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Think of something you'll remember forever, something so close to your heart or brain that you wouldn't have to write it down to keep it top of mind. You'll have to type it out every day for 30 days. It has to have 15 characters, an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a symbol, and a number. The numbers cannot be consecutive. It cannot be similar to anything you've ever said before. You will have to recall this secret code constantly or risk being locked out of every device and subscription you need.

Of course, we're talking about your password, and it is a nightmare. Now, Microsoft wants to get rid of passwords entirely.

The company announced this week that moving forward, all new Microsoft accounts will be "passwordless by default."

SEE ALSO: A review of 19 billion passwords reveals people are still bad at them

According to a May 1 post on Microsoft's blog, the move is part of a "journey toward passwordless sign-in." Instead of using a password to sign on, Microsoft wants you to use a passkey, which could be a PIN or a biometric option such as facial recognition or a fingerprint scan. (That sounds a lot better than Sam Altman's eyeball-scanning machine, The Orb.)

"[Users] signing in with passkeys are three times more successful at getting into their account than password users (about 98% versus 32%)," the blog post reads. "When you use a passkey, you get into your account much quicker too! Passkey sign-ins are eight times faster than a password and multifactor authentication."

So not only will signing in be less annoying, but it will also be more efficient, Microsoft argues.

"As part of this simplified UX, we’re changing the default behavior for new accounts. Brand new Microsoft accounts will now be 'passwordless by default,'" Microsoft wrote in its blog post. "New users will have several passwordless options for signing into their account and they’ll never need to enroll a password. Existing users can visit their account settings to delete their password."

Microsoft isn't the only tech company moving towards passkey-friendly logins. Amazon, Google, and WhatsApp are all also working towards it.

The best gift card deals BEST RIDESHARE GIFT CARD Lyft $100 gift card $85 (save $15) Get Deal BEST BEAUTY GIFT CARD Ulta Beauty $50 gift card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal BEST FOOD DELIVERY GIFT CARD DoorDash $50 gift card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal BEST CLOTHING GIFT CARD Fanatics gift card $60 (save $15) Get Deal

Gift cards get a bad rep. While some may see them as the easy way out when gifting, they're more practical and useful than some random trinket or gadget you know will never be used. So, if you're at a loss for gift ideas — whether for Mother's Day, graduation, or any other occasion on the horizon — we say go for the gift card. We even found a few on sale, meaning your giftee will get even more bang from your buck.

From food delivery to rideshare services to cosmetics, there's a little something for everyone.

Best gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lyft Lyft $100 gift card $85 at Amazon
$100 Save $15 Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you know someone who commutes to work every day via rideshare or who likes to go to major events when fare hikes are out of control (like after a hockey game lets out, or when Sabrina Carpenter is in town), a $100 Lyft gift card can go a long way. And, even better for you, it'll only cost you $85 — and your recipient never has to know you saved 15%. Just be sure to click on the $100 option as the gift amount, then enter your recipient's email address, and the $15 savings will be reflected at checkout.

Best beauty gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ulta Ulta Beauty $50 gift card $42.50 at Amazon
$50 Save $7.50 Get Deal Why we like it

Not only does Ulta sell top-notch makeup and skincare products, but it's also home to some of our favorite beauty tech, like the Shark FlexStyle and Solawave skincare wand. A $50 gift card — which you can grab for only $42.50 as of May 2 — can definitely put a dent in a major beauty tech purchase for someone in your life. Select the $50 gift amount and enter your recipient's email address or phone number, then you'll see the 15% savings reflected at checkout.

Best food delivery gift card deal Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash DoorDash $50 gift card $42.50 at Amazon
$50 Save $7.50 Get Deal Why we like it

Sure, it's not the most glamorous gift around, but everyone's gotta eat. And a $50 DoorDash gift card — which is on sale for just $42.50 — gives your recipient endless options to choose from. Better yet, more than just food delivery, you'll be giving someone the gift of extra time. Just be sure to select the $50 option before heading to checkout to see the savings reflected automatically.

More gift card deals

• Bath & Body Works gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Vudu gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Spafinder — $40 $50 (save $10)

• IHOP gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Red Robin gift card — $40 $50 (save $10)

• Yankee Candle gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Cinemark Theatres gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Victoria's Secret gift card — $42.50 $50 (save $7.50)

• Fanatics gift card — $60 $75 (save $15)

• Instacart gift card — $90 $100 (save $10)

For even more gift card deals, check out the Mother's Day selection at Amazon.

SAVE UP TO 30% OFF: As of May 2, you can get up to 30% off select Echo devices at Amazon.

Best Echo deals as of May 2: Best deal overall Amazon Echo Dot $37.99 (save $12 ) Get Deal Best Echo Show deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $64.99 (save $25 ) Get Deal Best budget pick Amazon Echo Pop $27.99 (save $12 ) Get Deal

If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker that’s affordable and doubles as a voice assistant and smart home hub, you should probably forgo the stacks and opt for an Amazon Echo.

Right now, you can snag an Echo device for up to 30% off at Amazon. There’s even a cool Star Wars Echo Bundle available that comes with an Echo Dot and a Star Wars Tie Fighter Echo Dot stand.

Here are some of the best Echo devices that are currently on sale at Amazon.

Best deal overall Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) $37.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $12 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Echo Dot (2022) is a surprisingly good speaker, given its size. I’ve had mine for years, and still use it all the time.

The Amazon Echo Dot can do everything that a full-sized Echo can do, like playing music, answering questions, setting timers, controlling smart home devices, and making calls. It’s also small enough to fit in any room without being too obtrusive, and you can get it in multiple colors, including charcoal, deep sea blue, and glacier white.

More Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Spot — $64.99 $79.99 (save $)

• Star Wars Echo Dot Bundle — $97.98 $109.98 (save $12)

• Amazon Echo Hub — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)

SAVE $100: As of May 2, get the 55-inch Amazon Fire 4K Smart TV for $359.99, down from its usual price of $459.99. That's a discount of 22%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 4K Smart TV (55-inch) $359.99 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If you've been thinking about buying a new TV, now's the time to do it. You don't want to wait until prices skyrocket due to tariffs. Not when you can score this best-selling Amazon Fire TV for a great price right now and have it set up in your living room before the Nintendo Switch 2 arrives, er, if you managed to get one.

As of May 2, get the 55-inch Amazon Fire 4K Smart TV for $359.99, down from its usual price of $459.99. That's $100 off and a discount of 22%. This is the newest model, released in 2024, so you're getting the most current option available.

This TV is part of the Amazon Fire TV 4 series, and it's an all-rounder that not only will look great in your living room, but it'll treat your favorite shows and movies right. It offers 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, and Dolby Digital Plus support, so you'll get a crisp picture with bright colors and deep contrasting shades as well.

The TV itself is nice and lightweight, with an ultra-slim bezel that looks great when mounted to your wall or standing free. It comes with an Alexa Voice Remote as well, so if you do decide to mount it on the wall, you can control it without having to get out of your seat, which might come in handy on more than one occasion.

Fire TV also means you can stream tons of content from platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and more, with video games and music streaming available as well. And if you want to load the TV with special Alexa skills, that's an option as well.

Snag this TV before prices get higher on account of tariffs, and you'll be feeling like entertainment royalty without having to dig deep into your savings.

Your password probably stinks. At least that's what a new study shows.

Researchers at Cybernews studied more than 19 billion leaked passwords, and of those just 6 percent were identified as unique, meaning they weren't re-used or duplicated. To make matters worse, the most common passwords are way too simple. Four percent of all passwords studied by Cybernews — meaning roughly 727 million total passwords — included the phrase "1234." Phrases like "password" and "admin" were also quite common, meaning folks are still relying on pre-set passwords.

“The ‘default password’ problem remains one of the most persistent and dangerous patterns in leaked credential datasets. Entries ‘password’ (56M) and ‘admin’ (53M) reveal that users overwhelmingly rely on simple, predictable defaults,” said Neringa Macijauskaitė, information security researcher at Cybernews, in a statement. “Attackers, too, prioritize them, making these passwords among the least secure.”

The researchers also discovered lots of passwords that relied on names or, funnily enough, curse words. Sixteen million passwords included the F-bomb, for instance.

Studies have show time and again that we suck at creating passwords. As Mashable covered at the end of last year, for instance, a study from NordPass found the most common passwords are wildly simple.

Here were 2024's top 10 most-used passwords globally, according to NordPass:

1. 123456

2. 123456789

3. 12345678

4. password

5. qwerty123

6. qwerty1

7. 111111

8. 12345

9. secret

10. 123123

So if you read this article and it seemed...a little too familiar, perhaps it's time to update your passwords. At the very least, don't use "123456."

SAVE $41.88: New (or returning) to Audible? Through May 6, you can get your first three months of Audible Premium Plus for only $0.99 per month (a grand total of $2.97). Usually $14.95 per month, that's a total of $41.88 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus $0.99/month for three months (save $13.96/month) Get Deal

Craving some screen-free entertainment? I highly recommend audiobooks. Listening to a book still feeds your imagination like traditional reading, but it doesn't tie you down to one place. You have the freedom to multitask as you take in the content. Just pop in some earbuds and open the Audible app to escape the mundanity of ordinary tasks like cleaning and cooking.

If you're new to the audiobook world, Audible is running its outrageous introductory offer again. Through Tuesday, May 6 at 2:59 a.m. ET, new (and eligible returning) subscribers can get three months of Audible Premium Plus for only $0.99 per month. The Premium Plus membership usually costs $14.95 per month, so you'll save about $13.96 or 93% monthly — a grand total of $41.88 in savings.

A Premium Plus membership unlocks access to hundreds of Audible Original audiobooks for free, as well as a monthly credit you can use to purchase titles in the premium collection (regardless of price) and exclusive access to members-only sales. Most recently, members could use a single credit to purchase two select titles in an exclusive BOGO sale.

If you need a break from screens, Audible's Premium Plus catalog will keep you endlessly entertained. It includes bestsellers and new releases like The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, as well as BookTok faves like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and Funny Story by Emily Henry. Turn off Netflix and tune into many of the books that inspired the shows in the first place — it'll cost you less than $3.

SAVE 20%: As of May 2, you can get the Garmin Forerunner 165 running smartwatch for $199.99, down from $249.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and a $50 savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model since November.

Garmin Forerunner 165 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can handle your fitness routine, you might want to hop on this deal.

As of May 2, you can get the Garmin Forerunner 165 for $199.99, down from $249.99, at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount for $50 in savings. It’s also the lowest price we’ve seen on this model since November.

SEE ALSO: Garmin’s epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire smartwatch is $362 off, and yes, it’s as stacked as it sounds

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is tough enough to handle any workout and comes with 25+ built-in activity profiles, including running, cycling, swimming, strength training, and more. With an 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, you could go backpacking for a whole weekend without having to charge it. That’s more battery life than most Apple Watches, which only last up to 18 hours.

The Forerunner 165 can monitor your heart rate, sleep, stress, and blood oxygen levels. Plus, each morning you'll get a report that summarizes how you slept and what your training outlook is for the day ahead.

SAVE $250: As of May 2, get the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (AV2501S) for $299.99, down from its usual price of $549.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 45%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (AV2501S) $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250 Get Deal

A robot vacuum is something that still seems like it came out of a sci-fi movie. You mean this machine is going to tidy up the house all on its own? Like it's sentient or something? Whether you know how much fun it can be to slap a pair of googly eyes on yours or revel in the feeling of a house successfully cleaned with little or no input form you, you should consider getting a robot vacuum, especially when it's a great model at an even better price.

As of May 2, get the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (AV2501S) for $299.99, down from its usual price of $549.99 at Amazon. That's $250 off and a discount of 45%.

This robot vacuum is a serious multitasker that you can leave largely on its own to handle all types of messes, whether that's pet hair or tough, ground-in dirt or crumbs left on the kitchen floor. It works on all floor types, so you're covered there. It cleans in a special grid pattern so it can take multiple passes over your house, and then it empties itself. Its self-emptying base can hold up to 30 days of dirt, and when that time is up, you just need to empty it.

The vacuum uses 360-degree LiDAR vision to get around your home while creating a map to avoid accidental bumps and other setbacks that keep it from doing an efficient job. And if you're someone who suffers from allergies, its HEPA filter claims to capture and trap about 99.97% of dust and allergens to reduce all that sneezing.

If you're ready to leave the cleaning to your ever-present robot vacuum companion, be sure to snag this one while it's on sale, since this is such a great discount.

You'll have to wait a little bit longer for that video game you've been waiting 12 years for already.

Rockstar Games posted a message on its website on Friday morning confirming the news that you may have seen coming, but didn't want to hear: Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed. The game, which until now had a vague release window of late 2025, is now confirmed for launch on May 26, 2026. The full message from Rockstar is as follows:

Hi everyone,

Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026.

We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.

With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.

We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

Sincerely,
Rockstar Games

SEE ALSO: The 5 Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles I can't wait to play (besides 'Mario Kart World')

The story of GTA VI has been a long and winding one. Its predecessor came out in 2013, long enough ago that it was originally an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game. I was in college when I played GTA V, and now I'm in my 30s. The incredible financial success of GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption 2 in the meantime meant Rockstar had no incentive to rush the next GTA to market, so after a decade of rumors and leaks, we got one lone trailer in late 2023. This delay announcement is the first thing we've heard from GTA VI since then.

All we really know about the game is that its set in a modern-day rendition of Vice City, the GTA universe's take on Miami. It has two central playable characters, who appear to be in a Bonnie & Clyde kind of relationship with one another, and it generally looks very expensive and pretty. And that's probably all we'll continue to know about GTA VI for a while longer.

At least we have a date now!

Ireland slapped TikTok with serious fines and, perhaps more worrying for the social media company, allegations of questionable data practices. That's a major issue for TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, which has been attempting to convince the West, most notably the U.S., that its users are safe from their data being shared with China.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) fined TikTok 530 million euros — roughly $600 million — because it could not guarantee that users' data was being stored in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. The DPC also said that TikTok admitted it had stored limited European user data in China, which it had previously denied. TikTok told the DPC it had since deleted that data.

"The GDPR requires that the high level of protection provided within the European Union continues where personal data is transferred to other countries," DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said in a statement.

"TikTok’s personal data transfers to China infringed the GDPR because TikTok failed to verify, guarantee, and demonstrate that the personal data of [European Economic Area] users, remotely accessed by staff in China, was afforded a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU."

SEE ALSO: Trump delays TikTok ban for another 75 days

The fines from Ireland's privacy watchdog could prove damaging for TikTok, especially amid its fight to remain available in the U.S. A renewed U.S. TikTok ban was averted in early April after President Donald Trump once again issued a 75-day extension.

The U.S. law that would ban TikTok does so, in part, over concerns quite similar to those laid out by Ireland's DPC. The U.S. does not want its citizens' data in the hands of China's government. TikTok has insisted it doesn't share U.S. user data with China.

Still, U.S. companies are lining up to purchase TikTok, which may be necessary for the platform to remain in the States.

SAVE 25%: As of May 2, you can get the Levoit LVAC-200 for $149.99, down from $199.99, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and a $50 savings.

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 $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Stick vacuums are pretty much hit or miss. There’s nothing worse than spending $300 on something that only works for a few weeks before crapping out on you. But there are ways to get around paying a fortune for a top-notch cordless vacuum.

As of May 2, you can get a Levoit LVAC-200 for $149.99, down from $199.99, at Amazon. That’s a 25% discount and a $50 savings.

SEE ALSO: The best cordless vacuums include 3 Dyson models (and 1 alternative)

This vacuum’s built to clean up pet hair, dust, and crumbs from your hardwood floors, rugs, tile, and carpets. It has a 50-minute run time with the Crevice or Pet Tool in Eco Mode, 30 minutes with just the vacuum head, and 12 minutes in Turbo Mode. Plus, the flexible and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, even up and down stairs.

With three LED lights, an anti-tangle brush head, and a five-stage filtration system, this budget-friendly vac is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their cleaning routine.

SAVE $50: As of May 2, get the Razer Kishi Ultra for $99.99, down from its usual price of $149.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Razer Kishi Ultra $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you're a big fan of gaming on the go, you probably know how touch controls can be more frustrating than enjoyable. If you're playing on a small screen, you can deal with overcrowding and pressing the wrong button. Depending on what kind of phone you're using, it might feel awkward holding your phone while trying to play, too. That's where a mobile controller comes in. And right now, you can score a discount on one that should make your games feel much more fun to play.

As of May 2, get the Razer Kishi Ultra for $99.99, down from its usual price of $149.99, at Amazon. That's $50 off and a discount of 33%.

The Razer Kishi Ultra works with iPhone 15 and 16 series devices, Android, iPad Mini A17 Pro, and a variety of other mobile gadgets, so you should be covered even if you aren't using the latest and greatest tech. The controller can be fitted directly on the side of your device, so it looks like it's been cut in half, but it's a full-size option that works the same as using a regular controller.

SEE ALSO: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $90

Once attached, you can use physical controls with your favorite games, so tapping around on the screen is a thing of the past. The controller uses a tactile 8-way D-pad with action buttons, Hall Effect triggers, programmable buttons and durable analog sticks. It also has Razer Sensa haptic on board so you can feel rumbling when it matters. To make things a bit more fun and exciting, it also has Chroma RGB lighting that you can customize.

You can use Virtual Controller Mode to remap touch screen controls as well, so if a game previously did not offer controller support, you can bypass this and make a custom setup. This is for Android users only, but it's a super useful feature. If you're ready to change the way you experience mobile gaming, grab one before it goes back up in price.

SAVE $110: As of May 2, the Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum is down to just $149.99 at Amazon instead of $259.99. That's 42% in savings and just 99 cents shy of its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum $149.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $110 Get Deal

If you're still lugging a heavy upright vacuum from room to room in your home, it might be time to cut the cord. Untether yourself from outlets and invest in a stick vacuum instead. You don't have to spend a fortune; the Shark Pet IX141 cordless stick vacuum is on sale for under $150.

As of May 2, you can grab the Shark Pet cordless vacuum on sale for just $149.99 instead of the usual $259.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Shark's own website. That's $110 off its MSRP and a 42% discount overall. Not to mention, it's just 99 cents shy of the lowest price we've ever seen on this model.

Light enough to maneuver with one hand, yet powerful enough to tackle pet hair, the Shark IX141 is a solid choice for pet parents looking to streamline their cleaning routine. The mid-level stick vacuum features an anti-allergen complete seal, an XL 0.83-quart dust bin, a 40-minute run time on a full charge, and an included crevice tool to help you tackle tough corners and cracks. It also includes built-in LED headlights to illuminate all the dust and debris your naked eye misses. While it's not quite as high-tech as the laser-equipped Dysons, it's still a welcome feature that helps you get a more thorough clean.

Of course, it can also transform into a hand vac, which gives you deep-cleaning freedom just about anywhere — your car, the top of the curtains, under the couch, etc. For a cordless stick vacuum that's tough enough to handle your pet's endless shedding, this deal on the Shark Pet IX141 is hard to beat.

Spotify's iPhone app in the U.S. now offers its users new payment and subscription options — and some of them could save you money.

The move follows a new decision in Epic Games' lawsuit against Apple, in which a California judge ordered that Apple must allow third-party app developers to direct customers to external payment sites.

Following the ruling, Spotify submitted a new version of its iPhone app, which was approved by Apple on Friday.

"In a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors, Apple has approved Spotify’s U.S. app update," wrote Spotify in a blog post. "After nearly a decade, this will finally allow us to freely show clear pricing information and links to purchase, fostering transparency and choice for U.S. consumers. We can now give consumers lower prices, more control, and easier access to the Spotify experience."

SEE ALSO: Apple held in contempt for violating court order in Epic Games' antitrust case

In practice, this means that Spotify's iPhone app in the U.S. can now show users pricing details on all of Spotify subscriptions, including promotions that can save users money. Users can more easily switch from one type of account to another, and they can use payment options other than what Apple is offering.

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Prior to this change, Spotify was not allowed to show users that they can get a cheaper subscription option by purchasing directly on Spotify's website.

"The fact that we haven’t been able to deliver these basic services, which were permitted by the judge’s order four years ago, is absurd," said the company in its blog post.

Other publishers, including Epic Games and Patreon, have also submitted updated iPhone apps with new payment options to Apple's App Store.

SAVE $49.96: As of May 2, the Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian portable speaker is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's 33% off its list price of $149.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian $99.99 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal

Summer is fast approaching, and if you're gearing up for some exciting trips and outdoor adventures, it's worth picking up a portable speaker. With this, you can take your favorite tunes on the go. And there are some great discounts available on a few different models right now, including the Beats Pill.

A couple of the Beats Pill models made in collaboration with Kim Kardashian are on sale for $99.99 right now at Amazon. This includes the colors light gray and dark gray. A few other Beats Pill models are on sale as well, but for more. The champagne gold and matte black speakers are down to $129.95 while the statement red speaker is on sale for $126.99.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best Bluetooth speakers, tested

The compact design of the Beats Pill makes it perfect for packing up and taking on the go. And with great sound quality alongside up to 24 hours of battery life, you can keep the tunes playing all day. It's even IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, so no matter where your journeys take you, it can handle the environment.

With the weather getting warmer, there's no better time than now to pick up a portable speaker. Don't miss out on 33% off the Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian portable speaker at Amazon.

Another great portable speaker deal we've come across recently that's worth checking out is on the JBL Flip 6, which has also dropped below $100 at Amazon.

The 36th chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe throws together a band of misfits to f*** around and find out. 

Thunderbolts* sees Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and a guy named Bob (Lewis Pullman) all somehow working together, but the film digs into some deeper themes of loneliness and despair.

With Beef director Jake Schreier at the helm, Thunderbolts*  finds human moments for these super-powered individuals. Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan sat down with the director, as well as John-Kamen and Pullman, to unpack some of the underlying concepts at play amongst the action.

"I brought in a lot of collaborators who can connect with that loneliness, and they're also some of the funniest people I know," said Schreier, who worked on Thunderbolts* with Beef writers Lee Sung Jin (aka Sonny Lee) and Joanna Calo, as well as editor Harry Yoon and production designer Grace Yun.

"I think we always felt like those two things could coexist, that you didn't have to sacrifice comedy or fun to address a sense of emptiness or darkness. Those were themes that we really explored on Beef," he added. "It seems odd to make a summer blockbuster that has those ideas in it, [but] it's not actually any smaller of an idea than anything else you would make a summer blockbuster about."

Schreier, John-Kamen, and Pullman also unpacked one of the best scenes in Thunderbolts*, a life-or-death "team-building exercise" in which Yelena, Bob, John, and Ghost (aka Ava) must shimmy back-to-back up a towering shaft — a scene Schreier said came from one of his earliest pitch meetings to Marvel.

"We always described it in shooting as probably maybe the least-dynamic action sequence in Marvel history, probably," he said.

"It's just such a juxtaposition of what Marvel is," said John-Kamen. "I mean, it's the only way we can get out."

Thunderbolts* is now showing in cinemas.

Irish investigators said TikTok did not protect the data of users in the European Union, improperly transferring some of it to China. TikTok said it would appeal.

We all own so many tech gadgets these days that combining functions is always welcomed. You probably have a TV at home for streaming your favorite shows, but is it good enough for gaming? If you’re not one to game on your laptop or you like to spend the weekend with friends playing co-op games in the living room, your TV needs to be up to snuff in terms of performance. Not all TVs are worthy of your gaming skills, and many top-of-the-line models come with a hefty price tag.

If you’re not in the mood to spend thousands on a new TV but you also intend to game in the living room, some of the best budget-friendly TV brands make a few models that are great for gaming.

How to choose a budget-friendly gaming TV

TV jargon is notoriously confusing, and new acronyms pop up often. Instead of leaving you overwhelmed with the decision, we asked PCMag’s Will Greenwald to help out. Greenwald serves as a lead analyst, having tested over 170 TVs for PCMag, which is also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis. Here’s the thing about testing TVs — it takes deeply advanced technology that most of us don’t have.

SEE ALSO: I bent LG's new 5K2K bendable gaming monitor at CES 2025

When it comes to TVs capable of handling gaming without costing over $1,000, Greenwald says, “Several of Hisense and TCL's TVs are excellent for gaming on a budget.” Both brands stand out as leaders when it comes to offering a solid price-to-quality ratio.

Gaming must-haves

Gaming, or rather gaming efficiently, means your TV needs to tick a few boxes. We’re looking at the refresh rate and input lag when finding a TV that’s well-equipped for gaming. Without scoring decent numbers on those elements, your gaming experience could be stuttery and interrupted. If your game happens to be full of quick action, you’ll want a TV that can keep up, instead of leaving you in sticky situations.

“For gaming, you should look for a TV with at least a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR, at the very least,” according to Greenwald. Refresh rate refers to how many times per second your TV updates the image, measured in hertz. VRR refers to variable refresh rate, and VRR-equipped TVs are able to match the game’s FPS (frames per second) up to the max refresh rate. For this feature, Greenwald says you want to look out for a gaming TV that comes with AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. 

And then there’s input lag, which is "the amount of time between when the TV receives a signal and the screen updates,” according to Greenwald. This is where the PCMag expert testing proves essential because TVs don’t include input lag info in their stats, and you won’t be able to tell when buying a TV online or even when it’s displayed in a store.

In real-life terms, input lag is how long it takes the TV to reflect what happened IRL. Say you press the jump button in the game. Input lag measures how much time it takes for the TV to get that info and show it on screen. As you can imagine, this is a big deal when it comes to gaming.

Since buying a gaming-worthy TV can be overwhelming, we’ve intentionally kept this short and sweet — only selecting a few models that should work well for everyone, following Greenwald’s guidance and expert testing. 

Best overall TCL QM6K (65-inch) $749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250 Shop Now Why we like it

The TCL QM6K is Greenwald’s top pick for buying a budget-friendly gaming TV. The refresh rate comes in at 144 Hz and you’ll get AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to tick off that VRR requirement. “The TCL QM6K is a very good value and a strong performer for the price,” said Greenwald in his review. “While it isn’t the brightest TV available, its mini-LED backlight enables deep black levels for excellent contrast, its colors are wide and accurate, and it's packed with features for streaming and gaming.”

Greenwald’s measurements showed the TCL QM6K has an input lag of 7.5 milliseconds when in Game Mode, and anything under 10 milliseconds is considered good for gaming with Greenwald’s advanced equipment.

The TCL QM6K's overall design is also nice, with a slim design that looks modern. Its Google TV platform is one of the best options around, thanks to an intuitive design that keeps all of your streaming options nicely arranged and easy to access. Google Cast lets you stream from an Android device or a Chrome tab, and Apple AirPlay means Apple’s ecosystem can easily push to the TV. While it’s a small detail, the backlighting on the included remote control is really helpful for movie nights.

The 4K QLED display on the TCL QM6K is impressive when it comes to contrast, according to Greenwald, giving off accurate colors and deep blacks. “By the numbers, the QM6K’s contrast is excellent, though it only gets modestly bright compared with slightly more expensive TVs,” Greenwald found after extensive testing. But what makes the TCL QM6K our top pick is the combination of picture quality with gaming features at an affordable price.

If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly option, consider the 55-inch version of the TCL QM6K, which usually knocks about $200 off the price of the 65-inch. You could also go bigger and grab an 85 or 98-inch model. While the price increases with size, it remains a good value for the cost across the entire line.

Other sizes: 

The TCL QM6K comes in 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches.

Runner up Hisense U8N (65-inch) $947.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $552 Shop Now Why we like it

In addition to TCL, Hisense is a strong contender when it comes to manufacturing TVs with impressive specs for the price point. The Hisense U8N is one of Greenwald’s top picks for budget-friendly TVs that don’t skimp out on quality, and this model comes with gaming stats that should work well for all but the most serious of gamers. For starters, the Hisense U8N comes with a 144 Hz refresh rate in Game Mode Pro, which is more than acceptable. Plus, it comes equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which will give you a better experience in terms of VRR.

When Greenwald tested the Hisense U8N for input lag, his equipment showed a 7.4 millisecond lag when in Game Mode Pro with Instant Game Response enabled. This is pretty quick, according to Greenwald, since anything under 10 milliseconds is PCMag’s threshold for what makes a TV suitable for gaming. Greenwald further explains that a 7.4 millisecond lag works out to just one frame drop per second at the Hisense U8N’s 144 Hz refresh rate.

The one disclaimer with the Hisense U8N’s Game Mode is that Greenwald suggests you turn that feature off once you’re done gaming and switch to watching TV. “Make sure you turn off Game Mode when not playing games, though, because I saw significant clipping in highlights (where very bright parts of the screen blend together and become indistinct) with it turned on,” he noted in his review of the TV.

Greenwald also praises the Hisense U8N’s brightness, which comes from the 4K QLED display. He was impressed with the U8N’s off-angle viewing, which didn’t have color skewing or desaturation. This off-angle viewing experience can be a big factor if you host a gaming night for friends, where not everyone will be directly in front of the TV.

With a 144 Hz refresh rate, low input lag, nice display, and budget-friendly price, the U8N is a great option. “It can put out a nearly blinding amount of light, it’s loaded with features, and it’s very affordable for the performance it offers,” Greenwald noted.

Other sizes:

The Hisense U8N comes in 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches.

Honorable mention Vizio Quantum Pro (65-inch) $698 at Walmart
$1,644.56 Save $946.56 Shop Now Why we like it

Also hanging out under the $1,000 mark, the Vizio Quantum Pro could work well as your affordable gaming TV. CNET, another Mashable sister publication also owned by Ziff Davis, considers the Vizio Quantum Pro to be a nice mid-range option. “In our tests over the years, Vizio TVs have consistently produced excellent picture quality at a more affordable price,” according to the CNET review. “The Vizio Quantum Pro continues this trend and holds up as a solid mid-priced TV option, particularly for gamers looking for a high-performance gaming TV without breaking the bank.”

It comes with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which is lower than our top two choices, but is still perfectly acceptable for gaming. That’s especially true if your video game preferences are on the more chill side, like spending the weekend with Animal Crossing or endless rounds of Balatro. It’s also worth noting some consoles top out at 120 Hz, including the Nintendo Switch 2, which means you might not require a 240 Hz+ TV. Regarding VRR, you’ll be in good shape with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

A slight limitation comes from the single HDMI port on the Quantum Pro that can support 4K 120 Hz. This means you can only have one console connected at a time. The other three HDMI ports cannot support these specs.

Other sizes:

The Vision Quantum Pro comes in 65 and 75 inches.

There are fantasy leagues out there for pretty much every sport under the sun, but so far there's been a stark lack of fantasy-based entertainment for those of us who prefer the dimly-lit indoors.

That all may be about to change, though, as film subscription ticketing service MoviePass has announced the launch of Mogul, "the first fantasy league for Hollywood."

SEE ALSO: MoviePass is officially back, for better or worse

Built on the Sui cryptocurrency blockchain, the game will allow users to draft actors, directors, and movies from a set budget in order to build their own studio. Like in other fantasy sports, your performance in the game will then be determined by real world results (in this case those of the daily box office).

Mogul, which launched its beta version on Thursday, shared the following teaser on X.

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Per the site's FAQs, the game is free to play and you don't need to hold cryptocurrency — although there's a $5 "Battle Pass" which unlocks "deeper rewards". The action will run in "seasons" of about six weeks, tied to the movie release calendar. Players can make swaps to their team/studio on a weekly basis.

If you want to play, you can sign up with an email address on the Mogul site. It's worth noting that although the beta is live, new users who sign up now will be added "in the coming weeks."

MoviePass, the company behind the platform, has its own complicated history. After surging in popularity in 2017 the site was mired in a number of scandals, including a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint that alleged MoviePass made it hard for users to redeem tickets. The whole thing eventually shut down in 2019, before relaunching again in 2022.

Despite all the uncertainties in the global market and an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China (and everyone else, to a lesser degree), Apple just booked another solid quarter, and it doesn't seem too phased about the future.

The company's quarterly revenue was 95.4 billion, up 5 percent year-over-year, with a $24.78 billion net income, a 4.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The company's next quarter will be a tricky one, given that the Trump's administration levied high tariffs on China, where Apple produces most of its iPhones. But it seems that the company is well positioned to weather any negative impacts from tariffs.

Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC that the company is sourcing "about half" of the iPhones that it sells in the U.S. from India. As far as other U.S.-bound products go, including Macs, iPads and AirPods, and the Apple Watch, Cook says that for "almost all" of them the country of origin is Vietnam.

Of course, this doesn't mean Apple doesn't need to worry about tariffs at all. The U.S. also recently levied tariffs on Vietnam and India, and Cook said that Apple still produces the "vast majority" of its products bound for countries other than the U.S. in China. All in all, Apple expects tariffs to add $900 million in costs for the current quarter, though Cook said these costs are "very difficult" to predict.

SEE ALSO: Apple held in contempt for violating court order in Epic Games' antitrust case

Cook's statement is interesting given the Financial Times' recent report that Apple plans to manufacture all of its U.S.-bound iPhones in India by the end of 2026. It appears that the company is well on its way to achieving that goal.