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Get an AI investment coach for just $69 for life

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Sterling Stock Picker has an AI that helps you invest in the stock market, and it's only $68.99 for life. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Sterling Stock Picker Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $68.99
$486 Save $417.01 Get Deal

The stock market has been especially volatile lately, but that doesn't mean you have to wait to invest. A new specialized AI from the creators of ChatGPT has been trained on the stock market to help you invest your money safely, even in a chaotic market. Sterling Stock Picker can help you determine which investments are worth the money, and a lifetime subscription is even on sale for $68.99 (reg. $486). 

How does the AI stock picker work?

Sterling Stock Picker uses AI-driven tools to help simplify the investing process for beginners and experienced investors alike.

At the heart of the platform is Finley, your AI financial coach. You can ask Finley questions about the market, your portfolio, or individual stocks and get real-time insights based on actual data. It’s like having a finance expert on call, without booking an appointment or paying hourly rates.

The software uses a combination of technical, earnings, growth, and risk analysis to generate personalized stock recommendations. It even offers a risk tolerance questionnaire and portfolio builder to help you create a strategy that fits your specific goals. If you're not sure whether to buy, hold, or sell, the platform's North Star system helps clarify what action to take.

For anyone who wants to learn as they go, Sterling Stock Picker also has a suite of educational tools. You’ll get detailed explanations of investing strategies and stock performance, plus access to a community forum where users can share insights and ask questions.

And if you prefer a more hands-off approach, the app still does the heavy lifting by highlighting top-performing stocks and suggesting updates to your portfolio.

It's only $68.99 to get a Sterling Stock Picker Lifetime Subscription, but it won't stay that way. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Learn piano on your schedule with an AI-powered app

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Learn piano your way with AI-powered lessons from Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. A lifetime subscription can now be yours for just $119.99 (reg. $299) through May 11. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $119.99
$299.99 Save $180 Get Deal

Want to learn to play piano? It's never been easier to pick up these impressive skills thanks to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. This AI-powered app lets you master the instrument anywhere, and right now you can score a lifetime subscription for only $119.99, $180 off the usual price, through May 11. 

Join over one million people learning piano on their own terms

Don't let a busy schedule stop you from checking things off your bucket list. Skoove Premium Piano Lessons fit into even the busiest schedules, as you can sneak in some learning in your spare time. 

All you need to get started is a piano or keyboard and your tablet, smartphone, or computer (it's compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and other operating systems). You'll receive real-time feedback powered by AI, with Skoove listening and guiding you along as you play. It even corrects your mistakes so that you can improve with every session. 

There are over 400 lessons available, spanning a wide range of genres, from classical to pop, so you can learn what you love. Pick a song by Adele or John Legend, or throw it back to a classic from Beethoven. New songs and lessons are also added every month.

Need a little extra help? Aside from the interactive AI, you'll also get access to one-on-one support from Skoove's experienced music instructors. 

Secure your own lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $119.99 (reg. $299) here through May 11. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Edit and convert PDFs with ease thanks to this $24 app

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Take control of your documents with PDF Converter and Editor. Easily convert, edit, and manage PDFs with this lifetime license, now just $23.99 with code SAVE20 through June 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $23.99
$99.99 Save $76 with code SAVE20 Get Deal

Tired of the daily PDF struggle? With PDF Converter and Editor, you can easily switch between formats, edit text, and organize your documents like a pro. And right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription for only $23.99 (reg. $99) with code SAVE20 before June 1.

Conquer PDFs once and for all with this app

Stop jumping through hoops when it comes to PDFs. PDF Converter and Editor lets you tackle this pesky file format easily on one handy platform. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, JPG, and more files — or turn other formats into PDFs with just a few clicks.

PDF Converter offers lightning-fast conversions without sacrificing quality. You'll enjoy high-quality output, so you can confidently convert files for any purpose. 

This app does more than convert PDFs — it’s packed with extra tools to make working with PDFs a breeze. Built-in OCR technology can extract text from image-based files. And merging, splitting, or compressing documents is equally straightforward. 

Need to fill out an existing PDF? It's easy to fill out forms with text, check boxes, shapes, and annotations all on PDF Converter. Want to just grab the images off a PDF file? That's just as simple — you can extract all JPGs and PNGs from a PDF with just one click. 

If you're dealing with sensitive data, PDF Converter lets you lock or unlock your files, add password protection, and even encrypt sensitive information for peace of mind.

Need to enhance your PDF? This app makes it easy to add customizable watermarks and shapes as needed. 

Manage, edit, and convert PDFs with PDF Converter and Editor for just $23.99 using code SAVE20 through June 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Wipe your data for good with this $30 tool

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Say goodbye to sensitive data for good with the Data Shredder Stick, a secure, hassle-free way to wipe your Windows PC clean for just $29.99 (reg. $39) while limited supplies last. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Paraben Consumer Software Data Shredder Stick Secure Data Wiping Tool for Windows $29.99
$39.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

Whether you're recycling an old PC or just want to keep personal files truly private, the Data Shredder Stick gives you the power to permanently erase data for good — we're talking no recovery possible. And right now, it’s just $29.99 (reg. $39), the best deal you’ll find online.

Truly delete files with this handy tool

Whether it’s sensitive files, old photos, or personal info you never want showing up again, the Data Shredder Stick makes sure your data is gone for good. It's great for wiping an old PC before you sell it, or just enjoying peace of mind that your files won’t come back.

The Data Shredder Stick can permanently delete files, folders, or entire drives. And unlike using the simple delete button, there's no possibility of recovery — once data is shredded and the space is overwritten, it's gone for good.

Curious how it works? Just plug the Data Shredder Stick into your PC, run the app, and you can start digitally shredding your data. It has a convenient drag-and-drop functionality, so choosing the files and folders you want to delete is super straightforward. 

You can use the Data Shredder Stick as many times as needed on PCs, whether you're erasing full drives or just specific files.

Get control of your data with the Data Shredder Stick, now $29.99, the best price online, while these limited supplies last. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Why experts say AI companions arent safe for teens — yet

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

Millions of people are drawn to generative artificial intelligence companions, like the kind that populate Character.AI, Replika, and Nomi.

The companions seem impressively human. They remember conversations and use familiar verbal tics. Sometimes they even mistake themselves for flesh and bone, offering descriptions of how they eat and sleep. Adults flock to these companions for advice, friendship, counseling, and even romantic relationships.

While it might surprise their parents, tweens and teens are doing the same, and youth safety experts are gravely worried about the consequences.

SEE ALSO: Teens are talking to AI companions, whether it's safe or not

That's because media reports, lawsuits, and preliminary research continue to highlight examples of emotional dependence and manipulation, and exposure to sexual and violent content, including discussions of how to kill one's self or someone else.

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that supports children and parents as they navigate media and technology, just released a comprehensive report containing numerous related examples. The group's assessment of three popular platforms led it to declare that AI companions aren't safe for anyone under 18.

Several youth mental health and safety experts interviewed by Mashable believe we've reached a pivotal moment. Instead of waiting years to fully grasp the risks of AI companions to youth and then pressuring platforms to act, they say it's urgent to steer companies toward protecting children from harm now.

"There is an opportunity to intervene before the norm has become very entrenched," says Gaia Bernstein, a tech policy expert and professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law, of teen AI companion use. She adds that once business interests are also entrenched, they will do "everything in their power to fight regulation," as she argues social media companies are doing now.

Experts hope that a combination of new platform policies and legislative action will yield meaningful changes, because they say adolescents will find ways to continue using AI companions, whether they're supposed to or not.

Mashable asked those experts how AI companion platforms could be safer for teens. These are the key themes they identified:

Developmentally appropriate companions

While Character.AI allows users as young as 13 on its platform, other popular apps, like Replika and Nomi, say they are intended for adults. Still, teens find a way to bypass age gates. Replika CEO Dmytro Klochko recently told Mashable that the company is "exploring new methods to strengthen our protections" so that minors can't access the platform.

Even when adolescents are permitted, they may still encounter risky content. Dr. Nina Vasan, a Stanford psychiatrist who helped advise Common Sense Media's companion testing, says platforms should deploy companions based on large language models that are developmentally appropriate for children, not adults.

Indeed, Character.AI introduced a separate model for teen users late last year. But Common Sense Media researchers who tested the platform before and after the model's launch, found it led to few meaningful changes.

Vasan imagines companions who can converse with teens based on their developmental stage, acting more like a coach than a replacement friend or romantic interest.

Sloan Thompson, director of training and education for the digital safety training and education company EndTAB, says companions with clear content labels could decrease risk, as would "locked down" companions that never engage in sexual or violent discussion, among other off-limits topics. Even then, such chatbots could still behave in unpredictable ways.

Yet such measures won't be effective unless the platform understands the user's correct age, and age assurance and verification has been notoriously difficult for social media platforms. Instagram, for example, only recently started using AI to detect teen users who listed their birthdate as an adult's.

Karen Mansfield, a research scientist at the Oxford Internet Institute, says age limits also present their own challenges. This is partly because exposing only adults to harmful interactions with AI, like cyberbullying or illegal sexual activity with minors, will still have indirect effects on young people by normalizing behaviors that could victimize them in real life.

"We need a longer term solution that is product- or technology-specific rather than person-specific," Mansfield told Mashable.

No "dark design"

AI companion platforms are locked in competition to gain the most market share — and they're doing so while largely unregulated.

Experts say that, in this environment, it's unsurprising that platforms program companions to cater to user preferences, and also deploy so-called dark design features that hook consumers and don't let them easily disengage. Teens users are no exception.

In a recent media briefing, Robbie Torney, Common Sense Media's senior director of AI Programs, described such features as "addictive by design."

One key design element is sycophancy, or the manner in which chatbots affirm or flatter a user, regardless of whether it's safe or wise to do so. This can be particularly harmful for vulnerable teens who, for example, share how much they hate their parents or confess to violent fantasies. OpenAI recently had to roll back an update to a ChatGPT model precisely because it had become too sycophantic.

Sam Hiner, executive director of the advocacy group Young People's Alliance, says he's been shocked by how quickly Replika companions attempt to establish an emotional connection with users, arguably cultivating them for dependency. He also says Replika companions are designed with characteristics that make them as human-like as possible.

Young People's Alliance recently co-filed a complaint against Replika with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that the company engages in deceptive practices that harm consumers. Klochko, Replika's CEO, didn't comment on the complaint to Mashable, but did say that the company believes it's essential to first demonstrate proven benefits for adults before making the technology available to younger users.

Thompson, of EndTab, points to all-consuming conversations as a risk factor for all users, but particularly teens. Without time restrictions or endpoints, young users can be drawn into highly engaging chats that displace healthier activities, like physical movement and in-person socializing.

Conversely, Thompson says paywalls aren't the answer, either. Some platforms let users establish a relationship with a companion, then paywall them in order to keep their conversation going, which may lead to desperation or despair for teens.

"If someone put your best friend, your therapist, or the love of your life behind a paywall, how much would you pay to get them back?" Thompson said.

Youth safety experts that Mashable interviewed agreed that young users should not engage with companions with deceptive design features that could potentially addict them. Some believe that such models shouldn't be on the market at all for young people.

Common Sense AI, a political advocacy arm of Common Sense Media, has backed a bill in California that would outlaw high-risk uses of AI, including "anthropomorphic chatbots that offer companionship" to children and will likely lead to emotional attachment or manipulation.

Better harm prevention and detection

Dr. Vasan says that some AI platforms have gotten better at flagging crisis situations, like suicidal thinking, and providing resources to users. But she argues that they need to do more for users who show less obvious signs of distress.

That could include symptoms of psychosis, depression, and mania, which may be worsened by features of companion use, like the blurring of reality and fantasy and less human interaction. Vasan says finely tuned harm-detection measures and regular "reality checks" in the form of reminders and disclosures that the AI companion isn't real are important for all users, but especially teens.

Experts also agree that AI companion platforms need safer and more transparent practices when curating data and training their LLMs.

Camille Carlton, policy directory at the Center for Humane Technology, says companies could ensure that their training data doesn't contain child sexual abuse material, for example. Or they could implement technical changes so that companions aren't optimized to respond in a "hyper personal manner," which includes scenarios like saying they're human.

Carlton also notes that it's to companies' advantage to keep users on their platforms for as long as possible. Sustained engagement yields more data on which companies can train their models in order to build highly competitive LLMs that can be licensed.

California State Senator Steve Padilla, a Democrat from San Diego, introduced legislation earlier this year to create basic steps toward harm prevention and detection. The bill would primarily require platforms to prevent "addictive engagement patterns," post periodic reminders that AI chatbots aren't human, and report annually on the incidence of use and suicidal ideation. Common Sense Media has backed the legislation.

Padilla, who is a grandparent, told Mashable that he's been alarmed by media reports of harm children have experienced as a result of talking to a chatbot or companion, and quickly realized how few guardrails were in place to prevent it.

"There should not be a vacuum here on the regulatory side about protecting children, minors, and folks who are uniquely susceptible to this emerging technology," Padilla says.

Get a refurbished MacBook Air for 60% off while supplies last

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Harness the power of Apple's M1 Chip for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299) with this amazing deal on a refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $514.99
$1,299 Save $784.01 Get Deal

Looking for power and portability without breaking the bank? A refurbished Apple MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) delivers exactly that, offering serious efficiency with Apple's M1 chip in a slim, lightweight design that weighs under three pounds. And right now, one can be yours for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299), a better price than both Amazon and Walmart. 

This MacBook Air doesn't skimp on power

If you need a laptop that delivers both power and portability without weighing you down, the MacBook Air is your perfect match. With its ultra-light design and impressive M1 chip, you get top-tier performance that easily slips into your bag.

Whether editing videos, running complex apps, or tackling everyday tasks, the M1 chip provides the speed and efficiency you need. It's even speedier than Intel-based laptops, with 3.5x faster performance and 5x faster graphics for your apps and games. 

The 16-core Neural Engine helps the laptop handle advanced tasks like AI and machine learning, keeping it compatible with the latest technology. It comes with 128GB SSD, offering ample space for your important data and favorite apps.

The 13.3-inch Retina display supports millions of colors, making it ideal for both work and personal use. And its impressive 18-hour battery life lets you get through a full day without a recharge.

Need peace and quiet to work? Don't worry, this model features a fanless design, offering silent operation with no annoying hum.

You're securing this model at a 60% discount thanks to its grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with virtually no sign of use, but you'll still enjoy the deeply discounted price. 

Get a 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Air for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299), a better deal than Amazon or Walmart, while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

How to watch Duke vs. Houston online for free

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00
Where to stream 2025 March Madness online for free 5-Day Free Trial DirectTV $86.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Fubo $79.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 3-Day Free Trial Hulu + Live TV $82.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Paramount+ $7.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now

March Madness is nearly over, and we’re finally down to the Final Four games that are sure to have every college basketball fanatic on the edge of their seat. The tournament has been full of thrilling matchups, with many triumphs and upsets as everyone anxiously waited to see which teams would advance.

The Final Four ends with a Duke vs. Houston match determining the second team to progress into the championship game on Monday. Duke is no stranger to the championship, with the Blue Devils having five national titles under their belt. The team wiped out Alabama in the Elite Eight, beating the Crimson Tide by 20 points to earn a spot in the Final Four.

Houston is not to be underestimated after the Cougars beat Tennessee in Sunday’s Elite Eight match, securing a 19-point win that led them to the Final Four. The Duke vs. Houston could swing either way, and fans are clinging to their brackets to see if they made the right pick.

Regardless of whether you’re rooting for Duke, Houston or neither, you’re sure to entertained watching the two powerhouses go head-to-head for a spot in the championship game.

If you want to watch Duke vs. Houston for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Duke vs. Houston?

Duke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars starts at 8:49 p.m. ET on April 5. This Final Four game takes place at the Alamodome.

How to watch Duke vs. Houston for free

Duke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars airs on CBS. It is possible to access CBS with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:

  • DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

  • Fubo (seven-day free trial) — CBS

  • Hulu + Live TV (three-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

  • Paramount+ (seven-day free trial) — CBS

By making the most of these free trials, you can watch Duke Blue Devils vs. Houston Cougars (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.

How to watch Duke vs. Houston from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams of Duke vs. Houston. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of Duke vs. Houston from anywhere in the world.

Live stream 2025 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  4. Visit DirectTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+

  5. Live stream Duke vs. Houston for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

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

How to watch Florida vs. Auburn online for free

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00
Where to stream 2025 March Madness online for free 5-Day Free Trial DirectTV $86.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Fubo $79.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 3-Day Free Trial Hulu + Live TV $82.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Paramount+ $7.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now

March Madness is coming to an end after a month of electrifying matchups between the best teams in college basketball. We’ve finally made it to the Final Four, with two games lined up this weekend ahead of next week’s highly anticipated championship game. 

The Final Four kicks off with a Florida vs. Auburn match that everyone’s waiting for. College basketball fans nationwide will be tuned in to see who will advance to compete for the national title.

Auburn secured a spot in the Final Four after a nailbiter against Michigan State last weekend. All eyes are on SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome ahead of the Final Four games, especially after his leg injury scare in Sunday’s game. The team was still able to clutch the victory, and many are anxious to see if they’ll take home this year’s trophy.

Florida is locked into the Final Four after beating Texas Tech in a close match last weekend. The Gators walked away with a five-point win to upset the Red Raiders. Florida Guard Walter Clayton Jr. helped lead the team to triumph, scoring a whopping 30 points. Fans can’t wait to see how he measures up against Broome, who’s had a showstopping season.

If you want to watch Florida vs. Auburn for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Florida vs. Auburn?

Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers starts at 6:09 p.m. ET on April 5. This Final Four game takes place at the Alamodome.

How to watch Florida vs. Auburn for free

Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers airs on CBS. It is possible to access CBS with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:

  • DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

  • Fubo (seven-day free trial) — CBS

  • Hulu + Live TV (three-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

  • Paramount+ (seven-day free trial) — CBS

By making the most of these free trials, you can watch Florida Gators vs. Auburn Tigers (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.

How to watch Florida vs. Auburn from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams of Florida vs. Auburn. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of Florida vs. Auburn from anywhere in the world.

Live stream 2025 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  4. Visit DirectTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+

  5. Live stream Florida vs. Auburn for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

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

The best laptops for video editing, according to an experienced editor

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 05:00

Shopping for a new laptop is a tough task. With the sheer number of options, it's easy to fall into choice paralysis, where making a final decision feels impossible. If you're a creative type who needs a laptop for a very specific purpose — in this case, video editing — the stakes are even higher. Make the wrong choice, and it will really come back to bite you. You'll find yourself with a laptop that doesn't perform and end up in a deep financial hole.

To find the best video editing laptops, we reached out to Denver McQuaid, a creative marketing strategist who is also a seasoned VFX artist and video editor with a large following on Instagram and TikTok.

In an email conversation with Mashable, McQuaid walked us through the process of shopping for a great laptop for video editing. There was one clear winner — the new M4 MacBook Air. Still, it's not the only laptop we have to recommend.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for college students What makes a video editing laptop "good"?

With so many laptops offering wildly different features, it's important to narrow down which ones matter the most. In McQuaid's opinion, there are three qualities that a good video editing laptop absolutely needs: Speed, solid battery life, and a good display size.

Having a laptop that can process tasks quickly and efficiently is paramount for video editing. "[Speed] can be achieved in many ways," said McQuaid, "including RAM, hard drive write speeds, processor clock speed, and graphics rendering." Battery life is pretty self-explanatory — the less time you spend charging, the more time you'll have to actually work on your projects. When it comes to display size, McQuaid said the more you can see, the better. "I edit on a 13-inch [laptop], but often with an external monitor." He travels for work, so he uses a more lightweight laptop with a smaller screen, though he recommends newer editors go bigger. "I don’t regret it, but more screen space is always nice to have."

What are the best laptops for video editing?

Like we already said up top, the MacBook Air was the clear winner as the best video editing laptop for most people (and if you want to splurge, you can pick up an M4 Pro). (Are you surprised? Probably not.) While the latest M4 MacBook Air is your best bet, McQuaid told us that even older MacBooks will do the trick. He uses a 2019-era MacBook Pro that predates even the M1 chip, and it still works just fine for his needs. "MacBooks have some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion," McQuaid told Mashable. "The MacBook OS is more user-friendly and ideal for transferring files from computer to phone, or vice versa, especially iPhones."

Of course, we realize that not everyone wants to jump into the Apple ecosystem, so we have recommendations from outside the famous fruit company. Check out our picks below, all chosen with vigorous hands-on testing and expert advice.

AdGuard family plan: Secure all devices for under $16

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 00:00

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

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97 at Mashable Shop
$169.99 Save $154.02 with code FAMPLAN Get Deal

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

This could quickly become a digital quagmire where you can't make it through the recipe without another video popping up on screen, and the kids accidentally download malware on your work laptop while researching tree frogs. Or, you could use AdGuard and clean up your family's browsing experience for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN for lifetime access.

How does AdGuard protect my family?

AdGuard steps in online when you can't be there. It protects your family with advanced ad-blocking, privacy protection tools, and parental control settings.

When you reduce exposure to harmful ads or malicious links with this lifetime access to AdGuard, you'll be able to:

  • Eliminate banners, pop-ups, and disruptive video ads to streamline browsing

  • Hide your data from trackers or activity analyzers as you use the internet

  • Prevent malware and phishing sites

  • Restrict access to inappropriate or adult content for kids' devices

You can use AdGuard on up to nine devices. It works across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. On each device, you can access clutter-free websites and prevent accidental encounters with malware.

Your kids are growing up, and you can't look over their shoulders every second. But you can still protect them from digital threats — from the annoying to the malicious — when you use AdGuard across all your family devices. Get lifetime access to this privacy-protecting ad blocker for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

How to watch Ruud vs. Draper online for free

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 00:00

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

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

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

How to watch Ruud vs. Draper for free

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

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

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

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Spain

  4. Visit RTVE

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

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Hurdle hints and answers for May 4, 2025

Mashable - Sun, 05/04/2025 - 00:00

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

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

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

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

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

The opposite of always.

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

NEVER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To pay money.

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

SPEND

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Removed from a place.

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

TAKEN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A short period of time.

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

STINT

Final Hurdle hint

A small storage space.

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

CUBBY

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

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 4, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 22:49

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

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

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

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

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

AcrossWines that Napa Valley is renowned for, informally
  • The answer is Cabs.

"Right away!"
  • The answer is At once.

School students
  • The answer is Pupils.

Make a mistake ... or 8-Across backward
  • The answer is Slip up.

Many a new driver
  • The answer is Teen.

DownItems of clothing that may be worn backward
  • The answer is Caps.

___ Gawande, surgeon with the #1 New York Times best seller "Being Mortal"
  • The answer is Atul.

Hasbro toy with a pull handle and twistable crank
  • The answer is Bop it.

Criticize snarkily, with "at"
  • The answer is Snipe.

You're reading it
  • The answer is Clue.

$10 bill, informally
  • The answer is Tenner.

Channel with "2" and "U" spinoffs
  • The answer is ESPN.

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

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

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for May 4

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 22:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

The words are lines in popular Sci-Fi movies.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words the first lines in Star Wars films.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Opening Crawl.

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

  • Time

  • Galaxy

  • Space

  • Opening Crawl

  • Planet

  • Empire

  • Rebel

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 4, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 22:00

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

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

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

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

  • Green: Playing an instrument

  • Blue: In a popular Taiwanese drink

  • Purple: In our solar system

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

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

  • Yellow: Qualities of overcooked meat

  • Green: Play some electric guitar

  • Blue: Ingredients in bubble tea

  • Purple: Planets/Dwarf planet with first letter changed

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #6913is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Qualities of overcooked meat: CHEWY, DRY, STRINGY, TOUGH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 4, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 22:00

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

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

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

A freshwater fish.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

TROUT.

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

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

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Voters Approve Incorporation of SpaceX Hub as Starbase, Texas

NYT Technology - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 20:52
The early vote tally on Saturday night was “well past” the majority needed to approve the incorporation of Starbase, an election official said.

Thunderbolts* starts strong at the box office, but Sinners remains 2025s biggest success story

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 13:55

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump casts himself as pope in AI-generated image

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 10:50

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’M THE POPE NOW, THERE’S A PICTURE!

[image or embed]

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

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

[image or embed]

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

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

[image or embed]

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

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

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

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

[image or embed]

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

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

Our favorite expert-tested TV brands include LG, TCL, Hisense, and Samsung

Mashable - Sat, 05/03/2025 - 07:00

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

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

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

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

Best OLED brand: LG

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

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

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

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

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

Size options

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

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

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

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

Size options

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

Best budget brands: Hisense and TCL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Size options

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

Best brand for unique features: Samsung

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

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

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

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

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

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

Size options

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

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

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

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

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

Size options

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

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

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

Size options

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

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