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SAVE $25: As of May 9, get the Amazon Kindle Kids for $104.99, down from its usual price of $129.99. That's a discount of 19%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Kids $104.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

Wish your kids would spend more time feeding their minds instead of playing games all day? Give them a fun and easy way to consume more books, like an e-reader. Today, thanks to a deal from Amazon, you can save big on a Kindle that's made just for kids to facilitate that.

As of May 9, get the Amazon Kindle Kids for $104.99, down from its usual price of $129.99. That's $25 off for a discount of 19%.

SEE ALSO: The Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle has never been cheaper, so what are you waiting for?

The new Amazon Kindle Kids is just like a regular Kindle, but made especially for kids, with an enhanced, 6-inch, glare-free display and faster page turns than the original device. It comes with a colorful cover (choose from Ocean Explorer, Space Whale, or Unicorn Valley) too, which kids will love. It's also 25% brighter at max setting, which means it's as bright as a Kindle Paperwhite, with light and dark mode.

Most importantly, it comes with a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids+, which gives your kids unlimited access to books appropriate for readers 3-12. After six months, you'll have to pay $5.99 a month for the subscription, but you can cancel anytime.

If your kids break this Kindle, Amazon will replace it, too. So you can give it to them with some peace of mind, knowing they can read age-appropriate content, and they can drop it all day long if they have to, with a replacement on the way if there's a problem. It's a great way to instill a love of reading in young users, and perfect for getting the kids off your back about using your e-reader if they're asking.

SAVE $40: As of May 9, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is on sale for just $139.99 at Amazon instead of $179.99. That's 22% in savings and matches its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Paperwhite Kids $139.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $40 Get Deal

Kids love screens and there's no denying it. Rather than eliminating them altogether, why not try making their screen time more productive? The Kindle Paperwhite Kids is still a screen, but it's a screen you can feel good about, as it's packed only with kid-friendly books. No notifications, apps, videos, or games — just stories. And for a limited time, you can snag one on sale.

As of May 9, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is down to just $139.99 from $179.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 22% and matches its best price ever, which it reached for the first time around Black Friday 2024.

SEE ALSO: You can finally buy books in the Kindle app, thanks to a California judge

A step up from the basic Kindle Kids device, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids is our favorite option for little readers. The newest version was released in October and comes in its thinnest, fastest form yet — as well as a variety of new designs. The seven-inch display also packs a higher contrast ratio and 25 percent faster page turns than its predecessor, which help to keep kids engaged in the content.

Like previous models, it's also waterproof, packed with built-in parental controls, and comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee. It has a heftier build than the adult Kindle Paperwhite, which makes for a sturdier design that can withstand just about anything kids throw at it (within reason). But if anything does happen to it within the first two years, Amazon will replace it.

We're also big fans of Amazon Kids+, which is loaded with tons of age-appropriate books. Your Kindle Paperwhite Kids purchase will come with a free six-month subscription to get started. Afterwards, it'll cost $5.99 per month, so that $40 in savings on the device itself will certainly come in handy.

SAVE OVER $70: As of May 9, the 11-inch Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) is on sale for $277.78 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $277.78 at Amazon
$349 Save $71.22 Get Deal

We need some sort of alarm at this point, because another new Apple device has dropped to a record-low level: the 11-inch Apple iPad fitted with the A16 chip is now available for its lowest-ever price according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

As of May 9, the 11-inch Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) is on sale for $277.78 at Amazon. This deal saves you over $70 on list price. This deal is available on the pink and yellow models.

SEE ALSO: The Apple M4 MacBook Pro is in freefall — get it for its lowest-ever price

Considering this iPad was only announced in March, this is an impressively low price. Boasting the A16 chip, this 11-inch iPad comes with a boost in power over its predecessor and even more storage at 128GB. Its Liquid Retina display gives everything a welcome pop with vibrant colors and crisp details.

We consider this model to be the best iPad on a budget in our roundup of the best iPads, with Mashable's Samantha Mangino saying, "The iPad (11th generation) doesn't possess the flair of the Pro or Air, but it is a testament that Apple can still produce good entry-level tech. It's currently the lowest-priced iPad, even defeating the Mini." That's good enough for us.

Pick up the 11-inch Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) for its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Can a small Massachusetts start-up perfect a battery that would make electric vehicles cheaper and more convenient than conventional cars?

TL;DR: Live stream Munster vs. Ulster in the United Rugby Championship for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of massive rugby fixtures taking place this weekend, and everything kicks off with arguably the biggest of the lot: Munster vs. Ulster. Neither side has lit up the league this season, but that won't make this match any less significant. It's going to be an absolute battle from start to finish.

If you want to watch Munster vs. Ulster in the United Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Munster vs. Ulster?

Munster vs. Ulster starts at 7:35 p.m. BST on May 9. This fixture takes place at Thomond Park.

How to watch Munster vs. Ulster for free

Munster vs. Ulster in the United Rugby Championship is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can stream on RTÉ Player from any location.

Access free live streams of the United Rugby Championship 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 Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Live stream Munster vs. Ulster for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming aren't free, but leading VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you'll be able access free live streams without actually spending anything. This is a temporary fix, but it gives you enough time to stream Munster vs. Ulster (plus more United Rugby Championship fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for sport?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to live stream the United Rugby Championship, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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 two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months of coverage for free — 61% off list price. This deal includes a year of unlimited data backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Munster vs. Ulster for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $70: As of May 9, Beats Studio Buds + are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's 41% off their list price of $169.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds + $99.95 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you've been looking to invest in new earbuds, there are some great deals available on a range of popular models right now. The Beats Studio Buds + have returned to their lowest-ever price at Amazon, so there's no better time to pick them up.

The Beats Studio Buds + are currently available for $99.95, a 41% discount off their retail price of $169.95. It's worth keeping in mind that these are listed as a limited-time deal right now, so they may not stay at this price for long. Act fast to scoop them up and save.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more

The Beats Studio Buds + feature high-quality sound and noise-canceling features — Active Noise Canceling and Transparency mode, depending on how much outside sound you want to hear around you — that make listening to your favorite music, audiobooks, or podcasts an even more enjoyable experience. And with up to 36 hours of battery life with the charging case, they're a perfect option to take on your next trip or outdoor adventure as summer approaches.

This deal on the Beats Studio Buds + may not last for very long, so pick them up at their lowest-ever price without delay.

These aren't the only discounted earbuds we've come across recently. At the moment, the AirPods Pro 2 are enjoying a great discount at Amazon.

“I have rarely read a judge who is so obviously angry at a tech company.”

Apple is working on a bunch of specialized chips, and it shows how serious the company is about AI. It also indicates that Apple hasn't given up on its own version of smart glasses.

According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple is developing chips for wearable devices, including its first-ever smart glasses. We're not talking about the company's Vision Pro mixed reality headset, but something akin to Ray-Ban's Meta smart glasses, which wear like normal glasses but are equipped with speakers, cameras, and some basic AI capabilities.

This particular chip is based on the processor used in the Apple Watch, only it's been customized to make it even more power efficient. It will also be able to control the "multiple cameras" that Apple plans to build into its smart glasses.

The chip should be ready for mass production by the end of 2026 or sometime in 2027, meaning that's roughly when Apple could launch the smart glasses.

Apple is reportedly working on two different versions of the smart glasses, one simpler, lightweight, and similar to the Ray-Ban Metas, and the other having AR capabilities.

Apple is also working on several new chips for Macs, including the ones that will likely launch under the names M6 and M7. There's also a "more advanced" Mac chip being developed, but for that one we know nothing besides the codename: Sotra.

SEE ALSO: Google's stock falls as Apple actively considers AI search for Safari

Finally, Apple is working on specialized chips for AI servers, coming in 2027. These servers will be the ones remotely processing Apple Intelligence requests from customers — right now, according to the report, Apple uses its high-end Macs chips for that purpose, such as the M2 Ultra.

Ultimately, this means the AI requests would be completed faster, and would open up the path for more powerful AI capabilities down the road.

TL;DR: ExpressVPN is a reliable option for unblocking leading porn sites like Pornhub, XVideos, and ePorner.

If you want to unblock popular sites like Pornhub, Xnxx, and ePorner, you should seriously consider using a VPN. These cybersecurity services can hide your real IP address and connect you to servers in other locations, meaning you can bypass content restrictions to unblock your favourite porn sites from anywhere in the world.

This process might sound complicated, but it's actually really quick and easy.

How to unblock ePorner for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in another location. This process tricks streaming platforms into providing you with access, even if there is a block in place over your network.

Unblock ePorner from anywhere in the world by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to ePorner

4. Connect to ePorner from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are unfortunately not free, but most leading services do offer free trials or money-back guarantees.

By utilising these offers, you can unblock porn sites like ePorner without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it means you can temporarily unblock porn sites like ePorner for free. This method is particularly useful if you frequently use unknown or unsecured networks when travelling.

What is the best VPN for porn?

There are plenty of VPNs that can reliably bypass content restrictions to unblock streaming platforms, but ExpressVPN is tough to beat. It's not the cheapest service, but users get a long list of impressive features:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use the money-back guarantee to unblock ePorner without committing with your cash. This is sneaky, but it works.

Unblock ePorner for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $600: As of May 9, the Dreame X40 Ultra Robotic Vacuum with Mop is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's 40% off its list price of $1,499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: DREAME Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum $899.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $600 Get Deal

A robot vacuum can be a helpful purchase if you're looking for a little extra cleaning assistance around the house. If you've been trying to track down a good option to buy, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth a look. One of our favorites is the Dreame X40 Ultra, which has received a 40% discount at Amazon.

Normally, the Dreame X40 Ultra Robotic Vacuum and Mop is listed for $1,499.99, but this discount has dropped the price down to $899.99. It's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so if it has caught your eye, you'll want to act fast to secure this low price.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the only ones I'd buy in 2025

Featuring powerful 12,000Pa suction, this model will collect any dust, dirt, and debris that drops on your floor. And with MopExtend technology, it can mop and clean corners that would usually be out of reach. It can handle a variety of surfaces as well, from hard floors to carpet, so you can feel content knowing every corner of your home is getting a good clean.

Don't miss out on 40% off the Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon.

Looking for more robot vacuum deals? Right now you can also save on the Roborock Q5 Max+ at Amazon, if you want to spend a little less right now.

SAVE $500: As of May 9, the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's 50% off its list price of $999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: DREAME Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $500 Get Deal

If you're still getting some spring cleaning done around the house, a robot vacuum can be a helpful investment to take the weight off. If you're on the hunt for a good option to buy, the good news is that there are some very nice deals available on select models right now. This includes the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop, which has received a 50% discount at Amazon.

This has dropped the price of the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat from $999.99 to $499.99, saving you $500 on list price. This deal may not stick around for long, as Amazon has it listed as a limited-time deal.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the only ones I'd buy in 2025

Boasting 7,000Pa suction, the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat can tackle any dirt, hair, or dust that's gathered up on your floor. It covers a variety of surfaces as well, so it can help keep multiple areas around your home looking clean and tidy. And when it comes to mopping, it features a mop extension making for a more efficient clean.

Treat yourself to a new robot vacuum with 50% off the Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum and Mop at Amazon.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 MotoGP is shaping up to be pretty special. Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez, and Francesco Bagnaia are battling it out at the top of the standings, with all eyes on Le Mans this weekend.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France?

The MotoGP Grand Prix of France takes place at Le Mans. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France race starts at 8 a.m. ET on May 11.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free

The MotoGP Grand Prix of France is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

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

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of France for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $100: As of May 9, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's $100 off its list price of $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $279.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $100 Get Deal

We made a massive fuss about the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 dropped to its lowest-ever price last month. We shouted from the rooftops, we rang the bells, and we lit the beacons. And now we look like monumental fools.

Shame on us for not seeing into the near future. We jumped on that lowest-ever price like greedy children crowding around birthday cake at the end of a party. We should have stepped back, assessed the scene, and realized that a much bigger, tastier cake was being held back for the adults. Well that cake has been wheeled in, and it's absolutely glorious.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

As of May 9, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's $100 off its list price of $379.99, and a new record-low price on Amazon according to camelcamelcamel. Congratulations if you remained patient when the last deal dropped and we made all that noise. Your reward is an extra $10 saving. Spend it on something nice, and wipe that smug grin off your face.

The lowest-ever price might provide you with the nudge you needed to buy, but in case you're not convinced, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 speaks for itself. This popular smartwatch offers a variety of health and fitness features to keep you in the know, including a heart rate tracker, sleep tracker, wellness tips, and an Energy Score that lets you know exactly how much you're going to struggle through the day.

Don't miss out on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

The Justice Department and Google are wrapping up a three-week hearing that could have a major impact on the search giant and how people gather information online.

A federal judge’s recent ruling has made it possible for apps to sell software and subscriptions outside the App Store without having to pay a commission.

Court documents show the company commissioned a sham report and lied on the stand to justify its actions, which will cast a shadow over future lawsuits.

At a landmark antitrust trial, a judge is weighing how to define competition for the social media giant in order to decide whether it broke the law.

Have you received an urgent email from tech support company Geek Squad, charging you an exorbitant amount of money for a subscription renewal?

It's a scam. The email is not really from Geek Squad, which is a legitimate business owned by the electronics retail chain Best Buy. And while scammers love to make it sound like you're minutes away from a massive credit card charge, they can't really charge you. The large amount stated in the email is just there to scare you…that is, unless you respond and give the cybercriminals the information they want.

So, up top, let's be clear: Don't respond to these Geek Squad scam emails. Ignore them. Don't engage with the scammer.

Reddit What is the Geek Squad scam?

Fake subscription or payment scams have been quite popular in recent months. One growing scam in this vein is the E-Z Pass toll road text scam, which tries to trick targets into thinking they owe a payment for a toll road. Victims either pay a phony bill, or they hand over valuable personal information while trying to "correct" the penalty.

The Geek Squad scam is quite similar. The scammer sends a fake bill via email to an unsuspecting target. The bill is ostensibly for a subscription to Geek Squad's technical support services. Sometimes, the bill will be for general support or for a specific yet vague product like a "network shield" or "computer protection."

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

However, there is one common strategy that these Geek Squad scammers all use: The price for the service is usually an exorbitant amount. It's not uncommon for these emails to inform users that they will be charged in the range of $300 to $500 for a renewal of this nonexistent subscription service.

The pricing on the fake bill is quite purposeful. A target will see they are about to be charged a large sum of money and immediately reach out to the phone number provided in hopes of stopping the charge. This is both a common technique among scammers and a dead giveaway: Beware all emails and texts that try to create a sense of urgency. Legitimate businesses won't use these kinds of pressure tactics.

Reddit

As with the toll scams, there's another layer here: Some victims will reach out to the scammer to stop the erroneous charge. If they are a Geek Squad customer, they'll contact the number with the belief that they are talking to real Geek Squad representative. If they're not, the scammers will try to trick them into revealing credit card numbers, social security numbers, or some other valuable information.

The Geek Squad scam has been going around for a few years now, which means it must be rather successful for scam artists because they keep utilizing this strategy. Over the past few months, there's been an uptick in local news reports on the scam, particularly in New York and Wisconsin, so be on your gard.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How to avoid getting scammed

While scammers have likely been raking in the cash with their Geek Squad scam, thankfully, it's also very easy to avoid getting scammed.

The scammer relies on their target seeing the fake bill and contacting them via a link or phone number included in the email. Once the victim makes contact, the scammer engages in basic social engineering strategies to trick the target into giving them private information. Victims have also reported that the scammer convinced them to install software that allowed them to remotely control the target's computer.

Simply do not engage with an email allegedly from Geek Squad. Do not reply to the email. Do not click a link in the email. Do not call the phone number listed in the email.

If you are a Geek Squad customer and must reach the company, please go to Geek Squad's official website at Best Buy, which provides a real number for legitimate contact.

In conclusion: If you're wondering if that Geek Squad email is real, assume that it isn't.

The past week or so has been a real whirlwind for anyone lookin forward to Grand Theft Auto VI.

Last Friday, Rockstar told us the game was delayed to the middle of 2026. Then, on Tuesday, we got a surprise second trailer for the game, full of story bits and some looks at the very realistic and lively looking version of Vice City that acts as its setting. Finally, on Wednesday, Rockstar revealed one more very interesting detail about the trailer itself: It was captured entirely on a base PlayStation 5 console, and apparently features "equal parts" gameplay and cutscenes.

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

The first part of that announcement is a very pleasant surprise. There's been a vibe online for a while now that Rockstar is creating a game world so large, fully-featured, and vibrant that it will struggle to run on current hardware. Hearing that Rockstar was able to capture all of the footage in this trailer, which does indeed look incredible on a technical level, on a regular PS5, is heartening for folks who thought they'd be left behind without upgrading to at least a PS5 Pro.

SEE ALSO: ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ review: 'Grand Theft Auto' meets Shakespeare in hilarious, moving doc

It's tougher to suss out which parts of the trailer are cutscenes and which are gameplay. A large majority of it, to me, looks like cutscenes, but there are a few shots of the protagonists driving cars, airboats, and jet-skis that look like they could conceivably be gameplay footage. None of it is shown from a third-person gameplay camera angle, though, so it's really hard to tell what is and isn't running in real-time.

Beyond all of that, Rockstar posted an absolute bounty of 70 screenshots from the game on its website to go alongside the trailer. There are obviously way too many to share in this one article, but I picked out my favorites.

See the Grand Theft Auto VI screenshots Vice City at sunset. Credit: Rockstar Games Decidedly not Vice City. Credit: Rockstar Games The Miami party vibes are out of control in 'GTA 6.' Credit: Rockstar Games Lucia Caminos gets locked up. Credit: Rockstar Games Find your happy place, Cal Hampton. Credit: Rockstar Games A character named DreQuan Priest. Credit: Rockstar Games A character billed as Raul Bautista. Credit: Rockstar Games The character Leonida Keys, who has real Florida Woman vibes. Credit: Rockstar Games

There are more than 60 more to sift through beyond that, so have yourself some fun during downtime at work by looking at them and wishing the game was out this month instead of next year.

My wife and I ran a half-marathon in Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago. If you're a runner, it was us, along with probably half your timeline.

Carl Radke from Bravo's Summer House? Check. Sen. Chuck Schumer, for whatever reason? Check. White House stenographer and running influencer Kate Mackz? Check (and more on her later). This isn't entirely surprising, considering some 25,000 people showed up to jog 13.1 miles that Sunday. But it's a symptom of a bigger, more annoying problem.

Run clubs, running influencers, #RunTok, and the concept of running as a trend have gone too far. It's making running less enjoyable.

Am I an old man yelling at a cloud? No! I am an old man yelling at a group of 40 jabronis, dressed in sleek, moisture-wicking, wildly expensive gear. I'm yelling at that very same group, rumbling down the narrow Williamsburg bridge path, three-wide, impossibly jolly, barreling through the solitary walkers and joggers.

If you think I'm exaggerating, I'm not. These were the exact conditions of the training runs my wife and I took. No fewer than a half-dozen times were we entirely overwhelmed — like a picnic inundated with fit, person-sized gnats — by oversized run clubs. And if you think I'm airing a local, personal grievance in a national publication, well, you're only half correct. Because it is a personal grievance that ultimately gets at a wider trend.

First of all, I'm not the only one complaining about the overbearing NYC run clubs. A thread blew up on Reddit eight months ago debating the subject. And it's not just NYC. It's a hotly debated issue on runner forums, all over social media, in Australia, and pretty much everywhere, to some degree.

SEE ALSO: I ran a half-marathon in my backyard like that viral tweet. I don't recommend it.

Now, to be clear, I love that people are running. I have been a runner my entire life. Not to brag (but to brag), I've done three marathons and ran a backyard half for Mashable during the COVID lockdown. My day doesn't feel complete without a jog, and it's cool that more people agree nowadays. What started for lots of people as a COVID-friendly hobby has become a wildly popular means for socializing. RunSignUp had 7.4 million race registrations in 2019. By 2024, that figure was 10.8 million. RunTok has racked up more than a billion views and attracted major brands like Nike and Brooks.

Run clubs themselves are not even the problem, not really. Neither is #RunTok nor running influencers. It's the confluence of those things that's turning running into a trend rather than a fun activity. It's the internet's obsession with too much of a good thing. It's the same disease that turns every Internet Thing into something with a massive, mobbed-out line. A 40-minute wait for a viral croissant is equivalent to the 40-person blob of runners swallowing the sidewalk.

It's great that people are turning to running, so much so that it's been called the "new group chat." It's awesome to see people hang out IRL while getting in a nice sweat. But a group chat with 40-some people is just as overbearing as a run club that size. We, as runners, have to practice etiquette.

SEE ALSO: The internet will have you wait in lines. Don't do it.

My proposal? Ten people. A group of runners has no reason to be more than 10 people. That gives you plenty of runners to chat with and enough bodies to claim some space from cars and cyclists (don’t even get me started on car culture). But it limits your group so it's not hogging the street, sidewalk, or bike path. If your run club has more than 10 people show up that day? Sick! I'm so glad you're building a community. Split that community up into groups of 10, each running a different route. You can all end at the same park and chat after your respective jogs.

While I complain, it's also important to note that run clubs have become, in a good way, about much more than running. Some have morphed into matchmaking groups. Lots of run clubs, like Philly's Slow Girl Run Club, have made it a point to welcome in all kinds of folks and make the hobby more approachable. It's genuinely wonderful that you could meet your partner, find friends, get acclimated to a city, or build community via running.

SEE ALSO: The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the budget-friendly fitness tracker of our dreams

But we should also be wary of anyone commoditizing running, which can include run clubs or the bandleaders therein. One of the things that makes running so beautiful is that anyone can do it. Sure, you can spend thousands of dollars on the latest shoes, gear, and gadgets. And you can also throw on a pair of sweats and hit the pavement. There is no entry fee for running. You don't need anyone to tell you how to do it; it's already coded within your DNA. And you certainly don't need an influencer like Mackz, a Brooklynite who'd lean on her audience's morals for views.

But I'd argue Mackz was already a symbol of where running went wrong before, you know, cheerfully selling out to the Trump administration by interviewing its press secretary while pretending to have the critical thinking skills of a goldfish. What started as a harmless schtick — she interviews people while running — quickly became a vehicle for celebrity worship and naked shilling. Her whole brand became using the trend of running to sell you on celebs Being Normal. The fun of RunTok, of runners finding community, is stripped for parts and presented for sale.

Sorry, but that sucks. And no, that doesn't directly relate to the hordes of runners in run clubs. But it's of the same ecosystem. To paraphrase reality TV, it's not running for the right reasons. Run clubs are great until you're doing a run club because doing a run club is what everyone's doing. Because here's a little secret: Jogging in a group of 40-some people cannot be fun for the runners. If you've ever done a race, you know this. The start of any running race is cramped and miserable. You jostle to find open paths and fret about turning an ankle. You're constantly either passing or getting passed. Packing a large group of runners onto the sidewalk, which, mind you, is still occupied by walkers, dogs, kids, and other runners, is basically recreating those circumstances.

Running should be meditative, and fun, and difficult, and hard on your knees, and rewarding, and the last thing you want to do after a long day, and the thing you're glad you did once you've done it. Running has been around since...well...since human beings have been around. We don't need to reinvent jogging — it doesn't need to be a trend or more than it is.

Running is putting one foot in front of the other and repeating for an indeterminate amount of time and distance. That's beautiful. It's between you and the ground and gravity, and it does not require dozens of comrades to bear witness.