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Leak reveals what Sam Altman and Jony Ive are cooking up: 100 million AI companion devices

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:16

OpenAI and Jony Ive's vision for its AI device is a screenless companion that knows everything about you.

Details leaked to the Wall Street Journal give us a clearer picture of OpenAI's acquisition of io, cofounded by Ive, the iconic iPhone designer. The ChatGPT maker reportedly plans to ship 100 million AI devices designed to fit in with users' everyday life.

SEE ALSO: ‘Empire of AI’ author on OpenAI’s cult of AGI and why Sam Altman tried to discredit her book

"The product will be capable of being fully aware of a user’s surroundings and life, will be unobtrusive, able to rest in one’s pocket or on one’s desk," according to a recording of an OpenAI staff meeting reviewed by the Journal. The device "will be a third core device a person would put on a desk after a MacBook Pro and an iPhone," per the meeting which occurred the same day (Wednesday) that OpenAI announced its acquisition of Ive's company.

The device will attempt to "wean users from screens" and be a more seamless interaction with users that doesn't involve pulling up a phone or opening up a laptop. "The products that we're using to deliver and connect us to unimaginable technology, they're decades old," said Ive in a video introducing yesterday's announcement. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive are hoping to introduce an entirely new device that removes those barriers. If that sounds familiar, recall Altman's controversial obsession with Scarlett Johansson's AI companion in Spike Jonze's sci-fi film Her.

In the film, the AI device sits in Joaquin Phoenix's character's shirt pocket and sees and hears what he does. Similarly, OpenAI is reportedly going this route instead of developing XR glasses like Google and Meta.

OpenAI and Ive will not be the first to attempt to create such a device. The Humane Ai pin, which Altman invested in, recently tried to disrupt the entire smartphone paradigm and flopped spectacularly. It was led by former Apple executives, but they weren't Jony Ive and Humane didn't have OpenAI's level of investment and influence. That said, it was also just riddled with bugs and inaccurate responses. Even though OpenAI's models still have major hallucination problems, they're still some of the most capable on the market. In this regard, maybe OpenAI will have a better shot.

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

News/Media Alliance says Google’s AI takes content by force

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:13

Is Google's new AI Mode feature theft? The News/Media Alliance, trade association representing news media organizations in the U.S. and Canada, certainly thinks so.

At Google's I/O showcase earlier this week, the tech company announced the public release of AI Mode in Google Search. AI Mode expands AI Overviews in search and signifies a pivot away from Google's traditional search. Users will see a tab at the top of their Google Search page that takes them to a chatbot interface much like, say, ChatGPT, instead of your typical Google Search results.

These results offer users information without having to actually click on an article which, the News/Media Alliance argued in a press release, "further [deprives] publishers of original content both traffic and revenue."

"Links were the last redeeming quality of search that gave publishers traffic and revenue. Now Google just takes content by force and uses it with no return, the definition of theft. The DOJ remedies must address this to prevent continued domination of the internet by one company," Danielle Coffey, the President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, said in a statement.

This isn't the first time the News/Media Alliance called AI out for "theft." Hundreds of publishers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, ran an ad campaign in April called Support Responsible AI run by the News/Media Alliance trade association. The ads literally stated: "Stop AI Theft."

"Stealing is un-American. Tell Washington to make Big Tech pay for the content it takes," the ad campaign read.

All the while, OpenAI and Google have asked the government to allow its AI models to train on copyrighted content.

Microsoft adds 50 classic retro games to Xbox Game Pass

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:58

What's old is new again, in more ways than one.

Microsoft announced this week that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will get access to "Retro Classics," an app they can download that contains more than 50 classic Activision titles from the 1980s and 90s. A brief glance at the list of games suggests it's pretty Atari 2600-heavy up front, from an era when games had amazing titles like Demon Attack and Megamania. However, there are some later releases, like the 1993 PC adventure game Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist, a game I included here strictly because of the title.

SEE ALSO: Handheld Xbox console images leak just weeks before Switch 2 launch

There is a massive catch to all of this, though: The games can only be played via cloud streaming, as far as I can tell from the FAQ page on the Xbox website. While that means they're accessible across different devices, it also means that you'll notice latency as you play them. These games were designed to play locally on a single machine years before people had home internet, so streaming them from a cloud is hardly ideal.

With that in mind, it's a little tough to take Microsoft's stated "commitment to game preservation" in the announcement blog post seriously. If these games only exist on a server farm somewhere and can't be purchased or stored locally, one could argue they aren't really being "preserved." And considering that Atari 2600 game cartridges had a mere 4KB of storage space on them, making people stream them instead of allowing for local downloads is a questionable use of internet bandwidth, to say the least.

Interestingly, this is also the second time Microsoft has tried this on Xbox. Some folks may remember Game Room, an Xbox 360 app where old games were sold individually and stored locally, as game streaming wasn't really a thing yet. Microsoft pulled the plug on Game Room very quickly. Hopefully Retro Classics gets better treatment than that.

The Buccaneers Season 2 trailer promises more love triangles and Regency romance

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:47

Following a simmering first season, The Buccaneers are back to stake their claim on TV Regency romance before Bridgerton returns.

In a new trailer for Season 2 of the Apple TV+ show, the core American expats — Nan St. George (Kristine Frøseth), Jinny St. George (Imogen Waterhouse), Lizzy Elmsworth (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah) and Conchita, Lady Brightlingsea (Alisha Boe) — are all back. No longer newcomers to England, they're all now powerful people (or some are in hiding from their extremely shit husbands).

Anachronistically soundtracked to a dramatic rendition of Chappell Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" the trailer focuses primarily on Nan, now a duchess after she decided to marry the clifftop-brooding Theo, Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers), after all. But she can't get handsome Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome) out of her head, nor her out of his.

And they're not the only flames around here, with our beloved lesbians Mabel and Honoria (Mia Threapleton) navigating their passionate love in 19th-century English society. Good luck indeed, babes!

The Buccaneers Season 2 premieres June 18 on Apple TV+.

OpenAI Says It Will Build Massive New Data Center in the U.A.E.

NYT Technology - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:00
As part of a new partnership, G42, an Emirati A.I. firm, will also help fund OpenAI’s new computer facilities in the United States

Majority of Gen Z would marry an AI, survey says

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 08:01

People are already using AI to date (and to flirt), but what about marrying one?

In an April 2025 survey of 2,000 Gen Z respondents by AI company Joi AI, eight in 10 said they'd consider marrying an AI partner. 83 percent said they could have a deep emotional bond with one. 

AI companions appear to be Joi AI's bread and butter. On its website, you can chat with pre-made characters or make your own. The company calls these connections "AI-lationships."

SEE ALSO: Can AI save dating apps?

"AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections," Jaime Bronstein, LCSW, relationship therapist and expert at Joi AI, said in an emailed statement to Mashable. "Instead, they provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being."

Clinical neuropsychologist Shifali Singh, director of digital cognitive research at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, told Mashable that it's not totally surprising that young adults believe they can have a deep emotional bond with an AI. 

"Some of my research has demonstrated that people with social anxiety tend to like using digital tools more because they're not so afraid of the repercussions, the judgment, especially with social media," said Singh. 

They might think, "If I can just interact with AI who will give me this generally nonjudgmental interchange, discussion — that's meaningful." She continued that young adults are "so used to being judged and commented on and scrutinized in ways that humans were never meant to be." 

Another reason people may form a bond with AI is that they tend to search for empathy. "When you engage with AI, AI mirrors your own language and your own thought processes, and it feels like real emotional responses," she said. People feel connected with AI because of the higher amounts of empathy that they may not get from real-life human interactions.

There's a risk in that, too. Singh compared the cyclical mirror of AI to troll farms, groups of online trolls who typically spread misinformation. Troll farms reinforce and validate someone's beliefs, even if they're wrong.

"What we have to be very careful of is [that] AI isn't going to give us novel information…It's recursive, and it's iterative and it's algorithmic," she said. "So if you give it an idea that starts out as a seed, it's going to grow into a bush."

Singh also believes there needs to be more education about what AI can and can't do. AI can be fed a lot of wrong information, such as from hackers, so it can go into a dangerous place. (For reasons unknown, last week Elon Musk's AI bot Grok kept posting about "white genocide.")

Singh is an AI researcher and uses AI tools herself. She believes using AI as a stopgap for the loneliness epidemic works in some cases. One is for older adults, who seem to love it as a companion tool, she said. Another is if someone has a condition like agoraphobia and they're too scared to go outside and speak with people, talking with an AI bot might help them feel connected, and it can stave off some of the more severe aspects of depression.

A problem arises when someone doesn't want to see friends in real life, or wants to cancel dinner plans, because it feeds into anxiety. 

As for the marriage statistic, Singh said Gen Z might think of marriage as an old guard institution and want to be more independent.

A recent report from the nonprofit Common Sense Media declared that AI companions aren't safe for anyone under 18, as they create emotional attachment and dependency. At this writing, everyone in Gen Z is an adult, but the full mental impact of bot interactions has yet to be seen. Anecdotally, people have noticed their loved ones believing spiritual delusions due to conversations with ChatGPT.

Despite the dangers, people young and old will likely still create and talk to AI companions. "Sometimes, it's just nice to have someone, even if it’s AI," Bronstein said.

The best Memorial Day deals for under $100

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:51
The best Memorial Day deals for under $100: The best Memorial Day speaker and headphone deal under $100 IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $59.49 (Save 41%) Get Deal The best Memorial Day tech deal under $100 Kingslim D4 Dual Dash Cam $84.98 (Save 39%) Get Deal The best Memorial Day toy deal under $100 KidKraft Laundry Playset $60.70 (Save 51%) Get Deal

Memorial Day might be the holiday for swimming pools reopening, long days in the late spring sun, and kids getting out of school, but these days, it's also a time to secure excellent savings on products from online commerce platforms.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more

Below, we're keeping a running list of the best deals for under $100 that are available this Memorial Day. We'll keep this list updated with new deals that we find.

The best Memorial Day speaker and headphone deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: IPX7 IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $59.49 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.50 Get Deal

Whether you're sitting poolside, relaxing by a campfire, or spreading a picnic blanket, a good outdoor speaker is a crucial part of the experience. The IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is a resilient waterproof outdoor speaker that pumps out 40w sound.

This Memorial Day, the IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is on sale for $59.49, down from a price of $99.99, saving you $40.50.

More Memorial Day speaker and headphone dealsThe best Memorial Day tech deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Kingslim Kingslim D4 Dual Dash Cam $84.98 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $55.01 Get Deal

There's lots that can happen to a car. Supplement your insurance with a dash cam and ensure that bumps, brake light checks, and attempted break ins are all subject to the camera. The Redtiger Dash Cam Front Rear includes night vision, video up to 4K, and app controls.

This Memorial Day, the Kingslim D4 Dual Dash Cam with Built-in WiFi GPS is on sale for $84.98, down from a price of $139.99, saving you $55.01, or 39%.

More Memorial Day tech dealsThe best Memorial Day toy deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: KidKraft KidKraft Laundry Playset Children's Pretend Wooden Stacking Washer and Dryer Toy $60.70 at Amazon
$124.99 Save $64.29 Get Deal

For families everywhere, school letting out means kids home from school for the summer. What better time to fill the house with distractions than now? And what if playtime could also teach your children to launder like a pro... that would be something. The KidKraft Laundry Playset does just that, with a kid-size washer and dryer set, plus a clothes iron.

Right now, the KidKraft Laundry Playset is on sale for $60.70, down from $124.99, for a savings of 51%.

More Memorial Day toy deals under $100 The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The best Memorial Day deals for under $50: Soundcore earbuds, Fire TV Sticks, Blink cameras, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:45
The best Memorial Day deals for under $50: BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal BEST TECH DEAL Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 (save $30 with code MAX4KNEW) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Chefman Roll n' Go food warming mat $39.95 (save $40.04) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL Blink Video Doorbell + Sync Module 2 $34.99 (save $35) Get Deal

The unofficial kickoff to summer — aka Memorial Day weekend — has almost arrived. And with it comes a lot of sales. Despite the rocky first half of 2025 with tariffs catapulting prices across the board, we're pleasantly surprised by the number of deals floating around. You can even snag a handful of gadgets for less than $50.

Whether you're looking to grab a pair of headphones for your summer travels, a Bluetooth speaker to jam out by the pool, a new streaming device to catch up on all your favorite shows, or a portable water bottle to up your hydration, there's a little something for everyone on sale for Memorial Day. Check out the best deals under $50 — we'll update this list as the weekend approaches, so stay tuned for more.

Best Memorial Day headphones deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.98 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Our favorite budget earbuds of 2025, the Soundcore P20is, are on sale for less than $20 at Amazon during their Memorial Day sale. That's half off the usual list price of $40. It's hard to expect a lot from a pair of earbuds at that price, but we're shocked at how impressive they actually are. The battery life outshines the AirPods at 10 hours per charge, and with the equalizer presets on the companion app, they can produce the kind of well-rounded sound you'd expect from earbuds three times the price. You can even set up to three touch controls on each bud, and use the "find device" feature to keep track of them.

More headphones and speakers deals under $50Best Memorial Day streaming device deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $29.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $30.00 with code MAX4KNEW Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for a new streaming device, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers the most bang for your buck. It's the first and only Fire TV Stick with Ambient Experience, which lets you turn your TV into artwork like Samsung's The Frame, but for a small fraction of the cost. It packs over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality images to choose from. Plus, it has the most storage of any Fire TV Stick at 16GB; features WiFi-6E, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support; and lets you play Xbox games sans console. Just $59.99 on a regular day, it's only $29.99 for Memorial Day when you use the code MAX4KNEW at checkout.

More tech deals under $50Best Memorial Day home deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman Roll 'n' Go Food Warming Mat $39.95 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.04 Get Deal Why we like it

Before your Memorial Day shenanigans, you might want to grab this Chefman Roll 'n' Go food warming mat to keep all your delicious goodies hot for your guests. It'll only cost you $39.95 on sale, which is 50% off its usual cost and its best price on record. Its convenient rollable design makes it easy to travel with and store when you're not using it. Just unroll it, select between three temperatures, and you're ready to go.

More home and travel deals under $50 The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

The best live Memorial Day mattress deals in 2025: Shop Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, Purple, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:37
The best Memorial Day mattress deals live now: Best mattress deal overall DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress $949 (save $1,381) Get Deal Best luxury mattress deal Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress $2,099 (save $300) Get Deal Best budget-friendly mattress deal Bear Original $649 (save $349) Get Deal

Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. Just a few weeks left in the school year, warmer temperatures, and weekend barbecues on the calendar mean we've made it out of winter's hibernation. But that doesn't mean sleep should get put on the backburner.

Sleep is one of life's basic pillars, and it impacts our mood, health, brain function, and much more. If you've ever had a terrible month of sleep, you know how detrimental a sleep deficit can be on pretty much every aspect of waking hours.

Instead of putting the milk in the cupboard on account of a sleepy brain, prioritize sleep this summer by snagging a luxurious new mattress while it's on sale. Memorial Day sales tend to come with some of the best discounts in the mattress world, so this is an ideal time to upgrade your sleep set-up. And best of all, tons of sales are already live, even though Memorial Day weekend is still a few weeks away. Here are some of our top picks.

Best overall mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress (Queen) $949 at DreamCloud
$2,330 Save $1,381 Get Deal Why we like it

With a quilted Euro Top, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress starts off with a comfortable but supportive feel that'll help lull you into sleep. The other four layers are comprised of memory foams for pressure relief and individually wrapped innerspring coils for great support. DreamCloud considers the Premier Hybrid to have a medium-firm feel, and the coils are designed to help minimize motion transfer which can be great if you share the bed with a partner or the dog.

In a queen size, the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid usually sells for $2,330 but thanks to the brand's Memorial Day sale, you can snag it for just $949.

Best luxury mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Purple Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress $2,099 at Purple
$2,399 Save $300 Get Deal Why we like it

Purple makes some of the most unique bedding options thank to the brand's GelFlex Grid. It's made from a hyper elastic polymer that's incredible when it comes to pressure relief and comfort. As a bonus, it's super breathable. The Purple Restore Hybrid mattress uses a two-inch layer of the GelFlex Grid that can work great for all sleeping positions. Two layers of foam sit below the initial grid layer followed by supportive and responsive coils. Lastly, Purple uses an antimicrobial cover so you can sleep better knowing your bed is clean.

Instead of paying the normal $2,399 for a queen-size Purple Restore Hybrid, shop during this Memorial Day sale to get it for just $2,099. You'll save even more if you pair it with the Purple Premier Plus Smart Base which gives your sleeping set-up another major upgrade.

Best budget-friendly mattress deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bear Bear Original Mattress + 2 Free Pillows $649 at Bear
$998 Save $349 Get Deal Why we like it

Some sleepers love the plush feel of an all-foam mattress. One of the most affordable options that doesn't sacrifice comfort is the Bear Original mattress. For starters, the mattress is entirely fiberglass free (yes, some beds contain fiberglass) and the foam is certified to be non-toxic. But beyond that, the mattress offers awesome comfort at an affordable price.

The Bear Original uses three layers of cozy but supportive foam, striking that balance between comfort and ergonomic alignment. Memory foam can be an issue for hot sleepers since the material can often trap heat but Bear uses a cooling gel memory foam in the Original mattress that helps pull unwanted body heat away from the sleeper. The breathable quilted cover is also great for cooling comfort.

In a queen size, the Bear Original usually sells for $998 but the Bear Memorial Day mattress sale brings the price down to just $649. Plus, you'll get two free Cirrus Cloud Pillows for a full bed refresh this spring.

The best Memorial day mattress deals

  • Amerisleep — save up to $1,000 on mattresses

  • Avocado — take 10% off sitewide

  • Bear — save 35% on mattresses and get two free pillows

  • Big Fig — take 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY

  • Birch — save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with a new mattress with code MEMDAY25

  • Brooklyn Bedding — take 25% off sitewide

  • Casper — take up to 30% off on mattresses

  • DreamCloud — save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Helix — take 25% sitewide and get two free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

  • Leesa — save 30% on mattresses and get a free sleep bundle

  • Layla — get free pillows with ever mattress and take up to $1,018 off bundles

  • Mattress Firm — take up to 60% off and get a free adjustable base with select mattresses

  • Naturepedic — take up to 20% off organic mattresses

  • Nectar — save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

  • Nest — save up to $1,321 on new mattresses and get a free bundle

  • Puffy — take up to $1,350 off with code MEMORIALDAY

  • Saatva — save up to $600 on mattresses

  • Sleep Number — save up to 50% on smart beds

  • Tuft & Needle — save 20% on select mattresses

  • Viscosoft — take 25% off all mattress toppers

  • WinkBeds — save $300 on all mattresses

The best Memorial Day bedding deals The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Amazons Memorial Day Sale is live — shop tech, home goods, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:28
The best Memorial Day deals to shop on Amazon right now: Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $174.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum cleaner $149.97 (save $50.02) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill $131.93 (save $118.06) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones $229 (save $120) Get Deal

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Sales galore. As usual, Amazon is ahead of the game with up to 55% off select items from Amazon devices, kitchen items, home goods, electronics, and more, so shoppers can start prepping for summer. The sale started on May 16 and runs through Monday, May 26.

SEE ALSO: Best Memorial Day mattress deals in 2025 that are already live: Shop Nectar, Brooklyn Bedding, Purple, and more

Of course, these deals might get even better as the holiday gets closer. (We’ll be keeping an eye on prices and updating this story regularly.) But there’s no harm in snatching up a few discounts now, especially for high-demand items with limited availability.

Here are some of the best Amazon Memorial Day sales you can shop now.

Best tech deal Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB 11" 2000x1200 Tablet $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is currently on sale for $174.99, down from $229.99. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen for this tablet (around $139.99 in November), but it’s still a pretty good deal for a newish tablet (it’s a 13th-gen, released in 2023).

The Fire Max 11 has an 11-inch display, 64GB of storage (you can expand it to up to 1 TB with a micro-SD card), and 14 hours of battery life. It’s ideal for streaming your favorite shows or reading e-books on the go. (You can game on it, too.) It’s also equipped with Alexa and compatible with the Amazon Stylus Pen.

More tech deals Best vacuum deal LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Stick Vac with Tangle-Resistant Design, Up to 50 Minutes, Powerful Suction, Rechargeable, Lightweight, and Versatile for Carpet, Hard Floor, Pet Hair, Black & White $149.97 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50.02 Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum cleaner for just $149.97, down from $199.99. That’s 25% off and only $10 away from its lowest price ever.

This isn’t a Dyson, but it’s still a good vacuum if you want something that’s lightweight and cordless. The Levoit LVAC-200 has a suction power of 70 AW and a run time of up to 50 minutes with the Crevice or Pet Tool in Eco mode. You can also really get into those tight spots with the LED lights and 180-degree rotation.

More vacuum deals Best outdoor deal Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill Black $131.93 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $118.06 Get Deal Why we like it

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is currently on sale for $131.93, down from $249.99. That’s a 47% discount and a whopping $118.06 in savings. Again, it’s not the lowest we’ve seen on this grill (the lowest was $125.99), but it’s still a solid deal.

This is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of outdoor space or don’t want to deal with propane or charcoal. (Just be sure to read your lease! Some apartments don’t allow grills on balconies.) The TRU-Infrared technology cooks up to 50% juicier food (according to the manufacturer), and the grill has 320 square inches of cooking space, so you can still grill up plenty of food for friends and family.

More outdoor deals Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones $229 at Walmart
$672.63 Save $443.63 See It Why we like it

If you have upcoming travel plans for the long Memorial Day weekend or you'll be heading abroad this summer, your packing list surely includes noise-cancelling headphones for the flight. Bose makes some of the most impressive noise-cancellation in the industry and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones are on sale for just $229, marked down from the normal price of $349. This steep discount makes them a solid choice and might be a better fit if you've already dropped some serious money on flights. They're not quite as impressive as our favorite Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but those are still hanging out at full price, which is $429.

The Bose QuietComfort headphones come with bragging rights: getting up to 24 hours of playtime with a seriously comfortable design. The colorway options are also impressive, including your standard black and white but also a Chilled Lilac and Twilight Blue.

More headphones, earbuds, and speaker deals The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

50+ of the best Memorial Day deals and sales already live: Mattresses, headphones, outdoor furniture, and more

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:23

UPDATE: May. 22, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EDT This page has been updated with the latest Memorial Day deals and voucher codes.

Somehow, we've already reached the unofficial start of summer: the Memorial Day 2025 deals are here.

Though Memorial Day isn't technically until May 26, plenty of brands kicked off their sales early. Leading the way are mattress deals, followed by home and kitchen deals. Below, we've gathered all the best deals so far ahead of Memorial Day, and will be adding to this list as more deals go live.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Memorial Day Sale has already started — shop tech, home goods, and more Best Memorial Day mattress deals

  • Amerisleep: Save up to $6,000 on any mattress with promo code MD600

  • Avocado: Take 10% off sitewide with promo code HONOR10

  • Bear: Save 35% on mattresses and get two free pillows with promo code MEMORIALDAY

  • Big Fig: Take 25% off sitewide with code MEMDAY

  • Birch: Save 25% sitewide and get two free pillows with a new mattress with code MEMDAY25

  • Brooklyn Bedding: Take 30% off sitewide with promo code MEMORIAL30

  • Casper: Take up to 30% off on mattresses

  • DreamCloud: Save up to 60% on mattresses

  • Helix: Take 25% sitewide and get two free products with Helix Luxe or Elite mattress

  • Leesa: Save 30% on mattresses and get a free sleep bundle

  • Layla: Get free pillows with ever mattress and take up to $1,018 off bundles

  • Mattress Firm: Take up to 60% off and get a free adjustable base with select mattresses

  • Naturepedic: Take up to 20% off organic mattresses

  • Nectar: Save up to 50% on mattresses and 65% on bundles

  • Nest: Save up to $1,321 on new mattresses and get a free bundle

  • Puffy: Take up to $1,350 off with code MEMORIALDAY

  • Purple: Take up to $700 off on a mattress and base, plus 20% off bedding and pillows, now through June 3

  • Saatva: Save up to $600 on mattresses

  • Sleep Number: Save up to 50% on smart beds

  • Tuft & Needle: Save 20% on select mattresses

  • Viscosoft: Take 25% off all mattress toppers

  • WinkBeds: Save $300 on all mattresses

Bedding

Best Memorial Day home deals

  • Branch: Take up to 15% off home office furniture

  • Dyson: Save on cordless vacuums and beauty products, including the Supersonic Nural hair dryer

  • Home Depot: Save up to 25% on gardening supplies, 30% on outdoor furniture, and 35% on select appliances through May 28

  • Overstock: Save up to 60% off patio furniture

  • Revival: Spend $250 to $499 to take 10% off, $500 to $749 for 15% off, $750 to $1499 for 20% off, and $1500 and more for 25% off

  • Ruggable: Take 20% off sitewide with code MEMDAY, excluding select pillows, pet beds, spot cleaners, gift cards, and swatches

  • SimpliSafe: Get any new system for 60% off, plus a free outdoor camera ($199 value) when you sign up for professional monitoring

  • Tumble: Save 30% on all washable rugs

  • Windmill: Save up to 25% on the Windmill air conditioner

Best Memorial Day tech deals

  • Anker Soundcore: Save 15% on speakers with code OUTDOOR15

  • Best Buy: Save on laptops, OLED TVs, smartwatches, and more

  • HP: Save up to 55% on select laptops, PCs, printers, and other HP tech

  • Lenovo: Save up to 50% off on ThinkBooks, desktops, Chromebooks, monitors, and the X1 Carbon Gen 12

  • Ultimate Ears: Save $30 off $150, $70 off $250, and $150 off $450

Best Memorial Day kitchen deals

  • HydroFlask: Save up to 25% on bestsellers, including tumblers, lunch boxes, and accessories

  • Made In: Save up to 25% on cookware

  • Ninja: Select outdoor grills are 15% off with code OUTDOOR15

  • Ooni: Save up to 20% on pizza ovens, oven accessories, and cookware

  • Owala: Take 30% off 24-ounce and 40-ounce tumblers through May 26

  • Sodastream: Save 25% sitewide

Miscellaneous Memorial Day deals

  • Eyebyedirect: Take 30% off lenses and 20% off frames with code MDWDEAL through May 25 and take 30% off designer brand glasses with code DB30 through May 26

  • Shark: Save up to $300 off select products, plus 20% off select hair care with code BEAUTY20

  • Solawave: Take 35% off kits

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Get a free gaming monitor with the heavily discounted Samsung Odyssey G9

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 07:04

FREE GAMING MONITOR: The Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch monitor is on sale for $799.99 at Samsung. Save $500 and get a free 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch Monitor + 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C Monitor (Free) Get Deal

We thought it was neat that LG were offering up free gaming monitors for Memorial Day, but it turns out that everyone is getting in on the act.

The Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch curved gaming monitor is on sale for $799.99 at Samsung, saving you $500 on list price. That's a strong standalone deal, but this purchase comes with a 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C for free. Ever wanted a top-quality second screen for your gaming setup? This is your chance to stock up for a low price.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch: Which health and sleep tracker is right for you?

The Samsung Odyssey G9 49-inch curved gaming monitor features 1440p resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time for an incredibly smooth gaming experience. With support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, you'll also get less of that screen tearing and stuttering that everyone hates.

The Odyssey G55C monitor features a 165Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync VRR support, HDR10 support for better contrast, 1440p resolution, and a 1ms response time. It's the perfect second screen for any setup, and it could be yours for absolutely nothing.

Save $500 and get a free 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G55C with this Memorial Day deal.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Pedro Pascal recites famous Mr Darcy quote in rom-com quiz with Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:54

Reader, you're in for a treat.

Materialists stars Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans put their romantic comedy knowledge to the test in a truly joyful quiz. And, I'm pleased to report that all three of them do us proud with their romantic movie expertise.

Perhaps most impressive of all was Evans' ability to identify a quote from The Notebook by the following words "I wrote you..." Just how many times have you watched this movie, Chris?

The pièce de résistance? That would be Pedro giving a perfect delivery of Mr Darcy's declaration of love in Joe Wright's 2005 Pride and Prejudice.

10/10 no notes.

Materialists hits cinemas June 13.

Jin takes over hosting The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:51

The Tonight Show momentarily had a new host on Wednesday, with Jimmy Fallon swapping seats with his guest, Jin.

The BTS member and K-pop icon appeared on Fallon's show to promote his new solo album Echo and the upcoming BTS reunion in June. But the pair also spoke about Jin's interview with Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning star Tom Cruise on his YouTube show Run Jin.

"Would you ever host a variety show like this?" Fallon asked. "I think you'd be good at it."

"Not at all," Jin replied. "But should I do it?"

Trying it out, Fallon and Jin swapped seats for a few interview questions and honestly, Fallon might be out of a job.

LG is giving away curved gaming monitors for free. Heres how to get yours.

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:39

FREE GAMING MONITOR: Save $200 on the 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor and get a second 27-inch curved UltraGear monitor for free in the LG Memorial Day sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor + 27-inch Curved UltraGear Monitor (Free) Get Deal

LG has launched its Memorial Day sale with a free giveaway. How nice is that?

The 27-inch OLED UltraGear gaming monitor is on sale for $800 at LG, saving you $200 on list price. That's a decent deal, but it gets a lot better. Anyone purchasing this gaming monitor will get a free 27-inch curved UltraGear screen and exclusive in-game loot for Monster Hunter Wilds. Now that's a Memorial Day deal.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch: Which health and sleep tracker is right for you?

The OLED UltraGear gaming monitor offers 1440p resolution and a 480Hz refresh rate for impressive detailing, signature OLED picture quality, and ultra-smooth motion to handle even the most epic of gaming sessions. It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync VRR technology.

The free 27-inch curved VA UltraGear monitor has 1440p resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and support for AMD FreeSync VRR. It's the perfect second screen for your gaming setup, and it's yours for free.

So how do you qualify for this free giveaway? Simply add both monitors to your cart and the discount is automatically applied. You'll get an email after your purchase is confirmed with a digital redemption code for the Monster Hunter Wilds ammo pack, if that's also of interest.

Get two gaming monitors for the price of one discounted model in the LG Memorial Day sale.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

Natalie Portman tells Stephen Colbert what shes stolen from movie sets

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:22

Movie stars steal from their own sets all the time — especially Star Wars cast members.

That includes Natalie Portman, who told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show what she's thieved from set, while promoting her new heist adventure Fountain of Youth.

“I took the lighter from Jackie, that was cool, it was monogrammed," Portman said. "I took one of Anakin’s braids from Star Wars," she added. "They had that clip-on, and there were like, 30 of them because he had to have a new one every day, a freshie."

"Did anyone know you were doing this?” asked Colbert. “Did George [Lucas] know? So this is how he’s finding out.”

"I lost it, so I can’t give it back," Portman replied.

Glad to know there's one of Hayden Christensen's Attack of the Clones Anakin Skywalker clip-on braids floating around in the world somewhere. One of 30 at least.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 22, 2025

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 22 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: A stipulation

  • Green: They're the same color

  • Blue: Found in the nation's capital

  • Purple: Known for giving puzzles

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

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

  • Yellow: Fine print

  • Green: Characters with green skin

  • Blue: Features of The National Mall in D.C.

  • Purple: Famous riddle-givers

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #711 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Fine print: ASTERISK, CATCH, CONDITION, STRINGS

  • Characters with green skin: ELPHABA, GRINCH, HULK, SHREK

  • Features of The National Mall in D.C.: CAPITOL, MALL, OBELISK, POOL

  • Famous riddle-givers: BRIDGE TROLL, MAD HATTER, RIDDLER, SPHINX

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 22

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

The Daily Show reacts to Trumps tense press conference with South Africas president

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:05

Donald Trump press conferences with other world leaders can often be a bit of a minefield, and his meeting on Wednesday with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa — during which he ambushed the president with claims of a "white genocide" happening in his country — was no exception.

"The reason Trump turned this White House event into a murder podcast is that Trump is convinced that there is a 'white genocide' going on in South Africa, which of course means there is no 'white genocide' happening in South Africa," says Daily Show host Ronny Chieng in the video above. "You know he cares about it because he said 'white genocide'. It's like someone told him, 'Hey, it's not just a genocide, it's a white genocide! You know, the bad kind!' And Trump's like, 'Oh shit, get him in!'"

Ramaphosa did come with the gift of a golf book for Trump, but Chieng isn't convinced that will be enough to smooth things over. "You lost Trump at 'book'."

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) online for free

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 06:03

TL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 NBA Conference Finals have started in style, with impressive wins for the Thunder and Pacers. The pressure is now on Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, and the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves to level the series in the Western Conference Finals.

If you want to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2)?

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on May 22. This game takes place at the Paycom Center.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) for free

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) in the 2025 NBA playoffs is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to India, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, meaning you can access this free live stream from anywhere in the world. The process is actually really simple with a streaming-friendly VPN.

Live stream the NBA Conference Finals for free by following these simple steps:

  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 India

  4. Visit YouTube

  5. Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) for free

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the NBA Conference Finals before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like YouTube, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including India

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection 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 — 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.

Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Game 2) for free with ExpressVPN.

The Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is finally on sale at Amazon — get it for its lowest-ever price

Mashable - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 05:54

SAVE OVER $100: As of May 22, the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is on sale for $399 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price at the retailer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer $399.01 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $100.98 Get Deal

Dyson has a dedicated bunch of fans out there, so when they release a limited edition jasper plum colorway, it causes a big stir. So what do these fans do when presented with the opportunity to get their hands on this stylish new color? They wait for that first deal to drop.

As of May 22, the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is on sale for $399 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel, so if you've been waiting for the right moment to invest, this is it. Stop what you're doing and head to Amazon to secure this record-low price.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch: Which health and sleep tracker is right for you?

Dyson has reimagined the hair dryer with the Supersonic. It's sleek and compact yet more powerful than other dryers on the market. The ring-shaped head houses the tiny V9 motor in the handle. The combination of this motor and the Air Multiplier technology makes for a dryer that clocks in at only 1.8 pounds yet still delivers a powerful airflow that’s notably quieter than traditional dryers.

Save over $100 on the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer ahead of Memorial Day.

The best Memorial Day deals you can get right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

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