Mashable

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Listening to music is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But it's more than that: It's a way of life, too — absolutely intrinsic to leisure, work, travel, and your overall state of mind. It’s little wonder that everyone needs a great pair of headphones. Listening to music is a deeply personal business.

But there's an issue with headphones: The modern world can be a loud place. Who can enjoy their favourite tunes or podcast over the incessant rumble of car engines, the non-stop nattering of coworkers, and the earth-rattling din of that nearby building site? If all that racket sounds ear-achingly familiar, we suggest you invest in some noise-cancelling headphones.

Buying headphones is never simple, though. All the brand names, jargon, and ever-evolving tech create another kind of noise. It can be hard to drown it out and tune into the basic facts. To help cut through it all, we've done the hard work of researching the best noise-cancelling headphones and put together some helpful information.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancelling headphones do what they say on the box. They block, dampen, or outright kill external noise so you can fully immerse in your tunes and isolate yourself from the outside world. There are two main kinds on noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation.

• Passive noise cancellation works via the design and build of your headphones. They block out noise through physical features, such as large over-ear cups which create a seal and stop environmental noise leaking in.

• Active noise cancellation — usually referred to as ANC — uses a system of mini microphones that listen to what's happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it into the loudspeaker. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Or just the music you want to listen to.

Keep these in mind when considering your options.

What are the most important headphones features?

There are all kinds features to look out for when buying a set of noise cancelling headphones. These are the ones we think you should know about.

• Adaptive noise cancellation — Noise cancellation that detects a change in the surrounding environment and automatically adapts to give you real-time ANC.

• Battery power — Battery life will vary but most modern headphones will offer around 30 hours or more. Remember than some features, particularly ANC, can drain the battery and cut down the advertised battery life.

• Codecs — A codec is a piece of software that compresses music to transmit digitally and decompresses again at the other end. For best quality wireless sounds, look out for headphones that support high bitrate codecs such as aptX.

• Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. They usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones.

• Transparency mode — This allows you to let ambient sound back in. This is handy for things such as having conversations or listening out for announcements. Some transparency modes are adjustable, so you can choose which external sounds to let in. Most brands have their own name for this — such as "ambient" or "passthrough" modes — but they're all essentially the same thing.

These features are a good place to start when shopping around for your next pair of headphones.

What are the best noise cancelling headphones?

There are lots of brands out there, from the household names — Sony, Bose, Apple — to lesser-known brands that offer surprising quality and features for lower prices. If you’re looking for a headphones bargain, such as a pair of headphones for under £100, it’s worth looking at all the alternatives.

For noise cancelling, the best known brands tend to deliver the very best in ANC technology — as you’ll see from the selection below. Now that you know how it works, here are some of the best noise cancelling headphones out there.

These are the best noise-cancelling headphones in 2025.

Is it time to upgrade your TV? Let us answer that one: Yes it is. TV technology moves so fast now, with new TV models hitting shelves at such a rate that it doesn’t take long for TVs to become outdated. Even brand-new TVs are only top of the range for about a year. They’re soon supplanted by even newer, always improving models.

If you haven't gone 4K already, now's the time. Almost all TVs above a certain price point have a 4K resolution. Even if you already have 4K, the latest models will feature upgraded smart functions and an even sharper picture than whatever you have right now. Not only that, but streaming apps have 4K content. Without a 4K TV, you’ll get left behind in this rapidly-evolving world of high-definition entertainment.

The issue, as always, is price. 4K TVs tend to be more expensive, which can be a problem when you're browsing on a budget. But there are affordable 4Ks out there. You just need to know where to look and which models don't compromise too much tech for the sake of a lower price. If you’re unsure about how to choose an affordable 4K TV, we’ve put together a guide and a selection of the very best options.

What is a 4K TV?

Basically, a 4K TV (sometimes called 4K UHD) is any model with 4K resolution. This means that the TV has 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels, making a total of approximately 8.3 million pixels. Resolution relates to how densely packed the pixels are on the display, so the higher the number of pixels, the higher the resolution.

4K TVs have four times the number of pixels than traditional HD TVs. This results in more vivid and detailed picture quality picture, which is what everyone wants, right? You will tend to find 4K TVs are big-screen models, because to really appreciate the higher picture quality, you do need to watch it on a large TV.

Can you buy cheap 4K TVs?

Not all 4K TVs will cost big bucks. Nowadays, all the top brands have large ranges of 4K TVs on offer, with everything from cheap entry-level models to giant cinema-like screens. The massive models are obviously impressive and mega expensive, but you can invest in 4K technology without breaking the bank.

What is HDR?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) refers to the contrast between the bright whites and darkest blacks. In simple terms, the higher the dynamic range, the more realistic and nuanced the colours. Examples of HDR formats are HDR 10+ and Dolby Vision. 4K TVs will support different kinds of HDR and other image-enhancing tech.

Does Netflix have 4K content?

Yes, indeed — though your subscription with cost a little more for 4K. If your TV is smart enough, it will advise you to upgrade your Netflix account to a 4K subscription. Other streaming platforms that offer 4K programming include Disney Plus and Prime Video. BBC iPlayer offers a limited selection.

What is the best cheap 4K TV?

To help you find the right model without spending big, we have lined up a selection of cheap 4K TVs from top brands. These are the very best budget-friendly options for streaming marathons, gaming, and everything in between.

These are the best cheap 4K TVs in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Like a laptop, notebook, and pen, a decent pair of headphones is a must-have item for any student — they double up as a tool for both leisure and study. Indeed, a good pair of headphones can help you to focus on studying or writing that overdue essay because they block out background noise and distractions. But they also help you unwind from a hard day's studying with an audiobook, movie, or playlist.

We all know that top quality headphones are expensive, but you don’t have to use up your entire loan. There are excellent options available at a great price. And let’s be honest: being broke is synonymous with being a student. Every penny counts.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as just buying the cheapest pair you see on Amazon. In fact, that’s a fast track to buying a pair that will need replacing just a few months down the line. But students have enough studying to do without researching headphones. That's why we've done the hard work for you and pulled together a list of the best options. First off, here's a quick education on headphones.

How much do headphones cost?

This is the key question for anyone — students included — looking to save money where they can. Headphones can easily cost hundreds of pounds. That’s for top end headphones from the likes of Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser.

But — see below — it’s possible to get good headphones for around £100 or less. We have listed headphones at a range of prices. Even if your student loan doesn't stretch that far, the bank of mum and dad might.

What headphone features are important for students?

Headphone specifications can get really hi-tech, especially if you’re spending a lot of cash. But there are some features that will suit the workload and lifestyles of everyday students, such as noise cancellation and multipoint pairing. A long battery life is also important as well as quick and easy pairing to devices.

What is noise cancellation?

This is an increasingly popular feature that helps block out external noise, giving you an immersive listening experience. It works by using mini microphones within the earcups. These microphones detect external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel out incoming noise. This feature is especially good for students who are studying hard and need to remove all distractions.

What is multipoint pairing?

This is a cool Bluetooth feature that will suit the device-heavy student lifestyle. It allows you to connect your headphones to two or more devices, meaning you can switch to listening from your smartphone to your laptop to tablet without the hassle of having to manually change your Bluetooth settings.

How long do headphone batteries last?

With over-ear headphones, look out for models that last for 30 hours plus. That's pretty standard these days. Expect the battery to run down faster if you use features such as active noise cancellation. Earbuds have a shorter battery life — six hours is respectable — but usually extend the battery life with a portable charging case.

What’s best, over-ear or in-ear headphones?

If good sound is important, you'll want to be sure you buy the right style. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like in-ear buds that drill tunes directly into their head.

Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound and often have beefed-up features and tech capabilities, but if you’re carrying them around on campus, the bulkier design might be less convenient.

Earbuds are more compact and portable and will better suit anyone who’s moving from place to place with a bag full of books and devices. If you spend time between classes working out, earbuds tend be better for fitness, too.

What are the best headphones for students?

That has to be your decision — it’s all down to personal choice and what works for your lifestyle and study needs. But we’ve helped narrow down your choices with this selection of headphones. With these recommendations, you can save your money and spend it on more important things for school — like textbooks, laptops, and, of course, Deliveroo McDonalds for late night study sessions. 

These are the best headphones for students in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Dating is a competitive game, and you should do everything you can to give yourself a chance of success. Looking your best and smelling fresh is a good place to start, but nothing shortens your odds of success like signing up to a dating site.

The problem with this tactic is that there are just so many dating sites out there to consider, each with a different set of features that will suit some people better than others. It's difficult to know which site is best for you, and you could easily spend hours researching all of the sites on offer without a definitive answer.

We know that you don't have time for all of that, so we've set out to make things a little easier for you.

What are the benefits of using dating apps?

By subscribing to a dating site, you're shortening your odds of finding a connection. It's as simple as that.

Dating sites and apps let you get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and provide the opportunity to test out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting in real life.

SEE ALSO: Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached

Subscribing to dating apps and sites is also a way less intimidating way of meeting someone compared to a face-to-face situation. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you face your fears from the comfort of your own home.

Is online dating worth the hassle?

Sentiments aside, we have some hard data to back our reasoning for Why Online Dating Is Worthwhile™: Statista predicted that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, compared to 44.2 million users in 2020. A study from Stanford released in 2019 asserted that online dating is officially the most common way for couples to meet, rounding out at nearly 40 percent of couples having first met online.

This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. Though people are eager to get back to doing as many things IRL as possible now, dating apps are still a great place to find someone, whether you want a relationship or are just looking to get nasty.

And yes, though there are algorithms that dictate what profiles pop up on your screen, we firmly believe that the stars aligning still comes into play. After all, the person who signs up on the app and is looking for love at exactly the same time you are is up to fate and the universe, proving that online dating romance is very much alive and well.

Because it's not 2007 anymore, the need for mobile-friendly online dating isn't just a millennial thing — people over 40 don't have time to sit around at their home desktops, either. Dating sites that are older than most members of Gen Z (like Match and eharmony) have been forced to give serious attention to their smartphone counterparts if they don't want to be outgrown.

However, that statistical promise still requires patience and a game plan, the game plan is choosing the dating app with features that best fit your lifestyle — and the lifestyle of the type of person you're looking for. Are you looking for an app strictly for sex or an app more serious than Tinder but less serious than eharmony? Or maybe, you'd just really love to find an app where queer women aren't relentlessly sexualized by creeps and pestered by unicorn hunters.

Should you use free dating apps?

The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users.

The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don't cut it. You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash.

You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.

What is the best dating site?

We're sorry to break it to you like this, but there isn't a single dating site that is better than the rest. Instead, there are a lot of sites and apps with similar features and packages, and the best option for you really comes down to your own set of preferences.

To make the decision process a whole lot easier for everyone, we have lined up a selection of the most popular sites in the dating game, including leading sites like Match, and Eharmony. All you need to do is pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best dating sites in 2025.

AI continues to expand its reach into our lives, and language learning is next on the list.

This week brought big developments from both Google and Duolingo on that front. On Google's end, the search giant launched new Gemini-powered AI tools for users to learn foreign languages. Dubbed Little Language Lessons, the experimental feature offers three interactive lessons that "personalize language learning." For instance, "Tiny Lesson" can help you learn phrases for specific situations (such as losing your passport), while "Slang Hang" helps users learn local slang for less-stuffy conversation. Finally, "Word Cam" lets Gemini look at objects in your photos and labels them in the language you're learning.

SEE ALSO: I tried the new Meta AI app: 3 unexpected features

Duolingo, on the other hand, is going full speed ahead with generative AI. The company announced this week that it would stop relying on human contractors for "work that AI can handle," while also committing to using AI in hiring and performance reviews. On top of that, Duolingo announced on Wednesday that it used generative AI to come up with 148 new language learning courses, doubling its total course offerings.

The large language models behind Google Gemini and other popular AI tools have proved particularly adept at translation. Duolingo certainly believes the technology has big potential for language learning.

Of course, you don't have to look far to find people on social media responding negatively to the news. On X, some users are asking their peers to delete the app for going all-in on AI language learning.

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Learning another language is an inherently social activity, something a person usually does if they want to interact with other humans on a deeper level. Practically speaking, language learning usually requires human-to-human engagement.

For its part, Google says it's not trying to replace human instruction.

A Google blog post reads, "These experiments aren’t about replacing traditional study, but about complementing it: helping people build habits, stay engaged, and weave learning into their everyday lives."

Apple has just sent out another round of notifications to iPhone users who may have been targeted in sophisticated and wide-ranging spyware attacks.

Two separate users, Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino and Dutch right-wing political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek, both shared on Wednesday that they had received an urgent alert from Apple. TechCrunch first noticed Pellegrino's article detailing the notification, as well as a video from Vlaardingerbroek about her experience.

The Apple notification warned both Pellegrino and Vlaardingerbroek that their smartphones were targeted in a spyware attack.

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"ALERT: Apple detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your phone," reads the notification from Apple.

In his article, Pellegrino shares an email he reportedly received from Apple, which says the latest spyware notifications were sent to users in 100 countries, though users in as many as 150 countries could be involved.

Mashable has reported on previous rounds of spyware notifications sent by Apple. The iPhone maker started sending these notifications to users it suspected of being targeted by "mercenary spyware attacks" in 2024.

"Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID," reads a previous spyware notification email from Apple. "This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it's never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously."

As TechCrunch points out, Pellegrino's colleague at the Italian news outlet Fanpage was also warned by WhatsApp earlier this year about a targeted spyware attack. According to WhatsApp at the time, the spyware was traced to an Israel-based spyware maker Paragon Solutions. And earlier this month, we reported on another WhatsApp and Signal scam targeting human rights groups and supporters of Ukraine.

At this time, it's unclear what group (or groups) are behind the targeted spyware attacks. Mashable has reached out to Apple for more information and will update this piece if we hear back.

With pressure mounting from parents and lawmakers over social media age verification, a legal showdown between tech giants is beginning to take shape in Washington.

The showdown centers on a seemingly simple question, but one with huge implications for the future of the web: Who is responsible for age verification?

As Emily Birnbaum reports for Bloomberg, a new lobbying group for this issue — backed by industry heavyweights like Meta, Spotify, and Match Group (parent company of Tinder and Hinge) — has launched in Washington, D.C.

The lobbying group argues that since Apple and Google control the app stores, they should verify user ages before downloads occur. Unsurprisingly, Apple and Google disagree, arguing that because apps collect and handle user data, the obligation falls squarely on developers.

SEE ALSO: Instagram will use AI to identify teens using adult accounts

For parents, this brewing fight could reshape who’s responsible for protecting kids online — besides parents, of course.

The new lobbying group taking on Apple and Google

The group, called the Coalition for a Competitive Mobile Experience, is led by antitrust lawyer Brandon Kressin, who has previously worked with Match Group. It’s the latest move by app makers to counter Apple and Google, aiming to shift the legal burden of age verification from app developers to the app stores themselves. The coalition plans to advocate for state and federal legislation to cement that responsibility in law.

Age verification laws are still a legal gray zone in the U.S., but they’re starting to take shape. As of now, 18 states have passed legislation requiring pornography sites to verify users’ ages. In response, some platforms, like Pornhub, have opted to block access entirely in those states rather than tackle the logistical and data-sensitve headaches of complying.

Beyond lobbying for new policies, the coalition has also pledged to support any antitrust actions brought against Apple and Google. As Bloomberg notes, grievances have simmered for years over the belief that app stores unfairly discriminate against software, apps, and hardware makers.

Age verification efforts are picking up steam

If the new Coalition succeeds, age checks would shift from individual apps to Apple and Google themselves — potentially streamlining verification, but also raising new questions about data privacy, free speech, and general practicality.

Age verification laws would also impact companies like OpenAI. While OpenAI requires underage users to seek their parents' consent before using the AI chatbot, in practice, it's an honor system. Social media companies face similar challenges, and increasingly, parents and lawmakers are joining forces to restrict minors' access to social media.

In March, Utah became the first state to pass a law requiring app stores to verify ages. For users over 18, the law requires app stores to verify age with government-issued IDs, or access is denied altogether.

North Carolina has also filed a similar bill targeting users under the age of 16. However, the legislation stops short of specifying who is responsible for implementing a “commercially reasonable method” to anonymously verify users’ ages.

And according to Bloomberg, lawmakers in the House and Senate are preparing to introduce legislation similar to Utah’s in the coming months.

Meta has spent the better part of a year integrating Meta AI with Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and its other existing services, but hadn’t yet launched a standalone experience for Meta AI fans. That all changed yesterday at LlamaCon, the company's inaugural AI developer conference, when the company finally launched the Meta AI app.

The new app is built with Meta's Llama 4 model. It's a full-fledged competitor to ChatGPT, which became the fastest-growing app in history after its launch.

Already, AI enthusiasts are digging into the app to see what sets it apart from the competition. Per Meta’s press release, the big takeaway is personalization. Not only does the app integrate with your Facebook and Instagram accounts to give you more personalized responses, but it also has a memory feature, so it can reference past discussions and add more context to future ones.

This isn’t necessarily unique to the Meta AI app since Grok also does this with people’s X accounts, and every other major AI chatbot has the memory feature. However, we would argue the ability to work with both Facebook and Instagram is fairly significant, considering their widespread popularity. That also gives Meta AI more potential data to draw from to make its answers more personalized.

With that said, there’s more to the Meta AI app than just its personalization and memory capabilities, and some of those features are fairly unique to the Meta AI experience. So, after downloading and experimenting with the new Meta AI app, here are three big features to check out.

A social Discover feed to give you ideas Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Meta

Let’s start with the most obvious one, and that’s the Discover feed. Upon opening the app, you’ll be able to engage with it by tapping on the compass icon. It works almost exactly as you would expect. People use Meta AI to generate answers to questions, images, and other such things, and then those posts are shared to the feed for you to engage with. 

You can like, comment, or share anything you see there. A fourth button appears to load the same prompt into your own Meta AI conversation, so you can see what you get when you ask Meta AI the same question. During my testing, I saw someone post an image with the prompt “imagine me Miley Cyrus at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour.” The image it generated for me was different from the one in my Discover feed. Now, whether Meta's AI is supposed to be generating quasi-photorealistic images of public figures is another question entirely.

Near as I can tell, the Discover feed has two important uses. The first is showing off what Meta AI can do while giving you yet another thing to doomscroll. The other is giving users fresh ideas on what they can ask Meta AI about. During my brief time on Discover, I found people asking about Mars colonization, what colors would work for their wardrobe, and loads of stuff about the Catholic Church in the wake of Pope Francis' passing. In short, it not only serves entertainment value, but also as an idea generator, especially when the next wave of AI trends hits the market.

Hardware support

The Meta AI app also supports the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. In fact, Meta is replacing the existing Meta View companion app with the Meta AI app, so this is the app you’ll need to use moving forward for your smart glasses. It’s easy enough to get to. Just open up the app and click the glasses icon to add your smart glasses, and then continue using them as normal from there. 

Per Meta, once you get everything synced up, you’ll be able to start a conversation on the glasses and continue it on the app. Chat history will also be accessible through the Meta AI app, and it’ll all be integrated with conversations you have on the app natively. Meta does note that you won’t be able to start a chat from the app and then continue on the glasses. Even so, OpenAI, xAI, and Google certainly don't have this type of hardware integration.

I don’t personally own a pair of the smart glasses, so there are likely some extra little things that I haven’t seen that Meta didn’t put in the press release. Even so, direct hardware support is something ChatGPT doesn’t boast.

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Meta Full-duplex Voice Mode

This one isn’t particularly new or unique, but it's the first such implementation for Meta’s AI. For the uninitiated, full-duplex voice mode describes the feature when you can chat with AI in real-time. You talk, it responds, you respond back, so on and so forth. A few AI chatbots have this feature already. 

Meta uses it differently, though. While you can still chat with Meta’s AI in both directions, full-duplex voice mode also changes how the AI talks back. It integrates natural human language, like pauses, along with filler words like “umm.” This is demonstrably different from how the AI typically talks to you, so it’s something different for people who want that. 

The app says that the feature is in beta and doesn’t use the most updated knowledge base like the regular AI voice, so you’ll likely get worse answers if you use it. Once it hits primetime, it’s a neat little addition. In the meantime, the regular AI voice has options for John Cena, Awkwafina, Judi Dench, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell.

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Meta

TL;DR: Get hands-on hacking lessons from the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for A$54 through 1 June.

Opens in a new window Credit: Aleksa Tamburkovski The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle AU$54
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Some tech skills you can learn on your own. Others, like ethical hacking, are a little harder to practice without a controlled environment. That's why it's nice when you find something like the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle. This set of 18 courses takes you from beginner to expert in everything from basic hacking to penetration testing, Burp Suite, and BitNinja, and it's on sale for A$54 (for now). 

Ethical hacking classes

A big part of what makes this bundle valuable is the range of practical hacking lessons. You won’t just read about ethical hacking concepts. You’ll get to actually practice them. The courses guide you through setting up your own hacking environment with tools like Virtual Box and Kali Linux, learning to identify vulnerabilities, and even building your own tools for penetration testing. This practical, project-based approach helps make sure you’re not just memorizing theories, but actively learning by doing.

You’ll also get a solid understanding of how to approach real-life scenarios, whether it’s using Python to build penetration testing tools, working with Burp Suite for advanced web testing, or diving into Metasploit to exploit vulnerabilities and practice post-exploitation techniques.

The bug bounty training also gives you the chance to learn how ethical hackers make money by legally identifying and reporting flaws to major companies like Facebook and Google. If you're looking for a solid side hustle, that's the way to go. 

Through 1 June at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for A$54. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

California continues to invest in its tech prowess, as Governor Gavin Newsom announces new generative AI initiatives that sick the technology onto some of the state's biggest man-power burdens.

Part of the leader's executive order on AI, which directed state agencies to implement the new technology in the name of efficiency, three new agreements will see state investments in some of the industry's most popular generative AI technologies, meant to reduce highway congestion, improve roadway safety, and enhance customer service in state call centers. 

SEE ALSO: AI companions unsafe for teens under 18, researchers sa

"GenAI is here, and it’s growing in importance every day. We know that state government can be more efficient, and as the birthplace of tech it is only natural that California leads in this space," said Newsom. "In the Golden State, we know that efficiency means more than cutting services to save a buck, but instead building and refining our state government to better serve all Californians."

Specifically, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will use Microsoft's Azure Open AI to process and analyze traffic data in order to "reduce traffic congestion, enhance incident response, and improve transit reliability." It will also harness Google's Gemini AI under a contract with Deloitte Consulting to mitigate traffic incidents and recommend safety solutions. Meanwhile, support call center workers that are part of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) will now have access to Anthropic's Claude, based on a previous pilot tasked with reducing customer call times.

California previously partnered with Nvidia to implement AI solutions and provide tech training and education to students and workers. In this week's announcement, Newsom — countering the sentiment of federal leaders — reiterated that the new tech adoption wouldn't replace state workers, but instead support employees in a new collaborative partnership, working alongside SEIU Local 1000, the public services union representing California state employees.

But California has also come under fire for its speedy adoption of AI, including the use of generative AI to write portions of the state Bar exam.

Following the success of this second phase, the state will turn toward implementing AI in housing, workforce planning, and bill analysis, according to the announcement.

Twitch may be the platform most people associate with livestreaming, but the numbers tell a different story.

According to new data from Stream Charts, Amazon’s livestreaming giant has slipped to third place globally. The Global Livestreaming Landscape report for Q1, released April 29, puts TikTok Live ahead of Twitch, trailing only YouTube Live at the top.

SEE ALSO: Twitch streamers' uploads, highlights capped at 100 hours

TikTok Live racked up over 8 billion hours watched between January and March — a 30 percent jump from Q4. That surge is credited partly to the rising popularity of IRL content and a wave of gaming events across Southeast Asia that pulled in massive viewership.

TikTok’s e-commerce engine is another driving force behind the platform’s upward trajectory. Combine that with the frictionless experience of tuning into a stream on your phone, and its continued surge in viewership feels inevitable.

More than anything, TikTok’s most significant advantage over Twitch is discovery. Surfacing new creators is baked into the platform’s DNA — something Twitch has struggled with for years. The gap is so vast that many Twitch streamers have been building their brands through TikTok clips to funnel viewers back to their longer-form content.

Per the report, Twitch appears to be stuck in neutral. The platform clocked 4.84 billion hours watched, a 1-2 percent decrease relative to the previous quarter. It still holds ground in gaming, but, overall, Twitch's growth could be interpreted as stagnant. Thanks to its diversity of content, YouTube continues to dominate with a staggering 14.98 billion watch hours in Q1 alone.

Despite slipping to third place, Twitch still belongs to an elite tier of global streaming platforms — one that rivals like Kick and Rumble are nowhere near. The right-leaning upstarts captured just 2.9 percent and 0.5 percent of global watch hours, respectively.

The internet can be bad — think scams, misinformation, and abuse. The internet can be good — think folks rallying support for a local business or finding their life partner. But sometimes the internet can also be downright silly.

That's the case with the latest trending discussion on X. People are fighting over whether 100 people could beat up a gorilla. It's reminiscent of a different, more pure time online — the era of Buzzfeed lists and Weird Twitter — where people would frequently argue over dumb, silly hypotheticals. In fact, outlandish "who would win" arguments are kind of a staple of the internet.

The gorilla versus 100 people argument started with a post from @DreamChasnMike on X, who said he thought it was possible but "everybody just gotta be dedicated to the shit."

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The responses and posts have been both detailed and funny. Some folks with actual applicable knowledge have weighed in. What started as a silly post has gotten a lot of response.

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MrBeast, the YouTuber famous for setting up outlandish stunts, even joked about organizing the fight.

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Now, could 100 men actually take down a gorilla? It depends. Rolling Stone, hilariously, called up a number of primate experts, and the consensus seemed to be that @DreamChasnMike's original idea of a sign that read "IF U AINT READY TO D I E DONT SIGN UP" is correct. In short, 100 people sans weapons would have to overtake the gorilla as one big mass, despite casualties. In other words, dudes would have to keep going after watching their compatriots get torn apart.

Luckily, this is just a silly internet argument and nobody actually has to fight a gorilla.

President Donald Trump's tariffs have already had a huge impact on the U.S. economy — so much so that the Trump administration appears to be backing off a bit on some tariffs.

As President Trump celebrated the 100th day of his second term, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that Trump would ease the 25 percent tariff on automobiles. The move was designed to give car companies an opportunity to move production to the United States.

According to Lutnick, there would even be a way for auto companies to completely avoid tariffs on their vehicles. And a fact sheet issued by The White House yesterday said that vehicles finished in the U.S. with 85 percent or more domestic content would be fully exempt from the automotive tariff.

Interestingly, only one company qualifies for this new tariff exemption: Tesla.

According to the 2024 Made in America Auto Index from Kogod School of Business at American University, only three vehicles hit the 85 percent domestic content threshold: the Tesla Model 3 Performance, Tesla Model Y Long Range, and Tesla Model Y.

The fact that Trump's automotive tariff exemption only benefits Tesla was first noticed by the online automotive news site FuelArc. The outlet also pointed out how oddly specific the 85 percent number was, especially considering that three of Ford's Mustang models have 80% domestic content.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been extremely close to the administration, including President Trump himself. Musk openly endorsed and campaigned for Trump during the 2024 election season. Musk also donated a reported $288 million to Trump and other Republicans' campaigns. Musk's relationship with Trump has extended into the administration, with Trump bringing Musk into the fold as a special government employee in order to cut federal programs and spending under DOGE.

However, Musk's coziness with the president has also hurt Tesla. The company recently reported a 71 percent decline in profit amid boycotts and protests against Musk and Tesla. In addition, many liberal Tesla customers appear to be rejecting Musk through Tesla, and a record number of Tesla vehicles have gone onto the resale market this year.

The troubling recent trend of mass video game industry layoffs continued this week.

This time, it was Electronic Arts, considered one of the industry's biggest third-party video game publishers. Per Bloomberg, EA cut more than 300 jobs, with about a third of those affecting Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi games.

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

Respawn's official X account posted a statement on Monday that the studio had to cancel two "early-stage incubation projects" as part of these cuts.

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Bloomberg's report indicated that one project was canceled earlier in the year, with the other described as a multiplayer extraction shooter set in the Titanfall universe. It's unclear how far along the game was in development, but according to Bloomberg, it was nowhere close to being released.

While none of us have access to the full economics behind EA, it should be noted that Respawn, in particular, has developed multiple financially successful games for EA. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was a commercial success, and Apex Legends has generated billions in revenue since 2019. Because of that success, EA CEO Andrew Wilson took home $25.6 million last fiscal year.

SAVE 39%: As of April 30, you can get the Marbero Portable Power Station for $66.99, down from $109.99, at Amazon. That's a 39% discount and $43 in savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen since 2022.

MARBERO Portable Power Station 88Wh Camping Lithium Battery Solar Generator Fast Charging with AC Outlet 120W Peak Power Bank(Solar Panel Optional) for Home Backup Outdoor Emergency RV Van Hunting $89.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If the unpredictable weather patterns have you worried, or you just like to be prepared, a portable power station could come in handy. Although not as powerful as a full-blown generator, these little powerhouses are still a great way to keep your devices powered when the electricity goes out.

As of April 30, you can get the Marbero Portable Power Station for just $66.99, down from $109.99, at Amazon. That’s a 39% discount and a savings of $43. It’s also the lowest price we’ve seen on this solar power station since 2022.

SEE ALSO: Take nearly half off a Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station and get power on demand

The Marbero Portable Power Station is super slim, lightweight (3.2 pounds), and has a built-in handle, making it easy to carry around the house. You can also take it to the beach or camping. There are eight output ports and a battery management system to keep your devices safe (e.g., voltage control, temperature control, and an auto-shutoff). The DC charger output cable (included) is powerful enough to power a fridge, vacuum cleaner, and air compressor, according to the product description.

There’s also a three-level flashlight and SOS mode for emergencies.

SAVE $30: As of April 30, get the Breville Bambino Espresso Machine at Amazon for $269.95, down from its usual price of $299.95. That's a 10% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Breville Bambino Espresso Machine $269.95 at Amazon
$299.95 Save $30 Get Deal

If you need coffee like you need oxygen, you probably spend a lot of time at Starbucks or your local coffee shop. Unfortunately, that means you've got some extraneous expenses that can quickly add up. And when prices are skyrocketing across a variety of categories, you probably want to try and save as much as you can, where you can. That's where an espresso machine comes in. You can save on one that can help you cut out those morning Starbies visits fast if you head to Amazon now.

As of April 30, get the Breville Bambino Espresso Machine at Amazon for $269.95, down from its usual price of $299.95. That's $30 off and a 10% discount.

SEE ALSO: Save $250 on the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine

This espresso machine is all about luxury, as it's capable of serving up barista quality drinks thanks to its 54mm portafilter. That's meant to be used with ultra-fine types of coffee, so you get the best filtered espresso you can get when you go to make your morning cup.

It also comes with an automatic steam wand so you can make textured milk and microfoam. The wand lets you adjust the milk's temperature and texture for a fluffy foam that caps off your drink in a quick and easy way that a milk frother just can't. Plus, the machine heats up in just three seconds, so you don't have to sit around and wait on your "order." The machine itself also makes sure that the water used for your espresso is at the right temperature automatically before it makes your cup.

Tired of spending all that cash at the coffee shop? Do it at home with your new Breville Bambino.

SAVE $50: The Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker is on sale at Amazon for $179.99, down from the usual price of $229.99. That's a 22% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Within the last decade, kitchen appliances and gadgets have seen some major upgrades. The air fryer is probably our generation's microwave, but we also have plenty of other advancements that makes life in the kitchen much more streamlined. If you could use some cooking assistance, check out this Amazon deal on a handy all-in-one appliance.

As of April 30, the Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker is on sale at Amazon for just $179.99, marked down from the normal price of $229.99. That works out to a 22% discount and a savings of $50.

SEE ALSO: Save $250 on the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo automatic espresso and coffee machine

Ninja makes some of our favorite modern kitchen appliances, like great pizza ovens, indoor grills, and countertop ovens. But if your kitchen space is limited, the Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker might be the perfect do-it-all model. It comes with 14 functions, including crisp, bake, rice/pasta, sear/sauté, steam, toast, pizza, slow cook, air fry, broil, and more. Plus, its quick operation means you can have a fully cooked meal in just 15 minutes. Ninja says cooking times in the Combi are 50% quicker than in a conventional wall oven.

This model is also great for families or those who like to entertain, since it has a larger capacity. Ninja mentions you can easily serve eight people, since the multicooker can handle a six-pound roast chicken, two pounds of fries, or a five-pound roast. A countertop oven can also be super useful if you tend to meal prep and need the oven space for several dishes, but still want to get a loaf of bread baked for dinner.

If you forgot to defrost the pork loin for tonight's dinner, the Ninja has you covered, since super-heated steam can thaw out frozen ingredients and get them cooked in under 30 minutes.

This model comes with a Bake Tray, Crisper Plate, and a Combi Cooker Pan, and all of those are safe to clean in the dishwasher, saving you time and effort in the post-dinner clean.

If your kitchen countertop is too crowded, upgrade to the Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker. It's perfect for hot summer days when you couldn't image turning on the range, and it's on sale today at Amazon for $179.99. With 14 functions, you'll be in for a summer full of great (and easy) meals.

SAVE 25%: As of April 30, you can get the retro-style 8BitDo Retro 87 mechanical keyboard for $89.99, down from $119.99, at Woot. That's a 25% discount for $30 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: 8Bitdo Store 8BitDo Retro 87 mechanical keyboard $89.99 at Woot
$119.99 Save $30 Get Deal

Tech design has become somewhat predictable lately. (Almost sterile, if I’m being honest.) Fortunately, there are ways to get around this, even in a Musk-dominated world.

Right now, you can get the 8BitDo Retro 87 mechanical keyboard for $89.99, down from $119.99, at Woot. That’s a 25% discount for $30 in savings.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces the M3 iPad Air with Apple Intelligence and a new Magic Keyboard

This Xbox Edition keyboard features a super cool retro design with Xbox-inspired colors. It is compatible with Windows 10 (version 1903) or later and Android 9.0 or later. (It’s not for Xbox consoles.)

It also has an RGB backlight with eight light modes. There are 87 keys, including double-layered ABS keycaps with a matte UV coating, function shortcut keys, and a Fn lock. The keyboard features Kailh Jellyfish X switches and an integrated Xbox button to activate the Game Bar. You’ll also get fast-mapping on Super Buttons (no software required).

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day on April 30: OUR TOP PICK EarFun Air Pro 4 noise-cancelling earbuds $63.99 (save $32 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Google Pixel Watch 3 $299.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST SMARTHOME DEAL Amazon Echo Hub $129.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST GAMING DEAL Acer Nitro V15 Gaming Laptop (Intel Core i7-13620H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 (save $150) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $189.99 (save $60) Get Deal

We're thrilled to wrap up the month of April and all of the crazy economic uncertainty that came along with it. And what better way to celebrate than with some of our favorite tech brands actually lowering prices? While we certainly don't encourage splurging for the sake of splurging, we do recommend snagging gadgets while they're on sale if you're in the market for an upgrade. We've rounded up some discounts we think are worth grabbing.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on April 30. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check out our picks from April 28 and April 29. Many of those deals are still live, including the best prices ever on the M4 MacBook Air and our favorite Bluetooth speaker for bass lovers.

Our top pick: EarFun Air Pro 4 Opens in a new window Credit: EarFun EarFun Air Pro 4 noise-cancelling earbuds $63.99 at Amazon
$95.99 Save $32.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

"If you don't want to pay over $100 for headphones, but still want good ANC and sound quality, the EarFun Air Pro 4 are one of the best value earbuds we've ever tried," Mashable's reviewer writes in our best headphones roundup. The Air Pro 4s offer noise cancellation that rivals that of much more expensive earbuds. Not to mention, they pair easily with most devices and offer better battery power than AirPods Pro, balanced sound, customizable EQs and customizable ANC levels. Usually sliding in right under $100, they're on sale for just $63.99 at Amazon with an on-page coupon as of April 30. That's 34% in savings.

Google Pixel Watch 3 Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50 Get Deal

The Google Pixel Watch 3, released last year, added some potentially life-saving features to its already stacked lineup. Some of those include loss of pulse detection and the ability to call 911. Other upgrades include better heart rate tracking accuracy, more advanced running features, and a brighter display with smaller bezels (aka more screen real estate). Typically $349.99 for the 41mm option, you can grab one on sale for just $299.99 as of April 30 at Amazon and save $50. If you don't mind missing out on the new features, you can also save even more by opting for the previous generation for just $149.99.

Amazon Echo Hub Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Finding it hard to keep track of all your smart home devices? Add the Amazon Echo Hub to your lineup and control them all in one place. Essentially like your smart home's brain, the Echo Hub offers a full-featured control panel with instant access to all of your gadgets — cameras, lights, doorbells, thermostat, switches, etc. Anyone in your home can play music, ask Alexa questions, dim the lights, adjust the temperature, stream videos, and more from one singular place. Slash 28% off as of April 30 and grab it for just $129.99. That's just $5 away from its best price ever.

Acer Nitro V15 Gaming Laptop Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V15 gaming laptop (Intel Core i7-13620H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 at Amazon
$849.99 Save $150 Get Deal

A Mashable Choice Award winner and our favorite budget gaming laptop, the Acer Nitro V15 is on sale for just $699.99 during Amazon's Gaming Week sale. That's 18% in savings on an already affordable laptop that can handle graphically intense games without overheating. Mashable's reviewer Kim Gedeon rated it a 4.7/5 overall, crediting its performance, quiet and balanced keyboard, wide variety of port options, and overall design (which she dubbed "the perfect balance of fun and serious").

Read Mashable's full review of the Acer Nitro V 15.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus $189.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Upping your sound system is possible on a budget thanks to the Fire TV Soundbar Plus. It's usually $249.99, but you can get it on sale for only $189.99 as of April 30. That's 24% in savings. The Soundbar Plus features three full-range speakers, three tweeters, and a built-in subwoofer (unlike the basic Fire TV Soundbar), so it can blast sound in every direction. It serves as an all-in-one sound system for immersive audio, offering Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume support. If you already have a Fire TV Stick, you can even control it using the same remote.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE $300: Amazon has the Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) on sale for only $699.99 during its Gaming Week event. That's 30% off its usual retail price of $999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $300 Get Deal

The 2023 Acer Nitro V 15 has been Mashable's No. 1 cheap gaming laptop since last spring, with former tech editor Kim Gedeon calling its Triple-A power "impressive" and "damn good." In our performance benchmark, it scored on par with some gaming laptops twice its price. And in our graphics test, it beat out a similarly priced MSI laptop with a better GPU.

Right now, the Nitro V 15 is even cheaper than usual thanks to Amazon's Gaming Week sale, live now through May 4. As of April 30, the model with a 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage is down to just $699.99. (Our review unit had double the storage but was otherwise identical.) The same configuration has a $999.99 sticker price on Acer's website — ignore Amazon's advertised MSRP — so shoppers save $300, or an impressive 30%. According to the Amazon price-tracking site CamelCamelCamel, this is its biggest discount ever.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap laptops under $1,000

If you did want to bump up to a full terabyte of storage, Newegg had our tested variant listed for $849.99 at the time of writing.

The Nitro V 15's power was the biggest highlight for Gedeon: "It can handle Cyberpunk 2077, one of the most graphics-intensive games on the market, like a champ," she wrote. That combined with its thermal design, silent keyboard, and understated design (for a gaming PC) helped it secure a Mashable Choice Award. It's not without its flaws — the biggest ones being a dim display and a chassis that loves retaining fingerprints — but for the money, this is an excellent buy.

It's worth mentioning that Amazon has this labeled as a "limited-time deal," so there's a good chance it won't hang around until the very end of its Gaming Week event. Consider adding it to your cart sooner rather than later.