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UPDATE: Jun. 2, 2025, 5:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with details of the 78th annual Tony Awards, including nominations, ceremony date and time, and streaming information.

The annual Tony Awards are set to take place on June 8, 2025. Here are the best ways to watch: BEST OVERALL Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription $119.99/year (save 23%) Get Deal BEST FOR WALMART SHOPPERS Paramount+ Essential annual subscription free with a Walmart+ account (save $59.99/year) Get Deal BEST CABLE ALTERNATIVE YouTube TV free trial, then $59.99/mo for your first 2 months (save $46) Get Deal

Broadway's best are getting ready to gather in New York for the 78th annual Tony Awards. After a three-peat from Ariana DeBose (with an unscripted ceremony thrown in between), this year's awards will see Tony-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winner and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo host for the first time.

"I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor," Erivo said. "I am looking forward to ushering the theatre community at large through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year. I hope I can rise to the occasion."

If you want to tune in live to celebrate Broadway's biggest night, here's everything you need to know.

When are the 2025 Tony Awards?

The 78th annual Tony Awards are set for Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City. There's also a pre-show dubbed The Tony Awards: Act One, which will showcase exclusive content on Pluto TV and Paramount+, that airs ahead of the ceremony at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Who’s performing at the 2025 Tony Awards?

This year's ceremony will feature performances from all five shows nominated for Best Musical — Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, and Operation Mincemeat — as well as all four nominees for Best Revival of a Musical — Floyd Collins, Gypsy, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, and Sunset Boulevard. There will also be performances from Just in Time, which is up for six awards, including Best Actor in a Musical (Jonathan Groff), and Real Women Have Curves, which is up for Best Original Score and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Justina Machado).

There will also be a special Tony's performance in honor of Hamilton's 10th anniversary on Broadway, with much of the original cast reuniting.

Who are the 2025 Tony Award nominees?

Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending each scored 10 Tony Award nominations, making them the top contenders at this year's ceremony. Other standouts include Dead Outlaw, John Proctor is the Villain, Sunset Boulevard, and The Hills of California, all with seven nods each.

You'll see a lot of Hollywood names on this year's Tony nomination list, including Sarah Snook, Sadie Sink, George Clooney, Daniel Dae Kim, Bob Odenkirk, and Jessica Hecht.

You can take a look at the full list of nominees at the Tony Awards website.

How to watch the 2025 Tony Awards

The 2025 Tony Awards will be broadcast live simultaneously on CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime. If you're a cable subscriber, you can simply switch the channel over to CBS at 8 p.m. ET on June 8, and you're good to go. Not near a TV? You can also use your cable login at CBS.com to watch live. If you don't have cable, you can only tune into the live broadcast through Paramount+ with Showtime (not the Essential plan) or a live TV cord-cutting service (more on that below). If you're on the Paramount+ Essential plan, the broadcast will be available to stream the following day.

Can I watch the Tony Awards for free?

CBS is free over the air in the U.S., which means that, even without cable, you can watch the show live using an antenna. Don't have an antenna? No worries — you can tune into the Tony Awards via Paramount+ or a live TV cord-cutting service like YouTube TV or FuboTV. You could also ask a cable-subscribing friend or family member for their login information and use it to sign in with a TV provider on CBS.com, but sometimes that's more trouble than it's worth.

Surprisingly, there are a couple of different ways cord-cutters can watch the Tony Awards live and for free (or at least at a discount). For those who don't feel like buying and installing an over-the-air antenna, here are your best streaming options.

Best for new and returning subscribers: Save 23% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime annual subscription $119.99
Get Deal

If you pay for a Paramount+ with Showtime monthly subscription, it'll cost you $12.99 per month or $155.88 for the year. If you opt for an annual plan instead, however, you'll save 23% and pay just $119.99. That equals about $9.99 per month. You'll be able to watch the Tony Awards live and plenty more throughout the year.

Best for Walmart shoppers: Free Paramount+ Essential with Walmart+ Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart+ / Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential free with a Walmart+ subscription Get Deal

A Walmart+ membership is the gift that keeps on giving. Like Amazon Prime, subscribing comes with many perks beyond free shipping. Walmart+ members also get Paramount+ Essential included with their membership for free. You won't be able to watch the Tony Awards live, but you can watch the broadcast immediately after it airs on your Essential account. New subscribers can score a 30-day trial to kick things off.

There are a couple of ways to save on a Walmart+ membership as well if you're looking to subscribe long-term. You can save around $5 per month by subscribing to an annual plan instead of a monthly one.

Best cable alternative: YouTube TV free trial Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free trial, then $59.99/mo for your first 2 months (save $46) Get Deal

While Paramount+ is the only dedicated streaming service to broadcast the Tony Awards live, many cord-cutting services that serve as cable replacements offer live channels or logins to access live channels, which will allow you to tune in. YouTube TV is our top pick for its free trial and two-month discount. If you sign up around the time of the Tonys, you'll be able to watch the broadcast live and for free during your trial. If you don't want to be charged, be sure to cancel before your trial period is up. Otherwise, it'll cost you $59.99 per month for your first two months — that's $46 in savings.

Honorable mentions

• Paramount+ Essential annual subscription — $59.99/year (save 37%)

• Hulu + Live TV — free 3-day trial, then $82.99/month

• FuboTV Pro — free 7-day trial, then $64.99/month for your first month (save $20)

His EMI algorithm, an early form of artificial intelligence that he developed in the 1980s, prompted searching questions about the limits of human creativity.

TL;DR: For a limited time, Koofr’s lifetime cloud storage deal is at an all-time low price with code KOOFR at checkout: A$186 (reg. A$248).

You know that quiet dread when the monthly cloud storage fee hits your card — again? It’s not huge, but it adds up. And for what? A few PDFs, some photos you forgot to organize, and maybe that video project you swear you’ll finish someday. 

If you're tired of renting space in the digital void, here’s your chance to escape. Rather than paying each month, Koofr will give you 1TB of cloud storage for a one-time fee. You also caught this deal at just the right time, because you can use code KOOFR at checkout to take the price from A$248 to A$186 for a limited time.

Here’s why we love this deal

Koofr takes your privacy seriously with top-notch encryption for your files, both when they're being transferred and while they're stored. They also don’t track your activity, so you can rest easy knowing your data is secure and private.

What really stands out about Koofr’s cloud storage is how flexible and user-friendly it is. Whether you're on your smartphone, desktop, or using WebDAV, you can easily access and manage your files from anywhere. The interface is straightforward, so even if you're new to cloud storage, you’ll find it easy to use.

Plus, if you’re already using other cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, or OneDrive, Koofr integrates smoothly, letting you handle everything from one place.

And for keeping your digital space in order, Koofr has some neat features. The duplicate file finder helps you eliminate unnecessary repeats, while advanced renaming options let you customize file links. This way, you can keep your files organized and your digital space clutter-free.

Keep your files safe and sound with a Koofr 1TB Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for A$186 with promo code KOOFR until July 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) AU$186
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If you've seen some spectacular kaleidoscopic images of the Northern Lights in your social media today, you might be feeling some FOMO. 

Due to a solar storm in space over the weekend, some areas of the globe have been treated to auroras — colorful light displays — in the sky. But if you missed catching a glimpse, you might have another chance this evening, depending on where in the world you live. Space weather forecasters say there's a possibility conditions will strengthen tonight.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is tracking the space weather for North America, reports that there is a moderate geomagnetic storm, classified at a level indicative of a significant disturbance in Earth's magnetic field. A geomagnetic storm happens when the sun releases solar flares or coronal mass ejections — plasma spewed from the sun's outer atmosphere — sending charged particles toward Earth. 

That means that though this particular storm isn't extreme, it could make the aurora borealis visible farther south than normal, especially if the storm ramps up. Here's what to know: 

SEE ALSO: NASA rover captures an aurora from Mars surface for the first time This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What causes an aurora?

An aurora's display of colors is the result of electrons shot out of the sun during solar storms. Though the sun is about 93 million miles away, its blasts can affect Earth and other parts of the solar system. 

As the charged particles reach Earth, they travel along the planet's invisible magnetic field lines into the atmosphere, interacting with the air. When those particles strike gases, they heat up and glow, according to NASA. The colors differ depending on the type of gas those particles hit and the altitude. Oxygen glows red or blue, while nitrogen can create green, blue, or pink. 

Why are solar storms happening more often now?

Similar to storm seasons on Earth, the sun experiences a weather pattern that repeats every 11 years. At the beginning and end of the cycle, that activity is at its calmest. But solar activity increases, climaxing in the middle of the cycle and causing the sun to roil with giant eruptions.

Right now that cycle seems to be peaking, reaching its maximum point. That's why reports of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are more abundant in the news.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Are geomagnetic storms dangerous?

Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere protect the planet from solar radiation that could potentially cause harmful health impacts, but that doesn't mean space weather can't affect our world in other ways. These events can have catastrophic consequences on technology, disrupting power grids, telecommunications, and GPS systems.

Though these incidents don’t happen often, a solar flare in March 1989, for example, caused all of Quebec, Canada, to experience a 12-hour power outage. It also jammed radio signals for Radio Free Europe.

The storm occurring now is not extreme, but it could cause power irregularities near the poles or disruptions to satellites orbiting Earth. But those concerns are more relevant to satellite operators and aerospace engineers than the average person. 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Where will the aurora be visible on June 2?

The aurora can't be seen during daylight hours, but space weather models are predicting it could be visible in some areas farther south after sunset. The Northern Lights could stretch within view of residents in New York, Wisconsin, and Washington state, according to a NOAA update just before 10 a.m. ET on June 2. 

The aurora doesn't have to be directly overhead for it to be visible, so that means some observers might catch it from as much as 600 miles away if the conditions are right. 

To increase your chances of witnessing it, seek out dark skies, far from city lights, and be patient: Auroras can be unpredictable. Be sure to check the latest viewline forecasts, such as NOAA's Aurora Dashboard, a platform that includes real-time predictions. 

Samsung users might have Perplexity-powered features on future devices.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Samsung is "nearing a wide-ranging deal" to bring Perplexity search capabilities to the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. That could include the Perplexity app pre-loaded on Samsung devices, Perplexity search features within Samsung's web browser, and possibly integrating Perplexity with Samsung's Bixby virtual assistant.

Samsung is also reportedly a major investor in Perplexity's latest funding round, which seeks to raise $500 million at a $14 billion valuation, said the outlet.

Samsung was early to bring AI features to its devices, claiming the Galaxy S24 series was the "first AI phone." The company's Galaxy AI has largely relied on Google Gemini for AI-powered features that can do things like connect with Samsung's and third party apps and perform tasks on the user's behalf, and tap into Google Search through Gemini Live. A deal with Perplexity would diversify Samsung's offerings and curtail its dependence on Google.

Similarly, Apple, is looking at Perplexity for AI search in Safari. That's according to Eddy Cue, Apple's senior VP of services, in his recent testimony during the Google antitrust trial. Apple previously struck a $20 billion deal with Google to make their search engine the default for Safari. Apple also has a deal with OpenAI for its Apple Intelligence AI, features and has expressed interest in partnering with other AI companies to give users their choice of AI models on devices.

Google has had a decades-long grip on the search engine market. But the rise of AI-powered search engines from startups like Perplexity and users' increasing shift to chatbots like ChatGPT for search is chipping away at Google's dominance. Then there's the fact that Google might be forced to divest its Chrome browser as part of the remedial phase of the antitrust case, which ruled Google a monopoly.

It's unclear if Samsung's rumored partnership with Perplexity is a protective measure against this still-undetermined outcome. But Samsung's reported investment in Perplexity is certainly an indication that there are other serious contenders out there poised to compete with Google. And that's all thanks to generative AI.

SAVE 25%: The Shark Clean & Empty cordless stick vacuum with auto-empty system is on sale for $299 at Amazon, down from the list price of $399.99. That's a savings of $100.99 and you'll receive a free $14.01 credit for a future Amazon purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum with Auto-Empty System (BU3521) $299 at Amazon
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We all have plenty on our list of daily tasks. If you cringe when you see the need to vacuum, it might be time to upgrade to a cordless stick vacuum that offers the convenience of a quick and painless vacuuming experience. If you don't already have that at home, check out this deal at Amazon on a feature-rich model.

As of June 2, the Shark Clean & Empty cordless stick vacuum with auto-empty system is on sale at Amazon for just $299, marked down from the list price of $399.99. That's a 25% discount that takes $100.99 off the normal price of $399.99. This deal also comes with a free Amazon promotional credit of $14.01. You'll see this automatically appear in your Amazon account 30 days after the vacuum has shipped. Be sure to use this promo credit before it expires on Oct. 1, 2025.

SEE ALSO: Get the MOVA P10 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop for its lowest price ever

You're in for a world of convenience with the Shark Clean & Empty cordless stick vacuum. For one, it's a lightweight model which means you'll have no issue zipping over carpet, hardwood, tile, or under the bed. The brushrool is designed to alter its cleaning power depending on the floor type and level of debris, so it'll never leave a mess behind. It can also change into a handheld model which is great for cleaning the car or getting those high bookshelves dusted. Plus, it can get up to 40 minutes of cleaning time on a single charge.

A major benefit of the Shark Clean & Empty is the included auto-empty system. Place the vacuum back on its conveniently slim charging base, and it'll empty the debris into the base. This mean you won't need to manually empty the bust bin after each use.

In addition to the super functional Shark vacuum, Amazon is tossing in a free promo credit of $14.01. You can use this anytime before Oct. 1 to snag an extra discount on your next Amazon order.

Instead of dreading vacuuming, grab the Shark Clean & Empty cordless stick vacuum with auto-empty system while it's on sale for $299 at Amazon. Floor cleaning will become a breeze and you'll have an Amazon credit to use in the future as a little treat.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

• Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $139.99 (List Price $159.00)

• Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)

• Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $179.99 (List Price $249.99)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $449.95

• Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $499.99 (List Price $699.99)

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is nearly here, and that means you can expect big updates from the tech giant. In 2023, the company pulled back the curtain on the Vision Pro. A year later, Apple Intelligence made its debut. Now, all eyes are on what’s next.

So far, WWDC 2025 rumors point to one clear headline: major iOS updates.

Specifically, iOS is reportedly getting its most significant redesign in years — a bold new look that feels like a calculated answer to Google’s Android 16 revamp. (The tagline for the event is "Sleek peek," if that tells you anything about the focus.) Just don’t expect fireworks on the hardware front. If you're hoping for new devices, this WWDC might not be your year.

SEE ALSO: Fresh iPhone 17 leak gives first close-up look at next-gen Apple smartphones

Here’s a breakdown of all the news and updates to expect from Apple WWDC 2025.

WWDC 2025: Who, what, where, when, and why?

This year's WWDC is scheduled for June 9 to 13, with the keynote scheduled for June 9 at 10 a.m. PT. The company promises to reveal "the latest Apple software and technologies." We expect Apple CEO Tim Cook to be leading the keynote presentation, and you can watch the event live. Mashable will also be reporting on the keynote as it happens, so stay tuned.

Introducing iOS 19, or is it iOS 26?

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, unification is Apple’s north star this year. That doesn’t just mean a redesigned iOS — it means a new naming convention, too. Instead of iOS 19, the next iteration is expected to arrive as iOS 26, aligning version numbers with the year they'll be updated. Think iOS 27 in 2026, iOS 28 in 2027, and so on.

Gurman speculates that Apple may be shifting toward more frequent software updates rather than anchoring everything around a single fall release. Naming the OS after the upcoming year, he adds, is "much more forward-looking" than sticking with 19.

It's a radical shift for Cook and company, but telling, since there's not much else in Apple's kitchen to reveal.

What about MacOS?

The rebrand won’t stop with the iPhone. On June 9, Apple is expected to unveil matching updates across its ecosystem: watchOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26.

Apple released its new M4 MacBook Air models earlier this year, and so we're hoping for some interesting updates to macOS. Details are hard to come by at this point, but we're crossing our fingers for some exciting macOS 26 updates next week.

Apple Intelligence updates

It’s been nearly a year since Apple Intelligence was revealed. It was the company’s somewhat reactive response to the generative AI surge led by OpenAI and Google. Some features, like Priority Notifications, have proven modestly useful. But overall, Apple is definitely playing catch-up in the AI race, not setting the pace. Rumor has it that Apple's AI technology (and a long-awaited Siri makeover) still isn't ready for primetime.

Don’t expect WWDC to change that. According to Gurman, AI won’t be the headliner this year. "Apple needs a comeback," he writes, but cautions against expecting it at this event. Instead, the focus will be on design tweaks and core system updates, a back-to-basics approach that makes this year’s conference feel smaller in scale than previous editions.

The one AI-related development worth watching is Apple’s reportedly opening up of its Foundation Models to third-party developers. This will allow developers to create custom app features. In addition, Gurman says that several other apps on iOS, like Safari and Photos, will quietly get rebranded as "AI-powered."

In short, while we expect Apple to announce new Apple Intelligence and AI features, we don't expect massive updates like we've seen from OpenAI or Google lately.

All quiet on the hardware front

Right now, Apple looks like a company in a recalibration phase. Major bets — like a foldable iPhone or a cheaper Vision Pro —remain deep in development. The "next big thing" still feels a ways off. So, while there could be a big hardware unveiling at WWDC, a fall unveiling seems far more likely.

As of this writing, WWDC is just one week away. Keep checking Mashable, as we'll be bringing you all the latest WWDC 2025 rumors, news, and official updates as we get them.

SAVE $13.06: As of June 2, the Anker Zolo 10,000mAh power bank is on sale for just $12.93 at Amazon. That's 50% off and matches its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo 10,000mAh power bank $12.93 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $12.06 Get Deal

I've raved about the Anker Zolo power bank on numerous occasions and don't plan on stopping anytime soon — especially since it's back on sale for half price.

As of June 2, the 10,000mAh Anker Zolo power bank is down to just $12.93 at Amazon. That's 50% off the list price of $24.99 and on par with its best-ever price, which it first reached during Amazon's Big Spring Sale a few months back. It comes in four different color options (black, white, pink, and blue) and all four are on sale.

The Zolo power bank has a USB-C cable built-in, which makes life a whole lot easier. No need to dig around for a charging cable when you're in a snug airplane seat or while you're waiting for the train. It also has USB-C and USB-A ports if you want to charge multiple devices at once (or if you're sporting an older phone that doesn't support USB-C). Equipped with 30W two-way fast-charging, it also doesn't take a million years to bring your phone back to life, unlike other power banks.

The digital display will show you the battery life of the charger at any given time — just press the button on the side. I'm always surprised at how long it lasts; I can generally get a few full phone charges out of it before needing to recharge the power bank itself.

While there is a little bit of weight to it — it's a battery, after all — it won't add a ton of bulk to your luggage or purse. Whether you need a lifeline when traveling, commuting, or out and about in everyday life, I can't recommend the Anker Zolo power bank enough.

The best tech deals to shop this week

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

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• DualSense Edge Wireless Controller — $169.00 (List Price $199.99)

Prosecutors aren’t the only ones arguing for a smaller Google. Some critics say it might be better for investors, customers and innovation.

As Mr. Musk steps away from Washington, he faces concerns over his prolonged absence from his businesses including Tesla, SpaceX, xAI and X.

Save $100: Grab the 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 128GB) while it's back down at its record low price of $499 at Amazon as of June 2. The Apple tablet typically goes for $599, making this sale price a 17% discount.

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100 Get Deal

The new iPad Airs came out just three months ago, but already the tablet is $100 off — and back down to its lowest price ever — for the second time since its release.

That means that as of June 2, you can grab the 11-inch iPad Air with 128GB of storage for just $499, instead of its regular $599, at Amazon. At the time of writing, this price is live on all of the four available iPad colorways. All of the other 11-inch Airs with WiFi are also marked down $100, but opting for the lowest available storage gets you the lowest price possible (and still a decent amount of storage).

The biggest difference between this iPad and previous generations is that it comes with an M3 chip designed for making Apple Intelligence (Apple's AI) do its best and fastest work. It is worth mentioning that 2024's iPad Air will also support Apple Intelligence as well.

Still, we recommend the M3 Air as the best iPad for most people, especially if you don't already own a relatively new model. It's not so overpowered (and overpriced) that it'd be ridiculous to use as a device mainly for streaming and reading, but it's also powerful enough to be used by artists and other creatives.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Air M3 review: The smallest of upgrades

The Air can also run for 14 hours on a single charge, has a landscape camera for taking FaceTime calls, and a 12MP front and rear camera. A refresh rate 60Hz and RAM above 8GB would have been nice, but for just $499, this is still a solid value for any tablet, Apple or otherwise.

Lanyard-clad attendees with branded tote bags and pink-shirted volunteers flowed through London’s Brick Lane on Monday, marking the launch of the inaugural SXSW London festival.

Taking place over multiple stages and venues in Shoreditch and Hoxton, SXSW London has officially kicked off its first full day of panels, keynotes, demonstrations, movie premieres, and music gigs. It's the first European version of SXSW, branching out from its original event in Austin, Texas.

And luckily, Londoners are no strangers to a queue, with SXSW’s penchant for long lines outside Austin venues replicated in the UK capital.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best things we saw at SXSW's Film and TV Festival

Playing to the strengths of fellow conferences, the biggest topics of SXSW London are the impact of AI on essentially anything you could think of, the creator economy and online communities, and self-driving tech — I spied a Wayve autonomous vehicle carefully navigating the pedestrian-filled Brick Lane (with a human driver behind the wheel, just in case).

SXSW London kicked off on Monday. Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable

London mayor Sadiq Khan officially launched the festival with a speech Monday morning, championing London as "a global centre for AI investment and innovation," emphasising a focus on ethical and accessible AI development, and playing to the audience with a ChatGPT anecdote.

"Given the major theme of this festival is tech and AI, this morning, I did consult ChatGPT about the significance of SXSW coming to our city," Khan said. "They said, and I quote, 'This is a moment of creative synergy, London's spirit meets Austin's swagger.' It then added, 'It's like Big Ben started wearing cowboy boots and launched a podcast.'"

Featured Video For You The 5 best films I saw at SXSW

Sir Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, took to the main stage to lead the conversation around AI, and former UK prime minister Tony Blair and current secretary of state Peter Kyle unpacked how government can either ignore or optimize AI (the UK government is launching a new app in collaboration with Anthropic).

Meanwhile, comedian Katherine Ryan and Nuchido's Dr. Nichola Conlon appeared on a panel about biohacking and their new podcast What's My Age Again? and Twitch CEO Dan Clancy unpacked why authentic online community building takes time. Plus, Deepak Chopra guided the SXSW audience through a meditation after providing the formula for consciousness, and long lines of attendees stretched outside venue Rich Mix as TikTok star Munya Chawawa drew crowds for his talk “TikTok to Tolstoy” which unpacked longer-form content on social media.

Upcoming panelists and speakers include Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, Wyclef Jean, Regina King, Letitia Wright, Tiwa Savage, Keily Blair, Tina Brown, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Sophie Turner, Stewart Copeland, Mati Staniszewski, Ben Lamm and more. The SXSW London film program, to be held at the Barbican, will feature the world premieres of the Eminem-produced documentary Stans, Olivia Cappuccini's intimate documentary Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf, and Tom Kingsley's comedy Deep Cover, as well as the UK premiere of The Life of Chuck. Plus, the music program is being headlined by Mabel, Tems, NAO, Alice Glass, Lila Ike, Sasha Keable, Idris Elba, and more.

SXSW London runs from June 2 to 6 across venues in London. Mashable is on the ground reporting, so we’ll have more where this came from.

It's genuinely the end of Downton Abbey, with the Crawleys moving into the late 1930s and ready for their final bow.

With a trailer out today, Julian Fellowes' Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale takes the series' beloved characters further into the decade, following the early '30s glamour of the second film. The film will not only re-create London's West End, Ascot Racecourse, and other city sites in the '30s, but will also bring the characters back to where it all began, the titular mansion that started it all.

The Grand Finale will notably include a tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith, whose longtime performance as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, essentially defined the Downton experience. Violet died at the end in Downton Abbey: A New Era, released two years before Smith's own passing in September 2024. In the trailer, we glimpse a scene of Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) pausing to reflect on a portrait of her grandmother, Violet, within the hallowed halls.

It's tough to say goodbye, on many levels.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is in cinemas Sept. 12.

SAVE 79%: As of June 2, you can get the Ryobi ONE+ 18-volt lithium-ion cordless mister for $14.99, down from $69.99, at Woot. That's a 79% discount and a $55 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ryobi Ryobi ONE+ 18-volt lithium-ion cordless mister $14.99 at Woot
$69.99 Save $55.00 Get Deal

Summer is right around the corner, and that means tons of yard work and dealing with insects for anyone who has a lawn or even a small garden to maintain.

As of June 2, you can get the Ryobi ONE+ 18-volt lithium-ion cordless mister for $14.99, down from $69.99, at Woot. That's a 79% discount and a $55 savings. This price is for the tool only; you’ll need to purchase the battery and charger separately. (Any 18V ONE+ battery will work!) You’ll also get a free, three-year warranty, and shipping is free for Prime members.

The RYOBI 18V ONE+ with 18V ONE+ Fogger is designed to spray out to 15 ft. and cover up to 1,000 sq. ft. per minute, and sprays up to 10,000 sq. ft. per charge. All you have to do is pull a trigger, and you're good to go!

The half-gallon tank is compatible with herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and most other outdoor chemicals.

The best tech deals to shop this week

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

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• DualSense Edge Wireless Controller — $169.00 (List Price $199.99)

We're exactly one week out from Apple's World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 — and we expect the event to bring major changes to the iPhone's iOS software.

So far, we have more rumors than facts about the updates to iOS, but these rumors are all but confirmed. Last week, we learned that Apple would be leaping from iOS 18.5 to iOS26, switching to a new year-based naming convention for iOS (and macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS), as first reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a rock-solid history of major Apple scoops.

What changes can we expect from iOS26 and WWDC 2025? Apple is teasing the June 9 event with a banner and "Sleek peek" tagline but is otherwise quiet. So, let's break down what we know so far.

Credit: Apple When is WWDC 2025?

This year WWDC is scheduled for June 9 to 13, with the keynote scheduled for June 9 at 10 a.m. PT. Apple describes the event as "A week of technology and creativity." You'll be able to watch the event live, and Mashable will be reporting on the keynote as it happens.

The iOS 26 name change

First and foremost, what we long thought would be iOS19 may actually be called iOS26. Gurman, a prominent Apple news-breaker, reported last week that Apple would rebrand its software at WWDC, naming it to correspond to the year. That means all the software at this year's WWDC would be called, respectively, iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

So, yes, WWDC will almost certainly deliver a new iOS, but it might not be called what you expected.

An iOS design overhaul

It's long been rumored that Apple's new iOS would debut a totally new look. The source of that report was, once again, Bloomberg's Gurman back in March. His report noted that WWDC would debut "one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company’s history" with changes to the icons, menus, system buttons, and how apps will work. The new look apparently took cues from the Apple Vision Pro, in order to make design appear similar across Apple devices.

SEE ALSO: 5 new iOS 18.5 features I recommend trying ASAP (plus 3 bonus features you may have missed) A desktop mode for iPhone

A rumor suggested iOS26 — or iOS19, or whatever you want to call it — could bring a desktop mode to iPhone users. Tech leaker Majin Bu suggested that Apple was working on a feature where users could connect USB-C iPhones to an external display. The feature would apparently work like Apple's Stage Manager, which would effectively add screen space for iPhone users. It's worth noting, however, that this is just a rumor — so don't count on it.

Better battery life

As Forbes noted in a recent report, it's expected the new iOS will feature an AI-powered battery management system that'll help your phone last longer between charges. That's certainly handy for folks who always seem to find themselves chasing a charge.

Live translation for AirPods

Gurman reported in March that Apple was planning to drop a new live-translation feature with its new iOS. The idea would be that your phone could listen, then play a translation directly in your AirPods. It'd be like having a translator in your ear. That would be similar to systems used by products like Google’s Pixel Buds or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. At Google I/O 2025, a live demonstration of Google's real-time translation didn't exactly go as planned, however.

Apple Intelligence

As previously reported by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, Apple is losing the AI race. Apple Intelligence, the company's AI tool for iPhones and other devices, lags far behind rivals like ChatGPT and Gemini, and a long-awaited AI makeover for Siri still hasn't landed. Once upon a time, Apple was expected to show off a new and improved Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2025, but rumor has it the company's AI tech isn't ready for primetime.

So, while we expect Apple to show off some new Apple Intelligence features and AI tools for iOS26, we don't expect fireworks, like at Google I/O 2025.

Finally, it's worth keeping in mind that we don't know exactly what we'll get from WWDC until Apple unveils those plans next Monday. But it's safe to assume some big changes could be on the way.

After wowing audiences in 2023's horror hit M3GAN, everyone's favorite killer sass machine returns to the big screen in M3GAN 2.0. This time, she's stronger, taller, and rocking some new dance moves.

SEE ALSO: Buy your advanced ticket to see 'M3GAN 2.0' and get another for free

That's right: Blumhouse Productions has brought back M3GAN (Amie Donald, voiced by Jenna Davis). But she's not the only deadly robot in town. M3GAN 2.0's trailer introduces another badass AI in Amelia (Ahsoka's Ivanna Sakhno). Created using the same technology that made M3GAN, Amelia's growing self-awareness has made her dead set on taking out any humans who stand in her way. Right now, that includes M3GAN's creator Gemma (Allison Williams) and her niece — former M3GAN bestie — Cady (Violet McGraw).

Good thing Gemma and Cady happen to have M3GAN's consciousness handy to protect them! The pair resurrect their former tormentor in a new and improved body to give her a better chance at defeating Amelia. Think of it like a twist on Terminator 2: Judgment Day — one where Arnold Schwarzenegger tells foes to "hold onto your vaginas."

M3GAN's makeover is on full display in the M3GAN 2.0 trailer, which shows off her new martial arts prowess and flying skills. Plus her dance moves have upgraded. And Britney Spears and Chappell Roan are obviously an inspiration points. Watch the full trailer above to witness M3GAN doing the robot in all its glory.

Written and directed by M3GAN helmer Gerard Johnstone and produced by James Wan (Saw, Insidious), M3GAN 2.0 also stars Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Aristotle Athari, Timm Sharp, and Jemaine Clement.

M3GAN 2.0 hits theaters June 27.

SAVE 67%: As of June 2, you can get an open box Amazon Fire TV soundbar 2.0 for just $39.99, down from $119.99, at Woot. That's a 67% discount and a $80 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar 2.0 with DTS Virtual: X & Dolby Audio $39.99 at Woot
$119.99 Save $80 Get Deal

Ever feel like your home movie nights could be a little more... epic? A soundbar might be just what you need. The difference between your TV’s built-in speakers and a soundbar isn’t just volume, it’s clarity. With a soundbar, you can actually hear quiet dialogue without having to adjust the volume every time the characters are whispering, only to jump out of your skin when a loud explosion suddenly blasts through. The only catch is that good soundbars can be pretty expensive, which is why it’s always a good idea to shop around for deals.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite portable speaker for bass lovers is still at its best price at Amazon

As of June 2, you can get an open box Amazon Fire TV soundbar 2.0 for just $39.99, down from $119.99, at Woot. That's a 67% discount and a $80 savings. The important keyword here is “open box.” This means the product isn’t brand new, but it’s been inspected and is still in good working condition. And, are you really going to find a soundbar with more than 4K reviews for less than $40 anywhere else?

The Amazon Fire TV soundbar offers three-dimensional virtual surround sound via Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, and HDMI eARC passthrough. (You can use it to listen to music, podcasts, and other media, too.) This particular model is 24 inches long and about 2.5 inches tall, which makes it ideal for smaller TVs. It is a Fire TV soundbar, but you can use it for non-Fire TVs. It’s also an audio-only soundbar, so Alexa isn’t built-in, and you’ll need to use the included remote to control the soundbar.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.98 (List Price $39.99)

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

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

• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $149.00

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $228.00 (List Price $348.00)

• JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $249.95 (List Price $399.95)

SAVE $20: The Amazon Echo Spot is on sale for just $59.99, down from $79.99 as of June 2. That's the lowest price its seen all year. Not to mention, it comes with a free WiZ smart bulb.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $59.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $20.00 + free WiZ smart bulb Get Deal

One of the newest additions to the Amazon Echo family, the Echo Spot serves as a fancy alarm clock to help you wake up and wind down each day with smart features. If your morning routine could use a boost, now's a great time to grab one, as it's down to its lowest price this year.

As of June 2, the Echo Spot is on sale for just $59.99 at Amazon. That's $20 or 25% off the list price of $79.99 and the first time it's dropped this low without a coupon code since Black Friday 2024. Plus, when you purchase the Echo Spot, you'll unlock this deal on a WiZ smart bulb for $1.99 (reg. $10.99).

While it doesn't have an integrated camera like other Echo devices, as that would be very creepy, it does most of the things you'd expect from an Alexa-enabled gadget. It'll wake you up with your favorite tunes or a custom alarm, lull you to sleep with white noise, check the weather, stream music, set reminders, and even control your other smart devices – including the WiZ smart bulb you can snag with this deal. You can have it gradually brighten your smart bulb as you wake up to your morning playlist for a full-blown wake-up routine.

The Spot is a little bigger than the Echo Pop and Echo Dot at 4.5 inches by 4.4 inches, but it's just the right size for a nightstand. It also comes in three color options to suit your palette — and all three are on sale.

The best tech deals to shop this week

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

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• DualSense Edge Wireless Controller — $169.00 (List Price $199.99)

Every weekday, like clockwork, Grayson Finks sits down at her desk in Charleston, South Carolina, and enters the digital hustle. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the 20-year-old TikTok creator records, edits, and posts at least 10 videos a day, each one crafted to promote products on TikTok Shop. It’s a demanding schedule, but the payoff is massive.

Finks says she earns between $35,000 and $50,000 every month, and over the past two years, she says she's made more than $3 million in product revenue — all from the comfort of her home, with her golden retriever, Beau, often curled up nearby. With over 176,000 followers, her presence on TikTok is her primary engine of success, and remarkably, it's the only social platform she actively uses to make money.

SEE ALSO: How Aden Wang makes viral DIY content without quitting his day job

"I'm trying to move my fashion presence over to Instagram, but as of right now, those aren't really like helping me do anything," Finks told Mashable. 

"It's a great learning tool, even if it does disappear."

For now, she's keeping her Instagram personal, but that doesn't mean keeping all her eggs in one basket doesn't scare her.

"It's terrifying," Finks said about the potential TikTok ban. "December through February was excruciating. Sales were crazy. The app was going in and out of the App Store. It's fun to say that this is my job, but my job could be taken away from me tomorrow, and I've still got bills that I've committed to that I'm going to have to pay. I take a risk every single day by choosing to use [TikTok] as my full economic stability. But it's worth it. So far, I can't predict the future, and I don't know what's going to happen, but I know that the marketing tools and the things that I've learned on this app, I'd be able to recreate it on another platform in order to grow again. It's a great learning tool, even if it does disappear."

Mashable sat down with Finks over Zoom to talk about how she makes money, how she separates her real life from her life online, how she built her TikTok Shop empire — and how you can, too.

SEE ALSO: Is that the sound of the TikTok Shop bubble popping? These creators aren’t worried yet. How Grayson Finks gets it done. Credit: Zooey Liao/ Image Credit: TikTok/ Getty Images/ Amazon You post 10 videos a day. How long does it take you to make a single video?

It depends. I do different kinds of videos. TikTok sometimes rewards no effort at all. You can make really quick videos, and if they have the right hook, the right marketing tactic, people will go for it, and you'll get a bunch of sales. But other times it takes hours of editing. Maybe it's a product that people have already promoted over and over and over again, and you've got to give it something new. That takes a while for me to set up because I'm also setting up all the lighting, background editing, and doing everything by myself. So if you put all the time together, it adds up. 

I usually start around 9 a.m. and finish around 4 p.m., but it's pretty relaxed throughout the day. I'm not go, go, go. I can eat lunch and take my dog on a walk.

Can you walk me through your workflow from your ideation to posting something?

I get new packages usually every other day. I give myself a package session where I get to open things up in the morning and plan out what I want to film for the day. A lot of opening the packaging also has to do with choosing what's good to be promoted and what's not. Because the truth is TikTok Shop has a lot of really cheap, not-great stuff that you, as the marketer, have to go through and you have to say, "I can make a couple of dollars off this, but when people get this in the mail, they're going to give me really bad reviews. So I really shouldn't do that." You have to go through that, choose what you want to prioritize, and then I usually start from whatever outfit I'm most excited about.

After that, I immediately go to my phone, I edit that video, post it, and then while that video is posting, I start the next one, and I just post them back to back to back to back. A lot of influencers schedule their posts, but I have never gotten into that.

And before this starts, how do you get the products?

I have a recommended page where I can go in on my own profile and shop for free samples. TikTok makes it really easy. All you have to do is click "get sample," commit to filming for it, sign a couple of things, and then they mail it straight to you, and it gets to you within two days.

What if you get a sample that's trash, but you've already agreed to film it?

So it's a little tricky. TikTok has a lot of hidden rules. One of those rules is that you have to film the samples or you're going to be penalized. People approach this differently. Some people will post these samples and be like, "Hey guys, I got these, these are all trash. Don't buy them, but I have to link them." I don't usually do that because I don't want to rub brands the wrong way. Maybe they come out with something later that's really good, and I've talked bad about them prior. I try to be as polite as possible. So, what you can do on TikTok is post things as UGC content, so that it doesn't go directly onto your profile page.

SEE ALSO: How Aden Wang makes viral DIY content without quitting his day job

Let's say I have 10 samples from this week that I don't think are very good. I'm going to film a short video with all of those 10 samples. I'm going to link the samples, and then I'm going to post it as UGC content so it goes into the world of TikTok somewhere, but it's probably not going to get that many views because it's not actually on my profile page and I'm not promoting it personally. So you get to pick and choose what you want to stick on your page. I wouldn't recommend doing that a lot, and I don't think a lot of people do that, but that's how I get around it.

There's also a new thing called a "product selection score." If we get sales on products that are now rated lower than 4.3 stars, TikTok takes away our views and will completely redirect traffic. So I don't want to get any sales on those bad things. And now I'm going back to a point where I'm really trying to request only samples that I can 100 percent post. But it's always a risk because you don't know if it's going to look like the picture.

Where do you find inspiration or ideas for your videos?

My main inspiration, honestly, comes from the app itself. TikTok doesn't get enough credit for how much influence it actually has over fashion today. My For You page is a constant inspiration. I've trained it to be that way. You can manipulate your For You page to give you what you want, depending on what you interact with and what you share, like, and comment on. So right now, my For You page is basically my dream Pinterest board of everything I want to share. 

How do you train your For You page?

I have been specific with it. At the beginning [of my TikTok journey], I started promoting a health journal. That's what I started with because I was going through my own health journey, and at that time, my entire TikTok was giving me [videos about] vitamins, journals, workouts, things like that. And I was able to work with that for a couple of months, but I only wanted to take my health journey so far. I didn't want my entire page to be about the way my body looked or how my face looked. So by moving over from those products into fashion, the app wrapped its head around that for me and started giving me the inspiration for that. It does a great job.

How long did it take before you saw significant growth in followers?

Honestly, my follower count really hasn't had that much of an effect on my sales. My audience has morphed into exactly what it needs to do, but my follower account has never really skyrocketed. On TikTok, you don't have to have a big following if you have a regular group of people that come to your page and trust you for advice when it comes to clothing or health products, anything like that, that's an influence enough to have them buy the products. You don't have to be this crazy day in my life every single day, have a bunch of followers, in order for people to say, "Hey, that works and I'm gonna try the same thing."

What strategies have you used to gain the trust of that group of followers?

I wouldn't call myself a very typical content creator because I don't give a lot of "day in my life" videos. I don't give a lot of my personal routine because it's very personal to me. And coming from where I was at the beginning of this journey, I knew that what I wanted to create was a platform that I could earn money from, but that didn't put more stress on me and like or make me start acting in a certain way because that's a slippery slope. You can end up really transforming yourself into someone that you don't want to be, but someone that your followers want you to be.

They trust me because I show up every single day and post the same number of videos with new products every single day. That's how I show my commitment to them and connect with them, and people recognize that. 

When I wake up in the morning, I get ready, I film the videos, and when it's time to clock out, I'm done with social media. How do you delineate between what you're willing to share online versus what you keep private?

It has been a learning process. It's always been something that I'm like, "You guys, this has nothing to do with you, so you don't need to know about it." [My personal life] doesn't influence how I act online. It has made me treat this more like a job than anything because when I wake up in the morning, I get ready, I film the videos, and when it's time to clock out, I'm done with social media. I'm ready to go to the dog park. I'm ready to walk around the beach. I live in this beautiful place for a reason. I'm trying to get stuff done during the day so that I can enjoy this place. Treating it like a job has been the best thing for me to not let it creep into all of the different aspects of my life and take over.

That seems pretty healthy.

Yes, because honestly, my mental health is one of the main reasons I started this job. To have the freedom to work from home and the ability to travel. But if you let it get to you and start thinking about follower count all the time, it becomes way more stressful than a 9-to-5 that you show up for every single day. You have to control it.

At what point did you know that you could turn your content creation into a full-time career and actually generate income from it?

It all happened very quickly. I was a freshman [in college], and I had literally never earned money to my name other than painting [artwork] and selling it. That's how I was buying the groceries. I had a couple of thousand followers on my account at the time. And my friend came to me and he was like, "Hey, can I buy your TikTok account?" And I was like, "Why would you buy my TikTok account?" And he was like, "I think that I could start selling things on there, and you already have enough followers to be in the program." So I was like, "Wait, if you're gonna do this, let me do this." 

Do you remember the first few items that you started trying to sell on TikTok? 

TikTok rewards you if you have already produced a lot of sales. So, today, I could go on TikTok and request 20 samples. They'll come in the mail completely free to me, and I promote those samples. In the beginning, I had to spend all of my own money. I reinvested everything that I made on TikTok into new samples. And I would scroll and scroll on the For You Shopping page, trying to find things that could go viral or that a lot of people could buy. I just spent my own money, the last money that I really had, paying for my apartment to buy these things that I thought had potential in them.

Once those sales happened, brands started to trust me and send me things of their own to do the same thing. I'm lucky enough to have been able to copy and paste the template and do it over and over again.

How'd you create that template?

You have to play with it a little bit, and I think that's why consistency and not caring what people think matter. You have to let go and try everything because this algorithm is a robot that I promise, if you get the right combination, it'll work. But you have to post these videos of you wearing things, and maybe you look silly. You're embarrassed, you're talking about things that you've never talked about. You're uncomfortable, but you just have to post it anyway. And you have to take the risk.

I had so many people text me at the beginning of this, and they were like, "What the hell are you posting on TikTok? This is so weird. Are you in some marketing scheme? What's going on?" And I was just like, "Don't worry about it. I'm just trying something. I'm just gonna keep going." And now obviously people are like, "How'd you do that?"

How did you deal with that sort of feedback?

I was in a unique situation. When I was in high school, I was a super normal, good kid, with great grades. And then I went to college and very quickly slipped into alcoholism. I was sent to a couple of rehabs, and I wrecked my car. Just a lot of embarrassing things happened to me that I didn't really recognize who I was anymore. And I didn't really [care], to be honest. So many things had shaken me to my core that I basically just left everything behind. I left Memphis, I moved to Charleston, and those people weren't here to face me and question what I was doing anymore. I was all alone in a new city, and I was able to really bloom and thrive.

If people are questioning you, pay attention to those people. Why are they not supporting you in something that you believe is going to be good for yourself? Those people who are bringing you down aren't your people in the first place. And that was a process that I had to learn, too.

Consistency is really the only key that I can give you. What advice would you give someone who's starting out in content creation and looking to build a career similar to yours?

I would say that it's important to know that it doesn't happen overnight, but these small victories are going to get you there. One good day is a stepping stone to you becoming the influencer that you want to be. You can't be hard on yourself. Everything's going to ebb and flow. But consistency is really the only key that I can give you. Be yourself, be consistent, be kind to your audience, and promote good things. 

When Elon Musk took over Twitter and renamed it X in 2023, he also got rid of features that many users, and, particularly, news influencers, loved about the platform. Enter: a whole host of Twitter replacements. Instagram's answer was Threads. Some users migrated to an open-source, decentralized alternative with Mastodon. But by far the most popular Twitter replacement was Bluesky. A new report shows that while news influencers on Bluesky doubled after President Donald Trump's 2024 election, there are still way more news influencers remaining on X.

"The share of news influencers in our sample with a Bluesky account roughly doubled in the four months after Election Day 2024, from 21 [percent] beforehand to 43 [percent] by March 2025. Most of these influencers – including left-leaning ones – are also on X and post there frequently," a new report from Pew Research Center reads. In this case, "news influencers" can be journalists or independent content creators, and don't necessarily have to be connected to a specific news organization. Pew defines them as "individuals who regularly post about current events and civic issues on social media and have at least 100,000 followers on any of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) or YouTube."

SEE ALSO: Bluesky ramps up content moderation as millions join the platform

Pew previously sampled the same cohort for its 2024 news influencers project, but didn't include an analysis of Bluesky activity, because there weren't enough users and news influencers on the platform at that time. In their current analysis, Pew found that about half of the news influencers they sampled joined Bluesky after the 2024 election. And, despite Bluesky's growth, it appears most news influencers aren't letting go of their X accounts. As of early 2025, the report shows, 82 percent of news influencers still have their account on X.

"And most of these news influencers with a Bluesky account also have an X account. Only 6 [percent] of the influencers we studied have a Bluesky account but not an X account, while 37 [percent] have both. The largest share (46 [percent]) have an X account but not a Bluesky account," the report reads.

News influencers on X are much more active than news influencers on Bluesky, the report shows. While 83 percent of news influencers on X posted on average four or more days each week, just 21 percent of news influencers on Bluesky post one to three days each week, while 48 percent did not post regularly at all.

The news influencers who flocked to Bluesky are "largely people on the political left," the report found. That shouldn't come as a surprise if you've ever scrolled through a Bluesky timeline.