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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 7, 2026

Thu, 05/07/2026 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always on the move.

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 7, 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 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To move.

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 B.

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...

BUDGE

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 the latest Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple reaches $250 million settlement over exaggerating Apple Intelligences capabilities

Thu, 05/07/2026 - 00:56

Apple has reached a $250 million settlement in a lawsuit that accused the company of exaggerating Apple Intelligence's intelligence.

The suit claimed that Apple misled iPhone users about Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI tools, before and after the launch of the iPhone 16 in Sep. 2024. The settlement filing states that U.S. shoppers who bought certain iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025 may qualify to receive a portion of the $250 million settlement.

Multiple class-action suits were filed over Apple Intelligence marketing before being combined into a single action. According to the May 5 filing with a U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, both parties in the case have now agreed to settle.

Once a judge approves the agreement, qualifying Apple customers will be able to receive payments between $25 to $95.

As is typical in class-action settlements, Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing. The company defended itself in a statement sent to the New York Times: "We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users."

Why was Apple sued in the first place?

When ChatGPT burst onto the tech scene in 2022, it ignited a global AI arms race. While companies like Google have been able to release competitors to ChatGPT, Tim Cook's company staked out a cautious position on the sidelines.

In 2024, Apple launched its own AI tools under the banner of Apple Intelligence. Early marketing for Apple Intelligence highlighted a variety of use cases, such as writing emails and a more conversational, intelligent Siri.

The lawsuit states that Apple promised iPhone shoppers "enhanced Siri features" and advanced AI capabilities, and that its failure to deliver violated consumer protection laws.

Apple's stalled work on an AI version of Siri has been one of the biggest ongoing stories in the tech industry in recent years. The company is expected to finally release the updated Siri at the WWDC 2026 event in June, two years behind schedule.

In short, the suit claims that Apple oversold customers on AI features that weren't even built, and that remain undelivered today.

"We are proud to secure a historic settlement on behalf of consumers who should feel confident and protected when deciding where to spend their hard-earned dollars," said Ryan Clarkson, founder and managing partner of Clarkson Law Firm, one of the firms involved in the class-action case. "We are at an inflection point with AI, and the choices companies and regulators make now will shape how this technology impacts everyday people."

Clarkson told Mashable that "the balance of power between ordinary consumers and rich and powerful corporations" may depend on lawsuits like this, at least "until the political gridlock is cleared in Washington." He also called out tech companies with "mandatory arbitration provisions buried in pages of so-called terms of service that avoid accountability, shut the courthouse doors, and force individuals to assert low-dollar claims in secret tribunals outside the public eye."

What iPhone models are included in the class-action settlement?

The agreement stipulates that shoppers who reside in the U.S. and purchased iPhones with Apple Intelligence features between June 2024 and March 2025 may be eligible for compensation. The phones named in the agreement include:

  • iPhone 16

  • iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 16 Plus

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max

Typically, class-action settlements like this require approval from a judge. Notices will go out automatically to many customers, and a settlement website will be created with additional information on consumers' rights in the case.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

UPDATE: May. 7, 2026, 6:13 p.m. EDT A previous version of this article stated that Clarkson had criticized Apple for including arbitration agreements in its terms of service, though this is not the case. Clarkson was referring to other companies that do engage in this practice.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Review: Remarkable Paper Pure is your new entry-level e-ink workhorse

Thu, 05/07/2026 - 00:10

What a difference an inch makes.

That was my first thought on using the Paper Pure, the new entry-level e-ink tablet offering from Remarkable. And it's been my thought several times since, whenever I surprised myself by reaching for the Pure to write my daily journal when its pricier cousins were right there.

Remarkable is the Norwegian e-ink tablet maker behind the A4-sized Remarkable Paper Pro (from $579) and the reporters' notebook-sized Remarkable Paper Pro Move. Until now, the company has offered the $399 Remarkable 2 (originally released in 2020) as its entry-level e-ink tablet. And in some respects, the Paper Pure is a Remarkable 2 in new clothing.

Family portrait: The new Remarkable Paper Pure, center, flanked by the Paper Pro (L) and Paper Pro Move (R). Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

The size of the screen itself, 11 inches, is identical to the Remarkable 2. As with the Remarkable 2, the Paper Pure offers no backlight or color e-ink (if either are necessities for you, go directly to our Paper Pro, Paper Pro Move, or Kindle Colorsoft Scribe reviews).

The Marker stylus included at that $399 price point is the improved version also used on the Paper Pro models. You can pay more for one with a physical eraser on one end — the Marker Plus (which will set you back $40 more as part of a bundle that also includes a Sleeve Folio). But if you care about that rather than the on-screen eraser tool, you're probably in the market for a pricier e-ink tablet.

Likewise, if latency is important (that is, the gap between the stylus hitting the screen and ink appearing), the Paper Pure is a tiny step down from its pricier brethren — a 21 millisecond gap rather than 12 milliseconds on the Paper Pro models.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

The Paper Pure feels lighter than air The plastic back of the Remarkable Paper Pure: Not cheap, super light. Credit: Remarkable

But what the Paper Pure lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in sheer usability. If you're new to the whole concept of e-ink tablets — the pen-on-paper-like notepads that are easy on your eyes, easy to use in sunlight, and in the style of a Kindle — then the Pure is the best place to start. If you're a power user who can afford both, the Pure may be the one you feel comfortable throwing into your work bag while keeping a Pro at home.

Part of that sense of usability is the weight difference. Not to weight-shame, but at 360 grams (0.79 lbs), the Paper Pure is 44 grams (1.55 ounces) lighter than the Remarkable 2 — even as the Remarkable 2 is a hair's-breadth slimmer than the Pure.

Does that make a difference? Heck yeah, it does, and your wrist will thank you. There's not even the mildest clenching of tendons in your forearm when your hand holds a Pure, the way you might be used to clenching when picking up a regular tablet. For comparison, the latest 11-inch iPad Air is 1.02 lbs (462g). The Paper Pure is the kind of tablet for which the designation "air" really makes sense.

Fortunately, you don't have to sacrifice much in the way of performance. The new e-ink tablet actually has double the RAM and four times the storage of its admittedly aged predecessor (2GB and 32GB, respectively).

Side view: Look at the lovely round edges. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

How did Remarkable achieve this lightness? It's largely in the housing; the Remarkable 2 used brushed aluminum for its backside, and the Paper Pure uses plastic. But the Paper Pure's plastic back doesn't feel cheap. In fact, it feels a tad more welcoming. The metal back on the Remarkable 2 and the Paper Pro both feel cold to the touch; the Pure is more like room temperature.

More weight has been shed by the decision to not include a connector for the Folio keyboard, which you could get as an extra for the Remarkable 2. To my mind, this is no great loss; I've had the Folio for years, and can count on one hand the number of times I've used it for any length of time. Typing is not the point on an e-ink tablet; handwriting (which can convert to text) and sketching are the point.

When you do need to type — and it is nice to have the option to go back and forth — I've found that the on-screen keyboard is enough. If you're typing all the time, maybe what you're looking for is a laptop, or an iPad with a Magic Keyboard, rather than an e-ink tablet. The refresh rate on e-ink is a perpetual problem, and it's always going to make typing seem slower than we're used to.

The Paper Pure is a little bit shorter Old vs. new: The Remarkable 2 (left) and the Remarkable Paper Pure. Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Then there's that other crucial difference in form factor: height. The Pure is like a Remarkable 2, but roughly an inch shorter (8.9 in. vs 9.7 in., to be exact). It also has notably rounder edges, which is the kind of thing design nerds care about, but they do combine with the height and weight differential to make the Pure feel ... well, in a word, friendlier.

The battery life is also friendlier. Remarkable says a single charge lasts three weeks in the Paper Pure. That's the kind of claim it's hard to test for a launch-day review, but I have no reason to doubt it. Certainly, the Pure lasts longer than the Paper Pro and the Paper Pro Move, but in my experience, both tend to turn on at the slightest bag jostle, burning through battery life with that backlight.

Do you need a backlight, anyway? I thought I did, for end-of-day journal writing. But increasingly, research shows that any bright light at night (not just the blue light from regular LCD displays) can wake our brains up just when they're supposed to be going to sleep. After a few bouts of insomnia coincided with Paper Pro use, I've decided the Pure and a dimmed bedside lamp are all I really need at the end of the day.

The Remarkable Paper Pure Folio case — a good dust-catcher Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

And what about the Paper Pure versus the even smaller Paper Pro Move, which I rhapsodized about last year? I still love my Move, especially the ability to toss it in almost any jacket pocket. When packing for trips, when space is at a premium, the Move is the Remarkable I'll reach for. It's great for privacy, too, and it's the Remarkable to use on a plane with a nosy seatmate (or at a press conference).

Still, most of us aren't exactly secret agents, and the Move has turned out to be a little too small for many real-life use cases. Over time, I have noticed my handwriting looks significantly worse on the Move, compared to Remarkable devices with larger screens, and that my posture gets worse as I use it, peering at the smaller screen.

But with the Paper Pure, it feels more like you're toting around a kind of short-but-cheerful clipboard. (For this reason, I never saw a need to put the Pure inside its Folio sleeve case.) I can also see doctors using it while doing their hospital rounds if, for example, they can't afford to let their handwriting suffer on the Move. Or I can imagine pulling it out at a regular conference room meeting, without derailing the meeting with questions about your snazzy device (the downside of light and color on the Pro devices: they often attract attention.)

The verdict: An impressive e-ink tablet with a great price

The Remarkable Paper Pure is your workhorse e-ink tablet. Or if you prefer a horse racing analogy, the Pure is an excellent jockey — a job where being a couple of ounces lighter and an inch shorter can make all the difference.

You can order the Remarkable Paper Pure starting May 6 for $399 at the Remarkable online store. You can purchase a Sleeve Folio case for $69.

Opens in a new window Credit: Remarkable Remarkable Paper Pure $399 at Remarkable
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Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons why Pride and Prejudice fans need to watch The Other Bennet Sister

Thu, 05/07/2026 - 00:00

The world has no shortage of Pride and Prejudice adaptations.

On top of screen adaptations like the 1995 miniseries and the 2005 film (as well as Netflix's upcoming movie), Jane Austen's enduring novel has spawned several spin-off books, like P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley, Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy's Diary, and Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister. The latter is the source material for a miniseries that aired on BBC One earlier this year to critical and public acclaim. Now, The Other Bennet Sister has made its way to U.S. audiences via BritBox, and it's the perfect watch for any Austen head. If you love Pride and Prejudice (either the novel or its many reincarnations), then here are five reasons to make The Other Bennet Sister your next binge.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now 1. It revisits Pride and Prejudice through a fresh set of eyes.

The titular Bennet sister is Mary (Ella Bruccoleri), the Bennet family's bookish, occasionally scolding middle child. Her family, especially her mother (Ruth Jones), finds her plain and uninteresting, and therefore have all resigned themselves to the fact that she will never find a suitable match. Because of this, Mary spends much of her time as a wallflower. It's through her wounded eyes that we witness the events of Pride and Prejudice play out anew, from Lizzie's (Poppy Gilbert) first anger at Mr. Darcy's (Victor Pilard) rude comments to her rejection of Mr. Collins' (Ryan Sampson) marriage proposal.

Thankfully, The Other Bennet Sister doesn't just offer up a Pride and Prejudice rehash. (In fact, it speedruns the book in its first two episodes.) Instead, it gives Austen fans just enough hints at the broader story they know and love, while still centering Mary's outsider perspective. This approach leads to several moving reframes of book scenes. Remember when Mary sings horribly at a ball, much to Lizzie's disapproval? The Other Bennet Sister dives into why she's so intent on singing at this moment, and how awful she feels after Lizzie cuts her performance short. Scenes like these make you consider the book differently, while also letting the original stand on its own.

2. It will make you think differently about certain Pride and Prejudice characters.

The Other Bennet Sister won't just make you reevaluate the oft-shunned Mary's role in Pride and Prejudice. It will also prompt you to reconsider your ideas of some of the novel's most ridiculous or villainous characters.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Pride and Prejudice' teaser has bewitched us

Take Mr. Collins, for instance. He's often an insufferable source of comic relief, and while The Other Bennet Sister still plays his fuddy-duddyness for laughs, it also proposes that he's fully aware of how much others disdain him. On top of generating empathy for him, The Other Bennet Sister also spends extra time on Charlotte Lucas' (Anna Fenton-Garvey) choice to marry him, and even tries to get inside the head of the icy Caroline Bingley (Tanya Reynolds). Could these reappraisals spark a new appreciation for these characters on your next Pride and Prejudice read-through?

3. It features a charming lead performance from Ella Bruccoleri...

In Bruccoleri's hands, Mary Bennet surges from the margins of Pride and Prejudice and into the spotlight with resounding success. She wrings heartbreak from the Bennets' constant dismissals of Mary and manages to turn Mary's pedantic corrections of the most minute details into timid moments of rebellion. When Mary corrects her mother on whether someone is coming "up" or "down" from London, she's really trying to assert power over the person who puts her down the most. Bruccoleri delivers each correction as if it's a surprise even to Mary, the words flying out of her before she's had the chance to think them through. (Granted, the character's most grating tendencies have been sanded down a bit for the adaptation, and I do sometimes wish they had let Mary be more conceited.)

Bruccoleri especially shines as The Other Bennet Sister moves to London, where Mary meets up with people who see her true value. Here, she undergoes a metamorphosis. Not a rom-com-style glow-up, but an opening of her mind and heart to others. It's a sweet arc that Bruccoleri charts with a winning openness, even when Mary herself struggles to close herself off.

4. ... and a swoon-worthy love interest in Dónal Finn's Tom Hayward.

One of the people who sees Mary's virtues immediately is Tom Hayward (Dónal Finn), a lawyer with a penchant for poetry. He may not be an actual Austen character, but he does make a fine addition to the canon of Regency romantic heroes.

Tom always appreciates Mary wholeheartedly and is willing to meet her at her level no matter the circumstance. In one serious scene, the pair discuss a potential future before Mary begins imitating the bird calls she hears around them. Undeterred, Tom joins right in. Their earlier conversation can wait! He also seeks to broaden her horizons. When she admits she doesn't like poetry because she can't feel the meaning of the words on the page, he organizes a private poetry performance in a secret garden dripping with lilacs. It's official: Romance isn't dead thanks to Tom Hayward, as well as Dónal Finn's charismatic performance in the role.

5. It's a more grounded Regency romance than Bridgerton.

No hate to Bridgerton, especially its spectacular fourth season, but sometimes you just want your Regency romance without the string quartet pop covers or fantastical costumes. Enter The Other Bennet Sister.

While I'm no expert on "historically accurate" aesthetics (nor do I believe a show needs accuracy to be good), The Other Bennet Sister's less elaborate balls and quieter costuming nicely match Mary's practicality. This isn't to say there is no fantasy. After all, one scene late in the season riffs on Colin Firth's Darcy's infamous lake scene. Yet for the most part, The Other Bennet Sister and its central romance succeed in their restraint: in Finn's longing delivery of each polite "Miss Bennet," in each lingering shot of Tom's forearms as he rolls up his sleeves. There's yearning to spare here, and The Other Bennet Sister weaves it expertly into Mary's tale of self-discovery to create a sweet spring TV treat.

The first three episodes of The Other Bennet Sister are now streaming on BritBox, with new episodes every Wednesday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 512GB Dell 15 laptop delivers steady performance for just $307

Thu, 05/07/2026 - 00:00

TL;DR: A well-specced Dell 15 laptop for $306.99 — fast SSD, solid performance, and ready for everyday use.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Dell 15 2024 15.6-Inch (Certified Refurbished) $306.99
$349.99 Save $43   Get Deal

You don’t need to spend big to get a laptop that keeps up. If you are in the market for a new machine that doesn’t cost a small fortune, this near-mint Dell 15 is on sale for just $306.99 (reg. $349.99) while stock is still available.

This laptop features an Intel Core 3 processor with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which is a surprisingly solid combo at this price. This translates to it booting quickly, handling multiple tabs without choking, and keeping everyday tasks moving without frustration. Whether it’s emails, spreadsheets, streaming, or general browsing, it covers the basics comfortably.

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The 15.6-inch Full HD display gives you enough screen real estate to actually work without feeling cramped, and the anti-glare panel helps if you’re not always in perfect lighting. It’s the kind of laptop you can use for a few hours without constantly adjusting things.

Connectivity is where it over-delivers. You’ve got USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and WiFi 6, so it plays nicely with modern accessories and faster networks. No dongle drama necessary.

Battery life is rated up to around eight hours, which is enough for a work session, classes, or a long stretch away from an outlet.

And because it’s Grade A refurbished, you’re getting something that runs like new and looks close to new without paying full price.

If you want a reliable, no-nonsense laptop with the right specs in the right places, this is one of those rare options that makes a lot of sense.

Get this near-mint Dell 15 for just $306.99 (reg. $349.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Major AI players agree to give US government early AI model access

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 23:09

That was quick.

Some of the biggest AI companies have just agreed to provide the U.S. government with early access to their new AI models. And this went down just one day after a report from the New York Times detailed how the Trump administration was looking into government oversight of new AI models.

According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, three of tech's biggest AI companies — Google, Microsoft, and xAI — have all reached an agreement with the Trump administration to provide access to new frontier models before they are released to the public.

The three companies will provide this access to the Commerce Department’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), which will evaluate new AI models on their capabilities and security. OpenAI and Anthropic have both previously agreed to a similar agreement with the Commerce Department in 2024.

CAISI has already completed over 40 evaluations on AI models before their release to the public.

“Independent, rigorous measurement science is essential to understanding frontier AI and its national security implications,” CAISI director Chris Fall said to the WSJ. “These expanded industry collaborations help us scale our work in the public interest at a critical moment.”

Earlier this week, the WSJ also reported that the Trump administration is looking into a "cybersecurity-focused executive order," which would create an oversight group whose role is to create standards for AI models.

These recent developments come in the wake of the Trump administration's feud with AI company Anthropic earlier this year. The US government declared Anthropic and its AI chatbot Claude was a supply chain risk to national security after the AI company requested that the Trump administration not use its technology for warfare or mass surveillance purposes.

Previously, the Trump administration has taken a very pro-AI stance, citing the need for U.S. companies to maintain an edge over their Chinese rivals.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections decided not to use words, and players are not OK

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 22:28

Connections pulled a classic game design trick this week: showing the player a challenge they haven't seen before, but have unknowingly been preparing for this whole time.

The popular New York Times puzzle game, in which players usually are tasked with grouping a bunch of random words together into hidden categories, threw a heck of a curveball on Wednesday, May 6. If you haven't checked it out yet, today's puzzle is a bit strange in that it doesn't include words at all.

Instead, it's a bunch of symbols of mundane objects.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 6, 2026 Uh...what? Credit: Screenshot: The New York Times

The puzzle actually makes some sense if you do what I did and just look up the answers, but for everyday Connections players, it's obviously going to be a more stiff challenge than usual. Of course, people on the internet had some real thoughts about this. Mostly very negative thoughts, to be precise.

Turns out, people really don't like it when you mess with their daily New York Times gaming routine.

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But there was at least one person who thought it was pretty neat.

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

Hopefully, tomorrow's puzzle is just words again.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft may abandon one of its climate goals. Blame data centers.

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 22:15

Microsoft stands out as one of the most environmentally responsible companies in Big Tech, but a new report indicates it may be retreating from one of its most ambitious climate goals.

The Redmond, Washington-based company previously pledged to match 100 percent of its hourly electricity use with renewable energy purchases by 2030; Microsoft already meets its annual targets for renewable energy matches.

SEE ALSO: Trump plans to kill Energy Star appliance program

Now, with pressure to construct data centers to fuel AI, Microsoft is considering delaying or abandoning that hourly goal, Bloomberg reports.

The hourly clean power goal is named 100/100/0, indicating the intent to match all of its energy use, all of the time, with zero-carbon energy purchases. That goal is complicated by the enormous amount Microsoft is spending on data centers, around $190 billion through the end of the year. The data center boom has equated to less money for other corporate endeavors, like clean energy. In the wake of those costs, Microsoft has already begun reducing its carbon-dioxide removal program.

Many tech companies are looking to natural gas — which emits Earth-warming greenhouse gases — to partially power their data centers, rather than cleaner energy sources like solar, wind, or hydro power. 

The companies of Big Tech are all emitting more carbon in the wake of the AI race; Microsoft has seen a 23 percent jump in carbon emissions since late 2022, while Google's increased by 51 percent and Meta's by 64 percent during that same time period, Bloomberg reports.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Utah law now bans porn viewers from using VPNs

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 21:45

A Utah law, enacted Wednesday, seeks to ban the use of VPNs to access porn sites.

The statute is part of SB 73, which contains amendments to the state's age-verification law. These laws typically require some proof of age to access adult content (or any content the state deems "harmful to minors").

Utah's age-verification law, SB 287, went into effect in 2023; it requires age verification via a digital ID card, a third-party verification service, or a credit card.

Pornhub promptly blocked users in Utah as the law went into effect.

SEE ALSO: Some UK users can go back on Pornhub. See if you're one of them.

Age verification often doesn't work because it can be circumvented. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which mask a user's real location, are one popular method for doing that. That's what the Utah law aims to tackle when it says porn sites must not allow VPN usage. Here's the relevant language:

A commercial entity that operates a website that contains a substantial portion of material harmful to minors may not facilitate or encourage the use of a virtual private network, proxy server, or other means to circumvent age verification requirements, including by providing: (a)instructions on how to use a virtual private network or proxy server to access the website; or (b) means for individuals in this state to circumvent geofencing or blocking.

"Utah just became the first state in the U.S. to target VPN usage, and they are embarrassing themselves," said Lia Holland, campaigns and communications director at digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, in a statement sent to Mashable.

Holland added that the legal language in question reads like AI slop.

"You cannot require a website doing age verification to determine where someone using a reputable VPN is browsing from — this feat is literally impossible by design for even the best hacker," Holland continued. Websites are left with three choices, Holland said: block everyone using a VPN (which is likely impossible), require every site visitor to verify their age, or censor everything that might fall under Utah's "harmful to minors" standard.

Fight for the Future says it will endorse any lawsuit filed against Utah to overturn this law.

The digital civil liberties nonprofit, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), also criticized SB 73. EFF's associate director of state affairs, Rindala Alajaji, wrote in a blog post published April 30: "These provisions won't stop a tech-savvy teenager, but they certainly will impact the privacy of every regular Utah resident who just wants to keep their data out of the hands of brokers or malicious actors."

Alajaii added: "attacks on VPNs are, at their core, attacks on the tools that enable digital privacy. Utah is setting a precedent that prioritizes government control over the fundamental architecture of a private and secure internet, and it won't stop at the state's borders."

"Protecting kids while preserving freedom is not a new concept," SB 73 sponsor Sen. Calvin Musselman told The Salt Lake Tribune, and compared it to policies about alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. (Alcohol, tobacco, and gambling aren't protected by the First Amendment, however; free speech is.)

SB 73 appears to be the first bill enacted to block VPNs, but another ban has been proposed in Michigan. The UK government is also considering a ban on VPNs for minors.

When speaking with Mashable last year about age-verification, First Amendment experts warned of second-order censorship. The first order is age verification, they explained, but people find workarounds. Second-order censorship means banning the workarounds.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Camelcamelcamel just launched Camelmart, a Walmart version of our favorite Amazon price tracker

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 19:48

Finding genuinely good deals at Walmart just got a whole lot easier. The creator of camelcamelcamel, a popular free Amazon price tracker, has launched an identical tool for Walmart products called camelmart.

California-based programmer Daniel Green created camelcamelcamel in 2008 as "a code experiment" with Amazon's Product Advertising API, he told Mashable last fall. It took off among shoppers (and shopping reporters) after he put it online, so he hired a team of friends to keep it running — now for nearly two decades.

Camelcamelcamel and its browser extension, The Camelizer, can produce historical price charts for millions of Amazon products, making it easy to see if deals are worth adding to cart — or whether they're even "deals" at all. Users can also set up price-drop alerts to receive an email when an item goes on sale.

Here's camelmart's price history chart for the Apple AirPods Pro 3. At the time of writing, they were only 99 cents away from their record-low price at Walmart. Credit: Screenshot via camelmart.com

Camelmart pulls data from Walmart's official API and has the exact same features as its sister site. If you enter a Walmart product's URL into the search bar, you can view its price history and sign up for deal alerts.

SEE ALSO: What is camelcamelcamel? Just our secret weapon for finding the lowest prices on Amazon.

Camelmart doesn't have its own browser extension yet, but Green tells me via email that "We plan to eventually either add camelmart to our existing extension, or release its own separate extension."

This isn't the first time Green and his team have branched out from Amazon. They released a Best Buy price tracker called camelbuy back in 2009, but eventually shut it down because it "didn't get the traction it needed to sustain itself," Green said. Camelcamelcamel and all of its spinoffs have been supported by affiliate links, so if you buy something through a link on the sites, they may earn a commission.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Some UK users can go back on Pornhub. See if youre one of them.

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 19:34

Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, has now announced that "age-confirmed" iOS UK users can once again visit Pornhub. In January, the company said that it would block Pornhub in the UK for most people.

The change is due to Apple's release of iOS 26.4, which Aylo's vice president of brand and community, Alex Kekesi, called "the world's first ever device-based age verification solution for its users in the UK" in a press release.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

UK adults who have confirmed their age through Apple's UK age-verification process can now visit Pornhub again.

Age verification can be done with a credit card or by scanning one's passport, driver's license, or other proof-of-age card. Apple will check if the device owner has a credit card on file to confirm if they're 18 or older. For children, teens, and unverified adults, Apple's Web Content Filter and Communication Safety features are automatically turned on. The latter blurs or warns about potentially inappropriate content.

Apple published these age requirements on its website on April 29. They come nearly a year after the UK enacted the Online Safety Act, a wide-ranging age-verification law. It also follows Aylo's request to Apple and other tech giants, Google and Microsoft, to enable device-level age verification in Nov. 2025.

Many people in the adult industry and free speech experts have been advocating for device-level age verification for years.

"We have been reaching out to the operating system providers to emphasize the need for a highly effective device-based solution, that includes Google, that includes Microsoft and Apple," said Solomon Friedman, partner and vice president of compliance at Ethical Capital Partners (which owns Aylo), in a Tuesday press briefing, 404 Media reported. "And on behalf of ownership, we're obviously delighted to see that Apple has instituted UK-wide, effective device-based age assurance."

Want our dating and relationships stories and more in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

iOS 27 will let you choose third-party AI models to power Apple Intelligence, report says

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 19:24

This next year or so is gearing up to be a big one for Apple. Case in point: Just this week, Mashable previewed the new features coming to iOS 26.5, and now there's already major news about what's coming in iOS 27.

According to a new report from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple will soon let its users choose exactly which third-party AI models that they want to utilize with Apple Intelligence.

Apple is reportedly launching an "Extensions" feature, which will let AI companies opt-in and enable support for the feature through their App Store applications. If and when companies like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic enable Extensions for Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude, respectively, users will be able to select those AI models for Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools, Siri voice assistant, Image Plaground, and more.

Gurman says that third-party AI tools would be able to power Siri's feature set with their own distinctive voices answering prompts. Apple's own Siri would be able to join in with its own distinct voice as well, though this will likely be powered by Google Gemini.

This feature is scheduled to launch with iOS 27 for iPhone along with iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. iOS 27 will likely be announced at WWDC in June and then released later this year around the same time as Apple's big iPhone event, where the company is slated to unveil iPhone 18 and potentially the brand new iPhone Fold.

SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026: Everything we know so far

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Apple had received criticism over the past few years regarding its lack of AI strategy, and the company has largely been left out of the AI arms race. However, as its competitors have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into developing AI models and infrastructure, Apple has opted to partner with companies like Google and OpenAI, letting its customers reap some of the benefits of AI without spending massive amounts of money.

Of course, Apple's lack of AI technology has also cost the company. Apple recently settled a lawsuit for $250 million over claims that it exaggerated the abilities of Apple Intelligence.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Elle teaser: Who was Elle Woods before Legally Blonde?

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 19:21

Oh my god, you guys, Legally Blonde's heroine Elle Woods is headed back to our screens. Not in Legally Blonde 3 (although that's been in the works for years), but in a new prequel TV series, titled Elle.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer TV preview: Every TV show you need to know about now

Created by Laura Kittrell and executive produced by Reese Witherspoon, Elle rewinds the clock to 1995, well before Elle set foot on Harvard's campus. Before she began studying fashion merchandising in undergrad, even! Instead, Elle shows us who Elle (Lexi Minetree) was in high school. Spoiler alert: She's just as bubbly as she is in college, and dressed in just as much pink to boot.

However, Elle's high school life isn't all California sunshine. Literally. In the show's teaser, Elle's mother (June Diane Raphael) and father (Tom Everett Scott) reveal that they'll be moving to Seattle. That's right: Elle Woods, the queen of pink, is heading to Seattle, the land of flannel, rain, and apparently, no blonde people.

The Seattle move sets the stage for another fish-out-of-water story for Elle. This time, instead of trying to fit in among snobby law students and old money types, she'll have to contend with her grunge-loving peers. But if there's one thing Elle Woods can do, it's keep it positive and make the most of a tricky situation. What, like it's hard?

Elle premieres July 1 on Prime Video.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Maddies Secret trailer reveals John Early as youve never seen him before

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 19:02

Comedian John Early makes his feature directorial debut with Maddie's Secret, an offbeat homage to melodrama that he wrote and headlines as its eponymous heroine.

As an aspiring food influencer, Maddie Ralph (Early) is passionate about her cuisine. And at first glance, she's got a picture-perfect life: a loving husband (Eric Rahill), a devoted best friend (Kate Berlant), and a job at a culinary content studio called Gourmaybe. But as the title suggests, there's a side to Maddie she can't stomach sharing with her loved ones. And this secret could kill her.

Out of the movie's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall, I cheered Maddie's Secret, writing in my review for Mashable, "The film is silly and strange, but even amid campy bits, sincere. So, you'll laugh at its parody elements, but may well be genuinely moved by Early's commitment to this strange and splendid film."

I also said "John Early is a better ingénue than Sydney Sweeney," comparing Maddie's Secret to another earnest (but less entertaining) TIFF offering, Christy. And I stand by it.

Maddie's Secret opens in theaters in New York on June 19, and in Los Angeles on June 26.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. PSG online for free

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. PSG in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Bayern Munich vs. PSG would have made an amazing Champions League final, but we should be happy that we're getting two matchups between these electric teams. The first leg finished 5-4 to PSG. We're not expecting the same again, because that was probably one of the best games of all time. If we get half that level of entertainment in the second leg, we'll be delighted.

Expect more of the same from the likes of Michael Olise and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as these teams battle it out for a spot in the showpiece event. The winner will meet Arsenal at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. PSG in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. PSG?

Bayern Munich vs. PSG in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on May 6. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. PSG for free

Bayern Munich vs. PSG is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. PSG for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

  4. Visit RTÉ Player

  5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayern Munich vs. PSG (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best 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 RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 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 Bayern Munich vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Score up to 64% off at EcoFlow and snag free solar panels with your purchase.

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 18:55

SAVE 64%: Between May 6 and May 17, you can score up to 64% off at EcoFlow and snag free solar panels with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Mother's Day Sale Get up to 64% off plus a free solar panel with purchase Shop Now

I live in an apartment, so I don't exactly have a "whole home" to back up. But if there's one thing I hate, it's losing power. There goes the AC, the internet, the food in the fridge — it's a total nightmare. If you actually own a house and have been putting off buying a backup power system because it's pricey, I have some good news.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 1000 Mini portable power station just launched — U.S. availability is pending

Right now, EcoFlow is running a Mother's Day Sale through May 17 with discounts as high as 64%. They're also throwing in free hardware to sweeten the deal: All single orders between $600 and $3,000 come with a free 45W solar panel, and orders over $3,000 come with two free 160W solar panels. If you're looking for something more portable, their RAPID Power Banks are also up to 53% off right now.

Just keep an eye on the countdown clock — it’s for the Flash Sale items that have even better, limited-time price cuts. If you miss the flash window, the standard Mother's Day and Home Improvement deals (including a $700 installation discount for larger systems) are still valid through mid-May.

Here are a few of the best deals I've spotted so far:

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag a pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $50 off

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 18:53

SAVE $50: As of May 6, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) for $399 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $449. That's a discount of 11%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal

If you want to experience your favorite music to the fullest, you need headphones that are up to the task. Bose can typically be counted on to provide that kind of quality, especially with its QuietComfort lineup. You can try its newest model for less right now for less thanks to this Amazon deal, which heavily discounts the cans so you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on them.

As of May 6, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) for $399 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $449. That's $50 off and a discount of 11%.

SEE ALSO: We tested the 9 best headphones and earbuds for working out

Though an incremental upgrade from the previous QuietComfort model, these have some new features you'll want to try out. But mostly, these comfortable headphones are all about feeling great on your ears and sounding fantastic. They offer noise cancellation and spatialized audio so it sounds as though you're right where the music is. The new Cinema Mode can help to spatialize and balance background and sound and sound effects when watching movies to help put you right into the film as well.

Beyond that they can be used to take calls with their built-in microphones. They'll last a long time while you're on the phone too, with 30 hours of play time when listening to songs, podcasts, or taking meetings.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard took the headphones for a spin in her review and and called them a "well-rounded pair of headphones", praising their blend of "comfort, noise cancellation, and sound".

If you're ready to pick up a new pair of headphones at a discount that'll tick all the boxes for you, grab these before the discount disappears.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Buy a $300 Delta gift card and get a free $20 Starbucks gift card

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 18:49

BUY A DELTA GIFT CARD FOR $300+ AND GET A FREE STARBUCKS GIFT CARD: Through May 11, buy a Delta gift card for $300 or more and get a free $20 Starbucks eGift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Delta / Starbucks Free $20 Starbucks eGift card with purchase of $300+ Delta gift card   Get Deal

The price of flying these days is shocking. If you plan on traveling soon on a route served by Delta, it's well worth checking out this deal to get something for free. It'll help ease the pain of the ticket price.

Through May 11, purchase a Delta gift card worth $300 or more and get a free $20 Starbucks eGift card. It's as simple as that. You can also qualify for the deal by buying multiple gift cards that total at least $300. The deal with apply automatically and you'll receive a separate email containing the free Starbucks card.

SEE ALSO: Best Mother's Day sales of 2026 so far: Deals on KitchenAid, Kindle, flowers, more thoughtful gift ideas

Booking flights these days is not much fun. Prices are ahh.... abnormal, but Delta has eased the pain a bit thanks to this deal. The carrier is positioning this free Starbucks gift card deal as a good option for Mother's Day, but realistically, it's useful for anyone who plans to book with Delta soon.

Keep in mind the Delta gift card and Starbucks card will never expire. Delta mentions this offer is valid until May 11 at 11:59 p.m. ET or for the first 11,000 purchasers, whichever comes first. That means it might be smart to hop on this deal soon since there's no way to know if it'll last until May 11.

If you plan on flying soon or want to gift a special someone a Delta gift card worth $300 or more, snag this deal to get a free $20 Starbucks eGift card. It's a win-win situation for those who plan to fly with Delta.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 from T-Mobile without trading in your old phone

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 18:46

FREE SAMSUNG GALAXY S26: Sign up for a T-Mobile Experience Beyond plan for 24 months and get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 (256GB) which ordinarily costs $899.99. Existing T-Mobile Go5G Plus members also qualify for the deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Free Samsung Galaxy S26 from T-Mobile   Shop Now

It's tough to find a free deal these days. We usually have a massive amount of fine text to read, but T-Mobile is making this deal pretty simple. Sign up for two years of coverage (which you probably needed anyway) and get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 (256GB). Here's how to qualify.

To get a free Samsung Galaxy S26 (256GB) instead of paying the list price of $899.99, sign on for 24 months of a T-Mobile Experience or Better Value plan. You'll save the $900 over the next 24 months of bill credit at T-Mobile. No trade in is required to cash in on this deal.

Announced in February, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is the latest model from the major iPhone competitor. It comes with added features like better AI capabilities and a 50 megapixel camera. Samsung also mentions improvements in display clarity with the new S26, giving off better colors and sharper details.

SEE ALSO: Add the Hisense 55-inch Canvas TV to your gallery wall for $350 less than usual

If you're one for selfies, the Samsung Galaxy S26 could be a great option. Samsung designed the front-facing camera to have a wider view, making it easier to capture selfies with the group.

If you're going with T-Mobile coverage, it's well worth hopping on this free Samsung Galaxy S26 deal. The cell phone bill was inevitable so you might as well snag a free upgraded phone in the process.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nintendo announces a Switch 2 bundle with Pokémon Pokopia, but theres a catch

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 18:32

Pokémon Pokopia has been a huge hit for Nintendo, so much so that some folks have thought about buying a $450 Switch 2 just to play the cozy life sim. (It's a system exclusive.) Nintendo has seemingly taken notice and announced a Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia bundle this week, combining the game with the console at a slight discount.

The only problem? You probably can't buy it without taking a 15-hour flight.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 + "Pokémon Pokopia" Bundle AU$769.95 at My Nintendo Store
  Pre-order Here

Sadly, the Pokopia bundle will only be available in Australia and New Zealand when it launches on June 5. Gamers there can preorder it starting Wednesday, May 6 in the online My Nintendo Store for AU$769.95 or NZ$869.95, which works out to a savings of AU$39.95 or NZ$49.95 (versus buying the game and console separately). A Nintendo Account set to Australia or New Zealand is required to purchase the bundle.

If you live outside Australasia, you can change your account's region to add the bundle to your cart, but there's still the issue of actually getting it in hand. It only ships to local addresses, and it's only available for pickup at Nintendo Australia's Parts and Repairs Store in Victoria at this time.

You'll get this message if you try to buy the Switch 2 + "Pokémon Pokopia" bundle with a U.S. Nintendo Account. Credit: Screenshot via Nintendo.com

The Pokopia bundle will eventually be available for preorder at major Australasian retailers like Costco and JB Hi-Fi "in the near future," according to a Nintendo press release. But the company hasn't said when the bundle will get a wider global release — or if it ever will.

If it makes you feel any better, Team Northern Hemisphere, the bundle doesn't come with any exclusives, and its console is just a regular Switch 2 console; it's not a special-edition variant with Pokopia-inspired accents. Conversely, previous bundles for the first-generation Switch included themed Joy-Con and dock designs.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on: The irresistible cuteness of 'Pokémon Pokopia', my favorite Pokémon game in years

I'll also point out the obvious, which is that the bundle doesn't work out to much of a savings after you factor in the cost of getting to Australia or New Zealand, unless you were already planning on visiting.

It could be worth getting a Switch 2 just for Pokopia: It's a great game, and the system will get even more great exclusives as time goes on. But if you don't live down under, your only reasonable route is still buying them separately. (Read Mashable's full Pokopia review if you're wondering what all the hype is about.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo "Pokémon Pokopia" $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

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