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Elon Musk’s lawyer argued that Microsoft’s Satya Nadella played a role in getting Mr. Altman his job back at OpenAI when he was briefly fired in 2023.

In April, Meta quietly reversed itself after removing an Instagram post honoring older lesbian relationships in Brazil. The excised post was not sexual in nature and did not contain material harmful to minors. The post in question documented a snapshot from a moment in history where lesbians were forced to hide their relationships as "roommates" or "gal pals" and their love was scrubbed from the public record. Nevertheless, Meta removed the content. 

Meta cited its hate speech rules. The Oversight Board later acknowledged what should have been obvious from the start: The Brazil case was an instance of over‑enforcement against a marginalized community, driven by automated systems that could not read context, reclaimed language, or even the full post itself. The content was restored only after outside intervention and advocacy from the LGBTQ+ community.

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This case is now being treated as a narrow content moderation error, but policymakers need to recognize that it signals a clear warning about what happens when lawmakers push platforms to police content instead of fixing design. Across the country, states are rushing to "protect kids online" by restricting access to social media or pressuring companies to remove vaguely defined "harmful" content. But what happened in Brazil shows the human cost of that approach. 

When platforms are incentivized to remove speech quickly and at scale, they do not become better judges of nuance. Social media becomes a blunt instrument, and the first people hit are those whose stories require human context and radical empathy to be understood.

If lawmakers actually want to protect kids, they should stop asking platforms to decide which stories are acceptable and start regulating core design choices that cause harm in the first place, like endless scroll, engagement‑based recommendations, and surveillance‑driven feeds.

SEE ALSO: I had a Grindr sugar daddy for a day. Then he tried to get a refund.

Here’s why that distinction matters, especially for LGBTQ+ kids and other marginalized communities, like neurodivergent kids. LGBTQ+ young people are far more likely than their peers to rely on online spaces to find community, information, and support, often because those things are unavailable or unsafe at home or school. But they are also significantly more likely to end up in unsafe online interactions: harassment, grooming, doxxing, or being pushed into high‑risk spaces they didn’t seek out. 

In Australia, after a social media ban on anyone under 16 was enacted, disability rights advocates noted that autistic youth were cut off from some of the only support and peer networks available to them. 

Recommendation systems don’t understand vulnerability, but they understand engagement. When a queer kid searches for community, platforms often respond by aggressively amplifying whatever keeps them clicking. Usually, this means increasingly sexualized content, adult strangers, extremist rhetoric, or predatory accounts that know exactly how to exploit isolation. 

Infinite scroll makes disengagement much harder for adolescents, according to the Electronic Privacy Information Center, even more so for those in vulnerable communities. Algorithmic "friend" or "account" suggestions collapse liminal boundaries between teens and adults. Weak defaults make it difficult to block, mute, or disappear.

Young people, not just LGBTQ+ young people, are exposed to harm online because platforms are built to extract attention, not protect users. Parents are right to be worried and to advocate for change. But a content-based framing misses the real problem. 

The greatest risks kids face online don’t come from a single bad post slipping through moderation, but from automated systems that push content at kids they didn’t ask for, connect them to people they don’t know, and keep them scrolling long after warning signs appear.

Policymakers at both the state and federal levels need to design regulations that address those risks directly. Age‑appropriate design codes don’t tell platforms what speech to allow, but they can tell platforms how to behave. Design codes require safer defaults, like limits on behavioral profiling, stronger blocking tools, reduced amplification of unsolicited recommendations, and guardrails that slow down virality and compulsive use. 

The public should advocate for product refinement, rather than infringement of First and Fourth Amendment rights. Design codes reduce the chance that a curious or lonely kid is algorithmically funneled into danger, like I was, searching for community and nudged toward risk by systems that did not care who I was.

Age‑appropriate design codes offer a way out of this mess. By regulating how platforms are built rather than what people are allowed to say, design code laws reduce harm without turning companies into cultural censors. They don’t require platforms to interpret reclaimed slurs, queer history, or political speech. Companies should instead be required to stop engineering addiction and risk. 

We don’t need more content or platform bans. We need fewer harmful systems. If we’re serious about protecting kids online, especially the ones already most at risk, this case reminds us exactly where to start.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

Lennon Torres is a former Dance Moms performer now fighting for young people’s safety online. A trans activist and University of Southern California alum, she uses her pop‑culture fluency and lived experience to power her work at the Heat Initiative, taking on tech giants and demanding platforms to protect and empower the next generation.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $99.97
$299.99 Save $200.02   Get Deal

Learning to play the piano can seem daunting, especially with traditional lessons not in your budget, scheduling conflicts, and the limitations of free online tutorials. Yet, for aspiring musicians eager to take the first step, a new deal on Skoove Premium Piano Lessons could open the door to a more accessible, rewarding learning experience.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium is on sale for $99.97 (reg. $299.99). That’s a 67% discount through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Skoove is an online learning platform crafted for both beginners and intermediate players, earning recognition from notable outlets such as Apple, Forbes, Wired, and The Guardian. Unlike platforms that depend exclusively on pre-recorded lessons, Skoove integrates AI-driven feedback, actively listening to your playing and offering real-time responses. This feature helps students identify mistakes on the spot, fostering better habits and more effective practice sessions.

The platform includes more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos, with new songs and exercises added regularly. You’ll find a mix of genres too, from pop songs by artists like Adele and The Beatles to classical music from composers such as Bach and Beethoven. There are also special courses and access to one-on-one support from Skoove instructors if you need extra guidance.

Flexibility is another hallmark of Skoove’s approach. The platform is compatible with acoustic pianos and USB or MIDI keyboards, and it operates seamlessly across iOS, Android, and desktop devices. Whether you have just 15 minutes to practice after work or prefer to dedicate weekends to developing your skills, Skoove adapts to your lifestyle.

If you’ve been thinking about learning piano but didn’t want to commit to recurring lesson fees, this lifetime subscription could save you money in the long run. You can get Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for $99.97 while the deal lasts through May 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Aivolut AI Book Creator is on sale for $48.99 (reg. $456) and helps entrepreneurs, coaches, and aspiring authors create KDP-ready books faster.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aivolut Books Aivolut AI Book Creator: Lifetime Subscription $48.99
$456 Save $407.01   Get Deal

Writing a book sounds exciting until you’re staring at a blank page and watching the cursor blink until your eyes glaze over. If you’ve had an idea sitting in your head — or scrawled in a notebook — Aivolut AI Book Creator is designed to help move the book-writing process along much faster.

The lifetime subscription to Aivolut AI Book Creator is currently on sale for $48.99, and it’s a one-time purchase so you don’t have to pay recurring subscription fees.

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The platform is built specifically for people who want to create and publish books without having to utilize multiple writing and formatting tools. Aivolut combines AI-assisted writing with publishing support to help turn rough concepts into structured, coherent manuscripts. Users can start with a topic, outline, or even use the voice dictation feature, then customize the tone, structure, and style while the software helps generate long-form content.

One exceptional feature is its built-in Kindle Direct Publishing support. In addition to producing manuscripts, Aivolut can automatically create Amazon-ready metadata such as descriptions, keywords, and categories, which may save hours of manual setup for self-publishing authors. According to the platform, books can be prepared for Amazon KDP upload in under five minutes.

The software is ideal for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, freelancers, and other professionals looking to write books. It may also appeal to first-time nonfiction authors who want help organizing ideas without outsourcing ghostwriters or editors early in the process.

Another selling point is the program’s flexibility. Instead of locking users into fixed templates, Aivolut lets writers edit tone, blend in their own material, and adjust the structure as they go. You won’ be replacing your voice, the goal is to speed up the outlining, drafting, and formatting process.

If you’ve been putting off writing a book because the process felt too time-consuming, Aivolut AI Book Creator is currently available for $48.99 (reg. $456) for lifetime access.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The latest update for iPhone users, iOS 26.5, is officially here.

The beta version of the update has been available for developers for about a month now, giving iPhone users a pretty good idea of what new features to expect. However, as we've seen with previous iOS updates, features frequently get added or removed by the time the public version launches — so now we know exactly what's news in iOS 26.5.

First things first, iPhone users need to update their device to iOS 26.5. Besides the new features, updating to the latest OS ensures your device is protected with the latest security updates. To upgrade to iOS 26.5, simply go to Settings, then tap General, followed by Software Update. 

Users must have an iPhone 11 or newer in order to download and install iOS 26.5 to their device.

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RCS end-to-end encryption After updating to iOS 26.5, users will see a lock icon appear in RCS chats. Credit: Apple

It's official. After being tested in previous beta versions of iOS but failing to make the final release, encrypted RCS messaging is here.

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is basically the messaging protocol that provides an Apple Messages-like experience when iPhone users and Android users text one another. It enables iPhone and Android devices the ability to send and receive high-quality media as well as view read receipts and typing indicators. 

However, before this update, these messages between iPhone and Android devices were unencrypted, meaning that they could potentially be intercepted and read by unauthorized third parties.

iOS 26.5 finally brings encryption to RCS messaging. It should be noted, though, that even though the feature has made it to the public release of iOS 26.5, encrypted RCS messages are still labeled as a beta feature by Apple. The availability of the feature is also dependent on your mobile carrier as well.

Yes, the green chat bubbles remain.

Apple Maps ads and Suggested Places

Nearly 13 and a half years after Apple launched its very own Maps application, advertisements have made their way to Apple Maps. (As of this writing, the feature is still labeled as "Coming Soon" on the Apple Ads website.)

Businesses will now be able to pay to advertise in the Apple Maps app, much like how app developers can run ads in Apple's App Store. Users will see local ads in the Maps app based on their location.

Ads will also appear in another brand-new Apple Maps feature called Suggested Places.

Apple has been recruiting advertisers for Apple Maps ads. Credit: Apple

While Suggested Places in Apple Maps will provide users with recommendations based on paid ads, it will also produce organic recommendations as well. Suggested Places will show users nearby trending locations, such as restaurants, shops, or tourist destinations, based on their recent search results.

USB-C accessory pairing

Want to use a Magic Mouse or Magic Keyboard with your iPhone? It's easier than ever before with iOS 26.5.

Simply connect the peripheral device to an iPhone via USB-C, and the device will automatically pair with the iPhone.

This means that after the initial pairing, users can simply unplug the USB-C cable and use the Magic Mouse or Magic Keyboard with their iPhone over Bluetooth without an additional required setup.

iPhone to Android transfer options

This is a small new update, but one that will surely be welcomed by an iPhone user making the switch to Android.

With iOS 26.5, users can now choose which message attachments they want to transfer to their Android device when moving data from their iPhone.

'Pride Luminance' wallpaper The new Pride Luminance background for iPads and iPhones. Credit: Apple

iOS 26.5 rolls out with a brand new iPhone wallpaper celebrating Pride Month.

Apple has released Pride Month wallpaper before. However, this marks the first time Apple has released one as a motion wallpaper. This isn't a static background. The "Pride Luminance" wallpaper is animated and customizable, meaning users can create their own version of the wallpaper using the 12 available colors.

The new Pride Luminance wallpaper that matches the new Pride Luminance watch face for Apple Watch in watchOS 26.5.

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You'll find Apple Watches and Whoop fitness trackers on a number of Mashable writers and editors' wrists. Fitbit may have popularized fitness trackers and the entire concept of "counting steps," but the brand has been eclipsed in recent years by feature-rich rivals.

When one of our reporters ran the New York City marathon wearing seven fitness trackers, Fitbit didn't impress.

But a new Fitbit could change that. The screen-free Google Fitbit Air hits store shelves May 19, and the $99.99 price tag is very tempting compared to an Apple Watch, which can cost $249 to $799. The Fitbit Air even has some unique features that could tempt dedicated Whoop fans.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Fitbit Air $99.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

We haven't had the chance to test the Google Fitbit Air yet (Steph Curry is not on our staff, unfortunately), but here are the top Fitbit Air features we're eyeing ahead of May 19.

Google Health Coach The new Google Health Coach launches alongside the Fitbit Air Credit: Google

When the Fitbit Air launches on May 19, Google will also debut the new Google Health Coach, which will be part of the Google Health Premium subscription ($9.99 a month or $99 a year).

Google Health Coach is an AI personal trainer that can make personalized workout and health recommendations tailored to you. Using the health, sleep, and fitness data collected by the Fitbit Air, you'll be able to get insights that go way beyond counting steps. The level of personalization is impressive, as the AI coach can take your sleep cycle, local weather, and medical history into account when designing workouts.

We don't love it when products require a paid subscription to unlock crucial features, but the amount of data available to your AI coach could set this tool apart from similar offerings. If you have a Pixel 4 smartwatch, you'll also be able to use this new feature.

A super lightweight design The Fitbit Air is lighter and thinner than the Whoop. Credit: Google

For the Fitbit Air, Google seems to be prioritizing lighter weight over battery life. While the Whoop 5.0 and MG have a longer battery life, the Fitbit Air will be significantly lighter and smaller.

The new Fitbit weighs a mere 12 grams, less than half the weight of the Whoop 5.0, which weighs in at 26.5 grams (the Whoop MG is 27.3 grams). The sensor area, which Google describes as a "pebble," is also slimmer in height and narrower in width than Whoop.

When compared to smartwatches, it has a significant size and weight advantage. That's crucial for people who want to use their fitness tracker as a sleep tracker.

Despite the small size, the Air can still measure heart rate, heart rhythm, SpO2 (blood oxygen levels), sleep stages, and more. It also contains an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

Gemini voice and text chat You can talk to the Google Health Coach by voice or text. Credit: Google

Within the Google Health app, you'll be able to talk to your AI coach by voice or text, with the conversations powered by Google's AI chatbot Gemini. You'll need your phone to do this, but for athletes who like to talk to their AI chatbot, you'll be able to talk in real-time. You'll be able to ask questions and make requests as you workout.

Perks for Gemini power users Credit: Google

Google offers several paid AI subscriptions for users who want to access the latest Gemini models and features — Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra. With the debut of Google Health Coach, users on either of these plans will now get free access to Google Health Premium.

So, if you're already a Gemini power user, you can unlock extra features on the Fitbit Air at no extra cost.

Fitbit Air can use Gemini to "see" your workout and meal plans

As the maker of Gemini, one of the most advanced AI chatbots, Google has some big advantages over Apple, Whoop, Garmin, Nothing, and other smartwatch and fitness tracker brands.

Case in point: You can take pictures and upload them to Google Health Coach for analysis. A Google blog post states that users can "upload photos of gym whiteboards or snap photos of meals for nutritional analysis." You can also upload PDFs with health information.

Again, you'll need to use your phone to use this feature.

3-month free trial Credit: Google

Finally, Google has one more advantage over Whoop: a longer free trial. When you buy a Fitbit Air, you get three months of access to Google Health Premium, whereas Whoop only offers a 1-month free trial

For all these reasons, we expect the new Google Fitbit Air to be a serious competitor in the fitness tracker world and may even tempt some people to ditch their smartwatch. We're seeing growing interest in screen-free technology lately, which is one reason Whoop is so popular.

However, once again, Google is going all-in on artificial intelligence features. For athletes who are not interested in having an AI personal trainer or using Gemini as a workout buddy, the Fitbit Air may be a tougher sell.

Google touts its privacy features, but not everyone wants to provide such detailed health information to Big Tech.

The Google Fitbit Air is available for pre-order now for $99.99 at Amazon and the Google Store.

The hacking collective ShinyHunters says it disrupted a major education platform not once but twice over the past few weeks. And the data breach could not have come at a worse time for students and teachers. These events unfurled during school finals at many of the affected institutions.

On April 30, Instructure, the edtech company behind Canvas, the popular Learning Management System (LMS) utilized by educational institutions around the world, temporarily went offline. A day later, Instructure confirmed that a "criminal threat actor" was behind a data breach into the company's systems.

According to ShinyHunters, the group stole data from 275 million Canvas users at nearly 9,000 schools worldwide. The affected users include students, teachers, and staff, and while no passwords or other sensitive data were taken, the data stolen was significant. The hackers claimed usernames, email addresses, student IDs, and private messages exchanged on the platform were part of the stolen data. Some of the impacted users are underage students.

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Shortly after the hack, Instructure confirmed that it had revoked access from the bad actors, took measures to fix the issues and prevent another breach from occurring, and brought Canvas back online.

However, just one week later, ShinyHunters says it hit Canvas again. This time, the hackers compromised school-specific login pages for the platform and defaced the pages with messages threatening to publicly release the stolen data from the previous breach unless Instructure agreed to "negotiate a settlement."

A monetary demand from ShinyHunters was not surprising. The ransomware group is known for extorting victims following a data breach. A second breach at Instructure, however, was a surprise. Canvas once again went offline, and when it came back, the company had removed the source of the second incident: Free-For-Teacher accounts.

According to a newly updated incident page on Instructure's website, the company says it "identified a vulnerability regarding support tickets in our Free for Teacher environment that was exploited." 

"We temporarily disabled Free for Teacher while we complete a full security review," the company said. "We know that's disruptive, and we didn't make that call lightly. But keeping the entire Canvas platform secure has to come first."

While the second breach did not result in any stolen data, the timing of the security incident could not have been worse for students, as many schools are currently holding finals and other scheduled deadlines for end-of-year coursework.

As PCMag reports, "students and professors struggled to access the online platform used to submit assignments and tests." (Disclosure: PCMag and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

According to data provided to Mashable from Alliance Risk Trends, Google searches for "canvas hacked" and "canvas down" spiked roughly 1,000 percent just this past Friday. There was a combined search volume of more than 1 million for searches involving the Canvas security incidents and subsequent downtime.

Some readers reached out to Mashable to share their experience. One parent of a student at Seton Hall University forwarded Mashable an email that the school sent out while Canvas was down.

"We know the timing of this is hard," the school's email to students read. "Finals are underway, coursework is due, and Canvas being offline right now is genuinely disruptive."

Some schools, such as Bayton University in Texas, postponed final exams on Friday specifically due to issues accessing Canvas.

"With Canvas down at the national level, Baylor University will delay final exams tomorrow (Friday, May 8, 2026)," the school said in a statement.

Canvas is now back online. However, ShinyHunters' "settlement" deadline to release the data on May 12 still looms.

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Counterfeit DDR5 RAM is circulating across online storefronts and gray-market retailers, and some fake modules are convincing enough to pass visual inspection — until you cut them open. According to Digital Trends, the chips installed on the fraudulent sticks aren't memory at all, but merely fiberglass boards shaped to resemble legitimate DRAM.

SEE ALSO: The RAM shortage driving up tech prices won’t end any time soon, Micron says

The issue was reported by a Japanese X user who purchased what appeared to be a genuine SK Hynix SO-DIMM laptop module and physically dissected it after becoming suspicious. Inside, they found non-functional fiberglass pieces where the memory chips should have been.

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"At first glance, they look like regular memory sticks, but the chips actually installed on them are just bare circuit boards—plastic boards. I removed them and cut them open to check," reads a translation of the X post.

Some of these counterfeits are reportedly being sold openly on auction platforms like Yahoo Japan under listings marked "untested" or "junk," with sellers explicitly refusing returns.

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The problem is compounded with desktop DDR5 kits, where large heatspreaders cover the memory chips entirely. Without visible chips to inspect, Digital Trends notes, buyers often have no way to confirm what they've purchased until a system fails to boot or crashes repeatedly.

The conditions for this kind of fraud are straightforward. DDR5 prices have been rising sharply for over a year, driven by AI-related demand that has sparked a global memory crisis. And as memory manufacturers prioritize enterprise and server production over consumer supply, there's no end in sight for shoppers.

Mashable previously reported that Framework, the modular PC maker, raised its DDR5 prices multiple times through late 2025, with a 48GB module jumping from $240 to $620 over the course of months. Samsung warned manufacturing partners of further price hikes to come, with major laptop makers including Lenovo, Dell, and HP warning of price increases.

Euphoria's Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) has worn many hats. Figure skater. OnlyFans model. Kaiju.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' made sex work go viral. Real sex workers are still getting censored.

The latter hat comes into play in Season 3, episode 5, when Cassie's OnlyFans fame goes to her head in a supersized fantasy sequence. As she watches her OnlyFans notifications pour in, Cassie imagines herself growing into a giantess and stomping through downtown Los Angeles, ready to take Hollywood by storm.

It's a technically impressive sequence that draws inspiration from 1958's Attack of the 50 Foot Woman and the Godzilla franchise. In a behind-the-scenes video released by HBO, the Euphoria team takes viewers through how they brought it all to life by building painstaking miniatures

"It was a lot of fun. It took about a year to build all the miniatures," Euphoria creator Sam Levinson said in the above behind-the-scenes video.

Cassie's dream of Hollywood glory is Euphoria Season 3's first major departure from reality, something which used to be a staple in earlier Euphoria seasons. Think Rue's (Zendaya) views of herself as a private detective, or her relapse at the end of Season 1, which turns into a memorable musical number.

It's a shame, then, that the inventive Cassie-zilla sequence is tied to a hyper-sexualized montage of her OnlyFans work. Euphoria's portrayal of sex work has already earned criticism from sex workers, and it continues to fall into the same trap in episode 5: highlighting fantasies of sex work without actually fleshing out the sex workers themselves. After all, Cassie is little more than a fame-hungry caricature by this point, and as fun as it is to see Euphoria embrace practical monster effects, it's not enough to mask the emptiness and shock value of her narrative.

New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Save $20: The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro are on sale for $159.99 at Amazon, Soundcore, Walmart, and Best Buy as of May 11. All told, this is an 11% discount on the usually $179.99 dual-form earbuds.

Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro $159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Soundcore

The awareness of open earbuds is basically an unmatched experience, but in most cases, it requires the trade off of giving up active noise cancellation.

In the case of the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, however, you don't have to choose between tuning in to the world around you and tuning it out when necessary, and as of May 11, you don't have to pay full price for this option either. The Soundcore buds are down to $159.99, knocking $20 off their $179.99 list price at Amazon, Soundcore, Walmart, and Best Buy.

When I tested out these earbuds a couple of months ago, I was skeptical that they could deliver on both fronts. After all, the closest open earbuds had gotten was noise reduction. Still, I knew Soundcore was capable of making a great pair of open earbuds, and a great pair of noise cancelling earbuds. And while the combination isn't absolute perfection, these earbuds are one of the better values if you're looking for decent noise cancellation and and open earbud experience in one convenient package.

They're also IP55 rated for dust and water resistance, meaning you're good to take them to the gym or for a run without any concern about it seriously impacting their performance. At $179.99, they're already competitively priced for such a versatile pair of buds — at $159.99, their value is even better. Grab all four colorways — including the newer gloss blue shade — on sale.

Ninja finally made a Slushi machine that can make two different flavors at once. (Consider it a modern twist on the Margaritaville Tahiti.) Announced May 11, the Ninja Slushi Twist kind of looks like two regular Slushi machines fused together. You can see where this is going.

Neo no longer has to choose between red and blue. Credit: Ninja

Each vessel still has its own individual spout and handle, so flavors can be dispensed independently of each other. The fun part? Hit the button in the middle to swirl them together for a perfectly-layered striped drink.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi Twist $399.99 at SharkNinja
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Though small Slushi upgrades have been released here and there, this is easily the biggest news since the initial Slushi launched in July 2024. It's not surprising that it's already out of stock on the day of its release. The Slushi Twist costs $399.99, though, and you can sign up to have SharkNinja notify you when it's back.

SEE ALSO: From F1 sets to new Botanicals plants, these are the best new Lego sets of May

The Slushi Twist is the ultimate frozen drink maker for families with kids or anyone who likes to host. The kids get their fruit punch slushie, the adults get their frosé. Can't decide between a strawberry or jalapeño margarita for an upcoming happy hour hangout? The Slushi Twist won't make you choose between your sweet and spicy friends.

The Slushi Twist can make 10+ 9-ounce servings per batch. Credit: Ninja

Compared to the original Slushi machine that I tested and loved, the Slushi Twist apparently slushes faster. Since my Slushi takes about an hour at most, I'm guessing the Twist can have drinks ready in 45 minutes max. Remember that the Slushi doesn't require ice like a regular blender or prepared frozen mixtures like the Ninja Creami.

New Dual SlushAssist mode auto-senses the ingredients on each side and auto-adjusts the temperature to keep them at the right chilly consistency. Choosing the right level of cold for my Slushi has been quite the trial and error, especially when sugar or alcohol content math is involved — so SlushAssist sounds pretty nice.

Best Amazon Pet Days deals 2026: Best pet camera deal Petcube Cam 360 $33.24 (save $13.75) Get Deal Best pet bed deal Bedsure SupportMax™ XL Orthopedic Dog Bed $49.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best GPS tracker deal Tractive Smart Dog GPS Tracker $55.30 (save $23.70) Get Deal

As a proud dog mom of two unruly beagles, I know how expensive our little monsters can be. Between the beds they ruin, the toys they destroy in seconds, and the absurd cost of basic flea and tick prevention, keeping them happy and healthy in this economy (in this economy?!) can drain your wallet. So whenever there's a big sale on pet supplies, I'm the first one in line to stock up.

SEE ALSO: My cats and I found the 8 best vacuums for pet owners, from powerful hair pickup to livestream cameras

Amazon Pet Days officially kicked off today, May 11, and runs through May 15. It's basically Prime Day for pets, but with one major difference: you don't need a Prime membership to get the best deals. (Though if you do have Prime, you'll get free same-day, one-day, or two-day shipping.) First-time "Subscribe & Save" customers can also get 35% off select health care products from brands like Simparica, NexGard, and HeartGard.

There are thousands of deals across grooming, toys, and tech right now. But since buying toys for super-chewers is basically just throwing money away, I usually skip that section entirely. Instead, this sale is the best time to grab the expensive gear your fur babies need — like grooming tools, replacement beds, and pet cameras.

Here are some of the most practical discounts worth grabbing before the sale ends:

Best pet camera deal Petcube Cam 360 $33.24 at Amazon
$46.99 Save $13.75   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

I hate leaving my pups for too long, but sometimes it's inevitable. The only thing that's helped me ease my anxiety during long errand runs is a pet camera. Most of these gadgets are expensive and can run in the $200s, but right now you can get an Amazon top-rated pick for just $33.24 (normally $46.99).

The Petcube Cam 360 has 500+ reviews and a 4.3 average star rating. For a budget camera, it does a lot: it offers full 360-degree rotation, 1080p HD video, and night vision up to 30 feet in the dark. It also has two-way audio, so you can listen to them bark and talk back to let them know you'll be home soon. Plus, if you decide to use their subscription service, it sends AI alerts right to your phone so you know exactly what's going on in real time.

More pet camera deals

• Blink Mini — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)

• Eufy E30 Indoor Camera — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• Petcube Cam 360 (2 Pack) — $56.99 $83.99 (save $27)

• Furbo Mini Pet Camera — $64 $89 (save $25)

• Petcube Cam and Cam 360 Bundle — $75 $78.98 (save $5.98)

• Petcube Cam 360 (3 Pack) — $75.56 $119.99 (save $44.43)

• Furbo 360° Cat Camera — $136 $184 (save $48)

Best GPS tracker deal Tractive Smart Dog GPS Tracker $55.30 at Amazon
$79 Save $23.70   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Tractive Why we like it

I've always used an Apple AirTag to track my pups, but I'm tempted to get a real GPS tracker. I keep seeing ads on Instagram (mostly for Fi), and the promos are working.

The Tractive Smart Dog GPS Tracker, for example, is basically a Fitbit for your dog. It offers real-time GPS tracking with unlimited range (you'll also get updates every two to three seconds) and vital-sign monitoring, including heart and respiratory rates. It's also waterproof, has a 14-day battery life, and can create custom virtual fences.

More GPS tracker deals

• Petcube GPS Tracker — $28.49 $39.99 (save $11.50)

• PetLink GPS Dog Tracker — $45.99 $64.99 (save $19)

• Fi New Series 3+ — $99 $119 (save $20)

• Halo Collar 5 — $445.40 $599 (save $153.60)

Best pet bed deal Bedsure SupportMax™ XL Orthopedic Dog Bed $49.99 at Amazon
$61.99 Save $12   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

I travel a lot, and lugging a pet bed around for each pup everywhere I go has become somewhat of a hassle. I just keep beds everywhere: two inside my apartment, one on the balcony, two in my truck, and a stash at my parents' house. Out of all the beds we've tried, though, Gravy is obsessed with the Bedsure SupportMax™ XL Orthopedic Dog Bed. Even better, you can grab it right now for 19% off.

It comes in multiple sizes and six color options (we went with the dark green to match my aesthetic). We got one large enough for both Saint and Gravy to comfortably share, but if you don't need a giant bed taking up your living room, they go as small as 35 inches.

More pet bed deals

• Barkbox Orthopedic Dog Bed with Memory Foam — $26.62 $33.99 (save $7.37)

• Bedsure Calming Dog Bed — $29.96 $49.99 (save $20.03)

• Comfort Expression Orthopedic Dog Bed for Extra Large Dogs — $40.99 $58.99 (save $18)

• JOEJOY Orthopedic Dog Beds — $41.38 $59.99 (save $18.61)

• Bedsure ComfyFleece™ Cute Dog Bed — $52.19 $66.99 (save $15.80)

Enrichment toys, grooming gadgets, and more

• WOOF FlipMat Mini — $7.99 $9.99 (save $2)

• WOOF Party Pupsicle — $15.99 $19.99 (save $4)

• ChomChom Roller & Rake — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)

• Oneisall Dog Grooming Vacuum Bundle — $79.99 $19.99 (save $40)

Trisha Paytas is in her HBO era.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' Season 3 review: It should be great. Instead, it's gross.

The influencer, known for everything from her controversial trolling to her current podcast Just Trish, has popped up in two of the network's hottest series this spring. First, she played herself in Hacks Season 5, competing against Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her daughter DJ (Kaitlin Olson) in The Amazing Race. Now, she's stepped into the world of Euphoria Season 3.

Who does Trisha Paytas play on Euphoria? Sydney Sweeney and Trisha Paytas in "Euphoria." Credit: Screenshot: HBO

Season 3 of Euphoria focuses heavily on OnlyFans, with Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) turning to the subscription platform for extra money. What begins as a mission to pay for her $50,000 wedding flower arrangements soon turns into a greater dream to take over Hollywood. As her popularity grows, she starts doing podcast appearances. Paytas, who has posted on OnlyFans herself, plays an unnamed podcast host on Cassie's extensive media tour in Season 3, episode 5.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' made sex work go viral. Real sex workers are still getting censored.

During these appearances, Cassie repeats right-wing, men's rights talking points, which seem to catch Paytas's character off guard.

"Men should be free," Cassie tells each host she speaks with. "They should be able to speak their mind, voice their desires."

Paytas's podcaster responds, "Oh, you think they're being too restricted by society?"

Cassie goes further, saying, "Yes! Like, if a man today were to say that he wants a girlfriend that can cook or clean, he might as well be screaming the N-word."

In response to that wild statement, all Paytas's host can do is take a deep breath and say, "Okay."

It turns out that this response wasn't scripted.

Trisha Paytas reveals she was stunned in Euphoria cameo. Trisha Paytas in "Euphoria." Credit: Screenshot: HBO

On Instagram, Paytas posted some behind-the-scenes photos from her time on Euphoria, including a call sheet that lists her role as Video Podcast Host #3. But what's most interesting is her caption, where she reveals, "I had no script so that speechless reaction was real."

Weeks before her episode premiered, Paytas spoke about her role further on her podcast Just Trish, saying, "I didn't even know if I was making it [into the final cut]... My whole scene was improv. All my things were improv. There was no script."

That means Paytas, like many Euphoria viewers, was left flabbergasted by Cassie's continued spiral down the alt-right pipeline.

I can only imagine the rest of the episode, which features an NSFW parody on Attack of the 50 Foot Woman and the potential death of Rue Bennett (Zendaya), left her uttering a similar dumbfounded, "Okay."

New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $400: The Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 5000H robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $2,899, down from the list price at Mammotion of $3,299. That's a 22% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 5000H robot lawn mower $2,899 at Amazon
$3,299 Save $400   Get Deal

By now, the lawn is rejoicing. It made it through the winter chill and it's flourishing with mild spring temperatures, occasional rain, and plenty of sun. That's all great until it comes time to mow the grass. If you're not in the mood to deal with another household chore, consider offloading the task to a robot lawn mower. There's a powerful model on sale at Amazon today.

As of May 12, the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 5000H robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $2,899, down from the list price at Mammotion of $3,299. That's a 22% discount that takes $400 off the normal price. It's also the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

With the ability to cut 1.25 acres, the Mammotion has durable, all-terrain wheels that'll have no issues with uneven lawns, slight bumps, or when cutting over stepping stones. Today's sale price applies to the high version which is capable of cutting grass down to between 4 and 2.2 inches. You'll be able to se the preferred heigh and mowing scheudle with the Mammotion.

SEE ALSO: Considering a robot lawn mower? We picked 3 deals live now at Amazon.

The rechargeable battery can keep the robot mower powered on for up to 215 minutes of grass-cutting action. It's also designed with obstacle avoidance for over 300 things that might be on the lawn like a potted plant, picnic table, fire fit, and plenty more.

Before the busy summer schedule kicks into high-gear, get the help of the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 5000H robot lawn mower. It's on sale at Amazon for under $2,900 which marks a new record-low price.

A BRAND NEW PRICE: As of May 11, My Best Buy Plus memberships are now just $29.99 per year instead of $49.99 per year. That's a $20 permanent price drop. Meanwhile, My Best Buy Total memberships are jumping to $199.99 per year starting June 4, a $20 increase from their previous cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy My Best Buy Plus membership $29.99 per year Get Deal

It's pretty rare in 2026 to see something get cheaper, particularly a subscription. While other subscriptions are steadily hiking costs, Best Buy quietly just dropped the price of its My Best Buy Plus membership permanently.

The tech retail giant announced a reward points system for its paid subscribers last week along with a new pricing structure for its Plus and Total subscriptions. Typically $49.99 per year, the more affordable Plus membership is now just $29.99. The permanent $20 price drop appears to already be reflected on the Best Buy website, so new subscribers will only pay $29.99 and existing subscribers will see the new pricing go into effect on their next bill. That's only a mere $2.50 per month when you do the math.

Plus subscriptions include free two-day shipping, early access to sales, events, and products, an extended 60-day return window, exclusive member pricing, and now 1% back in rewards on eligible purchases (6% with the My Best Buy Credit Card). For instance, Plus and Total members can take an extra $100 off the LG 77-inch B5 OLED 4K TV or get two free months of Apple TV and LinkedIn Premium.

My Best Buy Total subscriptions, on the other hand, are getting a $20 price hike. Currently $179.99 per year, prices will jump to $199.99 per year starting June 4. If you were thinking about signing up, we recommend locking in your membership before June 4 to save $20.

Total subscriptions include the same perks as Plus subscriptions, as well as protection plans like AppleCare+, free in-store and remote computer and tablet services, 24/7 tech support, VIP member support and priority access to Best Buy’s expert services, and 20% off repairs.

The rewards points system, which can now be tracked in a new digital membership hub on BestBuy.com and the Best Buy app, will also go into effect starting June 4.

Euphoria really wants audiences to think Rue Bennett (Zendaya) is dead.

Season 3, episode 5 ends with a cliffhanger that certainly suggests she's a goner. Once Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) suspects that Rue is a snitch, he sends her on a ride to dig her own grave. She seems quite oblivious to her impending death, even as Alamo's henchmen Bishop (Darrell Britt-Gibson), G (Marshawn Lynch), and Kidd (Asante Blackk) begin burying her up to her neck.

SEE ALSO: 'Euphoria' Season 3 review: It should be great. Instead, it's gross.

The alarm bells don't fully set in for Rue until the episode's final seconds, when Alamo barrels towards her on horseback, ready to club her head off with a mean polo swing. (Has he taken lessons on how to kill off HBO leads from The Last of Us' golf club-wielding Abby?)

The episode cuts to black before we see what could be Rue's grisly fate, but don't worry: There's no way Euphoria just killed off its Emmy-winning lead.

Why do some think Rue will die on Euphoria?

There are several signs that suggest Rue is really dead.

For one, no footage of her is in the episode 6 trailer. Plus, it forebodingly begins with the sound of a bell tolling as if for a funeral. Notably, Rue's counterpart character in the original Israeli Euphoria miniseries does die, and that show reveals she's been narrating from beyond the grave.

While that could be the case with Rue in Euphoria, as fans have theorized, the Israeli Rue character dies from an overdose, not from a mix-up with a malicious, sex-trafficking cowboy. So, that parallel doesn't quite work here.

Also, that series — also called Euphoria — lasted one season. And the two have diverged greatly, so take any comparisons with several grains of salt.

Here's why Rue isn't dead in Euphoria.

There is incontrovertible proof that Rue survives her Alamo encounter, and it comes from a Season 3 trailer, released on March 30. There, we see a dust-covered Rue making her way back to Laurie's (Martha Kelly) farm, where she tells her, "Alamo tried to kill me, and he's gonna do the same to you."

The murder attempt Rue is referring to must be the one at the end of episode 5. Plus, her nose in the trailer scene is bloody, suggesting something struck it. Something like a polo mallet, perhaps?

The Season 3 trailer also reveals several other Rue scenes that have yet to appear, including a frank conversation with Ali (Colman Domingo) and a sequence in which Rue stares at a burning tree, likely a reference to Moses and the burning bush, in keeping with the season's Biblical allusions.

Simply put, this previously released trailer footage proves that Rue isn't dead yet.

Just how she gets out of this scrape remains to be seen. Maybe it was all an elaborate scare tactic from Alamo, just like him threatening to stab Kidd over a pair of shorter pants earlier in episode 5. Or maybe she just has a superhumanly thick skull. Either way, Rue – and Zendaya — are sticking around for longer.

New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

If you've been keeping an eye on the Steam Machine, here's a reason to pay closer attention. New details have emerged suggesting that Valve is preparing a reservation queue system for the device ahead of launch.

This could be a direct response to the chaos that followed the Steam Controller's release, which sold out almost immediately and landed largely in the hands of scalpers.

SEE ALSO: Valve Steam Controller: What reviewers are saying, how to get your hands on one

According to Wccftech, users digging through a recent Steam update uncovered code pointing to four distinct Steam Machine packages and two Steam Frame packages, alongside existing entries for the Steam Controller and Steam Deck. The four-package breakdown strongly implies multiple models will be available at launch.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

Two are already known — a 512GB and a 2TB storage configuration — but the nature of the remaining two is still unconfirmed. The reservation queue itself mirrors the system Valve introduced for the Steam Controller, designed to give actual buyers a fair shot before scalpers can clean out launch inventory.

As for when any of this actually happens — that's still the big question. Earlier this year, Valve acknowledged in a blog post that soaring memory and storage costs had forced the company to reassess its pricing and shipping timeline, particularly for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.

The company has since struck a more confident tone, updating its Steam Year in Review to confirm that all three products — the Steam Machine, Steam Frame VR headset, and Steam Controller — will ship this year.

No price or launch date has been confirmed. But four packages and a scalper-prevention system quietly appearing in a Steam update suggest the pieces are falling into place faster than Valve is letting on.

Back in July 2025, when The Late Show was unceremoniously canceled, the end of an era of television that started in 1993 with David Letterman still seemed a long way away.

But now, quite suddenly, the time has come. The Late Show ends this month. Stephen Colbert will no longer be a daily late night staple, and — aside from co-writing a new Lord of the Rings movie — we don't yet know what the host plans to do next.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today

So when exactly does The Late Show finish, and how much do we know about what the final episodes have in store?

SEE ALSO: John Krasinski's interview with Stephen Colbert is a wild ride When is Stephen Colbert's last Late Show?

The final episode of The Late Show will air on Thursday, May 21, Colbert confirmed to fellow late night show host Seth Meyers earlier this year. At the time of writing, that means we have just two weeks of shows left.

It's worth noting that this isn't just a case of Colbert himself leaving and being replaced, either — the entire Late Show is coming to an end.

SEE ALSO: Here's what all the late night hosts said about Stephen Colbert and 'The Late Show' being cancelled How to watch the final Late Show episode?

The final episode will air at the usual time of 11:35 p.m. EST live on CBS. As always, for anyone who doesn't have CBS, videos from the show will be available on the official Late Show YouTube channel.

Which guests will be appearing?

We don't yet know which guests will be appearing in the final week of The Late Show (we'll update this article when we know more), but the lineup for the penultimate week has been revealed in a press release sent to Mashable. We've shared the full guest list below:

Monday, May 11

• The hosts of Strike Force Five – Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver

• A special Broadway performance featuring Annaleigh Ashford, Christopher Jackson, Bernadette Peters, Ben Platt, and Patrick Wilson

Tuesday, May 12

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus

• Pedro Pascal

Wednesday, May 13

• President Barack Obama takes “The Colbert Questionert”

• Tom Hanks

Thursday, May 14

• David Letterman

• Performance by The Strokes

Why is The Late Show being canceled again?

During an episode of The Late Show in July 2025, Stephen Colbert announced the show's cancelation, to a shocked reaction from the studio audience. Given that Colbert had just called out his own network for paying a $16 million settlement to Donald Trump, calling it a "big fat bribe", the timing seemed suspicious. But in a statement, CBS claimed the show was being axed for financial reasons.

"This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," CBS executives wrote. "It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount."

Needless to say, many — including some of Colbert's fellow late night hosts — didn't buy it, with critics pointing to the fact that CBS' parent company Paramount needed the Trump administration's approval for a proposed merger with Skydance at the time — and the U.S. president openly hates late night hosts who criticize him.

SAVE UP TO $25.01: A Parade of Horribles: Dungeon Crawler Carl book 8 by Matt Dinniman is on sale at Amazon for $6.99 in the Kindle version and $23 in the hardback version. The book releases tomorrow, May 12.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ace 'A Parade of Horribles: Dungeon Crawler Carl' book 8 $6.99 at Amazon
$32 Save $25.01   Pre-order Here

We've missed Princess Donut, Mongo, calling for Zev, and reading about Carl's bare feet. But that's all coming back to us tomorrow when A Parade of Horribles, the 8th book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series launches. If you can't wait to dive in, check out these pre-order discounts at Amazon.

As of May 11, the Kindle version of A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman is on sale at Amazon for $6.99, down from the standard price of $32. The hardback version is on sale for $23, also down from $32. The book launches tomorrow, May 12.

In a time when everything seems weird and worrying in the real world, Matt Dinniman is giving us 766 pages of adventure fiction. What snippy things will get Donut say to get in trouble this time? What trickery will Carl come up with just when we think he'll surely die? We cannot wait to find out. A Paraded of Horribles marks the 8th book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

SEE ALSO: The Kobo Clara Colour is an awesome alternative to Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite

If you're not in a hurry to snag a physical copy of the book, you can order a signed hardback copy from an independent bookstore in Dinniman's home town of Gig Harbor, Wash. Invitation Bookshop notes that signed copies are delayed but will be on their way as soon as Dinniman can sign them. My plan is to read the Kindle version when it releases tomorrow and wait for the signed physical version to arrive for my bookshelf. The signed copy is selling for the standard hardcover retail price of $32.

Get back into the wonderful, deranged, and lovable journey with Carl, Donut, Mongo, and the others when A Parade of Horribles releases on May 12. It's a terrific escape from our current terrors and it's on a major sale at Amazon.

Save 44%: The Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are on sale for just $99.99 as a Best Buy deal of the day. That means come May 12, this $80 markdown on the usually $179.99 earbuds is over.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A20 $99.99 at Best Buy
$179.99 Save $80.00   Get Deal

I do not play about my sleep, which is one of the reasons why as a headphones reviewer, I have put all the most popular sleep earbuds to the test.

After a few rounds of testing, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds remain some of the best I've tried, and as of May 11, they're on sale for one of their lowest prices ever. Thanks to a Best Buy deal of the day, they dropped down to $99.99, making them $80 cheaper than their usual $179.99. As a deal of the day, however, these savings will be gone come tomorrow, so if you're interested, you'll want to act sooner rather than later.

Though I consider the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds the best option for sleep earbuds overall due to their combination of comfort and active noise cancellation, if you can live without ANC, the Sleep A20 are a much more cost effective option, especially at this sale price. (At the time of writing the Sleep A30 Special earbuds are only available for their full price of $199.99). I trust their efficacy so much that I picked them up on sale last Black Friday as a Christmas present for my dad, who was formerly using his AirPods to help him fall asleep while managing his tinnitus.

SEE ALSO: Ozlo Sleepbuds review: Can earbuds really improve your sleep?

With the Sleep A20 earbuds, you'll get 14 hours of battery life per charge with a case that can hold 80 hours of charge, a robust sleep sound library and the ability to stream your own audio with timers for falling asleep, and sleep tracking data. Even without ANC, they offer an impressively good amount of passive noise cancellation — especially if you're streaming audio. For noisy nights or travel (reminder: Memorial Day Weekend is just two weeks away), these earbuds can change the game in offering you reliably soundproofed sleep.