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Act fast to get the Sony WF-C700N earbuds at their lowest price at Amazon

Mashable - 2 hours 44 min ago

SAVE $41.99: As of May 30, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds are discounted at Amazon to $78, 35% off their list price of $119.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling in-Ear Bluetooth Earbud Headphones $78 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal

Summer is fast approaching, and if you're making travel plans for the months ahead, it's important to have a solid pair of earbuds to keep you occupied on long journeys. Thankfully, there are plenty of great deals available at the moment. This includes a very nice discount on Sony's WF-C700N earbuds at Amazon.

The Sony WF-C700N earbuds are now 35% off at the retailer, dropping their price from $119.99 to $78. This also marks a return to their lowest-ever price, so there's no better time than now to scoop them up. Keep in mind that this is listed as a limited-time deal as well, so you'll want to be quick to take advantage of these savings.

SEE ALSO: Sony's new flagship XM6 headphones are here — but there's a catch

Boasting high-quality sound, noise-canceling features, a comfortable fit, and up to 15 hours of battery life with the help of the charging case, the Sony WF-C700N earbuds will keep you plenty busy with your favorite music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more for hours. They're a great fit for any long adventures you've got planned. And the noise-canceling will help keep you fully immersed in what you're listening to without any outside noises interrupting.

Now is as good a time as any to treat yourself to an earbud upgrade. Don't miss out on the Sony WF-C700N earbuds back at their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

If you're on the lookout for headphones instead, there are plenty of deals worth checking out. Over at Amazon, you can score some very nice discounts right now on Sony's ULT WEAR headphones and the Sonos Ace headphones.

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

Hate vacuuming? The Roomba Q0120 is under $100 at Amazon

Mashable - 2 hours 52 min ago

SAVE $150: As of May 30, the iRobot Roomba Q0120 is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a 60% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Q0120 $99.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $150 Get Deal

If you've been shopping around for a robot vacuum for a while, the name Roomba won't be unfamiliar. It's one of the top brands going, with vacuums for all price ranges. And if you're looking for something affordable and effective, you can't go wrong with an iRobot Roomba Q0120. And as of May 30, it is currently on sale for $99.99, saving you $150.

Despite being a lower price than many you'll have seen elsewhere, this doesn't mean a lack of quality; you're still getting a top-of-the-range vacuuming experience. This model has a three-stage cleaning system that delivers customizable suction for carpets and hard floors. It comes with smart navigation that vacuums in neat rows, dodges furniture, and steers clear of stairs or any other obstacles in your house. And if you have any hard-to-reach corners and edges, the Edge-Sweeping Brush won't struggle, so don't worry about any dust or dirt build-up.

Everything is controlled from the iRobot Home App, where you can do things like schedule cleans while you're away from home, check to see where it has cleaned, and set it to charge. And with up to 120 minutes of cleaning on one charge, if it doesn't manage your whole house, it'll return itself to the charging station to reboot.

Don't miss out, head to Amazon for this deal.

Our favorite portable speaker for bass lovers is still at its best price at Amazon

Mashable - 3 hours 3 min ago

SAVE $41.99: As of May 30, the Sony ULT Field 1 portable speaker is on sale at Amazon for $88. This is 32% off its list price of $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 $88 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal

Portable speaker deals have been plentiful lately, which is good news if you've been looking to pick one up to enjoy in the warmer weather. One of our favorite portable speakers, the Sony ULT Field 1, has even been discounted at Amazon. What's even better is it's still at its lowest-ever price there.

The Sony ULT Field 1 is currently 32% off at Amazon, that's dropped its price from $129.99 to $88. Again, this marks a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer, so if it's caught your eye, now is a great time to pick it up. It's currently listed as a limited-time deal as well, so act fast to pick it up before the discount disappears.

SEE ALSO: The JBL Xtreme 4 is still at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

We consider this powerful little speaker to be the best pick for bass lovers in our roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers, with Mashable's Bethany Allard saying, "Sony's entire ULT line was created for anyone who considers impressive bass a crucial part of their listening experience, and the Sony ULT Field 1 is no exception." It boasts up to 12 hours of battery life and is even waterproof, so it can handle a variety of outdoor adventures to the beach, pool, and more.

Don't miss out on this limited-time deal on the Sony ULT Field 1 at Amazon.

Looking for more portable speaker deals? The Beats Pill and JBL Clip 5 are great picks, also discounted at Amazon right now.

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

Get the Apple Pencil Pro for under $100

Mashable - 3 hours 12 min ago

SAVE $30: As of May 30, the Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's a 23% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

The Apple Pencil Pro, the latest in Apple's range of stylus pens, is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's under $100. As of May 30, you'll find this stylus on sale for $99.

The Apple Pencil Pro features an impressive list of upgrades and new features that previous styluses don't offer. These more advanced controls include gestures and haptics. For example, by just rotating the pencil, you can change the brush or pen tool settings mid-drawing. The squeeze interaction is also new and allows users to change modes or activate tools simply by squeezing the pencil.

The haptic feedback mimics the feeling of writing or drawing on real paper, delivering subtle vibrations to match the activity being performed on the iPad.

Similar to the Apple Pencil 2, the Pro can be charged wirelessly by magnetically attaching it to the side of compatible iPads. According to Apple, the Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) and iPad mini (A17 Pro).

It's compatible with the Find My locator, too. So if you misplace it, just use the app to track its location.

Find this deal at Amazon now.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is still at its best price at Amazon with $100 off

Mashable - 3 hours 24 min ago

SAVE $100: As of May 30, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is on sale at Amazon for $349.99. This is 22% off its list price of $449.99 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price, according to camelcamelcamel.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 265 $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100 Get Deal

There have been quite a few great Garmin deals floating around recently, which is good news if you've been on the lookout for a new smartwatch. One of our favorites at the moment is the Garmin Forerunner 265, which is still at its lowest-ever price at Amazon even after Memorial Day sales.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is currently marked down to $349.99, a 22% discount from its list price of $449.99. Again, this price marks a return to its lowest-ever price, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. If it's been on your radar, there's no better time than now to pick it up and save some cash in the process.

SEE ALSO: The Garmin Venu 3S has never been priced lower than this

This smartwatch has all of the features to make it a worthy purchase, too. This is especially true if you're a runner. If you're planning for a race, it offers up personalized suggested workouts each day to help you out. It also has a morning report that provides you with a breakdown of your sleep, recovery and training outlook, and a training readiness score that can help you plan out your workout for the day.

On top of that, it boasts a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode to keep you more focused on your fitness rather than the watch's battery.

If you've been looking for a smartwatch upgrade, this deal on the Garmin Forerunner 265 is one you don't want to miss.

As mentioned before, there are quite a few more Garmin deals worth a look right now, too. The Garmin Forerunner 955 is also discounted at Amazon, as is the stylish Garmin Lily 2.

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

This refurbished Fire Max 11 tablet is at its lowest-ever price

Mashable - 3 hours 33 min ago

SAVE $100: As of May 30, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon. That's a 42% savings off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 $139.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $100 Get Deal

If a tablet upgrade is on your horizon, this latest deal on a refurbished Amazon Fire Max 11 is one to check out. As of May 30, this tablet has been reduced by $100, now only $139.99. This is the lowest it has been priced at Amazon, according to camelcamelcamel. This deal is specific to the 128GB device without lockscreen ads.

And don't be put off by the refurbished stamp; this tablet's quality is described as "like new." Amazon states it "is refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and comes with the same limited warranty as a new device."

This tablet is one of the most advanced in the range, and is perfect for both work and play. The screen boasts an impressive 2000x1200 resolution and a bright display with over 2.4 million pixels. It's also certified for low blue light, so it's easy on the eyes, especially if you're looking at the screen for long periods of time.

You can add optional accessories to this tablet so you can adapt it to what you need. Accessories like a keyboard case and stylus pen can be purchased separately, and you can even download Microsoft 365 for all your work or study needs.

And we can't not mention the battery life, promising to last up to 14 hours, so it's perfect for on-the-go streaming or browsing. And with storage expandable to 1TB, it’s got plenty of room for all your favorite apps, movies, and documents.

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

Jimmy Kimmel trolls Trump over TACO nickname with parody song

Mashable - 3 hours 42 min ago

Trump, who's always loved dishing out nicknames, now has one of his own.

"They're calling him TACO, which is an acronym for 'Trump Always Chickens Out'," explains Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above from his Thursday monologue. "And you're not going to believe this, but he doesn't like the nickname at all."

Unsurprisingly, Kimmel has little sympathy for the president.

"How does it feel to be on the other end of the nickname game? Not great, does it? The only thing that would make it worse is if somebody changed the lyrics to a song by his beloved Village People to drive it home."

Cue a version of the band's hit "Macho Man" with the lyrics changed to – you guessed it – "TACO Man".

The A.I. Jobpocalypse, Building at Anthropic with Mike Krieger and Hard Fork Crimes Division

NYT Technology - 3 hours 44 min ago
“These products are really explicitly being designed to take away people’s jobs.”

Say More: Danny and Michael Philippou on Bring Her Back

Mashable - 4 hours 44 min ago

Mashable Say More is a video podcast where Mashable staffers interview your favorite actors, writers, directors, and more for long-form interviews that allow us to dig into their careers, latest projects, and internet obsessions. This week, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko sat down in Mashable's New York City studio with Danny and Michael Philippou, the filmmaking brothers behind the new A24 horror movie Bring Her Back.

Two-time Academy Award–nominee Sally Hawkins stars as foster mom Laura. On the surface, she's all smiles and sunshine. But when nearly 18-year-old Andy (Billy Barratt) and his sister, Piper (Sora Wong), move into Laura's remote home, Andy begins to notice something suspicious in his new guardian's behavior. A lot of it revolves around how she treats her other foster child, Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips).

If the Philippou's feature film debut, Talk to Me, had you spooked, Bring Her Back will have you screaming. In my review of the film, I raved, "While I gasped and screamed at the Philippous' latest, I also held my breath and cried. While they have warned critics and audiences their new film is 'bleak,' I found it beautiful. Alongside a story of psychological torment, physical torture, and murder, Bring Her Back also offers a story of love beyond death, and how that can be a double-edged sword."

Mashable spoke with the brothers about their influences, their origins making online videos, what happened with their proposed Street Fighter movie, and what they'd like to tackle next — including Talk to Me 2.

For more on the Philippous and their love of horror, check out Senior Creative Producer Mark Stetson's video, in which he played Choose Your Squad, themed to Talk to Me.

Mashable Say More will have new episodes every Friday, viewable on Mashable and YouTube. You can subscribe to our podcast feed anywhere you download podcasts.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 30, 2025

Mashable - 5 hours 27 min ago

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 Thursday, May 30, 2025:

AcrossBrowser windows
  • The answer is Tabs.

Whom you often long to speak to during a customer service call
  • The answer is Human.

2024 film that won Best Picture
  • The answer is Anora.

Weightless state experienced by astronauts, for short
  • The answer is ZeroG.

Garden in Genesis
  • The answer is Eden.

DownAdjusted, as a radio dial
  • The answer is Tuned.

Love, in Rome
  • The answer is Amore.

British nobility rank below earl and viscount
  • The answer is Baron.

Grab a hold of
  • The answer is Snag.

Mental fog
  • The answer is Haze.

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.

For Some Recent Graduates, the A.I. Job Apocalypse May Already Be Here

NYT Technology - 5 hours 41 min ago
The unemployment rate for recent college graduates has jumped as companies try to replace entry-level workers with artificial intelligence.

Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans

NYT Technology - 5 hours 43 min ago
The Trump administration has expanded Palantir’s work with the government, spreading the company’s technology — which could easily merge data on Americans — throughout agencies.

On the Campaign Trail, Elon Musk Juggled Drugs and Family Drama

NYT Technology - 5 hours 43 min ago
As Mr. Musk entered President Trump’s orbit, his private life grew increasingly tumultuous and his drug use was more intense than previously known.

Listen to the eerie sounds of Mars recorded by a NASA rover

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

A NASA rover ambling over the red desert planet for the past four years has been recording audio of Mars

In this alien world 156 million miles away in space, even the everyday whispers of wind and mechanical parts are exotic to human ears. Scientists say that's because the Martian atmosphere is about 1 percent as dense as Earth's, which alters the volume, speed, and characteristics of sound.

How to describe what Perseverance has heard at Jezero crater? 

Well, it doesn't not sound like the eerie ambient noise of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, but you can listen for yourself.

Like an aspiring DJ or singer-songwriter, Perseverance has a Soundcloud account, where people can experience the latest Martian tracks. NASA shared this week some of the strange audio the rover has captured. You can find a sampling further down in this story. 

SEE ALSO: A NASA Mars rover looked up at a moody sky. What it saw wasn't a star. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech illustration

When the rover touched down on Mars in 2021, it didn’t just bring cameras, drills, and tubes for rock samples. It also carried two microphones — nothing special, just a couple of off-the-shelf devices anyone could buy online. The only modification NASA made was to attach little grids at the end of the mics to protect them from Martian dust

One of the microphones, mounted on the rover’s head, is known as the SuperCam and has recorded most of the audio; another is attached to the body. What they’ve picked up is changing the way scientists think about the Red Planet. 

This is the first time humanity has ever been able to listen to the din of another world. 

"We've all seen these beautiful images that we get from Mars," said Nina Lanza, a Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist, in a NASA video, "but having sound to be able to add to those images, it makes me feel like I'm almost right there on the surface."

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

NASA shared Martian audio in the above post on X.

Researchers published the first study of acoustics on Mars in the journal Nature, based on Perseverance's recordings, in 2022. Apparently, the Red Planet is a much quieter place than originally thought, and not just because it's unpopulated

It’s so silent, in fact, there was a time the rover team believed the mics had stopped working. But Perseverance just wasn't getting much material from its surroundings. That's largely due to Mars' low-atmospheric pressure, though the pressure can vary with the seasons.

The team studying these sounds found that Mars' thin air, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, makes sound waves behave differently. On Earth, sound travels at roughly 767 mph. On Mars, deeper pitches move at about 537 mph, with higher ones traveling a bit faster, at 559 mph. 

The thin atmosphere also causes sound to drop off quickly. A sound that could be heard from 200 feet away on Earth falls silent after 30 feet on Mars. Higher-pitched tones have an even shorter range. 

The microphones mounted to Perseverance are off-the-shelf devices anyone could buy off the internet. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

"Sounds on Earth have very rich harmonics. You can hear multiple frequencies. It gets a really nice depth to the sound," said Justin Maki, a NASA scientist, in a video. "On Mars, the atmosphere attenuates a lot of those higher frequencies. So you tend to hear the lower frequencies, and it's a much more isolated sound, a little more muted than the sounds we hear on Earth."

With this data, scientists have learned that some of their earlier models for how they thought sound should move on Mars missed the mark. 

"The Martian atmosphere can propagate sound a lot further than we thought it could," Lanza said.

Translation: The Red Planet can literally carry a tune.

Wait, you can buy vintage Cartier watches and Chanel bags on Amazon now?

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

Amazon is a well-known destination for cheap clothes and designer dupes. But Amazon isn't just trying to outsell Temu and Shein — it's trying to compete with The RealReal.

Quietly baked into the interface for Amazon's high-end storefront, Amazon Luxury Stores, is a pre-loved tab full of luxury vintage styles from just about any major design house you could think of.

SEE ALSO: As tariffs invade the apparel market, selling your clothes online is the move — here's how

You can sort between pre-loved men's and women's fashion or search by designer: Prada, Cartier, Margiela, Chrome Hearts, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are all options, just to name a few. The variety has a clear focus on women's bags and jewelry, but there are some clothes and accessories like sunglasses and belts in the mix. Most items ship within the next few days with a few "get it by tomorrow" options scattered throughout.

So, if you need an $18,000 Cartier watch by tomorrow, Amazon has you covered. Looking for a really nice Father's Day gift idea? The whole fam could go in on a Rolex. Is the third season of And Just Like That making you miss Samantha again? You know miss thing would tell you to buy that Birkin bag. However, the real question is: Can you really consider yourself a good pet parent if your dog doesn't have a $4,950 pre-loved Hermés dog house?

Signing up for notifications about luxury drops or special offers unlocks 10% off your next Luxury Stores purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prada Amazon Luxury Stores Pre-loved designer items Get Deal Where does Amazon get all these vintage designer items?

Similar to the way small businesses sell their items through Amazon's Support Small storefront, listings in Amazon Luxury Stores come from third-party luxury sellers and stores. Some are on the niche side, and some are quite recognizable if you're a veteran luxury thrifter. For instance, a ton of the bags are from What Goes Around Comes Around, who originally partnered with Amazon for the launch of the luxury resale section in 2022.

Remember that Amazon is not conducting any further authentication processes beyond what the third-party sellers themselves do. So if you're skeptical about a designer product's legitimacy, you'll have to look into that seller's specific approach to verification.

Credit: Mashable screenshot / Amazon

While "Amazon" and "designer items" do sound sketchy in the same sentence, but Amazon isn't trying to scam people here. In April 2025, Amazon and Cartier actually joined forces to file a lawsuit against one influencer and a handful of businesses for attempting to dodge Amazon's anti-counterfeit guardrails.

The condition of the item is noted in each listing, i.e. "excellent" or "very good" pre-loved condition, plus notes like "faint tarnishing to back of case" or "light scuffing to exterior leather shoulder straps" if applicable. Some listings also promise to include a Certificate of Authenticity.

If you're not satisfied with your purchase, most items bought through Amazon Luxury Stores can be returned within 30 days. The third-party seller will have to verify the return request, as well as approve the item's return condition before the refund starts to process.

Highlights from Amazon Luxury Stores Pre-Loved Monogram Canvas Croissant handbag $1,750 at Amazon Learn More Pre-loved Chanel Cream Lambkin Sport flap bag $3,950 at Amazon Shop Now Pre-Loved Tank Americaine de Cartier 18K White Gold watch $18,100 at Amazon Learn More Pre-Loved Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch $18,050 Learn More Pre-Loved Rolex 18K Yellow Gold & Diamond Datejust President watch $29,500 at Amazon Learn More See the whole pre-loved collection Check prices at Amazon Shop Now

Is AI porn the next horizon in self-pleasure — and is it ethical?

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

The AI revolution is well and truly upon us. As we grapple with the ramifications of generative AI in our professional and personal worlds, it’s worth remembering that its impact will be felt in even the most intimate corners of our lives — including our private browsers

Whether you’re aware of it or not, AI is coming for the porn industry. Already, there are a number of new genres emerging which make use of generative AI, such as hyper porn, a genre of erotic imagery which stretches the limits of sexuality and human anatomy to hyperbolic new heights (think: a Barbie-esque woman with three giant breasts, instead of two). There are also various iterations of ‘gone wild’ porn, a subdivision of porn which sees users attempt to ‘trick’ safe-for-work image generation models like Dall-E into depicting erotic scenes — and enjoying the work-arounds and euphemisms which these tools may use to avoid depicting explicit sex. 

But it’s unlikely AI will wipe out the existence of IRL porn performers. AI porn stretches the fantasy innate within the porn and erotic content industries – materialising flawless avatars tailored to an individual’s unique desires out of, seemingly, thin air. For some, this will be a turn-on but for others, it will lack the sweat and grit that makes IRL sex so appealing. 

“I think there will be a splitting between people jumping head first into unreality and the people who actually want an antidote to it. We're already seeing such a huge fracturing of reality in our everyday lives,” says Vex Ashley, the porn performer, director, producer and one half of creative pornography project Four Chambers. 

SEE ALSO: Majority of Gen Z would marry an AI, survey says

Ultimately, she insists, there will be a demographic that still hungers for a semblance of real human interaction. “We'll absolutely see something like a build-your-own-AI custom pornstar who is also your digital girlfriend but I think — despite what people say — for many, sex is an experience they want to be grounded in some kind of authenticity,” Ashley adds. “Person to person, there's a reason why you want to talk to your favourite pornstar on OnlyFans. I think we'll see a pushback, a rise of amateur, homemade content and in-person sexual events, experiences — something tactile.”

AI porn and gooning

While the industry is beginning to grapple with generative AI, the consumer point of view is coming into focus and, for some, it could provoke difficulties – especially for those already struggling with excessive porn use. While sex and relationships therapists tend to be sceptical about the topic of ‘porn addiction’ — it doesn’t appear in diagnostic manuals and it is instead considered to be a form of compulsive sexual behaviour — a whole porn subculture exists around ‘gooning’: an extreme evolution of orgasm denial which sees individuals, generally cis men, enter into a trance-like state after edging for hours, locked into masturbation sessions with the aid of online porn. Speaking to an anonymous gooner, he shares his view of how AI may impact chronic porn users. 

SEE ALSO: What is gooning?

“AI porn kind of offers this new version of gooning. What is extremely sexy is typing in every crass thought that you have and immediately seeing it generated as an image.” He describes accessing NSFW generative AI models like Uber Realistic Porn Merge and then downloading different LoRAs (Low-Rank Adaptation — a type of add-on which allows you to quickly fine-tune an AI model) for various angles and scenarios within porn, such as ‘reverse anal’ or ‘deep-throat side view’. “You try them out and you’re like, ‘Oh, this is super hot…but I want the characters to be holding hands with a priest!’” 

From there, the hunger for more and more extreme fantasies can quickly escalate. “It’s bizarre, you tend to end up in this cycle of typing in a scenario, waiting five seconds until it comes up and, from there, chasing different scenarios — like having sex in the subway — that you can’t do in real life.” The possibilities of AI to turn an individual’s most niche fantasies into tangible images, all at the click of a button, are hugely compelling but, as my interviewee explains, it’s also potentially troubling for individuals who may struggle with compulsive porn use. “Live generation goon sessions will definitely become more popular,” he says. “I’ve seen people in Reddit threads who are like, ‘I can’t stop gooning over AI porn'. I agree — I tasted it and it was fucking addictive.”

It’s worth noting here that, for anyone who is concerned about their porn consumption (of AI content, or otherwise), you might want to ask yourself questions about whether you want to stop but can’t, or if there is a pattern of escalation. Ultimately, if you feel like your porn consumption is spiralling, it’s worth reaching out to a therapist specialised in the field of compulsive sexual behaviour or a charity such as Relate, which can offer support around so-called ‘porn addiction' (psychotherapists say there is no clinical evidence to support the diagnosis of 'porn addiction').

How AI porn will impact the real-life industry

But as well as holding potential concerns for porn viewers, the rise of AI porn could have a serious knock-on effect for individuals currently working in the porn industry as actors or performers. After all, the obvious appeal of AI is the ability to see images and short-form video that explore hyper-unrealistic fantasies that aren’t just impossible in ‘real life’ but for humans at all (like realistic vampire porn, or convincing erotic alien abduction scenes). 

For flesh-and-blood individuals working in the erotic industries, the increasing availability of AI — and potential impact on demand for porn featuring real humans — is already providing pause. “I think it would be naive to say that we won't see huge shifts across all industries, porn and sex have always been right at the forefront of technological advancement,” says Ashley. 

As with other industries and forms of labour, Ashley explains that there will inevitably be concerns around workers’ rights as consumers begin to explore AI-generated imagery. “We're unfortunately going to see a space long dominated by the labour, skill and ingenuity of women and queer people be flooded with men finally able to achieve the ability to create the image of a person they want to fuck, without needing the person themself,” Ashley explains. 

While some porn performers are using AI themselves, such as for sexy chatbots, the lack of employment law protections for workers in the industry means they will be especially vulnerable to consumer changes. “It's going to be a labour rights issue for sex workers who are already so legislatively unprotected compared to other performers in mainstream media,” says Ashley.

The danger of deepfakes

In addition to these labour rights concerns, AI can be used to create non-consensual explicit deepfakes, prompting serious questions around consumer responsibility. For those who are unfamiliar, non-consensual explicit deepfakes typically consist of an individual’s face and likeness being superimposed onto a naked body or an erotic scenario without their knowledge, then distributed online. It goes without saying that this type of material is a major violation of an individual’s right to autonomy, privacy, and dignity. As a result, the creation of these images is already due to become illegal in England and Wales, with legislation recently signed to crack down on deepfakes in the U.S. 

However, as Professor Clare McGlynn, an expert in the legal regulation of pornography, sexual violence, and online abuse explains, the consumption of these images remains unregulated — meaning that they can be viewed without repercussions. “Viewing sexually explicit deepfakes is not an offence. It is, though, deeply unethical. Survivors experience this abuse as a violation of their bodily and sexual integrity,” she explains. “Each viewing is a new act of sexual violence, a breach of their consent. That so many are viewing this material should be deeply worrying, as it suggests a large market for non-consensual material.”

Thankfully, efforts are being made to bring distributors of sexually explicit deepfakes to account — cutting consumers off from the source. This year, in fact, the figure behind one of the world’s best-known non-consensual explicit deepfake sites was identified, and the site in question, MrDeepfakes, shut down

However, more should be done to prevent this kind of abuse from happening, rather than taking down the material once it has already been made and distributed, as Madelaine Thomas, an adult content creator and the founder of Image Angel, a software company which creates invisible watermarks to prevent non-consensual image sharing, attests. “Social media platforms don't have the infrastructure they need to be able to protect the people on those platforms from content that isn't authentic or isn't captured in the correct way,” Thomas explains. 

The best-known cases of non-consensual explicit deepfakes involve well-known celebrities, but the scale of the harm is wider than many are aware. The ability to pirate the likeness or body of any individual who has posted photos on the internet has led to an increasing number of victims speaking out about the abuse they have faced over the past few years. In future, it’s likely that more and more individuals will sadly be impacted by these crimes, including those in the adult entertainment industry, a demographic who are often victim-blamed when they come forward about instances of sexual abuse

But are there solutions? In the background, work is definitely underway. For example, Image Angel was founded after Thomas’s intimate images were distributed without her consent, leading to a passion to prevent this kind of abuse in future — one that is reflected in her company’s mission. “Image Angel adds an invisible forensic watermark to any content that is received on a platform that has our tech installed. For example, if a content creator is sending out multiple nude or suggestive images, they can make sure that whoever receives them will be traceable if they share them,” she explains. 

While Thomas is keen to emphasise the damage of non-consensual explicit deepfake abuse, she also emphasises that the current AI model for all explicit content is based on the non-consensual extraction of erotic images. “I work with the Digital Intimacy Coalition, and for years we have been campaigning to get people to understand that generated deepfakes do not solely put one person at the center of the harm,” she explains. “The customer is none the wiser, but these AI tools are almost like a black hole that we are just seeing the very surface of. There are thousands of people, mostly women, whose images have been fed into these multi-language models. The tools might spit out an image of one person, but that image is comprised of thousands of sex workers’ data.”

Ultimately, an increased awareness around the potential harms of AI porn may encourage some viewers from taking a more conscientious approach. But we can’t just rely on consumers to do the right thing – there needs to be an infrastructure to protect individuals from having their image stolen and misappropriated. For her part, Thomas expects to see more porn and erotic imagery behind the paywall, with in-built technology to prevent content from being fed into AI models. She also expects that AI-poisoning tools, like Nightshade, may well augment in popularity as a way to prevent images and videos from being fed into AI models. 

Whatever the future holds, it will be a rocky journey for the adult entertainment industry and wider society as we grapple with these nefarious uses of new technology – making it all the more important to listen to porn and adult content creators, fight for survivors of image-based sexual abuse, and campaign for further AI regulation. 

This app is making desktop scanners obsolete

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

TL;DR: SwiftScan VIP is a scanner app that works with any document type, and it’s on sale for $41.99 with code TAKE30.

Desktop scanners are useful, but they take up space and are not exactly convenient when you are on the move. In the same vein, using your phone camera as a scanner kind of works, but the quality is poor, and you have to manually edit all your scans. If you need a simpler, high-quality way to scan and manage documents, SwiftScan VIP is a mobile app that brings all the essential features of a desktop scanner to your phone or tablet, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $41.99 (reg. $199.99).

Turn your phone into a scanner

SwiftScan makes it easy to scan documents, receipts, notes, and even whiteboards using your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. The app automatically detects document edges, enhances image quality, and lets you save your scans as PDFs or JPEGs with a single tap. It also supports multi-page scanning, so you can quickly create and save full documents from multiple pages.

Once you’ve scanned a document, you can touch it up with SwiftScan’s comprehensive editing tools. You can add notes or signatures, highlight text, redact sensitive information, and rearrange pages. OCR technology also makes scanned text searchable, which helps with managing files more efficiently. It even has a built-in file management system.

SwiftScan integrates with cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, Evernote, and OneDrive. Files can be saved automatically or shared by email, print, or even fax, all from within the app. Smart file naming allow you to organize scans using custom labels, dates, or location data.

It might finally be time to say goodbye to the desktop scanner.

Use code TAKE30 to get a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan for just $41.99.

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Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $41.99
$199.99 Save $158 Get Deal

This MacBook Air with the M1 chip is a budget-friendly powerhouse, now 60% off

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

TL;DR: Harness the power of Apple’s M1 Chip for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299) with this amazing deal on this 2020 MacBook Air.

Looking for power and portability without breaking the bank? Apple’s MacBook Air delivers exactly that, offering serious efficiency with Apple’s M1 chip in a slim, lightweight design that weighs under 3 pounds. And right now, one can be yours for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299), a better price than both Amazon and Walmart. The only catch is that there are limited quantities left.

This MacBook Air doesn’t skimp on power

If you need a laptop that delivers both power and portability without weighing you down, the MacBook Air is your perfect match. With its ultra-light design and impressive M1 chip, you get top-tier performance that easily slips into your bag.

Whether editing videos, running complex apps, or tackling everyday tasks, Apple’s M1 chip provides the speed and efficiency you need. It’s even speedier than Intel-based laptops — with 3.5x faster performance and 5x faster graphics for your apps and games. 

The 16-core Neural Engine helps the laptop handle advanced tasks like AI and machine learning, keeping it compatible with the latest technology. It comes with 128GB SSD, offering ample space for your important data and favorite apps.

The 13.3″ Retina display supports millions of colors, making it ideal for both work and personal use. And its impressive 18-hour battery life lets you get through a full day without a recharge.

Need peace and quiet to work? Don’t worry, this model features a fanless design, offering silent operation with no annoying hum.

You’re securing this model at a 60% discount thanks to its grade A refurbished rating. That means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with virtually no sign of use, but you’ll still enjoy the deeply discounted price. 

Get a 13.3″ Apple MacBook Air with the M1 chip for just $514.99 (reg. $1,299), a better deal than Amazon or Walmart, while supplies last. There are limited units left.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2020) M1 MGN63LL/A 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $514.99
$1,299 Save $784.01 Get Deal

Learn what you need to know from books you don’t have time to read in just 15 minutes

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

TL;DR: Learn the most important parts of the books you don’t have time to read with a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, now $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$299.95 Save $239.96 Get Deal

It can be tough to find time for reading, especially when work, errands, and daily responsibilities take up most of your day. But if you still want to keep learning, Headway Premium is a practical alternative. This app gives you lifetime access to concise, 15-minute summaries of top nonfiction books, so you can pick up useful ideas without needing to carve out hours for reading.

A lifetime subscription to Headway Premium is only $59.99 (reg. $299.95) — but that’s only during this limited-time sale.

How Headway makes learning fit any schedule

With a one-time purchase, you get unlimited access to Headway’s full collection. That includes summaries from over 2,000 books across a range of topics from personal development to business, productivity, and health. New titles are added regularly, so there’s always something fresh to explore.

Don’t worry, the app doesn’t just drop you a list of titles and expect you to know where to start. When you sign up, Headway suggests book summaries based on your goals and interests. It even uses gamified elements like achievements and streaks to help you stay motivated and track your progress. Whether you prefer reading or listening, the summaries are available in both text and audio formats, and they can be downloaded for offline access.

One of the hidden benefits of Headway is that you can use the book insights to determine if you actually want to read a full text on your own. No more finding out 300 pages in that you’ve wasted your time reading a dud.

For a limited time, it’s only $59.99 to get a Headway Premium Lifetime subscription.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Get pro PDF editor for life for just $24

Mashable - 5 hours 44 min ago

TL;DR: Replace your Adobe Acrobat subscription with PDF Converter Pro on sale for $23.99 with code SAVE20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $23.99
$99.99 Save $76 with code SAVE20 Get Deal

PDFs are one of the most common file formats in the world, so isn’t it a little ridiculous you need to pay a subscription to apps like Adobe Acrobat just to edit them? If you don’t want to pay a monthly fee just to use a common file, switch to an app that has a lifetime license.

PDF Converter Pro lets work with PDFs as easily as if they were Word docs, and it’s only $23.99 with code SAVE20 for a lifetime license (it’s usually $99.99).

Edit PDFs without a subscription

This all-in-one tool helps you convert, create, and edit PDFs without losing formatting, images, or links. You can batch convert PDF files into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, or image formats, and create new PDFs by merging documents, images, or other files. It also supports OCR, which lets you extract and edit text from scanned documents or image-based PDFs.

Need to make changes to a PDF? You can edit text, delete or rearrange pages, add comments or stamps, and even insert watermarks or shapes. The software also supports form creation, making it easy to fill out or build interactive forms.

Other features include image extraction, file compression, password protection, and the ability to unlock secured files. It functions as a PDF reader too, so you can manage everything from a single app.

Use code SAVE20 to get a PDF Converter Pro lifetime license on sale for $23.99.

This sale ends soon.

StackSocial prices subject to change

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