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Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 26, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 26, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 26 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 26 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 26 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

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

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.

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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

To write.

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

DRAFT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A covering.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SHAWL

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

An idiot

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TWERP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Wooly.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

HAIRY

Final Hurdle hint

Sour.

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

TANGY

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're competitive.

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.

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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 Pips hints, answers for May 26, 2026 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: Winnings

• Green: Topic

• Blue: Old-school films

• Purple: Same letters

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Championship awards

• Green: Matter at hand

• Blue: '80s comedies

• Purple: Anagrams

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 #1080 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Championship awards: CUP, MEDAL, PENNANT, RING

• Matter at hand: CONCERN, FOCUS, POINT, SUBJECT

• '80s comedies: AIRPLANE, BIG, CLUE, TWINS

• Anagrams: ENLIST, LISTEN, SILENT, TINSEL

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 26, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're outdoorsy.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the nature trail

The words are related to the outdoors.

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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe natural surroundings.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Scavenger Hunt.

NYT Strands word list for May 26

• Pawprint

• Feather

• Daisy

• Scavenger Hunt

• Puddle

• Moss

• Acorn

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a homebody.

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 hints today: Clues, answers for May 26, 2026 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 Pips hints, answers for May 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Sofa.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter C appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

COUCH

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.

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.

TL;DR: Your search for an affordable laptop ends here with this ASUS Chromebook CM30, on sale now for just $149.99 (reg. $369.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: 203 Trading LLC ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) Detachable Touchscreen 8GB RAM 128GB eMMC (Refurbished) $149.99
$369.99 Save $220   Get Deal

Some laptops are built to be workhorses. But if you’re looking for one that easily transitions from your work day to mindless scrolling, that’s the ASUS Chromebook CM30. This multi-tasking device goes from laptop to tablet in seconds thanks to a detachable touchscreen, and right now it’s on sale for just $149.99.

We could all use a break every now and then. The ASUS Chromebook makes it easy to sneak in a little “me time,” with a detachable touchscreen that makes it easy to switch from laptop to tablet.

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Whether you’re sneaking in a Netflix session during a busy work day or you like to unwind with some mindless scrolling after hours, this Chromebook lets you knock it all out on one device.

Not only does this Chromebook make life more convenient, but it’s also power-packed, too. A MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor and 8GB of RAM provide smooth multitasking, while 128GB of eMMC storage gives you enough space to save your important files.

This Chromebook runs on Chrome OS, so you can download all your go-to apps. It’s also equipped with dual 5MP cameras on the front and rear, so you can snap pics or video chat with loved ones. And when you’re tired of using the touchscreen, a built-in push-pop stylus is available when you need it.

Made from a military-grade aluminum chassis, so you can rest easy knowing the ASUS Chromebook CM30 is durable. When fully charged, you can also enjoy an impressive 12-hour battery life.

You’re saving $220 thanks to this model’s Grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing while you enjoy the deep discount.

Act fast to snag your own ASUS Chromebook CM30 for only $149.99 while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The App Drivers Union said it was the first organization in the country to be formally certified to represent drivers for apps such as Uber and Lyft.

Top Memorial Day Apple Deals at a glance: Best Overall M5 MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899 (save $200 at Amazon) Get Deal Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30 at Amazon) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Past-Gen Deal Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (A16, 128GB) $299 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Deal at Best Buy Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB) $799 (save $300 at Best Buy) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Beats Deal Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones $249.95 (save $100.04 at Amazon) Get Deal Best MagSafe Accessory deal Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger $45.99 (save $9 at Amazon) Get Deal Honorable Mention Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe iPhone Charger $66.49 (save $53.41 at Amazon) Get Deal

I'm Mashable's Tech Editor, and I drew the short straw as the editor on call for Memorial Day. But I'm kind of glad I did, because we spotted an unexpected price drop on the new M5 MacBook Air.

In my review of the latest MacBook Air, I said that this is a pretty much perfect laptop, though I wasn't in love with the price. So, with the new record-low price of just $899 at Amazon, the MacBook Air just erased my one and only gripe. In the days of RAM-ageddon, this is a phenomenal price — and it's not the only Apple product on sale today.

At Best Buy, you can pick up previous-gen iPad Airs starting at $499, or save $300 on the M5 iPad Airs with 1TB of memory. At Woot, you can score a 4-pack of the original AirTags for only $59.99. And at Amazon, Prime Members can save $50 on iPads and AirPods.

Get your clicking and scrolling fingers ready as we break down the best Memorial Day Apple deals, with big savings on Apple AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags, iPads, and Beats headphones.

SEE ALSO: The best Memorial Day tech deals you can shop this weekend — save on headphones, laptops, and more Best Apple Deal: M5 MacBook Air Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15 inches (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

As we mentioned above, we weren't expecting this one. We were excited when the newest MacBook Air dropped to $949, but as Memorial Day weekend draws to a close, this sleek Apple laptop just hit its lowest-ever price: $899. With the lightning-fast M5 chip, Apple's famous Liquid Retina display, powerful and well-balanced speakers, and a svelte form factor, I think this is the best laptop in the world for the money, full stop.

With a worldwide memory shortage causing tons of price hikes in the laptop space, I highly recommend jumping on this price while you still can!

More Memorial Day deals on Apple products:

• Anker Nano MagSafe Portable Charger — $45.99 $54.99 (save $9)

• Apple AirTag 4-pack (1st Gen) — $59.99 $99 (save $39.01 at Woot)

• Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe iPhone Charger — $66.49 $119.99 (save $53.41)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Beats Studio Pro Noise-Cancelling Headphones — $249.95 $349.99 (save $100.04)

• Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100 at Amazon and Walmart)

• Apple iPad, 11 inches — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2, Refurbished — $399 $799 (save $400)

• Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M3, 128GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11 inches (M4, 1TB) — $799 $1,099 (save $300 at Best Buy)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inches (M5, 256GB) — $899 $999 (save $100)

Hyundai is recalling thousands of standard and hybrid vehicles after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered a dangerous software glitch.

According to a May 19 safety recall report, software powering the vehicles' front cameras may inadvertently cause the forward collision-avoidance system to activate. In other words: The car could suddenly brake too early or without cause, leading to potentially serious crashes. The report documented 376 reports of unexpected braking between October 2024 and April 2026.

SEE ALSO: Someone drove a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test 'Wade Mode.' It didn't end well.

The software bug was found in more than 421,000 vehicles manufactured by the company since 2024, so Hyundai drivers who recently purchased a vehicle should see if their car is affected.

Which Hyundai cars are being recalled?

The recall applies to 2025-2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and Tucson models, including both standard fuel and hybrid options. The list includes both the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid.

How do I know if my car has been recalled?

Owners of recalled vehicles will be notified by NHTSA mail by July 17. If you are uncertain if your vehicle is part of the recall, you can search the NHTSA recall database using your car's vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate.

Drivers can also take their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer to update their vehicle's software, the NHTSA says.

Are other vehicles affected?

The NHTSA issued 19 total recalls across Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, Tesla, Honda, and General Motors (as well as other manufacturers) for a variety of issues. Additional Hyundai models — including 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid vehicles and Hyundai's 2025 Ioniq 5 and 2026 Ioniq 9 electric vehicles — also made the list.'

SAVE UP TO 20%: The Brick is on sale for $50.15, down from the normal price of $59. That's a 15% discount. Two Bricks are on sale for $94.40, down from $118, for a 20% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Brick The Brick $50.15 at Brick
$59 Save $8.85   Get Deal

For those who are hoping to spend the summer outside with friends or indoors becoming an expert on a new hobby, spending hours scrolling on a phone isn't part of that plan. If you tend to spend hours unintentionally scrolling instead of doing the productive stuff, The Brick could help. Lucky for us, it's on sale for Memorial Day.

As of May 25, the Brick is on sale for $50.15, down from the normal price of $59. That's a 15% discount that takes $8.85 off the price. Save even more by buying two Bricks, which are on sale for $94.40, down from $118, for a 20% discount.

According to Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino, The Brick taught her how to be bored again. In her full review of the Brick, she said it's the only thing that's managed to cut her screen time in half.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day sale is live — score the best deals on TVs, Bose earbuds, Jackery power stations, and more

The Brick works via its app. From there, you select which phone apps to lock by tapping your phone against the Brick. Those apps then unlock when you tap your phone to the Brick again. Mangino puts her Brick on the refrigerator, locking her out of apps she doesn't want to use unless she walks to the fridge to unlock them.

"That small physical element makes a world of difference," explained Mangino. "When I'm lounging on the couch in the evening and want to scroll through Instagram, even though I'm already watching a show, knowing I'd have to get up to un-Brick my phone is enough to deter me from scrolling."

Unlike many app-blocking controls, Brick requires no subscription fees. Once you have the Brick in hand, you won't need to pay anything extra to gain access to its features. Plus, a single Brick can be used on as many devices as you'd like. Brick your own phone and tablet, but also share access with any housemates.

Since the Brick is on sale for at least 15% off, make the commitment to a summer of less screen time. Your friends, family, hobbies, and that giant stack of books will thank you.

SAVE $30: As of May 25, the JBL Sense Lite open earbuds are on sale at Amazon for just $119.95. That's 20% off their list price of $149.95 and their best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Sense Lite open earbuds $119.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $30.00   Get Deal

Premium headphones and speakers brand JBL released five new pairs of open earbuds of all shapes and sizes earlier this year after debuting them at CES 2026. I find them all to be a little too expensive for my liking, TBH, so I've been eyeing them and waiting for a notable price drop. Finally, two months after their debut, the most affordable of the ear hook-style options, the Sense Lite, have their first ever discount.

As of Memorial Day on May 25, the JBL Sense Lite open earbuds are on sale for just $119.95 at Amazon. That's a $30 or 20% price drop from their $149.95 list price and the lowest price on record.

Part of JBL's new audio-first OpenSound Series, the Sense Lite are designed to maintain high-quality audio without obstructing the ear canal. They offer a more simplified design than the more advanced Sense Pro, but they'll also cost you $50 less. You'll get an Adaptive Bass Boost feature for powerful sound, a sleek and comfortable ear hook design, four mics for crisp calls, and customizable touch controls and 10-band EQ. They deliver eight hours of battery life, plus an extra 24 in the charging case.

While I haven't tested the Sense Lite earbuds myself, I can definitely vouch for JBL as a brand. I've owned the JBL Endurance Peak earhook-style earbuds for a few years now (as well as the JBL Clip and Flip speakers) and they're still going strong. If you've been curious about open earbuds or are simply looking for a new pair of earbuds for working out or commuting, give the JBL Sense Lite open earbuds a shot. At just $119.95, they're a pretty great value compared to other popular options.

Corporate execs are prepped and ready to cut their workforces down due to AI in the next two years, according to a new corporate survey of the job market.

Conducted by the Mercer consulting firm, the global report surveyed 12,000 respondents across upper-level management, human resources, and lower-level employees.

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SEE ALSO: 3 key takeaways from Pope Leo's 42,000-word AI encyclical

More than 99 percent of executives surveyed for the report said they expect AI "to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years." In addition, fully 98 percent of executives said they were "planning organization design changes in the next two years." And, when compared to other employees, C-Suite-level execs were much more focused on figuring out how to incorporate AI and automation.

So far this year, Amazon, Atlassian, Block, Fiverr, Pinterest, and Snap have announced layoffs related to AI, and an estimated 50,000 AI layoffs occurred in 2025.

Not every exec believes the shifting job market is cause for alarm. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon recently penned a New York Times opinion piece calling the "AI job apocalypse" overblown. "The United States has a long track record of creating new jobs in response to disruption," Solomon wrote. "The historical pattern is clear: The U.S. economy can and will adapt to major advances in technology."

A recent study conducted by the Harvard Business School found that generative AI is actually increasing demand for jobs in "augmentation-prone" roles in the short term, and that workforce reductions are primarily hitting finance and tech sectors.

But only a third of execs told the consulting firm they believe human and machine capabilities can be effectively combined in workforces at large. Employee satisfaction is still a concern, as well. Amid worsening workforce and economic anxiety, more than a third of employees said they would consider leaving their jobs if they felt disadvantaged when it came to AI, according to the trend report.

According to a September Pew Research Center survey, 21 percent of Americans said their work is partially done with AI. While the larger majority of American workers (65 percent) still say AI hasn't encroached on their jobs, AI integration is increasingly affecting younger, early-career employees and college graduates.

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Best Memorial Day Dyson deals at a glance: Best hair care deal Dyson Airwrap i.d. $499.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best air purifier deal Dyson Hushjet $297.48 (save $52.51) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Dyson PencilVac $449.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best heavy-duty vacuum deal Dyson Gen5outsize $899.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best handheld vacuum deal Dyson Car+Boat Handheld Vacuum $229 (save $70.99) Get Deal

Now that we're wrapping up the long Memorial Day weekend, it's time to do some scrolling. If you're not in the mood to doomscroll, consider scrolling some deals. Memorial Day has proven to be a great time to score some savings across categories like tech, portable power stations, robot lawn mowers, and even mattresses.

If you're a fan of Dyson or have been shopping for a new vacuum or hair dryer, you're in luck. Dyson has some incredible deals on offer to finish out the long weekend. Check out some of our favorites below.

Best Dyson vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson PencilVac $449.99 at Dyson
$599.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's resident vacuum tester and Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart hasn't been this excited about a Dyson vacuum in years. In her initial review of the Dyson PencilVac, she notes it weighs under four pounds and measures less than 1.5 inches around, which is impressive considering the battery, motor, and dust bin are all housed in the wand. Its weight and size make it excellent for vacuuming awkward places like the corners of the ceiling where cobwebs love to accumulate.

"The PencilVac also has two of my favorite Dyson feature ever, the dust-illuminating laser: One that lights the cleaning path ahead and one that lights the trail directly behind the cleaning head," wrote Stodart.

For those looking to make summer floor cleaning easier, consider today's sale price on the Dyson PencilVac. It's down to $449.99 at Dyson and Amazon.

More Dyson deals

• Dyson V8 Absolute — $299.95 $589.99 (save $290)

• Dyson Supersonic Nural — $349 $449.99 (save $100.99)

• Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra — $399.98 $549.99 (save $150.01)

• Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

SAVE $200: As of May 25, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is down to $899.99 at Amazon. That's 18% off its list price and the first time it's dropped below the $900 mark.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200   Get Deal

Just a few days ago, we were cheering about the Apple M5 MacBook Air dropping to $949 for Memorial Day Weekend. Now we're practically shouting because the almost perfect machine (according to Mashable's tech editor) just dipped below the $900 price barrier for the first time on Memorial Day itself.

As of May 25, the base model Apple M5 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of solid-state storage is on sale for just $899.99. That's 18% off its list price and its best price ever.

"There's no denying that this laptop justifies its price," Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth writes in his review of the latest MacBook Air, noting its impressive performance and speed, sizable storage, and support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 technology. Still, he suggested waiting for it to go on sale for $899 to pull the trigger, calling it "irresistible" at that price.

The starting price for the M5 Air is technically higher than its predecessor, though you're getting more starting storage. So, when you do the math, you'll actually be saving even more by grabbing this deal. Not to mention, this discount puts the M5 Air within a $200 striking distance of Apple's budget laptop with the same amount of storage.

Aside from the speedier processor, more base storage, and new wireless chip, it's worth noting that the M5 Air is pretty dang similar to the M4 Air. So if you're already rocking an M4 or even an M3 model, it's not an essential upgrade. For those with older MacBooks or just joining the Apple world, however, this is the MacBook to get.

Pope Leo XIV has issued his first official piece of religious guidance to billions of Catholics. And it's all about AI.

It came in the form of a 42,300-word papal encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas" ("Magnificent Humanity"). Encyclicals aren't papal law, exactly, but act as authoritative guidance on social and moral issues for members of the Catholic Church. This one, the first since Leo was chosen, came with even more pomp and circumstance than usual, with the leader himself attending its presentation alongside Anthropic founder Chris Olah.

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SEE ALSO: AI's new cottage industry: Lawyers defending students accused of cheating

The Pope has spoken previously about regulating AI, imploring industry leaders to more carefully consider the ethical implications of AI in their work. Last May, when explaining why he chose the name Leo, the pope specifically cited AI as one of his primary reasons.

"There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour."

The encyclical goes further, diving into AI's impact on jobs, education, and child safety in a message to leaders around the world.

"We need moral voices that the incentives cannot bend," Olah said. "Today is just the beginning — the start of a long collaboration between those of us who are building this and those who can see what we, from the inside, cannot."

Here are the main takeaways from the Holy See:

AI is a threat to workers

The Catholic Church is worried about AI taking over jobs, too. Tying "Magnifica Humanitas" to other labor-related encyclicals throughout the Church's history, Pope Leo calls the automation of jobs a threat to workers, citing widespread deskilling and greater labor surveillance with AI systems in place.

"Today, the convergence of automation, robotics and AI is rapidly transforming the very structure of work. It is said that this will bring great improvements for everyone. In reality, however, the 'new ways' of working are not necessarily better."

Don't believe the AI hype

The leader warned that current AI hype is akin to a modern Tower of Babel, comparing the pursuit of advanced technology to the biblical story of a group of humans trying to reach heaven. He called on leaders to temper their ambition and recenter humanity.

He also joined a growing number of child safety advocates and regulators who want to address screen time and its effect on children: "Psychological and psychiatric literature has documented with growing insistence how early and unsupervised exposure to digital devices and social media can negatively impact sleep, attention span, control of emotions and relationships, especially during the most vulnerable stages of life, at times with tragic consequences."

In addition, Leo called out AI's role in exacerbating misinformation and devaluing critical thinking, especially in schools, saying the technology has a dehumanizing force in the classroom.

Big Tech has created a "new form of slavery"

While simultaneously issuing the first formal condemnation of the transatlantic slave trade, Pope Leo called exploitative tech manufacturing processes and global AI training a "new form of slavery."

"In some regions of the world, children and adolescents work in dangerous conditions, crushing the materials from which rare earth elements are extracted...The bodies of these people are scarred, injured and worn down so that computational flow may continue uninterruptedly," he said. "This reality ​deeply challenges the moral conscience of our time."

The Pope also connected the rise of artificial intelligence to ongoing global warfare, calling out private incentives and warning against entrusting AI systems with "lethal decisions." He called for placing "the most rigorous ethical constraints" on weapons developed using AI.

"A subtle temptation may emerge, namely the thought that the problems are too big and we are too small, and that ​our choices, therefore, cannot make a difference," the Pope wrote. "Certainly, not everyone has the same power to make a difference. Yet, no one is without responsibility. We all have our own areas for action."

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The American pope wants to take artificial intelligence down a notch. Is he challenging the tech companies, or will tech take over the papacy?

A new report in Security Week warns about a cyberattack that infected 5,561 GitHub open-source repositories with malware.

Cybersecurity researchers at SafeDep detailed how the May 18 supply chain attack, dubbed Megalodon, took advantage of GitHub Actions workflows to ultimately harvest user credentials and other data. A full list of the compromised GitHub repositories is available in the SafeDep security report.

The report also details how the hackers pulled off the attack:

On May 18, 2026, an automated campaign codenamed megalodon pushed 5,718 malicious commits to 5,561 GitHub repositories in a six-hour window. Using throwaway accounts and forged author identities (build-bot, auto-ci, ci-bot, pipeline-bot), the attacker injected GitHub Actions workflows containing base64-encoded bash payloads that exfiltrate CI secrets, cloud credentials, SSH keys, OIDC tokens, and source code secrets to a C2 server at 216.126.225.129:8443.

A blog post at StepSecurity also documented the details of the attack.

"Megalodon is a textbook direct Poisoned Pipeline Execution (d-PPE) attack, a class of CI/CD attack where an adversary with write access to a repository injects malicious code directly into workflow definition files, causing the CI system to execute attacker-controlled commands on the next pipeline run," the blog post reads. (Emphasis in original.)

SafeDep researchers warned GitHub users affected by the attack to revert their repositories and audit all workflow files.

On May 20, GitHub published a blog post about unauthorized access to GitHub-owned repositories via a compromised employee device, but the company hasn't said anything about the alleged Megalodon attack.

However, on April 1, the company published a blog post detailing a new trend of cyberattacks on the open-source supply chain, which often begin by compromising GitHub Actions workflows, as in the Megalodon attack. The blog post includes tips for open-source projects on how "to secure your GitHub Actions workflows" to prevent exactly these types of attacks in the future.

Krispy Kreme employees affected by a Nov. 2024 company data breach can still claim their portion of a $1.6 million pie.

SEE ALSO: AI's new cottage industry: Lawyers defending students accused of cheating

The class action lawsuit was brought forth by impacted individuals after their personal information — including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, biometric data, and financial account credentials — was exposed in a 2024 cyberattack targeting the company's employee data. Krispy Kreme disclosed the breach in December 2024 and settled the class action case in March.

But the June deadline to claim your money is fast approaching.

Who is eligible?

The data breach impacted 161,000 current and former Krispy Kreme employees; individuals whose information was exposed should have received a notice from the company via email.

If you believe you were affected but didn't receive an alert, you can contact the settlement administrator at (877) 239-1879.

How do I claim my money?

The deadline to file a claim online or by mail is June 22.

Settlement class members can either submit an itemized claim form for up to $3,500 in losses, or accept a $75 single time payment. If you want to opt out of the settlement, you have until June 6 to decline either online or by mail.

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ITER is the world’s largest fusion reactor project, bringing together scientists from around the globe to pursue clean fusion energy. The goal is to recreate the same process that powers the sun and turn it into a usable energy source on Earth. Here’s a closer look inside one of the most ambitious scientific projects ever attempted.

Demand for security engineers has surged as artificial intelligence generates a glut of new code and models like Anthropic’s Mythos create new concerns.