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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you go big or go home.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Put down your rulerThe words are related to size.
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Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe large things.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Its Big.
NYT Strands word list for May 22Boundless
Epic
Vast
Immense
Its Big
Whopping
Astronomic
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't like to venture out.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 22, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Regional.
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Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
VOCAL
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
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 Wordle.
Soundcore announced two new pairs of earbuds during its Anker Day event on May 21: the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max.
The earbuds are the first Soundcore products to feature the new THUS AI chip, designed to boost the performance of the earbuds' microphone for call quality, voice activation, and smart features like live translation and AI note-taking. Spoiler alert: the mic performance is no joke on these earbuds.
SEE ALSO: The 11 best wireless earbuds we've ever testedBoth the Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max are available as of May 21. I've spent a few days trying out both pairs of earbuds — below you'll find my first impressions, the specs, price, and everything else you need to know about Soundcore's latest audio release.
Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Specs and priceThe Liberty 5 Pro is available for $169.99 and comes with the following feature set:
The Liberty 5 Pro come with a small on-case display. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableBattery: 6.5 hours with ANC (28 hours with charging case), 12 hours without ANC (50 hours with charging case)
Active noise cancellation: Yes, adaptive and five levels of manually adjustable ANC
Microphones: 8 microphones, plus two bone conduction sensors
Connection: Bluetooth 6.1
Multipoint: Yes, up to three devices simultaneously
IP rating: IP55
Ear tips: Five sizes, from XXS to L
Ear fins: Three sizes
Colors: Blue, white, black, and pink
I haven't had the chance to test the full range of the Liberty 5 Pro features just yet, but as Soundcore emphasizes the "whisper clear" calls these buds are capable of, I made sure to get in some testing of the microphone, along with the usual suspects of the sound quality (rich and well-varied, from my initial listens) and active noise cancellation.
Mic quality is superbCall quality may seem like a weird feature to brag about, but if you've used earbuds with a crappy microphone, you know how annoying it can be to have to disconnect your earbuds every time you need to take a call.
My first test for these earbuds was an informal one. While FaceTiming a friend and wearing these earbuds, another friend in the room with me leaned into the frame of my phone's camera to say hello. My friend on the other end of the call happened to be looking away — she had no clue the other person in the room with me had spoken at all. Meanwhile, she could hear me without any issue. Whisper clear indeed. I've also been able to hold full conversations with ease while other people are watching TV and chatting in the same room, while the person on the other side of the call has been none the wiser. All this to say, the early results are very promising.
So is it really just a matter of matching up a full set of microphones with an AI chip? Not exactly. Soundcore goes the extra mile, adding two bone conduction sensors to detect vibrations in your skull and ensure that only your voice is picked up, even in noisier environments.
The noise cancellation is no joke eitherI nearly jumped out of my skin when someone approached me to say good morning while I was listening to music on these earbuds at about 40 percent volume. Apparently, they'd been trying to get my attention for a good 30 seconds. So that's another informal test, passed.
On a more technical note, these earbuds have eight microphones that work together with the THUS chip to provide the best possible noise cancellation. The result is impressive, especially considering their $169.99 price point. While I look forward to testing them out and about in the world more, as far as my home office (and simply existing in a house where seven other people live), these earbuds are more than getting the job done so far.
Comfortable and stableThe ear fin/ear tip combo on these earbuds reminds me a lot of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds series. Whenever I'm positively comparing the wear of earbuds to the QC series, that's a very, very good thing, considering the Bose buds are the most comfortable I've tested.
SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds 2 are one of the best noise-cancelling earbuds available, but not a must-upgradeWhile I haven't yet put these through the extended hours of wear needed to see if they deserve the same accolades, I can say that so far, I've experienced no fatigue wearing them in one to two-hour bursts. At the same time, they feel plenty secure and provide a great seal for boosting passive ANC.
A unique charging case design No need for a companion app to adjust the earbuds' settings. Credit: SoundcoreThe charging case for the Liberty 5 Pro features a 0.96-inch mini touchscreen, where you can access settings such as ANC adjustments, equalizer presets, spatial audio, and Bluetooth pairing. Essentially, it reduces the need for a companion app to adjust every feature that isn't playback or volume. Despite the small screen, this was a surprisingly convenient way to use the earbuds — especially when pairing them to new devices.
Though it doesn't feel fragile, I am curious to see how this case holds up once I throw it in a bag and take the earbuds on the go.
Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 at Amazon, Soundcore, Best BuyThe Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max is available for $229.99, with the following feature set:
The Liberty 5 Pro Max comes with a larger display on the case and the ability to record meetings for AI note-taking. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableBattery: 6.5 hours with ANC (28 hours with charging case), 12 hours without ANC (50 hours with charging case)
Active noise cancellation: Yes, adaptive and five levels of manually adjustable ANC
Microphones: 8 microphones, plus two bone conduction sensors
Connection: Bluetooth 6.1
Multipoint: Yes, up to three devices simultaneously
IP rating: IP55
Ear tips: Five sizes, from XXS to L
Ear fins: Three sizes
Colors: Titanium-gold and black
The Liberty 5 Pro Max earbuds have many of the same features as the 5 Pro, including the same tech for powering noise cancellation, sound quality, and the microphones. They also feature the same earbud shape. There is one notable difference, though, which we'll get into below:
The mic impresses on the Pro Max buds, tooThe Pro Max earbuds use the same 10-sensor matrix (the microphones and bone conduction sensors) as the 5 Pro earbuds, so it's no surprise that, in combination with the AI chipset, these earbuds also sounded incredible on calls and did a reliable job at blocking out background noise.
Living in a house with seven other people means that if I'm not at my desk (and even then), there's at least a 50 percent chance that I'll take a call while someone else is having a conversation around me. For the times that's happened so far, not once did the people on the other side of the call hear the background noise from my end. My next tests will involve taking these earbuds out into the world (for even louder and more distracting environments).
A larger display on the earbuds case The entire top of the case acts as a display for customizing features on the earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / MashableThe 5 Pro Max has an even bigger touchscreen on the charging case than the 5 Pro, which takes up the entire top of the case. The 1.78-inch AMOLED display allows you to access many of the same features as the smaller 5 Pro case, plus the AI note-taking feature, which uses the case to record the conversation.
AI note-taking feature isn't anything to scoff at eitherAs a journalist, I'm especially into any easy way to record interviews or conversations, and Soundcore seeks to do just that with its AI note-taker. Basically, it works as the case records the conversation, meeting, talk — whatever you're trying to get down. Then, it transfers the file to the companion app, and, at your request, can generate a transcript and summary with identified speakers.
During the recording, a tap of the flag button creates markers in the recording that become highlighted in the transcription. Before creating the transcription, you can also select the recording type (discussion, presentation, etc.), so the AI can choose the best format for the information.
So far, I could see this being an incredibly useful tool, but I'm also interested to see the limitations (it looks like a Pro version for more transcription minutes is available) and how it compares to Apple's built-in voice memo feature.
Noise cancellation and sound qualityIn my testing so far, the noise cancellation and sound quality are basically indistinguishable from the 5 Pro earbuds, which is to say they both sound really good and do a great job of blocking out sound.
One hiccup I noticed while testing the adaptive ANC on the 5 Pro Max buds was a soft clicking sound in the left earbud — it was almost not detectable while audio was playing, but without music, it was definitely present. It could've just been a glitch that a software update will fix, so I'll be keeping my eye on it as I head further into my testing period.
Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 at Amazon, Soundcore, Best BuyAs of May 21, you can pick up the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro for $169.99 and the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max for $229.99 at the following retailers:
Where to buy the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max Amazon Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 Shop Now Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 Shop Now Best Buy Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro $169.99 Shop Now Amazon Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 Shop Now Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 Shop Now Best Buy Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max $229.99 Shop NowSAVE $20: As of May 21, the Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds are on sale for just $19.99 at Amazon. That's a savings of $20 or 50% and just two cents away from their best price ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.99 at AmazonDespite what big tech might have you believe, spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of earbuds isn't required — especially if you just want a pair for everyday listening. Case in point: some of our favorite budget earbuds just got the deal treatment for Memorial Day, knocking them down to a mere $20.
The Anker Soundcore P20i are the best cheap earbuds we've tried and as of May 21, they're on sale for only $19.99 at Amazon. That's half off their list price of $39.99 and just two cents away from their record-low price.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!After tweaking a few settings on the companion app, our reviewer was shocked by how well the P20i earbuds performed for the cost. With the Treble Boost equalizer preset turned on, the P20is are able to produce the kind of sound you'd expect from options three times the price. They also boast an impressive battery life of about 10 hours, plus an extra 30 with the charging case. For comparison purposes, the standard AirPods without noise-cancellation offer less than six hours.
Anker Soundcore also threw in some extra ingredients on these earbuds, like a "find device" feature and the ability to set up to three personalized touch controls on each bud.
Obviously, at a price this low, the brand had to cut some more advanced features. So don't expect noise cancellation or multipoint pairing. If those are dealbreakers, you'll have to spend a bit more. But if you just want some basic earbuds that sound great and offer some extra perks at a low price, you'd be hard pressed to find a better option.
TL;DR: Make an old PC feel brand new again with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $418.99) through May 31.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $34.97Want to squeeze more life out of your current PC? It may not be as expensive as you think, thanks to the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. This combo gives your Windows device a total refresh, and right now you can snag it all for just $34.97 until May 31.
Who has an extra few hundred dollars to spend on a laptop these days? Fortunately, there’s no need if you get this Microsoft bundle. It equips your PC with a fresh set of tools and an updated operating system, making it feel brand new to you for under $40.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This bundle kicks off with Microsoft Office Professional 2021, which gives your computer permanent access to eight helpful apps. This suite includes classics you know and love, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. It also features new favorites like OneNote, Teams, Access, and Publisher.
Once you have your new apps downloaded, it’s time to upgrade your OS. This bundle includes Windows 11 Pro, an operating system that was purposefully designed with the modern professional in mind.
This OS offers a more powerful search experience, improved voice typing, snap layouts, and a whole lot more features designed to improve your workflow. It also includes cybersecurity features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses.
Act fast to score major savings and get the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle for just $34.97 until May 31.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free on Canal 5 Televisa. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching.
This is the last chance for competing sides to sharpen up ahead of the main event, so fans can look forward to a string of high-profile friendlies over the next couple of weeks. That includes Mexico vs. Ghana, a tough game to call involving the World Cup co-hosts and a team with aspirations of making it through to the knockout rounds.
If you want to watch Mexico vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Mexico vs. Ghana?Mexico vs. Ghana kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on May 22. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc.
How to watch Mexico vs. Ghana for freeMexico vs. Ghana is available to live stream for free on Canal 5 Televisa.
Canal 5 Televisa is geo-restricted to Mexico, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can access free live streams on Canal 5 Televisa from anywhere in the world.
Lve stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico
Visit Canal 5 Televisa
Stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Mexico vs. Ghana without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games 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 streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Canal 5 Televisa?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Canal 5 Televisa, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Mexico
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 $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Mexico vs. Ghana for free with ExpressVPN.
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday addressing the imminent "disruptions" of artificial intelligence on jobs.
The Democratic governor and widely-rumored 2028 presidential contender directed the state to explore a number of measures to prevent nightmare scenarios for workers affected by AI job loss.
The executive order focuses on policies for severance, employment insurance, universal basic income, and workforce training, among other potential responses to AI worker displacement.
SEE ALSO: Meta will track employee mouse movements and keystrokes for AI training, report says"This moment demands that we reimagine the entire system — how we work, how we govern, how we prepare people for the future — and that work is starting right here in the Golden State," Newsom said in a statement.
Meta layoffs: AI job losses mountThe timing of Newsom's executive order is noteworthy. On Wednesday, California-based tech giant Meta laid off 8,000 employees, 10 percent of its workforce, and moved another several thousand to roles focused on AI.
Despite Meta's recent strong quarterly financial performance, the company's CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussed the layoffs as part of the company's aggressive transition to AI.
"Success isn’t a given. A.I. is the most consequential technology of our lifetimes," Zuckerberg wrote in a memo to staff, according to the New York Times. "The companies that lead the way will define the next generation."
Other major tech companies, including Cisco and Microsoft, are shedding jobs as they focus on AI.
The timeline for Newsom's AI executive orderNewsom's executive order established a short timeline for evaluating and identifying new solutions. Within 90 days, the state's Employment Development Department is supposed to launch a dashboard showing AI's impacts on California jobs, based on unemployment insurance data.
By mid-October, various state agencies should finish reviewing specific policies and practices, including how unionized workplaces are addressing the adoption of AI technology.
"Today is just the first step as we rewrite policy and direction, creating a future of work that works for all," Newsom said.
If you've ever received an email from "msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com," you'll know that this is an official email address used by Microsoft.
However, users should be aware that emails from this official Microsoft address may be scam messages.
Scammers have figured out how to weaponize this legitimate Microsoft email address in order to send fraudulent emails to targets. And it appears that bad actors are ramping up their use of this method, too.
Post by @zackwhittaker@mastodon.social View on MastodonRecently, multiple people on social media have shared that they received a scam email from a real Microsoft email address called msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com. The emails look like most emails from Microsoft, utilizing the template that the company frequently uses. However, the subject line of these emails are often about Bitcoin or a promoting a third-party website. The subject line also usually includes a phone number or website link that are not associated with Microsoft.
The reason these emails look like actual emails from Microsoft is because, technically, they are.
Post by @spamhaus@infosec.exchange View on MastodonNormally, this Microsoft email is used by the company in order to send email notifications such as two-factor authentication codes or account notices. However, scammers have found that they can inject their fraudulent schemes into this legitimate email, bypassing any sort of scam or spam detection filters in users' email inbox.
As TechCrunch writes in its report, Microsoft doesn't appear to have addressed the issue or released any statement yet on the matter.
However, it appears that this issue has been around for quite some time now.
A January report from cybersecurity company Abnormal detailed how bad actors were abusing Microsoft's notification email system and tricking it into sending phishing emails.
"The attack begins with the bad actor spinning up a disposable Microsoft 365 tenant," reads Abnormal's report. "The core exploit lies in the Tenant Branding configuration within Microsoft Entra ID. The attacker navigates to Tenant Properties and modifies the 'Name' field to contain a fraudulent financial alert message."
With the name modified with the scammer's message, the bad actor then tricks Microsoft into sending a verification code email to the target's email address. The scammer does this by asking Microsoft to add the target's email address to the attacker's Microsoft account. When the email is sent to the target, Microsoft includes their name in the subject line. But, again, in this case, the scammer has input their message to the victim as the name.
Because this attack utilizes Microsoft's trusted email address and does not include any malicious hyperlinks or attachments, these scam emails are easily bypassing any sort of security measures.
As cybercriminals get craftier and more resourceful, internet users should remain vigilant and take a close look at emails they receive, even if the sender appears to check out.
Tech giants Google, Meta, and TikTok are facing European scrutiny for their alleged role in a growing number of financial scams targeting users.
The three companies are accused of failing to proactively remove fraudulent ads from their platforms and notify users in an appropriate manner, outlined in complaints filed to regulators by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and 29 of its members in 27 European countries, Reuters reported.
SEE ALSO: Child safety organizations accuse Roblox of violating FTC rulesThe consumer group flagged 900 ads that they deemed violated EU laws, but said that only 27 percent of those ads were removed by platforms. More than half of the reports were rejected or ignored.
The complaints were submitted under the EU's Digital Services Act, and regulators could levy hefty fines if the companies are found in violation.
"We strictly enforce our ad policies, blocking over 99% of violating ads before they ever run. Our teams constantly update these defenses to stay ahead of scammers and protect people," a Google spokesperson said in comment to the press.
"We invest in advanced AI, tools, and partnerships to stop them. Last year we found and removed over 159 million scam ads, 92% before anyone reported them to us," Meta responded.
Meta was recently accused of making tens of millions of dollars off of scam ads targeting older Americans and Medicare recipients. Last year, a Reuters investigation found that Meta made billions from fraudulent ads, also referred to as "high risk" advertising. AI-powered scams are proliferating across platforms, including Google-owned YouTube and TikTok.
The Digital Services Act — a broad set of laws that impose more transparent reporting and consumer protections on online service providers — went into effect in 2022. Since then, the European Union has initiated multiple inquiries against large tech companies, including a recent Google antitrust probe, an investigation into Meta's child safety policies, and a sweeping audit of TikTok's algorithm and data policies.
These days, scoring concert tickets can feel like entering a digital Hunger Games. Fans log on the second tickets go on sale, only to watch seats disappear instantly — many of them seemingly snapped up by scalpers and resellers before actual fans ever get a chance.
Now, Spotify wants to change that by rewarding the people who stream the most.
SEE ALSO: Spotify has a new Wrapped-like experience that covers its entire historyToday, May 21, the streaming platform announced Reserved by Spotify, a new ticketing initiative aimed at helping dedicated fans access concert tickets before they go on sale to the general public. The program is launching for Premium subscribers in the U.S. who are 18 or older.
Credit: SpotifyThe idea is simple: Instead of forcing fans to battle through chaotic on-sale queues or complete elaborate fan-verification games, Spotify will identify an artist's most dedicated listeners through streaming activity and reserve tickets specifically for them. Eligible fans will receive a purchase window before the public on-sale begins, with up to two tickets held in their name.
Importantly, Spotify says the reserved tickets will not include additional Spotify service fees.
The company says the number of fans selected — and the number of tickets available — will vary depending on the artist, tour, and market. But Spotify says allocations are intended to be substantial and to scale with an artist's fanbase.
Credit: SpotifyThe move reflects the growing importance of superfans to the music industry, where artists and platforms alike are increasingly trying to reward the fans who engage most deeply. In recent years, fandom has become one of the most powerful forces shaping touring, chart performance, and even marketing strategies, particularly in pop and K-pop spaces where highly organized fan communities already treat streaming like participation.
Reserved by Spotify also expands the company's broader ambitions in live music. Spotify says it has already driven more than $1.5 billion in ticket sales through its platform via partnerships with more than 40 ticketing companies, alongside features like Concerts Near You and Venue Search.
SEE ALSO: Why the Spotify icon is a disco ballThe bigger question, though, is whether programs like this can meaningfully combat the frustrations fans increasingly associate with modern ticket-buying in the U.S. As ticket prices continue to climb and resale markets remain difficult to control, many fans have grown cynical about whether fair access to concerts is even possible anymore.
Spotify is betting that listening history — not luck — might be the closest thing to a solution.
Microsoft has identified some nasty exploits that could affect your Windows machine if you let them.
Bleeping Computer reported on the exploits, which are specific vulnerabilities in Windows Defender, the built-in anti-malware software in Windows. The company has detailed reports on its security website for both vulnerabilities. While it can be a bit difficult for a layperson to understand what's going on from those reports, the main thing to know is that vulnerable Windows machines can be subjected to denial-of-service attacks using these exploits.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft Teams won’t put everyone in a virtual room anymore — no more 'Together'-nessThe good news is that Microsoft has already revealed these exploits, and a fix is in the pipeline. If you have automatic updates for Defender turned on, it should have installed the Malware Protection Engine versions 1.1.26040.8 and 4.18.26040.7 to address these exploits.
Bleeping Computer also included a helpful set of instructions for making sure these updates are turned on:
Open Windows Security
Select "Virus and threat protection"
Click "Protection Updates" and then "Check for updates"
Select "Settings" and then "About"
Check the Anti-malware Client version number and make sure it matches the two numbers above
Hopefully, everything is properly set up, and your machine is good to go.
Some people love to mow the lawn. Others, especially those with allergies, would be thrilled to never touch a lawn mower again. If you fall into the second camp, there's a great solution. Hiring a robot lawn mower means there's an on-demand solution that's ready and willing to mow at any time.
Much like robot vacuums that we rely on indoors, a robot lawn mower maps your yard and sets off to mow according to your desired schedule. Since Memorial Day is nearly here and backyard hangs on are on the agenda, check out these robot lawn mower deals at Amazon.
Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame A3 AWD Pro Robot Lawn Mower + Free Mower Garage $2,946.98 at AmazonDreame makes some of Mashable's favorite robot vacuums, so it only makes sense the brand is producing some of the best robot lawn mowers. The Dreame A3 AWD Pro Robot Lawn Mower is designed to tackle grass that covers up to 1.25 acres with a width that measures 15.8 inches for efficient mowing. This model uses 360-degree LiDAR binocular AI vision to help with navigation and obstacle avoidance for over 300 common items it might encounter in the yard.
In rush mode, the Dreame can cover 0.2 acres per hour and it can maneuver over curbs, roots, or stepping stones that measure up to 2.2 inches tall without getting stuck.
Today's on-page coupon brings the price of the Dreame A3 AWD Pro Robot Lawn Mower down to $2,946.98, and Amazon is throwing in a free Dreame robot lawn mower garage which helps protect the robot from harsh sun and rain. The garage ordinarily sells for $299.99, which makes this Memorial Day deal just that much sweeter.
Best deal for smaller yards Opens in a new window Credit: Segway Segway Navimow i110N Robot Lawn Mower $849 at AmazonCovering an area of up to 0.25 acres, the Segway Navimow i110N Robot Lawn Mower is more than happy to take over the task of keeping the lawn trimmed this summer. It can mow as quietly as 58 decibels while identifying and avoiding over 150 types of obstacles. Plus, it's designed to handle multiple zones in your yard. You'll be able to set zones like the front yard, back yard, and side areas while indicating an ideal schedule to mow each area. In addition to using the Segway app, you can also set up voice control of the robot lawn mower.
Select the desired heigh of the grass between 2 and 3.6 inches, and the Segway Navimow will take care of the rest. It'll take about 120 minutes for the Navimow i110N to get a full recharge. As a unique feature, the Segway has a new doodle feature that allows you to write messages in the lawn.
Best deal for fast recharging Opens in a new window Credit: Sunseeker Sunseeker S4 LiDAR Robot Lawn Mower $1,399 at AmazonJust in time for Memorial Day, the Sunseeker S4 LiDAR Robot Lawn Mower is 22% off at Amazon, shaving $400.99 off the list price. This Sunseeker model can mow yards up to 0.25 acres and navigate sloes that measure up to 42 degrees. You're able to set up to five mowing zones with the Sunseeker S4 and select mowing heights for each zone between 1.6 and 3.2 inches.
When it comes time to recharge, the Sunseeker takes just 90 minutes to get back to 100% and ready to mow again. It also has a smart rain sensor and will return to base should the weather turn soggy.
SAVE $210: As of May 21, you can score a 70-inch 4K Roku TV from Pioneer for $299.99. That's more than 40 percent off its usual $509.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pioneer Pioneer 70-inch 4K Roku TV $299.99 at Best BuyBest Buy's Memorial Day sale is home to a ton of good TV deals, including a Prime Day-level doorbuster the month before Prime Day 2026. I'm talking about a Pioneer 70-inch 4K Roku TV on sale for $299.99, down $210 from its usual $509.99. And if this were Prime Day, this feels like a deal that would've sold out within hours.
This quieter deal should last longer, but it's set to expire in the wee hours of May 22.
SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (May 22, 2026)You're unlikely to find a 70-inch TV for less than $300 elsewhere. $299.99 would even be a decent price for a smaller 65-inch model. That's exactly how much the 65-inch Insignia 4K Fire TV is currently going for at Amazon, if you want to take the classic Fire TV vs. Roku TV route — so opting for this Roku deal at Best Buy is kind of like getting five extra diagonal inches for free. For reference, the 70-inch Insignia 4K Fire TV is $20 more at $319.99.
This Pioneer Roku TV has three HDMI ports, a 60Hz refresh rate, and supports HDR 10. While it's unrealistic to expect groundbreaking brightness or contrast from a TV this budget-friendly, take comfort in the fact that this model has 4.8 out of five stars at Best Buy (from more than 300 reviews, too). It gets good marks for easy set up, a lightweight and thin build, and clear picture quality for the price.
We're massive fans of the Sonos audio ecosystem. The brand's speakers and soundbars are some of the best in the business, but their expensive prices make them hard to recommend in this economy. When a major sale takes place, on the other hand, we want to scream about it.
Sonos doesn't offer a ton of discounts on its products throughout the year, so it's kind of a big deal that nearly every product in its lineup is on sale for Memorial Day. While the brand new Sonos Play speaker isn't on sale, the beloved Roam 2, Arc Ultra, Move 2, Era 300, and plenty more are up to $200 off.
Check out our top picks from the Amazon Memorial Day sale below.
Best Sonos portable speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Roam 2 $134 at AmazonThe portable Bluetooth speaker market is crowded, but the Sonos Roam 2 stands out thanks to its impressive audio performance and dependable voice assistance.
We also love the Sonos Move 2, but it's not nearly portable enough and is far too expensive. "The market for waterproof speakers with voice activation is incredibly small," writes Mashable's reviewer. "If you’re looking for one, the Roam 2 answers the call with striking sound and unique features that appeal to Sonos users." You can expect sound that feels similar to a home speaker, but in a package small enough to fit in your hand. It's down to just $134 from $179, which is its best price ever. The speaker has only reached this all-time low once before.
Best Sonos home speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $379 at AmazonWhile it's a few years old at this point, the Sonos Era 300 is still an impressive home speaker. And at $100 off its list price, adding it to your home is a bit more accessible. When Mashable's Stan Schroeder reviewed the Era 300 in 2023, he deemed it the "king of sub-$500 smart speakers." It's Sonos' first speaker to support spatial audio and it can connect seamlessly with other audio products from Sonos — not that it needs help from anything else. Its sound is absolutely booming on its own. We're not particularly captivated by its design, but its incredibly loud and precise sound makes up for it.
Best Sonos soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra $899 at AmazonIf you want the best and don't mind a little splurge, the Sonos Arc Ultra got a near-perfect rating from Mashable's tech editor Tim Beck Werth. Even at full price, he says the soundbar justifies its price of admission. "While a single soundbar can't compete with the booming speakers you'll hear in a movie theater," Werth writes, "This speaker gave me the closest match to that experience I've ever had in my living room." Typically $1,099, you can slash $200 off at Amazon, Sonos, and Best Buy for Memorial Day. That's just $20 away from its best-ever price.
More Sonos dealsSonos Era 100 SL — $169 $189 (save $20)
Sonos Era 100 — $189 $219 (save $30)
Sonos Ace headphones — $299 $399 (save $100)
Sonos Move 2 — $399 $499 (save $100)
Sonos Beam 2 soundbar — $369 $499 (save $130)
Sonos Five — $479 $599 (save $120)
Tesla has brought its Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite of driver assistance features to China – or it's at least close to doing so.
The company announced the news in a tweet on Thursday, listing all of the countries where FSD is currently available. Besides China, also new on that list is Lithuania, the second European country to get FSD after the Netherlands.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The total list of countries where Tesla FSD is available is now as follows: Australia, Canada, China, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United States.
Tesla did not share any other details about FSD availability in China. Launching FSD in the vast, busy automotive market that is China would surely be a win for Tesla, especially given that many other local automakers, such as Xpeng and Xiaomi, have a similar suite of semi-autonomous driving features in the country already.
As CNBC pointed out, Tesla previously offered its Autopilot and Enhanced Autopilot suites of driver assistance features in China, while the FSD was only available to select users, and in limited fashion. China Daily, however, claims that the complete version of FSD isn't available in China yet, though "progress is under way," citing insider sources.
SEE ALSO: Someone drove a Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test 'Wade Mode.' It didn't end well.The news comes shortly after Musk, alongside several other American businessmen and President Donald Trump, visited Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Tesla customers in China currently have to pay a high price to access the most advanced autonomous driving package the company has to offer. As it stands on Tesla's Chinese website, the "Intelligent assisted driving" package costs a one-time fee of 64,000 yuan or $9,409. In the U.S., FSD is only available as a monthly subscription, at a price of $99 per month.
A new trailer for Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation is here to set the record straight: There is no war in Ba Sing Se. Copy?
SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about nowThe iconic line from the animated show's Book Two: Earth gets its live-action debut in the new trailer, promising that the series will tackle the Dai Lee and their insidious propaganda dead-on. Brace yourself for some political intrigue, including the perils of Lake Laogai.
That's not all. The trailer also highlight Aang's (Gordon Cormier) earthbending training under the tutelage of Blind Bandit Toph Beifong (Miya Cech). Boulders are flying throughout — and I'm not just talking about the Earth Rumble VI fighter.
Elsewhere, the trailer recreates several instantly recognizable Book Two fight scenes. There's Aang, Zuko (Dallas Liu), and Azula's (Elizabeth Yu) fiery showdown from "The Chase," as well as the season finale battle in Ba Sing Se's Crystal Catacombs.
Strangely, the trailer also features a shot of Katara (Kiawentiio) in her full Painted Lady get-up from Season 3 of the original series. Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender is no stranger to smashing episodes together, with its first season incorporating elements from Book Two. However, in the animated series, Katara doesn't adopt the Painted Lady persona until she and the Gaang are fully in the Fire Nation. Does this mean we'll be getting a Fire Nation detour early? Or has the live-action show shifted that episode's entire events to the Earth Kingdom to free up room in their third and final season?
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 premieres June 25 on Netflix.
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