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Elon Musk is leaving his position as de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announcing his departure via X on Wednesday. An anonymous White House official confirmed Musk's departure to AP.

"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," Musk wrote. "The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

SEE ALSO: Elon to reduce DOGE involvement after dismal Tesla earnings report

Though Musk stated that his time at DOGE was "scheduled," there was no clear indication as to exactly how long he would be involved with it prior to this week's announcement. While it was revealed in February that White House official Amy Gleason had been appointed DOGE's acting administrator some time earlier, in practical terms Musk has remained in charge until now.

Musk previously indicated he would be reducing his involvement with DOGE during Tesla earnings call in April. The billionaire stated that he would "significantly" lower the amount of time he spent on DOGE in May, as well as increase his attention on Tesla. However, at the time he drew short of saying he would quit DOGE, pledging to stay for "as long as it's useful" and President Donald Trump wanted him to remain.

It now seems though Musk believes that time has come to an end. While Trump has not yet issued a public statement regarding his departure, the news comes a day after Musk uncharacteristically criticised the president's tax bill, stating that it "increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."

Though Musk initially claimed that DOGE would cut government spending by a minimum of $2 trillion, the reality has fallen far short from this. In April he revised DOGE's goal down to $150 billion, a mere fraction of the cuts initially promised. Meanwhile, U.S. government agencies have been thrown into turmoil by DOGE's actions, with over 280,000 government workers laid off. DOGE has also worked to dismantle several agencies entirely, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a foreign aid organisation.

Musk is expected to return his attention to his various companies, including Tesla, X, and SpaceX. Such companies have been publicly floundering in the past few months, struggling against severe reputational damage caused by Musk's widely unpopular political work. 

Tesla sales have plummeted across the globe, the electric vehicle company experiencing a 71 percent drop in profit during Q1 2025. Social media platform X isn't faring much better, losing millions of users while advertisers fled, though Musk denied reports that he told employees that they were "barely breaking even." SpaceX doesn't appear to have suffered quite as much, however the explosion of its latest Starship test flight on Tuesday was less than ideal — particularly considering it was the company's third "rapid unscheduled disassembly" in a row.

Speaking to Ars Technica prior to both SpaceX's launch and the announcement he'd be leaving DOGE, Musk acknowledged that he'd been spending too much time on politics rather than running his companies.

"I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics, [though] it's less than people would think," said Musk. "It's not like I left the companies. It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I've reduced that significantly in recent weeks."

TL;DR: Put all your AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini Pro, and Leonardo.AI in one place with a lifetime subscription to 1minAI, an all-in-one AI app, on sale for just £22.24 (reg. £173.67). 

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription £22.27 at The Mashable Shop
£173.70 Save £151.43 Get Deal

The free version of some AI models like ChatGPT can get the job done, but if you want the good stuff, you should consider opting for a paid subscription.  

1minAI consolidates many of the most popular AI models — like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI — into one platform where you can use them all seamlessly, whether you need to generate text, images, or even full videos. A lifetime subscription to 1minAI is on sale now for £22.24.

What can you do with 1minAI

1minAI gives you one platform where you can access AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, Mistral AI, and more. You don't just get the baseline version, either — 1minAI users can chat with GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, Gemini Pro 1.5, and Llama 2 or Llama 3. 

Like a ton of other AI platforms, 1minAI has a limit to how much you can generate every month. Unlike other platforms, the limit is incredibly high. Here's what your lifetime subscription gets you every month. 

First, you get a baseline of 1,000,000 credits per month. Then, every day you log in, you get an additional 15,000 free credits. These will roll over if you don't use them all, too. 

In practice, those huge numbers mean you could generate up to 362,500 words, research nearly 2,000 SEO keywords, generate 386 images, upscale 241 images, remove 24 backgrounds, convert text to speech for over 120,000 characters, and generate up to 12 videos. 

Your AI Swiss Army Knife

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StackSocial prices subject to change. 

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 May 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 29 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a little buggy

The words are bug-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are common six-legged bugs.

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 Insect

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 29

• Butterfly

• Wasp

• Flea

• Moth

• Insect

• Dragonfly

• Hornet

• Mantis

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 29 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To cancel.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter Q.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

QUASH.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 29

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 Wordle.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A sharp slope.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

STEEP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To embellish.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 29, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ADORN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Storage for golf clubs.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 29, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CADDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A principle.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 29 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DOGMA

Final Hurdle hint

A spiral.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

HELIX

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

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 29 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Expressions of courtesy

• Green: Needed for certain things

• Blue: Ways to top off a donut

• Purple: Jacked

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Salute

• Green: Suitable

• Blue: Verbs for Finishing Donuts

• Purple: What "Buff" Might Mean

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #718 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Salute: APPLAUD, HAIL, HONOR, PRAISE

• Suitable: APT, FIT, PROPER, RIGHT

• Verbs for Finishing Donuts: FROST, GLAZE, POWDER, SPRINKLE

• What "Buff" Might Mean: ENTHUSIAST, MUSCULAR, NUDE, POLISH

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 29

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

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 Connections.

Let the record show that I will do almost anything for Beyoncé. I will fight for my life in a Ticketmaster queue. I will spend hours covering a cowboy hat in mirror tiles only to wear it once. I recently learned that I'll even shelter in the basement of Soldier Field for three hours when there's a tornado in my city.

I will not, however, give myself hearing damage. Concerts can hit noise levels of 95 to 110 dBA (A-weighted decibels), according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) — that's well above its recommended 85-dBA threshold for long or repeated exposure. And that horse lady can belt.

Heeding the advice of the Beyhive on Reddit, I decided to wear a pair of Loop Earplugs to Chicago's first night of the Cowboy Carter Tour in mid-May. Here are five reasons why I now recommend them to anyone who's attending a concert or music festival this summer.

Loop Experience 2 Earplugs $38.95 at Amazon
Shop Now 1. They really do work (maybe a little too well)

Loop's earplug lineup covers a variety of different use cases, including sleep, noise sensitivity, parenting, events, and travel. I bought the Loop Experience 2 because they're specifically designed to preserve the sound quality of live music while dampening damaging noise. The Experience 2 Plus, which are slightly pricier, come with a Mute silicone insert for extra noise reduction.

I was genuinely impressed with how well the show sounded while I wore my Loops. I could hear Beyoncé and her band perfectly, but the din of the stadium was almost completely suppressed. Curious to hear what I was missing, I removed my right earplug at one point during the set and was shocked to hear that the crowd was close to singing over Bey. The Loops were tuning out everyone else without making her sound muffled.

By the end of the night, I had two very sore feet but two very happy ears — no tinnitus, no headaches. I reported my findings to the friend who went to the show with me, who laughed and said that my Loops may have worked a little too well: He apparently made a few mid-song remarks that I totally ignored. Sorry, Conor!

2. They don't look dorky Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Most concerts double as fashion shows nowadays, but Beyoncé concerts demand maximum slayage. I love that the ring-shaped acoustic channels on the end of Loops make them look like daith piercings when worn. They blend right into an existing earring stack, especially if you opt for one of the metallic colorways. (One r/beyonce member recommends TikToker @mollyvivianmcg's Hush Holders, which are earrings that clip onto Loops for safe-keeping — genius.) My Experience 2 are silver, but they also come in shiny gold, rose gold, matte black, and in limited-edition ombre and holographic finishes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Loop Tomorrowland x Loop Experience 2 Earplugs $39.95
Shop Now 3. They're super comfy

I have a hard time finding earplugs and earbuds that fit well — for reference, I need to wear a tight beanie whenever I use my Apple AirPods Pro or else they fall out. I had no such issues with my Loops, which twisted easily into place and stayed comfortable for the full two hours and 45 minutes from "AMERIICAN REQUIEM" to "AMEN" (even when I ran to the restroom during an interlude). I occasionally forgot I was wearing them.

The Experience 2 come with four swappable sets of soft silicone ear tips so the wearer can customize their fit. I tried them all before heading to the show and wound up using the smallest size.

4. They come with a keychain case. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Loop Earplugs are no bigger than a couple pieces of Froot Loops cereal, so it's really easy to lose them inside of a backpack or purse. Fortunately, each pair includes a carry case that's roughly the size of a silver dollar. There's a rubbery loop on one end so you can attach it to a keychain, and a silicone insert inside to keep the earplugs secure. It hardly took up any room inside the NFL-mandated clear clutch I brought to the Cowboy Carter Tour.

5. They're available for fast, free shipping via Amazon

If you need a pair for an upcoming show, Loop Earplugs are available on Amazon with free next- or two-day Prime shipping. I should note that the Experience 2 cost $4 more there compared to the Loop website, but the latter charges a $4.95 delivery fee for all orders under $44.

Keep a lookout for deals on Loops come Black Friday; they haven't gone on sale outside of the holidays. However, loopearplugs.com offers a year-round 15% discount on a bundle of two pairs for you and your shotgun rider.

Shop Loop Experience 2 Earplugs: Loop Experience 2 Earplugs $38.95 Shop Now Loop Experience 2 Plus Earplugs $44.95 Shop Now Loop Experience 2 Earplugs (two pairs) $59.42 (save $10.48) Get Deal

The company continued to grow fast in its most recent quarter despite new rules restricting the sale of A.I chips to China.

Pocket will soon be no more.

Mozilla, the creators of the web browser Firefox, announced last week that it would be shutting down Pocket, the read-later platform it acquired back in 2017.

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Pocket was the most popular read-later service with more than 30 million users, according to Mozilla. The platform was originally founded in 2007 as Read It Later, just as social news and social bookmarking began to take off.

Read-later services enable users to save web pages, articles, and videos for easy access. These services enabled users to remember long articles they came across for a later time, archived web pages for offline viewing, and more.

Pocket provided a free service as well as a paid premium subscription for less than $50 per year.

However, regardless of Pocket's utility and user base, Mozilla has decided to shut the platform down. According to Mozilla, "the way people use the web has evolved," so the company has decided to shut down Pocket in order to put more resources into Firefox.

Pocket will shut down on July 8, 2025. Users will be able to export their data until October 8, 2025. After that, user data will be permanently deleted.

Pocket alternatives

Pocket may be saying goodbye, but plenty of bookmarking and read-later platforms are still alive and kicking.

If you're looking for a read-later service like Pocket, Instapaper and Readwise are two popular options. 

Instapaper launched shortly after Pocket in 2008, so it's been around for awhile. The service offers a free plan as well as a paid premium subscription option. Instapaper has a much more minimalist design than Pocket, so it might take some getting used to, but it definitely looks sleek. Plus, Instapaper is offering three free months of its $5.99 per month Premium subscription plan to anyone who imports their Pocket data over to its platform. Readwise has a bit more of a Pocket-esque UI but it does not offer a free plan beyond a 30-day trial. After that, a paid subscription to their $9.99 per month plan or their $5.59 per month "Lite" plan is required.

Read-later apps

However, my personal pick for a read-later service replacement for Pocket is an app called GoodLinks.

GoodLinks app for Mac. Credit: GoodLinks

GoodLinks is not a service like Pocket, and the previously mentioned alternatives, where user data is stored on a server. GoodLinks is a downloadable app for Mac and iOS devices. GoodLinks costs just a one-time purchase of $9.99 to get the app for life and new features for a year. Once the year is up, users can continue to use the app as is, with quality of life updates, without any additional costs. Any new features after that initial year will become completely optional one-time, in-app purchases.

GoodLinks provides all the same features those subscription services provide, such as offline reading, downloadable archives, highlights, notes, and more. Plus your data is stored locally and syncs via iCloud.

Like Pocket, all of these services allow users to save more than just articles. If you're a Pocket user looking for a more video-oriented option, Play just might be for you.

Play isn't a read-later app, it's a watch later one. Play keeps track of YouTube videos, channels, and playlists so users can keep tabs on what they want to watch when they have time to watch it. Play also fetches all of the metadata, such as timecodes, descriptions, and more. That means users don't even need to leave the app while catching up on videos they saved.

Play: Watch Later app for Mac Credit: Play

Like GoodLinks, Play isn't a service, but an app that stores data locally and syncs via iCloud. Play is available on Mac, iOS devices, and even has an Apple TV app. You can unlock Play across all apps with a one-time purchase of $2.99. Premium features, like channel tracking, requires a $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year subscription, or can be unlocked forever with a one-time purchase of $99.99.

Bookmarking alternatives

By default, a read-later platform is basically a bookmarking platform as well. For Pocket users who used the soon-to-be-defunct platform to bookmark their favorite websites, the above alternatives work…but they are really made more for articles.

If you need a bookmarking alternative to keep your favorite websites easily accessible wherever you are and regardless of which web browser you're using, I recommend Anybox or Raindrop.io.

Anybox app for Mac Credit: Anybox

Anybox is a free downloadable app that can be used to save, search, and organize your bookmarks across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. All data is stored locally and shared via iCloud sync. All features are available at no cost, but there is a bookmark limit for the free plan. To bookmark unlimited links, there's a subscription of $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year, with a one-time payment option of $39.99 to unlock the Pro plan forever.

Raindrop.io on the other hand is an online bookmarking service. The free plan provides users to access all basic bookmarking features without any limits. The $28 per year Pro plan provides the most robust premium features of any of the service, with AI suggested tags, collections, and more. It also gives users the ability to annotate pages, add reminders to bookmarks, and save a permanent archived copy of every webpage that's saved. 

So, there you have it: A Pocket alternative for every possible use case. And, if none of those hit the spot, you can always hold out hope that Pocket will somehow live on. Kevin Rose, the founder of Digg, said he offered to buy Pocket from Mozilla shortly after the sunsetting announcement. However, Mozilla has reportedly not yet responded.

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

Rose is still trying though.

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

Texas has signed into law its online child safety bill, a sweeping measure that mandates Apple and Google must verify user ages and secure parental approval before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

At the core of this conflict is a broader battle over who bears responsibility for age verification. Apple and Google have clashed with app makers such as Meta, Snap, and Match Group, the parent company of Tinder and Hinge, as state-level legislation on digital safety continues to multiply. Texas joins nine other states, including Utah, that have passed child-focused online safety laws, according to the Age Verification Providers Association.

SEE ALSO: What the Supreme Court hearing about age verification could mean for you

It's a major win for the Texas Legislature, which is also advancing a more controversial measure: a statewide ban on social media accounts for anyone under 18. For Apple and Google, it’s a significant regulatory setback. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly contacted Governor Greg Abbott directly, urging changes to the bill or a veto.

House Bill 186, Texas’s proposed social media ban, cleared the House last week with bipartisan backing. It is expected to pass the state Senate. If enacted, the law would bar minors from creating accounts on all major social media platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, and Snapchat. Age verification would be mandatory, and platforms would need to comply by April 2026.

Parents would also have the right to request the deletion of their child’s account. Social media companies would be required to process those requests within 10 days.

If Abbott signs the bill, Texas would become the first state to enforce a social media ban for minors under 18. Florida currently has a similar law, but its age cutoff is 14, and legislators are now considering raising it to 16.

There's been a lot of talk in recent years about AI replacing the role of humans in the workforce. It's been unclear exactly if or when that would happen on a broader scale. However, this is already happening in one industry in particular: The tech industry.

Researchers at the venture capital firm SignalFire recently released their "State of Talent Report" for 2025, which analyzes hiring and employment trends across the tech industry.

The big takeaway, according to SignalFire's report, is that new graduate hiring has declined. And the downturn isn't across the board. Hiring levels for experienced roles like mid- and senior-level positions have remained strong, while entry-level tech jobs have taken a big hit.

According to the report, recent graduates made up just 7 percent of hires last year at Big Tech companies, which is down 25 percent from the previous year. It's not going any better at startups either, with new graduates making up just 6 percent of new hires, down 11 percent from 2023.

The report makes mention of a few factors that could contribute to this downturn of entry-level jobs in tech, so it's not entirely the result of AI. Interest rates are much higher than they were during the tech boom during the height of the COVID pandemic. This, combined with other issues, has led to smaller funding rounds for startups and Big Tech companies looking to cut costs.

However, even though there are other factors, AI is a significant factor. 

If there's one thing AI has been pretty good at, it's the more mundane, basic coding tasks that an entry-level worker would likely be assigned. In addition, these tasks can also easily be automated using AI coding tools. In recent months, Google released a new AI coding tool called Jules (which is free to use, for now), while ChatGPT and Anthropic's newest models are particularly good at coding. And Mark Zuckerberg recently said he hopes that AI will write half of Meta's code by 2026.

Even experienced programmers have been affected by the shift to AI. As reported in a recent piece in The New York Times, workers at companies like Amazon say that AI has transformed their jobs into a factory-like assembly line. Other coders welcome AI, as it has freed them up from doing monotonous coding work.

Furthermore, companies have been looking to expand their AI programs and hire more roles in the machine learning and data engineering categories. These tend to be more technical roles and are usually filled by those with more experience than a recent graduate.

On top of that, this reconfiguration to focus on AI has led to less hiring in not just entry-level coding jobs but also non-technical jobs as well. According to SignalFire, many recent graduates break into the industry through non-technical roles like product marketing, recruiting, design, and sales. Companies are simply not hiring as much for those roles as they used to.

TL;DR: Streamline your workflow with instant access to multiple AI tools in one place with 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription for just A$124 (reg. A$843).

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $75: As of May 28, the Yeti Tundra 65 hard cooler in key lime is on sale for $300, down from $375, at Amazon and Yeti's own website. That's 20% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Tundra 65 hard cooler (key lime) $300 at Amazon
$375 Save $75 Get Deal

Yeti coolers are unmatched. Not only can they keep ice for days (weeks, even!), but they're also virtually indestructible. I'm a Yeti fangirl at this point (I own a Yeti Roadie 24, Rambler water bottle, Colster can cooler, and stackable mugs) and my only real complaint is the dang prices. Not only is virtually everything in the Yeti lineup expensive, but it also rarely goes on sale. That's why I wanted to scream it from the rooftops that the Yeti Tundra 65 hard cooler is on sale for 20% off.

As of May 28, you can get the Yeti Tundra 65 hard cooler — what Yeti calls its "most versatile cooler" — for only $300 instead of $375. Yes, that's still a lot for a cooler, but it's the cheapest you'll ever find this particular cooler (aside from Black Friday). The only catch? Just the key lime green option is on sale.

SEE ALSO: The super-charged Anker Laptop Power Bank is $25 off at Amazon ahead of summer travel

The Tundra 65 hard cooler fits 77 cans or 58 pounds of just ice, making it a stellar pick for camping trips, weekend getaways, backyard barbecues, and so much more. The ice will easily last you a full weekend, but when it finally does start to melt, you can seamlessly empty it out with the Vortex drain system. The Doublehaul handles are made from military-grade polyester ropes, making it sturdier and easier to carry. Although, we must warn you, this thing is heavy.

If you want something a bit easier to tote around, the Yeti Roadie 32 is designed with wheels and a handle, and it's also on sale in the key lime color. Snag it for just $300 as well.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week

• Skylight Frame 10-inch Digital Picture Frame — $139.99 (List Price $159.00)

• Ninja Crispi Air Fryer — $159.99 (List Price $179.99)

• Birdfy AI Smart Solar Powered Bird Feeder with Camera — $179.99 (List Price $249.99)

• KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer — $449.95

• Eufy Omni C20 Robot Vacuum and Mop With Self-Emptying Base — $399.99 (List Price $699.99)

A decade ago, this would've been unthinkable. Now, it's reality.

Apple announced in a company blog post on Wednesday that several iPad models are now part of its self-repair program. Through this program, which has a dedicated and easy-to-use website, iPad owners can order detailed repair manuals, tools, and what Apple calls "genuine Apple parts" to fix whatever might be ailing their tablets. Apple says you can use this program to fix displays, batteries, charging ports, and cameras.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new HomePod with a display might arrive by the end of 2025

As for which iPad models are supported right now, Apple has provided a list:

• iPad Air (M2 or later)

• iPad Pro (M4)

• iPad mini (A17 Pro)

• iPad (A16)

Unfortunately, this means anyone with an older iPad is probably out of luck on the home-repair front. Apple seems to favor newer products in the self-repair store, as the press release took great pride in noting that the recently launched iPhone 16e is supported by this program.

For a very long time, having to take your busted iPad into an Apple Store for repairs was just the way of things. However, the persistent "Right to Repair" movement eventually pressured companies like Apple into offering self-repair programs. Apple's started in 2022 and has expanded to support 65 products under the Apple banner.

Personally, I'll keep trusting the professionals more than myself.

Best Anker power deals Best portable power bank deal Anker Solix C300 DC Power Bank Station $179.99 (save $120) Get Deal Best wireless charging stand Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station $82.49 (save $27.50) Get Deal Best portable charging pad Anker MagGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger $69.99 (save $20 with code 0UMII6UK ) Get Deal Editor's Pick Anker 735 Charger Nano II (65W) $29.99 (save $26) Get Deal

Last month, we learned that Anker would be raising prices at Amazon to cope with President Trump's tariffs. This month, Amazon is hosting a ton of Anker sales, and on a lot of our favorite Mashable-tested Anker products. So, let's call it a wash so far.

With all of our favorite gadgets becoming part of everyday life, it's a huge bummer when one of them goes dead. It's also become quite the hassle to keep enough cables on hand for fully powering everything each night. Instead of sitting on the struggle bus, turn to the experts at Anker to keep everything charged and ready to roll. Thanks to these sale prices at Amazon, plenty of our favorite Anker charging solutions are on sale today.

Best portable power bank deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C300 Power Bank Station $179.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

Hitting the road this summer? Go prepared with the Anker Solix C300 portable power bank station. It's a must-have for your camping or RV adventures since it comes with two USB-C fast charging ports at 140W and another USB-C with 100W. There's also the car socket and two USB-A ports.

One of the coolest elements of the Anker Solix C300 is the giant built-in light, which is gonna come in handy during your off-grid camping adventures. Plus, the Solix itself doesn't take long to recharge. With wall power, expect to get up to 80% in just 50 minutes.

Before you head off, snag the Anker Solix C300 while it's on sale at Amazon for $179.99, down from the list price at Anker of $299.99. That's a major $120 discount.

More Anker charging products on sale

• Anker 735 Charger Nano II (65W) — $29.99 $55.99 (save $26)

• Anker MagGo Charger Stand — $37.99 $53.99 (save $16)

• Anker Nano Charging Station — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charger Dock Stand — $63.99 $89.99 (save $26)

• Anker MagoGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger Station — $69.99 $89.99 (save $17.99)

• Anker MagGo 3-in-1 iPhone charging station — $82.49 $109.99 (save $27.50)

• Anker Laptop Power Bank — $109.98 $134.99 (save $25.01)

• Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station with 100W Solar Panel — $699 $1,328 (save $629)

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $30: As of May 28, get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds for $79 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $109. That's a 28% discount and just $2 above their lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nothing Ear (a) earbuds $79 at Amazon
$109 Save $30 Get Deal

There are tons of earbuds out there to choose from if you want great sound. But if you're tired of the mainstream (often expensive) options and want to try something different, there's another choice that you might want to take for a test drive: the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds. On top of their transparent casing and cool color options, these distinctive buds also have a first-of-their-kind ChatGPT integration, letting you ask ChatGPT questions on the go.

As of May 28, get the Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds at Amazon for $79, down from their usual price of $109. That's $30 off. This 28% discount is just $2 above their lowest price ever of $77.

SEE ALSO: The best open earbuds that stay put, sound great, and keep you aware of the world around you

These earbuds offer some interesting features, but first and foremost, they're a great choice if you're seeking solid audio. They come with powerful, compact 11 mm drivers for a deep, satisfying bass. They also have a bit of extra space around the drivers for more vibration and less distortion. You can also expect solid noise cancellation, as these buds can check for noise leakage between your earbud and ear canal. They make it much easier to block out the sounds you don't want to hear while helping you focus on the ones that matter.

They also work great for voice calls, with an improved microphone and reduced interference in comparison to their previous model. Thanks to the ChatGPT integration, they also come with an AI-powered onboard virtual assistant. Just use your voice to access ChatGPT and tweak settings with the Nothing X app, which will also give you visual results in addition to what's in your ears.

If you're looking to try something a little different, these buds should tick all the boxes. Be sure to grab them while they're on sale.

The Best Audio Deals to Shop Now

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.98 (List Price $39.99)

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99)

• JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95)

• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $149.00

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $228.00 (List Price $348.00)

• JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $249.95 (List Price $399.95)

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Many reports following SpaceX’s ninth flight test for Starship on Tuesday emphasized disaster: The company’s massive rocket and uncrewed spacecraft exploded — again. 

But each demonstration has had specific objectives, and though Starship didn’t come close to acing them all this time, one in particular was a breakthrough toward making the rocket and ship reusable. That's a crucial goal for SpaceX, which hopes to use the ship to send people to the moon and Mars in a financially sustainable way. 

The launch, which lifted off from SpaceX’s private space port in south Texas on May 27, saw the first re-flown booster in action. The test was broadcast on SpaceX founder Elon Musk's social platform, X. During the livestream, cheers erupted at Starbase when the spacecraft’s engines ignited and the Super Heavy booster — also used in a January test — separated from it and fell back toward Earth. 

"Six healthy Raptors running on Ship, on its way to space," a commentator said excitedly, referring to its powerful engines. "Peek that engine view."

That crucial moment can be watched in a video clip presented further down in this story.

SEE ALSO: NASA astronauts are proud bedwetters. They even practice. During a livestream of the test, spectators got a closeup look at Starship's Raptor engines in space. Credit: SpaceX / X screenshot

The thrill of the achievement didn't last long, perhaps eclipsed by yet another failure. The booster detached from Starship in a method called hot-staging, which means the top part of the rocket starts its engines while still connected to the booster.

That was all part of the plan — a strategy intended to make for a smoother transition — as was the booster flipping itself around after the split. But as the booster neared its landing spot, something went wrong. It broke apart in the air over the Gulf of Mexico, ensuring it definitely won't be reused again. 

Starship is a 400-foot-tall beast. The test flight was the rocket system's third this year. The previous two ended in explosions as well, though Tuesday's flight lasted much longer, flying for 46 minutes before flight controllers lost contact with it. The ship wreckage rained over the Indian Ocean. 

In a company statement following the test, SpaceX said it couldn't deploy mock satellites in space as expected because Starship's door to release them jammed. The ship also struggled to control its position in orbit, which meant it couldn't restart an engine or prepare for reentry into the atmosphere.

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

The above X post features a video of the key moment a reused Starship booster nails its separation and flip in the ninth flight test.

SpaceX has faced criticism for its previous Starship test failures. Its executives insist that building fast, destroying expensive hardware, and learning quickly from mistakes are all part of the company's philosophy — in stark contrast with NASA's much slower approach.

NASA will depend on the rocket company to ferry astronauts to the lunar surface on a modified Starship for the Artemis III and IV moon missions under a $4.2 billion contract. To do that, SpaceX first has to master refueling its ship in space. For Musk, Starship is also a passion project to eventually send people to settle a city on Mars.

The company says it's planning to make more improvements to the prototype before the next flight test. 

"Developmental testing by definition is unpredictable," SpaceX said in a statement, "but every lesson learned marks progress toward Starship’s goal of enabling life to become multiplanetary."

SAVE 20%: As of May 28, you can get the Anker MagoGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger Station for $69.99, down from $89.99, at Amazon. That's $20 in savings with an on-page coupon (if you don't see the coupon, try entering the discount code 0UMII6UK at checkout).

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker MagoGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger Station $69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20 Get Deal

Nowadays, it’s pretty standard to have multiple smart devices, especially if you’re an Apple user (once you’re hooked on iOS, the company makes it almost irresistible to buy other products). While Apple products make life very convenient, having multiple charging cables and wall adapters is a recipe for a jumbled mess of a desktop and a major pain while traveling.

One way to solve this? A multi-device charger.

And over at Amazon, Anker's foldable UFO 3-in-1 iPhone charger is the subject of a new coupon deal that knocks $20 off the price, bringing it down to just $69.99 for a limited time. This deal covers all four colors of the UFO, so you can choose from black, white, pink, and mint color options.

This wireless charger can fast charge your iPhone and Apple Watch at 15W, and still juice up your AirPods while you wait. Anker promises that this wireless charger can power an iPhone 16 Pro to 25% power in just 20 minutes. It also supports landscape mode, meaning you can set your phone on its side and use the UFO charger as a phone stand. The three wireless charging elements are all connected with a durable silicone strap, and the whole thing folds up so you can slip it into your pocket or travel bag.

Prefer a 3-in-1 with a stand? That's on sale too

As of May 28, you can also get the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 iPhone charging station for $82.49, down from $109.99, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and a $27.50 savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen for this charger.

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 iPhone charging station $82.49 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $27.50 See It

The Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station features 15W ultra-fast charging (backed by Qi2 certification) and is compatible with MagSafe iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. To give you an idea of just how fast the charging station is, it can charge an Apple Watch Series 9 to 47 percent in just 30 minutes.

The foldable stand is ideal for travelers due to its compact size (weighing only 6.9 ounces). According to the manufacturer, it is about the size of a deck of cards when folded.

More deals on Anker charging stations

• Anker MagGo Charger Stand — $37.99 $53.99 (save $16)

• Anker Nano Charging Station — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charger Dock Stand — $63.99 $89.99 (save $26)

• Anker MagoGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger Station — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Anker MagGo 3-in-1 iPhone charging station — $82.49 $109.99 (save $27.50)

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $120: As of May 28, the Samsung 43-inch M7 smart monitor is on sale for just $379.99 at Amazon, down from $499.99. That's a savings of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 43-inch M7 Smart Monitor $379.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $120 Get Deal

The best thing about modern tech is that seemingly every gadget serves multiple purposes. Case in point: the Samsung M7 smart monitor. On one hand, it serves as a second screen to extend your workspace. On the other, it serves as a fully capable smart TV. I have an older model of this monitor (the M5) and can enthusiastically say it's one of my best tech purchases.

I'm not a huge fan of the retail price of $499.99, but as of May 28, it's down to just $379.99. That's 24% in savings and only $30 shy of its best price ever.

While many tech purchases don't stand the test of time, I've had the older Samsung M5 smart monitor since 2021, and it's still in pristine condition. I've never had a single complaint, truly. The M7 is two generations better, so I can only imagine how much I'd rave about it. Actually, Mashable's RJ Andersen spent a few months with the M7 and did rave about it.

SEE ALSO: Heads up: The Samsung Galaxy S25 has never been this cheap before

Here's the scoop:

• The 4K display is bright and crisp with a 60 Hz refresh rate and maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160.

• Connection-wise, it packs two HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, and one USB-C port.

• Adaptive Picture technology can adjust your screen brightness for the best viewing experience.

• Two "Eye Saver" modes help reduce blue light emissions.

• Samsung Gaming Hub lets you stream games without the need of a console or PC.

• You can download and enjoy all your favorite streaming apps and even browse the internet, no other device needed.

• Both the 43-inch and 32-inch options are on sale.

My older Samsung M5 smart monitor is still going strong after four years. Credit: Christina Buff / Mashable

So long as you have a sturdy internet connection, Samsung's M7 smart monitor works double duty as a brilliant 43-inch TV. I have a smaller, 27-inch model and have streamed plenty of episodes of New Girl on mine without issue. In fact, I used my Samsung monitor as my TV for a few weeks when I moved into my new place. If you're strapped for space and want a single screen for streaming and working, you won't be disappointed. It might even look better than my actual TV.

If you're a Samsung loyalist, the M7 monitor even lets you control multiple Samsung tablet and mobile devices with a single mouse and keyboard for greater efficiency. I can't speak to the efficacy of this feature, as I am device-agnostic. I also don't think I'd recommend it to hardcore gamers seeking a monitor, as the refresh rate is a bit low. For pretty much anyone else wanting a monitor that can do the most, I wholeheartedly encourage snagging this baby while it's on sale.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $175: Amazon and Best Buy have the Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) on sale for only $624.99 as of May 28. That's 22% off its $799.99 MSRP and an all-time low.

Quick links: Amazon Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) $624.99 (save $175) Get Deal Best Buy Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) $624.99 (save $175) Get Deal

Samsung's latest smartphone, the ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge, officially lands on May 30. But if scoring a great deal matters more to you than sleekness, look to the lower end of the Galaxy S25 lineup: The base model just hit its lowest price ever.

As of May 28, the 128GB Samsung Galaxy S25 is on sale for just $624.99 at Amazon and Best Buy — a 22% discount on its $799.99 MSRP. (That makes it almost half the price of the cheapest Galaxy S25 Edge, which starts at $1,099.99.) Note that Amazon's deal only applies to the Mint Galaxy S25, while Best Buy has it in both Mint and Silver Shadow. The Navy and Icyblue variants are $50 more.

SEE ALSO: I got to try Samsung's new ultra-thin S25 Edge smartphone

The Galaxy S25 landed this past February with a slightly lighter design and more RAM than its predecessor, last year's Galaxy S24. (It now comes with 12GB of memory instead of 8GB.) It also runs on a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor that's better at handling AI tasks and staying cool. Otherwise, its 6.2-inch AMOLED display, three-camera setup, and 4,000mAh battery have all carried over from the previous generation. The most eligible upgraders will be coming from a Galaxy S23 model or older.

If you could benefit from a little more storage, both higher configurations of the Galaxy S25 were also on sale at the time of writing:

• 256GB — $684.99 to $734.99 $859.99 (save up to $175, depending on the color)

• 512GB — $869.99 to $919.99 $1,119.99 (save up to $250, depending on the color)

The Best Tech Deals to Shop Now

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)