Blogroll

OpenAI's rumored ChatGPT search engine is reportedly launching on Monday. Oh, and that happens to be a day before Google's flagship developer conference.

Initially believed to launch on May 9 or sometime this week, now the Google Search rival is expected May 13 — right before Google I/O, according to Reuters.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic's ChatGPT rival Claude is now available on iOS What might a ChatGPT search engine be like?

A ChatGPT search engine may look like an existing Google experiment called SGE (Search Generative Experience) which provides chatbot responses at the top of the search page, followed by the traditional list of links. SGE is still in a testing ground, although it is quietly creeping into some non-testers search queries.

The original ChatGPT is already considered an alternative to a search engine. Its current knowledge cutoff date is May 2023, making it a useful resource for general information-gathering in a conversational chat interface. For a brief time, ChatGPT was connected to the internet through an integration with Microsoft Bing, but it was disabled because the chatbot was able to get past paywalled content.

This, plus an ongoing struggle between publishers and OpenAI over scraping their stories without credit or compensation has made ChatGPT's position as an aggregator of newsworthy information controversial. Currently, OpenAI is dealing with lawsuits from The New York Times and other news outlets over plagiarism and copyright infringement, while inking licensing deals with the Axel Springer, the Financial Times, and Dotdash Meredith to use their content to train its AI models and surface information from their sites.

Other sites have simply blocked OpenAI from crawling their pages for content to feed the company's AI models.

How ongoing licensing disputes will impact a ChatGPT search engine — the ostensible purpose of which is to surface real-time information — remains unclear. What is clear is that OpenAI is taking a direct shot at Google. In case you've been living under a rock that doesn't have internet access, Google completely dominates the search engine market. A ChatGPT search engine would be a direct attempt to compete with Google Search.

Microsoft Bing's AI-powered search engine (now rebranded as Copilot) hasn't really made a dent in Google's search market dominance. But it hasn't stopped others from trying to take Google's crown. Perplexity AI founded by former OpenAI and Google employees is a search engine that uses a collection of LLMs, and currently has a $1 billion valuation. So OpenAI's search engine would be competing against the old guard and new startups nipping at its heels.

And step one is upstaging Google at its own party.

GET $10 BACK WITH GIFT CARD PURCHASE: Through May 12, get a $10 Target gift card when you shop at least $75 in select Choice gift cards at Target.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target Select gift cards Get a $10 Target gift card when you buy at least $75 in select Choice gift cards at Target Shop Now

Buying presents for mom can be tough, especially if she's the type of person who already seems to have everything. Sometimes it's better to just let the mother figure in your life buy exactly what she wants. That's where Choice gift cards come in; the funds from one gift card can go to several different retailers so the giftee can shop as they please. And you can get a little extra back if you buy some at Target through Mother's Day.

Through May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a free $10 Target gift card when you shop at least $75 in select Choice gift cards at Target in-store or online. That's a little something for mom and yourself, or you can be generous and give the extra to mom as well. The $10 gift card back means you're technically saving $10 on your overall purchase.

SEE ALSO: Grab these last-minute Mother's Day deals just in time for mom's big day

Target's Choice gift cards unite a handful of brands and retailers under one easy-to-use gift card, letting shoppers pick between thoughtful themes like travel, dining, and beauty. From Ulta and Nordstrom to Southwest and Airbnb, you can find plenty of mom's favorite brands in one convenient place.

Shop Target's Choice gift card promotion by May 12 to earn a $10 Target gift card.

On Jan. 6, 2021, QAnon conspiracy theorists played a significant role in inciting Donald Trump supporters to storm the Capitol building in D.C., hoping to overturn the 2020 election in favor of Trump.

Days later, Twitter suspended tens of thousands of QAnon accounts, effectively banning most users who promote the far-right conspiracy theory. 

Now, a new study from Newsguard has uncovered that since Elon Musk acquired the company, QAnon has had a resurgence on X, formerly Twitter, over the past year.

QAnon grows on X

Tracking commonly used QAnon phrases like "QSentMe," "TheGreatAwakening," and "WWG1WGA" (which stands for "Where We Go One, We Go All"), Newsguard found that these QAnon-related slogans and hashtags have increased a whopping 1,283 percent on X under Musk.

From May 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024, there were 1.12 million mentions of these QAnon supporter phrases on X. This was a huge uptick from the 81,100 mentions just one year earlier from May 1, 2022 to May 1, 2023.

One of the most viral QAnon-related posts of the year, on the "Frazzledrip" conspiracy, has received more than 21.8 million views, according to the report. Most concerning, however, is that it was posted by a right-wing influencer who has specifically received support from Musk.

The Jan. 2024 tweet was posted by @dom_lucre, a user with more than 1.2 million followers who commonly posts far-right conspiracy theories. In July 2023, @dom_lucre was suspended on then-Twitter. Responding to @dom_lucre's supporters, Musk shared at the time that @dom_lucre was "suspended for posting child exploitation pictures."

Sharing child sexual abuse material or CSAM would result in a permanent ban on most platforms. However, Musk decided to personally intervene in favor of @dom_lucre and reinstated his account.

Since then, @dom_lucre has posted about how he earns thousands of dollars directly from X. The company allows him to monetize his conspiratorial posts via the platform's official creator monetization program.

Musk has also previously voiced his support for Jacob Chansely, a QAnon follower known as the "QAnon Shaman," who served prison time for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

The dangers of QAnon 

QAnon's adherents follow a number of far-right conspiracy theories, but broadly (and falsely) believe that former President Trump has been secretly battling against a global cabal of Satanic baby-eating traffickers, who just happen to primarily be made up of Democratic Party politicians and Hollywood elites.

Unfortunately, these beliefs have too often turned deadly. Numerous QAnon followers have been involved in killings fueled by their beliefs. In 2022, one Michigan man killed his wife before being fatally shot in a standoff with police. His daughter said her father spiraled out of control as he fell into the QAnon conspiracies. In 2021, another QAnon conspiracy theorists killed his two young children, claiming that his wife had "Serpent DNA" and his children were monsters.

Of course, QAnon never completely disappeared from social media platforms. Its followers still espoused their beliefs albeit in a more coded manner over the past few years to circumvent social media platforms' policies. Now, though, QAnon believers are once again being more open about their radical theories.

The looming November 2024 Presidential election likely plays a role in the sudden resurgence of QAnon on X, as QAnon-believing Trump supporters look to help their chosen candidate. However, Musk and X have actively welcomed these users to their social media service, eagerly providing them with a platform to spread their dangerous falsehoods.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1149.99 with on-page coupon (save $149.01) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Ninja Woodfire Pizza Oven $279.99 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Roborock Q7 Max robot vacuum and mop $299.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal BEST TECH DEAL 2022 Apple iPad Air (WiFi, 256GB) $599 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal

Whether you're looking for a last-minute Mother's Day gift or simply want to do a little retail therapy heading into the weekend, you can save up to 50% at Amazon today with our top deal picks. We've already scoured the pages of deals to find the best ones worth your hard-earned cash on May 10.

Here are the best Amazon deals of the day. Make sure to look back at our top picks for May 8 and May 9 as well — many of those are still live.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Amazon deal of the day: 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,149.99 at Amazon
$1,299.00 Save $149.01 with on-page coupon Get Deal

It may not appear much different from the M2 MacBook Air on the outside, but the new M3 model packs a punch on the inside. Besides the zippier M3 chip — which is an impressive 60 percent faster than the M1 chip and about 15 percent faster than the M2 chip — it also features WiFi 6E and has support for up to two 5K, 60Hz external displays (when it's closed). Mashable's Kimberly Gideon tested it out and was highly impressed with its powerful performance. "The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air continues to blur the line of the Air and Pro models, providing ample “oomph” for creatives, professionals, and students who need robust performance that can handle their multifaceted workflows," she writes. As of May 10, the base model for the 15-inch M3 Air (with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD) is down to just $1,149.99 at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon. That's a total of $149.01 in savings and its lowest price on record.

Read our full review of the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Woodfire Pizza Oven $279.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $120.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Turn your patio into an outdoor kitchen with the Ninja Woodfire Pizza Oven, an eight-in-one device that can whip up delicious pizza, roast, broil, bake, smoke, dehydrate, and more. A pizza oven at heart, though, you can create artisan pizzas in just a few minutes with five different options to choose from: Neapolitan, thin crust, New York, pan, or frozen. If you use it to cook something other than pizza, its massive capacity can squeeze in a 12-pound turkey, nine-pound pork shoulder, 12-pound prime rib dinner with veggies, and a standard casserole dish. Typically $399.99, you can save $120 at Amazon as of May 10 and snag it at an all-time low of $279.99 with the on-page coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Q7 Max robot vacuum and mop $299.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

If you're late with spring cleaning this season, do yourself a favor and grab a robot that can tackle two different tasks for you: vacuuming and mopping. The Roborock Q7 Max is on sale for 50% off at Amazon as of May 10 and fits the bill with its powerful 4200 Pa suction and electronic pump with 30 water flow levels. It also offers precise mapping of your home, a 180-minute runtime, and support for the Auto Empty Dock Pure (which is currently out of stock). Snag it on sale for only $299.99, its lowest price on record, for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2022 Apple iPad Air (WiFi, 256GB) $599.00 at Amazon
$749.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal

The new iPad Air is here, which means the previous generation is back down to its all-time low price. As of May 10, you can score the 2022 iPad Air with WiFi and 256GB for only $599 instead of $749. That's 20% in savings and knocks the 256GB model down to the price of the 64GB model. It may not sport the latest M3 chip, but the 2022 iPad Air is "elegant, powerful, and versatile enough for both casual users and professionals," according to Mashable's Stan Schroeder. It may technically be out of date in 2024, but make no mistake: the M1 chip is still extremely powerful.

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

Asus is adding onto the rapidly accelerating market for handheld gaming PCs.

About a year after launching the ROG Ally as a Windows-based competitor to the Steam Deck, Asus is back with its own version of the Steam Deck OLED. According to the Verge, this new version of the ROG Ally will be called the ROG Ally X.

SEE ALSO: MSI Claw could fix the biggest problem with Steam Deck Asus ROG Ally X: Everything we know

The Asus ROG Ally X be an iteration of the previous model rather than a straight up sequel. After all, it's the ROG Ally X, not the ROG Ally 2.

What that means is the AMD Z1 Extreme chipset and 120Hz display powering the original ROG Ally are still intact and unchanged, but there are other internal improvements. Asus SVP Shawn Yen told The Verge to expect more than a "30 to 40 percent" increase in battery life, for example, without giving away the actual specs of the device ahead of its June 2 unveiling.

The device could also allow for a wider variety of SSD upgrades and increased repairability, but again, we'll have to wait a few weeks to find out more details.

As much as I love the Steam Deck OLED, I'm down for more competition in the handheld PC space. It's just wild to think that almost nobody played PC games this way two years ago.

We're only in the middle of May, but when has that ever stopped retailers from starting their Memorial Day sales early? This year is no different, so it's time to prepare for those summer savings. Here's everything you need to know about this year's big Memorial Day sales, plus some early offers for you to start shopping right now.

When is Memorial Day, and when do the sales start?

This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 27. But, Memorial Day weekend — the time when most of the big sales will be taking place — starts on Friday, May 24. We expect to see lots of discounts on offer during the three-day weekend, especially from mattress, appliance, and outdoor goods brands.

SEE ALSO: Spring cleaning starter kit: 8 products to cover all your bases Are Memorial Day sales starting early?

Some Memorial Day sales are already getting started as we speak, with some brands holding "early access" events leading up to a bigger sale during Memorial Day weekend (more on those below). Others aren't necessarily labeled as early Memorial Day sales, but you can already find a lot of savings on outdoor items, home appliances, and select electronics at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. We do think the deals will be much better as we get closer to Memorial Day, so it may be best to just wait it out.

Though Memorial Day weekend doesn't officially begin until May 24, keep an eye out for sales starting earlier that week on May 20.

What to buy during Memorial Day sales

Memorial Day is always a huge time for doorbuster mattress sales, but we also expect to see big discounts on outdoor items and appliances for the summer, as well as other select home appliances and electronics. Look out for items like grills, lawn care equipment, gardening supplies, and outdoor furniture.

We also foresee popular kitchen items going on sale, as well as big-ticket items like TVs, headphones, laptops, and fitness equipment.

What are the best Memorial Day sales?

The worthwhile Memorial Day sales aren't all that plentiful just yet, but more will be on the way shortly. Here are some of the best Memorial Day sales and deals that we could find so far.

Best early Memorial Day deals 2024

Mattresses

• Avocado: Save up to 20% on mattresses and more

• Bear: 35% off sitewide, plus free sleep accessories

• Beautyrest: Save up to $1,200 on select mattresses and base sets

• Birch: 25% off sitewide, plus two free pillows

• Brooklyn Bedding: 25% off sitewide

• Casper: 30% off all mattresses and 10% off everything else

• Cocoon by Sealy: Save 35% on all mattresses + free Sealy sleep bundle ($199 value)

• DreamCloud: Up to 50% off mattresses

• Emma: Up to 55% off mattresses plus two free pillows

• Helix: Up to 30% off sitewide, plus two free pillows

• Layla: Up to $200 off mattresses, plus two free pillows

• Leesa: 25% off mattresses, plus two free pillows

• Nectar: Up to 40% off mattresses

• Nolah: 35% off mattresses, plus free pillows

• Purple: Up to $800 off mattresses + base

• Saatva: Up to $600 off select mattresses

• Serta: Save up to $900 on select mattresses and adjustable bases

• Siena: Save up to $500 off mattresses

• Sleep Number: Up to 50% off smart beds

• TempurPedic: Save up to $500 on select adjustable mattresses

• WinkBeds: Save up to $300 on mattresses

• Zoma: Save $150 on all mattresses

Furniture and home appliances

• Dyson: Up to 70% off cordless stick vacuums

• Home Depot: Up to 50% off home decor and furniture

• LG: Bundle select items and save up to $200

• Lowe's: Up to 35% off home appliances

• Samsung: Save up to $1,200 on refrigerators and laundry machines

• Shark: Up to 30% off select products

• Solo Stove: Save up to $150 sitewide

• Wayfair: Way Day sale starting on May 4

Kitchen

• KitchenAid: Up to $150 off select Stand Mixers

Tech, electronics, and more

• Amazon: Check out deals on Echo devices, MacBooks, AirPods, iPads, fitness trackers, and other select electronics

• Best Buy: Check out deals on TVs from brands like Samsung, Hisense, Insignia, and more. Also find discounts on fitness trackers, home gym equipment, and outdoor items like grills and lawnmowers.

• HP: Save up to 55% on select laptops.

• LG: Save up to 40% off select entertainment devices

• iRobot: Save up to $400 sitewide until May 11

• Walmart: Score deals on kitchen appliances from Ninja, Keurig, Hamilton Beach, and others. Plus, find deals on patio furniture and summer cleaning devices.

Mother's Day is only two days away, as it falls on May 12 this year. If you've been scrambling to find the perfect gift for the mother figure in your life, you don't have to stress anymore. We found plenty of last-minute Mother's Day gift deals at Amazon (for the mom who loves everything from tech to fitness to coffee) that will arrive on or before Mother's Day when you order today.

Best last-minute Mother's Day deals to shop today: Best deal for the active mom Original Peloton Bike $1,250 at Amazon (save $195) Get Deal Best earbuds deal for mom Beats Fit Pro $159.99 at Amazon (save $39.96) Get Deal Best deal for the coffee-loving mom Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine $188.30 at Amazon (save $80.70) Get Deal Best device deal for mom Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $199.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best deal for the health-focused mom Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) $299.99 at Amazon (save $99.01) Get Deal

While finding the perfect gift for someone as special as mom can be a challenging job, we like to opt for something thoughtful that will make her life easier. From comfortable noise-canceling earbuds to a fitness-tracking watch, here are our favorite last-minute Mother's Day gift ideas.

Best deal for the active mom Opens in a new window Credit: Peloton Original Peloton Bike $1,250.00 at Amazon
$1,445.00 Save $195.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If mom's routine revolves around getting to her favorite cycling class, hitting the bike trails, and making sure she gets her steps in, the Peloton Original Bike could be perfect for enabling her to enjoy her favorite workouts right at home. The formidable exercise bike is sleek and slim enough to not disrupt her space and is packed with controls and features for her to explore. For $44 per month, you can also gift mom a Peloton All-Access Membership, giving her access to Peloton's full library of content.

Best earbuds deal for mom Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $159.99 at Amazon
$195.95 Save $35.96 Get Deal Why we like it

Whether mom is a music, podcast, or audiobook junkie, a pair of noise-canceling headphones can let her enjoy her favorite entertainment without disruptions no matter where she is. The Beats Fits Pro noise-canceling earbuds are available in ten different fun colors and can switch between three different listening modes. With comfortable wingtips and sweat-resistant materials, these earbuds make comfort a priority.

Best deal for the coffee-loving mom Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine $188.30 at Amazon
$269.00 Save $80.70 Get Deal Why we like it

If mom's day doesn't officially start until she's had her first sip of coffee, the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine is a great way to treat her to delicious coffee and espresso drinks right at home. We also love that you don't have to have barista-worthy skills to use this machine. Thanks to its smart technology and Nespresso pods, mom can operate the machine with the push of a button and get a delectable drink.

Best device deal for mom Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $199.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If mom loves keeping up with her favorite shows — and her kids — the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet will help her stay connected to the things she cares about. The large, 11-inch screen is excellent for streaming shows and movies and makes video calling loved ones that much more immersive. Plus, this tablet is thin and light, so she can easily take it with her when she's traveling. With a 14-hour battery life, she'll be able to depend on it even on the busiest days.

Best deal for the health-focused mom Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) $299.99 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) helps put mom's health in her own hands. If mom is always exploring the latest workouts and staying up on new findings on health and wellness, she'll love how the Apple Watch Series 9 is packed with health-focused features. She can take an ECG at any time, monitor her heart rhythm, track her sleep stages, and even use the Apple Watch as a mindfulness tool, tracking her state of mind and emotions.

UPDATE: May. 10, 2024, 10:30 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new preorder listings at Walmart, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Where to pre-order the new Apple Magic Keyboard: The Apple Store Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now Amazon Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now Best Buy Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now B&H Photo Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now Target Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Staring at $299 Pre-order Now Walmart Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now AT&T Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Staring at $299.99 Pre-order Now T-Mobile Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299.99 Pre-order Now Verizon Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299.99 Pre-order Now

If you couldn't quite justify buying one of the new MacBook Pros that came out in the fall, forget that FOMO — the 2024 Magic Keyboard pushes the iPad Pro experience closer to that of a MacBook than ever.

Apple announced a new Magic Keyboard during its iPad-centric event on May 7. You can now pre-order either the 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $299 or $349, respectively. (At the time of writing, listings were live at the Apple Store, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, Target, Walmart, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.) The tablets themselves can also be pre-ordered now, and the whole setup can all be in your hands as soon as May 15.

The changes to the Magic Keyboard aren't as revolutionary on paper as the ones seen on the other Apple accessory upgrade, the new Apple Pencil Pro. However, they're certainly not nothing: First and foremost, the Magic Keyboard finally has a function row, and a 14-key one at that. That alone brings the iPad into real laptop territory.

SEE ALSO: iPad Air 2024: 3 new features that iPad Air 2022 doesn't have

The 2024 Magic Keyboard is also outfitted with a larger glass trackpad with haptic feedback and compatibility with Multi-Touch gestures, backlit keys, an aluminum palm rest, and a scissor mechanism with 1mm travel. No, it still doesn't need to be charged.

There's actually an argument to be made that the 2024 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combo create a more powerful experience than that of the MacBook Pro released a few months ago. That's because the new iPad Pros are the sole Apple devices (so far) to wield the M4 chip, coined (by Apple) as the most powerful neural processing unit of any personal computer on the market. With the immersive Apple Pencil Pro also on hand, the iPad Pro and its accessories form an intimidating laptop competitor.

UPDATE: May. 10, 2024, 10:25 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new preorder listings at AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Where to pre-order the new Apple Pencil Pro: The Apple Store Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now Amazon Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now Best Buy Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now B&H Photo Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now Target Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now Walmart Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now AT&T Apple Pencil Pro $129.99 Pre-order Now T-Mobile Apple Pencil Pro $129.99 Pre-order Now Verizon Apple Pencil Pro $129.99 Pre-order Now

May 7 marks the last leg of the Apple product drop trifecta that started in the fall of 2023. After getting new iPhones, new Apple Watches, and new MacBooks, just one major Apple product category was left ripe for a refresh this spring. And Apple went hard not only with a new iPad Pro and Air but also with the accessory that fuels the entire iPad experience: the Apple Pencil.

After almost a decade of existence, the Apple Pencil has finally been initiated into Apple's "Pro" club. Rather than the one or two small tweaks of Apple Pencil upgrades past, the Apple Pencil Pro has been entirely redesigned with a suite of new ways to bring ideas to life — and keep up with that M4 chip. It doesn't start shipping until May 15, but you can pre-order it now through the Apple Store, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, Target, Walmart, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

It's the next best thing to a magic wand. Credit: Apple

A light squeeze of the Pencil Pro pops up a palette to swiftly switch between tools, line weights, and colors, while a slight rotation while holding the Pencil Pro activates barrel roll: a built-in gyroscope that reacts immediately for intuitive, precise control of pen shapes, brush tips, or animation movements. Custom interactions can also be programmed.

Control of your project is taken even further with a hover feature that allows you to target actions without even touching the screen, like previewing a line before it's drawn or switching between a pile of layers in Final Cut Pro without making a wrong move. Haptic feedback has also been enhanced to tip you off when a new layer is, in fact, perfectly in the middle.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Pro 2024: Thinner and lighter than ever, with M4 chip inside

As always, the Apple Pencil Pro charges and stores magnetically to the side of your iPad. If it falls off in transit, no worries: it's the first Apple Pencil to support Find My.

Despite "Pro" being tacked onto the name, Apple isn't gatekeeping the Apple Pencil Pro just for iPad Pro users. iPad Air users can also opt to experience the magic of the Pro. And there's little reason to not make that bump: Despite so many revolutionary changes, the Apple Pencil Pro retails for $129, the same debut price as the second-gen Apple Pencil from several years ago.

UPDATE: May. 10, 2024, 10:15 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new preorder listings and offers from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Where to pre-order the Apple iPad Pro (2024): The Apple Store Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 Pre-order Now Amazon Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 Pre-order Now Best Buy Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 (save $50 with My Best Buy Plus membership) Pre-order Now B&H Photo Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 Pre-order Now Target Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 Pre-order Now AT&T Apple iPad Pro (2024), WiFi + Cellular Starting at $30.56/month for 36 months (save $100; installment plan and data plan required) Pre-order Now T-Mobile Apple iPad Pro (2024), WiFi + Cellular Starting at $20.41/month for 24 months (save $230; new tablet line required) Pre-order Now Verizon Apple iPad Pro (2024), WiFi + Cellular Starting at $1,199.99 or $33.33/month for 36 months (save up to $180 with trade-in and $279.99 with 5G iPhone purchase; new line and service plan required) Pre-order Now

The rumor mill was cooking: Apple revealed a revamped iPad Pro with a fresh design, a new M4 chip, and an OLED display during its "Let Loose" event Tuesday. It's available in 11- and 13-inch sizes that start at $999 and $1,299, respectively, and preorders are now live. Shoppers can reserve all configurations through the Apple Store, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Target ahead of its official May 15 launch.

The variants with cellular connectivity are also available for preorder at three major mobile carriers, which are all running some kind of promotion:

• AT&T customers get $100 off (in the form of 36 monthly bill credits) by paying for their tablet in installments and adding a data plan.

• T-Mobile customers get $230 off (via 24 monthly bill credits) by paying on an installment plan and adding a new tablet line.

• Verizon customers can get up to $180 off with a trade-in and get $279.99 off (as 36 monthly bill credits) by bundling their tablet with a 5G iPhone (new line and service plan required); these offers can be combined.

This iPad Pro update marks the powerful tablet's first refresh since 2022 — and arguably its biggest ever. For starters, the two variants are sleeker and lighter than any previous iPad Pros: The 11-inch version is 0.21 inches thin and weighs a mere 0.98 pounds, while the 13-inch model is 0.2 inches thin and 1.28 pounds. Apple said they're even slimmer than ye olde iPod nano, making the 2024 iPad Pro "the thinnest Apple product ever."

The new iPad Pros have also made the jump to a shiny new M4 chipset, skipping the M3 generation that powers the current Mac and MacBook lineups. It offers up to 50 percent faster CPU performance and up to four times faster GPU performance compared to the previous iPad Pro's M2 chip, according to a press release. Its new GPU architecture also brings support for hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing — an iPad first.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro

There's a zippier new neural engine in there, too: Apple claimed it's "more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today."

Both iPad Pro models come equipped with a new "Ultra Retina XDR" screen, which is billed as "the world’s most advanced display." It features two stacked OLED panels for rich, vivid colors and details (Apple is calling this "Tandem OLED technology"), and it can hit up to 1,600 nits of brightness. The Ultra Wide 12MP camera with Center Stage on the front of it has been scooted over to the landscape orientation.

The new iPad Pros will be available in two aluminum finishes (silver and space black) and four storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. Shoppers also have the option to upgrade them with a new nano-texture glass display for $100 (in the 1TB and 2TB models only).

Those who put in a preorder won't have to wait too long for their new tablet to arrive: The new iPad Pro starts shipping on Wednesday, May 15.

Featured Video For You Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 Pre-Order Here

SAVE $50: As of May 10, the Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) is available for just $299.99 at Amazon, down from $349.99. That's a 14% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Our pick: Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you’re scrambling to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift (it’s on Sunday, you know), there’s still time to get the mother figure in your life something that doesn’t say I got this last-minute. For example, the Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) is on sale right now and makes for a chic and thoughtful gift that she’ll love.

As of May 10, the Google Pixel Watch 2 (WiFi) is available for just $299.99 at Amazon, down from $349.99. That’s a 14% discount and $50 off the listing price, making it a more affordable option for anyone looking to spoil their mom with a high-quality smartwatch.

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatch for every wrist

The Google Pixel Watch 2 comes in various colors to fit different personal styles. With three advanced sensors, this watch tracks heart rate, skin temperature, and stress management levels, providing users with valuable insights into their overall health and well-being.

The Auto Workout mode and Heart Zone Traning features help you stay active and monitor your fitness progress with the touch of a button. It’s also Bluetooth enabled, so you can connect it to your phone and receive notifications, calls, and texts directly on your wrist.

With a 24-hour battery life and a special fall detection feature, the wearer can feel safe and secure knowing that help will be notified in case of an accident or emergency.

UPDATE: May. 10, 2024, 10:05 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with new preorder listings from mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

PRE-ORDER NOW: The new Apple iPad Air (2024) is available for preorder through the Apple Store as of May 7. The 11-inch model starts at $599 and the 13-inch model starts at $799. Both will ship as soon as May 15.

Where to preorder the new iPad Air: The Apple Store Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 Pre-order Now B&H Photo Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 Pre-order Now Best Buy Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 Pre-order now Target Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 Pre-order Now Walmart Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 Pre-order Now Verizon iPad Air 2024 Starting at $749 (Save up to $279.99 with trade-in or purchase of iPhone) Pre-order Now AT&T iPad Air 2024 Starting at $749 (Save $100 when paying with monthly installments) Pre-order Now T-Mobile iPad Air 2024 Starting at $749 (Save $230 when paying with monthly installments) Pre-order Now

The hotly anticipated iPad Air has arrived in two sizes with some shiny new features to power AI features. Previously available in just the 10.9-inch size, the iPad Air now comes in 11- and 13-inch models outfitted with the M2 chip, an upgrade from the M1.

SEE ALSO: New iPad Air announced — here's everything you need to know

Announced at Apple's "Let Loose" event on May 7, the updated iPad Air debuted alongside a new iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil Pro. In addition to the new sizes, the tablets are getting upgraded storage. The models now start with 128 GB of storage with 256 GB, 516 GB, and 1 TB options also available.

As we suspected, the front-facing camera on the new iPad Air moved to the landscape view and pairs with landscape stereo speakers for heightened sound quality. The new M2 chip gives the upgraded iPad Air faster CPU, GPU, and neural engine speed. The M2 also powers the iPad Air with machine learning. Now users can enjoy split view screens, subject lift, and live text features on the device.

Credit: Apple

The iPad Air comes in four different colors: Purple, blue, starlight, and space gray. The 11-inch model starts at $599 while the 13-inch model starts at $799.

The new iPad Air is available with cellular connection from three major carriers. Additionally, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are all offering promotions alongside the launch:

• AT&T customers get $100 off (in the form of bill credits) by paying for their tablet in monthly installments and adding a data plan.

• T-Mobile customers get $230 off (via bill credits) by paying on an installment plan and adding a new tablet line.

• Verizon customers can save up to $180 with a trade-in and get $279.99 off by bundling their tablet with a 5G iPhone (new line and service plan required).

The new Apple iPad Air is available for preorder now ahead of its May 15 release.

Apple iPad 2024: Price and preorder details Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 2024 $599.00 at Apple
The new iPad Air 11-inch model starts at $599. Pre-Order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 2024 $799.00 at Apple
The new iPad Air 13-inch model starts at $799. Pre-Order Here

From the Met Gala to the Apple Event that could have been an email, host Josh Burstein takes us on a comedic journey through the week's top stories.

A "horror-comedy with bite and heart", Ariane Louis-Seize's film follows a teen vampire who refuses to feast on humans.

Josh Margolin's feature debut "Thelma" sees June Squibb and Richard Roundtree tracking down a phone scammer in LA. Trailer.

Brazil floods: Drone footage shows the deadly scale of destruction

"Exploding Kittens" — the popular, crowdfunded card game — is coming to streaming with a new Netflix series.

House of the Dragon Season 2 is fast approaching, and what better way to get in the mood for it than by reminding ourselves just how gory Season 1 was?

The Game of Thrones' prequel's body count hasn't caught up with that of its eight-season origin show quite yet, but it's certainly on track. As we prepare for another outing in George R.R. Martin's brutal continent of Westeros, here's a breakdown of all the key deaths so far in House of the Dragon — from least to most gruesome.

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Lord Lyman Beesbury Credit: HBO

Cause of death: Murdered with marble of office

Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) doesn't quite rival Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith)'s body count in Season 1, but he makes a good go at it. Lord Lyman Beesbury (Bill Paterson) becomes one of his victims when he makes the terrible mistake of protesting about Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) sitting on the Iron Throne instead of Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy). Ser Criston's response? Smashing his head down onto Beesbury's marble of office, a little round stone that kills him instantly on impact.

Lady Rhea Royce Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: Murdered with a rock

Being in close proximity to Daemon Targaryen is a perilous situation. In episode 5 we get a (brief) introduction to Lady Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford), Daemon's wife, shortly before he knocks her off her horse in broad daylight and then – presumably – murders her with a rock offscreen. Pretty shocking and gruesome, sure, but this one is low on the list because we don't see the actual death itself.

Harwin Strong Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: Murdered by house fire

We also don't see Harwin Strong's (Ryan Corr) death, which is due to a fire at Harrenhal, but we do see the build-up. What makes this one more unpleasant is the fact that Harwin's father, Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), dies along with him — and what makes it even worse is the fact that Harwin's own brother Larys (Matthew Needham) arranges for the building to be burned down.

Lucerys Velaryon Credit: HBO

Cause of death: Chomped mid-air by a dragon

You've got to feel a bit sorry for Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault). The minute he steps into Storm's End and sees Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), you know things aren't going to end well. Exactly how not well is made clear once he tries to flee on his dragon Arrax, only for Aemond to give chase on his significantly larger dragon Vhagar. Arrax goes rogue and breathes fire on the chasing dragon, only for Vhagar to decide enough is enough: He goes against his master's wishes and basically chomps both Arrax and Lucerys in two. One of the major moments of the Season 1 finale, it's not the most gruesome death in the series – you don't really see much gore – but it's certainly a shocking one.

Crabfeeder Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

Cause of death: Cut in half

Craghas Draghar (Daniel Scott-Smith), or Crabfeeder to his friends, initially appears to be one of the main villains in the first season — at least until he comes face-to-mask with Daemon. During a memorable dragon-assisted battle in episode 3, Daemon takes the fight to the Crabfeeder's beach and pursues him into a cave. When Daemon comes back out, he's dragging approximately 50 percent of Craghas behind him.

Ser Vaemond Velaryon Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: Head sliced in half

That's right, it's yet another death caused by Daemon, who racks up the body count in Season 1 faster than you can say "Valar Morghulis". This time the victim is Ser Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson), who makes the bad mistake of calling Rhaenyra's son Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) a bastard in front of the king himself. Vaemond's head is quickly sliced in half, but the really gruesome bit is the close-up of what's left of him, including his tongue hanging out of what remains of his head. Ick.

King Viserys Targaryen Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: A painfully slow infection of wounds

King Viserys (Paddy Considine) gets not one but two death scenes in House of the Dragon, but he is essentially killed by the Iron Throne itself. What starts with an infected cut in episode 1 quickly leads to parts of his body literally rotting away, with the fifth Targaryen king eventually having to wear a mask to conceal the damage his condition has done to him. Is it as abrupt and bloody as some of the deaths in the show? No. But slowly losing body parts to rot is not something we'd wish on anyone.

Ser Joffrey Lonmouth Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: Beaten to death

Turns out a House of the Dragon wedding is almost as terrible as a Game of Thrones one. The victim in episode 5's marriage is Ser Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod), who makes the very bad mistake of goading Ser Criston Cole about his fling with bride Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock). The result? A brutal beating-to-death at Cole's hands, and a very unpleasant close-up of Joffrey's bloodied, caved-in face.

Queen Aemma Arryn Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: Childbirth

The first key death in the show sets the tone for what's to come. Queen Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke) goes into labor at the end of episode 1, but there are complications. Her husband, King Viserys, is called into the room and told that the maesters may be able to save his son by carrying out a caesarean section, but the procedure will result in the death of his wife. Forced to choose, he tells them to go ahead. It's a truly horrifying sequence made even more upsetting by the fact that the child dies anyway shortly after the Queen passes.

Laena Velaryon Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

Cause of death: Burned to death by her own dragon during childbirth

Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell), daughter of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Eve Best and Steve Toussaint), and Daemon's wife, endures the most gruesome, harrowing death of House of the Dragon.

In yet another horrifying childbirth sequence in episode 6, we once again see a maester giving a father unimaginable news after complications arise in labor: a fatal c-section is the only way to potentially save the baby. Daemon asks if Laena will survive the procedure, and when the answer is "no", it's clear Laena hears the exchange. She decides to take her fate into her own hands. Laena staggers outside and gives her dragon Vhagar one last order, "Dracarys," which the dragon visibly struggles with, before burning her and her unborn child to death. A truly upsetting scene.

How to watch: House of the Dragon Season 1 is streaming on Max.

WhatsApp is rolling out a pretty substantial design update for both its iOS and Android apps, but we bet the company hoped for a slightly warmer welcome of the new design on X.

The new layout, which is similar on iOS and Android, isn't a radical departure. The search is more prominent on top of the app, below it, tabs let you quickly access unread messages and groups, and on the bottom, a row of icons lets you access Chats, Updates, Communities and other features (to be fair, this is a bigger change on Android, which didn't have the bottom row of icons until now).

SEE ALSO: Apple forced to pull Meta's WhatsApp, Threads from China’s App Store. Here’s why.

But WhatsApp users on iOS have noticed a big visual change: The predominant color accent on everything is now green instead of blue (on Android, the app was already predominantly green).

Tweet may have been deleted

It makes sense to have the same visual identity across the same app on two mobile platforms, but as it so often happens, the change irked some commenters on X, which balked at the freshly green WhatsApp experience.

"I seriously freaked out when that green came into my face. We need the blue back," wrote one commenter. "I still have the blue and I hope it stays like this forever," wrote another.

"BRING THE BLUE BACK," one person on X cried in horror.

Tweet may have been deleted

I didn't get the new design yet, my WhatsApp iOS app is still blue, and it's hard to say just how traumatic this greenification of WhatsApp will be for me. I do like the blue, too, though.

Notably, a number of commenters below WhatsApp's announcement on X noted that the company keeps updating its iPhone app very frequently, but still hasn't got an iPad app. What's up with that, WhatsApp?

TL;DR: Through May 12, get this Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro bundle for £55.87 and save 84% — a £7.99 price drop since it last went on sale.

Is your laptop equipped with all the tools and software you need to do your best work? If you need to upgrade your computer, this All-in-One Microsoft Office Pro 2021 lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle is on sale for £55.87, which is hundreds less than the combined regular prices.

This bundle can give lagging computers a much-needed upgrade. Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 were made to work together seamlessly, which means the flow should be optimal. Plus, Office doesn't come with recurring fees or monthly payments like Microsoft 365 does. You pay once, and you don't have to pay again.

Windows 11 Pro is the latest OS from Windows, and it arrived with fresh updates. It has updated security enhancements like BitLocker encryption, Microsoft Information Protection integration, biometrics login, and more. There have also been updates to Windows Studio Effects, as well as new touchscreen capabilities. You also get access to updates going forward.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus for Windows is a lifetime license for one PC with instant delivery and download. It allows you to utilise Microsoft's most popular apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and more.

Transform the way you work, create, and collaborate with this powerful combination of essential productivity tools and the latest operating system.

Grab the Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro bundle for a one-time payment of £55.87 when you order by May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The All-in-One Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £55.87 at the Mashable Shop
£349.76 Save £293.89 Get Deal