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Fortnite is now in the business of resurrecting the dead, apparently.

On Friday, developer Epic Games announced in a blog post that Darth Vader is back in Fortnite as a recruitable boss character in the game's primary Battle Royale mode. He can be recruited to fight alongside you and your friends, but here's where things get strange: You can voice chat with Darth Vader and he'll respond using an AI approximation of the late James Earl Jones' voice. According to Epic, the Jones estate signed off on this, providing a statement in the blog post:

James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it. We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.

The ethical concerns here are numerous and obvious, but it should be noted that Jones himself signed off on his voice being used in this exact manner back in 2022, before his death. Mashable recently reported on a similar case involving the voice and likeness of Agatha Christie.

Credit: Epic Games SEE ALSO: The Sabrina Carpenter 'Fortnite' skin is everywhere, and it's pretty funny

Anyway, Epic said you can ask him questions about the Galactic Empire or the Force and he'll answer them. Of course, it took about 30 seconds for someone to make the AI bot say something it shouldn't say:

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

Epic Games did program the Vader character with safeguards in place (read more about parental controls in this FAQ), and he'll reportedly refuse to engage in romantic talk or discuss killing younglings. If a user discusses self-harm or mental health, Vader will direct the user to seek help.

Right now, the AI Darth Vader only speaks English, and Epic Games says they used a combination of Google Gemini 2.0 Flash and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 AI models.

You can check out the AI Darth Vader in Fortnite now, unless you're on iPhone.

SAVE $50: As of May 16, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $149.99, down from its usual price of $199.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch FE $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you need a new smartwatch, you've got tons to choose from. You don't have to stick to the Apple Watch or even any of its high-priced competitors. Samsung has a great lineup to look into if you want to save money on the fancier options and still get everything you're looking for in a smartwatch. Right now, you can get one for an especially low price that's worth your while.

As of May 16, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE for $149.99, down from its usual price of $199.99, at Amazon. That's $50 off and a discount of 25%.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE can be a fantastic companion for your fitness journey and regular workouts thanks to its wide range of options. It can help you track your steps, calories burned, how well you're sleeping, and your heart rate. That's just the tip of the iceberg, though. It's more than just a fitness tracker.

Sync to your Android phone and make calls, send and read texts, and make payments while you're out and about. It's a good way to stop leaning on your phone so much and do everything straight from your wrist. You can do all this for under $200 for this model, so if you've been looking for a new watch, now's the time to make your move.

SAVE $7: Between May 16 and May 18, Fandango is offering $7 off tickets to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX with code BLOODLINES.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fandango $7 off 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' in IMAX Use code BLOODLINES at Fandango Get Deal

A new Final Destination movie probably isn't something that 2000s horror lovers thought they'd be facing in the year of 2025. And yet, fate has brought us here: It's Bloodlines opening weekend, baby.

Don't push this one off until it comes out on streaming. Such a destined seismic event in horror history should not only be seen in theaters, but in IMAX. Between May 16 and May 18, you can save $7 on any ticket to see Final Destination: Bloodlines in IMAX when you purchase through Fandango. Just ender code BLOODLINES at checkout.

IMAX tickets typically range between $15 and $18, depending on the theater. So Fandango's $7 credit could technically equate to nearly 50% off your movie ticket, and that could technically equate to a free snack or soda.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (May 16, 2025)

The chances of a franchise horror sequel flopping aren't low, especially one coming a decade or two after the OGs. But early reviews of Bloodlines ensure that there were no accidents (no coincidences, no mishaps, and no escapes) when moving forward on a sixth installment of Final Destination — this movie rocks. Mashable contributor Jason Adams sums the Bloodlines experience up: "You'll cringe, hoot, and holler. You'll wipe the phantom viscera off your face. And you'll spend the entire ride home convinced everything's out to kill you. It's horror movie nirvana." How could you not want to see that on a 72 foot long, 50 foot tall screen?

SAVE $17: The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Leg Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) $17.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $17.00 Get Deal

Stop what you're doing, cancel your weekend plans, and check out this latest deal on Lego.

The Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (484-piece kit) is on sale for $17.99 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so if you've been patiently waiting for the right moment to stock up on those little bricks, this is your moment to shine.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away a free Ninjago Thunderfang on May 18. Here’s how to get yours.

This 484-piece kit comes in 35 colors and encourages kids to engage in creative play. It's great supplement set to any existing Lego collection.

And if that wasnt enough, you can also build and take home an exclusive Lego Ninjago Thunderfang model for free on May 18.

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

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $44: As of May 16, new subscribers can get four months of MUBI for just $3.99 per month instead of the usual $14.99 per month. That's 120 days of streaming for only $15.96 instead of $59.96.

Opens in a new window Credit: MUBI MUBI subscription $3.99/month for four months Get Deal

Like everything else, streaming services just keep getting more and more expensive. So when a deal happens to pop up, we recommend jumping on it immediately. Peacock randomly dropped a major spring discount earlier this week and now MUBI is following in its footsteps.

As of May 16, new (and returning) subscribers can score four months of MUBI for only $3.99 per month instead of $14.99. That's a grand total of $15.96 for four months and a discount of $44. Once the four month promotional period ends, the price will jump back to $14.99, but you can cancel if you want to avoid that charge. Regardless, imagine how many movies you can watch in four months.

Never heard of MUBI? Unlike your usual streaming services, MUBI is specifically built for cinephiles. Its library is brimming with quality cinema, showcasing an array of films from America and abroad, mainstream and independent, classics, new releases, award winners, and Mubi originals — like recent Oscar nominee The Substance. It's where you'll find The People's Joker and Bird, two more of our favorite movies of 2024, Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott's Bring Them Down, and the hilarious documentary Grand Theft Hamlet.

MUBI hasn't specified just how long this deal will stick around, only noting that it's a "limited time only" offer that "ends soon." In other words, run, don't walk.

If you're not a movie person, a MUBI subscription is probably not for you. But if you are, you're going to have a field day. And at only $3.99 per month, you'll get a whole lot more bang for your buck.

The best TV deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (43 inches, 2024) — $269.99 (List Price $329.99)

• 55-inch Sony Bravia 3 4K LED Smart Google TV (2024 Model) — $578.00 (List Price $699.99)

• LG 65-inch Class UR9000 Series 4K Smart TV — $496.99 (List Price $629.99)

• Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV — $1,697.96 (List Price $1999.96)

SAVE $100: As of May 16, the Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum cleaner with auto-empty system is on sale for $399 at Amazon. That's 20% off its MSRP of $499.99, and just $50 shy of its Black Friday price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum with auto-empty system $399 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal

Dyson purchases ain't for the faint of budget. That's because the real worthwhile Dysons start near the $600 mark, and the cheap Dysons aren't the best bang for your buck out there. If your budget for a cordless vacuum was firmly under $500, I'd quickly point you toward the Shark PowerDetect stick vacuum cleaner that I have and love.

This self-emptying Shark powerhouse was already modestly priced at its MSRP of $499.99, but an $100 discount at Amazon drops it to $399 — just $50 shy of its Black Friday price.

The PowerDetect wand bends so you don't have to when cleaning under furniture. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Not to be confused with the robot vacuum version of the PowerDetect, Shark calls the cordless PowerDetect its smartest, most powerful cordless vacuum. And let me tell you, you can feel that power in your arm as the PowerDetect almost tries to guide you across the floor. The PowerDetect has multiple suction settings that auto-adjust based on whether hard floors or carpet is detected, but I sometimes have to bump the power down a peg on my rugs — the PowerDetect creates such a cyclone that they start to bunch up. I could see this setting being a godsend for pet hair pickup in fully-carpeted rooms.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineups

But I'd say the real hook here is the affordable auto-empty system. Automatic emptying is a way more common feature in robot vacuums at the moment, with most self-emptying cordless vacuums not exactly landing on the budget end of the spectrum. No Dysons have self-emptying at all. Though I love my Dyson V12 Detect Slim for specific purposes, I shudder each time I have to dump that monstrous dust bunny into the trash. I am obsessed with the fact that my Shark PowerDetect deals with that itself each time it's hung back up on the dock to charge.

The hidden bonus to a stick vacuum that empties itself every time? Each new cleaning session is starting with an empty clear dust bin, so you get visual proof of just how much gunk was sucked up during the current cleaning session alone. As a professional robot vacuum tester, I love using the PowerDetect to see how a robot vacuum fared on rugs.

Two attachments for handheld use are included. Unfortunately, Shark sells the handheld motorized pet tool separately — Dyson definitely gets points for including that with its vacuums.

SAVE 40%: As of May 16, you can get an Anker USB-C charger for just $23.99, down from $39.95, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and a $15.96 savings. It's also a new record-low price, according to our trusted price tracker Camelcamelcamel.

Anker USB C Charger, 543 (65W II), PIQ 3.0 & GaN 4-Port Slim Fast Wall Charger, with Dual USB C Ports (45W Max), for MacBook, Laptops, iPad Pro, iPhone and More $23.99 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $15.96 Get Deal

Tired of picking and choosing which of your devices gets charged first (if at all)? If you’ve got a handful of devices and only one outlet, a USB charging station could be the answer to your charging woes. And right now, Amazon’s got a great deal on one of the best brands in the business.

As of May 16, you can get an Anker USB-C charger for just $23.99, down from $39.95, at Amazon. That's a 40% discount and a $15.96 savings. It's also a new record-low price, according to our trust price tracker Camelcamelcamel.

This USB-C charging station can charge USB-C notebooks, tablets, smartphones, and more. It has two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports for a total of 65W of charging power. Plus, it's backed by Anker's 18-month warranty for extra peace of mind.

With a charging station like this one, you’ll be able to keep your desk organized and your devices ready to go.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE UP TO $81.99: As of May 16, both the Sony ULT Field 5 and ULT Field 3 speakers are on sale for 25 and 26% off, respectively. The ULT Field 5 is down to just $248 from $329.99 and the ULT Field 3 is down to $148 from $199.99 — their best prices on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 3 speaker $148 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $51.99 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 5 speaker $248 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $81.99 Get Deal

In early April, Sony expanded its ULT speaker lineup to include the ULT Field 3 and ULT Field 5 speakers. Just over a month later, both relatively budget-friendly speakers have dropped to even more affordable prices.

As of May 16, you can pick up the Sony ULT Field 3 at Amazon for just $148. That's 26% off its list price of $199.99. Meanwhile, the Sony ULT Field 5 is down to just $248 at Amazon, which is about 25% off its list price of $329.99. Both are sitting at their lowest prices on record since their release last month.

We were thrilled to see the expansion of the ULT lineup, as we already loved the ULT Wear headphones and ULT Field 1 speaker. We haven't had a chance to do any hands-on testing with the ULT Field 5, but Mashable's Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern spent some time with the ULT Field 3 and wrote, "It’s a decently priced mid-size speaker from one of our favorite audio brands, so I don’t think anyone would regret purchasing it. It has great audio quality (as long as you’re not right next to the speaker), a good battery life, and can withstand tough conditions."

The entire ULT line was designed for bass lovers. If heavy bass isn't your thing, you may want to look elsewhere. These babies get loud. Both speakers are completely waterproof, dust-proof, and rust-proof, with an IP67 certification. Plus, both can stand vertically or lay horizontally and come with a removable shoulder strap. The Field 3 is smaller and more portable, while the Field 5 is a little heftier and "would be better for more stationary uses like house parties," Kern writes. For a $100 difference, the 5 also has a slightly longer battery life, more customizable audio, more output, even deeper bass, and fun party lights.

Whichever you choose, they're both rugged, great-sounding speakers. And at up to 26% off, they're pretty affordable compared to competitors.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.99 (List Price $39.99)

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99)

• JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95)

• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $148.00 (List Price $149.00)

• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds — $179.00

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $348.00)

• JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $299.00 (List Price $399.95)

A new Apple leak suggests AirPods Pro 3 earbuds could drop soon.

As 9to5Mac reported, new info surfaced on X earlier this week that suggested Apple was working on the next generation of AirPods Pro. Aaron Perris, an Apple-focused analyst, posted a bit of code that suggests Apple is actively prepping for the third generation of AirPods Pro.

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The code Perris posted shows a task for "AirPods Pro 2nd Generation" that now reads for "AirPods Pro 2 or later," which suggests there is a third generation in the works. Mashable hasn't been able to independently verify the screenshot, but we are overdue for new Pro earbuds. The latest AirPods Pro 2 launched back in 2022, with a USB-C-charging version introduced in 2023. Despite their age, Mashable has consistently rated the Pros as some of the best wireless earbuds.

Apple fans are hoping this means we'll get a surprise announcement of the AirPods Pro 3 during June's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event. While it's possible we get the new headphones at WWDC, it is far from a guarantee. Both previous models of the AirPods Pro were announced in the fall, and Apple does tend to keep to a schedule. Still, the bit of code does suggest the third-gen Pros are in the works.

And it's not like WWDC will be without news. It's a near certainty we'll get iOS 19 in June, and it's rumored to be a huge overhaul. So while you may have to wait a while for new AirPods Pro earbuds, there should be plenty of updates from Apple-land in the meantime.

SEE ALSO: iOS 19 rumors: Every feature we've heard of so far

In the latest viral ChatGPT image trend, Reddit users are asking the AI chatbot to create an image based on their username. Redditors are using the prompt, "make me an image based on my Reddit name."

For users like goodnaturedheathen, the results are cute and charming. For BeachedWhiteMale (pictured above), the results are, well, about what you'd expect.

I asked ChatGPT to make me an image based on my Reddit name and it’s ADORABLE! 🥰
byu/goodnaturedheathen inChatGPT

We won't subject you to the results for usernames like Sad_Proctologist or diarrhea_fingerpaint. (For the good of humanity, Reddit user DiarrheaCreamPi said, “Hey gang, Imma sit this one out.”) Fortunately, submissions from users like HeyLookAHorse, Br0barian, chonkybug, and ChimpanzeeClownCar are much more wholesome.

When I tried this ChatGPT trend myself, I got the following result (though I'm not telling you my Reddit username, sorry).

AI-generated image. Credit: ChatGPT / Timothy Beck Werth

You can head to the /chatgpt subreddit to see some of the most popular results. And of course, you can create your own images on ChatGPT.

The results will depend on whether or not you chose an interesting username, of course.

Reddit users are famously unable to change their usernames (not even the capitalization). So, if you've chosen an unfortunate or boring username, you're stuck with it.

In the past, Mashable has covered other viral ChatGPT image trends, such as people turning their pets into humans, generating AI action figures, or asking ChatGPT to replicate an image 100 times. Other viral image trends from ChatGPT and OpenAI have been more controversial, including the original — the Studio Ghibli image frenzy.

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.

The tool, Codex, will be able to handle multiple tasks at the same time, the company said. OpenAI is also in talks to acquire a coding tool called Windsurf for $3 billion.

SAVE $3.12: As of May 16, get the Belkin Apple AirTag Secure Holder with Clip for $9.87 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $12.99. That's a discount of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Belkin Apple AirTag Secure Holder with Clip $9.87 at Amazon
$12.99 Save $3.12 Get Deal

How often do you find yourself losing important things around the house? Maybe you get in for the day and you toss your keys somewhere and have no idea where to find them the next day. Or maybe you have a favorite bag that you use all the time that somehow seems to be misplaced half the times you go to use it. Whatever the case may be, an Apple AirTag is the easiest way to stop losing things, but it doesn't have a way to be attached to anything without an accessory. A clip can make it super easy to add an AirTag to just about anything, and you can get a great one at Amazon right now.

As of May 16, get the Belkin Apple AirTag Secure Holder with Clip for $9.87 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $12.99. That's $3.12 off and a discount of 24%.

This simple clip is easy to lock your AirTag into with its heavy-duty plastic and snap-and-lock design. You just drop the AirTag in, close the clip around it, and you're good to go. It effectively gives you a way to attach the tag to anything with a secure hold that won't suddenly pop open and lose the tag plus your item.

Usually, if you have a keyring to put an AirTag in, you're left at the mercy of needing something to attach that to. A clip makes it so that you can just attach your AirTag directly to a bag, a pouch, a shirt, or whatever it is that you can't lose. Maybe luggage? That's always a good idea to track.

If you're tired of losing things and need an easier way to find them, grab a clip or two and see how it might just change the way you approach organizing your life.

SAVE 31%: As of May 16, you can get the Beatbot AquaSense 2 cordless robot pool vacuum for just $1,099, down from $1,599, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount and a $500 savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen yet.

Beatbot AquaSense 2 Cordless Smart Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner (3,230sq ft) $1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500 Get Deal

If you ever wished you could clean your pool as easily as you vacuum your living room, now’s your chance.

As of May 16, you can get the Beatbot AquaSense 2 cordless robotic pool vacuum cleaner for just $1,099, down from $1,599, at Amazon. That’s a 31% discount and a $500 savings. It’s also the lowest price we’ve ever seen on this model.

SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuums and mops of 2025 so far, tested hands-on at home

The AquaSense 2 scoots around your pool floor, up the walls, and along the waterline to suck up debris. But unlike most pool vacuums, this little gadget scrubs the waterline twice per pass and doesn’t need to be connected to any hoses or cords.

The CleverNav advanced navigation system maps out the most efficient cleaning route. It’s got 16 sensors (two of which are ultrasonic) and a powerful 10,000mAh battery, so it’ll run for up to four hours on a single charge (three-and-a-half hours of wall and waterline scrubbing). When you’re ready, you can call it to the surface with the app or let it return to the edge on its own when its battery is low.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

Yesterday, we reported on a bizarre glitch from xAI's chatbot Grok, which began adding commentary about "white genocide" in South Africa into random conversations about baseball and HBO Max.

And last night, xAI — the artificial intelligence arm of Elon Musk's X — finally admitted it had a problem. In a post on X, the company promised to conduct a full investigation into the glitch, blaming it on "an unauthorized modification" that directed Grok "to provide a specific response on a political topic."

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Coincidentally, Musk, the leader of xAI and a Grok power user, has a known interest in the subject. In fact, he spent yesterday tweeting about white genocide in South Africa, his home country. In right-wing circles, the "white genocide" theory is a common talking point, although a South African court recently called the issue "clearly imagined."

After outlets like Mashable reported on the glitch, many of Grok's replies about the topic were deleted en masse. And in Mashable's tests, the chatbot stopped answering questions about the controversy in X posts discussing the glitch. (Normally, Grok will respond to users who tag @grok in X posts.)

As news of the glitch went viral on May 15, users on X began roasting xAI and Musk, and even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman piled on.

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

By some estimates, xAI is valued at $80 billion.

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.

“Go Mama, go Mama, go!” My two-year-old was cheering from the back of the bike as I huffed and puffed up a steep hill, his six-month-old brother strapped into a front seat and a backpack full of our gear for the day — computer, diapers, lunches — pulling me down. My thighs were burning, my heart pounding, and yet I had to laugh. This was motherhood and bicycle commuting colliding. That moment was both hilarious and humbling.

I had been commuting by bike for years, proudly pedaling my steel-framed road bike through rain, wind, and traffic. But with two kids and a full load, I was hitting my physical limit. Something had to give.

Cycling has long been part of my identity. I met my husband volunteering with Bike East Bay (then the East Bay Bicycle Coalition), and biking wasn’t just how we got from A to B — it was a lifestyle. Riding brought us joy, health, and a deep sense of community. It gave us freedom. But those early parenting years were physically intense, and the logistics of hauling two tiny humans, their gear, and the day’s essentials started to make my beloved road bike feel like an anchor. We wanted to remain a one-car family, but our setup wasn’t sustainable.

That Christmas, Santa delivered a miracle: a beautiful Xtracycle E-Swoop, which I quickly dubbed the “minivan of bikes.” It was sleek, sturdy, and — most importantly — electric. (It also fit both me at 5 feet tall and my husband at 6 feet.) From the very first ride, I felt the difference. I could now carry both kids, a full week’s groceries, and yes, even 12 rolls of toilet paper without breaking a sweat. The steepest hills in Berkeley and Oakland no longer intimidated me. Suddenly, what had felt like a daily challenge became a joyride.

The Xtracycle transformed our routines. Morning drop-offs were smoother, errands quicker, commuting times slashed — and we no longer had to play Tetris with car seats and boosters. We’d zip to the park as a family, often picking up friends or extra kids along the way. On weekends, we started participating in a monthly kids’ bike parade. It's one of my favorite traditions: We strap our children’s bikes onto ours, ride over as a family, and join a sea of young cyclists wobbling joyfully through the neighborhood. With the e-bike’s power boost, I could ride ahead and block intersections, keeping the route safe for our youngest riders. Our youngest — child number three — who had been sitting on the back of my bike for the past four years, recently made her maiden ride at the kids’ bike parade, and I couldn’t have been prouder.

Now that we have three children and they’ve grown (and gotten heavier!), our biking setup has evolved. I now ride a Tern HSD, a slightly more compact but still powerful e-bike. My husband and I each take a bike and split the kid load. We’ve found our rhythm again — our daily lives revolve around zipping from school to errands to judo, all without touching the gas pedal. On most days, our car just sits in the driveway, unused.

SEE ALSO: We’re geeking out over this actually affordable e-bike

Of course, there are trade-offs. I sometimes miss the simplicity of hopping on a regular bike without worrying about battery life or remembering to charge it. And yes, the upfront cost of an e-bike can be daunting. But mostly, I feel lucky that these bikes exist — and that there are now so many models to fit different needs and budgets. When I think about how much we've saved on gas, car maintenance, insurance, and time — not to mention the reduced stress — it’s worth every penny. Plus, the benefits to my mental and physical health are huge. I’m outside, moving my body (e-biking can still be hard if you resist riding in Turbo mode all the time), spending time with my kids, and staying connected to my community.

E-bikes break down so many barriers. Whether it’s climbing hills, carrying cargo, recovering from an injury, or simply keeping up with a busy family life, they make biking accessible to more people. I’ve seen older adults, parents with toddlers, and folks who never thought they could bike start riding again because of the confidence an electric boost provides.

There’s also something empowering about choosing a bike over a car. It’s a small rebellion against traffic, pollution, and the idea that life has to be rushed and noisy. On a bike, life slows down just enough — you notice things. You make a spontaneous stop for ice cream. You talk to your kids. You never get a parking ticket. You feel the wind shift before the rain comes.

Now, when I pull up to the grocery store and snag the prime “parking spot” right by the door, I can’t help but smile — it’s one of the quiet perks of traveling by bike. People often ask about my ride, and I love how quickly curiosity turns into excitement when they see how easy and fun commuting this way can be.

We’re still riding strong — two e-bikes, three kids, and one (mostly) happy family navigating the ups and downs of life with an electric boost. To anyone considering the switch: get curious. Test ride. Ask questions. You don’t need to be an athlete or a gearhead to make it work. You just need to be willing to try.

And if you hear a tiny voice behind you yelling, “Go Mama go!” — you’ll know exactly how I got here.

Anat Razon O'Suilleabhain is a solar energy professional who loves getting around by bike. She’s raising three kids in Oakland with her fantastic husband, Liam, and also loves to cook, garden, and sleep whenever she gets the chance. This column reflects the opinions of the writer.

Individuals and small businesses may end up bearing some of the cost of grid upgrades needed for large electricity users, a new report found.

That pile of unsold Cybertrucks in a Tesla parking lot? It's getting bigger by the day.

Despite its controversial styling and the fact that it gets recalled nearly every other month, Tesla Cybertruck was still the best-selling fully electric pick-up truck in America — until now.

According to data from S&P Global Mobility (via InsideEVs), in the first three months of 2025, there were 7,126 Cybertruck registrations in the U.S. That was only good enough for second place, behind Ford's F-150 Lightning which had 7,913 registrations. Next in line was the Chevrolet Silverado EV, followed by GMC Sierra EV, Rivian R1T, and the GMC Hummer EV.

SEE ALSO: Womp, womp: Tesla kills the $16,000 Cybertruck Range Extender

Tesla doesn't officially share sales figures per each model. Another source reports Ford sold 7,181 F-150 Lightning units in Q1 2025, but that's still ahead of Cybertruck.

Wait, you're saying that this is not the best-selling EV truck in the U.S.? How is that even possible? Credit: Anadolu/Getty Images

The numbers look even worse for Tesla if you compare them with the last quarter of 2024, when Cybertruck had 12,991 registrations. The quarter before that, Tesla sold 16,692 Cybertrucks, meaning that sales have now been on the decline for two consecutive quarters. Tesla recently introduced a more affordable Long Range model; whether that will be enough to increase sales remains to be seen.

Ford can celebrate this small victory, but the F-150 Lightning sales figures aren't that great given that the company sold 183,202 F-series trucks total in the first quarter of 2025. It appears that electric pick-up trucks aren't as lucrative as manufacturers once thought they'd be, especially if the CEO keeps antagonizing potential customers.

The Cybertruck is only available in the U.S., but Tesla sales are plummeting globally, too. The company is hoping that a redesigned Model Y — the company's best-selling model — will make things better, but so far the signs point to no.

The rise of filmmaking duo Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou (aka RackaRacka) has been truly remarkable. Australian brothers who began exploring their love for stunts, spectacle, and storytelling through videos on Facebook, then Youtube, they made a marvelous feature film debut in 2023 with the terrifically terrifying Talk to Me. The haunted hand thriller not only wowed critics but also awed audiences, making it a bona fide box office hit. Now, they return with a somber sophomore effort, Bring Her Back. 

Like Talk to Me, their follow-up is a riveting horror movie about grief, once more centered on a teen protagonist all too familiar with the topic. This time, screenwriters Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman, who also wrote Talk to Me, bring a sophisticated blend of empathy, agony, and body horror into Bring Her Back, which makes it a less raucous but more mature movie than their last. 

But fear not. With two-time Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins fronting this film, Bring Her Back is just as frightening as the Philippou brothers' first... maybe even more so. 

Sally Hawkins goes psycho-biddy in Bring Her Back.  Sally Hawkins stars in "Bring Her Back." Credit: A24

The English actress, whose roles include a sweet mum in Paddington and a receptive lover to a sea creature in The Shape of Water, plunges into horror with an alarming mix of earnestness and intensity. In Bring Her Back, she plays a foster mom to two half-siblings who have been recently orphaned. 

Young Piper (newcomer Sora Wong) is partially sighted, but fearless in exploring the world around her. Her older half-brother Andy (Billy Barratt) is more hesitant, perhaps because he has seen horrors she can't imagine — like exactly how their father died.

When they turn up at the cozy rural cottage of their new foster mom, Laura (Hawkins), she seems like a ray of light. Like her heroine in Happy-Go-Lucky, she wears bright colors and a big smile, all the more welcoming for scared or scarred children who show up at her door. But beneath her cheery disposition, Laura is also grappling with grief, having lost her daughter a year before. 

It seems she buries her pain by caring for other children in need, including the odd Ollie (Jonah Wren Phillips), who stares coldly at his new adopted siblings but won't speak a word. Bound to Andy's perspective for much of the film, the audience sees Laura as he does, which is to say that her facade of motherly warmth hides a cruel streak. But even the suspicious teen boy can't imagine what horrors lie in store for him and his siblings. 

Bring Her Back channels grief into terror.  Sora Wong and Billy Barratt co-star in "Bring Her Back." Credit: A24

Pulling from their own experiences with grief, the co-directing Philippous explore this gnarly emotion through horrific twists, nerve-shredding gore, and a roaring undercurrent of religious horror. As teased in the trailer, there's something occult going on in Laura's house. Wisely, as they did with Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers don't get caught up in explaining the supernatural evil at the root of their horror story. Instead, we — like the teens plagued by it — experience the uncertainty of it with dread and urgency. It's that awful sensation you feel in your bones that something is wrong, but you can't clearly explain it in order to get help. And even if you could, who would believe you? 

This feeling of being trapped by Laura (and the foster system that venerates her) reflects the inescapability of grief. Then, the Philippous push harder on the bruise of such an injury and into the surreal. There are moments in mourning where the loss feels so big it's incomprehensible, and the very world around us feels impossible and alien. So for Andy (and to a lesser degree Piper) to feel out of sorts in Laura's strange realm is not just unnerving atmospherically, but also emotionally truthful to the experience of grieving And yet, the Philippous have empathy for their villain, making clear not only her pain but also her doubts and need for external validation to continue her plan. While Laura is the antagonist of Bring Her Back, tormenting the children in her care, grief is the villain that has twisted her from mom to monster. 

When she faces off against a willful Andy, Hawkins shows both sides of Laura. In moments, she is almost cloyingly sweet as she laughs and plays with Piper. But in others, the guarded tone she uses with Ollie is jarring. The manic look in her eye as she lies to Piper's face and then winks at Andy as if he's a co-conspirator is alarming. The determined stare when she plots at night with locked doors and a bucket of piss is the stuff of night terrors. Hawkins, a performer who has long been championed as a wonderful actor, gives a career-best performance here, leaning into the joys and absolute agonies of motherhood with a ferocity that is breathtaking. 

The children of Bring Her Back are astonishing.  Jonah Wren Phillips plays Ollie in "Bring Her Back." Credit: A24

Hawkins is a force of nature as Laura. But incredibly the Philippou brothers have found young actors who can match presence her onscreen. Barratt, who recently played Young Dimitri in Kraven: The Hunter, has the unenviable job of shouldering the film's emotional weight, while pushing back against Hawkins' Laura.

Nearly 18, Andy is in that awkward space between childhood and adulthood, and Barratt's physicality reflects this, teetering with a blend of brute strength and gentle awkwardness. He shifts his weight in scenes where Andy feels ungrounded. His smile flashes sheepishly, revealing glittering braces that make him seem younger still. But when threatened, he is able to rear up with a macho fury — one that Laura will use against him. 

By contrast, Piper is spirited and blissfully bratty. Wong has a radiant charisma, whether she's playing sports with her friends or razzing her brother. In her first onscreen role, Wong is effortless and enchanting. The breeziness (or, arguably, resiliency) she brings to Piper makes the film's climax all the scarier, because the young girl is basically a princess who doesn't realize this isn't a castle and that's not a queen. It's a lair with a wicked witch waiting. 

Even more remarkable, however, is the performance delivered by Jonah Wren Phillips. As Ollie, Phillips has few vocal expressions, as Laura says trauma has led to selective mutism. He instead communicates through long, hard stares that reflect the abyss. As the movie goes on and Laura's secrets spill out, Phillips' role becomes intensely physical, demanding prop work, disfiguring prosthetic make-up, and body horror gags that work because of his commitment and the Philippou brothers' dedication to practical effects.

Bring Her Back's scenes of violence are not just gory. They are an aural and visual assault so intense they are tactile. The sounds of metal on teeth or the crunch of wood is so precise you can practically feel it. That collides with seamless visual effects and Phillips' uniquely haunting performance to create a new icon in horror. While Laura might scare you, and Andy could break your heart, Ollie will follow you home and haunt you. 

All of this to say, Bring Her Back is extraordinary. For those who found Talk to Me sensationally scary, this follow-up will thrill with its deeply deranged tale of heartache and body horror. But the Philippous went deeper, presenting a character-driven drama with flares of psycho-biddy and religious horror. That heady combination not only makes for a satisfyingly scary as hell movie, but also a profound one. 

Grief is an immense emotion that hits like waves. It disorients. It destroys. It catches us off guard. Bring Her Back captures all of these elements of grief and more.

While I gasped and screamed at the Philippous' latest, I also held my breath and cried. While they have warned critics and audiences their new film is "bleak," I found it beautiful. Alongside a story of psychological torment, physical torture, and murder, Bring Her Back also offers a story of love beyond death, and how that can be a double-edged sword. 

Bring Her Back opens in theaters May 30.

SAVE $10: As of May 16, the JBL Go 4 portable speaker is on sale for $39.95 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $49.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 4 $39.95 at Amazon
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Warm weather and summer sunshine has finally arrived, and if you're spending time outdoors enjoying it, a portable speaker is a great item to have around. If you've been on the lookout for something special, there are some great discounts available right now, including on the JBL Go 4 at Amazon.

The JBL Go 4 has been discounted to $39.95, 20% off its list price of $49.95. What's even better is your purchase also comes with a 90-day free trial of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan. Keep in mind that this offer only applies to new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited, though.

SEE ALSO: The Beats Pill speaker is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon

The JBL Go 4 has a tiny form factor, with a helpful built-in loop that's perfect for taking on any outdoor adventures. It boasts big sound with up to seven hours of playtime, so you can keep listening for longer without worrying about a recharge. Not to mention, it's waterproof and dustproof so it can handle a variety of elements, whether you take it to the pool or out camping.

Amazon has it listed as a limited-time deal, so act fast to pick up the JBL Go 4 at this low price.

There are a couple more JBL portable speaker deals that are worth a look right now, too. Also at Amazon, the JBL Clip 5 and JBL Xtreme 4 have received nice discounts as well.

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

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.00)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.98 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

Plus, your Friday news quiz.