Feed aggregator

SAVE $70: As of April 15, Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are on sale for $479.99 at Best Buy. That's 13% off their list price of $549.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Best Buy
$549.99 Save $70 Get Deal

If you've been looking to get new headphones or earbuds, there are quite a few deals available right now that are worth checking out. Best Buy in particular has plenty of offers as part of its Spring Sale, including discounts on Apple devices. If you've been saving up to splash out on high-end headphones, the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) have received a $70 price drop that's worth jumping on.

The Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are currently marked down to $479.99 from their list price of $549.99. This deal applies to a variety of color options as well, so you can save on the midnight headphones, starlight, blue, orange, and purple. On top of that, your purchase also comes with Apple Fitness+ for free for three months if you're a new subscriber and up to three months of Apple Music for free if you're a new or returning subscriber.

SEE ALSO: My favorite iPad is $80 off at Walmart

Whether you love to listen to the latest albums from your favorite artists or enjoy getting lost in a thrilling audiobook, the AirPods Max offer excellent audio quality thanks to the H1 chip. This is further improved with Active Noise Cancelation, which will absorb you in what you're listening to without the outside world interrupting. And for those moments when you need to be a bit more aware of what's going on around you, Transparency mode keeps you tuned in to your surroundings without totally sacrificing the sounds you're listening to.

The AirPods Max also feature Personalized Spatial Audio that 'surrounds' you in sound to create a more immersive experience while you're listening. They're a real treat for the ears, and if you're looking to treat yourself to new headphones, this deal on the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) at Best Buy is worth taking advantage of.

There are a few more Apple deals at Best Buy that are worth a look right now. You can also save on the AirPods Pro 2 if you're looking for earbuds instead, and the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2) is on sale at the moment as well.

SAVE $80: As of April 15, the JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker is on sale for $299.99 at Best Buy. That's 21% off its list price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $299.99 at Best Buy
$379.99 Save $80 Get Deal

Spring Sales are still going strong over at Best Buy, as the retailer has quite a few items on offer right now that are worth checking out. If you've been on the hunt for a portable speaker to join you on any outdoor excursions you have planned for this year, there are quite a few discounted right now, including an $80 discount on the JBL Xtreme 4.

This discount has dropped the price of the JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker from $379.99 to $299.99. This speaker will bring you powerful sound and up to 24 hours of battery life, so you can keep the music going for longer while you're out and about. It also features a very durable design that's great for the outdoors.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best Bluetooth speakers, tested

The JBL Xtreme 4 portable speaker is waterproof and dustproof with an IP67 rating, so no matter if you're going on a camping trip or want to play some music on the beach this speaker can handle the elements. It even comes with a shoulder strap which makes carrying it around to different locations much easier. If you've been looking for a reliable portable speaker that's easy to travel with and still gives you big sound, the JBL Xtreme 4 is worth a look.

Don't miss out on $80 off the JBL Xtreme 4 right now at Best Buy.

If you prefer to listen to music on your own, there are some great headphone and earbud deals that are worth checking out right now, too. Also at Best Buy, the AirPods Pro 2 have received a $60 discount, and at Amazon, the Soundcore AeroFit headphones are 62% off at the moment.

SAVE $100: As of April 15, the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $699 at Best Buy. That's 12% off its list price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch Apple iPad Air M2 $699 at Best Buy
$799 Save $100 Get Deal

If you missed out on the best deals in Amazon's Spring Sale, Best Buy has delivered its own Spring Sale for shoppers to save. There has been some very nice tech deals included in this sale, including on Apple devices. One of our favorite deals is on the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB), which has received a $100 discount.

This has dropped the price of the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) from $799 to $699. You'll also get some fun free trials with your purchase as well, including Apple Fitness+ for three months if you're a new subscriber, up to three months of Apple Music if you're a new or returning subscriber, Apple Arcade for up to three months if you're a new or returning subscriber, and Apple TV+ for two months if you're a new or qualified returning subscriber. The latter is especially nice to enjoy all of the great shows that have dropped on Apple TV+ lately.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Air M3 review: The smallest of upgrades

With a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, this iPad Air boasts a bright, clear screen that'll make any image really pop. Performance-wise, the M2 chip will keep things moving quickly and smoothly. In our review, Mashable's Kimberly Gedeon had praise for the latter, saying, "Aside from a new 13-inch size and relocated webcam, there aren't many changes design-wise, but the M2 chip brings sweet energy efficiency and a performance uptick."

We also consider this iPad to be the best option for most people in our roundup of the best iPads, considering what a great value it is for the performance you're getting. Mashable's Samantha Mangino said in that roundup, "In our Geekbench 6 tests, it scored on par with the M2 MacBook Air, offering a high-performance experience at a fraction of the cost."

If you've had your eye on an iPad, this deal on the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) at Best Buy is worth taking advantage of while it's still available.

It isn't the only Apple deal floating around right now, though. Also at Best Buy you can save on the AirPods Pro 2 and over at Walmart, the 10th gen iPad has received a very nice $80 discount.

SAVE $14.99: As of April 15, Lepro N1 AI Smart RGB Rope Lights are available for $44.99 at Amazon. That’s 25% off their regular price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lepro Lepro N1 AI Smart RGB Rope Lights $45 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $14.99 Get Deal

I stuck a 10-foot strand of Lepro N1 AI Smart Rope Lights on my wall and now my room looks like I should be live streaming my thoughts on the rumored Oblivion Remake. The 9.84-foot version is down to $44.99 on Amazon right now, thanks to a $15 coupon off the usual $59.99 list price. That’s a decent drop for lighting that manages to be both smart and slightly dramatic.

What makes these different from the usual sticky RGB strips is the AI baked into them. Lepro's LightGPM setup uses some machine learning magic to generate lighting based on your mood or activity. You can tell it how you're feeling or just snap a selfie in the app, and it responds with up to 10 lighting effects tailored to that emotional state. I can’t say my rope lights understand me, but they’re definitely trying.

SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse combo

There’s full music sync too, which means the lights pulse along with whatever you're playing. It works better than I expected. I threw on a playlist and the lights reacted like they were vibing harder than me. Voice commands work through the Lepro+ app and it’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant if you're not into shouting at your phone.

• Price: $44.99 $59.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Length: 9.84 feet

• Color range: RGB, full segment control

• Voice control: Via Lepro+ app, Alexa, and Google Assistant

• App features: Mood-based AI lighting, DIY shape control, scheduling, group device control

• Music sync: LightBeats audio-reactive color effects

• Power: Corded electric

• Indoor use: Yes

• Connectivity: WiFi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth

• Setup: Adhesive-backed, bendable strip with shape customization

It also lets you get creative with the layout. The strip is flexible, color-segmented, and supports DIY shapes, which I may have overestimated my design skills with. It still looks cool, even if my attempt at a lightning bolt ended up looking like a confused number two.

Control-wise, the app lets you manage brightness, colors, timers, and grouped devices, all over WiFi or Bluetooth. It’s reliable, doesn’t lag, and doesn’t require another hub.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Draft picks

The words are beverage-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are related to beers.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Microbrewery.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 15

• Bock

• Sour

• Regal

• Lager

• Stout

• Pilsner

• Porter

• Microbrewery

• Nitro

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

SAVE $73.60: As of April 15, Lepro B2 AI Smart LED Bulbs (two-pack) are available for $15.99 at Amazon. That’s 43% off their regular price of $27.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lepro Lepro B2 AI Smart LED Bulbs (2-pack) $15.99 at Amazon
$27.99 Save $12.00 Get Deal

I swapped out the old dusty bulbs in my ceiling fixture with Lepro’s B2 AI Smart LED Bulbs and now my room reacts better to music than most people do. For $15.99, you get a two-pack of color-changing smart bulbs that usually go for $27.99. That’s 43% off, or $8 per bulb, which is honestly less than I spent on my last latte.

These aren’t your average smart bulbs. They run on Lepro’s LightGPM system, which is powered by AI trained on lighting design principles and color psychology. I know that sounds like a buzzword sandwich, but it actually means you can tell it you’re feeling tired or hosting friends and it will generate up to ten lighting options designed around that vibe. You don’t need to think too hard. Just say what you want and let it handle the color theory.

SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse combo

Brightness isn’t a problem either. At 1100 lumens, they hit harder than the 75W incandescents I used to rely on. You still get full RGB control and adjustable white tones from 2700K to 6500K. I like that I can go from bright cool light in the morning to a warm soft glow at night, without having to fiddle with a dozen settings.

• Price: $15.99 $27.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Quantity: 2-pack ($8.00 per bulb)

• Brightness: 1100 lumens (75W equivalent)

• Color range: RGBWW, 2700K to 6500K

• Voice control: Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

• App features: Lighting schedules, DIY control, music sync, mood presets

• Special features: AI voice design assistant, LightBeats music sync

• Connectivity: WiFi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth

• Extra modes: Wake-up and sleep routines with gradual dimming/brightening

Music sync is built in, and surprisingly responsive. I tested it with a playlist and the light actually adjusted with each beat. Not in a disco-ball kind of way, just enough to feel like the lighting is part of the experience.

Control happens through the Lepro app via WiFi or Bluetooth, and there’s full compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also set routines, timers, and even sunrise/sunset fades for waking up or winding down. I set mine to dim at 11 p.m., which at least tries to trick me into being a responsible adult.

Jon Stewart has had plenty to roast Trump and his cabinet for recently, from leaking its own military plans to tanking the stock market.

On Monday's edition of The Daily Show, though, he took a look at Trump's overall leadership style with a segment called "How authoritarian is we?"

"We already know Trump's done a lot of the standard fare," says Stewart. "He's attacked the free press, pulled random people off the streets, made law firms and universities bend the knee, announced Department of Justice investigations into an individual whose sole crime was suggesting the 2020 election had been safe and well administered."

Taking that as a starting point, Stewart proceeds to go through some more criteria, from the aesthetics (cue a clip of Trump gleefully showing off the gold angel statues in the Oval Office) to the "embarrassingly sycophantic" people around him (cue a clip of Trump's cabinet furiously complimenting the excellent work he's doing).

The list, unfortunately, only gets longer from there.

SAVE OVER $70: As of April 15, the Lepro O1 AI Smart LED Floor Lamp is available for $86.39 at Amazon. That’s 46% off its regular price of $159.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lepro Lepro O1 AI Smart LED Floor Lamp $86.39 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $73.60 Get Deal

I bought Lepro's O1 AI Smart LED Floor Lamp for $86.39 and it might be the first smart home gadget I’ve used that doesn’t feel like a tech demo. Its regular price is $159.99, but right now there's a 40% coupon on Amazon plus a 10% code (LEPROO1CODE) that brings it down to something far more reasonable.

I wasn’t expecting much. It's a lamp. But it actually responds to voice commands like “I want calm lighting,” and then recommends a bunch of options based on that mood. It’s the kind of smart feature that doesn't feel forced, and for once, it works like it's supposed to.

SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse combo

The brightness hits 2300 lumens and it lets you shift from warm to cool light, ranging from 2700K to 5700K. I use it for reading, working, and whatever third thing I pretend I’m doing when I’m just scrolling on my phone. It also supports 16 million RGB colors. I don’t need that many, but I like knowing I could live in neon teal if I wanted.

• Price: $86.39 $159.99

• Retailer: Amazon

• Brightness: 2300 lumens

• Color range: RGBCW, 2700K to 5700K

• Voice control: Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant

• App features: Remote control, group control, timers, DIY light modes

• Music sync: Built-in rhythm lighting for audio-reactive effects

• Build: 3.2 x 3.2 x 60 inches, plastic construction

• Connectivity: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz WiFi

• Setup time: Less than 10 minutes

Music sync is built in too. I tested it with a playlist and it did a decent job pulsing to the beat. Not a party trick, just a fun detail. The Lepro app handles remote control, scheduling, and grouping with other lights. If you’ve got Alexa or Google Assistant, it plugs into that setup without much hassle.

Assembly took me ten minutes. No weird tools, no sweat. I tightened a few poles, plugged it in, and it worked. That’s the kind of setup I appreciate.

If you're looking for a way to add some personality to your lighting without spending a ton, I think this lamp punches above its price.

Libertarians have long looked at ocean living as the next frontier. Some wealthy men are testing the waters.

Many millennials have already lived through one recession, so as more economic turmoil looms, they're jumping online to share their "recession hacks."

The last recession in the U.S. lasted from December 2007 to June 2009, right about when many millennials were leaving college and entering the job market. That economic downturn hit at a pivotal life stage and left a lasting impact. It shaped culture, shifted expectations, and created some tough realities: lower wealth accumulation, higher student debt, thinner resumes, and delays in buying homes and getting married.

SEE ALSO: Recession indicators are everywhere online — even if we’re not actually in one

But because of those challenges, millennials have picked up some smart, practical strategies — and now they’re sharing them on TikTok for anyone facing financial uncertainty without a safety net.

Here are some of our favorite recession hacks from creators who’ve lived it:

Review your spending habits Buy canned tuna Find a meal hack that works for you Learn how to sew Go trash-picking Regrow your green onions Get smarter with your credit cards Stop using your dryer

Turns out, living through a recession teaches you a thing or two. Luckily, millennials are more than happy to pass the cheat codes along.

TL;DR: Launch an online business easily with the AI-powered platform Sellful, a white-label website builder and software, now $399 (reg. $1,497) for life.

Got a great idea for a side hustle? Want to take the next step for your small business? Getting established online opens the door to a global customer base, and Sellful is ready to walk you through the process.

This AI-powered white-label website builder and software helps you reach customers, sell products, handle payroll, and more. And you can currently secure a lifetime ERP Agency Plan for just $399 (reg. $1,497). 

Think of Sellful as your new favorite employee

Sellful is more than just a website builder; it serves as a new employee who can wear a lot of hats. Instead of hiring a web developer, Sellful can create your website, landing pages, funnels, and more, which are generated automatically by AI.

It can also serve as your e-commerce coordinator, helping you sell physical or digital products on the site. Once things are up and running, Sellful can help you reach new customers with AI-generated newsletters, social posts, and interactive chatbots.

Need some help with payroll and employee leave requests? What about recruiting new employees? Sellful can do all that too, plus track appointments and bookings on the site with a built-in scheduler. 

Sellful's ERP Agency Plan gives you access to 100GB of file storage and 50,000 free email sends. Need more than that? It's easy to purchase packs of 10,000 for only $10 a month, or you can add your own external sending service if you don't want any limits. 

Secure a Sellful white label website builder and software's ERP Agency Plan for life, now for just $399 (reg. $1,497).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sellful Sellful - White Label Website Builder & Software: ERP Agency Plan (Lifetime) $399
$1,497 Save $1,098 Get Deal

TL;DR: If you still haven't filed your taxes, take advantage of this deal on H&R Block Tax Software and file your state and federal returns for $32.99 (reg. $59) with code FILEEASY through April 27.

It's officially tax day, so unless you’ve filed for an extension, you only have a few hours left to meet the deadline. Luckily, you can file your state and federal taxes in time with some help from H&R Block.

Get your taxes done with H&R Block Deluxe and State 2024 Tax Software for Windows and Mac, on sale now for just $32.99 (reg. $59) with code FILEEASY through April 27. 

File your federal and state taxes for one low price

Since it's probably too late to hire an accountant, it looks like you're doing your own taxes this year. Let H&R Block Tax Software, one of the most trusted names in tax filing, walk you through it step-by-step. Their guidance is great for anyone, from first-time filers to freelancers or investors.  

The federal-only version of this tax software typically costs $59.99, but thanks to this deal, you can file both your federal and state taxes for just $32.99. You can easily import last year's filings from Quicken or TurboTax, and your current W-2, 1099, or 1098 forms can be imported just as easily.

Once you've imported your documents, let H&R get you the best refund possible. They walk you through 350 credits and deductions to help maximize your refund, and you can follow along with their real-time refund results. 

Have confusing income from stocks, retirement, a home sale, or investments? Income reporting assistance is included, so you'll receive plenty of guidance. 

If you run into an issue, the help center is packed with 13,000 searchable articles. And there are built-in accuracy checks and audit support for added peace of mind.

Make your tax deadline with H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe and State, now $32.99 with code FILEEASY through April 27 while codes last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: H&R Block H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2024 for Windows/Mac [Online Code] $32.99
$59.99 Save $27 Get Deal

TL;DR: Score a powerful 13.3-inch MacBook Air for a fraction of the usual cost at just $499.99 (reg. $1,499).

Finding a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t cut corners can be tricky, but this MacBook might be the exception. This 13.3-inch MacBook Air is only $499.99, $1,000 off the usual price, while supplies last.

Portable, powerful, and priced to please

While most budget-friendly laptops leave a lot to be desired, this MacBook Air comes equipped with all the bells and whistles we've come to love from Apple...and they all fit within this sleek 2.8-pound frame. 

Don't be deceived by this lightweight laptop — it has more speed than Intel-based laptops. It's equipped with one of Apple's powerful M1 chips, which provides 3.5x faster performance and 5x faster graphics for your games and apps. There's also a 16-core Neural Engine ready to keep up with today's technology.

The 13.3-inch retina display supports millions of colors and allows for dynamic viewing of your favorite shows (or work emails, depending on the time of day). And you'll have hours to binge-watch, thanks to this MacBook Air's 18-hour battery life. 

If you're curious why this model is offered at such a deep discount, it's due to its grade-A refurbished status. This means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition, and you still get the special price. 

Secure your own 13.3-inch Apple MacBook Air for just $499.99 (reg. $1,499) while supplies last. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2020) M1 MGN63LL/A 8GB RAM 256GB SSD Gold (Refurbished) $499.99
$1,499 Save $999.01 Get Deal

For Jimmi Simpson, getting cast on Black Mirror back in Season 4 was a dream come true. The character actor who's won critics' praise on everything from the madcap sitcom It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia to the sci-fi Western WestWorld to David Fincher's masterful true crime thriller Zodiac was a big fan of Charlie Brooker's anthology series. 

"When I first was invited to come for ['USS Callister'], it was my favorite show," Simpson said of Black Mirror in a Zoom interview with Mashable ahead of the Season 7 debut. "I couldn't believe it. And I had the exact same feeling [coming back for 'USS Callister: Into Infinity']."

Simpson was awed by the storytelling Brooker displayed within Black Mirror. "It's reminiscent to me of my early loves of Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Rod Serling [The Twilight Zone]. When I saw those first two seasons, [Brooker] was predicting a very simple but truthful future that seems kind of inevitable. And they're always based in these human issues like fear, loneliness, need for connection." 

These themes reverberate in Simpson's two favorite Black Mirror episodes, "Be Right Back" and "The Entire History of You," both of which involve in one way or another the loss of a romantic partner — one through death, the other through a brutal breakup. "It was shocking," he said of the impact of those Season 1 episodes. "It was like that shock of recognition that's so rare from current literature. I will say that was so raw, those episodes, so honest." 

SEE ALSO: Every 'Black Mirror' episode ever, ranked by overall dread Walton has sharper relevance in "USS Callister: Into Infinity."  Jimmi Simpson's Walton gets attacked by Cristin Milioti's Clone Nannette in "USS Callister:Into Infinity." Credit: Nick Wall / Netflix

In both "USS Callister" and its sequel, Simpson plays tech billionaire James Walton, who exists in the real world and as a digital clone in Infinity, the online video game he produced with designer Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons). 

He relished getting back together with the cast, which includes Plemons, Cristin Milioti, and Billy Magnussen, and enjoyed reflecting on "how pertinent" their first adventure as the crew of the USS Callister was. "And now even more so," Simpson explained, "Specifically with my character, Walton, an unobstructed tech billionaire, making ego-based choices that are destroying others — [that] is so current." 

"It was going to be fun to show, like, what an asshole, ludicrous fool someone like that is, and how it is just pure thoughtlessness that motivates all their bad choices and pure greed that motivates all their positive choices — for themselves," Simpson said, "So it was time to get in there and articulate those two elements of this guy."

Simpson refrained from naming which tech billionaire he could be talking about. But we have a guess.

Jimmi Simpson on Walton's "therapy"  Jimmi Simpson plays tech billionaire James Walton in "Black Mirror: USS Callister: Into Infinity." Credit: Nick Wall / Netflix

In his first Black Mirror episode, Simpson would describe Walton as "a dick, selfish and thoughtless." But in "USS Callister: Into Infinity," real-world Walton reaches new depths of financial-driven selfishness. Spoiler alert: He not only is the one who gave Bob Daly the DNA machine that allowed the deranged gamer to create digital clones of others, but also, Walton did it to Bob first. Eleven years before Daly's human death, Walton pushed him to place a digital clone of himself at the "heart of infinity" so the game could constantly be worked on by Daly's genius, without rest. 

"To unpack [that], it's a thoughtless choice," Simpson said of Walton's plan to rush toward the game's release. "He is the genesis for all of the problems." The actor allows that Daly might have always been a brewing threat. "There's the argument of like, 'Well, Daly's crazy, and he was going to find a gun eventually.' I don't know if he would find a DNA cloner eventually, you know?"

Reflecting on Walton's choices, Simpson considered, "To find out that all of this [putting digital clones in the game] began because of a thoughtless moment where Walton said, 'Well, I think this will get the money in a little sooner.' And not to think once, what are you doing to this man? What does consciousness mean? [Walton is] a man who's never thought of that until episode one, and he's stripped of all of his power, and he's thrust into the Callister under Daly's control. And so that's where those characters break, and you allow the one, let's call it therapy. You know, Clone Walton has now been forced into therapy, and he's able to start processing what he's done, and it makes you a better person."

Jimmi Simpson, Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milloti, and the rest of the crew of "USS Callister." Credit: Jonathan Prime / Netflix

He continued, "Thoughtless people get away with a lot. No, that's not an excuse. You need to be informed, especially if you're in a position of power. And this is how it mirrors today, right now. If you don't understand what you're doing, you're going to hurt people really, really bad. And if you're continuing to do it for your ego, God save you. I don't even know how you're going to recuperate."

It's these elements of genre, human growth, and real-world pertinence that make Simpson so happy to be a part of Black Mirror. "Storytelling is such the fireside, universal, shared experience," he mused, adding, "It's about community. It's about understanding ourselves, and it is about really enjoying the time passing. So that's what Black Mirror is to me."

Black Mirror Season 7 is streaming now on Netflix.

In death, there can be great beauty.

Astronomers pointed the powerful James Webb Space Telescope at planetary nebula NGC 1514, where a star is shedding copious amounts of gas into the universe as it gradually exhausts its fuel and shrinks down into a dense core — a shell of its former self. The resulting cosmic clouds — named a "planetary nebula" only because through the first telescopes these distant and roundish objects looked like planets — can be brilliant spectacles, and NGC 1514 is no different.

"We’ve come a long way since, with Webb’s mid-infared view being the most detailed view of a planetary nebula to date," NASA posted online, in reference to NGC 1514.

(The Webb telescope views space in infrared light, a spectrum that's invisible to the naked eye but cuts through the thick masses of clouds and gas that obstruct or limit our view of such far-off objects.)

SEE ALSO: NASA dropped a new report. It's a wake-up call.

The image below shows a scene that has evolved over at least some 4,000 years, NASA explained. At the center of the gaseous structure are two stars tightly orbiting one another (a "binary star system), but from our distant view they appear as one vivid bright dot. Of the two stars, one is dying as it's spent the nuclear fuel in its core and sheds its outer layers into space. Just a profoundly dense core, called a white dwarf, remains. Its radiation lights up the surrounding cosmic cloud, or nebula, helping to create the majestic type of scene in NGC 1514.

Planetary nebula are often spherical, but not so for NGC 1514, located 1,500 light-years from Earth. It has somewhat of a crushed hourglass shape, with two prominent rings. "When this star was at its peak of losing material, the companion could have gotten very, very close," David Jones, an astronomer at the Institute of Astrophysics on the Canary Islands, said in a NASA statement. "That interaction can lead to shapes that you wouldn’t expect. Instead of producing a sphere, this interaction might have formed these rings."

The James Webb Space Telescope's detailed view of the planetary nebula NGC 1514. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Michael Ressler (NASA-JPL) / Dave Jones (IAC) On left: A view of NGC 1514 captured by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope in 2010. On right: The Webb telescope's view of NGC 1514. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / NASA-JPL / Caltech / UCLA / Michael Ressler (NASA-JPL) / Dave Jones (IAC)

The astronomers involved in this observation suspect the nebula's rings look "fuzzy" because they're composed of tiny grains of dust, and these particles are illuminated by ultraviolet light emitted by the nearby white dwarf.

Astronomers have peered at NGC 1514 for hundreds of years, since the 18th century. It looked awfully fuzzy back then, and they failed to resolve it with telescopes of the age. But times, and technology, have changed.

"With Webb, our view is considerably clearer," NASA wrote.

The Webb telescope's powerful abilities

The Webb telescope — a scientific collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency — is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. It's also examining intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.

Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and may for years to come:

- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror, meaning Webb has six times the light-collecting area. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. The telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.

- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared space telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.

"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.

- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?

"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, previously told Mashable.

It's that time of year again.

WrestleMania 41 has arrived, live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas — or streaming on Peacock for $5.99. Despite some controversy and the recent merger with UFC, WWE is riding a major wave of momentum. With surging popularity, a roster packed with star power, and high-stakes storylines across the card, the "Showcase of the Immortals" feels bigger than ever.

This is a big deal for professional wrestling fans across the world, but even if you've never heard of WrestleMania or watched a WWE event, this is a great time to start, as many of the programming's biggest storylines will culminate this weekend. And during the event itself, new feuds and stories will also begin for the rest of the year ahead.

Whether you're diving in voluntarily or sitting down to watch this weekend's proceedings at the behest of a friend or loved one, below is a guide to WrestleMania 41's 14 matches, explained so you don't have to watch years' worth of WWE programming to "get it."

Yes, we know pro wrestling is "fake," but if you allow yourself to be immersed in the experience and art, you'll find that it can be just as entertaining as your favorite season of The White Lotus or Severance.

What is WrestleMania?

WrestleMania is WWE's biggest, longest-running, and most successful pay-per-view/live-streaming event since its conception by the now-ousted executive chairman Vince McMahon in 1985. As we mentioned, it's basically the Super Bowl for pro wrestling. It's March Madness, the Masters, the NBA Championship, and the World Series. As such, WWE puts a lot of investment and spectacle into making each WrestleMania more memorable than the last.

Every year, WrestleMania's card gets bigger and bigger, and since 2020, the biggest pro wrestling event of the year has become a two-night event.

With 14 matches split between the two nights, there's plenty to get you emotionally invested. Below, you'll find our best attempt at giving you a sense of the marquee matchups that will dominate social media in the days to come.

This non-fans' guide to WrestleMania 41 continues a yearly tradition here at Mashable. Our guides for WrestleMania 39 and 40 are linked for your enjoyment.

The main events...Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena

Oh boy. This one’s a main event.

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

John Cena is back in the title picture and is not here to smile for the cameras this time.

After announcing his retirement last year, the 16-time world champion won a brutal Elimination Chamber match to earn a shot at Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. But there’s a twist: Cena’s not the hero anymore. He’s turned heel (a bad guy) for the first time in two decades.

Rhodes, WWE’s top babyface (good guy), came out to congratulate Cena and relay a message to The Rock. In real life, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson sits on the board of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group. In the scripted world of wrestling — known as "kayfabe" — he plays the role of a corporate puppet master, obsessed with choosing a champion who will bring in the most money for the company. As part of the storyline, he tried to recruit Rhodes, who made a very loud and public refusal.

So, onto plan B: The Rock gave the signal, and Cena kicked Rhodes below the belt and made his villain turn official.

It’s a huge shift. For years, Cena was WWE’s untouchable superhero—a walking T-shirt rack who always overcame the odds. Fans begged for a heel turn back in the day, but the company never pulled the trigger. Now, in his final year, he’s rewriting his legacy.

Cena says the cheers he’s getting now are too late. That the fans who booed him for years don’t get to cheer him into retirement. He’s bitter, he’s angry, and he’s aiming to destroy Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania — not just to win the title, but maybe even take the belt with him into retirement.

Triple Threat: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns

This one’s messy — in the best way. Three top stars, years of history, and a whole lot of bad blood.

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

Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk all blame each other for blowing their shot at facing Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania. And now, they’re settling it in a triple-threat match to headline Night One.

If you want to trace the story all the way back, it starts in 2014. That’s when Seth Rollins betrayed Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose (now known as Jon Moxley in AEW), turning on their group, The Shield. In wrestling, these groups — called factions — are alliances of wrestlers who fight together and share a common identity or cause. The Shield has become one of the most iconic in WWE lore.

Rollins’ betrayal and decision to side with the villainous Authority has haunted Reigns ever since, especially during his record-breaking 1,300-day reign as champion.

It’s also the same year CM Punk walked out of WWE, kicking off a near-decade-long exile before returning in 2023. In between, he had a polarizing run in All Elite Wrestling that ended in chaos and a real-life termination.

Back in WWE, Punk instantly clashed with Rollins, who’s called him a "cancer" and a "jerk" in actual (probably in-character) interviews. Their tension boiled for months, especially as both pursued the World Heavyweight Championship — and tangled with Drew McIntyre along the way.

Reigns and Punk aren’t exactly friends, but their paths crossed when The Bloodline imploded. After losing his title at WrestleMania 40, Reigns disappeared. His cousin Solo Sikoa took over, adding Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu. This new version of the faction booted longtime advisor Paul Heyman, which drew Reigns back — this time with the original Bloodline crew: Sami Zayn and the Usos.

During WarGames 2024, CM Punk joined Reigns’ team as a one-off favor from Heyman. They won, but it only deepened Rollins’ grudge.

Everything came to a head at the Royal Rumble — a 30-man over-the-top-rope battle royal. Punk eliminated both Reigns and Rollins before getting tossed himself. Chaos followed. Rollins hit Reigns with a stomp, sidelining him. At Elimination Chamber, Punk eliminated Rollins — only for Rollins to cost him the match minutes later.

Tensions boiled over. Punk and Rollins brawled on Raw. They fought in a Steel Cage the next week — Rollins won, thanks to a surprise return from Reigns, who yanked him out of the cage for payback. But when Reigns saw Heyman helping Punk post-match, he snapped and took Punk out, too.

So now? No alliances, just three guys with overlapping grudges facing off in the main event of Night 1.

WrestleMania 41 Night 1 (Saturday)

Now that the big storylines of WrestleMania 41 are out of the way, what about the other matches on the card? These matches may not represent the year's main storyline, but here's what to expect from Night 1 of Wrestlemania 41.

World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso

This world title match is refreshingly straightforward compared to the chaos elsewhere on the card.

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

Jey Uso, once known almost exclusively as a tag team guy, is stepping into the biggest singles match of his career. Since breaking away from The Bloodline, he’s carved out his own path — winning the Intercontinental Championship, racking up a few world title shots, and then doing the unthinkable: winning the Royal Rumble. His pick? Gunther.

Gunther, aka "The Ring General," is as serious as they come. As the dominant World Heavyweight Champion and leader of the villainous Imperium, he’s built his reign on discipline, dominance, and a no-nonsense motto: The mat is sacred.

Jey, by contrast, has leaned all the way into his underdog energy. He’s charismatic, unpredictable, and somehow brought "yeet" back into mainstream wrestling discourse. But despite his success, there’s still a loud corner of the internet that sees him as just a tag team guy — a perception Gunther shares and isn’t shy about voicing.

That’s the heart of the story here: Gunther doesn’t think Jey belongs on this stage. Jey’s out to prove he does.

WWE Women's Championship: Tiffany Straton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

There’s not a ton of depth to this Women’s Championship match, which is a shame — because, once again, the women’s division feels like it’s getting the short end of the storytelling stick.

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

Tiffany Stratton, just 25, is in her first reign as Women’s Champion after cashing in her Money in the Bank contract on Nia Jax. (Quick refresher: Money in the Bank is a briefcase won in a ladder match that grants the holder a title shot anytime they want within a year. Stratton picked her moment and made it count.)

Stratton’s character is a glammed-up, mean-girl Barbie type, but in this feud, she’s positioned as the babyface — the good guy. She’s brash, flashy, and undeniably athletic, still relatively new to the main roster spotlight.

Her challenger? Charlotte Flair. A 14-time world champion and one of the most decorated women in WWE history, Flair returned from a torn ACL during this year's Royal Rumble, won the whole thing, and picked Stratton as her target.

The story here is simple: Flair sees Stratton as a knockoff version of herself. Stratton, in turn, accuses Flair of clinging to the spotlight and holding back the next generation.

Naomi vs Jade Cargill

Naomi vs. Jade Cargill is shaping up to be a full-on grudge match that’s been simmering for months.

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

It all kicked off with a mystery attack on SmackDown, where Cargill was jumped in the parking lot by an unknown assailant. She disappeared with an injury (in kayfabe/just taking some time off) for weeks while her friends, Bianca Belair and Naomi, tried to figure out who was behind it. Fast forward to Elimination Chamber: Cargill made her surprise return and immediately went after Naomi — revealing that she was the attacker all along.

Naomi claimed she did it to protect Belair, accusing Cargill of being fake and trying to latch onto their success. Since then, the two have been trading shots and throwdowns week after week. Now, the stage is set for WrestleMania.

Beyond the personal stakes, this match marks a major moment in WWE history. It’ll be the first non-title singles women’s match at WrestleMania in 19 years — the last being Torrie Wilson vs. Candice Michelle in a "Playboy Pillow Fight" back in 2006. Even more significantly, it’s the first-ever one-on-one women’s match at WrestleMania without a title or stipulation involved.

Other Night 1 Matches:

• United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs Jacob Fatu

• Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano

• World Tag Team Championship: Viking Raiders (c) vs New Day

WrestleMania Night 2 (Sunday)

The Night 2 main event is set: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship — a generational clash with everything on the line. But that’s not the only match worth your time. Here are the other can't-miss showdowns rounding out the WrestleMania 41 card.

Women's World Heavyweight Championship: Io Sky (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley

This triple threat for the Women’s World Championship brings together WWE’s top three stars in the division — and the road here was messy from the jump.

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

It started during the Elimination Chamber qualifiers. In a match between Io Sky and Liv Morgan, then-champion Rhea Ripley — who’d been feuding with Liv — interfered, costing Io the match by disqualification. Rhea offered Io a title shot the Monday after Elimination Chamber to make up for it.

Meanwhile, Bianca Belair won the Chamber match, setting up the expected WrestleMania main event: Belair vs. Ripley. But that changed fast. On the following RAW, Io defeated Rhea clean and won the championship, flipping the script to Io Sky vs. Belair at Mania.

Rhea didn’t take the loss well. At the contract signing, she attacked both women and added her own name to the contract — not legally binding, but no one seemed to care. RAW GM Adam Pearce gave Rhea a rematch against Io with Belair as guest referee to smooth things over. That match ended in a double disqualification after more chaos.

So now, the WrestleMania match is officially a triple threat. Belair is furious that her earned one-on-one shot was hijacked. Rhea blames Belair’s reffing for the DQ. And Io, despite being champion and beating Rhea clean, feels like an afterthought in her own title defense.

AJ Styles vs Logan Paul

Controversy or not, Logan Paul is back for another WrestleMania — and somehow, it’s his fourth.

The social media star has been a regular presence in WWE since debuting in 2021, balancing high-profile matches with his usual mix of internet fame and drama. Despite the baggage, Paul has proven himself in the ring and carved out a legitimate spot on the roster.

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

This year, he’s facing AJ Styles. Styles, known as "The Phenomenal One," is one of the most respected veterans in modern wrestling. Since returning from injury in February, he’s been at odds with Paul, trading insults and physical confrontations. The feud also included a bizarre cameo from conservative comedian Andrew Schulz, who appeared on Raw to join Styles in mocking Paul before helping take him down.

Paul claims the whole thing is about envy—that Styles wants the spotlight and the payday that comes with facing a star of his stature. These are pretty "meh" motivations, but Styles can wrestle, and Paul has a track record of showing up when the lights are the brightest.

Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre vs Damian Priest

There’s no shortage of bad blood between Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest.

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

Their rivalry began at last year’s WrestleMania when McIntyre won the World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins. However, post-match, McIntyre egged on his rival CM Punk (He was doing commentary for the match), which led to Punk retaliating and McIntyre being left vulnerable — and Priest seized the moment, cashing in his 2023 Money in the Bank contract to steal the championship.

The two stayed locked in a feud. Priest defended the title against McIntyre at Clash at the Castle: Scotland, a premium event held in Drew’s home country. McIntyre won the namesake ladder match at Money in the Bank but failed to cash in on Priest that night. Priest eventually dropped the title to Gunther at SummerSlam.

In January 2025, WWE initiated a "brand transfer window" — a system similar to free agency in sports, where wrestlers are moved between RAW and SmackDown to refresh storylines. Both McIntyre and Priest were moved to the SmackDown roster.

They continued clashing through the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, where Priest eliminated McIntyre in both matches. After the Chamber, McIntyre attacked Priest in retaliation, costing him the win.

Weeks of chaos followed. On April 10, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis made the match official: McIntyre vs. Priest at WrestleMania 41. The next night, it was announced the bout would be a Sin City Street Fight — a no-rules, no-countout match where anything goes, usually featuring weapons, brawling in the crowd, and plenty of chaos.

Other Night 2 Matches:

• Women's Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriquez (c) vs Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

• Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs PENTA vs Finn Balor vs Dominik Mysterio

SAVE $25: As of April 15, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is on sale for $64.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 28% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 $64.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $25 Get Deal

Amazon's Echo Show 5 is a staple in its smart home lineup. A smart assistant with a screen, and available for under $100, you can't really go wrong. And as of April 15, there's a heavy discount on this model, making it the cheapest it has been so far this year.

As of April 15, you can buy this device for $64.99, which is $5 cheaper than it was during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel 9 Pro is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon

But why the Echo Show 5? This model comes with built-in Alexa, the ability to watch Netflix shows, and it even has video chat capabilities. It's also neat and nifty, with a screen size of just 5.5 inches, perfect for looking at the weather, recipes, or the time at a glance, without taking up too much space in your home.

You can even stream music from the Echo Show, with compatibility with the most popular streaming apps, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Deezer. This model even benefits from a deeper bass and clearer vocals for a more advanced listening experience. Plus, the Echo Show 5 is eco-friendly, featuring fabric made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and an aluminum body crafted from 100% recycled materials.

This deal won't be around for long, so head to Amazon now.

SAVE $300: As of April 15, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is on sale for $919 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 Pro $919 at Amazon
$1,219 Save $300 Get Deal

Amazon's Daily Deals are back at it with incredible discounts on the Google Pixel range. If you're looking to buy a smartphone outright, and one that has some really impressive features, you'll love the latest deal on the Google Pixel Pro.

As of April 15, the Google Pixel Pro is reduced to $919 from $1,219. This deal is specific to the 512GB option but is available across all colorways, and each memory option has a discount.

SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel 9a is available now: How to buy

On top of the great memory storage, this is a super-smart smartphone with a 6.3-inch OLED display with vibrant colors. It benefits from the latest Google Tensor chip for a fast, non-laggy performance. It also boasts triple rear cameras, making it the most powerful pixel camera yet, so you can enjoy high-quality video and even enhance your videos up to 8K with the video boost tool.

This model also features Gemini, Google's next-generation AI technology. You can use this for things like advanced photo editing such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur, enhanced voice recognition for dictation, and Google Assistant capabilities. It also uses real-time translation to allow for seamless language support in messaging or live conversations, and it even powers predictive text.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

SAVE $85: As of April 15, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $364.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 19% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $364.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $85 Get Deal

The beloved Kindle Scribe has caught the attention of book lovers across the world. Released late in 2024, this model combines reading and note-taking in one handy device. Recently, the already popular device received a redesign, meaning you can now write directly on books and documents.

And that's not all, because as of April 15, you can grab an impressive deal on this redesigned model: the Kindle Scribe is now on sale for just $364.99. This price is for the 64GB model in the color tungsten.

SEE ALSO: Step into the world of fantasy for free with the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day

This Kindle Scribe deal also comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. This is a big upgrade on the basic pen, as this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so you don't need to charge it.

Besides its note-taking abilities, the Scribe has a 10.2-inch, 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare and ink-free. Like the original Kindle model, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or in hard-to-read lighting.

Head to Amazon to grab this great deal before it runs out.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 15, 2025:

AcrossSay whether you'll go

• The answer is Prop.

Fitting game for Chip, Jack and Betty to play?

• The answer is Poker.

___ acid

• The answer is Amino.

Beginning of a joke

• The answer is SetUp.

Mix, as a salad

• The answer is Toss.

DownDoomed Shakespearean lover

• The answer is Romeo.

Short comedic performances

• The answer is Skits.

Planet shrouded in toxic clouds that smell like rotten eggs

• The answer is Venus.

Support, with "up"

• The answer is Prop.

"I'm never going back, the ___ is in the ___" (lyric from "Let It Go")

• The answer is Past.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.