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Google restructured its AI subscription lineup at I/O 2026 today, introducing a new mid-tier Ultra plan and cutting the price of its most expensive plan, while stating it wants to rethink how usage limits work across the board.

SEE ALSO: Google Gemini app to get deeper thinking and more third-party app support, report says

The headline number is $99.99 per month for a new AI Ultra entry point, aimed at developers, technical leads, and power users. It comes with 5x the usage limits of the Pro plan, Gemini 3.5 Flash, priority access to Google Antigravity — the company's agent-first coding platform — 20TB of cloud storage, and a full YouTube Premium individual plan bundled in. For those already on the $250-per-month top tier, Google dropped that price to $200, with all the same capabilities intact.

Credit: Google

The three-tier structure now looks like this: AI Plus at $7.99/month, AI Pro at $19.99/month, and AI Ultra starting at $99.99/month. Gemini Spark, the new autonomous AI agent announced earlier today, is exclusive to Ultra subscribers and rolling out in beta next week in the U.S.

Google also overhauled how it measures usage. Instead of counting individual prompts, the new system measures compute used. This means that a simple text question costs far less against your limit than a complex video or coding task.

SEE ALSO: 3 new features are coming to Google Shopping

Limits now refresh every five hours rather than resetting daily. If you hit your cap on a top-tier model, Google automatically drops you to a faster, lighter model instead of cutting you off. AI Pro and Ultra subscribers will also be able to buy pay-as-you-go credits for Google Antigravity and Google Flow, with Gemini app support coming soon.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

Google announced Gemini Spark at I/O 2026 today, and it might be the most ambitious thing the company has put on stage.

Billed as "your personal AI agent," Spark is a cloud-based AI that runs continuously. According to Google, Spark runs in the Cloud, so you don't need a Mac Mini or a dedicated home server. Plus, it's designed to handle the kind of tasks that pile up in your inbox and to-do list while you're busy doing everything else.

SEE ALSO: General Motors adds Google Gemini to 4 million vehicles. Is your car on the list?

Powered by Gemini 3.5 and built with Google's Antigravity coding IDE baked in, Spark connects to Google's own products and integrates with more than 30 third-party tools via MCP, including Adobe, Asana, Dropbox, Lyft, OpenTable, Uber, Zillow, and Zocdoc. Need to send your boss a status update? Spark digs through your inbox and Docs to pull together everything relevant. Running a small business? You can set it to monitor incoming customer inquiries and flag the urgent ones.

Google said Spark will land inside Gmail and Chat soon and begin rolling out to AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. next week.

Gemini Spark has safeguards in place

The question everyone has about an autonomous AI agent is obvious: what stops it from doing something you didn't want? Google's answer was the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), a framework that imposes hard limits on what Spark can spend, which merchants it can interact with, and what it can actually purchase. For now, users approve any transactions before they go through.

Josh Woodward, VP of Google Labs, described the philosophy at a media briefing ahead of the event: "On the team, we think a lot of it as if you're giving a teenager their first debit card. There are sort of limits and constraints around it, and that's how we'll be designing Spark as we go through the year."

As Google sees it, Spark will gradually gain autonomy over time. For now, though, AP2 will include a permanent digital paper trail for returns and disputes and head to Google Shopping later this year.

Looking for more Google I/O announcements? Follow the Mashable Google I/O live blog to see all of the latest news on Gemini, Chrome, and Android.

SAVE $350: The Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $1,149, down from the standard price of $1,499. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beatbot Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner $1,149 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $350   Get Deal

With Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, it's time to think about summer fun. If you have a pool, that means endless time spent in the water, taking advantage of every summer day. But if you own a pool, you also know maintenance can be a hassle. Instead of worrying about pool cleaning or hiring help, check out this Amazon deal.

As of May 19, the Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $1,149, down from the standard price of $1,499. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Ready to clean in-ground or above-ground pools for up to seven hours per session, the Beatbot Sora 70 will be your pool's new companion. It's designed to clean all pool shapes including the walls, floor, waterline, water surface, and platforms as low as eight inches. Beatbot says the 10,000mAh battery is capable of cleaning a 3,200 square-foot pool or continuous floor cleaning for up to five hours.

SEE ALSO: The powerhouse Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is down to a record low at Amazon — save $250

Beatbot says this model uses an industry-first JetPulse cleaning system which uses two water jets and four water flows for the best debris capture possible. It does all of this with 6,800GPH of cleaning power. Once it's finished cleaning, it'll automatically float to the edge for easy retrieval.

Instead of spending a glorious summer morning skimming leaves off the pool's surface, enlist the help of the Beatbot Sora 70 robotic pool cleaner. Since it's sitting at the lowest sale price we've seen, there's no reason to delay.

SAVE $600: As of May 19, get the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,099.99. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,099.99 Save $600.00   Get Deal

When it comes to playing your favorite game, bigger is always better. Go big on your peripherals, including your monitor, and you'll feel like you're right in the middle of the action. And there's no going much bigger than this outrageous ultrawide gaming monitor from Samsung, which is on sale right now for an excellent price.

As of May 19, get the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,099.99. That's $600 off and a discount of 29%.

SEE ALSO: Samsung is launching new monitors this month — reserve now and get a free $50 credit

Samsung calls this display the world's "first DUal UHD monitor", and in addition to its massive size, it also boasts a 1,000R curve for the best immersion possible. It's esssentially two large 4K monitors in one, delivering a 7680x2160 resolution and 240Hz refresh rae with a 1ms response time. In short, it's built to help you feel like you're right in the middle of the game.

It uses Samsung's Quantum Matrix Mini-LED tech and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 tech to offer bright hues, deeper dark colors, and visually impressive loacal dimming zones. For all the scenes you'll rip through with action to spare, it also offers fast-moving scenes without screen tearing with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

This monitor represents the perfect opportunity to get more out of your favorite titles and feel like you're right in the middle of the action. But don't wait too long, because this is a great deal on tech that's typically premium-priced. Get yours now before it goes back up and you're out of luck.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. CNET Group Big Guessing Game Contest (the “Contest”) is governed by these official rules (the “Contest Rules”). The Contest begins on May 19, 2026 at 12:01PM EST and ends on September 1, 2026 at 11:59PM EST (the “Contest Period”).

SPONSOR: Ziff Davis, LLC, with an address of 360 Park Avenue South, Floor 17, New York, New York 10010 (the “Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY: This Contest is open to individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States of America or the District of Columbia. By entering the Contest as described in these Contest Rules, entrants represent and warrant that they are complying with these Contest Rules (including, without limitation, all eligibility requirements), and that they agree to abide by and be bound by all the rules and terms and conditions stated herein and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding. 

All previous winners of any Contest sponsored by Sponsor during the nine (9) month period prior to the Selection Date are not eligible to enter. Any individuals (including, but not limited to, employees, consultants, independent contractors and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, held employment with or performed services for Sponsor or any organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Contest (“Employees”) are not eligible to enter or win. Immediate Family Members and Household Members are also not eligible to enter or win. “Immediate Family Members” means parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses of an Employee. “Household Members” means those individuals who share the same residence with an Employee at least three (3) months a year.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter the Contest, go to any of the CNET Groups’ Contest Websites and complete any or all of three (3) rounds of Contest questions occurring within the Contest Period. Each set of questions will be unique to each site (individual questions can be duplicated). Participants may only enter once per Website.

The CNET Groups’ Contest Websites are listed below:

• CNET Media, Inc.: https://www.cnet.com/

• Mashable, Inc.: https://mashable.com/

• PC Magazine: https://www.pcmag.com/

• ZDNET: https://www.zdnet.com/

• Lifehacker: https://lifehacker.com/
  

The Rounds are as follows:

• Round 1: May 19, 2026 at 12:01PM EST to June 2, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

• Round 2: July 7, 2026 at 12:01PM EST to July 21, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

• Round 3: August 18, 2026 at 12:01PM EST to September 1, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

Subsequent attempts made by the same individual to submit multiple entries by using multiple accounts or otherwise may result in disqualification of the entrant. / You may post as many contributions as you like.

Only contributions submitted during the Contest Period will be eligible for entry into the Contest. No other methods of entry will be accepted. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entries are limited to individuals only; commercial enterprises and business entities are not eligible. Use of a false account will disqualify an entry. Sponsor is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties and other technological problems.

Entries are subject to any applicable restrictions or eligibility requirements listed herein. Entries will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email or telephone phone number submitted at the time of entry and qualification. Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address. Should multiple users of the same e-mail account or mobile phone number, as applicable, enter the Contest and a dispute thereafter arises regarding the identity of the entrant, the Authorized Account Holder of said e-mail account or mobile phone account at the time of entry will be considered the entrant. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an e-mail address or mobile phone number by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider, telephone service provider or other organization which is responsible for assigned e-mail addresses, phone numbers or the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by the website administrator for online entries. When applicable, the website administrator’s computer will be deemed the official time keeping device for the Contest promotion. Entries will be disqualified if found to be incomplete and/or if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that multiple entries were submitted by the same entrant in violation of the Contest Rules. 

JUDGING CRITERIA: Each correct answer in any of the three Contest Rounds earns one entry in drawing. For example, if Participant visits cnet.com and participates in the Round 1 of questions, each question they answer correctly results in one entry for the CNET Media, Inc. drawing. If the same Participant visits mashable.com and participates in the Round 1 of questions, each question they answer correctly results in one entry for the Mashable Inc. drawing.  

WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: Sponsor shall select the prize winner(s) (collectively, the “Winner”) on or about three weeks from the end of the Contest Period (“Selection Date”). The Winner will be notified via email to the contact information provided in the entry. Notification of the Winner shall be deemed to have occurred immediately upon sending of the notification by Sponsor. The Winner will be required to respond (as directed) to the notification within fourteen (14) business days of attempted notification. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to choose an alternative Winner based on the stated Judging Criteria in the event that that the selected Winner has been disqualified or is deemed ineligible for any reason, such as not responding within fourteen (14) business days. If the first alternate Winner has been disqualified or is deemed ineligible for any reason, the Sponsor has the right to choose a second alternate Winner. If the second alternate Winner also has been disqualified, or is deemed ineligible for any reason, the Sponsor shall not be obligated to pick any further alternate Winners for the Contest and the prize(s) shall remain un-awarded. The only entries that will be considered eligible entries are entries received by Sponsor within the Contest Period.

PRIZE: Five (5) winners, one (1) winner from each CNET Group Website, will receive the following prize(s) (collectively, the “Prize”): 

• Latest model of the Apple Watch, valued at approximately three hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($399.00 USD) 

No more than the stated number of prize(s) will be awarded, and all prize(s) listed above will be awarded. Actual retail value of the Prize may vary due to market conditions. The difference in value of the Prize as stated above and value at time of notification of the Winner, if any, will not be awarded. No cash or prize substitution is permitted, except at the discretion of Sponsor. The Prize is non-transferrable. If the Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute Prize of equal or greater retail value will be awarded; provided, however, that if a Prize is awarded but remains unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. In the event that more than the stated number of prize(s) becomes available for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prize(s).

ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY OF THE PRIZE: The Winner will be required to verify his or her address and may be required to execute the following document(s) before a notary public and return them within fourteen (14) business days (or a shorter time if required by exigencies) of receipt of such documents: an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and (where imposing such condition is legal) a publicity release covering eligibility, liability, advertising, publicity and media appearance issues (collectively, the “Prize Claim Documents”). If an entrant is unable to verify the information submitted with their entry, the entrant will automatically be disqualified and their prize, if any, will be forfeited. The Prize will not be awarded until all such properly executed and notarized Prize Claim Documents are returned to Sponsor. Prize(s) won by an eligible entrant who is a minor in his or her state of residence will be awarded to minor’s parent or legal guardian, who must sign and return all required Prize Claim Documents. In the event the Prize Claim Documents are not returned within the specified period, an alternate Winner may be selected by Sponsor for such Prize based on the Judging Criteria. The Prize will be shipped to the Winner within thirty (30) business days of Sponsor’s receipt of a signed Prize Claim Documents from the Winner. The Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees related to the Prize received, if any. 

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BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, EACH WINNER GRANTS THE SPONSOR PERMISSION TO USE HIS OR HER NAME, CITY, STATE/PROVINCE, E-MAIL ADDRESS AND, TO THE EXTENT SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE CONTEST ENTRY, HIS OR HER PHOTOGRAPH, VOICE, AND/OR LIKENESS FOR ADVERTISING, PUBLICITY OR OTHER PURPOSES OR ON A WINNER’S LIST, IF APPLICABLE, IN ANY AND ALL MEDIA WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER DEVELOPED, WORLDWIDE, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CONSENT OR COMPENSATION, EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. By submitting an entry, entrants also grant the Sponsor a perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, perform, and otherwise use and permit others to use, throughout the world, their entry materials in any manner, form, or format now known or hereinafter created, including on the internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of the Contest, the Sponsor and/or its products and services, without further consent from or compensation to the entrant. By entering the Contest, entrants consent to receive notification of future promotions, advertisements or solicitations by or from Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and business partners, via email or other means of communication. 

If, in the Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of fraud, electronic or non-electronic tampering or unauthorized intervention with any portion of this Contest, or if fraud or technical difficulties of any sort (e.g., computer viruses, bugs) compromise the integrity of the Contest, the Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect entries and/or terminate the Contest and award the Prize in its sole discretion. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Sponsor’s website(s) or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be in violation of U.S. criminal and civil laws and will result in disqualification from participation in the Contest. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney’s fees) to the fullest extent of the law, including pursuing criminal prosecution.

DISCLAIMER: EXCLUDING ONLY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTIES, THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED TO THE WINNER ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT FURTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL FURTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIZE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

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DISPUTES: If, for any reason (including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest), the Contest is not capable of being conducted as described in these Contest Rules, Sponsor  shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. The Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. The Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, or the failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any injury or damage to any entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading any materials in connection with this Contest. Because of the unique nature and scope of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to those other rights reserved herein, to modify any date(s) or deadline(s) set forth in these Contest Rules or otherwise governing the Contest, and any such changes will be posted here in the Contest Rules. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Contest Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.

As a condition of participating in the Contest, entrant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between entrant and Sponsor, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Contest or these Contest Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court of competent jurisdiction located in New York County, New York, and entrant irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New York County, New York with respect to any such dispute, cause of action, or other matter. All disputes will be governed and controlled by the laws of the State of New York (without regard for its conflicts-of-laws principles). Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby irrevocably waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs incurred directly in connection with entrant’s participation in the Contest), and entrant further irrevocably waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased, if any. EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

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SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION: Although the Contest may be featured on X, Facebook and/or other social media platforms, the Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or association with X, Facebook and/or such other social media platforms and you agree that X, Facebook and all other social media platforms are not liable in any way for any claims, damages or losses associated with the Contest.  

WINNER(S) LIST: For a list of name(s) of prize winner(s), after the Selection Date, please send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10/standard  business envelope to Ziff Davis, LLC, Attn: Legal Department, 360 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010 (VT residents may omit return postage).

BY ENTERING, YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO ALL OF THESE CONTEST RULES.

The MacBook Neo was a massive hit for Apple, but the company has more new releases in store for 2026. As WWDC 2026 approaches, the tech world is closely watching the fabled California fruit company.

Mashable’s tech experts constantly track leaks and rumors around the iPhone, Siri, Apple Watch, and AirPods, but Apple is a notoriously tight-lipped company when it’s cooking up something new. So, while we’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect at this year's Worldwide Developers' Conference on June 8 or at the annual iPhone event in September, we don’t know what we don’t know.

If you think you know what Apple will announce this year, now is your chance to test your knowledge and earn a chance to win a prize. Mashable and the rest of the CNET Group websites (ZDNET, PCMag, CNET, and Lifehacker) are hosting a contest to see which of our readers can make the best Apple predictions for 2026.

Answer five questions in any of our three rounds of the contest to be entered to win the latest version of the Apple Watch announced in September. Every answer you guess correctly earns you one entry in a drawing for the grand prize — you only need to enter once to get a chance to win, but answering all three rounds of questions will improve your odds.

This first round of contest questions will run from today, May 19, until 11:59 p.m. PT on June 2. Check out the first round of questions and make your guesses here.

Product Quiz
Powered by Digioh

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win the "CNET Group Big Guessing Game" Giveaway. Open to legal U.S. residents in the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+ yrs of age. Other restrictions apply. Begins May 19, 2026 at 12:01 pm ET and ends Sept. 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules: https://www.mashable.com/article/mashable-big-guessing-game-apple-edition-official-contest-rules/. Sponsor: Ziff Davis, LLC.

Apple is not a sponsor of, affiliated with, or endorser of this sweepstakes. Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc.

Sony's WH-1000XM6 hit the market just over a year ago, and already, the brand is back with a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

This time, however, it's in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the iconic 1000X line. So how do you follow up one of the best headphone releases of the past year? If you're Sony, you release the 1000X the Collexion: an upgraded pair of headphones that prioritizes sleek design, comfort, and sound.

The upgrade doesn't come cheap, though. Sony is asking $649.99 for the new headphones, which is a $200 price jump over the $449.99 WH-1000XM6 headphones — and those had already increased in price from the $399.99 XM5 headphones.

My testing unit is still making its way to me, so I can't share any personal first impressions of how the 1000X the Collexion headphones stack up (and most importantly, if they're maybe worth the extra $200). What I can share is a breakdown of what to expect from the Collexion headphones, what's similar to the XM6s, and everything you need to know if you're looking to purchase the anniversary edition headphones. And stay tuned for a hands-on review when I do get the headphones in to test.

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

Sony 1000X the Collexion: What's new

In a press briefing, Sony reps made it clear that these headphones aren't necessarily intended to improve on the XM6 headphones in every way possible. That said, there are some notable improvements that drive up the price point.

The 1000X the Collexion headphones are available in two colorways: platinum and black. Credit: Sony The case color matches the headphones' color. Credit: Sony Design and comfort prioritized

Sony headphones have never exactly skimped on design, but the 1000X series historically does opt for an all or mostly plastic approach. With the Collexion headphones, Sony flips the script, putting no plastic on the surface of the headphones. Instead, stainless steel and vegan leather make up the chassis, "to create a headphone that looks as elevated as it feels," according to the press release. For the on-ear controls, Sony uses metal buttons.

This design posits Sony in competition with the likes of Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 headphones, which are comprised of a combo of die-cast aluminum and Nappa leather. (Those headphones, for the record, run for $799.)

Not stopping there, Sony also widened the headband of the headphones to more evenly distribute the weight of the headphones, and make for an all-over more comfortable wear experience. The brand states that the cushioning on the headband is about 40 percent thicker than the XM6 headphones, while the band is about 10 percent wider (from a top-down view). The ear cups are also slightly slimmer, losing about five millimeters of the profile from the XM6 headphones.

As the last major design change, the Collexion headphones also go back on an XM6 update — folding ear cups. After the XM5 headphones lost the folding ear cups feature of earlier 1000X headphones, I was happy to see them return on the XM6 headphones, but the Collexion headphones are back to the design of the XM5 ear cups.

Noise cancellation isn't quite as powerful

The XM6 headphones are one of the best noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, so it may come as a shock that Collexion's noise cancellation isn't quite as good.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Sony headphones and earbuds for ANC, sound, and cool factor: See my top 7 picks

It comes back to the comfort factor. Prioritizing comfort means that Sony didn't go for quite as snug a fit as the XM6 headphones. So while the XM6 and Collexion headphones have the same internal noise cancellation capabilities thanks to the 12 microphones, multi-noise sensor, and adaptive noise cancellation optimizer, less passive noise cancellation on the Collexion headphones means the XM6s will retain the slight edge on that front.

Improved sound quality

The Collexion headphones come with a bespoke driver system that uses unidirectional carbon fiber, which, according to Sony, allows for more clarity in separation for instruments and better high-frequency range expression.

The headphones also come with a V3 integrated audio processor, which helps power DSEE Ultimate, a feature that uses AI scale enhancement to provide the highest resolution listening experience possible. The Collexion is the first and only Sony headphones to feature the DSEE Ultimate tech.

Finally, the spatial audio mixer includes a music and game mode in addition to the existing cinema mode. There's also an on-ear button to power the different modes.

Slightly lower battery life

This change is pretty much as it's written on the box. Compared to the 30 hours of battery life found on the XM5 and XM6 headphones, the 1000X the Collexion headphones have 24 hours of battery life.

A new carrying case

Like the XM6 headphones, the Collexion headphones have a magnetic carrying case, but for the anniversary headphones, Sony has added a handle to the design.

The carrying case gets an updated design. Credit: Sony Sony 1000X the Collexion: Just the specs

• Processor: Sony QN3 and V3

• Microphones: 12

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3

• Battery: 24 hours with ANC

• Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation

• Spatial audio: Yes

• Colors: Platinum and black

• Inputs: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack

Sony 1000X the Collexion: Who's it for

Sony enthusiasts, folks who love a luxury look, and those who prioritize comfort above all else are the target audience for this Sony release. That said, $649.99 is a hefty price, even for premium headphones, so it wouldn't be surprising if these headphones only appeal to the more devoted Sony fans among us.

Sony 1000X the Collexion: Where to buy

As of May 19, the Sony 1000X the Collexion headphones are available at Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy for $649.99.

SAVE $10: As of May 19, get the Insta360 Mic Air Wireless Transmitter for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Insta360 Mic Air Wireless Transmitter $39.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $10   Get Deal

Whether you're a content creator or just want to add some quality audio to your videos, a wireless mic is a no-brainer. Insta360 just revealed its new Mic Pro with a customizable E-Ink display, giving the popular viral pocket mic from DJI a bit of stark competition. But you don't have to wait to get your hands on that model to get a solid lapel mic right now, especially with this deal we unearthed at Amazon.

As of May 19, get the Insta360 Mic Air Wireless Transmitter for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $49.99. That's $10 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: Insta360 reveals Mic Pro with customisable E-Ink display

This wireless mic doesn't need a receiver and can connect wirelessly to your Insta360 camera or one of a variety of others. It's the size of a coin, and it's ultralight, at just 7.9 grams. That keeps it out of sight and out of the way so you can focus on doing what you're doing.

Despite its small size, it offers 48kHz sampling for excellent sound recording, whether you're capturing an interview or taking some voiceover for a video. Plus, with advanced noise cancelling and a windshield, you can keep out unwanted audio to ensure a clean recording every time, even if you're outside.

If you want to save money while making great content with even better audio, now's the time to try this tiny mic out for yourself. It's a wonderful alternative to DJI, and it looks like there's going to be even better options from Insta360 from now on, so it's good to get acquainted with the company now if you haven't already.

The increasing cost of living isn't just hitting groceries; it's hitting explicit content, too.

The porn site Clips4Sale reviewed millions of clips this month to determine how much the price of a clip has changed over time, depending on the fetish. With the "Kink Consumer Index" or KCI, Clips4Sale developed average prices for newly uploaded clips, year-by-year, in major fetish categories.

SEE ALSO: You're wrong about OnlyFans star Lily Phillips

"Kink and fetish are impacted by the same economic forces that drive global markets: the cost of goods, supply and demand and shifting consumer trends," Clips4Sale's spokesperson, Avery Martin, said in a press release shared with Mashable.

Here's some good news: The overall price of fetish content has risen more slowly than the rate of inflation, according to Clips4Sale. The U.S. consumer price index (CPI), which measures the change in average costs of common foods, rose 25 percent between 2020 and the end of 2025, CNBC reported at the time, and given inflation due to the Iran War, that number is surely even higher now. The cost of the average fetish clip, meanwhile, has risen 12.3 percent since 2020.

Credit: Clips4Sale

But the increase in average clip cost for certain fetishes has exploded (higher than the CPI) in the last six years:

• Boot Worship: +56 percent

• Wrestling: +45 percent

• BBW / SSBBW ("big beautiful woman" / "super-sized big beautiful woman"): +42 percent

• Balloons +39 percent

• High Heels: +34 percent

• Dirty Feet: +36 percent

• Foot Tickling: +33 percent

Several of these fall into the category of feet, which seems to be in high demand these days.

Credit: Clips4Sale

"Civilians and celebrities often think they can make big money selling feet pics, without understanding the fetish consumer. There's a stunning diversity of content in the foot economy," Martin continued. "Fetish creators should be recognized as the experts that they are, and valued accordingly."

Kink and fetish are specialized skill sets that carry value, Martin said. While more people are working as adult creators today than in 2020 — which has kept content prices low — the market is diverse, and not all content is equal, she said. "We developed the KCI to help us track prices for our creators so they can help meet market demand."

SAVE $50: As of May 19, get a pair of Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen earbuds for just $249. That saves you $50 and brings the earbuds back to their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50   Get Deal

I'm exceptionally picky when it comes to earbuds, finding that most pairs fall out easily or cause ear fatigue. But you really can't find a better pair of earbuds then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. They fit snuggly in ears but truly live up to their name, being truly comfortable. Bose just revamped their flagship earbuds, and the 2nd gen model is still exceptional, and ahead of Memorial Day, the earbuds just got a price drop.

As of May 19, the latest earbuds from Bose, the QuietComfort 2nd Gen earbuds have dropped back down to its lowest price ever. With a list price of $299, the earbuds are now $50 off, bringing them down to $249. That saves you 17% off.

Beyond the earbuds' comfort, the audio quality and ANC shouldn't be overlooked. The noise cancellation on these buds rival a pair of over ear headphones and the audio quality is crisp, bringing out all of the nuance and detail in your favorite songs whether they be live recordings or from the studio.

Now is the best time to shop the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd gen earbuds, which are back down to its lowest price ever. This deal might stick around through Memorial Day, but there's no guarantee, so act fast.

Nintendo's venture from the gaming world into the cinema is going splendidly, as yet another hit film has broken major box office records. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the highest-grossing film in the U.S. for 2026 so far and while it's still floating around in theaters, you can now officially watch it at home.

The best ways to watch 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' at a glance: Buy or rent 'Hamnet' on Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Buy or rent 'Hamnet' at Apple TV $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Students and Young Adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Instacart+ (includes Peacock Premium for free) $99.99/year (save $109.99/year) Get Deal Walmart+ (includes Peacock Premium for free) $98/year (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

The film brings back 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie voice cast favorites, including Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and Bowser (Jack Black). New characters join in on the action as well, including a tiny Bowser Jr. voiced by Benny Safdie, Princess Rosalina voiced by Brie Larson, Yoshi voiced by Donald Glover, and Fox McCloud voiced by Glen Powell.

If a love of Nintendo's longtime mascot isn't enough to reel you in, the star-studded cast surely will. Here are all the details you need to know to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at home.

What is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie about?

Based on Nintendo's hit Super Mario Galaxy video game, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie follows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, along with their sidekicks, on a galactic adventure to rescue Princess Rosalina (Peach's long-lost sister) after she's kidnapped by Bowser Jr. Can they save her before her cosmic powers are drained and Bowser Jr. uses them to free his father?

Check out the official trailer below:

Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie worth watching?

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's success at the box office is undeniable. It could realistically pass the $1 billion mark before all is said and done. But the reviews are mixed, to say the least. To put it simply: Audiences are loving it, but critics aren't convinced.

The ratings gap on Rotten Tomatoes paints quite the picture. Audiences have rated it an 88 percent on average, celebrating its "spirited cast" and "joyful wonder." But its measly 42 percent critic rating summarizes it as "frenetic" and "weightless."

"Like its predecessor, it may make tons of money," Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review. "But that won't make it good."

Read Mashable's full review of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

How to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at home Credit: Universal Pictures

As of May 19, there are a couple of different ways you can watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $24.99 or you can wait a little while to stream it on Peacock. See all the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

After being delayed from it’s original digital release date, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie makes its digital debut on May 19, 2026. That means you can buy or rent the movie from on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep and watch forever.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:

• Apple TV — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• Google Play — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• Prime Video — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

• YouTube — buy for $29.99, rent for $24.99

Stream it on Peacock (at a later date)

While we don't have an exact streaming release date yet for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, we do know that it will eventually make its debut on Peacock alongside other Universal Pictures films (including the Super Mario Bros. Movie). The theater-to-streaming trajectory for Universal movies is varied, but we can make an educated guess. Wicked: For Good, another high-performing Universal film, took about four months to land on Peacock after its theatrical debut. If the Galaxy Movie follows a similar path, we anticipate an August 2026 Peacock streaming release.

While the cheapest Peacock subscription costs just $7.99, it unfortunately won't grant you access to theatrical releases. Instead, you'll need at least Peacock Premium, which costs $10.99 per month. Before you sign up, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save up to $33 on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

If you pay up front for a year of Peacock Premium or Premium Plus, you can save up to $33.89. Premium (with ads) costs $10.99 monthly, which adds up to $131.88. If you pay for the annual plan, however, it'll only cost you $109.99 — a savings of $21.89. Likewise, the Premium Plus plan costs $16.99 per month, which adds up to $203.88. The annual plan, on the other hand, costs just $169.99 — a savings of $33.89. You'll essentially be getting two months of streaming for free by opting for an annual subscription.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: Free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

If you're an Xfinity customer, we highly recommend logging into your account to see if you're eligible for free streaming on Peacock. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible (head to Xfinity.com for more details):

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults: Save $5/month for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for young adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal

Both students and young adults can take $5 per month off a Peacock Premium subscription all year long. Verify your student status or age through SheerID and you'll receive a unique promo code to knock the price down to just $5.99 instead of $10.99. Just note that once the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price unless you cancel.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $4/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4 per month) Get Deal

First responders, medical professionals, teachers, and military personnel can all secure Peacock Premium subscriptions (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month by verifying professional status through SheerID. Those who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew their subscription at a discounted rate each year. Prices are subject to change year to year.

Best for Instacart users: Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

An Instacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. You'll even get a free two-week trial to kick things off. If you time your trial to match up with the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on Peacock, you can watch it for free. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged the full amount. We recommend setting a calendar alert to remind you.

Best for Walmart shoppers: Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ $98 per year Get Deal

One of the best ways to score streaming services for free is by signing up for a Walmart+ membership. With a $98 Walmart+ subscription, you can choose either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential as a free perk — and you can switch every few months. Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Of course, you'll also get free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events.

SAVE $6,002: The 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $8,997.99, down from the list price at Samsung of $14,999.99. That's a huge 40% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV (98QN90F) $8,997.99 at Amazon
$14,999.99 Save $6,002   Get Deal

We have a big summer of sports and new TV shows on its way. From the World Cup matches to MLB games and a new season of The Bear on its way in July. Not to mention the summer sun has become somewhat unbearable. If you plan to spend time indoors watching your favorite movies, shows, and sporting events, you'll want to make sure your TV is up to the task. If not, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of May 19, the 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $8,997.99, down from the list price at Samsung of $14,999.99. That's a huge 40% discount that shaves $6,0002 off the price. It matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. It also comes with free professional wall-mounting service which usually costs $239.99.

SEE ALSO: The huge 100-inch Hisense U6 Pro Series TV is over $1,000 off at Amazon — save ahead of the World Cup

If your TV room can handle a 98-inch TV, is there a reason to not go big? With a glare-free design and a QLED display, the Samsung will do a great job when viewing in bright afternoon sun. Samsung also notes this model uses the brand's most advanced 4K AI processor for getting the best picture possible no matter what you're watching.

When it comes to watching sports or reading subtitles, the Samsung AI Motion Enhancer Pro is designed to smooth the motion of fast movements, reducing blue or any flickering that could cause issues. You also get Samsung's SolarCell Remote which recharged with a built-in solar panel or through USB-C if you're not getting enough sunlight.

Before this deal leaves Amazon, upgrade to the 98-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV. You'll be saving over $6,000 and getting free professional wall-mounting installation.

SAVE $100: As of May 19, get the Sonos Move 2 for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sonos Move 2 $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100   Get Deal

The weather is heating up, and that means it's time to start thinking about heading out for some summer fun. If you've got some summer outings planned this year, why not liven things up with a portable speaker? Take all your favorite music and podcasts with you wherever you go and share them with your whole crew. And if you're not sure which model to choose, we've got a fantastic one to pick up right now that's on sale.

As of May 19, get the Sonos Move 2 for $399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's $100 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The best speakers in 2025

The Sonos Move 2 brings bombastic sound to the table, with acoustic architecture that features two tweeters and deep bass thanks to its specially-tuned woofer. It uses automatic Trueplay tuning to optimize its sound for wherever you are to give you the best possible listening experience, which means up to 24 hours of playback on one charge.

Its casing is durable, shock absorbent, and rated IP56 to make sure you don't have to worry about accidental splashes or drops ruining the entire speaker. Its built-in handle also makes it easy to tote around if you want to take it with you on the go. Mashable's Stan Schroeder praised its as sounding "absolutely stellar" in his review, adding that it surpassed "most home speakers" he's heard.

If you're ready to take the plunge, be quick about it -- this speaker will likely go fast at this price, especially since it's prime portable speaker time with the gorgeous warm weather across the country.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book for Nintendo Switch 2 ultimately won me over and cemented itself as one of the more creative and original Switch 2 exclusives so far, but it definitely took some time to get there.

At first, I wasn't having a bad time while playing Yoshi's latest and most literary adventure, but it felt a little elementary. This game is eminently kid-forward (though not necessarily kid-focused), even more so than most Nintendo games, to the point where I found it more idly pleasant than truly engaging. But my patience with it was rewarded by about the halfway point, as Yoshi and the Mysterious Book does eventually unfurl into a smorgasbord of inventive and delightful ideas, the likes of which we're used to seeing from the best first-party Nintendo titles.

Its pacing is uneven and its structure is a bit odd, but Yoshi and the Mysterious Book leverages a toy box-like approach to game design and adorable visuals to create something that I think will be remembered reasonably fondly as an early Switch 2 exclusive years down the line.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo just announced a new Switch 2 bundle that lets you choose your own game Yoshi and the Mysterious Book's Mr. E is an instant icon Put this guy in Smash, please. Credit: Nintendo

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is not a narrative powerhouse, nor does it aspire to be, and that's OK.

Basically, a bunch of Yoshis find a cool, old leatherbound tome with a big mustache. This mysterious book is called Mr. E. The E stands for encyclopedia because, well, he's a living encyclopedia, with a bunch of worlds full of fantastical creatures hidden in his pages. Yoshi's job is to jump into those pages and study each creature; one creature equals one level, and discovering things about a creature rewards the player with stars, which accumulate to unlock more worlds. That light progression system most overtly game-y thing about Mysterious Book, but in my experience, it was almost impossible not to gather enough stars to move onto the next world. In other words, don't worry about it.

I should also mention that the player is given the option to name every creature after you finish its level, with a free text entry field that's bound by a censorship filter, of course. If you're not creative, though, you can just ask Mr. E, and he'll give the creature its canonical name.

Credit: Nintendo

When Yoshi hops into Mr. E's pages to document a creature (all of whom are cool, funky little freaks), Yoshi and the Mysterious Book very quickly becomes one of the most visually attractive video games of 2026 on any platform. Its illustrative backgrounds mesh well with character sprites that intentionally have fewer animation frames than you might expect, a la the Spider-Verse movies. Mysterious Book also smartly incorporates some 3D elements here and there, alongside a fun fictional font that appears in the background, making it feel like you really are inside a magical encyclopedia. As a nice bonus, no matter how chaotic some levels were, the game never faltered from a flawless 60 frames per second performance profile on my Switch 2.

Put another way, this game is just a firehose of color and personality at all times. Some of the later levels, in particular, really stand out visually thanks to enormous, bigger-than-the-screen creatures that look absolutely fantastic. Nintendo has a strong history of giving Yoshi games attractive art styles, and this one is one of my favorites. It's a shame, then, that the handful of cutscenes that take place outside Mr. E's confines are so plain and uninspiring to look at. It's not a huge deal, but it does stand out whenever you see it.

No two levels are alike

As I noted before, every creature gets its own level in Mysterious Book, and each level is essentially a tiny sandbox with one completely bespoke mechanic that you will (with limited exceptions) only encounter in that level. This is the magic of Mysterious Book: Each and every level reveals a new idea in its first few seconds, and almost all of the time, that idea is something that's fun to mess around with for anywhere between two and 10 minutes, with an emphasis on experimentation and discovery

For example, one early level involves stationary frogs with leaves on their heads. Try to eat one with Yoshi's signature long-ass tongue, and you'll earn a star for discovering that you can't. Jump on its head and you'll find out that each one sings a different note, earning you another star for discovering that. Bounce on several in a row without hitting the ground, and they'll belt out a recognizable melody, earning you a few more stars. If you're observant, you might notice one without a leaf on its head, and if you remedy that situation, you'll get some more stars.

Credit: Nintendo

Each level has one central objective to complete in order to mark it as finished, but for the most part, you're free to explore and mess around as much as you want. There's no fail state, Yoshi can't die, and there's almost never a time limit of any kind. Between all of that and the fact that these levels are often extremely short, Mysterious Book is lightweight, low-stakes, and incredibly digestible, perfect for a kid with insatiable curiosity or an adult without a lot of free time.

The most impressive thing about Mysterious Book is just how much mechanical variety it has to offer. Yoshi's moveset is limited to running, jumping, eating, carrying, and throwing, and the game gets so much more out of those basic actions than you'd expect. They managed to fit surfing, fishing, and a ton of other goofy little activities in here, again, each for the duration of one level and one level only. It's one of those games that gets more fun to play the more you realize that they probably had a lot of fun making it. I can't imagine many ideas were ever thrown out or dismissed entirely during development.

Just be patient with it This guy rocks. Credit: Nintendo

Like any game, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book has some foibles to contend with. For starters, not every level is good; I actually really did not like the fishing level because the minigame it's centered around is not even a little bit friendly to colorblind players. Puzzle solutions can occasionally be a little obtuse, and Mr. E's hints (available at the press of a button) aren't always the most helpful. There were a few too many occasions where I progressed simply by banging my head against a metaphorical wall for a few minutes.

More broadly, though, there are some structural issues to contend with here. I'll try to be as vague as possible about this, but there is a point where it really feels like Mysterious Book has reached its conclusion in a kind of limp and disappointing way, only to reveal that you're actually about halfway through the game. The good news is that almost everything after this point is totally killer. All of the best, most creative, and most out-there levels are beyond that threshold. The bad news is that the few hours prior to that sort of feel like one long tutorial, as the earlier levels can often feel pretty basic for an adult player.

But "basic" is not synonymous with "bad," nor should it be in this context. The early hours of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are pleasing enough, and everything after that is absolutely worth being patient enough to see. Nintendo has crafted something that really grows on you over time, saving its best for last for adults and certainly being great fun for the little ones the whole way through.

Don't let the fact that Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is not a flagship 3D Mario or Zelda game turn you away from its charms. It's really one of the more fascinating Switch 2 exclusives yet, even with its shortcomings.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on May 21. You can pre-order the game now for $59.99 from Amazon, Nintendo, and other retailers.

It's been almost seven years since a new Star Wars film hit movie theaters, but after watching Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, I think we should wait even more before giving it another shot.

It's not that I don't love to watch Star Wars on the big screen. I would just rather wait longer for a great, fresh Star Wars film to come along, and The Mandalorian and Grogu is certainly not that film.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer movie preview: Every film you need to know about now

The problem starts with the source material: TV series The Mandalorian. What began as a superlative space Western soon spiraled into a never-ending parade of references to other Star Wars stories, from the original trilogy to The Clone Wars to Rebels. The Mandalorian became nostalgia central, and a symptom of larger problems with Star Wars as a whole: The franchise is terrified to move beyond what fans already know. (Look no further than fans' reaction to The Acolyte, and the show's cancellation.)

That nostalgia is a tad less stifling in The Mandalorian and Grogu, which manages to weave in its fair share of former characters without totally hitting viewers over the head with it. However, the film is still a slog: an unwieldy adventure full of illegible action and the creeping sense of dread that we've seen this all before. Not even Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu's sweet bond can Force lift it to success.

What's The Mandalorian and Grogu about? Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Following The Mandalorian Season 3, The Mandalorian and Grogu sees Din and Grogu working for the New Republic. Supervised by Colonel Ward (an underutilized Sigourney Weaver), they hunt down Imperial warlords still in hiding.

Their first quarry in the film holes up in possibly the grayest, most underlit room in the entire galaxy, a location that doesn't quite raise your hopes for director Jon Favreau's vision. Thankfully, their quest for their next target, the mysterious Commander Coin, will take them to far more interesting (if still somewhat drab) locales, from a crime-ridden, neon-lit metropolis on Shakari to the gooey tunnels of Nal Hutta.

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

The latter is the home of the Hutt clan, currently ruled by the Hutt twins. (If you're keeping score of The Mandalorian and Grogu's references to other Star Wars properties, they showed up in The Book of Boba Fett.) These big ol' space slugs are willing to cough up valuable information to the New Republic, but only if Din can rescue Jabba the Hutt's very ripped son Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White) from the Shakari fighting pits. (Add another reference to the tally: Rotta's kidnapping was a key part of 2008's Star Wars: The Clone Wars film.)

If the thought of The Bear's White voicing a Hutt excited you, I'd advise you to lower your expectations. His voice is nearly unrecognizable, and his performance oddly flat. The dialogue he's saddled with does him no favors. Twice, he gives almost the exact same monologue about how hard it was to have Jabba as a father, and how the fighting pits helped him step out from his shadow. Did writers Favreau, Dave Filoni (also LucasFilm President and CCO), and Noah Kloor not think we'd get it the first time?

The Mandalorian and Grogu's action is underwhelming. Credit: Francois Duhamel / Lucasfilm Ltd

While we're on the subject of Rotta, let's get into the Shakari fighting pits. At one point, The Mandalorian sets up what should be an action slam dunk: an all-out brawl between Rotta, Mando, and the most dangerous creatures in the galaxy. What follows, though, is a confused slugfest with murky visuals, too many cuts, and no standout moments. Sure, each fighter gets a formidable introduction, but they ultimately lack individuality. (The film does get points for Rotta's barrel roll.)

This winds up being the rule and not the exception for The Mandalorian and Grogu's action sequences, especially group fights where Favreau struggles to keep up with multiple players. After a certain point, despite Ludwig Göransson's impressive score amping up the energy, these battles become chores, especially when they stack up in the movie's jam-packed third act.

A notable exception to this rule is the film's snowy opening, which pits Din and Grogu against a squad of AT-ATs. It's a dynamic leap back into Star Wars, but it's also too familiar. I mean, where have we seen AT-ATs in the snow before? It takes more than adding a cliff to your Empire Strikes Back homage to create something new.

The Mandalorian and Grogu still relies too much on nostalgia. Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

The Mandalorian and Grogu's opening isn't the only place where the film tries to tug at our Star Wars nostalgia. A later sequence involving X-wings does the same thing, as does the appearance of several characters from prior Star Wars titles, including the Hutts. Elsewhere, Rebels pilot Zeb Orrelios (voiced by Steve Blum) shuttles Mando on his missions, while The Clone Wars' bounty hunter Embo wreaks havoc in the film's second half. The movie assumes viewers have total knowledge of both, waiting until about the halfway mark to call Zeb by his name, and never truly introducing Embo at all. For the latter, this works fine. Even without knowing who he is, he reads as a menacing bounty hunter. Still, the fact that The Mandalorian and Grogu can't think to create a new formidable foe is what's truly disappointing here.

As a continuation of The Mandalorian, it also makes sense that the film picks up with Din and Grogu as they were by the end of Season 3. But there's very little growth, or establishment of any dynamic beyond standard "protector and protégé" to open the film. Yes, Grogu is adorable, and it's fun to watch Din toggle between hardened fighter and protective father figure. But for most of the movie, I craved more.

Featured Video For You Andy Serkis teases 'The Hunt for Gollum': 'It's not just a nostalgia film'

Thankfully, I got it in The Mandalorian and Grogu's third act. Here, Favreau, Filoni, and Kloor flip the script, and Grogu takes on a protector role. Throughout several nearly wordless scenes, he wanders a swamp in search of ways to help his mentor. It's a much-needed breather in a film packed to the gills with action, and it finally lets Grogu evolve from his usual state of precocious mischief-maker. (Don't worry, he's still cute as ever.) The swamp sequence also serves as a reminder of the remarkable craftsmanship that goes into bringing Grogu to life, the work of Legacy Effects. It's always on display, but sometimes it threatens to get lost in The Mandalorian and Grogu's muddled fights. During this contemplative stretch of the film, we truly get to take in every minute detail and every carefully executed motion.

Part of the reason this sequence works so well is that it finally addresses Din's main anxieties about Grogu's future. Grogu will outlive Din by many centuries, but how will his life look once Din is gone? The Mandalorian and Grogu dances around this question — which should be its emotional core! — for ages. But when it finally digs into it, it's too little, too late. Despite any worries the film may stir up, we know Din and Grogu will be a pair for as long as Disney will milk them. And anyway, this standout section must end to make way for an unremarkable climax.

Still, for those few brief minutes, The Mandalorian and Grogu finds greatness. In the end, though, the film sticks to Star Wars' current road map to the future. Paradoxically, that strategy is just "look to the past," and the galaxy is all the less fortunate for it.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22.

Insta360 has unveiled the Mic Pro, a new lapel mic with a customisable E-Ink display. It seems that while other companies have been shrinking their transmitters, Insta360 is making its mics' size a feature instead. 

Lapel mics have become ubiquitous among content creators, frequently appearing in videos as they're difficult to conceal while in use. DJI recently announced swappable magnetic covers for its own Mic Mini 2 transmitters, allowing users to at least customise their transmitter with a variety of colours. However, these covers still retain the company's branding, and have a limited number of hues to choose from.

Credit: Mashable edit: Insta360

The Insta360 Mic Pro's E-Ink display takes such customisation several steps further, giving users massive control over their lapel mic's look. Its customisable display enables you to completely remove the Insta360 logo and replace it with any image, from words and symbols to complex photographs. The Mic Pro does have outward-facing icons marking its power and record buttons, which seem unnecessary and disrupt users' chosen design. Fortunately, the vast majority of the transmitter's visible surface is still subject to your creative whims.

SEE ALSO: DJI launches the Mic Mini 2. But there's a catch.

In terms of build, the Mic Pro transmitter is slightly larger than its predecessor the Mic Air, and over double the weight at 19.7 grams without its attachment clip. The clip can be slipped off in favour of a magnet, though Mashable found that it took a surprising amount of effort to do so in our first look. Even so, users will likely prefer the magnet, as the transmitter's weight noticeably drags down shirt collars when using the clip. Both Insta360 mics offer up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, however the Mic Pro's new fast-charging storage case makes it easier to top up on the go. 

Credit: Insta360

Like the DJI Mic 3, the Insta360 Mic Pro has 32GB of onboard memory and can range from standard 24-bit audio files to 32-bit float internal recording. Insta360 states that the Mic Pro can record up to 22.2 hours of 32-bit stereo audio or 60 hours of 24-bit mono, with a 48kHz sampling frequency. It also has USB-C ports on the transmitters themselves, a feature we missed on the Mic 3.

Still, the Insta360 Mic Pro's biggest appeal is by far its E-Ink display.

How to change the Insta360 Mic Pro's E-Ink display Credit: Mashable

Changing the Mic Pro's E-Ink display is very straightforward and easy. Simply connect the transmitter to the Insta360 mobile app, and you'll be presented with a screen showing its current display, as well as information such as its current battery percentage and storage capacity. From here, you can tap "Custom Wallpaper" to either select from a variety of preloaded images or upload your own. 

After uploading your image, you can reposition and zoom in on it to ensure the Mic Pro frames it exactly as you'd like. You must also choose between using a detailed, lightly pixelated rendition of your chosen image, or to apply a filter which simplifies it into blocks of colour, intended for images such as simple logos. Mashable's testing found the former option looked better, as the simplifying filter tended to apply colour palettes that didn't reflect the uploaded image.

Once you finalise your choices, you can apply the custom display to the Mic Pro's E-Ink display. It will briefly flash yellow and black to refresh the screen as it does so in order to get rid of any ghosting, and then you're set. The image will remain in the Mic Pro's display until you change it, even after you've turned the transmitter off. 

Credit: Insta360

Your customised wallpaper will also be saved in the Insta360 app, so you can easily swap it in and out or apply it to other Mic Pro transmitters. The app allows you to give your wallpapers a text label for easy organisation as well, which you can choose to show on the Mic Pro's E-Ink display.

The Insta360 Mic Pro is available now at $99.99 for a single transmitter, $199.99 to add a receiver, and $329.99 for two transmitters and a receiver in a charging case.

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They say don’t meet your heroes. I say do.

Last week, my brother came to visit me from New Jersey. He’d been to my old apartment, but where I’m at now is new territory. He was losing his mind over my office, a sunroom I’ve filled with plants that are, against all odds, still alive. I was more than happy to let him snoop. It’s a space I’m proud of. He picked up a framed photo I have sitting on my desk. It captures the iconic moment Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi writes “The Note” (if you know, you know) at an internet cafe in Miami alongside her best friend Jenni “JWoww” Farley. He asked one simple question:

“Why?”

Easy reply.

“Working from home gets lonely. Snooki is my coworker.”

It was just a few hours later when I got an email with the title, “Interview opp: Snooki available Friday." And I swear I’ve never opened an email faster.

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

Snooki and JWoww have collaborated again, but this time, they aren’t roommates at an apartment in Jersey City. The two have partnered with Ninja to release a limited-edition SLUSHi Sundays kit. The first 100 customers who purchase the Ninja SLUSHi Twist on May 24 will receive Snooki and JWoww’s exclusive slushie recipes (plus some fun extra gifts like hats and cups) to keep your summer going the Jersey way. Perfect for moms on the go, party girls, slushie lovers, and dudes pushing 30 writing stories next to a framed photo of Snooki in their Chicago apartment.

As someone who grew up thinking Slurpees only existed at the 7-Eleven in Point Pleasant (and whose current drink of choice is the frozé at Sidetrack in Chicago), this was big news. I said yes to the interview, obviously.

Released on May 19, the Ninja SLUSHi Twist is a two-for-one, sort of like Snooki and JWoww in Seaside circa summer 2009. The machine has two 48-ounce vessels that can make around 10 or more drinks per batch. (Mashable reviewed the SLUSHi in 2024, rating it 4.6 out of 5 and giving it a Mashable Choice award.) This is great for kids and adults alike, because one side can be filled with Ron Ron Juice and the other with Ron Ron Juice sans vodka. Fun for the whole family. You can purchase this one for $399.99.

Ninja also has the Ninja SLUSHi XL, which is two times bigger and faster than the OG SLUSHi 2. It’s got a 128-ounce capacity that also makes ten or more drinks per batch. This one runs $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi Twist $399.99 at SharkNinja
  Shop Now Meet your heroes: Talking with Snooki about boozy slushies Credit: Ninja

The day after the premiere of the final season of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, I got on a call with my idol. I entered the Zoom sweaty at my underarms, tilted the camera up so Snooki couldn’t see, and waited. Then she entered. Sipping a slushie. Hungover. She’d had a viewing party the night before, so she and Jenni were, in her words, “dying today.” I asked her what was in her cup.

“Well, today we did pickles and mango with like, a million alcohols… it’s delicious. It’s a beautiful hangover drink.”

It’s not something my brain would have come up with, but I like the way hers works. (You can find the recipe for Snooki's Pickleback Twist on the Ninja website.) I pondered what boozy slushie I'd like, and all I could think was frozé, frozé, frozé, and realized I might have a serious problem. I asked her for some more ideas, and she told me lemonade and vodka, and separately, a fountain Diet Coke with vodka, because both are perfect for the boat. 

Kids drink first, though. Alcohol-free, so no mixing happens, she confirmed. Adults second. She says her kids are just as excited about the collab as she is.

When her kids came up, a light beamed through Snooki’s eyes. And through my pixelated laptop screen, which I realized I really needed to clean. She’s the mom of a teenager now, with her oldest having turned 13 last August. 

To that, she said, “Oh God, see this is why I’m really going to enjoy my SLUSHi machine.”

She told me that her husband grew up with a shore house but she didn’t have that luxury, opting instead for “gross, nasty hotels with roaches.” Something I understood to a T. I didn’t have a shore house either. But now she’s excited to give her kids memories she didn’t get. A shore house that’s packed with family. Cousins around all the time. Memories to be made that will last a lifetime. 

To that, I told her to lock her damn doors. In my older teenage years, my friends and I would sneak out and drive down the shore in the winter to throw parties in friends’ abandoned-for-the-season shore houses. And with a SLUSHi machine sitting in her shore house, there’s even more of an incentive to get down there. I felt my 17-year-old brain working on overdrive again. She’s not worried about that. She says it’s impossible.

“We have cameras everywhere. Once a door or window opens, an alarm goes off. They really can’t pull what I pulled.”

I wrapped up the call by inviting her to my 30th in Nutley, New Jersey, next month, and she can’t go. Which is a bummer. But Snooki is a busy lady. She has slushies to drink. And I get it. I have slushies to drink, too. She invited me to a future event somewhere in New Jersey, where we plan on making a slushie together. A weird one.

And when I showed her the framed photo of her on my desk, she had just one thing to say.

“Oh my God, we’re like coworkers!”

I thanked her for her time. I hung up. My brother was playing on his phone in my living room, legs kicked up on my coffee table.

“You’re sweating,” he said.

“I know.”

I changed my shirt. We put on our shoes and got Slurpees at 7-Eleven.

SAVE OVER $300: As of May 19, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop has been discounted to $549.99 at Amazon. This is $350 off its list price of $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V Robot Vacuum and Mop $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350   Get Deal

Amazon has been dropping some great early Memorial Day deals, and that includes some solid price drops on robot vacuums. If you've been searching for a model to bring home for extra cleaning help ahead of the summer months, this offer on the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is well worth checking out.

As of May 19, the Roborock Qrevo S5V (in both black and white) is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. Considering its full price is $899.99, this is a great opportunity to save $350 in Memorial Day sales. Amazon has it marked as a limited time deal right now, so this is the time to jump on it before the offer comes to an end.

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If you're dealing with pet hair scattered across your floors right now, dirt making its way inside, or food crumbs in the carpet, the Roborock Qrevo S5V features 12,000Pa suction to clear it all up. It even has a rubberized floating main brush and arc-shaped side brush that helps keep hair from getting tangled inside and slowing it down.

Pesky stains on harder surfaces in your home are handled thanks to the Roborock Qrevo S5V's dual spinning mops, which boast speeds of 200 rotations per minute. It even has an extendable mop arm that can reach into corners or around furniture legs. Plus, this robot vacuum also features obstacle avoidance technology that helps it navigate around any items in its way, from shoes to toys to cables and more.

If the Roborock Qrevo S5V has been on your radar, this is your chance to save at Amazon while Memorial Day sales are live.

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TL;DR: Amazon has the KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards Energy Edition Collector Box available for preorder at $22.49. The box includes five individually wrapped packs, with eight cards per pack, working out to about $4.50 per pack before tax.

Opens in a new window Credit: KAYOU KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards Energy Edition Collector Box (5 Packs) $22.49 at Amazon
Use the product page coupon for full discount. Get Deal

KPop Demon Hunters has already made the jump from Netflix hit to full-on collectibles craze, and now preorders for the official trading cards are starting to land at major retailers. 

As of May 19, Amazon has the KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards Energy Edition Collector Box available for preorder at $22.49. That gets you five individually wrapped Energy Edition packs, with eight cards in each one, giving fans 40 cards in total across 11 rarity levels for just under $23 — releasing on Aug. 31. 

That works out to roughly $4.50 per pack before tax, which is a budget-friendly way to get into the new KAYOU set, if you don’t want to jump straight to the bigger 12-pack Energy Edition box for $53.99 (out on July 14). 

Unlike the Classic Edition that’s made for general trading card lovers (with eight rarities and five cards per pack), the 11-rarity and eight-cards-per-pack Energy Edition is designed with collectors in mind — including several serialized rarities designed for superfans chasing the biggest pulls. 

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The standout cards are the SE cards, inspired by the song Golden, featuring premium laser-etched finishes and serialized birthday numbering from 1 to 366. There are also BP cards numbered from 1 to 999, capturing HUNTR/X in all-black stage outfits before the spotlight hits.

If you’re a trading card fan who’s been exploring other TCGs, try out Magic: The Gathering with the Final Fantasy Starter Kit for $20 — after a $5 price drop on Amazon. Pokémon fans can also score packs of the Perfect Order expansion for under $9. The Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is also available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

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There are few tech brands with as iconically cool branding as Marshall, and even fewer still with headphones that work as effectively as a fashion accessory as the Major V headphones. Yet, the on-ear headphones were missing a crucial feature: active noise cancellation.

As of May 19, Marshall is changing that, releasing a new pair of on-ear headphones with ANC: the Milton A.N.C. The headphones are available today for $229.99 on Marshall's website.

Marshall Milton A.N.C.: What's new

Prior to the release of the Milton A.N.C., if you wanted a pair of noise-cancelling headphones from Marshall, you'd have to go for the more expensive Monitor IIIs, which clock in at $379.99 (though you can usually grab them on sale for under $300). While I found the Monitor IIIs to be a great pair of headphones, especially for a solid blend of style, portability, and impressive battery power, they do feature a slightly different design than Marshall's iconic on-ear headphones, and aren't quite as compact.

The Milton A.N.C. (center) compared to the Monitor III (left) and Major V (right). Credit: Marshall

That's where the Milton headphones aim to fill a gap. For starters, at $229.99, they're more firmly on the low end of mid-range headphones. According to Marshall, the ear cushions will be larger for better passive noise cancellation and made with softer memory foam for more comfortable periods of extended wear. As someone who's tried the Major V headphones, I'm curious to see how those changes stack up, as I certainly felt the on-ear difference (it wasn't the most positive experience). A huge advantage of the on-ear design is that they are smaller, so you'll get max portability.

SEE ALSO: The Marshall Major V headphones claim to have 100 hours of battery life, so I put them to the test

Of course, the hallmark feature here is the adaptive active noise cancellation that is designed to adjust to environmental noise in real time. Marshall also introduces a new driver system to enhance the bass and treble.

Welcome as a hold over from the existing Marshall headphones is an impressive battery life. Marshall estimates you'll get some 50 hours with ANC on, and 80 hours of playback with ANC turned off. For comparison, the Monitor IIIs boast 70 hours of battery with ANC, but seeing as those headphones have more physical space for the battery, it makes sense that the life of these is a bit less. On the high end is the Major V with 100 hours of battery life, but as those have no noise cancellation, the triple digits make sense.

The press release for the headphones also notes that the Milton A.N.C. are repairable with a replaceable battery, which, depending on its cost and efficacy, could provide huge value for the headphones over time.

Marshall Milton A.N.C.: Just the specs

As for what else to expect with the Milton A.N.C., here's the overview:

• Battery: 50+ hours of playback with ANC, 80 hours without

• Noise cancellation: Adaptive ANC

• Microphones: 6 microphones for ANC and call quality

• Spatial audio: Yes, soundstage spatial audio with Marshall app

• On-ear controls: Customizable M button

• Bluetooth connection: Bluetooth 6.0

• Codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3, and LDAC

• Colors: Black and gold