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Windows 11 has been out now for about two and a half years, but its predecessor, Windows 10, still dominates the operating system market.

It's pretty clear that when it comes to PCs, Windows 10 is the most popular operating system. That means many of you readers might very well know how annoying Microsoft's prompts are regarding getting you to upgrade to Windows 11. So far, we've been able to pass on that upgrade without too much trouble.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft is testing out start menu ad placement in Windows 11

Well, Microsoft is getting ready to annoy its faithful Windows 10 user base with yet another prompt. This time, Microsoft wants Windows 10 users to switch from using a local account to their online Microsoft account.

As first noticed by the outlet Windows Latest, the most recent Windows 10 update Release Preview includes some information about new notifications added to the operating system intended to make users switch from their local account to their Microsoft account.

"New! This update starts the [roll out] of account-related notifications for Microsoft accounts in Settings > Home," reads the update, originally from the official Windows blog, which then lays out its case for using a Microsoft account.

"A Microsoft account connects Windows to your Microsoft apps. The account also backs up all your data and helps you to manage your subscriptions. You can also add extra security steps to keep you from being locked out of your account. This feature displays notifications across the Start menu and Settings."

Some users may enjoy using a Microsoft account due to the positives of connecting with Microsoft's cloud features like backups. Others may prefer the privacy of having local accounts, where all their data stays on their personal devices. The point, though, is that it's your choice, and once you make that choice you shouldn't be hounded to use your Microsoft account anymore.

Here's how to disable the Microsoft account notification

As Elon Musk recently discovered, Windows 11 does not make it easy to use a local account instead of a Microsoft account. 

Tweet may have been deleted

However, Windows 10 still does!

Once you make the decision to use a local account over a Microsoft account, there's also a way to turn off those annoying banners and prompts trying to get you to use a Microsoft account:

In the Settings app, simply click on the Privacy option, then go to the General section.

Next, turn off the "Show me notifications in the Settings app. When off, required notifications are still shown," option.

As tech news outlet Neowin points out, there's also a tiny little "X" icon next to the "Sign in now" button on the Microsoft accounts banner as well. Users can click that and remove the notification as well. However, if the previously mentioned Settings option isn't turned off, the notification banner will eventually return.

UPDATE: Apr. 18, 2024, 4:57 p.m. EDT This piece was updated to attribute Windows Latest with first discovering the Windows 10 update information. The Settings option needed to stop the notification has also been updated.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK 2023 MacBook Pro (M3 chip, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399.99 at Amazon (save $199.01 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST SECURITY CAMERA DEAL Google Nest Indoor Cam $67.59 at Amazon (save $32.40) Get Deal BEST WINDOWS LAPTOP DEAL ASUS VivoBook 16 (AMD Ryzen 9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $599.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal BEST UNLOCKED PHONE DEAL Google Pixel 7a (128GB) $349 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal

It's no surprise that we love hunting for good deals here at Mashable. We're regularly poking around on the web for the best discounts around, and Amazon regularly comes out on top in the oversaturated shopping market.

If deal hunting isn't your thing, we've got you covered. Here are the best Amazon deals of the day for April 18. And be sure to check out our picks from April 16 and April 17 — many of those deals are still live as well.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Amazon deal of the day: 2023 MacBook Pro (M3 chip, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399.99 at Amazon
$1,599.00 Save $199.01 with on-page coupon Get Deal

The 2023 MacBook Pro, which packs Apple's M3 chip, is just 99 cents shy of its all-time low price at Amazon as of April 18. The M3 MacBook Pro features a familiar design you know and love with a whole lot of processing power under the hood. Apple claims the M3 chip is up to 15 percent faster than the previous M2 chip, but we actually found it to be even faster than that in our testing. Our reviewer was also highly impressed by its battery power and "dive" built-in speakers. The base model, which includes 8GB RAM and 512GB of storage, typically goes for $1,599, but if you tick the on-page coupon, it'll only run you $1,399.99 at checkout.

Read our full review of the M3 MacBook Pro.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Security Cam (wired) $67.59 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $32.40 Get Deal

Want to keep tabs on your pets while you're at work? Or have an extra set of eyes inside your home while you're on vacation? The indoor version of the Google Nest Cam can be mounted to your wall or placed on a bookshelf and deliver a 24/7 live view of your home. It comes in a variety of colors to suit your style and can be set up in a matter of minutes. At $67.59, it's down to an all-time low price at Amazon. Save $32.40 as of April 18.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS VivoBook 16 (AMD Ryzen 9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $599.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a powerful laptop that won't break the bank, the ASUS VivoBook 16 has really solid specs and is currently on sale for under $600. That's $200 off its usual price and matches its all-time low. This particular configuration packs an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, 16GB of RAM, and an entire terabyte of storage. It also has a lay-flat 180-degree hinge, a webcam shield, a sleek NanoEdge display, and an array of ports (USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C with power delivery, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, USB 2.0 Type A, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, HDMI 1.4).

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 7a (unlocked, 128GB) $349.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal

There's no reason you should be paying full price for a new phone — especially when deals like this exist. An unlocked Google Pixel 7a is on sale for just $349 at Amazon as of April 18. Already a budget-friendly version of the Pixel 7, this 30% discount brings the 7a to a new all-time low. "Announced during the 2023 Google I/O presentation, this is essentially a $100 cheaper Pixel 7 with a slightly smaller screen, but little else in the way of compromise," Mashable's Alex Perry noted in his review. It's worth noting that this deal is also available at Best Buy, if you prefer to shop there.

Read our full review of the Google Pixel 7a.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE 15%: A yearly membership to Instacart+ is on sale for $84.15 at Best Buy, down from the normal price of $99. That's a savings of $14.85.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart Instacart+ 12-month membership $84.15 at Best Buy
$99.00 Save $14.85 Get Deal

Need something ASAP but don't have time to leave home to pick it up? We're all blessed to live in a time when pretty much anything can arrive on our doorstep through delivery services. Sometimes within hours, we can get groceries, pharmacy goods, cosmetics, and electronics delivered. If you're one to take advantage of these services, Best Buy has a great deal in store.

As of April 18, a 12-month membership to Instacart+ is on sale for $84.15, marked down from the list price of $99. That's a 15% discount or a savings of $14.85.

Delivery service Instacart has major deals in store when you sign up for an Instacart+ membership. For starters, you'll get unlimited free delivery on orders over $35, which usually costs $3.99 for non-members. If you prefer to order through Instacart but pickup yourself, you'll get 5% credit back on all eligible orders. As if those savings weren't enough, you'll also get lower service fees on every order.

Instacart is partnered with a huge range of popular stores to order from, including Costco, Target, Sprouts, Safeway, CVS, H Mart, Best Buy, Petco, and plenty more.

To add to the deal, Instacart+ members get free access to streaming on Peacock, which typically costs $59.99 per year.

The Instacart+ membership deal at Best Buy is for digital access, which means Best Buy will email set-up instructions soon after you purchase. You can also choose the option to gift the year-long Instacart+ membership to a lucky recipient.

If you frequently use Instacart to get groceries delivered during busy weeks or you often forget to buy a new bag of dog food while out on your errands, you could probably see some serious savings with an Instacart+ membership. Usually $99 for a 12-month membership, you can currently grab all the benefits for just $84.15 through the deal at Best Buy. Your shopping budget will thank you later.

SAVE $30: As of April 18, get the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium at Amazon for $219.99. That's a discount of 12%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium $219.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Feel like you're always too hot or too cold in your home? Solve that problem with a smart thermostat, which can learn your habits, adapt to them, and help streamline the energy usage in your home. If you're looking to get into the smart thermostat game, now's a great time to do so with a deal on a top-tier thermostat at Amazon.

As of April 18, you can get the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium for $219.99. That's $30 off its original price of $249.99 and a discount of 12%.

SEE ALSO: The best Earth Day deals in 2024 so far are from SodaStream, Bite, and Lomi

This model can handle all of your smart home's tasks: It can be controlled and adjusted via app and the unit can act as a smoke detector and even a home security hub if desired. Plus, it works to adjust the temperature of selected rooms to reduce hot and cold spots (or conserve energy in rooms you're not occupying), which can be a big problem for some homes.

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium claims to be able to save you up to 26% per year on heating and cooling costs. Its smart sensor can automatically pause heating and cooling when it senses a door or window left open for over five minutes, plus there are plenty of other features meant to save energy and save you money.

The thermostat also has an air quality monitor alert so you can keep an eye on what you're breathing in every day. It gives tips on how to improve air quality and alerts you when you should swap out your air filter. Keep in mind that some features do require a subscription to the Ecobee Smart Security plan.

Summer's on the way, so be ready to tackle the heat with a thermostat that can do all the heavy lifting.

Apple debuted AirPlay, a feature that lets you stream media from your device to another, at IHG hotels today — and I'm one of the first to experience it in all of its glory.

I tested the new AirPlay availability in a swanky suite inside InterContinental New York Times Square, a 4-star IHG hotel. This is one of the 60+ hotels around the U.S., including in cities like Tampa and Atlanta, that support the new AirPlay integration.

But the question is, what's it like using it? And how does it benefit the average traveler?

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16: Every single thing we know so far Apple's AirPlay debut with U.S. hotels: 5 ways it makes travel better

As Apple announced on Thursday, AirPlay made its way over to select IHG Hotels & Resorts, including Candlewood Suites, Hotel Indigo, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

For what it's worth, all of these hotels are outfitted with TVs from LG, the world's first hotel TV manufacturer to support AirPlay capabilities.

As mentioned at the outset, I got a chance to try AirPlay on iPhone and iPad and already picked up on five ways it will enhance the travel and accommodation experience.

1. Tackle that backlog of Apple TV+ shows

Vacationing gives you a chance to finally cross off one of the many shows piling up on your "need to watch" list of things your friends have recommended to you. However, who wants to do that on a small screen?

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

AirPlay allowed me to stream Apple TV+, and other streaming apps, to the hotel TV. All I needed to do was scan a QR code on the TV. This prompted a "Connect" window to appear on my iPhone, and in just seconds, a giant green checkmark appeared to confirm that it paired with the TV.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Next, I fired up an episode of Palm Royale from Apple TV+ and it appeared on the TV in a flash. My iPhone doubled as a remote of sorts, allowing me to pause, rewind, and skip.

(It's worth noting that you can also fire up SharePlay on the hotel TV, too, which lets you watch synced TV shows and films with other Apple users on FaceTime.)

2. No more scrambling for Wi-Fi passwords

It's also worth noting that once you scan the QR code on the TV (and go through a few short prompts), your iPhone will be connected to the hotel Wi-Fi.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I found this process to be convenient and quick. I no longer need to dig around for my keycard, nor search high and low for information on how to secure the Wi-Fi passcode.

3. Stay active with the Fitness+ app

If you're spending more than a week on vacation or a business trip, and you're accustomed to exercising regularly, not having access to a gym or your kettlebells may be frustrating.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

AirPlay makes it easy to splash the Fitness+ app to the hotel TV. I was able to filter workouts to exclude work equipment, allowing me to follow fitness instructors determined to keep me in shape while I'm away from home.

4. Share your vacation photos with the room

After taking countless selfies and photos during a fun excursion, it's only a matter of time before you'll want to flip through these pictures and share your great captures with loved ones.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Instead of handing them your phone, you can use the screen mirroring feature to put your vacation photos on the big screen.

5. Showing presentations

As a tech journalist, I'm always finding myself in hotels with companies showing off their latest gadgets, products, and services. As such, I've seen several representatives struggling with presenting their decks — it's definitely not a seamless process.

Now, thanks to AirPlay, you can create a presentation via the Keynote app and easily mirror it to the TV with ease.

The new AirPlay availability works with iPhone and iPad — and you can start using it today at select locations. There's AirPlay support for more than 60 IHG hotels in the U.S., but Apple says that it plans to expand to more properties in the coming months.

UPDATE: Apr. 19, 2024, 11:45 a.m. EDT This article was updated to include a note about LG being the world's first hotel TV brand to enable AirPlay. There is also a new mention about SharePlay support.

Meta has a batch of generative AI updates that users will notice on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

On Thursday, Meta announced Llama 3, a new version of its open-source large language model (LLM) and further integrations and updates for Meta AI.

The generative AI chatbot, previously powered by Llama 2, will be updated to use Llama 3. Meta AI also has expanded to 12 new countries (Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) although still only in English for now.

SEE ALSO: Meta's new AI tools will get you shopping even more on Instagram

Meta unveiled Meta AI at its Meta Connect event last September. Previously users could tag Meta AI in a conversation for things like questions about sports stats or finding restaurants while planning a trip. They could also chat with Meta AI directly. According to Connor Hayes, VP of product for generative AI, the driving force behind developing Meta AI is "improving people's day to day life and making it easier for them to do the things that they're already coming to our apps for," said Hayes in a briefing. "So learning, getting things done creating content, getting them connected to the things that they're interested in or care about."

An existing feature lets users ask Meta AI questions on WhatsApp (as well as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger). Credit: Meta

Users will now be able to invoke Meta AI through the search bar on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp and interact with Meta AI directly on posts in the Facebook feed. There's also a new standalone site for Meta.ai, so users can chat with the model like they would with OpenAI ChatGPT or Google Gemini.

The most noticeable updates are the addition of the Meta AI search bar and Meta AI integration in Facebook feeds. Users can ask Meta AI for, say, recipes, and the model will surface relevant Reels or Facebook pages. Through Meta partnerships with Google and Bing, it can also access real time information and provide summaries of search engine results.

Via Giphy

On your Facebook feed, there's a new Meta AI feature that shows up on posts. You can ask for more information about a certain post or click on recommended questions to learn more. Meta's example in the demo shows the ability to learn more about chords from an innocuous video of someone playing the guitar. But we're wondering how it will play into political rants from your elderly aunt or sketchy vaccine advice. As you may remember, Facebook and other social media apps has played a role in spreading inflammatory political and medical misinformation.

Via Giphy

In the accompanying announcement Meta shared its safety and responsibility approach in broad terms. Llama 3 has been stress-tested and refined to restrict discussing "risk areas like weapons, cyber attacks, and child exploitation" and refuse prompts like "How do I kill my neighbor" while allowing prompts like "How do I kill a computer program." Meta also said, "We share information within the features themselves to help people understand that AI might return inaccurate or inappropriate outputs, which is the same for all generative AI systems," as a disclaimer that generative AI doesn't always get it right and could further spread misinformation or entrench biases.

Another thorny issue in generative AI is training data. And yep, Meta may have used your data either via corpora of internet data or directly from the platform. The responsibility post said it excludes or removes data sources "known to contain a high volume of personal information about private individuals," although it doesn't get into specifics about what those sources are.

"Meta Llama models are trained on a combination of sources, including information that is publicly available online and annotated data," said a Meta spokesperson. "The model we use is fine tuned for Meta AI on information from our services along with data from your interactions with Meta AI," which also means your conversations with Meta AI might also be used to train the model.

In response to whether there's an ability to opt out of sharing your data with the model, the Meta spokesperson only pointed to the robots.txt protocol that blocks data scraping from certain websites. You can opt out of sharing training data with a paid version of ChatGPT. But given the fact that Meta AI is a free service, we're guessing your data is the price you pay for using it.

Meta also released a new image generator feature that creates an image in real time as your time. Different from the typical AI image generator which makes an image from your final prompt, this feature changes in real time as you continue typing. Hayes explained that starting from scratch with an image prompt can be intimidating and this is a more approachable way for people to understand how prompts work.

Via Giphy

25% OFF SITEWIDE: As of today, April 18, you can get up to 25% off all Solawave products! Plus, spend $150 and score a free gift.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave 25% off at Solawave Spend $150 and get a FREE gift Shop Now

If your skin's been looking a little tired (honestly, same), Solawave's range of skincare products might be able to help. The brand is known for its collection of celeb-approved beauty gadgets, serums, and moisturizers designed to rejuvenate and nourish the skin. And while these things are usually expensive, the company's been known to offer discounts on special occasions.

SEE ALSO: We tried the celeb-favorite Solawave skincare wand

Right now, Solawave is offering a special Mother's Day promotion way ahead of the holiday. So you can get your mom (or yourself) something nice and save some money in the process.

As of April 18, you can score up to 25% off all Solawave products with the promo code MOM25. Plus, if you spend $150, you'll automatically receive a free gift of the Solabiome Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($24 value).

This promotion includes the coveted 4-in-1 Advanced Skincare Wand, which, according to Mashable reviewer RJ Andersen, is totally worth the cost.

"Immediately after using the red light therapy wand, I was surprised to find that I noticed a slight improvement in my skin," writes Andersen. "By the end of my second week, my skin was definitely looking better: A few hormonal acne scars on my chin had faded, the redness in my cheeks went down, and I swore to my partner that a broken capillary on my cheek had completely disappeared."

The sitewide sale also includes the just-launched Neck & Chest Rejuvenating Mask, which is designed to target the delicate skin in those areas and provide hydration and anti-aging benefits. We haven't tried the mask yet, but it looks pretty intense and promising based on the brand's reputation for effective and innovative skincare products.

SAVE UP TO $400: Select configurations of the M2-powered Apple MacBook Airs (both 13- and 15-inch sizes) are on sale starting at just $849 as of April 18.

Quick links: 13-inch MacBook Air Apple MacBook Air (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo (save $150) Get Deal 15-inch MacBook Air Apple MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499 at Best Buy (save $400) Get Deal

Apple's M2 MacBook Airs continue to be a hot buy for bargain hunters in the wake of its March M3 update.

As of April 18, two variants of the previous-generation laptops were marked down to record-low prices at third-party retailers (yet again). We spotted the base configuration of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air on sale for just $849 at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo, which is $150 off its newly adjusted sticker price. Meanwhile, an upgraded 15-inch M2 MacBook Air with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage was down to $1,499 at Best Buy — that's a whopping $400 off. (It's rare to encounter such big discounts on newer MacBook Airs, even on Black Friday; they usually go to beefed-up MacBook Pro models.)

SEE ALSO: The best time of year to buy a Mac, whether you want a MacBook or iMac

Note that Apple has technically discontinued the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, meaning it no longer sells it in new condition through the Apple Store, but other authorized stores evidently still have some configurations left in their inventories — i.e., get it while you still can.

Older and slightly slower processor aside, the M2 MacBook Airs aren't dramatic downgrades from their newer M3 counterparts. Yes, they lack their successors' closed-lid dual external display and WiFi 6E support, and they don't come in a fingerprint-resistant midnight finish, but they're otherwise virtually identical: You get the same bright Liquid Retina displays, all-day battery lives, snappy backlit Magic Keyboards with Touch ID, port selections, and 1080p FaceTime cameras. If you're looking for a slick, reliable everyday laptop and trying to save a chunk of cash, they're extremely easy to recommend.

Between the 13- and 15-inch M2 models, the main difference there (not counting screen real estate) is their audio setup: The larger MacBook Air has six speakers instead of four.

SAVE $20: As of April 18, get the Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy's Aloha Edition with a digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons for $179 at Walmart. That's $20 off the normal price and a savings of $80 in total.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy's Aloha Edition + "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" Bundle $179.00 at Walmart
$199.00 Save $20.00 Get Deal

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a smaller, more compact version of the popular handheld console, but don't count it out as one of the best ways to enjoy some of your favorite games on the go. Even better are the limited editions with special designs and artwork that make the Lite an even more fun console to own. If you're still looking to get a Switch, now's a good time to grab one thanks to a great deal at Walmart.

As of April 18, you can get the Nintendo Switch Lite Timmy & Tommy's Aloha Edition for just $179 at Walmart. That's $20 off its original price. It comes with a full digital download of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which means you're saving a total of $80 by not having to purchase the game separately.

SEE ALSO: These Nintendo Switch controllers with RGB lights are only $35

This Switch lite is a fun teal color with plenty of Animal Crossing accents. It has a brown leaf logo on the front of the system as well as a fun white leaf pattern on the back of the unit. Everything else is your standard Lite setup, perfectly sized to fit your hands while remaining lightweight and comfortable to game on. Keep in mind that this model is digital-only and does not play Nintendo Switch cartridges. It also cannot be docked to play on your TV.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the most popular games on the Switch. Journey to a desert island and develop your own private space into a tropical getaway that welcomes anthropomorphic animal visitors and residents. You'll make friends, catch bugs, craft items, welcome merchants, and do much more as you grow your island into a bustling community. Share your space with friends, save up resources, and make an even bigger area. There's so much to do it might make your head spin.

Ready to get your game on? Nab this set and you'll be embedded with all your animal friends in no time.

SAVE 13%: The JLab JBuds Lux active noise cancellation over-ear headphones are on sale for $69.99 at Amazon, down from the usual price of $79.99. That's a savings of $10.

Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux active noise cancellation headphones $69.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

It's hard to live without a solid pair of headphones these days. Between new music, podcasts, YouTube videos, and audiobooks, we're always tuned in thanks to our headphones. If you're not a huge fan of earbuds but don't want a massively bulky pair of over-the-ear headphones, today's deal at Amazon is perfect.

As of April 18, the JLab JBuds Lux active noise cancellation over-ear headphones are on sale for $69.99, marked down from the list price of $79.99. That's a 13% discount or a savings of $10. This is the first time we've seen these headphones on sale at Amazon since their release.

SEE ALSO: Our 8 favorite noise-cancelling headphones that actually work

With 40mm drivers, the JLab JBuds Lux headphones emphasize sound quality. If desired, switch on the active noise cancellation (ANC) and tune out external sounds up to 25 decibels, or you can switch on Be Aware mode to keep up with the sounds around you.

The JLab JBuds Lux ANC also focus on comfort, with an over-ear design and one-inch Cloud Foam cushioning that's designed to fit the natural shape of the ear. There are also adjustable hinges on the headband so you can get a more customized fit.

When it comes to storage, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC have rotating and foldable earcups, so they take up less space when tucked away into a backpack or work bag.

Expect to get at least 70 hours of playtime on a single charge with the JBuds Lux ANC, or 40 hours if you listen in ANC mode.

If your current headphones aren't cutting it in terms of comfort or sound quality, today's your chance to score the JLab JBuds Lux ANC at their first discounted price on Amazon for just $69.99.

SAVE $600: As of April 18, get the Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphone for $499.99 at Woot!. That's a 55% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot! Google Pixel 7 Pro (512GB) $499.99 at Woot!
$1,099.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal

Want a new phone, but aren't feeling an iPhone or Galaxy device? There are still tons of options out there, including Google's flagship Pixel series. If you haven't yet explored these powerful little devices, now might be a great time to defect from the two powerhouse manufacturers and give a Pixel phone a spin. You can save big if you plan to do just that right now by shopping at Woot!

As of April 18, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is just $499.99 at Woot!, which is $600 off its normal price and a discount of 55%. This sale price applies to the 512GB version in both Obsidian and Snow colorways.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 is rumored to steal this iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 feature

The Pixel 7 Pro may not be the newest smartphone in town, given that the Pixel 8 series is already available, but there's nothing wrong with going back a generation to save some cash. And this model is no slouch. Powered by Google's Tensor G2 processor, it's a zippy, reliable device with an impressive 24-hour battery life that can even stretch to 72 when using Extreme Battery Saver mode.

It boasts a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5x telephoto lens and an upgraded ultrawide lens with powerful Macro Focus for detailed photos, and the Titan M2 security chip to help give you an additional layer of security. Of course, all this comes with all the usual features you'd expect out of an Android phone as well as support for Google Assistant and VPN by Google One. Plus, it's safe from drops, dust, and water with IP68 protection.

Now's a good time to get one of these powerful little phones at this great price. And if you like it, you can keep an eye out for the Google Pixel 9 to rear its head in the coming months.

Thriller, comedy, and romance jumble together in the trailer for Hit Man, Richard Linklater's new Netflix movie about a fake assassin getting into a relationship with one of his clients.

A man of many disguises, Gary Johnson (Glen Powell, who also co-wrote the film with Linklater) is a professor with a strange side hustle: he works for the police as a pretend assassin. But things go from complicated to even more complicated when he becomes romantically involved with a client (Adria Arjona), who may be more sinister than she seems.

How to watch: Hit Man is in select theaters from May 24, and streaming on Netflix from June 7.

Buckle up, content creators — the all-new Adobe Express mobile app is now available on iOS and Android, and it’s packing a fresh glow-up with its bundle of new generative AI tools. In a nutshell, the same intuitive features powered by Adobe’s creative generative AI (Firefly) originally available only on the Adobe Express desktop version, are now ready for you to take anywhere.

Adobe Express, the all-in-one AI content creation app, is faster and easier to use than before. Start a post, edit a video, create a mood board or collage, or remove the background on a photo or video in an instant. Or begin a social post for work using Adobe Express on your desktop, then finish, schedule, and publish your project from wherever you are. You can also collaborate with your team in real-time from anywhere, dialing in a more seamless on-the-go workflow. 

Whether you’re a freelancer looking to collaborate more efficiently with your clients, a small business owner trying to establish your brand, or a lifestyle influencer crafting on-trend content for your feed, here’s everything you need to know to take your content creation to the next level. 

Insert, remove, or replace objects in a snap 

The Adobe Express Generative Fill feature lets you easily insert, remove, or replace objects with just a few taps, so you can tweak and customize your images and videos in a flash. Whether you want to add a surfboard or a colorful lei, or replace an entire object or background for a social post or flier, Adobe Express takes the complication out of creating.

This AI feature is ideal for social media managers and influencers looking to generate professional-quality content while saving lots of time. Place and prop yourself or your brand anywhere in seconds — even on a deserted beach in Hawaii.

Give your messaging a fantastic AI text makeover

Want to give social content promoting your clothing line a more '90s vibe? Adobe Express has over 28,000 fonts that can give your post a unique look. You can also create text that’s entirely new using the generative AI Text Effects tool to add super cool textures, giving your content even more wow factor. 

Best practice is to start with a thicker font to really make the texture of the font pop, and then type in your own specific descriptions, like "3D rendered shiny blue" or "static zigzags." Next, hit generate, then pick from dozens of options and see your vision come to life in seconds. 

Uplevel your small-biz branding

No more doomscrolling to track down and collect the perfect images for your inspiration boards. The Adobe Express Text to Image tool makes it super easy to create stunning AI-generated images with just a few words and taps. If you’re launching a dog party planning gig, for example, you can start generating colorful images of dogs in party hats or dogs dancing to a DJ to compile your visual inspiration. If you can’t find a template that fits "dogs dancing to a DJ," use the new Text to Template feature to create fully editable templates that are uniquely yours.

Once you land on a look and feel you like, use the brand kit tool in Adobe Express Premium to drop your preferred fonts, colors, and logos into your content. Then once your next dog party is around the corner, you can easily apply your branding to your social posts, invites, and more to give the content a quick and cohesive look in just a few clicks.

Tap into seamless content creation

In addition to the easy-to-use generative AI tools now available on mobile, Adobe Express is loaded with a collection of other helpful features to streamline content creation. Launch a project by choosing from countless professionally designed templates and hundreds of thousands of Adobe stock videos and image assets. Then, drop in your images or videos into the all-in-one editor to add audio tracks, create captions, and resize videos to fit your favorite platforms — all from the convenience of your phone. Bonus: Adobe Firefly generative AI is designed to be safe for commercial use.

If you need a little extra help making your videos stand out on TikTok, you can move from mobile to the desktop version and use the handy TikTok Creative Assistant. This video tool can help you brainstorm creative ideas for videos and find the latest trends, hashtags, and insights so that your post reaches the right audiences with greater impact. Then pick up your project on the mobile app once you're done and ready to share! 

The new Adobe Express mobile app makes designing and editing high-quality content while on-the-go easy, regardless of your skill level, with intuitive tools and features in both the free and Premium versions. Whether you’re using Adobe Express to elevate fliers for your side gig or editing travel videos and photos for your feed, these new generative AI tools will seriously help push your creative boundaries over the top.

Download the all-new Adobe Express mobile app now to try out all the innovative AI features and start creating standout content today, whenever and wherever you are!

Opens in a new window Credit: Adobe Express Adobe Express Packing mind-blowing Adobe Firefly generative AI features. Shop Now

If you’re single and extremely online, you’ll have noticed a particular disdain for dating right now, especially when it comes to dating apps. More specifically, you’ll have noticed that everyone is being the absolute worst. 

Ask around and all the daters you know will likely echo sentiments of dating becoming a chore and matches exhibiting more rude, dismissive, and even abusive behaviour than ever. Social media is flooded with stories of dating app matches treating potential partners as prizes, and of ghosting, being love bombed, breadcrumbed, getting stood up, left on read, even a date bringing two matches to a date at once without their consent. 

It’s having a profound effect on our feelings towards dating, leaving a lot of us feeling insecure, and worried that love might not happen for us. Essentially, we’ve entered an era of selfish dating. It feels like everyone opening the apps is doing so with an "every man for himself attitude" and we’re looking for ways to boost ourselves rather than foster genuine connections.

We’ve entered an era of selfish dating...

But why is everyone being so awful? Speaking to experts in the field of love and sex, Mashable uncovers why so many people are struggling with this, and how on earth we can fix it.  

The dating 'grindset' 

It seems we’re all behaving inappropriately when it comes to dating right now, but none of us quite understand why, or how to stop. Katherine Angel, academic and author of Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again: Women and Desire in the Age of Consent, says a big part of rising selfish behaviour in dating is looking at dating as economic and treating it as either an investment or waste of our time. 

Take this Reddit post for instance which went viral back in July, where a man asked a woman out for ice cream and she took that as a red flag, deeming it childish, and ended their connection abruptly. Or, you might take the viral TikTok which dominated headlines, wherein a woman invoiced dates for the time she wasted on them.

SEE ALSO: The best dating apps and sites in April 2024

Angel says viewing dating, even when it doesn’t work out, as a waste of time is a "sinister way to look at life" but we’re all doing it because it's encouraged by capitalism. 

"The modern capitalist system we all exist under wants us to optimise our time as much as possible so we have a money-making mindset, which benefits the economy," she explains. This ideology values quick success over the slow-burning kind, and we’re applying that thinking to our dating lives as well as our work. 

The modern capitalist system we all exist under wants us to optimise our time as much as possible so we have a money-making mindset, which benefits the economy.

Treating someone to have wasted your time, whether you invoice them, berate them, or internalise the feeling, implies to Angel that you’re looking at your dating life as work. 

She explains that this is an "economic model of human relations that many of us have started to view our lives through by default."

Angel notes looking at relationships in this economic way is part of the toxic self improvement movement that’s been on the rise, the "grindset," if you will. 

We’re often overwhelmed by content online, wherein people are stuck in a perpetual cycle of self-analysis, improvement, and repeat, and they influence others to fall into the trap with them. 

Dating apps unfortunately suit this window shopping mentality for finding connections. 

Angel notes that vulnerability, which is needed for fostering romantic connections, isn’t really encouraged on dating apps because we can switch off as soon as we’re uncomfortable, or as soon as we see something we don’t like or say something cruel without thinking about the impact it might have on the other person.

She says dating apps have the irony of feeling very public, but actually being too private. "You’re not getting outside of yourself enough. You're encountering the apps kind of on your own, locked into your own experience."

SEE ALSO: The dating app glossary: The A to Z of terms you need to know

She adds, "There’s this illusion of ease and less friction [that comes with dating apps] and maybe it does make it easier for us to meet people and it may be sexually fulfilling too but you have to be out of your comfort zone to make connections. It’s not supposed to be easy." 

Increasingly, Angel finds herself becoming more sceptical of online dating as a good way to meet people, adding that what we’ve essentially done with our dating lives is made ourselves products and the vehicles of dating app companies’ profits. So, no wonder we’re behaving like capitalists when dating — even offline.

'Me' Culture 

Dating apps are not responsible for this specific selfishness, though. Rather, they are a symptom of a wider culture problem. 

This economic thinking Angel challenges has created an innate selfish culture in dating, especially between heterosexual men and women — who most of the dating complaints seem to come from. 

Many of us are heading to connections with a "me first" attitude, which Jessica Alderson, a dating expert at dating app So Synced, says is iterated by viral trends on social media like the “dump him” trend which treat humans like collectable (and disposable) commodities. 

We’ve also reached a point where descriptions like "high value men/women" applied to the people we match with in the dating pool have achieved virality repeatedly and have entered the cultural lexicon in a sincere way. We’re talking about each other, even and especially romantically, like commodities.

Alderson says there’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first in dating, and "we are all responsible for protecting our own energy and well-being and we are the only ones who truly know our own needs and boundaries."

But somewhere along this self-prioritisation became straight-up selfishness. Hooks argues in All About Love that capitalism and patriarchy, the latter being a product of the former, have created a "me culture," in society, a mass hyper-individualism that looks an awful lot like narcissism… but is under the guise of self-care or protection of personal safety. 

SEE ALSO: Viral Hinge message shows major problem with dating app culture

Alderson adds that this "me culture" has been exacerbated by social media. "For many people, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are their primary sources of information for navigating the complex world of modern relationships. Social media users are now exposed to curated and often unrealistic portrayals of dating expectations, and this has perpetuated a distorted perception of what a "successful" dating experience should look like," she says. 

She adds that specific dating "standards" and "rules," such as only going on a second date if a certain amount of money is spent on the first or only sleeping with broke guys and saving dating for rich men, are publicised by viral content that promotes unrealistic and unhealthy rules for dating. This kind of mindset in dating has, in turn, left a lot of people with ridiculously rigid and specific criteria for their ideal partners — something no one can realistically achieve. 

Alderson explains, "Of course, we should always be mindful of our own needs and boundaries when dating, but it’s important to question where our expectations are coming from and whether they align with our personal values."

There’s nothing wrong with putting ourselves first, but only thinking of yourself, treating people as interchangeable or disposable items or expecting romantic partnerships to involve endless joy and abandoning anyone who doesn’t fit your personal criteria 100 percent of the time as though they’re a faulty product. You are not really putting yourself first if no one is second. 

And when you’re on the receiving end of that kind of "me" obsession, it’s deflating, upsetting, and even heartbreaking. No wonder that 1 in 4 people feel unworthy of a partner, according to Bumble. 

When self protection becomes self sabotage

It’s particularly interesting that the majority of dating woes are coming from heterosexual daters, as Angel notes our gender roles (cultural scripts the sexes are supposed to follow such as acting masculine or feminine, going to work vs doing the housework, and being heterosexual) have an affect on our dating fears. 

A quick scroll through Reddit and the myriad opinion pieces, YouTube videos and podcasts complaining about dating from straight people right now, point to an uptick in selfish dating from women specifically. 

Think dumping men over their salaries, insisting that men should always pay the bill, and expecting to be treated like nothing short of a princess (and needing proof of capabilities to provide it) before agreeing to leave the house to meet with men. 

The incels, alpha males and "men’s rights activists" of the internet would have you believe this is "feminism gone mad" and that dating is currently easier for women, but there’s more to it. 

Angel argues that in a post-Me Too era, many women are going into dating guarded, worried about what they could possibly endure from men. After all, at least 57 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment on dating apps. 

"Whenever you see people acting in unreasonable or cruel ways, chances are they're frightened of something," Angel explains. This plays into our scripted gender roles as men are raised to fear humiliation and act violently to avoid it. In turn, women learn to protect men from humiliation by not upsetting or rejecting them. 

"Women have been treated very badly by men in the dating realm," Angel says. "It makes perfect sense that a lot of women go into the dating scene now feeling vulnerable. There is a risk of unpleasant behaviour at best and bullying, harassment, coercion, manipulation or even assault at worst," she adds. 

For men, they may fear rejection or humiliation and, as a defence mechanism, strike with selfishness before they are hit with it themselves. 

Angel notes that these fears are completely valid and fair, but they ultimately hold us back. This is where what we mistake as "self care" or "self preservation" actually becomes self sabotage. And to outsiders, it just looks plain selfish. 

In All About Love, bell hooks tells us that "love cannot coexist with neglect, nor with fear" but that there’s a "falsehood that love or intimacy can be acquired without risk." 

Angel says this is the human dilemma of dating. "If we want to encounter pleasure through our interactions with others, we risk getting hurt," Angel says. 

It’s time to radically rethink how we approach dating. We’re encapsulated in a system that gives us uncomfortable scripts, and we’re lashing out at each other, becoming too insular, scared, competitive and, yeah, selfish, to properly connect. But as all-consuming as capitalism might seem, systems are merely systems. They’re not truly real. We have the means to remove capitalist thinking from our own immediate networks, including the dating pool, just by simply treating people as people, not commodities. 

Confronting that this influence is happening is the first step to rethinking the way we think about prospective partners, and fixing how we approach them, and how we’ll hopefully, eventually, love them. All we want is more care and more love. To receive that, we have to be giving it too. 

Slack has a new generative AI tool that's like a morning newsletter for your messages.

On Thursday, the popular workplace messaging platform announced a new "Recap" feature that compiles a daily summary of important conversations. Users can choose specific channels they want to keep tabs on — and Recap will compile daily summaries that can be accessed in the sidebar.

The recaps include specific people mentioned and links to the location of the messages in the channel.

How Slack AI features aim to save you from the daunting wall of messages SEE ALSO: Slack is about to TL;DR your lengthy work threads

As Slack VP of Product Jackie Rocca explained, it's a way of staying on top of developments that don't necessarily require your urgent input. "Maybe I don't need that [conversation] to pull me out of my flow of work and I want to have this sort of daily digital newspaper to give me a summary of what's happening in these conversations."

Catch up on daily conversations with the recap channel on the sidebar. Credit: Slack

Slack also announced expanded access to other generative AI features that were previously only available to Slack Enterprise users, which is the maximum subscription tier. The summary tool (uses AI to summarize conversations you may have missed) and the internal search tool (understands natural language queries to find relevant messages) are now available as an add-on to all of the paid Slack plans.

Rocca wouldn't disclose which large language model Slack AI uses, but said the models are completely hosted on their virtual cloud, so data stays within Slack's servers. It also doesn't use any customer data to train its models.

For an extra $10 a month, you can get these three Slack AI features for Pro and Business+ accounts. Enterprise users are instructed to get in touch about pricing with their current plans. Sorry, free Slack users; you'll have to upgrade if you want some AI magic to help you sort through your messages.

UPDATE: Apr. 19, 2024, 11:21 a.m. EDT This story has been updated to clarify the different Slack AI pricing options for Pro/Business+ accounts and Enterprise accounts.

TL;DR: Watch 2024 F1 live streams for free on ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Do you love watching incredibly talented drivers in unbelievably fast cars? Of course you do.

F1 brings together the best of the best to battle it out on the track. Sure, Max Verstappen has dominated the field in recent years, and that doesn't look like it's changing anytime soon. But we remain hopeful. This could be the year when things become a lot more competitive. It doesn't look particularly likely at this early stage, but things could change.

If you are interested in watching F1 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

2024 F1 calendar

The 2024 F1 season features 24 races held all over the world between March and December:

1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir) — March 2

2. Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah) — March 9

3. Australian GP (Melbourne) — March 24

4. Japan GP (Suzuka) — April 7

5. China GP (Shanghai) — April 21

6. Miami GP (Miami) — May 5

7. Emilia Romagna GP (Imola) — May 19

8. Monaco GP (Monaco) — May 26

9. Canada GP (Montreal) — June 9

10. Spain GP (Barcelona) — June 23

11. Austria GP (Spielberg) — June 30

12. United Kingdom GP (Silverstone) — July 7

13. Hungary GP (Budapest) — July 21

14. Belgium GP (Spa) — July 28

15. Netherlands GP (Zandvoort) — Aug. 25

16. Italy GP (Monza) — Sept. 1

17. Azerbaijan GP (Baku) — Sept. 15

18. Singapore GP (Singapore) — Sept. 22

19. USA GP (Austin) — Oct. 20

20. Mexico GP (Mexico City) — Oct. 27

21. Brazil GP (Sao Paulo) — Nov. 3

22. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas) — Nov. 23

23. Qatar GP (Lusail) — Dec. 1

24. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina) — Dec. 8

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. China, Miami, Austria, USA, Brazil, and Qatar will each host a sprint weekend this season.

How to watch F1 for free

The good news is that it is possible to stream F1 for free in 2024. The following platforms are offering free coverage of this season:

• Australia — 10Play (only Australian Grand Prix)

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

• Belgium — RTBF (every race)

• Luxembourg — RTL ZWEE (every race)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from outside the country of origin. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access these streaming services to watch F1 for free from anywhere in the world.

Unblock these free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria, Belgium, or Luxembourg

4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE

5. Watch F1 races from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races for free.

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 F1?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs out there, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming F1 for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch F1 races for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.

Watch the 2024 F1 season for free with ExpressVPN.

A creepy medical facility, a job on nightwatch, and a serial killer who enjoys taking his victims' scalps is the recipe for Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever, Ole Bornedal's follow-up to his 1994 cult movie.

The new story features some of the cast from the original Nightwatch, with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau reprising his role as Martin, this time looking on as his daughter Emma (Fanny Leander Bornedal) takes his old job to try to come to terms with what happened to her parents. Kim Bodnia and Ulf Pilgaard also return in their original roles.

How to watch: Nightwatch: Demons Are Forever is streaming on Shudder from May 17.

TikTok's not usually one to copy features from its competitors; in fact, it's been the other way around for a while now. But the video app's answer to photo sharing apps like Instagram is here, with TikTok Notes rolling out in select countries.

After several leaks heralding the arrival of the app, TikTok Notes is now available in Australia and Canada for "limited testing" according to the company. It's a separate, free photo sharing app run by TikTok where users can share photos with written captions and browse a central feed of posts by people they follow. Of course, users can link their TikTok accounts to Notes to log in.

Our Australian team can see this in the App Store. Credit: Mashable composite: Amanda Yeo / TikTok / App Store

In the app description, TikTok describes Notes as "a lifestyle platform that offers informative photo-text content about people's lives, where you can see individuals sharing their travel tips, daily recipes."

SEE ALSO: Twitch is ready to roll out its TikTok-like Discovery Feed to everyone

"We're in the early stages of experimenting with a dedicated space for photo and text content with TikTok Notes," the company wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

"We hope that the TikTok community will use TikTok Notes to continue sharing their moments through photo posts," the thread continued. "Whether documenting adventures, expressing creativity, or simply sharing snapshots of one's day, the TikTok Notes experience is designed for those who would like to share and engage through photo content."

Tweet may have been deleted

While the posts themselves resemble Instagram's post and caption format, the central feed where users can "discover" posts also looks like Pinterest or TikTok's own search feed.

It's an interesting move for TikTok, directly imitating a competitor like Instagram and moving into the photo sharing space when its foothold in video is so firmly wedged. However, in a time where TikTok's future in the U.S. remains unclear, there's no time like the present for the company to expand horizons with newfangled platforms.

Tesla owners: Your cars are (probably) getting better this spring.

Earlier this week, Tesla posted a list of software updates that are coming as part of the company's upcoming "Spring Release."

Some of these things we already knew about, some are completely new, and some that may come aren't mentioned. Let's dig in.

Tweet may have been deleted

First important takeaway from Tesla's unusually revealing post: these are the "highlights" from the upcoming software release, indicating that more is coming. Another one, especially painful for owners of older Teslas: a lot of these changes, while exciting, are only for newer Tesla cars, dated 2021 or later.

The official list of improvements coming to Teslas

As for what is most definitely coming, at least according to Tesla, here's the list:

• Visual updates, with a pretty big overhaul of the entire UI (as seen in the image above).

  Do note that this is only for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y cars with an AMD chip. This means that if your car is older than December 2021, it's probably not getting this part of the update as the built-in Intel Atom chip cannot support it.

• Music playback controls are getting larger, with quick access to Recents, Favorites, and Up Next in the media player.

• Spotify app for Teslas is also getting better, with the ability to sync your Spotify queue across cars and devices, as well as adjust playback speed.

• Amazon's audiobook platform Audible is also coming as a native media app.

• Autopilot driving visualizations will now be represented as an expandable, small map in the top right for trip guidance.

• Auto Shift (beta), meaning your car will now automatically shift between Drive (D) and Reverse (R) based on surroundings. For example, if there's an obstacle in front of you, the car will automatically shift into R.

  This is only for Model S and Model X cars dated 2021 and later.

• Hands-Free Trunk (for Model S, X and 2021 and later, as well as the upgraded Model 3 (Highland) which launched in 2023 - if you stand still behind your trunk with your Phone Key, the trunk will open on its own.

  We're eager to see more explanations on this one; for example, why isn't Model Y mentioned at all (perhaps the upgraded (Juniper) version, reportedly coming later this year, is getting it). Also, will it also work with the key fob, or is it reserved only for the Phone Key?

  Stand still behind the trunk with the phone in your pocket, and the trunk will automagically open. Credit: Tesla

• Select countries (unnamed) are also getting previews of Sentry Mode recordings on their phone if the alarm is triggered.

  This is activated by pressing and holding the notification you get on the phone.

  Someone triggering your car alarm? Check out what's happening on your phone. Credit: Tesla

• Increased regenerative braking on the highway (for Model S and X dated 2021 and later).

  These cars will now allow for more regenerative braking at high speeds, meaning more battery life overall.

• Rear passengers will see more info on the rear touchscreen display, including current trip details, time and temperature.

Wait, there's more

Ok, so that's the official word on what's coming. Are there any more rumored or unmentioned changes? Well, yes, though they are mostly minor.

Not a Tesla App claims that the update will also bring full-screen browser support, which is particularly important if you're going to be using it for video streaming. Navigation will start offering faster routes when they become available. You'll be able to set up the sound of chimes to ring when you approach a speed camera. Wiper controls are getting better, with the ability to adjust wiper speed by moving the left scroll wheel up or down. Finally, Tesla owners will be able to check whether their car is compatible with some of these new features by navigating to Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Info.

When is it all coming?

There's no official word on that, but Not a Tesla App claims the update is already rolling out to Tesla employees. If that is so, it's reasonable to expect this update to arrive within weeks. Technically, given that Tesla is calling it a "Spring Release," it shouldn't arrive later than June 20.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 18 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 18

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 18, 2024:

AcrossBluegrass instrument

• The answer is banjo.

Audible way to think

• The answer is aloud.

"Aladdin" character whose first line is "Oy! 10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck!"

• The answer is Genie.

Members of a company's C-suite

• The answer is execs.

Behind schedule

• The answer is late.

DownThe schmear goes here

The answer is bagel.

Amazon's assistant

• The answer is Alexa.

Group of nine

• The answer is nonet.

Battery life, informally

• The answer is juice.

Poems like "To Autumn" and "To a Skylark"

• The answer is Odes.