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These Philips earbuds are down to a record-low price thanks to an Amazon coupon

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 11:08

SAVE 24%: As of May 14, you can get a pair of Philips wireless earbuds (TAT2159) for $37.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon. That's a 24% discount and a $12 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Wireless Earbuds (TAT2159) $37.99
$49.99 Save $12 Get Deal

If you’re in desperate need of affordable earbuds, Amazon’s got a pretty good deal on a pair of Philips right now.

As of May 14, you can get the Philips wireless earbuds (TAT2159) for $37.99, down from $49.99, at Amazon. That’s a 24% discount, translating to a total savings of $12. (Note: this deal is available through an on-screen coupon — make sure to clip it before adding the earbuds to your cart.)

These earbuds aren’t noise-canceling, but they do have 10mm dynamic drivers for crisp audio and punchy bass. So, what you might be giving up in external sound reduction, you’ll make up for in sound quality. You’ll also get about six hours of playtime without the case and eight with it. If you need a quick boost, a 15-minute charge will give you an hour of playback.

You can use them to make calls, too. The AI microphone filters out unwanted noise, so you come through loud and clear whether you’re at home or in a crowded place.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

The Soundcore Rave 3S AI party speaker is down to its lowest-ever price on Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:35

SAVE 14%: As of May 14, you can get the Soundcore Rave 3S AI karaoke party speaker (with two wireless microphones) for $299.99, down from $349.99, at Amazon. That's a 14% discount or a $50 savings.

Soundcore Rave 3S AI Karaoke Party Speaker with 2 Wireless Microphones $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for a way to take your backyard BBQs to the next level, might we recommend karaoke? Sure, it’s not everyone’s favorite activity, but a healthy dose of bad singing (and maybe a few cocktails) can turn any party into a memorable one.

And right now, you can get the Soundcore Rave 3S AI karaoke party speaker for $299.99, down from $349.99, at Amazon. That’s a 14% discount and a $50 savings. It’s also the best price we’ve seen across the web.

The Soundcore Rave 3S AI karaoke party speaker comes with two wireless microphones, 200W sound, and a built-in 6.5-inch subwoofer with three 2.5-inch full-range drivers. It also has customizable beat-synced LED lights to help set the vibe.

The coolest feature is the AI karaoke feature. It removes the vocals from songs on the fly to turn them into karaoke tracks. And, if you need a little help, you can add vocal effects, adjust the EQ settings, and add reverb via the Soundcore app.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

Save $55 on the budget-friendly iPad competitor Fire Max 11 tablet at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:29

SAVE $55: As of May 14, the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is down to just $174.99 at Amazon after sitting at the same sale price of $184.99 for months. That's a savings of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet (64GB) $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal

Most of Amazon's Fire tablets are just OK. The Fire Max 11, on the other hand, takes the Fire lineup to new heights. If you're looking for a new tablet that can almost compete with the iPad and won't cost a fortune, this is your guy.

As of May 14, the Fire Max 11 tablet with 64GB of storage is on sale for just $174.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of 24% or $55. It's also a welcomed price drop after sitting at the same sale price of $184.99 for months.

The specs on the Fire Max 11 are pretty maxed out (sorry). It features a crisp 11-inch display, which is the largest Fire tablet you can buy, plus an upgraded octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 8MP cameras that support 1080p video, WiFi 6 compatibility, and a 14-hour battery life. As Mashable's reviewer noted, it's also "blazing fast, making it a good alternative to pricier tablets for streaming and games." Just keep in mind that with just 64GB of storage, you may need a memory card for extra space — especially if you like to download games or movies for offline viewing.

The Max 11 is also the only Amazon tablet that's compatible with the magnetic keyboard case and made for Amazon stylus (both sold separately). With these on board, you can effectively turn this tablet into a small laptop. It is, like other Fire tablets, still limited by the Amazon Appstore, so be sure to check that the apps you need are available before pulling the trigger. Aside from that, we're huge fans, which is why we named it Amazon's best iPad competitor and our favorite budget tablet. Snag it while it's down to $174.99 for a steal.

The Philips Soundbar 2.0 just dropped to a new record-low price at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:26

SAVE $25: The Philips Soundbar 2.0 is on sale at Amazon for just $91.68 with the on-page coupon that takes $25 off the normal price of $116.68. That's a 21% discount and the lowest price we've spotted at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Soundbar 2.0 $91.68 at Amazon
$116.68 Save $25 Get Deal

Sitting down in front of a crisp OLED TV to watch your favorite show is something none of us take for granted. It's a chill time to relax and unwind. But the sound quality doesn't always match the picture quality. If your TV's built-in speakers aren't worth using, there's an upgrade at Amazon today that's under $100.

As of May 14, the Philips Soundbar 2.0 is on sale for just $91.68, marked down from the normal price of $116.68 with the on-page coupon that takes $25 off the price. That's a 21% discount and the lowest price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Outfit your home with a Samsung Soundbar for $170 off

Convenience with crisp sound is the name of the game with the Philips Soundbar 2.0. The 60W soundbar is designed to make your movie-watching experience better with clearer audio. Plus, the remote control allows you to quickly adjust the base and treble with no need to head into an app or your TVs settings.

Connect to the soundbar via Bluetooth 5.3, optical input, or USB. Plus, the Philips Soundbar 2.0 is Roku TV Ready which means you'll have a seamless set-up and connection process with a Roku TV.

The best headphones and speaker deals to shop this week

Instead of just getting by with your TVs built-in speakers that don't do movies justice, upgrade to the Philips Soundbar 2.0 while it's on sale for just $91.68. Your summer streaming sessions deserve the best in quality and price.

89 million Steam accounts reportedly leaked. Change your password now.

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:25

The account details of 89 million Steam users have reportedly been hacked.

Although how the breach happened is unclear, this is a good time to change your password and enable two-factor authentication.

The past Sunday, cybersecurity firm Underdark posted on LinkedIn about a data breach. That post was then picked up and widely spread by gaming-focused X user Mellow_Online1, as reported by tech outlet XDA. According to Underdark's post, "a threat actor going by Machine1337 posted on a well-known dark web forum claiming to have breached Steam, offering a dataset of over 89 million user records for $5,000."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This claim from Machine1337 reportedly also included a Telegram contact, a link to sample data, and internal vendor data "indicating deeper access."

The breach was believed to have come from a third party service, not directly from Steam. Initially, Mellow_Online1 thought it was from a vendor called Trillio. But Valve, Steam's parent company, confirmed to Mellow_Online1 that it doesn't use Trillio.

Details are hazy at this point. Mashable has reached out to Valve for confirmation and specifics of how the breach occurred and will update this story if we receive a response. In the meantime, Steam users are advised to change their password, turn on 2FA, check their email for any suspicious activity, and be extra vigilant about phishing scams that seem to be related to Steam.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook group lawsuit dismissed

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:22

An Illinois federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the "Are We Dating the Same Guy?" Chicago Facebook group and dozens of people.

Private Facebook groups like "Are We Dating the Same Guy?" aim to help (typically heterosexual) women avoid men who exhibit bad behavior like lying or ghosting. In some cases, multiple women in the group are dating the same man they met on dating apps — hence the group name. In one story Mashable reported on in 2023, a woman discovered her husband seeing other women across the U.S.

SEE ALSO: 2025's political climate is wreaking havoc on online dating

Last year, Chicago man Nikko D'Ambrosio sued Meta as well as women who dated him and their parents, women who commented on posts about him in the Facebook group, and moderators for the group, for defamation, invasion of privacy, doxxing, and more. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sunil R. Harjani tossed the complaint.

Harjani wrote that D'Ambrosio failed to allege any false statements, and none of the statements included would fit the per se defamation category (that the women's words were inherently damaging). Additionally, he also failed to allege that his photo was used for commercial purposes, which was required under his claim that the group violated the Illinois Right of Publicity Act.

Defendants Spill The Tea, Inc. (the owner and operator of the Facebook group) also explained that even if the women's statements were defamatory, they weren't actionable as opinions.

D'Ambrosio had a couple of opportunities to address these issues, but Harjani wrote that he didn't.

The Court also reviewed the statements D'Ambrosio provided about his actions while dating in Chicago, and found they weren't defamatory.

"While evident from his complaint that D'Ambrosio objects to the idea that women in Chicago, and nationally, have a private invite-only forum in which they are able to discuss and potentially warn other women against men's dating habits and that he personally detested being discussed in that group, the statements made about him do not amount to defamation, false light invasion of privacy, or [doxxing]," Harjani wrote.

"The comments about D'Ambrosio in 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' were subjective opinions, which even if D'Ambrosio dislikes, cannot amount to defamation."

The Pod 5 is Eight Sleeps first AI-powered sleep system

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 09:22

Eight Sleep's latest innovation is here: The Pod 5. Like the company's earlier versions of the Pod, it's designed to improve your sleep through temperature adjustments, elevation control, and biometric tracking. But the Pod 5 brings AI-powered tech into the mix this time around for even more in-depth, real-time biometric sensing that can change the way you sleep.

SEE ALSO: Eight Sleep's Pod 3 cooling mattress cover is clearly amazing, but it was as frustrating as it was functional

The Pod 5 system's four components work together to create an adaptive sleep experience, including the Pod cover (which goes on your mattress like a fitted sheet), blanket, base, and hub with a new integrated surround sound speaker that delivers noise-machine-like audio to calm your nervous system and encourage deeper sleep.

Each piece can be independently controlled using the Eight Sleep app. With the cover, you'll have the ability to adjust the temperature of both sides of your bed from 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees, and the blanket's new hydro-powered design extends that temperature coverage to give you double the cooling and heating effects. The base, which can fit seamlessly on your bed frame or be used freestanding with the optional leg kit, is adjustable to elevate your head for more comfort. It can also sense when you snore and adjust itself in response.

The Pod 5's hub (that holds water for cooling and heating) doesn't take up too much space. Credit: Eight Sleep

The most advanced addition, though, is Eight Sleep's new AI-powered coach called Health Check that can track your cardiovascular and respiratory health while you sleep — no wearable sleep tracker required. If the cover's embedded sensors notice that your heart rate or breathing is trending in an abnormal direction, you'll be alerted in the Eight Sleep app so that you can take preventive action.

The Pod 5 is available now on Eight Sleep's website, and starts at $2,849 (free shipping included).

Opens in a new window Credit: Eight Sleep Eight Sleep Pod 5 $2,849 at Eight Sleep
Shop Now

JetBlues Book It Before Its Hot sale has flights for just $59 each way

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 09:18

GET ONE-WAY FLIGHTS FOR AS LOW AS $59: The JetBlue "Book It Before It's Hot" sale runs through May 15, offering one-way flights for as low as $59. Travel between May 27 and Oct. 4 to get these deals, but blackout dates apply.

Opens in a new window Credit: JetBlue JetBlue's 'Book It Before It's Hot' sale One-way flights as low as $59 Get Deal

If you've been to the grocery store lately or tried to buy some fresh tech, you might have noticed things are more expensive. Of course, we're combating the never-ending rise in prices by shopping for the best deals because that's what we do. And today, there's a nice deal in store if you're in line for a vacation.

Until May 15, the JetBlue "Book It Before It's Hot" sale has one-way flights for as low as $59. You'll need to travel between May 27 and Oct. 4 to score these discounted flights, but keep in mind the sale price doesn't apply to flights that take off on Sundays, Mondays, or Fridays. Also be aware of blackout dates that span from July 3 to July 7.

SEE ALSO: Grab the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus power station on sale for under $100 and stay juiced up on the go

Scoring a one-way flight for under $60 feels like a deal that's simply too good to be true. These days, a meal out for two costs more than $60. Would you prefer a single meal that lasts maybe two hours, or jetting off to a new city for the weekend? If you're interested in travel, the JetBlue sale is undeniably a great deal.

During this sale, you can take off from Boston (BOS) and land in Savannah (SAV) for just $59 or head from New York (JFK) to Nashville (BNA) for the same price. The sale also extends to international destinations like Cancun, Mexico and Bermuda.

Keep in mind these sale prices apply to JetBlue's Basic Blue tier, which means you'll need to pay extra for checked bags or seat selection.

Instead of sitting at home this summer thinking a vacation wasn't in the budget this year, hop to it and book with the JetBlue "Book It Before It's Hot" sale and take off for as low as $59. The expansive network of JetBlue destinations awaits.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

Republican Bill to End E.V. Tax Credit Could Hurt G.M. and Ford

NYT Technology - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 09:15
A House Republican bill introduced this week would do away with tax credits that had encouraged Americans to buy electric vehicles and automakers to invest in new factories.

Score $70 off the Apple Watch Series 10 at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 07:58

SAVE $70: As of May 14, the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) is on sale for $359 at Amazon. That's down from its list price of $429, saving you 16%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) $359 at Amazon
$429 Save $70 Get Deal

There have been some great deals lately on a wide variety of Apple products. If you've had your eye on the brand's smartwatches, you're in luck as a few are still discounted to low prices. In particular, the Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale at Amazon right now, allowing you to pick it up for under $400.

The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) has received a 16% discount that has dropped its price from $429 to $359, allowing you to save $70. There are a few color options marked down to this price as well, so you can choose between the jet black aluminum case with a black sport band, the rose gold aluminum case with a light blush sport band, or the silver aluminum case with a denim sport band.

SEE ALSO: This is not a drill: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Whether you want it for working out or to just stay on top of your general health and wellbeing, the Apple Watch Series 10 boasts plenty of features to help you out. Not only does it include heart rate and sleep tracking, it also comes with a Training Load feature that helps you keep track of the intensity of your workouts, Activity Rings (which are useful for keeping track of calories and movement), and safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS. All of this comes on top of a bigger display than its predecessors and a comfortable design that you can easily wear on the go.

If you've been hoping to pick up the Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm), now is a great time to do it.

Another one of our favorite deals at the moment is also over at Amazon, where you can score the iPad mini for under $400.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

ZTEs new U.S.-bound phone is a teaser for the iPhone 18

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 06:25

China's ZTE's got a new flagship phone, the ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra, and it's coming to the U.S. So what does that have to do with the iPhone 18? Hear me out.

ZTE's phones don't always reach U.S. shores, which is a pity as the company has been producing excellent smartphones for more than a decade. The new ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra is a good example of that: It's an absolute powerhouse of a phone, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip inside, 12 or 16GB of memory, a triple, 50/64/50-megapixel camera sensor on the back, and a monster, 6,600mAh battery.

The phone has a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera that doubles as a macro camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. Credit: ZTE

And, according to Android Police, the Nubia Z70S Ultra will be available in the U.S., as well as Europe and other global markets.

From the back, the phone looks like a compact camera, and ZTE sells a Retro kit that actually makes it look just like a camera, with additional physical controls for photographers.

Less is more. Credit: ZTE

But the Nubia Z70S Ultra's biggest highlight is its display. It's a 6.85-inch AMOLED display with a 2,688 x 1,216 pixel resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and no camera cutout of any kind. That's right, the display is just an uninterrupted rectangle, with no notches, islands, punch-holes, or anything else that gets in the way of viewing. Add to that the super-slim bezels surrounding the display, and you get a phone that finally offers a zero-distraction display.

The optional retro kit really turns the phone into a compact camera. Credit: ZTE

The 16-megapixel selfie camera is there, of course, but it's hidden beneath the display — a technology that's been around for a while but somehow never reached the mainstream. Now, we've heard word that Apple is working on an under-display Face ID system for its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max phones, paving the way for an iPhone with a fully uninterrupted display. So, if you want to see what that's like, checking out ZTE's new Nubia phone is probably your best bet.

SEE ALSO: New leak gives fresh info on 'all-screen' iPhone

The ZTE Nubia Z70S Ultra is actually a lot cheaper than the iPhone, too: It starts at $780 (€770 in Europe), and there's a $40/€40 discount if you pre-order it by May 28, which you can do here.

The iPad mini is almost $100 off at Amazon right now — get it for under $400

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 06:22

SAVE OVER $99: As of May 14, the iPad mini (128GB, WiFi, A17 Pro) is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's down from its list price of $499, saving you 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) $399.99 at Amazon
$499 Save $99.01 Get Deal

If you've been looking to invest in an iPad, now is a good time to do it. The Apple iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip has received a very nice discount at Amazon that has dropped its price below $400.

The iPad mini (128GB, WiFi, A17 Pro) is currently on sale for $399.99. This is 20% off its list price of $499 and only $0.99 away from its lowest-ever price.

SEE ALSO: The new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are over $50 off at Amazon

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, this iPad mini packs plenty of power into a small build. It's a perfect portable pick to take on any trips you've got planned in the coming months. It has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and 128GB of storage so you can stock it up with plenty of apps to keep you busy. We even consider it the best iPad for reading.

Don't miss out on the iPad mini (128GB, WiFi, A17 Pro) for $399.99 at Amazon.

If you're curious to see tablet deals outside of Apple, you can also score a discount on the Fire HD 10 tablet at Amazon right now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Microsoft is laying off 3 percent of its people

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 06:09

It's been a bad few years for tech layoffs, and it looks like the trend is only getting worse.

On Tuesday, Microsoft confirmed a CNBC report that it will be laying off three percent of its workforce. Given that the tech giant had around 228,000 employees as of June 2024 (per the news outlet), that amounts to roughly 6,000 members of staff.

SEE ALSO: After mass layoffs, IRS to plug holes with AI

Microsoft reported better-than-expected results in its last quarterly report. In an email to Mashable, a spokesperson outlined that reducing layers of management and streamlining processes are some of the reasons behind the cuts.

“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace," the statement read.

These layoffs are just the latest in a long line that have rocked the big tech sector in recent years. A few months back Meta laid off a number of employees as part of a shift to AI, while last summer Intel laid off between 15,000 and 19,000 staff as part of an effort to hit $10 billion in cost savings for 2025.

It's only been two years since Microsoft itself laid off 10,000 staff members, reducing headcount by almost five percent in 2023.

This versatile roborock robot vacuum has dropped to its lowest-ever price on Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:20

SAVE $140: As of May 14, the roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $159.99 at Amazon. This is 47% off its list price of $299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop $159.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $140 Get Deal

With the weather getting warmer, the last thing you want to think about is cleaning when you want to spend time outside. If you're looking for a little extra help, a robot vacuum is a great investment. Thankfully, there are some awesome deals available right now on various models, including the roborock Q7 Max at Amazon.

The roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop has received a 47% discount at Amazon that's dropped its price from $299.99 to $159.99. Amazon currently has it listed as a limited-time deal, so there's no better time than now to add this to your virtual shopping cart and save some cash.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the only ones I'd buy in 2025

Boasting 4,200 Pa suction, the roborock Q7 Max will breeze across your floors picking up any dirt, dust, or hair. And with the mop, you can feel content knowing your harder surfaces are getting a deep clean as well. It also has a great battery life that can go up to 180 minutes on a single charge.

This limited-time deal may not last for long, so act fast to get 47% off the roborock Q7 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon.

Looking for more robot vacuum deals? Right now you can also save on the Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum at Amazon or you can score the Dreame L40 Ultra robot vacuum at an incredible discount.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

My favorite Garmin is on sale for over $100 off. Heres why I love it.

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:04

SAVE OVER $100: As of May 14, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is on sale for $373.07 at Amazon. That's a saving of 25% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 955 $373.07 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $126.92 Get Deal

Garmin is one of the most recognizable names in the fitness tracker game. With watches for lifestyle, beginner athletes, serious endurance athletes, and everything in between, you can find a smartwatch for all abilities and needs.

For runners, there's the beloved Forerunner range. And I can't help but share my love for the Forerunner 955, my favorite Garmin that's now on sale at Amazon. As of May 14, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is reduced by over $125, saving you 25% on list price. This deal is for the black, non-solar watch.

SEE ALSO: The best Garmin in 2025

The 955 has a lot to boast about. The tracking features and training tips are seemingly endless. My favorite features are the training readiness, training load, HRV, and sleep monitoring, so you can schedule your training according to your recovery and body readiness. If you love data like me, you'll love this watch.

The battery life is also incredibly impressive, and a welcome feature for anyone who likes to get up and run without planning a charge beforehand. It can last up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and up to 42 hours in GPS mode. The 955 also supports full GPS tracking, which makes runs, rides, and even open-water swims incredibly accurate. And for swimming, it has 5 ATM water resistance.

Unlike some of the newer models, it doesn't offer an AMOLED display. However, I've found that the colors are still vibrant and bright.

Head over to Amazon to grab this deal while it's still live.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

A.I. Was Coming for Radiologists’ Jobs. So Far, They’re Just More Efficient.

NYT Technology - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:00
Experts predicted that artificial intelligence would steal radiology jobs. But at the Mayo Clinic, the technology has been more friend than foe.

College Professors Are Using ChatGPT. Some Students Aren’t Happy.

NYT Technology - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:00
Students call it hypocritical. A senior at Northeastern University demanded her tuition back. But instructors say generative A.I. tools make them better at their jobs.

At LAX, Uber Drivers Wait. And Wait. And Wait.

NYT Technology - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:00
One of the busiest airports in the world used to be a prime place for gig drivers to earn money. Now, it’s typical of their increasing desperation.

Watch how an old Venus spacecraft tumbled before crashing to Earth

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:00

Before a Soviet-era spacecraft intended for Venus crashed back to Earth over the weekend, German astronomers watched it tumble through space. 

As Kosmos 482 took its last laps, a German radar station spotted the uncrewed landing capsule passing over its antenna. The station, the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR, has combined its observations with an image of a similar capsule to show the spacecraft's orientation and features in the radar reflection. 

The data, presented as a GIF farther down in this story, helped the European Space Agency track the probe in its final hours, though its final resting place — most likely a watery grave — is still unknown. 

If it indeed plunged into the Indian Ocean as some computer simulations have suggested, "only the whales and albatross saw it," said Dutch scientist Marco Langbroek in a post on X.

SEE ALSO: Stunning video reveals Jupiter's roiling auroras. See it now. A predecessor to the lost Soviet spacecraft, either the Venera 5 or Venera 6 capsule, is being prepared for launch in January 1969, in this still image taken from the film "The Storming of Venus." Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Getty Images

The Venera mission, which launched from Kazakhstan on March 31, 1972, failed long before the Soviet Union could attempt to touch down on Venus. Because of a propulsion problem, it never escaped Earth's orbit. A half-century later, the landing capsule was predicted to reenter the atmosphere. That day arrived on Saturday, May 10.

Space debris and expired satellites often fall back to Earth inconsequentially, mostly burning up on the way down. Whatever survives often plummets into an ocean, never to be found. 

This anticipated-yet-uncontrolled reentry was to be exceptional, though: It grabbed the attention of researchers and military officials because of its potential to survive the journey mostly intact. After all, the 1,000-pound spacecraft was built to withstand the harsh environment of an alien planet — the hottest in the solar system, in fact. Venus' climate could melt lead, and the atmospheric pressure is 75 times that of Earth.

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Watch the GIF of the tumbling Soviet spacecraft in the above X post. Credit: Fraunhofer FHR

Fraunhofer FHR was likely the last to see Kosmos 482. It passed about 62 miles overhead on May 10, at 8:04 a.m. CEST, according to the station.  When the object was not detected again one orbit later, at 9:32 a.m. CEST, researchers reasonably assumed the landing or splashdown occurred between those two times.

A tracking and imaging radar like the one used by the German station is a way to observe space, but it's not a telescope. It uses radio waves instead of light to study objects, such as satellites, debris, and meteors. 

Exactly where and when this Cold War space race relic died is unclear, as it seems there were no eyewitnesses to the fall. The Russian Space Agency Roscosmos said it plummeted over the Indian Ocean, west of Jakarta, Indonesia, at 9:24 a.m. Moscow time, according to a Telegram post, and NASA appears to be accepting of that data. Other reports, some based on earlier predictions, varied. 

The U.S. Space Command, which tracks reentering space objects, has not confirmed any reports or provided its own data on Kosmos 482. An information request from Mashable wasn't answered Tuesday.

This retro portable game console has all the classics pre-loaded

Mashable - Wed, 05/14/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Play thousands of games from Nintendo, Sega, and beyond on the Retropian handheld console, only $79.99.

Gaming used to be more portable. Sure, the Switch and Switch 2 are technically portable, but they’re kind of bulky, and that’s a pretty expensive piece of tech to be carrying around in a backpack all day. That’s why third-party portable consoles are finally becoming more popular. The Retropian is an excellent example because it looks like an old-school Game Boy with some modern improvements, including over 10,000 pre-loaded retro games across different generations of consoles. The best part is it’s still only $79.99 (reg. $129).

Portable gaming is back

The Retropian Color really leans into nostalgia, but it doesn’t feel like a cheap knockoff. Its 3.5-inch IPS display is sharp and colorful, so even pixel-heavy games from the ‘80s and ‘90s look great. Whether you’re diving into SNES classics, reliving your favorite PlayStation 1 games, or checking out obscure Sega titles, everything runs smoothly thanks to the open-source Linux system running behind the scenes. And if the preloaded library isn’t enough, you can expand it easily with a microSD card.

Remember when you used to carry around an extra set of AA batteries? Not anymore. The Retropian gives you up to six hours of play, which is more than enough for a long flight, road trip, or lazy afternoon on the couch. Charging is fast and easy with USB-C, so you’re not stuck waiting forever to get back in the game.

Multiplayer is another cool bonus. The console has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you can link up with friends for some classic two-player action. And despite its small size, it feels solid in your hands, with a familiar button layout that makes switching between old Nintendo, Sega, and arcade titles feel natural.

Bring your favorite games with you anywhere.

Get the Retropian Color Handheld Gaming Console while it’s on sale for $79.99.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Retropian Retropian Color Retro Handheld Gaming Console $79.99
$129 Save $49.01 Get Deal

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