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If one was to just listen to Elon Musk, they might think the first Neuralink implant in a human was a flawless achievement.

"Successful 100 days with first human implant of @Neuralink," Musk posted to his social media platform X on Wednesday.

It is fair to call Neuralink's first human implant a success – certainly more successful than some of the test animals that Neuralink had implanted the device in – as it helped a quadriplegic patient interact with his surroundings in ways that he previously couldn't before. 

But, this success certainly wasn't without at least one major bump in the road. And, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, it appears that Musk and company may have only divulged these problems to the public due to the outlet inquiring about the issue.

SEE ALSO: Neuralink's first patient can play chess using only his mind Neuralink's implant problem

Neuralink's report, which the Wall Street Journal said was published only after they had reached out to the company, looks at the first 100 days of the brain implant in the company's first test subject, 29-year-old Nolan Arbaugh who was paralyzed from the shoulders down after an accident nearly a decade ago.

Neuralink had previously shown a demonstration of Arbaugh playing Chess and video games like Mario Kart and controlling a mouse with his mind, all thanks to Neuralink's brain implant.

However, until this report on Wednesday, the public had not been informed of a problem that resulted in Neuralink even considering removing the implant. Some of the implant's "threads" placed in Arbaugh's brain had come out resulting in data loss.

The Neuralink microchip, which is implanted in the patient's brain, contains 1,024 electrodes across 64 electrode threads or thin film material. These threads are thinner than a strand of hair and can basically transmit signals to the brain's neural network.

While Arbaugh's health was never in any danger, the issue led to a "reduction in bits-per-second" or how fast and accurate Arbaugh was able to control his computer with his brain.

Neuralink's own report on its 100 successful days after the implant doesn't spend too much time on the details. It's all wrapped up in a single, four-sentence paragraph.

"In the weeks following the surgery, a number of threads retracted from the brain, resulting in a net decrease in the number of effective electrodes," Neuralink writes in its post. "This led to a reduction in BPS. In response to this change, we modified the recording algorithm to be more sensitive to neural population signals, improved the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhanced the user interface. These refinements produced a rapid and sustained improvement in BPS, that has now superseded Noland’s initial performance."

According to the Wall Street Journal report, Neuralink is working on the issue so that it hopefully does not happen in future implants. The belief is that the threads retracted due to "pneumocephalus," a condition where air became trapped inside Arbaugh’s skull after his implant surgery. This caused some of the threads to become disconnected.

Again, obviously things could have gone a lot worse and the Neuralink's first implant thus far can be considered a successful endeavor. However, based on the company's alleged history of concealing information, including the reports of monkey deaths related to Neuralink implants, it's crucial that both the positive and negative aspects are transparently disclosed.

OpenAI is open to allowing NSFW responses generated by ChatGPT and its API, but porn is a hard no.

On Wednesday, the company published a Model Spec, a document that pulls the veil back a little bit on how the models are trained to respond to various prompts. In the Spec, OpenAI shared rules for how ChatGPT and the API are directed to respond, including prompts for breaking the law, questions about chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) threats, and yes, prompts for explicit content.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's GPT-5 release could be as early as this summer

OpenAI's current policy bans NSFW content. But just below its policy statement, OpenAI noted that it is "exploring whether we can responsibly provide the ability to generate NSFW content in age-appropriate contexts through the API and ChatGPT." The reasoning is "developers and users should have the flexibility to use our services as they see fit" as long as they adhere to OpenAI's policies. So NSFW content is not allowed now, but it might be in the future.

But that doesn't mean all NSFW content might be allowed. "We have no intention to create AI-generated pornography," an OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable. "We have strong safeguards in our products to prevent deepfakes, which are unacceptable, and we prioritize protecting children. The spokesperson continued, "we also believe in the importance of carefully exploring conversations about sexuality in age-appropriate contexts," which lines up with the note in the Model Spec.

The wording about NSFW content was brief and slightly ambiguous, leading some to speculate that OpenAI might soon allow users to generate AI porn. The only mention of specific types of NSFW content was in the statement about what AI models should not provide responses for: "The assistant should not serve content that's Not Safe For Work (NSFW): content that would not be appropriate in a conversation in a professional setting, which may include erotica, extreme gore, slurs, and unsolicited profanity." The notable omission of "pornography" initially generated confusion over what was allowed or soon to be allowed.

Porn in the generative AI era has potentially dangerous and disastrous consequences because of the threat of nonconsensual deepfakes. A 2023 study from cybersecurity firm Home Security Heroes found that 98 percent of all deepfake videos were pornography, and 99 percent of the subjects were women. Even Taylor Swift, a powerful and recognizable celebrity, was the victim of a rash of viral pornographic deepfakes, underscoring the issue's prevalence and highlighting the disturbing notion that it could happen to anyone.

There's a new iPad Pro and it might be more powerful than the most powerful MacBook Pro.

At least, that's what Geekbench says. According to the popular benchmarking software's website (as spotted by MSPowerUser) the new iPad Pro's single and multi-core scores are 22 and 25 percent faster than the 2023 MacBook Pro. It should be noted that the new iPad starts at $999, while the MacBook is a full $1,000 more than that.

SEE ALSO: What's missing: 6 features the new iPad Pro 2024 doesn't have

Of course, there's a reason the tablet has a higher Geekbench score than the laptop: the M4 chip powering it. Apple's latest in-house silicon debuted in the new iPad Pro, and it's not really surprising that M4 would be faster than the M3 Pro chip powering the MacBook Pro. At least, not on paper, but a tablet being more powerful than a laptop is still pretty cool.

Apple first confirmed the existence of the new iPad Pro during an event on Tuesday. It comes in 11-inch and 13-inch models, features an OLED screen for the first time, and is being marketed as Apple's thinnest ever device. And on top of all that, it might be more powerful than the best MacBook Pro.

New 'Doctor Who' villain Jinkx Monsoon revels her fandom of Michelle Gomez and where she drew her inspiration from for 'Maestro'.

TikTok is taking another stab at curbing the rise of AI-generated misinformation taking over social media platforms, as it announces a new way its watermarking (or labelling) AI.

The platform announced today that it is joining the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), a nonprofit-backed project to align tech and social media companies on best practices for what is known as "content provenance," or the "basic, trustworthy facts about the origins of a piece of digital content."

While TikTok already labels AI-generated content (AIGC) made using its own AI effects, and requires users to label their own uploaded AI content, the new policy will apply automatic oversight to content made offsite. TikTok's stated intention with the collaboration is for an auto-labeling system to read Content Credentials in order to parse an image or video's metadata and quickly identify it as AI-generated.

The platform also said it would begin attaching Content Credentials to TikTok content itself, so that others can learn when, where, and how the content was made or edited. It's now the first social media company and video platform to sign on to Adobe's Content Credentials standards, Fortune reports.

SEE ALSO: TikTok sues the U.S. government over ban

"While experts widely recommend AIGC labeling as a way to support responsible content creation, they also caution that labels can cause confusion if viewers don't have context about what they mean," the company wrote in its announcement. "That's why we've been working with experts to develop media literacy campaigns that can help our community identify and think critically about AIGC and misinformation."

TikTok will also release 12 new media literacy resources created alongside the Poynter Institute's Mediawise, a youth-focused fact checking project, and WITNESS, a human rights organization that teaches civilians how to use tech to record and protect themselves. WITNESS also provides guidelines and advice for discerning deepfakes and other AI threats.

Other tech platforms, similarly flooded with the products of generative AI, have taken their own paths toward better labeling and watermarking. Meta announced new AI content labels in April. Not long after, Snapchat announced it was adding an automatic, but user-visible, watermark to all content created using its in-house AI tools. The transparent Snapchat logo watermark is added to images once they are downloaded to a device or exported off the platform.

TikTok, meanwhile, launches these intended AI protections within a flurry of attention aimed at the platform's role in global organizing and its potential impact on the upcoming presidential election. The new policies also come in the midst of the company's last ditch effort to save the app's place on U.S. phones, including a recent lawsuit against the U.S. government for its Biden-approved ban.

SAVE $99.01: As of May 9, get a pair of Apple AirPods Max for $449.99, down from $549. That's a savings of 18%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Thinking about investing in a new pair of over-the-ear headphones? There are tons of great options out there, but if you regularly use Apple devices, you might want to stay within that ecosystem. In that case, the AirPods Max are a formidable option for you that you can opt for over AirPods. And right now, you can shave some nice savings off their hefty price tag.

As of May 9, you can get the AirPods Max at Amazon for $449.99, which is reduced from their list price of $549. That's $99.01 off and a discount of 18%. This price is only $20 more than their lowest price ever, and it's still a great deal if you want to try out these luxe cans.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024

You get what you pay for with Apple's most expensive pair of headphones. There's fantastic active noise cancellation, which has become a staple for Apple headphones, so they sound great no matter where you are. They also offer a transparency mode option, should you need to be able to hear what's going on around you.

Like the AirPods Pro, they also offer spatial audio support for total musical immersion with dynamic head tracking. And let's not forget they look pretty cool, too, with a cooling knit mesh headband and cushy ear cups to boot.

If you've had your eye on these unique-looking headphones for a while, it might finally be time to get a pair. Be sure to do so while they're on sale.

Three beach cleaning robots have been deployed to help clean pollution in Lake Tahoe.

UPDATE: May. 9, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest robot vacuums on sale during the first half of May, including 50% off the Roomba Combo j5 and new all-time-lows on several self-emptying Eufy models.

A quick look at the best robot vacuum deals for mid-May: Best budget deal Eufy L60 $199 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best self-emptying deal Shark Matrix RV2300S $299 at Walmart (save $200.99) Get Deal Best vacuum-mop combo deal Eufy X9 Pro $549.99 at Amazon (save $350) Get Deal

Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don't have time. Whether you detest the chore or hope to make your home upkeep a bit breezier, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum Best non-mopping robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix RV2300S ¤299.00 at Walmart
¤499.99 Save ¤200.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Bring home both automatic emptying and smart mapping — two major features that keep you from having to babysit a robovac — for less than $300 with the Shark Matrix RV2300S. Shark's most "basic" Matrix model is also capable of entering Matrix mode, where the vacuum creates a virtual grid and vacuums in a crosshatch pattern to loosen and lift debris from multiple angles. The chic gray color scheme is also unique in a world of black-and-white robot vacuums.

More robot vacuums (that don't mop) on sale

• Ionvac SmartClean 2000 — $68.99 $129 (save $60.01)

• iHome AutoVac Juno — $79 $199.99 (save $120)

• Eufy L60 — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Roborock Q5+ with self-empty station — $359.99 $699.99 (save $340)

• Eufy Clean X8 Pro with self-empty station — $399.99 $649.99 (save $250)

Best robot vacuum and mop hybrid deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X9 Pro $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350.00 Save with Prime Get Deal Why we like it

Eufy's X9 Pro debuted in fall 2023 and sits right in the sweet spot between the X8 Pro (on sale for $399.99) and the X10 Pro Omni (a CES 2024 debut that goes for nearly $700 on sale). As of May 9, use code EUFYX9PRO at checkout to knock the sale price to $549.99.

The X9 Pro is more reminiscent of its pricier successor: It has a flat edge to get into corners, it mops, washes, and dries its own mopping pads, and uses AI to detect and avoid small obstacles like phone cables. As a mopper, the X9 Pro provides more elbow grease than many competitors thanks to double-pressurized, rotating mopping heads. These automatically lift above the ground if carpet is detected.

More robot vacuum hybrids on sale

• Yeedi Vac 2 Pro — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100 with on-page coupon)

• Eufy G30 Hybrid with self-empty station — $249.99 $429.99 (save $180)

• iRobot Roomba Combo j5 — $299 $599.99 (save $300.99)

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 — $299.40 $449.40 (save $150)

• Shark IQ 2-in-1 RV2402WD — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ — $349 $549.99 (save $200.99)

• Ecovacs Deebot N10+ with self-empty station — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 with XL self-empty station — $399.60 $699.60 (save $300)

• Roborock Q8 Max — $429.99 $599.99 (save $170 with on-page coupon)

• Roborock Q7 Max+ with self-empty station — $459.99 $869.99 (save $410)

• Roborock S8 — $499.99 $749.99 (save $250)

• Roborock Q8 Max+ with self-empty station — $579.99 $819.99 (save $240)

• Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni with self-empty station — $649 $1,099.99 (save $450.99)

• Eufy X10 Pro Omni with self-empty station — $679.99 $799.99 (save $120)

• Roborock Q Revo with self-empty station — $679.99 $899.99 (save $220)

• iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ with self-empty station — $699 $1,099.99 (save $400.99)

• Yeedi M12 Pro+ with self-empty station —  $799 $1,099 (save $300 with on-page coupon)

• Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni with self-empty station — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)

• Roborock S8 Pro Ultra with self-empty station — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)

SAVE $69.01: As of May 9, get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for just $179.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 28%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $179.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $69.01 Get Deal

Spring is a great time to head outside, walk around the block, and listen to some of your favorite songs. Maybe you want to get caught up on all the diss tracks rapper Kendrick Lamar has released with Drake in his sights. Or you might still be digesting Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Society. Whatever the case may be, make sure you have a great pair of headphones to do it with. You can get some excellent earbuds for less right now, as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) are on sale for a price that's just a smidge away from their lowest price ever.

As of May 9, you can get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for $179.99 at Amazon. That's $69.01 off their list price of $249 and a discount of 28%. You can also get these earbuds for the same price right now at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

SEE ALSO: The Beats Studio Buds are back down to their lowest price ever

These are the best AirPods on offer, and they come boasting fantastic active noise cancellation as well as overall great sound. Their support for spatial audio make them a superb choice for immersing yourself in your favorite songs, and they also offer Transparency Mode, which lets in outside noise for when you need to hear what's going on around you.

With four pairs of included silicone tips to help you find the right fit, a lengthy battery life, and a charging case for additional juice when you need it, you can't go wrong with these buds. If you're an Apple device user, you'll also love their seamless connectivity.

Mother's Day is coming up, so these AirPods could make a good last-minute gift, or you can get a pair for yourself. Whoever these AirPods are for, they'll be hearing their music in a whole new light.

SAVE $130: Snag a refurbished Dyson V11 at Walmart for $289.99. That's $130 off the normal price of $419.99 and a discount of 31%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V11 Outsize cordless vacuum (refurbushed) $289.99 at Walmart
$419.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal

Dyson makes some of our favorite vacuums. With their slim, stylish designs and powerful engines, there's a lot to love about these machines. One thing not to love? Their steep price tags. So when we catch wind of a Dyson deal, we're all ears.

As of May 9, you can find a refurbished Dyson V11 Outsize cordless vacuum at Walmart for just $289.99, knocking 31% off its normal price of $419.99. That's $130 of savings on a model that works like new.

SEE ALSO: The best Dyson vacuums: A guide to the latest versions of stick, ball, and handheld cleaners

Sold and certified by Dyson, the V11 Outsize is guaranteed to perform like it's fresh out of the box. The Outsize model provides a full-sized vacuum head and dustbin compared to the more compact standard V11, perfect for those who need a heavy-duty cleaning tool (without a heavy weight; it's 6.68 pounds). The torque engine provides powerful suction, so it won't miss a spot anywhere in the house.

The V11 Outsize comes with several tools to help you clean whatever and wherever you need to, including a crevice tool and a hair screw tool, and automatically detangles hair so you don't have to get your hands dirty. It's a high-tech option too, with a luminous LCD digital display. The screen shows estimated run time (up to 60 minutes on a single charge) and maintenance alerts, giving you all the information you need to keep it running.

You can shop the Dyson V11 Outsize for a great price at Walmart. Buy now for $289.99 and save $130.

If you're meeting up with friends, sharing your location is a hell of a handy way to save you screeching into your phone, "Wait, what can you SEEEEEE?" Switching on Find My has become a staple of Gen Z friendship and location sharing through various apps has long functioned as all-ages safety method, though Taylor Swift's continued location sharing with her ex had us perplexed — you can (and probably should) turn that off.

As of January 2024, Google Maps now allows you to share your location right there in the app on Android or iOS.

As Google notes, when sharing your location on Google Maps you may get a warning for a few reasons, including your age (if you're under 13 you can't set up a Google account, and if you're under 18 you can't share your location for longer than 24 hours), or whether your account is managed by a parent or guardian in the Family Link app.

SEE ALSO: Does your partner really need to know your location all the time?

You should also be aware that when you share your location on Google Maps, the person you're sharing with will be able to see details beyond your location including your name, photo, how much battery you have left, and (if you've chosen to share it) your estimated arrival time. So just keep that in mind.

Of course, there's a darker side to sharing your location, so it's completely up to you who you choose to share your location with and how long for. And never, ever share your location on a dating app.

So, now you've got all the info, there are two ways to share your location on Google Maps: One when your friend has a Google account and one when they don't.

How to share location on Google Maps (if your friend has a Google account) Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone or Android
• Google Maps app
• Google account

Step 1: Add your friend's Gmail address to Contacts (if you haven't already).

Step 2: Open Google Maps.

Make sure you're signed into your Google account.

Step 3: Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.

Step 4: Tap "Location sharing".

You'll be sent to a screen that introduces the location sharing function, where Google notably says, "Your location is updated even when the app is not in use." Be aware of that.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Google Maps

Step 5: Tap "Share location".

Step 6: Tap the person you'd like to share your location with.

You can scroll through the contacts that appear and pick one of them, or tap "more" to see more options. Here, you can also decide how long you'd like to share your location, whether one hour or "Until you turn this off".

Step 7: To request this person to share their location with you (only fair), tap on their name and tap "Request".

The person will receive a notification in their Gmail asking them to share their location — they need to do this within the Google Maps app. Your email will be shared with that person to help them identify you. The request will be greyed out until they accept. Once they do, you can tap their profile pic and Google Maps will show you their location.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Google Maps

Step 8: To stop sharing, simply tap "Stop" within Google Maps under their name.

You can also block another person’s account if you need to.

And now for those who don't have Gmail...

How to share location on Google Maps (if your friend doesn't have a Google account) Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone or Android
• Google Maps app

Step 1: Open Google Maps.

Make sure you're signed into your Google account (your friend doesn't have to be).

Step 2: Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.

Step 3: Tap "Location sharing".

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Google Maps

Step 4: Tap "More options" under your contacts.

Step 5: Tap "Copy" to add the link to your clipboard.

Step 6: Drop the link in whichever messaging app you use.

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Google Maps

Step 7: To stop sharing, simply tap "Stop" within Google Maps under "Sharing via link".

In a neat feature for punctual folks, but a terrible idea for those who like to send the ol' "just leaving" text as you're getting in the shower, you can also share your estimated time of arrival within Google Maps.

Simply punch in your location into Google Maps search, select your transport method, and start navigation.

Once you're up and away, tap the navigation menu at the bottom of the screen (where it says how long it'll take) and tap "Share trip progress". You can then pick which of your contacts to share it with or choose to copy it from "more options" and send it via messaging app.

While you're here, we've got guides for how to turn your location off and on with your iPhone, how to download Google Maps, how to turn on 3D buildings in navigation, how to save locations, and other Google Maps tips and tricks.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Kindle Unlimited Free for 3 months (save $35.97) Get Deal BEST KINDLE DEAL Kindle Scribe $239.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST LAPTOP DEAL ASUS Vivobook Go 12 L210 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $179.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon (save $99.01) Get Deal

Between Mother's Day sales, leftover Pet Day discounts, and early Amazon Book Sale deals, the savings are through the roof this week at Amazon. We've gathered up a few of our top picks for you to shop on May 9, including brands you know and love like Kindle and Apple.

Here are the best Amazon deals of the day. Make sure to check back at our top picks for May 8 as well — a few of those are still live.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon deal of the day: Kindle Unlimited 3 months for free (save $35.97) Get Deal

Want to read more books? Kindle is offering a three-month membership for free as part of the Amazon Book Sale. It would usually run you $11.99 per month, so that's $35.97 in savings. Despite the name, a Kindle Unlimited account does not require a Kindle. You can enjoy the over 4 million digital titles from your phone, tablet, or Kindle e-reader. You'll have access to best-selling books, the newest popular series, and all of the classics in multiple formats (yes, even audiobooks). Three months gives you plenty of time to test the waters before deciding whether or not to keep your membership going and pay the monthly fee.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Scribe (16GB, Basic Pen) $239.99 at Amazon
$339.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you really want to double down on your reading habits, pair your free three-month Kindle Unlimited membership with a new Kindle Scribe. Also part of the Amazon Book Sale, the Kindle Scribe (16GB, Basic Pen version) is on sale for just $239.99 — that's $100 off and matches its all-time low price. As Mashable's Alex Perry noted in his review, the Kindle Scribe is not a perfect device. However, it does manage to bridge the gap between traditional reading and e-reading by including a stylus to mark up books to your heart's content.

Read our full review of the Kindle Scribe.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Vivobook Go 12 L210 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Need a laptop for everyday tasks that won't break the bank? The ASUS Vivobook Go 12 is an affordable pick that weighs just over 2 pounds and packs a variety of convenient features for on-the-go work and play. It'll last you up to 12 hours on a single charge, can lay flat for sharing purposes, thanks to a 180-degree hinge, and includes a touchpad that doubles as a number pad. The specs aren't top notch (Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB SSD), but this isn't a laptop meant for your heavy duty tasks anyway. As of May 9, it's on sale for just $179.99 — that's 22% in savings and its first price drop since release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods Max $449.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal

Apple's uber expensive AirPods Max are back down to their Black Friday price of $449.99. That's not the lowest price they've ever been — that honor would go to the $429 deal from Sept. 2022 — but it's still a sweet $99 discount. Upon release at the end of 2020, the AirPods Max were praised by former Mashable tech reporter Branda Stolyar for their "excellent audio quality, easy-to-use controls, and good battery life." They have some fit issues that can make them hard to wear for hours at a time, but if they snugly fit on your noggin, you can't go wrong.

Read our full review of the AirPods Max.

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

SAVE UP TO 90%: Shop Amazon's selection of Kindle e-books and score up to 90% off on select titles.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Save up to 90% on Kindle e-book titles Get Deal

If you run through books like days of the week, it could be the perfect time to stock up on reading material for the summer. Amazon's got great deals on Kindle reads that might catch your eye today.

As of May 9, hundreds of Kindle e-books are marked down by as much as 90% at Amazon. You'll find discounted titles in genres like nonfiction, mystery, thriller, romance, sci-fi, and more ahead of the Amazon Book Sale, which kicks off May 15.

SEE ALSO: Get three free months of Amazon's Kindle Unlimited and read to your heart's desire

If you've exhausted your list of books to read or you feel like adding to your ever-expanding digital library, today is a great day for those who read Kindle editions of digital books. You can score epic discounts on hundreds of titles in every genre (children's books, cookbooks, biographies, novels, and more) from authors including Viola Davis, Meghan Quinn, Dean Koontz, David Sedaris, and many others. You can read Kindle editions through the Amazon Kindle app which works on compatible phones or tablets.

If you don't yet have an e-reader device, Mashable's favorite version is the Amazon Kindle Signature Edition, plus the Kindle Scribe is on sale for its lowest price ever today. But if you'd rather not snag a Kindle right now, you can still cash in on the deeply discounted books.

There's something for every type of reader in today's Kindle book sale.

SAVE $35.97: As of May 9, get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free when you sign up for a subscription.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Unlimited (3 months) $0.00 at Amazon
$35.97 Save $35.97 Get Deal

Trying to squeeze more reading into your day-to-day life, but not quite sure how? A Kindle Unlimited subscription could be just the thing. You can access millions of digital books, audiobooks, magazines, and more from Amazon all for a flat fee of $11.99 monthly — but you can get a subscription completely free right now.

As of May 9, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free (regularly $35.97) when you sign up for a subscription. Cancel anytime, and if you continue with the subscription after your free trial, you'll pay just $11.99 per month. There are no contracts or fees to cancel — just remember to do so before your three-month trial is up to avoid getting charged.

SEE ALSO: Get early access to the Amazon Book Sale and save 29% on the Kindle Scribe

A Kindle Unlimited subscription nets you hours and hours of reading and listening for free. There's plenty of reading material to choose from, including new releases and even some manga, which can all be downloaded straight to your Kindle devices or read online or on your phone. Whether you want to catch up on Colleen Hoover's multiple best sellers or see what's going on in the world of magazines these days, there's so much to discover here.

Summer is a great time to relax and get some reading in, especially since you can save big on a Kindle Unlimited subscription when you join right now – how does free sound?

Save $25: Crocs Baya clogs are now 50% off at Walmart. For $24.99, get a new pair of Crocs just in time for summer. At this price, you may as well pick up two pairs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crocs Crocs Unisex Baya Clog Sandals $24.99 at Walmart
$49.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

With the warm weather finally here, toss your boots to the back of the closet and let your feet breathe. As you get ready to hit the beach or spend hours in the garden, a pair of Crocs Baya Clogs are the ultimate companion.

Normally $49.99, these Crocs are now $24.99 at Walmart. That's a major discount, slashing the price in half. They're available in 18 colors and a wide range of unisex sizes.

SEE ALSO: Gardening season is here — shop the best deals now

These lightweight, foam shoes are comfortable and supportive. The ventilation provides nice airflow since we all know things get a little sweaty in summer.

Plus, they're great water shoes. Wear them to the beach or pool, and the hole-y design drains out water rather than trapping it. If one of the shoes drops into the water, its buoyant, so you won't need to throw on goggles and go diving. Crocs also make great gardening shoes. After a day in the mud and dirt, hose off these durable clogs to wash grime away.

Get the Crocs Baya Clogs at Walmart for just $24.99 (save 50%).

Between the tear-jerking journey of super-sized episode "The Sign" and the jaw-dropping surprise at the end of the Season 3 finale, Bluey fans have been fretting that the beloved children's show is coming to an end. There certainly was a feeling of conclusion to those two episodes.

Thankfully, Disney+ has announced that a new slate of episodes will hit this summer. However, they won't be the standard seven-minute eps.

SEE ALSO: Why 'Bluey' is the ultimate kids' show for grownups

Bluey creator Joe Brumm — in conjunction with Ludo Studios — is offering 20 minisodes, which run from one minute to three minutes. Per Disney+'s press release:

The “Bluey Minisodes” highlight funny and sweet moments featuring Bluey and Bingo, leaning into playful interactions and games that further explore the characters and world of Bluey.

This is great news for kids who relish the show's charming tales of childhood, centered on dog sisters Bluey and Bingo alongside a playful pack of pups. For grown-ups who can't get enough of the Easter Eggs offering nuanced stories in the background of the kiddie antics (Brandy is pregnant! Winson's dad has found love! WHO IS BLUEY'S BABY DADDY?!), there will surely be new clues to pour over about our favorite canine characters.

Disney has also revealed exactly how big a hit "The Sign" was for the streaming service, sharing the 28-minute episode was "most-viewed Bluey and Disney Jr. episode premiere ever, with 10.4 million views," per Nielsen Streaming Content Ratings and Disney's internal data.

While these new minisodes are slated for July, it seems Disney would be game for longer form Bluey tales as well. And Brumm seems on board. Speaking to The Guardian about "The Sign," Brumm teased the possibility of a Bluey movie, saying, "I love the idea of doing something even longer, so we’ll see how this goes down. Maybe a movie, who knows? This is a good way to test the waters."

Bluey is now streaming on Disney+.

SAVE $70: The Beats Studio Buds are on sale for $79.95 at Amazon, down from their regular price of $149.95. That's a discount of 47% — and their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $79.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

While Apple AirPods dominate the megabrand's assortment of headphones, the Beats Studio Buds (yes, the Beats line is owned by Apple) are a sneaky competitor in its line-up. Offering beautiful, deep bass, these earbuds are a great entry-level option for those who prioritize sound quality.

As of May 9, the Beats Studio Buds are on sale for $79.95 at Amazon, down from their regular price of $149.95. That's a discount of 47% — and a return to their lowest price ever. The last time these noise-canceling headphones dipped below $100 was in December. If you missed out then, now's your chance to score these savings. If you want some extra protection for your new buds, you can choose the bundle that includes two years of AppleCare+ for just $99.95.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best earbuds to buy in 2024

Mashable's Alex Perry reviewed the Beat Studio Buds, awarding them a Mashable Choice award and naming them "Apple's go-to entry-level earbuds." For Apple users, the Beats seamlessly fit into the ecosystem with simple pairing. The earbuds stay snug in the ear, with three different tips included to find the best fit. Perry noted that the entry-level AirPods pale in comparison to the Studio Buds when it comes to sound quality. The Beats deliver rich audio with two modes of listening: active noise cancellation and transparency modes.

These earbuds have about eight hours of battery life, but the self-charging case (which holds 24 hours of charge time) makes charging on the go a breeze.

Shop the Beats Studio Buds now for just $79.95.

SAVE $100: Score an Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB) with Basic Pen for just $239.99, down from the usual price of $339.99. That's a 29% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB) with Basic Pen $239.99 at Amazon
$339.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The Amazon Kindle e-reader family is terrific for anyone who enjoys reading, with models to suit everyone's preferences and budget. Amazon's Book Sale officially kicks off on May 15, but the deals are already rolling in. Today's deals include a deep discount on one of our favorite Kindles.

As of May 9, the Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB with Basic Pen) is on sale for $239.99, marked down from the typical price of $339.99. That's $100 off or a discount of 29%. This sale price matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles for every type of reader

Amazon has a range of Kindle e-readers on offer these days, but if you're looking for the model with the largest display, you'll want to grab the Kindle Scribe. With a 10.2-inch glare-free screen, the Scribe is twice as large as the Kindle Paperwhite. The display size means you can see two pages of a book side by side if you're reading in landscape mode.

The Scribe also gets bragging rights for the longest-lasting battery of any Kindle, getting weeks of life before needing to recharge.

But the Scribe is more than just a beautiful e-reader. The included Basic Pen allows you to take notes in the margins of books, create personal notes, make a daily to-do list, write a journal entry, or even sketch a drawing. Plus, the pen is battery-free, which means you'll never have to worry about it going dead or needing to recharge.

Our list of the best Kindles for every reader names the Kindle Scribe as the best option for taking notes. Whether you're reading the latest fiction hit or diving into a textbook for history class, take notes with the Scribe's sticky notes features which automatically save at that spot in the book, making them easy to review in the future.

Whether you're new to e-readers or upgrading to a model that can also take notes, today's deal on the Amazon Kindle Scribe allows you to read and take notes while also saving $100 — a smart move all around.

The prequel to "A Quiet Place" stars Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn as New York City citizens trying to escape the alien apocalypse.

What Times tech columnist Kevin Roose learned about digital companionship.