Feed aggregator

Meta, precursing a wave of new "free speech" policies across its platforms, is disbanding its disinformation-spotting fact checking program. According to a new report, the program was already failing to do its intended job.

Published by misinformation watchdog NewsGuard, the analysis found that only 14 percent of sampled posts with Russian, Chinese, and Iranian disinformation narratives were flagged as false by Meta. "The vast majority of posts advancing foreign disinformation narratives spread without carrying any of the fact-checking labels used by Meta: False, Altered, Partly False, Missing Context, or Satire," the organization claims.

The research was conducted across Meta platforms, using 457 identified posts that advanced 30 different false claims.

SEE ALSO: Office of Gun Violence Prevention website goes dark under Trump

One of several reasons for this discrepancy, according to NewsGuard, is that Meta's algorithm fails to spot differences in language, such as rephrasing or paraphrasing, once a post is deemed as misinformation. In 10 of 30 narratives examined by NewsGuard, "Meta labeled one or more of the posts advancing the narrative but left uncorrected dozens of other posts containing the same false claim with the same meaning, albeit with some different wording."

While some foreign-influenced disinformation claims were caught by Meta's program, other posts appeared to never have been fact-checked, at all. "Even with the fact-checking program, malign foreign actors still found ways to exploit Meta’s platforms, and the occasional successes of the fact-checking program — such as the labeling of the Russian disinformation claim targeting Germany’s upcoming elections — are now at risk of disappearing."

Meta did not respond to either NewsGuard's or Mashable's request for comment.

SEE ALSO: Meta ditches fact-checking for community notes ahead of second Trump term

The organization, and other digital rights organizations, have warned users of the platform's policy shift. "If Meta applies the same technology and rules for applying community notes to posts that it has used for fact checker-generated labels, the results are likely to be no more promising," NewsGuard wrote. "In fact, the results could be even weaker in terms of speed and coverage, because a community note requires a process in which a community of users first must be shown to have what Facebook has said has to be 'a range of perspectives.'"

On Jan. 21, Reuters reported that the company would also be exempting paid advertisements from its new Community Notes feature.

En route to land on the moon, a spacecraft snapped views of Earth eclipsing the sun.

The Blue Ghost lunar lander, built by the Texas-based company Firefly Aerospace for NASA, launched to space on Jan. 15, and is slated to attempt a challenging moon landing on March 2. Now in Earth's orbit, the robotic craft has opportunities to capture poignant solar system imagery.

"Witness Earth eclipsing the Sun from Blue Ghost's top deck — another incredible postcard moment on our trip to the Moon!" Firefly Aerospace recently posted online.

SEE ALSO: Stunning weather found on another world. It's never been seen before.

In the short clip below, a time-lapse shows the sun quickly eclipsed as Earth moves between our star and the spacecraft. Just a sliver, or crescent, of the sun is visible, before Earth departs the outer space scene.

Tweet may have been deleted

Blue Ghost will spend 25 days in Earth's orbit before embarking on a four-day journey to the moon, located around a quarter-million miles away.

The Blue Ghost spacecraft's trajectory to the moon. Credit: Firefly Aerospace

The 6.6-foot-tall craft, carrying a slew of moon-investigation instruments like a lunar regolith vacuum and analyzer, will try landing in Mare Crisium, a lava-covered basin on the moon's near side. Previously, the robotic Soviet mission Luna 24 landed in Mare Crisium in 1976, capturing lunar soil and then rocketing it back to Earth.

NASA intends to land astronauts on the moon in mid-2027, but has also employed a number of companies to deliver lunar research technology to the moon via the space agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

But landing on the moon, a world with virtually no atmosphere to slow spacecraft down, remains daunting. Although Chinese and Indian craft have had recent landing successes, the U.S. commercial spacecraft Odysseus sustained damage while landing awkwardly in 2024. The same year, a Japanese craft landed upside down, on its head.

In the coming months, we'll see how Blue Ghost fares during its ambitious descent.

TL;DR: Record, transcribe, and translate effortlessly with the Focais: Meet One Voice Recorder — on sale for $99.99 (reg. $149).

Opens in a new window Credit: Focais Focais: Meet One - Voice-Activated AI-Powered Recorder $99.99
$149.00 Save $49.01 Get Deal

Tired of scribbling notes during meetings, fumbling to record phone calls, or struggling to keep up in class? The Focais: Meet One is here to rescue you. This small, AI-powered recorder doesn’t just capture conversations — it translates, transcribes, and summarizes them, making it a game-changer for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to stay on top of important details.

For a limited time, you can get it on sale for 32% off for the reduced price of $99.99.

With support for over 120 languages, this recorder makes language barriers a thing of the past. Whether you’re navigating an international meeting or learning a new language, its real-time translation and transcription features let you focus on what’s being said without losing track. But the real magic lies in its conversation summarization tool. Instead of sifting through hours of audio, you’ll get concise, easy-to-review highlights that save time and effort.

This recorder is built for the modern multitasker. Lightweight and portable, it fits in your pocket or bag, ready to capture the next big meeting, lecture, or brainstorming session. With voice activation, you won’t miss a word — and its intuitive app integration makes reviewing your recordings a breeze.

Don’t let important details slip through the cracks. Get the Focais Meet One Voice-Activated AI-Powered Recorder for $99.99 today and transform the way you work, learn, and stay organized.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get 1TB of cloud storage for life with Koofr for $129.97 with coupon code KOOFR through Feb. 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $129.97
$810.00 Save $680.03 with code KOOFR Get Deal

Ever feel like your digital life is scattered across too many platforms? Koofr’s 1TB lifetime cloud storage plan is here to simplify your storage needs with a one-time purchase. Whether you’re organizing work projects, keeping family photos safe, or decluttering your files, Koofr provides a secure and user-friendly solution for all your important stuff.

Through February 2, use promo code KOOFR to get 1TB of cloud storage for life for a one-time payment of $129.97.

Koofr doesn’t just store your files — it elevates your organization game. With its Duplicate Finder tool, you can free up space by identifying and removing redundant files effortlessly. And if you’ve got files stashed on platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox, Koofr connects with those, too, giving you seamless access to everything from one centralized app.

Privacy-conscious? Koofr has you covered. Unlike other cloud services, Koofr doesn’t track your activity. Your files are encrypted in transit and at rest, so your data stays your own. Plus, advanced file management features like custom renaming and link sharing make staying organized a breeze.

No recurring fees, no stress. This deal gives you 1TB of storage, which is enough for about 250,000 photos or 500 hours of HD video.

Secure your files and simplify your storage with a lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage on sale for $129.97 when you enter promo code KOOFR at checkout — valid until Feb. 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Grab a refurbished 2019 MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar for $424.97 through Feb. 2 — perfect for work, creativity, and entertainment.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $424.97
$1,499.00 Save $1,074.03 2019, 13.3-inch, Touchbar, Space Gray Get Deal

Looking for a discounted laptop that can keep up with your busy life? The refurbished 2019 Apple MacBook Pro is here to check all the boxes from productivity to entertainment, all in a sleek, lightweight design. And at just $424.97 through Feb. 2, this deal makes premium performance more accessible than ever.

The 13.3-inch Retina display brings your visuals to life with sharp resolution and True Tone technology, ensuring vibrant colors adjust to your environment. Whether you’re editing videos or diving into spreadsheets, the 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM keep things running smoothly. Plus, the 256GB SSD ensures quick boot times and seamless multitasking.

With four Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can easily connect external monitors, charge devices, and transfer data at lightning-fast speeds. The Touch Bar adds a customizable layer of convenience, while Touch ID offers secure logins and purchases with just a tap.

Designed for life on the go, this MacBook Pro boasts up to 10 hours of battery life and weighs just 3 pounds, making it perfect for work-from-anywhere setups or binge-watching your favorite shows. Its grade “A” refurbished rating means it’s fully functional in near-mint condition, with minimal to no cosmetic signs of previous use, so you get premium quality at a fraction of the cost.

Act now to grab this powerful and stylish refurbished 2019 Apple MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar for just $424.97 — this deal is only available through Feb. 2.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 1min.AI for $39.99 and enjoy writing tools, image editing, AI assistants, and more in one powerful platform.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$234.00 Save $194.01 Get Deal

Sometimes you just need one tool that does it all. Enter 1min.AI, your one-stop shop for everything from writing and editing to image processing and audio transcription.

Forget juggling a dozen apps — with lifetime access for just $39.99 (reg. $234), you get all the AI functionality you need under one roof.

With 1min.AI, professionals, students, and creatives can access a range of AI-powered features tailored to simplify workflows. Need a blog post? The writing assistant can whip one up in minutes. Stuck with repetitive design edits? Use the background remover, text-to-speech converter, or even upscale images to high-resolution. And for social media managers, generating comments or drafting posts has never been easier.

This subscription also provides unparalleled versatility with:

• Chat support from AI models like GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini Pro

• Comprehensive tools for creating and refining content

• Audio and video editing capabilities, including transcription and translation

Earn free credits daily, leave reviews for even more perks, or invite friends to stack up on rewards.

Whether you're managing SEO tasks, editing photos, or creating multilingual content, 1min.AI lets you ditch subscriptions and focus on results. Say goodbye to tool overload and hello to efficiency.

Simplify your content creation with a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI — grab it for $39.99 today.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When you're on the hunt for the best laptop under $500, you need to be careful.

In the highly competitive laptop market, you get what you pay for. That means it can be very dangerous to buy a "cheap" laptop. Choose wrongly, and you'll be stuck with a slow, outdated computer that causes more problems than it solves. Mashable regularly tests the best affordable laptops overall, but if $500 is your upper limit, then you're going to be priced out of some popular budget laptops. But even then, we still highly recommend a handful of computers that will fit nicely into your budget.

The Samsung Chromebook 4 didn't make the cut. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable A quick guide to laptop pricing

You can buy a cheap Chromebook for as little as $100, while our favorite gaming laptop will set you back over $3,000. And in our guide to the best laptops in general, you'll find machines that span a wide spectrum of prices. With $500 to spend, you'll be priced out of Ultrabooks, MacBooks, and most gaming laptops.

Typically, laptops fall into one of the following categories:

• Chromebooks ($100 to $650): These computers have minimal storage and are designed to run mostly web applications. They're light, portable, and very affordable. Cloud-based gaming Chromebooks also offer an alternative to gaming laptops.

• Budget laptops ($250 to $750): Even the best budget laptops won't have the most impressive specs, but they should have enough RAM and storage for everyday use at school or work.

• MacBooks ($850 to $3,500): The cheapest MacBook worth buying (the M2 MacBook Air) will set you back $850 when it's on sale, while a fully specced-out MacBook Pro can cost as much as $3,500.

• Ultrabooks ($1,000 to $3,500): These high-end laptops have enough processing power to handle tasks like photo and video editing. They typically have a sleek and modern aesthetic, too. MacBooks also fall into this category.

SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops for 2025, no matter your budget What are the best laptops under $500 in 2025?

Below, we've put together a detailed guide to the best budget laptops for under $500, including Chromebook picks. The right laptop will vary depending on your needs, but the Acer Aspire 5 is our overall top pick for our money. Check out all the contenders below.

UPDATE: Jan. 23, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EST New flagship robot vacuums from Roborock, Eufy, Dreame, and more were announced at CES 2025. I'm in the process of calling them in for at-home testing, and will update this guide accordingly.

The best self-emptying robot vacuums have one huge perk past the obvious act of vacuuming the floor for you. (Hint: It's in the name.)

When you outsource vacuuming to a robot, your floors get cleaned way more often, right? There's just one little downside to that extra attention that your floors are getting: More debris off the floor means a dust bin that fills up faster, and emptying a vacuum's dust bin by hand is arguably the worst part of the chore.

SEE ALSO: Top 3 best robot vacuums from CES 2025, from coolest to most practical

Hence, self-emptying robot vacuums were born. These vacs do your vacuuming and emptying for you for weeks (or even months) at a time, storing the debris collected on each trip in a larger compartment that's located in the charging dock. It's the obvious supplementary step for the full hands-off cleaning experience, and it's rare to see a robot vacuum from 2024 or 2025 that doesn't have automatic emptying. (That's why Dyson's move to skip self-emptying on its $1,199.99 robot vacuum was so bold it's comical.)

Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth it?

Not having to lift a finger when it comes to floor maintenance is well worth it for anyone who just doesn’t feel like wrestling an upright vacuum out of the closet every few days. And if you don't feel like manually vacuuming yourself, it's only natural that you'll also decide you don't feel like manually dumping your robot vac's dust bin into the trash can every day. If we're doing this whole automated thing, let's do it the right way.

Automatic emptying quickly proves its worth in households where the layer of pet fur would otherwise have you dumping the vacuum's tiny dust bin after just a few rooms. The best self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners let you off the hook for months at a time. (Most brands claim to have capacities averaging between six to eight weeks, but almost every self-emptying dock I've tested in my large apartment lasted much longer than that.) And when it actually is time to empty the bigger dust bin, most self-empty docks trap dust inside a disposable bag, meaning you won't have to see or touch the nasty stuff at all.

SEE ALSO: It wasn't hard to narrow down the best Shark robot vacuums to these top 3

For people with allergies, auto-emptying also spares you from inhaling the inevitable puff of dust that emerges when dumping a dustbin into the trash. Speaking of avoiding the grosser parts of the job, if you're specifically seeking a robot vacuum that mops, many self-emptying docks also take it upon themselves to wash and dry the dirty mopping pads after the job is done.

I've been testing the latest and greatest self-emptying robot vacuums released in 2024 against my old favorites from years prior. So far for 2025, these are the four self-emptiers to consider for your home.

(Note that each vacuum's retail price is listed by default, but that I've also noted the most common sale price each vacuum frequently drops to in "The Good" section. And yes, robot vacuum deals are common all throughout the year — not just during a shopping holiday like Black Friday.)

SAVE $15: As of Jan. 23, pick up the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra silicone case for $14.99 at Best Buy — 50% off its regular $29.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Silicone Case $14.99 at Best Buy
$29.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Protection is a no-brainer when carrying around a powerhouse like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. But let’s be real — bulky, ugly cases are a hard pass. Enter the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra silicone case, a perfect mix of style, protection, and a touch of sophistication. Even better? It’s 50% off at Best Buy right now, dropping the price to just $14.99 (down from $29.99).

This case is all about keeping things sleek and simple. The smooth silicone exterior adds an understated elegance to your Galaxy S25 Ultra while offering a comfortable grip. No more worrying about slippery hands or minor mishaps — this case is grippy without feeling sticky. Inside, a soft microfiber lining provides an extra layer of protection, keeping your phone’s glass back pristine and scratch-free.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Let’s not forget why you’re protecting this phone in the first place. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a tech beast with a stunning 6.9-inch AMOLED display, a groundbreaking 200MP camera setup, and enough AI features to make you question reality. With a $1,299 starting price, it’s worth safeguarding. The silicone case isn’t just a cover; it’s a wise investment ensuring your phone looks and feels premium.

This silicone case is perfect for anyone who prefers a minimalist aesthetic. It’s slim enough to slide effortlessly into your pocket but durable enough to handle everyday bumps and scrapes. For $14.99, it’s hard to argue with the value. Are you a Galaxy loyalist or someone who just dropped serious cash on a cutting-edge smartphone? This is a deal worth snagging before it’s gone.

SAVE OVER $10: As of Jan. 23, grab the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra clear case for $12.49 at Best Buy — 50% off its regular price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Clear Case $12.50 at Best Buy
$24.99 Save $12.49 Get Deal

If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on the sleek new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the last thing you want is to cover it up with a bulky or boring case. That’s where the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra clear case comes in — now on sale at Best Buy for just $12.49. That's 50% off its original $24.99 price tag.

This case is all about simplicity and style. It’s completely transparent, so your phone’s striking design (and choice of colorway — icy blue, navy, mint, or silver shadow) shines through unimpeded. But don’t let its slim profile fool you; this case is as practical as it is minimalist. It’s durable enough to protect your Galaxy S25 Ultra from everyday scuffs, scratches, and minor bumps, ensuring your investment looks flawless.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

The Galaxy S25 Ultra itself is a beast of a phone, featuring a jaw-dropping 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a 200MP wide camera for ultra-crisp shots, and cutting-edge AI integration powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. When rocking an advanced device, you need a case that complements it without stealing the spotlight.

This clear case gets that balance just right — offering solid protection while keeping things lightweight and unobtrusive.

If you’ve been looking for a way to safeguard your phone without compromising its aesthetic, this clear case is the perfect match. Plus, with an easy snap-on design, it’s as convenient as it is chic.

At just $12.49, this deal is a no-brainer for S25 Ultra owners who want style and functionality without spending a fortune. But act fast — deals like this don’t last long!

SAVE OVER $10: As of Jan. 23, grab the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra anti-reflective screen film at Best Buy for $12.49, saving 50% off the usual $24.99 price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Anti-Reflective Screen Film $12.50 at Best Buy
$24.99 Save $12.49 Get Deal

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the most advanced smartphones ever. With a jaw-dropping 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display featuring a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and vibrant, ProScaler-enhanced visuals, this phone's screen is a stunner. It's also the last thing you want scratched, smudged, or dulled by sunlight glare.

Enter the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra anti-reflective screen film, now available at Best Buy for just $12.49 — 50% off the usual price of $24.99.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

This screen protector isn't just a basic cover. It's designed to maximize visibility by cutting down unwanted reflections, even in bright sunlight. That means you'll enjoy crystal-clear clarity while scrolling through social feeds poolside or watching an 8K video on your commute. While it fights glare, it's also a rigid little shield against everyday nuisances like dust and fingerprint smudges, keeping your phone looking and feeling fresh.

If you're wondering whether a screen protector is worth it for a phone as advanced as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the answer is an unequivocal yes. This phone is packed with cutting-edge tech, from its 200MP wide camera and Snapdragon 8 Elite processor to its AI-powered features that promise to adapt to your needs over time. Why risk a scratched display detracting from all that? With the film's included installation kit — complete with an applicator, microfiber cloth, and dust removal stickers — you'll have it perfectly in place without the stress of bubbles or misalignment.

At just $12.49 at Best Buy, this anti-reflective film is an easy, affordable way to protect the screen that makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra stand out. Don't wait too long to snag this deal — whether you're an avid techie or want to keep your phone pristine, this simple upgrade pays off big.

FREE E-BOOKS: On Jan. 23, hundreds of e-books are completely free on Amazon. Shop these paranormal cozy mystery books for free today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.97 Save $35.98 Shop Now

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back for its first event this year, and we couldn't be more excited. If this is your first time hearing about it, this is an author-organized event that makes hundreds of e-books free. Yes, you read that right. You can download e-books for absolutely nothing. And once you "purchase" a book, it's yours to keep forever.

Stuff Your Kindle Days cover many genres and subgenres including romance and fantasy, but this latest drop is focused on cozy mystery. Hosted by the Cozy Mystery Book Club, you'll find novels broken down into three subgenres: Contemporary Cozies, Historical Cozies, and Paranormal Cozies.

SEE ALSO: Stock up on hundreds of free mystery e-books on Stuff Your Kindle Day

And if you love a paranormal cozy mystery novel, there are plenty of books for you to download. Here's a standout selection of just some of the incredible e-books you can download for free.

Best paranormal cozy mystery to shop on Stuff Your Kindle Day

• Lattes and Spirits (Mystic Brews, Book 1) by Alyn Troy — $0 $0.99

• Of Mages and Murders (Casino Witch Mysteries, Book 1) by Nikki Haverstock — $0 $3.99

• Space Murder (Captain Liz Laika Mysteries, Book 1) by Nikki Haverstock — $0 $4.99

• The Guest is a Goner (Sedona Spirit Cozy Mysteries, Book 1) by Carly Winter — $0 $2.99

• A Mystical Legacy (The Skye O’Shea Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series) by Rowan Dillon — $0 $0.99

• Books & Bribes (A Bookstore Cozy Mystery) by Lucinda Race — $0 $0.99

• Falling into Magic (Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series, Book 1) by Elizabeth Pantley — $0 $2.99

• Bakeries and Buffoonery (Magical Mystery Book Club) by Elizabeth Pantley — $0 $3.99

• Murder by Moonlight (Felines of Fairytale Forest, Book 1) by K.L. Montgomery — $0 $2.99

• Silver Spells (Midlife Elementals) by Kate Moseman — $0 $4.99

FREE E-BOOKS: On Jan. 23, hundreds of e-books are completely free on Amazon. Shop these historical cozy mystery books for free today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.97 Save $35.98 Shop Now

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back again, and we couldn't be happier about it. As with previous events, hundreds of e-books are listed at Amazon for free today. Yes, $0. It's an author-organized event that drops the price of hundreds of e-books to nothing. and once you purchase a book, it's yours forever.

Stuff Your Kindle Days cover many genres and subgenres including romance and fantasy, but the latest is focused on cozy mystery. Hosted by the Cozy Mystery Book Club, the hub page lists out exactly what's included, and is broken down into Contemporary Cozies, Historical Cozies, and Paranormal Cozies, so you can find books that are perfect for you.

SEE ALSO: Stuff your Kindle with these free contemporary cozy books

And if you are a real fan of historical cozy mystery novels, there are plenty of books for you to download. Here's a pick of just some of the incredible e-books you can download for free.

Best historical cozy mystery to shop on Stuff Your Kindle Day

• A Death in Devon by Shéa MacLeod — $0 $4.99

• Death in Soho (Augusta Peel 1920s Mysteries) by Emily Organ — $0 $2.99

• Murder in the Maze (Lottie Sprigg Country House 1920s) by Martha Bond — $0 $4.99

• Killing Time in Georgia (The Savannah Time Travel Mysteries) by Susan Kiernan-Lewis — $0 $4.99

• Murder By Multiples by Rachel Ford — $0 $4.99

• The Case of the Christmas Angel (A Cozy 1930s Jack and Frances Mystery) by Carmen Radtke — $0 $2.99

• A Venetian Escapade (The Continental Capers of Melody Chesterton) by Sarah F. Noel — $0 $5.99

• Enigma of Lake Falls by Brittany E. Brinegar — $0 $4.99

• Paul Madison P.I. by Sharon Michaels — $0 $2.99

• The Catalogued Corpse by D.S. Lang — $0 $5.99

FREE E-BOOKS: On Jan. 23, hundreds of e-books are completely free on Amazon. Shop these contemporary cozy mystery books for free today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.97 Save $35.98 Shop Now

Stuff Your Kindle Day is a book lover's biggest dream. On these days, hundreds of e-books are listed at Amazon for free. Yes, $0.

It's an author-organized event that drops the price of hundreds of e-books to nothing. And better yet, the books you "purchase" during this event are yours to keep forever.

SEE ALSO: Stock up on hundreds of free mystery e-books on Stuff Your Kindle Day

Stuff Your Kindle Days vary in genre, with recent events covering romance and fantasy, but the latest is focused on cozy mystery. Hosted by the Cozy Mystery Book Club, the hub page lists out exactly what's included, and is broken down into Contemporary Cozies, Historical Cozies, and Paranormal Cozies, so you can find books that are perfect for you.

And if you are a real fan of contemporary cozy mystery novels, there are plenty of books for you to download. Overwhelmed? Here's a pick of some of the best books you can download for free.

Best contemporary cozy mystery to shop on Stuff Your Kindle Day

• Risky Whiskey (Bohemia Bartenders Mysteries, Book 1) by Lucy Lakestone — $0 $4.99

• Just Shoot Me Dead by Anne R. Tan — $0 $4.99

• Knifed in Nice (Travel P.I., Book 1) by Zara Keane — $0 $4.99

• Dial P For Poison (Movie Club Mysteries, Book 1) by Zara Keane — $0 $4.99

• The Corpse in the Cabana by Shéa MacLeod — $0 $4.99

• Limoncello Yellow by Traci Andrighetti — $0 $2.99

• Bells, Tails & Murder (A Dickens & Christie Mystery) by Kathy Manos Penn — $0 $4.99

• The Snowman Killer by Wendy Meadows — $0 $3.99

• Fake Death (A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery) by Victoria Tait — $0 $2.99

• A Shiver on the River (A Kennedy Reeves Mystery) by MJ Mac — $0 $2.99

• The Bride and Doom (A Wedding Crashers Mystery) by Erin Scoggins — $0 $3.99

SAVE $149.99: As of Jan. 23, buy the LG 34-inch UltraWide WQHD HDR curved monitor for $279.99 (normally $349.99) at LG and get a free LG SK1 compact soundbar ($79.99 value) with purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 34-inch Ultrawide WQHD HDR Curved Monitor $279.99 at LG
$349.99 Save $70.00 Free LG SK1 compact soundbar with purchase Get Deal

Looking to upgrade your home office and home entertainment center? This LG deal might be for you

As of Jan. 23, buy the LG 34-inch UltraWide WQHD HDR curved monitor at LG for $279.99, down from its usual price of $349.99, and get a free LG SK1 Compact Soundbar (a $79.99 value) with your purchase. Simply add both products to your cart and check out, and your discount will automatically be applied. This deal is valid through Feb. 2, so you'll have to act fast if you want to take advantage of it.

This monitor features a massive 34-inch curved screen with a 100Hz refresh rate and HDR10 support. It offers a three-sided, virtually borderless design and a one-click, height and tilt adjustable stand so you can get it exactly where you want it when you're setting it up. It also supports picture by picture and reader mode so you can use it for just about any purpose.

As far as the soundbar goes, it's a compact, small design that supports Bluetooth, so you can place it just about anywhere that makes sense. It offers booming bass and cinematic audio and is compatible with your TV remote control if you decide to use it with your main display. Both options are great additions to your setup, so snag them while you can.

If your Facebook account appears to have automatically followed President Donald Trump this week, you aren't the only one. Even so, Meta claims this isn't as sinister as it appears, and is in fact the result of routine operations.

Facebook and Instagram users have accused Meta of artificially boosting Trump's follower count by forcing people to follow him in the wake of Monday's inauguration. The issue was raised after several people discovered that their accounts were following the president despite them having given no indication that this was something they'd like to do.

As of writing, the POTUS and White House Facebook pages both have 11 million followers each.

SEE ALSO: 8 ways Mark Zuckerberg changed Meta ahead of Trump’s inauguration Tweet may have been deleted

WTF. Why is Facebook making me follow Donald Trump on Facebook without my consent?

[image or embed]

— Po Murray (@pomurray.bsky.social) January 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM

It isn't entirely unreasonable for users to be suspicious. Meta has been publicly cosying up to Trump recently, enacting numerous policy changes to better align itself with the new administration's agenda and win the president's favour. Trump has also shown himself to be enamoured with the number of people consuming his social media. The millions of views his TikTok videos have accumulated even seemed to influence his recent delay of the app's U.S. ban.

Further, between Trump's sweeping executive orders and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's policy shifts, it's clear that the typical rules of engagement no longer apply. However, Meta says this isn't what it looks like.

Why is my Facebook account following Trump?

Addressing the issue on both Threads and X, Meta communications director Andy Stone stated that the tech giant is not forcing Facebook and Instagram users to automatically follow President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, or First Lady Melania Trump. Rather, the official social media accounts for the White House have simply been transferred to the new administration.

"Those accounts are managed by the White House so with a new administration, the content on those Pages changes," said Stone. "This is the same procedure we followed during the last presidential transition."

As such, anyone who had been following former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, or former First Lady Jill Biden would have suddenly found themselves following the Trump administration equivalents in each role.

View on Threads

Not everyone has been satisfied with Meta's explanation, though. Some claim that they had not been following any political accounts, yet were still drafted by Facebook to follow Trump. Others note that the offending Trump administration accounts had just been created this month. A few have further stated that their follow history indicated they'd just followed Trump this month, rather than been grandfathered in.

Still, Meta public affairs director Nkechi Nneji told CBS News that some of these people may have simply forgotten that they'd followed U.S. government accounts.

"Meta doesn't make anyone follow any account and we never have," said Nneji.

Credit: Screenshot: Mashable

Former Facebook public policy director Katie Harbath also weighed in to explain the accounts' suspicious creation dates, as well as the timing on users' follows. It seems that while Meta behaves as though they're simply handing over social media accounts to the next administration, they do technically create entirely new ones. Meta simply gives the new administration's pages the same followers and URL as their predecessor's, so it effectively functions as though it were the same account.

This means that the former administration's accounts can be archived, albeit under a new URL. As such, Biden's presidential Facebook page and his White House's page can both still be viewed as they were up until Trump's inauguration this week. 

"[M]y team set up the first ways of having to do this when Trump won in 2016 and we had to transfer the official accounts that President Obama's team created when Facebook pages were first created," Harbath wrote on Threads. "Same was done during the transfer from Trump to Biden. The old ones go to an archived account and the followers remain, but the feed is wiped clean. Most platforms handle it this way."

Unfortunately, clearing your follow list of unwanted intruders isn't as simple as going through and unfollowing any accounts you'd rather not see right now. Some users have expressed frustration after repeatedly attempting to unfollow Trump, only to find themselves involuntarily following him once more. 

Stone warns that it may take a little longer than usual to opt out of (or into) Trump's updates "as these accounts change hands." So if you'd rather not see them, you might be happier logging off from Facebook and Instagram for a while.

Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it in the Royal Shakespeare Company's first ever video game.

Announced on Wednesday, the British theatre company has teamed up with New York indie game studio iNK Stories (Revolution: Black Friday) to create Lili, a thriller noir game focused on the damned spot-laden Lady Macbeth.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best video games you may have missed in 2024

Set in modern Iran, the interactive story-based game uses cinematic footage with point-and-click functions. Lili stars French-Iranian Holy Spider actor Zar Amir as Lady Macbeth, referred to as "Lili" (Amir's own Alambic Production co-produced the game). Players make decisions for the Scottish play's villainous queen, amid a setting of authoritarian rule and gender oppression in Iran. As for the rest of Macbeth's characters, all we know so far is the all-important witches are realised as hackers.

Lili is currently in development, with a 2025 release date and platforms to be announced.

Zar Amir in "Lili." Credit: Ellie Smith

"It pushes the boundaries of storytelling, marking an inflection point in the depth of expression within commercial video games and expanding the creative vision of the RSC into new, interactive territory," Vassiliki Khonsari, co-founder of iNK Stories, said in a statement.

"A video game based on Shakespeare's Macbeth is a thrilling endeavour that transforms one of literature’s darkest and most compelling tales — of gender, ambition, fate, power, and morality into an immersive, interactive experience."

Featured Video For You Grow plants from fantasy games with this IRL initiative

It's not the first game based on Shakespeare's work but it is the first direct from the Royal Shakespeare Company — an organisation which has staged Macbeth many, many times. To honour Shakespeare's words, iNK Stories worked with leading Oxford Shakespeare academic, RSC board member, and author Emma Smith on the text adaptation.

Long the stuff of narrative legend, Shakespeare's work has most recently found a crossover with cinema and gaming through the lauded Grand Theft Hamlet, a documentary film in which filmmakers Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane, and Mark Oosterveen staged a production of the Shakespearean tragedy within the game Grand Theft Auto Online.

"As a storytelling medium, gaming today is what theatre has always been; a chance to explore worlds, inhabit story, and experience something at once personal and communal," said Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, RSC co-artistic directors, in a statement. "Centring this tense thriller around Lady Macbeth rather than her husband is radical and transformative. It turns the play’s questions around gender, identity and power inside out."

TL;DR: Get a PDF Expert Premium lifetime subscription for £64.95 (reg. £113.68) and manage your PDFs with seamless editing, organising, and annotation tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle Limited PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) £64.95 at the Mashable Shop
£113.68 Save £48.73 Get Deal

PDFs are great until you need to edit one — then they can feel like an unsolvable puzzle. With PDF Expert Premium, you’ll never have to wrestle with your files again. This powerful £64.95 (reg. £113.68) tool puts you in full control of your PDFs, making edits, annotations, and organisation simple.

PDF Expert is built for flexibility and ease of use. If you want to tweak text, images, or links, it’s as simple as clicking and typing. You can highlight, comment, and mark up your PDFs with intuitive tools that let you collaborate seamlessly.

But it doesn’t stop at edits. PDF Expert also makes organising large batches of documents effortless. Merge multiple PDFs into one, split files, or rearrange pages to your liking. Plus, its handy search function ensures you’ll never waste time hunting for key information again.

For those focused on security, PDF Expert has you covered. Lock your documents with passwords and control access to sensitive information. Whether you’re handling contracts, assignments, or personal files, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your data is protected.

Great for students, professionals, or anyone who deals with PDFs regularly, you can say goodbye to clunky workarounds and hello to streamlined productivity.

With a one-time payment of £64.95 — a 42% discount — you get lifetime access to PDF Expert Premium's complete suite of features.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

FREE E-BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Jan. 23. Pick up hundreds of mystery e-books for free in the Cozy Mystery eBook Blast.

The wait for the return of Stuff Your Kindle Day has been gruelling. The last event took place on Dec. 27. That's almost a whole month ago. How have we all coped?

Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an awesome opportunity to stock up on hundreds of books for free. We know that it sounds too good to be true, but it's legit. Stuff Your Kindle Day is an author-organized event that drops the price of hundreds of e-books to nothing. And the books that you decide to download are yours to keep, forever.

SEE ALSO: The Kindle Paperwhite made me enjoy reading books again

This latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on cozy mystery e-books. Hosted by the Cozy Mystery Book Club, the hub page lists out exactly what's included, and is broken down into Contemporary Cozies, Historical Cozies, and Paranormal Cozies, so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

Want to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Bookworms should do everything they can to keep tabs on the Stuff Your Kindle Day calendar. The last couple of events took place in December, with the Indie Author Winter Wonderland Event offering hundreds of indie books for 99 cents or less, followed by the free giveaway from Dark Mode Books.

And now (Jan. 23), the Cozy Mystery Book Club is giving away 170+ free e-book downloads from your preferred retailer.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day.

You don't need to own a Kindle to get involved. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these free e-books. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all these free cozy mystery e-books is straightforward thanks to the Cozy Mystery Book Club. There's a helpful hub page with Kindle store and other retailer links to Contemporary Cozies, Historical Cozies, and Paranormal Cozies. Following these links, you can see the Amazon links from a bunch of different locations.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.

Shop Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it

These portable and lightweight e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

Featured Video For You Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Which one is better?

TL;DR: Live stream Keys vs. Swiatek in the 2025 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The big question from the 2025 Australian Open is whether or not anyone can stop Sabalenka? It's not an easy task, but if anyone can do it, it's probably Swiatek. Of course, she hasn't made the final yet. Standing in her way is the impressive Madison Keys.

If you want to watch Keys vs. Swiatek in the 2025 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Keys vs. Swiatek for free

The 2025 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now, including Keys vs. Swiatek.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 Australian Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Keys vs. Swiatek without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Keys vs. Swiatek in the 2025 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.