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The company reported overall mixed results, sending share prices down in after-hours trading.

On Wednesday, BBC Maestro — a similar service to Masterclass — launched a new writing course taught by the best-selling novelist of all time. There’s a catch: the author, genre-defining mystery writer Agatha Christie, died 50 years ago, and was thus unavailable to participate.

Instead, BBC Maestro used an actress and artificial intelligence to recreate Christie, drawing from the author’s own novels, interviews, and letters for the course material. The creators describe the effort as a “world-first,” and the “Agatha Christie On Writing” masterclass is available now.

Almost as soon as the course launched, critics accused the BBC of making an Agatha Christie “deepfake.”

Meanwhile, BBC Maestro wants to emphasize the participation of the Christie estate and their high esteem for the late author.

“This groundbreaking course was carefully created over two years by a team of almost 100 people, including academics, researchers, creative professionals, and a team of leading global Agatha Christie scholars, who have each studied Agatha’s written and spoken words and who curated the course to reflect all her teachings,” an announcement reads. 

The Agatha Christie writing course is available now. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of BBC Maestro Is the Agatha Christie writing course inspired or unsettling?

The BBC Maestro says viewers and aspiring writers can learn "the art of suspense, plot twists, and unforgettable characters" from Christie herself, yet many creatives are extremely wary of applying artificial intelligence to the arts — no matter what.

Whether the course qualifies as a deepfake depends on how you define deepfake. A 2024 article from BBC Newsround defines deepfakes as “videos, picture or audio clips made with artificial intelligence to look real. They can be used for fun, or even for scientific research, but sometimes they're used to impersonate people like politicians or world leaders, in order to deliberately mislead people.” 

The term is most often used with negative connotations to refer to AI-generated content created without consent. Just this week in the United States, congress passed the “Take It Down” Act to prevent deepfakes and revenge porn from spreading online.

Obviously, Christie can’t personally consent to her likeness and voice being used to sell writing courses, but the Christie estate was involved in this project from its inception. The BBC worked closely with Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard, who manages the author’s estate.

Certainly, the BBC knew this project would be controversial, and both Prichard and BBC Maestro reject the use of the term “deepfake” in this context.

SEE ALSO: Google invented new ways to alter movies with AI for The Sphere. It's sure to be controversial.

In a statement provided to Mashable, Prichard, the Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Ltd., said, “What we have created is a course that distills my great-grandmother’s ingenious craft into an easy to follow and accessible course. This isn’t a fake. The words are Christie’s own, carefully sourced by researchers. As a family, we approached the project with the utmost care and respect with the overarching goal of honouring my great-grandmother and to share her immense talent and process with the world.”

Both Prichard and BBC Maestro are keen to emphasize that Christie’s likeness was lovingly rendered, despite the controversial nature of AI resurrection projects like this.

In answer to our questions, BBC Maestro CEO Michael Levine told us that the term “deepfake” most commonly refers to material made “without permission” and “often for malicious purpose.”

“That is absolutely not what we’re doing,” Levine said in an email statement to Mashable. “Every step was guided by ethics, transparency, and a deep respect for her legacy.”

Levine also emphasized the involvement of Christie’s own estate and leading scholars of her work.

“From the outset, our focus was on being 100% ethical and respectful in honouring Agatha Christie's remarkable legacy. We worked hand-in-hand with the Christie Estate to ensure her image is used only with their express approval and in a way that reflects her values. We collaborated with four world-leading Agatha Christie scholars who developed the script using her own words and writings. An actor then performed the role with full awareness of how the material would be used — exclusively in the context of this programme."

The team took great care over two years to represent Christie as realistically as possible, yet AI skeptics condemned the entire project immediately.

Whether you think this is an exciting opportunity to “learn directly from the most successful novelist of all time” or a grotesque application of AI technology, BBC Maestro is absolutely correct to call the course “groundbreaking.” 

President Donald Trump's tariffs are hitting tech companies hard, or at least they are in this one specific case.

Wyze, a company that specializes in security equipment like cameras, took to X on Wednesday to share an example of what tech companies are going through right now. According to Wyze, one shipment of floodlights accrued a tariff bill that was much larger than the sticker price: $255,000 in tariffs on a $167,000 purchase. The Wyze tweet also claimed that the amount is more than any of its founders made last year.

SEE ALSO: 'Fortnite' will finally return to the iOS App Store This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

For clarity's sake, this shipment came from China, which currently has a staggering 145 percent tariff slapped on all imports. It also happens to be where a lot of tech products are manufactured. The company suggested in a follow-up tweet that it would be rapidly moving production to Vietnam instead, which is in the middle of a 90-day pause on tariffs.

Whether or not this means Wyze products will go up in price due to the tariffs, the general takeaway here is that importing things from China is now prohibitively expensive. Given that so many products are made in China, that's going to be problematic over time. We already knew all of that, but seeing the actual numbers as shared by a company's social media manager is a sign that we're living in strange times, indeed.

The iPhone maker’s sales rose 5 percent to $95.36 billion, also beating expectations for its most recent quarter.

No matter the gifting occasion, you want to wow your mom. She sacrificed a lot for you, and now you're in a place where you can show her how grateful you are. Part of our larger series dedicated to the Best Gifts for Everyone, this list of gifts for mom attempts to dismantle the played-out tropes that have plagued moms at major holidays for dedicates. When gifting to your mom (or any mom, for that matter) consider hyper-specific things that speak to her unique hobbies or interests. Your mom (or mom figure) should revel in her own glory with gifts that make her feel smart, sophisticated, and valued. Consider what she does when she has no one putting demands on her time — then shop for those moments. And if you get stuck, visit our guide to the best gifts under $50 for even more winning ideas.

There are many reasons why you might want to start spending less money online: It can be bad for the environment, it can be bad for your quality of life, it's bad for your wallet, and, with the "de minimis" import rule changing, it will soon be extra bad for your wallet.

On Friday, May 2, packages worth less than $800 entering the U.S. from China will no longer be tax-exempt. President Donald Trump announced he would be pull the de minimis exemption in April, and now the change is set to take effect. His official reasoning is that Chinese-based shippers use the de minimis exemption to ship illicit substances like fentanyl in low-value packages. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that a reform on the de minimis provision could slow the spread of drug trafficking in the U.S., but slashing the exemption will have lasting effects on other spaces within the economy, particularly the world of e-commerce.

So, online shoppers, businesses, and retailers who rely on low-cost imported Chinese goods should brace for impact. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 92 percent of all cargo entering the U.S. fall under the de minimis exception, with the CBP processing "approximately 4 million de minimis shipments a day." And according to Reuters, more than 60 percent of those packages come from China, which faces additional tariffs as high as 145 percent. Many of those shipments are bound for Temu and Shein shoppers.

The May 2 deadline approaches in the midst of a trade war between the U.S. and, well, most other countries, and as fears of a recession spread.

So, what does the expiring de minimis exception mean for you?

SEE ALSO: Is that the sound of the TikTok Shop bubble popping? These creators aren’t worried yet. If you like shopping for inexpensive items on Temu or Shein...

Chances are, cheaper items will become significantly more expensive due to taxes. This includes the bulk of items you'd buy on TikTok Shop, Temu, Shein, and other online retailers that rely on inexpensive labor in China to lower the cost of items.

If you like to shop on Amazon...

One survey found that up to 70 percent of brands selling products on Amazon source products or parts from China. And when a rumor spread this week that Amazon might show a tariff surcharge to shoppers, The White House accused the company of a politically motivated "hostile act" against the administration. So, expect even more brands to raise prices on Amazon in the weeks ahead.

If you own a business that relies on Chinese-made goods...

Chances are, you'll have to spend a whole lot more money up front before you can start selling those goods. You'll have to make a tough decision: increase the prices of your goods and risk losing customers or somehow pay the difference yourself.

Expect even more surprises...

On Thursday, the smart home company Wyze shared a message on X about the impacts of Chinese tariffs on their products. According to the company's figures, an order of $167,000 resulted in tariffs of $255,000 — 153 percent more than the products themselves.

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

While a large $167,000 order doesn't fall under the de minimis rule, it shows just how high costs are getting for businesses. And since we've already seen tariff-related price increases on tech gadgets and sex toys, we expect to see higher import taxes passed on to customers after the May 2 deadline passes.

Behold, Earth.

The live stream you see above is beamed down from the International Space Station, which orbits some 250 miles above our planet. It's filmed by the Earth and space live streaming company Sen, whose high-definition camera system, SpaceTV-1, peers down at sprawling forests, oceans, metropolises, and beyond.

"You see a beautiful planet and a borderless world," Sen's founder and CEO, Charles Black, told Mashable.

Anyone, with internet, can watch it. "It's about democratizing space," Black added.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The video from Sen, a Mashable media partner, averages about 20 hours of live footage every day, with just a few seconds or so of latency as the signal travels to Earth's surface — via NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System — and is then distributed to people watching, like you. Spread out over 24-hours are routine loss of signal periods, which can last fewer than two minutes or as long as some 20 minutes, wherein Sen will replay recently live streamed footage. Signal losses in orbit occur for a variety of reasons, such as when NASA switches satellite relays during downlinking or when the signal is blocked by the station's sprawling solar arrays.

"You never know what you might see." - Charles Black

Tuning in, you'll regularly see new sights. The space station orbits Earth about 16 times a day, and during each orbit the floating laboratory shifts a little to the west. "Whenever you log on, you can see something different," Black said. "You never know what you might see." When the station is orbiting above the nightside of Earth, a message on the bottom of the screen will read "Sunrise in X minutes." The messaging also shows where the view is, such as "Tanzania."

We've certainly come a long way since U.S. researchers captured the first view of Earth from space in 1946. It's grainy, but poignant. Some 14 years later, a new era in Earth observation commenced when the U.S. weather satellite TIROS-1 beamed back over 19,000 orbital images in 1960.

Now, you can watch high-definition live footage from your phone.

For nearly five years, Fortnite has not been natively playable on iPhones. That could change as soon as next week.

Fortnite developer Epic Games, via founder and CEO Tim Sweeney on X, announced that the game would return to the iOS App Store in the U.S. next week. This comes half a decade after the game was unceremoniously dropped from Apple devices due to a dispute between Apple and Epic over Apple's policy of taking a commission on in-app purchases. That turned into an ongoing legal battle between the two companies, and a Wednesday court order in Epic's favor prompted the decision to bring Fortnite back to iPhones.

SEE ALSO: Meta lobbies Apple and Google to take over age verification for young people online This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

In case you haven't been following along, the short version is that Apple likes to take as much as 30 percent off the top of all in-app purchases, and Fortnite got booted from the App Store because Epic sidestepped that process by encouraging users to make purchases on Epic's website instead. Apple was eventually ordered by the courts to stop blocking third-party apps from linking to alternative payment options.

However, Wednesday's ruling found that Apple had allegedly been charging a 27 percent commission on out-of-app purchases, alongside other measures meant to deter users from paying for things that way. Apple is now held in contempt of court over all of this and has been ordered to stop. To make matters even more inconvenient for Apple, Sweeney said Fortnite will return to the App Store globally and the case will be dropped...only as long as Apple extends the court-ordered policy to its global App Store operations.

The ball is in Apple's court now, I guess.

Was Tesla's board looking to replace Elon Musk as CEO?

A surprising new report from The Wall Street Journal claims Tesla's board sought to replace Elon Musk with a new CEO. However, since the report was published, Musk has denied the accuracy of the WSJ's reporting.

In a late-night post on X, Musk wrote, "It is an EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS that the @WSJ would publish a DELIBERATELY FALSE ARTICLE and fail to include an unequivocal denial beforehand by the Tesla board of directors!" Musk also shared an official statement from Tesla chair Robyn Denholm, which called the report "absolutely false."

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According to the report, some Tesla board members were "irritated" with Musk's lack of focus on Tesla. Musk famously stepped away from running his EV car company to take on a new gig with the Trump administration as a special government employee. Musk has been closely involved with a controversial government cost-cutting effort known as DOGE. The WSJ reports this prompted the Tesla board members to contact executive search firms to start the process of finding a new CEO for Tesla.

The WSJ reports that the Tesla board members were close to working with one major executive search firm. In addition to a new CEO, Tesla's board was reportedly searching for an independent director to add to the company as well.

In March, a long-time Tesla investor urged Musk to either return to the company or resign as CEO. And after a dismal earnings report in April, Musk said he would step away from DOGE and devote "far more" time to Tesla.

"Earlier today, there was a media report erroneously claiming that the Tesla Board had contacted recruitment firms to initiate a CEO search at the company," Denholm's statement reads. "This is absolutely false (and this was communicated to the media before the report was published). The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk and the Board is highly confident in his ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan ahead."

Tesla has been struggling in recent months, ever since Musk started working with President Donald Trump and DOGE.

Musk's EV car company reported a 71 percent drop in profit for the most recent quarter. Tesla attributed much of this to boycotts and protests against Tesla, Musk, and DOGE. Tesla sales have fallen around the world as a result. Many Tesla owners have also been looking to get rid of their EVs due to the company's ties with Musk.

A deal for a state-backed Emirati firm to use a Trump-affiliated digital coin was announced in a panel that included the president’s son and his business partner, who promised, “This is only the beginning.”

Lyft is launching a new app experience for older riders, intended to support senior independence.

Called Lyft Silver, the new update redesigns the app into a simplified, heavily-supported ride experience featuring enlarged text and simplified ride options, with just single "request ride" and "schedule a ride" buttons. Lyft Silver users will also be paired with easier-to-enter cars and will have access to live phone support.

SEE ALSO: Chronically online drivers are scarily distracted, survey says

According to research conducted by Lyft, 71 percent of older adults reported "low" levels of tech savviness, and are more likely to cancel or "no show" a requested ride than younger users. "They may fear making permanent mistakes or be quick to abandon experiences that feel overwhelming. Some worry about running into problems when using apps on their own, feeling anxious about getting stuck. Lyft Silver can play a vital role in changing that," the company explained. "By focusing on the needs of older adults, we aim to provide a transportation option that empowers independence and enhances their daily lives."

Credit: Lyft

To activate Lyft Silver, riders can open the app, tap 'You' in the bottom right corner, and choose 'Lyft Silver' from the main menu. Riders can also be gifted a Lyft Silver account.

The experience was designed with input from advocacy groups like the Foundation for Social Connection Action Network, which works to address social isolation and loneliness, as well as local partners such as AltaMed, Urban League, NOAH, SAGE, and Self Help for the Elderly. The company says it is collaborating with community organizations to offer discounted rides to older rides, too.

Family and caregivers can also connect their loved ones' Lyft Silver accounts to a family account and use a Lyft Cash wallet to ensure their rides are paid for, or link it with Lyft Concierge, a courtesy ride program that allows businesses, health care providers, and caregivers the ability to schedule rides for others.

Credit: Lyft

Early access to the feature rolls out today (May 1) to a small number of cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Washington, D.C., and select areas of New Jersey. 

TL;DR: Sterling Stock Picker is an AI-powered Stock guidance tool to help you invest your money, and it's only A$108 for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: SSP Software Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription AU$108
AU$761 Save AU$653 Get Deal

When you're first starting out, investing can feel a bit like gambling. You throw your money down, and it's a crapshoot whether you'll get more back or lose it all. Thing is, that's not actually how the stock market works. If you do your research, you can learn how to reduce your risk and make better investments, whether that means they're safer or there's more room to grow. And you don't have to learn it all on your own. 

Sterling Stock Picker is an award-winning platform that helps you research your investments before you make them, and a lifetime subscription just went on sale for A$108 (reg. A$761). 

An investment expert in your pocket

Sterling Stock Picker (SSP) takes some of the guesswork out of investing by giving you a clear, data-driven approach. SSP's unique North Star technology helps you decide whether to buy, sell, hold, or avoid a stock with straightforward guidance you don't need to be an expert to understand. There are even personalized recommendations based on your risk tolerance and investment goals. 

So what makes this different from all the other stock tools? This one is powered by AI you already know and trust. Finley is your personal AI financial coach powered by OpenAI, just like ChatGPT. It gives you real-time data access and strategic investment advice, so it's a whole lot easier to understand the stock market, no matter your experience level. 

Sterling Stock Picker goes beyond just providing insights; it helps you build your portfolio from the ground up. Its Done-For-You Portfolio Builder takes your risk tolerance and investment goals into account, simplifying the process of creating a diversified portfolio. Plus, you get continuous analysis and suggestions to keep your investments on track.

It's only A$108 to get a Sterling Stock Picker Lifetime Subscription, but there aren't many codes left. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $45: As of May 1, Amazon's cloud gaming bundle — which includes the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Luna controller — is on sale for just $84.98. That's 35% off the usual cost of $129.98.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Luna controller $84.98 at Amazon
$129.98 Save $45.00 Get Deal

While Microsoft is raising Xbox console and controller prices, Amazon is taking a different approach: lowering its cloud gaming bundle cost.

As of May 1, you can grab the Fire TV Stick 4K and Luna controller at Amazon for just $79.98. That's 33% off its usual cost of $119.98. For an even better gaming experience, you can also get the Fire TV Stick 4K Max bundled with the Luna controller for $84.98, down 35% from the usual $129.98.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite affordable gaming laptop is only $700 during Amazon's Gaming Week sale

Amazon and Xbox joined forces so that Game Pass Ultimate members can access and play cloud-enabled games through the Xbox app on the Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K Max — no console required. Stream RPGs like Starfield and Fallout 4, racers like Forza Horizon 5, and hundreds of other high-end games just by clicking a few buttons. All you need is a Bluetooth-enabled controller.

The included Luna controller unlocks an optimal Luna game-streaming experience. Luna is specifically Amazon's cloud gaming service. Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) tested it out and called it "a must-have device if you want to play games through Amazon's cloud." It features its own separate WiFi connection, which helps to reduce input lag as you play and keep your games looking and feeling as smooth as possible (which isn't always the case with cloud gaming).

With the Luna gaming experience and the ability to play Xbox games via Fire TV Stick, you're all set. No need to splurge on a more expensive console.

Have you ever wanted a mobile device designed solely to scan your eyeballs? No, that sounds a little creepy? Well, that's too dang bad, because you're getting it anyway.

Tools for Humanity, a start-up backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, debuted the Orb Mini this week, a smartphone-sized device with two massive eye sensors on it. The hardware is part of the World project and app, a grand plan aimed at creating a global identification system.

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The idea is that these sensors, paired with a blockchain registry, could serve as a tool for verifying someone's humanity. And yes, this is because artificial intelligence evangelists envision a world where it's impossible to distinguish between a human being and an AI agent online.

The Orb orbital scanner is reminiscent of the retinal scanners in Minority Report, a dystopian science-fiction movie, which likely isn't the first association that Tools for Humanity wants for its product.

So, how does the optical scanner work?

The components for the Orb, a previous version of the startup's retinal scanner. Credit: Tools for Humanity

Working in tandem with an app, the Orb Mini would scan your iris, which would be associated with a unique ID and stored with blockchain technology. The effort is part of the so-called "World human verification project," according to TechCrunch. Tools for Humanity also has a larger version of the device, simply called The Orb.

Besides proving your humanity, other uses for the technology include verifying your identity on dating apps or being a part of a payment tool. Wired reported World is working with Match to run a pilot program in Japan where Tinder users can use the company's tech to verify their identity. The tech outlet also reported World is working on a Visa-backed debit card and will be launching identification services in six U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.

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

Tools for Humanity may also try to incentivize users to scan their eyes with Orb devices with — what else? — cryptocurrency. As The Verge noted, folks who scan their eyes into the system will receive 16 Worldcoin (WLD), a new cryptocurrency tied to the very same World human verification project.

So, if you're eager to scan your retinas into Sam Altman's eyeball machine, now is your time.

SAVE $30: As of May 1, get the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV for $69, down from its normal price of $99, for the rest of the 2025 season. That's a 30% discount. It's just $59 for current Apple TV+ subscribers.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MLS Season Pass on Apple TV $69 at Apple TV
$99 Save $30 Get Deal

Can't stand to miss a single Major League Soccer game? Apple has a solution: The subscription-based MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. It offers live coverage of all the normal MLS regular season and playoff matches and more, all up to stream straight from wherever you're watching Apple TV. It's a must-have if you're a soccer fan, but as we feel the squeeze in this economy, services like this on top of paying for streaming platforms can feel like a luxury. Luckily, Apple has a deal that can make getting your soccer on a much cheaper affair for a while.

As of May 1, get the MLS Season Pass for $69, down from its usual price of $99, for the rest of the 2025 season. That's $30 off and a discount of 30%. It's just $59 for current Apple TV+ subscribers. This deal only applies to the seasonal subscription option, and the monthly subscription will still remain the same price if you don't want to pay for the rest of the 2025 season.

SEE ALSO: The best cheap 4K TVs in 2025

MLS Season Pass is available straight through the Apple TV app, and you can watch from anywhere. It offers live streaming and on demand options for all the Major League Soccer matches, playoffs, and more, with both English and Spanish options available.

Every Sunday night, MLS Season Pass also offers a featured game of the week under its Sunday Night Soccer promotion. There's also MLS 360 access, which lets you check out highlights and other live commentary from matches. It's an invaluable set of content if you're into the sport, and since you can get it cheaper right now, it's well worth subscribing while there are still games to watch.

AI Mode in Google Search is one step closer to public launch now that the waitlist has been removed for U.S. users.

In an announcement on Thursday, Google shared that all users over 18 years old can now opt in to trying out AI Mode in Labs, the company's testing ground for new AI features. Google calls AI mode a "new Search experiment that uses advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities to answer even your toughest questions."

Google also shared that it's introducing "product and place cards" within the responses for up-to-date information, including images, ratings, reviews, store hours, and availability.

SEE ALSO: Google rolls out Gemini 2.5 Flash preview in the Gemini app. What's new?

For the uninitiated, AI Mode is Google's search feature that combines the Gemini chatbot experience with search results. The feature integrates Gemini's reasoning capabilities with Google's traditional search engine algorithm. It processes search queries by breaking down the question, scanning the web, and summarizing its findings. "What we've done is that we've taught the model how to use Google," Robby Stein, Google's VP of product for Google Search, told Mashable in an interview.

Via Giphy Google is going all-in on AI search

The introduction of AI Mode is just one of the many ways Google is injecting AI features into its search engine.

AI Mode is different from AI Overviews, which provides an AI-generated summary at the top of the search page. Instead, AI Mode looks more like the standalone Gemini app interface where can ask follow-up questions, but with real-time search results in a sidebar.

"People want more control and an ability to say, 'I have a pretty complicated, specific thing in mind... like comparing, four or five different products that don't even exist in any single place,'" said Stein, "and they really want the power of AI to help them with more of their needs."

AI Overviews, which launched almost exactly a year ago, is the most prominent change to the traditional search results format. And its controversies are well documented at this point. There are hallucinations and errors, as well as polarized reactions from users who find the feature annoying, especially since it can't be turned off. Many publishers are also concerned about how it's affecting their traffic. By summarizing the contents of webpages within Google itself, many websites are seeing fewer visitors.

But according to Google's Q1 earnings report, AI Overviews now has 1.5 billion monthly users. We asked Stein if that's because users are served AI Overviews by default, and Stein clarified that Google doesn't measure use by whether AI Overviews simply appear on the page. "It's based on our view that the user, read it, interacted with it, engaged with it, in some way."

When the conversation turned to Google's responsibility to publishers, Stein said "having a thriving web is in everyone's best interest, it's important to Google, it's important to our users, important to publishers."

He also shared thoughts on how the new AI Mode can lead to user experiences that never would have involved publishers in the first place. "I also think that this is an expansionary moment where what we're seeing is that these are kinds of questions that the people were not commonly asking of Google, because now you can ask really anything." Stein gave the example of uploading a picture of something wrong with his bathroom tile to AI Mode, which "diagnosed" the issue and shared links to local businesses.

When asked whether Google has seen a decrease in visits to publishers, as some surveys and individual publishers have noticed, Stein said they haven't seen a change in clicks out to the wider web. "For any individual publisher, there's lots of reasons why something could fluctuate," he said. "We don't really look at specific publishers in that way. We think about it really in the aggregate."

How to try AI Mode in Google Search

As of May 1, interested users in the U.S. can start searching with AI Mode. To use the experimental tool, you will need to turn on your web search history in your Google account.

To get started, head to Google Labs to sign up.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day on May 1: OUR TOP PICK $50 DoorDash gift card $42.50 (save $7.50) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Garmin Venu 3S $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST GAMING DEAL Fire TV Stick 4K with Luna controller $74.98 (save $45) Get Deal BEST FITNESS DEAL Bowflex SelectTech 840 adjustable kettlebell $129.98 (save $69.02) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Amazon Echo Pop $27.99 (save $12 + get free WiZ smart bulb) Get Deal

Amazon is kicking off the month of May with some pretty impressive deals on top brands like Garmin, Echo, and Bowflex. No, there's no big shopping event going on. These are just deals for the sake of deals — and those are our favorite kind. In a time when everything is getting more expensive, it's a thrill to see brands actually lowering prices. We've rounded up some discounts we think are worth grabbing.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on May 1. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check out our picks from April 29 and April 30. Many of those deals are still live, including the lowest price ever on our favorite Bluetooth speaker for bass lovers and a 34% discount on our top budget earbuds.

Our top pick: DoorDash $50 gift card Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash $50 DoorDash gift card $42.50 at Amazon
$50 Save $7.50 Get Deal

Whether you're looking for a gift for someone in your life or you've just got food on the mind, you can score a $50 DoorDash gift card for only $42.50 as of May 1. That's 15% cheaper than usual. Be sure to select the $50 gift amount to secure the discount and enter the email address of the person you want to receive the gift (it's ok if it's you). The electronic gift card will then be emailed to the recipient immediately after purchase with details on redemption. Beyond just food delivery from local restaurants, you'll be giving the gift of extra time.

Garmin Venu 3S Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100 Get Deal

The Venu 3S is the smaller version of the Garmin Venu 3, featuring a 41mm case instead of 45mm. It also has a slightly shorter battery life, but otherwise it's basically the same watch that ticks all the right boxes — smart features, health features, fitness features, and more. It offers in-depth recovery advice, detailed sleep data, a speaker and microphone for hands-free calling, virtual assistant access, and truly impressive health and fitness tools. It's regularly $449.99, but you can save 22% as of May 1 and grab it for only $349.99. That matches its best price ever.

Fire TV Stick 4K + Luna Controller Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K + Luna controller $74.98 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $45 Get Deal

With Xbox prices rising, it's pretty convenient that Amazon's gaming bundle allows you to enjoy a high-end gaming experience without the need for a console. You can get started with Amazon's game streaming service, Luna, for only $74.98 — that's 38% off its usual price. The bundle includes the Fire TV Stick 4K and a Luna controller, which our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) called "an excellent gamepad that provides the optimal Luna game-streaming experience." The controller features its own separate WiFi connection, which helps to reduce input lag as you play. The Fire TV Stick 4K allows you to access popular games — all you'll need is the Luna app and a Prime or Luna subscription and you're off to the races.

BowFlex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell Opens in a new window Credit: Bowflex BowFlex SelectTech 840 adjustable kettlebell $129.98 at Amazon
$199 Save $69.02 Get Deal

An adjustable weight is a major hack for saving space in your home while still allowing you to diversify your workouts. And as of May 1, the BowFlex SelectTech 840 adjustable kettlebell is 35% off, dropping its $199 price tag down to only $129.98. With the turn of a dial, you can adjust the weight from eight to 40 pounds, effectively replacing up to six kettlebell weights. The weight also includes a two-month free trial of JRNY all-access membership.

Echo Pop Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Pop $27.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $12.00 + get free WiZ smart bulb Get Deal

If you've been wanting to add Alexa to your home, the Echo Pop is the least expensive way to do so — especially when it's on sale. Usually $40, you can snag one for just $27.99 as of May 1 and get a free WiZ smart bulb with your purchase. The Pop is basically an Echo Dot lite, made for people "who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant." It's not particularly groundbreaking for the Echo lineup, but it's budget-friendly and sound great in any room.

Check out our full review of the Echo Pop.

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

SAVE $300: As of May 1, get the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Intel Arc, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $799.99, down from its usual price of $1,099.99 at Dell. That's a discount of 31%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Intel Arc, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799.99 at Dell
$1,099.99 Save $300 Get Deal

Still chugging along with an old laptop? Don't sit and get frustrated with slow loading times, sticky keys, and a muddy screen. Move on with a new model and get more done — and you can gift yourself with an affordable laptop under $800 today.

As of May 1, get the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Intel Arc, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $799.99, down from its usual price of $1,099.99, at Dell. That's $300 off and a discount of 31%.

SEE ALSO: As tariffs come for tech, these are the best cheap laptops under $1,000

This portable, lightweight laptop boasts an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor with Intel Arc graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD so you can store whatever you need to without having to rely on an external hard drive.

This laptop has integrated AI so you can have your laptop help you with writing or creative tasks, or even texting and calling with your laptop like a MacBook with Intel Unison.

There's a lot to love about this configuration, especially under $1,000. While this base model won't be a great pick if you're a hardcore gamer, it can handle just about anything else, whether that's streaming your favorite shows or creating a presentation. It's on clearance, though, so make sure you get yours before these models sell out.

A landmark antitrust lawsuit about the past has turned into a fight about the future.

SAVE $65.18: As of May 1, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite for $199.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $265.17. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite $199.99 at Amazon
$265.17 Save $65.18 Get Deal

Sometimes, your phone's screen just isn't big enough for what you want to do with it. Maybe you got a folding device to avoid that problem. Or maybe you just switch to your laptop or desktop for those tasks. A tablet can solve those problems easily. Maybe you need a new tablet for the kids or the family, one that's reasonably priced. If you're on the lookout for a new one, you can't lose with this deal from Amazon.

As of May 1, get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite for $199.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $265.17. That's $65.18 off and a discount of 25%. This price applies to all three colorways: Chiffon Pink, Mint, and Oxford Gray.

This 10.4-inch tablet is a lightweight gadget that has a crisp, clear display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. Its processor can handle just about anything you need as well, so you can stream your favorite TV shows and movies, play a swath of different games, and much more, all from your hands.

This tablet also comes with an S Pen stylus, so you can use it to navigate through menus, write down notes or make doodles and art — whatever your heart desires. It's a lot like many of its expensive alternatives, but much cheaper with some of the very same features.

If you need a reliable tablet that you or the family can use, this is a fantastic option that's less than $200. Be sure and grab yours before the price goes back up, as this is a versatile buy. And if you need a gift for a tech-savvy giftee, it's a perfect pick for that too.