Arizona, and New Jersey, for instance. A 15-year-old student was charged with third degree arson and criminal mischief after doing the Chromebook challenge in school, NJ.com reported. That same piece documented other apparent recent incidents in New York and Connecticut. An article from KBPS noted that at least 16 students in the San Diego Unified School District had damaged school-issued laptops. There have been more than a dozen reports of issues in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In short: It's everywhere.

What to do about the Chromebook challenge?

If you're a parent — this seems obvious — but tell your kid not to jam objects into their school-issued laptop. And if you're a student — this seems even more obvious — don't jam junk into your school-issued laptop, or any electronic device, really.

Of course, kids don't always listen to adults. And doing risky things can be attractive to young people.

“If you’re on social media and you decide you want to be a part of a trend, there’s a feeling of belonging to that, and the risk-taking involved,” Christine Elgersma, a senior editor of content focused on learning and educators at nonprofit Common Sense Media, told Education Week.

TikTok has taken steps to discourage kids from participating in the challenge. TikTok told the New York Times that "it removes content that violates its policy on dangerous activities and challenges and is redirecting search terms and hashtags." That proved true for me. I searched "Chromebook challenge" on the platform. It showed no results and instead directed me to resources about the dangers of such social media challenges.

The results I got from TikTok. Credit: Screenshot: TikTok

So, yes, the Chromebook challenge is real. And, no, please do not try it.

Leak reveals what Sam Altman and Jony Ive are cooking up: 100 million AI companion devices

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:16

OpenAI and Jony Ive's vision for its AI device is a screenless companion that knows everything about you.

Details leaked to the Wall Street Journal give us a clearer picture of OpenAI's acquisition of io, cofounded by Ive, the iconic iPhone designer. The ChatGPT maker reportedly plans to ship 100 million AI devices designed to fit in with users' everyday life.

SEE ALSO: ‘Empire of AI’ author on OpenAI’s cult of AGI and why Sam Altman tried to discredit her book

"The product will be capable of being fully aware of a user’s surroundings and life, will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one’s pocket or on one’s desk," according to a recording of an OpenAI staff meeting reviewed by the Journal. The device "will be a third core device a person would put on a desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone," per the meeting which occurred the same day (Wednesday) that OpenAI announced its acquisition of Ive's company.

The device will attempt to "wean users from screens" and be a more seamless interaction with users that doesn't involve pulling up a phone or opening up a laptop. "The products that we're using to deliver and connect us to unimaginable technology, they're decades old," said Ive in a video introducing yesterday's announcement. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive are hoping to introduce an entirely new device that removes those barriers. If that sounds familiar, recall Altman's controversial obsession with Scarlett Johansson's AI companion in Spike Jonze's sci-fi film Her.

In the film, the AI device sits in Joaquin Phoenix's character's shirt pocket and sees and hears what he does. Similarly, OpenAI is reportedly going this route instead of developing XR glasses like Google and Meta.

OpenAI and Ive will not be the first to attempt to create such a device. The Humane Ai pin, which Altman invested in, recently tried to disrupt the entire smartphone paradigm and flopped spectacularly. It was led by former Apple executives, but they weren't Jony Ive and Humane didn't have OpenAI's level of investment and influence. That said, it was also just riddled with bugs and inaccurate responses. Even though OpenAI's models still have major hallucination problems, they're still some of the most capable on the market. In this regard, maybe OpenAI will have a better shot.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

News/Media Alliance says Google’s AI takes content by force

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:13

Is Google's new AI Mode feature theft? The News/Media Alliance, trade association representing news media organizations in the U.S. and Canada, certainly thinks so.

At Google's I/O showcase earlier this week, the tech company announced the public release of AI Mode in Google Search. AI Mode expands AI Overviews in search and signifies a pivot away from Google's traditional search. Users will see a tab at the top of their Google Search page that takes them to a chatbot interface much like, say, ChatGPT, instead of your typical Google Search results.

These results offer users information without having to actually click on an article which, the News/Media Alliance argued in a press release, "further [deprives] publishers of original content both traffic and revenue."

"Links were the last redeeming quality of search that gave publishers traffic and revenue. Now Google just takes content by force and uses it with no return, the definition of theft. The DOJ remedies must address this to prevent continued domination of the internet by one company," Danielle Coffey, the President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, said in a statement.

This isn't the first time the News/Media Alliance called AI out for "theft." Hundreds of publishers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, ran an ad campaign in April called Support Responsible AI run by the News/Media Alliance trade association. The ads literally stated: "Stop AI Theft."

"Stealing is un-American. Tell Washington to make Big Tech pay for the content it takes," the ad campaign read.

All the while, OpenAI and Google have asked the government to allow its AI models to train on copyrighted content.

Microsoft adds 50 classic retro games to Xbox Game Pass

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:58

What's old is new again, in more ways than one.

Microsoft announced this week that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will get access to "Retro Classics," an app they can download that contains more than 50 classic Activision titles from the 1980s and 90s. A brief glance at the list of games suggests it's pretty Atari 2600-heavy up front, from an era when games had amazing titles like Demon Attack and Megamania. However, there are some later releases, like the 1993 PC adventure game Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist, a game I included here strictly because of the title.

SEE ALSO: Handheld Xbox console images leak just weeks before Switch 2 launch

There is a massive catch to all of this, though: The games can only be played via cloud streaming, as far as I can tell from the FAQ page on the Xbox website. While that means they're accessible across different devices, it also means that you'll notice latency as you play them. These games were designed to play locally on a single machine years before people had home internet, so streaming them from a cloud is hardly ideal.

With that in mind, it's a little tough to take Microsoft's stated "commitment to game preservation" in the announcement blog post seriously. If these games only exist on a server farm somewhere and can't be purchased or stored locally, one could argue they aren't really being "preserved." And considering that Atari 2600 game cartridges had a mere 4KB of storage space on them, making people stream them instead of allowing for local downloads is a questionable use of internet bandwidth, to say the least.

Interestingly, this is also the second time Microsoft has tried this on Xbox. Some folks may remember Game Room, an Xbox 360 app where old games were sold individually and stored locally, as game streaming wasn't really a thing yet. Microsoft pulled the plug on Game Room very quickly. Hopefully Retro Classics gets better treatment than that.

The Buccaneers Season 2 trailer promises more love triangles and Regency romance

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:47

Following a simmering first season, The Buccaneers are back to stake their claim on TV Regency romance before Bridgerton returns.

In a new trailer for Season 2 of the Apple TV+ show, the core American expats — Nan St. George (Kristine Frøseth), Jinny St. George (Imogen Waterhouse), Lizzy Elmsworth (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah) and Conchita, Lady Brightlingsea (Alisha Boe) — are all back. No longer newcomers to England, they're all now powerful people (or some are in hiding from their extremely shit husbands).

Anachronistically soundtracked to a dramatic rendition of Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" the trailer focuses primarily on Nan, now a duchess after she decided to marry the clifftop-brooding Theo, Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers), after all. But she can't get handsome Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome) out of her head, nor her out of his.

And they're not the only flames around here, with our beloved lesbians Mabel and Honoria (Mia Threapleton) navigating their passionate love in 19th-century English society. Good luck indeed, babes!

The Buccaneers Season 2 premieres June 18 on Apple TV+.

OpenAI Says It Will Build Massive New Data Center in the U.A.E.

NYT Technology - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:00
As part of a new partnership, G42, an Emirati A.I. firm, will also help fund OpenAI’s new computer facilities in the United States

Majority of Gen Z would marry an AI, survey says

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 08:01

People are already using AI to date (and to flirt), but what about marrying one?

In an April 2025 survey of 2,000 Gen Z respondents by AI company Joi AI, eight in 10 said they'd consider marrying an AI partner. 83 percent said they could have a deep emotional bond with one. 

AI companions appear to be Joi AI's bread and butter. On its website, you can chat with pre-made characters or make your own. The company calls these connections "AI-lationships."

SEE ALSO: Can AI save dating apps?

"AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections," Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, relationship therapist and expert at Joi AI, said in an emailed statement to Mashable. "Instead, they provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being."

Clinical neuropsychologist Shifali Singh, director of digital cognitive research at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, told Mashable that it's not totally surprising that young adults believe they can have a deep emotional bond with an AI. 

"Some of my research has demonstrated that people with social anxiety tend to like using digital tools more because they're not so afraid of the repercussions, the judgment, especially with social media," said Singh. 

They might think, "If I can just interact with AI who will give me this generally nonjudgmental interchange, discussion — that's meaningful." She continued that young adults are "so used to being judged and commented on and scrutinized in ways that humans were never meant to be." 

Another reason people may form a bond with AI is that they tend to search for empathy. "When you engage with AI, AI mirrors your own language and your own thought processes, and it feels like real emotional responses," she said. People feel connected with AI because of the higher amounts of empathy that they may not get from real-life human interactions.

There's a risk in that, too. Singh compared the cyclical mirror of AI to troll farms, groups of online trolls who typically spread misinformation. Troll farms reinforce and validate someone's beliefs, even if they're wrong.

"What we have to be very careful of is [that] AI isn't going to give us novel information…It's recursive, and it's iterative and it's algorithmic," she said. "So if you give it an idea that starts out as a seed, it's going to grow into a bush."

Singh also believes there needs to be more education about what AI can and can't do. AI can be fed a lot of wrong information, such as from hackers, so it can go into a dangerous place. (For reasons unknown, last week Elon Musk's AI bot Grok kept posting about "white genocide.")

Singh is an AI researcher and uses AI tools herself. She believes using AI as a stopgap for the loneliness epidemic works in some cases. One is for older adults, who seem to love it as a companion tool, she said. Another is if someone has a condition like agoraphobia and they're too scared to go outside and speak with people, talking with an AI bot might help them feel connected, and it can stave off some of the more severe aspects of depression.

A problem arises when someone doesn't want to see friends in real life, or wants to cancel dinner plans, because it feeds into anxiety. 

As for the marriage statistic, Singh said Gen Z might think of marriage as an old guard institution and want to be more independent.

A recent report from the nonprofit Common Sense Media declared that AI companions aren't safe for anyone under 18, as they create emotional attachment and dependency. At this writing, everyone in Gen Z is an adult, but the full mental impact of bot interactions has yet to be seen. Anecdotally, people have noticed their loved ones believing spiritual delusions due to conversations with ChatGPT.

Despite the dangers, people young and old will likely still create and talk to AI companions. "Sometimes, it's just nice to have someone, even if it’s AI," Bronstein said.

The best Memorial Day deals for under $100

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:51
The best Memorial Day deals for under $100: The best Memorial Day speaker and headphone deal under $100 IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $59.49 (Save 41%) Get Deal The best Memorial Day tech deal under $100 Kingslim D4 Dual Dash Cam $84.98 (Save 39%) Get Deal The best Memorial Day toy deal under $100 KidKraft Laundry Playset $60.70 (Save 51%) Get Deal

Memorial Day might be the holiday for swimming pools reopening, long days in the late spring sun, and kids getting out of school, but these days, it's also a time to secure excellent savings on products from online commerce platforms.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more

Below, we're keeping a running list of the best deals for under $100 that are available this Memorial Day. We'll keep this list updated with new deals that we find.

The best Memorial Day speaker and headphone deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: IPX7 IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $59.49 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.50 Get Deal

Whether you're sitting poolside, relaxing by a campfire, or spreading a picnic blanket, a good outdoor speaker is a crucial part of the experience. The IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is a resilient waterproof outdoor speaker that pumps out 40w sound.

This Memorial Day, the IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is on sale for $59.49, down from a price of $99.99, saving you $40.50.

More Memorial Day speaker and headphone dealsThe best Memorial Day tech deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Kingslim Kingslim D4 Dual Dash Cam $84.98 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $55.01 Get Deal

There's lots that can happen to a car. Supplement your insurance with a dash cam and ensure that bumps, brake light checks, and attempted break ins are all subject to the camera. The Redtiger Dash Cam Front Rear includes night vision, video up to 4K, and app controls.

This Memorial Day, the Kingslim D4 Dual Dash Cam with Built-in WiFi GPS is on sale for $84.98, down from a price of $139.99, saving you $55.01, or 39%.

More Memorial Day tech dealsThe best Memorial Day toy deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: KidKraft KidKraft Laundry Playset Children's Pretend Wooden Stacking Washer and Dryer Toy $60.70 at Amazon
$124.99 Save $64.29 Get Deal

For families everywhere, school letting out means kids home from school for the summer. What better time to fill the house with distractions than now? And what if playtime could also teach your children to launder like a pro... that would be something. The KidKraft Laundry Playset does just that, with a kid-size washer and dryer set, plus a clothes iron.

Right now, the KidKraft Laundry Playset is on sale for $60.70, down from $124.99, for a savings of 51%.

More Memorial Day toy deals under $100 The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The best Memorial Day deals for under $50: Soundcore earbuds, Fire TV Sticks, Blink cameras, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:45
The best Memorial Day deals for under $50: BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal BEST TECH DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 (save $30 with code MAX4KNEW) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Chefman Roll n' Go food warming mat $39.95 (save $40.04) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 $34.99 (save $35) Get Deal

The unofficial kickoff to summer — aka Memorial Day weekend — has almost arrived. And with it comes a lot of sales. Despite the rocky first half of 2025 with tariffs catapulting prices across the board, we're pleasantly surprised by the number of deals floating around. You can even snag a handful of gadgets for less than $50.

Whether you're looking to grab a pair of headphones for your summer travels, a Bluetooth speaker to jam out by the pool, a new streaming device to catch up on all your favorite shows, or a portable water bottle to up your hydration, there's a little something for everyone on sale for Memorial Day. Check out the best deals under $50 — we'll update this list as the weekend approaches, so stay tuned for more.

Best Memorial Day headphones deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Our favorite budget earbuds of 2025, the Soundcore P20is, are on sale for less than $20 at Amazon during their Memorial Day sale. That's half off the usual list price of $40. It's hard to expect a lot from a pair of earbuds at that price, but we're shocked at how impressive they actually are. The battery life outshines the AirPods at 10 hours per charge, and with the equalizer presets on the companion app, they can produce the kind of well-rounded sound you'd expect from earbuds three times the price. You can even set up to three touch controls on each bud, and use the "find device" feature to keep track of them.

More headphones and speakers deals under $50Best Memorial Day streaming device deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 with code MAX4KNEW Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for a new streaming device, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers the most bang for your buck. It's the first and only Fire TV Stick with Ambient Experience, which lets you turn your TV into artwork like Samsung's The Frame, but for a small fraction of the cost. It packs over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality images to choose from. Plus, it has the most storage of any Fire TV Stick at 16GB; features WiFi-6E, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support; and lets you play Xbox games sans console. Just $59.99 on a regular day, it's only $29.99 for Memorial Day when you use the code MAX4KNEW at checkout.

More tech deals under $50Best Memorial Day home deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman Roll 'n' Go Food Warming Mat $39.95 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.04 Get Deal Why we like it

Before your Memorial Day shenanigans, you might want to grab this Chefman Roll 'n' Go food warming mat to keep all your delicious goodies hot for your guests. It'll only cost you $39.95 on sale, which is 50% off its usual cost and its best price on record. Its convenient rollable design makes it easy to travel with and store when you're not using it. Just unroll it, select between three temperatures, and you're ready to go.

More home and travel deals under $50 The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The best live Memorial Day mattress deals in 2025: Shop Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, Purple, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:37
The best Memorial Day mattress deals live now: Best mattress deal overall DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress $949 (save $1,381) Get Deal Best luxury mattress deal Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress $2,099 (save $300) Get Deal Best budget-friendly mattress deal Bear Original $649 (save $349) Get Deal

Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. Just a few weeks left in the school year, warmer temperatures, and weekend barbecues on the calendar mean we've made it out of winter's hibernation. But that doesn't mean sleep should get put on the backburner.

Sleep is one of life's basic pillars, and it impacts our mood, health, brain function, and much more. If you've ever had a terrible month of sleep, you know how detrimental a sleep deficit can be on pretty much every aspect of waking hours.

Instead of putting the milk in the cupboard on account of a sleepy brain, prioritize sleep this summer by snagging a luxurious new mattress while it's on sale. Memorial Day sales tend to come with some of the best discounts in the mattress world, so this is an ideal time to upgrade your sleep set-up. And best of all, tons of sales are already live, even though Memorial Day weekend is still a few weeks away. Here are some of our top picks.

Best overall mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress (Queen) $949 at DreamCloud
$2,330 Save $1,381 Get Deal Why we like it

With a quilted Euro Top, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress starts off with a comfortable but supportive feel that'll help lull you into sleep. The other four layers are comprised of memory foams for pressure relief and individually wrapped innerspring coils for great support. DreamCloud considers the Premier Hybrid to have a medium-firm feel, and the coils are designed to help minimize motion transfer which can be great if you share the bed with a partner or the dog.

In a queen size, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid usually sells for $2,330 but thanks to the brand's Memorial Day sale, you can snag it for just $949.

Best luxury mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress $2,099 at Purple
$2,399 Save $300 Get Deal Why we like it

Purple makes some of the most unique bedding options thank to the brand's GelFlex Grid. It's made from a hyper elastic polymer that's incredible when it comes to pressure relief and comfort. As a bonus, it's super breathable. The Purple Restore Hybrid mattress uses a two-inch layer of the GelFlex Grid that can work great for all sleeping positions. Two layers of foam sit below the initial grid layer followed by supportive and responsive coils. Lastly, Purple uses an antimicrobial cover so you can sleep better knowing your bed is clean.

Instead of paying the normal $2,399 for a queen-size Purple Restore Hybrid, shop during this Memorial Day sale to get it for just $2,099. You'll save even more if you pair it with the Purple Premier Plus Smart Base which gives your sleeping set-up another major upgrade.

Best budget-friendly mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Original Mattress + 2 Free Pillows $649 at Bear
$998 Save $349 Get Deal Why we like it

Some sleepers love the plush feel of an all-foam mattress. One of the most affordable options that doesn't sacrifice comfort is the Bear Original mattress. For starters, the mattress is entirely fiberglass free (yes, some beds contain fiberglass) and the foam is certified to be non-toxic. But beyond that, the mattress offers awesome comfort at an affordable price.

The Bear Original uses three layers of cozy but supportive foam, striking that balance between comfort and ergonomic alignment. Memory foam can be an issue for hot sleepers since the material can often trap heat but Bear uses a cooling gel memory foam in the Original mattress that helps pull unwanted body heat away from the sleeper. The breathable quilted cover is also great for cooling comfort.

In a queen size, the Bear Original usually sells for $998 but the Bear Memorial Day mattress sale brings the price down to just $649. Plus, you'll get two free Cirrus Cloud Pillows for a full bed refresh this spring.

The best Memorial day mattress deals

  • Amerisleep — save up to $1,000 on mattresses

  • Avocado — take 10% off sitewide

  • Bear — save 35% on mattresses and get two free pillows

  • Big Fig — take 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY

  • Birch — save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with a new mattress with code MEMDAY25

  • Brooklyn Bedding — take 25% off sitewide

  • Casper — take up to 30% off on mattresses

  • DreamCloud — save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Helix — take 25% sitewide and get two free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

  • Leesa — save 30% on mattresses and get a free sleep bundle

  • Layla — get free pillows with ever mattress and take up to $1,018 off bundles

  • Mattress Firm — take up to 60% off and get a free adjustable base with select mattresses

  • Naturepedic — take up to 20% off organic mattresses

  • Nectar — save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

  • Nest — save up to $1,321 on new mattresses and get a free bundle

  • Puffy — take up to $1,350 off with code MEMORIALDAY

  • Saatva — save up to $600 on mattresses

  • Sleep Number — save up to 50% on smart beds

  • Tuft & Needle — save 20% on select mattresses

  • Viscosoft — take 25% off all mattress toppers

  • WinkBeds — save $300 on all mattresses

The best Memorial Day bedding deals The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Amazons Memorial Day Sale is live — shop tech, home goods, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:28
The best Memorial Day deals to shop on Amazon right now: Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $174.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum cleaner $149.97 (save $50.02) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill $131.93 (save $118.06) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Sales galore. As usual, Amazon is ahead of the game with up to 55% off select items from Amazon devices, kitchen items, home goods, electronics, and more, so shoppers can start prepping for summer. The sale started on May 16 and runs through Monday, May 26.

SEE ALSO: Best Memorial Day mattress deals in 2025 that are already live: Shop Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, Purple, and more

Of course, these deals might get even better as the holiday gets closer. (We’ll be keeping an eye on prices and updating this story regularly.) But there’s no harm in snatching up a few discounts now, especially for high-demand items with limited availability.

Here are some of the best Amazon Memorial Day sales you can shop now.

Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB 11" 2000x1200 Tablet $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is currently on sale for $174.99, down from $229.99. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen for this tablet (around $139.99 in November), but it’s still a pretty good deal for a newish tablet (it’s a 13th-gen, released in 2023).

The Fire Max 11 has an 11-inch display, 64GB of storage (you can expand it to up to 1 TB with a micro-SD card), and 14 hours of battery life. It’s ideal for streaming your favorite shows or reading e-books on the go. (You can game on it, too.) It’s also equipped with Alexa and compatible with the Amazon Stylus Pen.

More tech deals Best vacuum deal LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Stick Vac with Tangle-Resistant Design, Up to 50 Minutes, Powerful Suction, Rechargeable, Lightweight, and Versatile for Carpet, Hard Floor, Pet Hair, Black & White $149.97 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.02 Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum cleaner for just $149.97, down from $199.99. That’s 25% off and only $10 away from its lowest price ever.

This isn’t a Dyson, but it’s still a good vacuum if you want something that’s lightweight and cordless. The Levoit LVAC-200 has a suction power of 70 AW and a run time of up to 50 minutes with the Crevice or Pet Tool in Eco mode. You can also really get into those tight spots with the LED lights and 180-degree rotation.

More vacuum deals Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill Black $131.93 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $118.06 Get Deal Why we like it

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is currently on sale for $131.93, down from $249.99. That’s a 47% discount and a whopping $118.06 in savings. Again, it’s not the lowest we’ve seen on this grill (the lowest was $125.99), but it’s still a solid deal.

This is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of outdoor space or don’t want to deal with propane or charcoal. (Just be sure to read your lease! Some apartments don’t allow grills on balconies.) The TRU-Infrared technology cooks up to 50% juicier food (according to the manufacturer), and the grill has 320 square inches of cooking space, so you can still grill up plenty of food for friends and family.

More outdoor deals Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 at Walmart
$672.63 Save $443.63 See It Why we like it

If you have upcoming travel plans for the long Memorial Day weekend or you'll be heading abroad this summer, your packing list surely includes noise-cancelling headphones for the flight. Bose makes some of the most impressive noise-cancellation in the industry and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are on sale for just $229, marked down from the normal price of $349. This steep discount makes them a solid choice and might be a better fit if you've already dropped some serious money on flights. They're not quite as impressive as our favorite Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but those are still hanging out at full price, which is $429.

The Bose QuietComfort headphones come with bragging rights: getting up to 24 hours of playtime with a seriously comfortable design. The colorway options are also impressive, including your standard black and white but also a Chilled Lilac and Twilight Blue.

More headphones, earbuds, and speaker deals The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

50+ of the best Memorial Day deals and sales already live: Mattresses, headphones, outdoor furniture, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:23

UPDATE: May. 22, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EDT This page has been updated with the latest Memorial Day deals and voucher codes.

Somehow, we've already reached the unofficial start of summer: the Memorial Day 2025 deals are here.

Though Memorial Day isn't technically until May 26, plenty of brands kicked off their sales early. Leading the way are mattress deals, followed by home and kitchen deals. Below, we've gathered all the best deals so far ahead of Memorial Day, and will be adding to this list as more deals go live.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more Best Memorial Day mattress deals

  • Amerisleep: Save up to $6,000 on any mattress with promo code MD600

  • Avocado: Take 10% off sitewide with promo code HONOR10

  • Bear: Save 35% on mattresses and get two free pillows with promo code MEMORIALDAY

  • Big Fig: Take 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY

  • Birch: Save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with a new mattress with code MEMDAY25

  • Brooklyn Bedding: Take 30% off sitewide with promo code MEMORIAL30

  • Casper: Take up to 30% off on mattresses

  • DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Helix: Take 25% sitewide and get two free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

  • Leesa: Save 30% on mattresses and get a free sleep bundle

  • Layla: Get free pillows with ever mattress and take up to $1,018 off bundles

  • Mattress Firm: Take up to 60% off and get a free adjustable base with select mattresses

  • Naturepedic: Take up to 20% off organic mattresses

  • Nectar: Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

  • Nest: Save up to $1,321 on new mattresses and get a free bundle

  • Puffy: Take up to $1,350 off with code MEMORIALDAY

  • Purple: Take up to $700 off on a mattress and base, plus 20% off bedding and pillows, now through June 3

  • Saatva: Save up to $600 on mattresses

  • Sleep Number: Save up to 50% on smart beds

  • Tuft & Needle: Save 20% on select mattresses

  • Viscosoft: Take 25% off all mattress toppers

  • WinkBeds: Save $300 on all mattresses

Bedding

Best Memorial Day home deals

  • Branch: Take up to 15% off home office furniture

  • Dyson: Save on cordless vacuums and beauty products, including the Supersonic Nural hair dryer

  • Home Depot: Save up to 25% on gardening supplies, 30% on outdoor furniture, and 35% on select appliances through May 28

  • Overstock: Save up to 60% off patio furniture

  • Revival: Spend $250 to $499 to take 10% off, $500 to $749 for 15% off, $750 to $1499 for 20% off, and $1500 and more for 25% off

  • Ruggable: Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY, excluding select pillows, pet beds, spot cleaners, gift cards, and swatches

  • SimpliSafe: Get any new system for 60% off, plus a free outdoor camera ($199 value) when you sign up for professional monitoring

  • Tumble: Save 30% on all washable rugs

  • Windmill: Save up to 25% on the Windmill air conditioner

Best Memorial Day tech deals

  • Anker Soundcore: Save 15% on speakers with code OUTDOOR15

  • Best Buy: Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more

  • HP: Save up to 55% on select laptops, PCs, printers, and other HP tech

  • Lenovo: Save up to 50% off on ThinkBooks, desktops, Chromebooks, monitors, and the X1 Carbon Gen 12

  • Ultimate Ears: Save $30 off $150, $70 off $250, and $150 off $450

Best Memorial Day kitchen deals

  • HydroFlask: Save up to 25% on bestsellers, including tumblers, lunch boxes, and accessories

  • Made In: Save up to 25% on cookware

  • Ninja: Select outdoor grills are 15% off with code OUTDOOR15

  • Ooni: Save up to 20% on pizza ovens, oven accessories, and cookware

  • Owala: Take 30% off 24-ounce and 40-ounce tumblers through May 26

  • Sodastream: Save 25% sitewide

Miscellaneous Memorial Day deals

  • Eyebyedirect: Take 30% off lenses and 20% off frames with code MDWDEAL through May 25 and take 30% off designer brand glasses with code DB30 through May 26

  • Shark: Save up to $300 off select products, plus 20% off select hair care with code BEAUTY20

  • Solawave: Take 35% off kits

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Get a free gaming monitor with the heavily discounted Samsung Odyssey G9

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:04

FREE GAMING MONITOR: The Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch monitor is on sale for $799.99 at Samsung. Save $500 and get a free 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch Monitor + 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C Monitor (Free) Get Deal

We thought it was neat that LG were offering up free gaming monitors for Memorial Day, but it turns out that everyone is getting in on the act.

The Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch curved gaming monitor is on sale for $799.99 at Samsung, saving you $500 on list price. That's a strong standalone deal, but this purchase comes with a 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C for free. Ever wanted a top-quality second screen for your gaming setup? This is your chance to stock up for a low price.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch: Which health and sleep tracker is right for you?

The Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch curved gaming monitor features 1440p resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time for an incredibly smooth gaming experience. With support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, you'll also get less of that screen tearing and stuttering that everyone hates.

The Odyssey G55C monitor features a 165Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync VRR support, HDR10 support for better contrast, 1440p resolution, and a 1ms response time. It's the perfect second screen for any setup, and it could be yours for absolutely nothing.

Save $500 and get a free 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C with this Memorial Day deal.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Pedro Pascal recites famous Mr Darcy quote in rom-com quiz with Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:54

Reader, you're in for a treat.

Materialists stars Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans put their romantic comedy knowledge to the test in a truly joyful quiz. And, I'm pleased to report that all three of them do us proud with their romantic movie expertise.

Perhaps most impressive of all was Evans' ability to identify a quote from The Notebook by the following words "I wrote you..." Just how many times have you watched this movie, Chris?

The pièce de résistance? That would be Pedro giving a perfect delivery of Mr Darcy's declaration of love in Joe Wright's 2005 Pride and Prejudice.

10/10 no notes.

Materialists hits cinemas June 13.

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