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SAVE $220: As of April 2, get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 20% off its normal price and the best price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 $899.99 at Amazon
$1,119.99 Save $220.00 Shop Now

Folding phones may have mostly gone the way of the dinosaur, but their newest iterations are fun, unique smartphones that get tons of compliments. Case in point: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, a foldable phone that boasts a range of fun features in a sleek, attractive package. It's the type of phone that'll get plenty of stares when you take it out of your pocket. And if you've been wondering what it might be like to go back to a foldable after all these years, now's your chance.

As of April 2, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for just $899.99. That's $220 off its normal price of $1,119.99 or a discount of 20%. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's $699.99 Galaxy Book4 just dropped and comes with a free 2TB portable SSD

This phone nets you a 6.7-inch AMOLED inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.4-inch cover display with 60Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, 256 or 512GB of storage, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and a 3,700 mAH battery.

Mashable reviewer Alex Perry praised the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for its "excellent performance" as well as its Flex Window, the display on the outside of the phone before it unfolds, which improves upon the previous iteration in important ways. Now it's large and vibrant enough to answer text messages; track the weather, steps, and other info with widgets; and more.

If you're looking for a good reason to try a folding phone or it's time to go ahead and upgrade your phone to a newer model, this is a great pick. It's a nice riff on your traditional smartphone, and if you want to make some new friends while explaining how your foldable works for the millionth time, this is your chance.

Save $41.89: As of April 2, the Bissell Little Green Pet Deluxe portable upholstery cleaner is on sale at Amazon for $98.10 at Amazon. This is the first time the Pet Deluxe version has dropped below $100, thanks to this 30% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Bissell Little Green Pet Deluxe $98.10 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $41.89 Get Deal

One non-negotiable bullet point on your spring cleaning checklist should be confronting that one couch or carpet stain that refuses to respond to cleaning sprays. You know, the one that keeps you up at night.

This exact struggle is what made the Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner go viral on cleaning TikTok (or, as some say, CleanTok,) a few years ago. If you don't have one yet, let Amazon's current deal be your sign: The Pet Deluxe version is on sale for less than $100 for the first time according to Amazon price tracker Camelcamelcamel. At $98.10 (after a 30% discount), this more premium version is currently cheaper than the OG Little Green.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Dyson: Which cordless vacuum should you get?

Rather than just dabbing at stains with the bristles and foam of OxiClean furniture cleaner, the Bissell Little Green attacks stains with a hose of targeted water spray and powerful suction. This vigorous combo digs into furniture, carpet, or car seat fibers to lift stubborn stains and send them into the dirty water tank. This pet-specific model comes with trial sizes of a pet spot and stain formula as well as Pet Oxy Boost, which can be added directly into the water flow of the Little Green to remove odors while removing stains.

The true versatility of Bissell's Little Green machines is marked by the fact that they weigh less than 10 pounds. These portable upholstery cleaners and their 15-foot cords can be easily carried to any point in the house that needs attention, including staircases, or even outside the house to detail car interiors.

GRAB TWO FREE KINDLE BOOKS: Amazon Prime members can snag one free Kindle book and one free short read through Amazon First Reads in April. Non-Prime members are eligible for one book and one bonus short read for $1.99 each.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon One Kindle book + one short read Free for Prime members; only $1.99 each for non-members Get Deal

Bookworms take note: Amazon has free and ultra-affordable books for you to dive into this month.

This month, Prime members are eligible for one free Kindle book they can choose from an editor-picked selection. They're also eligible for one free short read, including a short story by Margaret Atwood. Non-Prime members can also get a free Kindle book and short story for just $1.99 each. A Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 for a year-long membership.

SEE ALSO: Kindle users: Don't sleep on the free credits you could earn through Kindle Rewards

If reading is one of your favorite hobbies, Amazon's First Reads program could be a good friend to you. Amazon offers deals on Kindle books every month, and this April Prime members can grab two new reads for free.

This month, Margaret Atwood's Cut & Thirst is the bonus short read. Choose your Kindle book from a selection of genres including romance, thriller, historical fiction, or mystery.

To enjoy these Kindle books, you'll need to read on any compatible Kindle device, and if you're an avid reader, you'll want to look into the Kindle Rewards, where you can earn credits for buying books.

Start spring reading with completely free books for Prime members or ultra-affordable options for non-Prime members.

UPDATE: Jan. 9, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest information about the Kindle Rewards point system. As of June 1, 2023, members will get three points per dollar spent on Kindle books, and those points will expire after three months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Rewards Learn More

Avid Kindle readers should go check their Kindle Rewards balance right now. They might just have some free money waiting to be put toward a new book on their 2024 reading list.

If you haven't heard yet, Amazon rewards Kindle users for doing the exact thing that made them want a Kindle in the first place: reading. The Kindle Rewards Beta point system dishes out three Kindle points for each dollar spent on Kindle books and one Kindle point for each dollar spent on print books (excluding textbooks, magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, and digital subscriptions). Every 300 points is turned into $3 in Kindle book credits.

SEE ALSO: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review: The upgrade is worth the money

300 points sounds steep until you realize that most individual Kindle book purchases are an easy 40 to 50 points. (If you go the print route, you're still looking at 20 to 30 points, plus a new coffee table decoration.) The 300-point milestone could be reached every six or seven books, which may not take forever depending on how much you read. Be on the lookout for bonus offerers as well as the occasional double or triple points days.

How to start using Kindle Rewards

Kindle Rewards doesn't require sign-up, and technically doesn't even require a Kindle. (You can read the books you buy on Amazon on your phone or tablet if you want.) All Amazon users are eligible, regardless of their status as a Kindle Unlimited member, which is unrelated. Buying your first Kindle Book or eligible print book automatically kicks off the points-earning process.

You can find your Kindle Rewards points on the rewards page on the web version of Amazon, as you can't buy a Kindle book directly from the Kindle app or Amazon app.

To find potential points that would be earned on a book you're eyeing, simply check out the Amazon listing for that book. As long as you're logged into your Amazon account, Kindle Rewards points values should show up by the prices for each book. For instance, Britney Spears' memoir would earn 51 points if purchased as a Kindle book or 21 points if you opted for the hardcover version.

The fine print is that once points are earned, you have three months to redeem them. This wasn't always the case, but a June 2023 change to the Kindle Rewards program put a three-month expiration date on Kindle points. However, that means that points from a book you bought last season may still be around — we'd go check if we were you.

Want to level-up from podcasts and listen to books on Spotify? Now you can.

In Sept. 2022, Spotify launched Spotify Audiobooks to all users in the U.S., the UK, and Australia, adding the feature for Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand in April 2024. The feature allows you to purchase audiobooks and listen to them on Spotify, consolidating all your listening needs to one platform.

Each audiobook is individually priced, and Premium subscribers get 15 hours of listening per month — the catalogue for Premium users sits at 250,000 titles. To purchase an audiobook on Spotify you'll be redirected to the web browser and then brought back to the app. If you want to explore titles, all you need to do is navigate to the Audiobooks section on Spotify. You can find it under "Browse all" of the "Search" page. There, you'll see all of the audiobooks that Spotify recommends.

SEE ALSO: How much is Spotify Premium in the US?

You can also search for titles the same way you would search for an album or a podcast. If you haven't yet purchased an audiobook a lock will appear next to the play button, informing you that you need to the buy the book before you can listen.

If you want to unlock all of these new features on Spotify, just follow this guide.

How to purchase an audiobook on Spotify:1. Select the title you want to purchase2. Tap the green play arrow Tap the play button. Credit: Screenshot: Spotify 3. Select "Get email" Tap "Get email." Credit: Screenshot: Spotify 4. Open your email

You'll receive an email from Spotify with the link to buy the audiobook.

5. Select "Buy Audiobook" Tap "Buy Audiobook." Credit: Screenshot: Spotify 6. Select "Buy"

Then you'll enter in your payment method and complete your purchase. Once you've completed your purchase the audiobook will be unlocked in your Spotify library, and you're able to dive right in.

Happy listening!

It might have a reputation as the couch potato's favourite pastime, but gaming is far from inactive. While manoeuvring your mouse or controller, watching out for enemies, and focusing for hours, you're always in fight-or-flight mode. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it in comfort, or with the right support. Whether you play for leisure or stream full-time, a gaming chair is essential for lengthy sessions.

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to gaming chairs, though. There are ergonomic-style chairs and chairs with additional cozy fixings, such as foot rests. Regardless, it can be hard to find the best gaming chair for your needs. This is where we can help.

We understand all too well how important it is to have proper support when putting in a shift at the console or PC — bad posture can cause all kinds of problems over the years. So we’ve put some time into researching the best available gaming chairs for all the dedicated players out there. But first, here's some helpful information.

Do you need a gaming chair?

You've probably invested heavily in your gaming setup, so it makes absolutely no sense to be uncomfortable when you're playing. It doesn't matter how stylish and powerful your PC is if your squatting awkwardly on the edge of a regular desk chair. Comfort is key, so a proper gaming chair is a vital purchase.

The other reason to consider investing in a gaming chair is performance. No, a gaming chair isn't going to immediately turn you into a dominant force, but it will make a difference in the long run. Gaming success can often come down to small margins, so a gaming chair that is comfortable and ergonomic could be the difference between winning and losing.

What makes a good gaming chair?

Before you drop major cash on a gaming chair, there are a few things to consider.

• Comfort — This might seem obvious, but having a comfy seat is important. You want to have good posture and be comfortable during your gaming sessions, especially if you’re participating in an online tournament. A gaming chair should provide support without discomfort.

• Features — Some gaming chairs come with cool features, including plush neck rests, sections to place your feet, and cup holders for beverages. Consider what a model can do for your digital entertainment needs before making a purchasing decision. 

• Height and weight — Factor your height and weight when you’re looking for a gaming chair. You don’t want to buy a chair that’s too big or too small for your body proportions. Some chairs even come in alternative sizes, so you can game hard without worrying about breakage or wear-and-tear. 

• Purpose — How will you use your gaming chair? If you’re only buying a chair for gaming and streaming, look for a chair that offers head, neck, and back support. On the other hand, if a gaming chair will serve as a desk chair, a kitchen seat, and a napping spot, you should opt for a model that’s more recliner-like. 

There's always a long list of things to consider when making any sort of major purchase, which can be overwhelming. Keep these things in mind and you should be able to make an informed decision.

What is the best gaming chair?

Whether you’re a button masher, professional streamer, or part-time Street Fighter, there's a gaming chair out there that can improve your experience. We have looked at everything available to line up a selection of your best options.

These are the best gaming chairs for 2024.

Succession may be over, but everyone's favourite eldest boy Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) lives on.

Appearing on Late Night on Monday, Strong spoke about his interactions with the audience of his run on Broadway in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, many of whom are Succession fans keen to pay their respects

"People give me all kinds of strange things," says Strong. "Some plushies, macrame...somebody gave me a ceramic piggy bank that was sort of bejewelled...a lot of bracelets that say 'I am the eldest boy'...a lot of stuff that says 'I am the eldest boy'."

We predict the flow of eldest boy-themed gifts won't be drying up anytime soon.

Google has promised to delete billions of records of browsing activity in its Incognito mode, after a class action lawsuit filed at a California federal court.

In December 2023, the tech giant decided to settle the case, which claimed that Google collects user data from the private mode available on the Chrome browser. The case, Brown v Google, was filed in 2020 by Google account holders who accused the company of "surreptitious tracking" of user data, and declared Google "'one stop shopping' for any government, private, or criminal actor who wants to undermine individuals’ privacy, security, or freedom." The filing read:

Google tracks and collects consumer browsing history and other web activity data no matter what safeguards consumers undertake to protect their data privacy. Indeed, even when Google users launch a web browser with "private browsing mode" activated (as Google recommends to users wishing to browse the web privately), Google nevertheless tracks the users’ browsing data and other identifying information.

SEE ALSO: Facebook secretly looked at Snapchat, Amazon, and YouTube user data, documents reveal

Under the settlement, Google said it will delete billions of data records and also provide greater transparency of the data it collects, letting users know what data is collected each time "incognito mode" is launched. These have already been implemented, with Chrome's private browser displaying updated information. For the next five years, Google will additionally block third-party cookies as a part of the settlement.

Credit: Screenshot: Google

The plaintiffs asked for $5 billion in damages, but the settlement holds no payment from Google. Individual users can instead pursue damages by filing their own complaints against Google in U.S. state courts. 50 people have already pursued this.

José Castañeda, a Google spokesperson, said in a statement to CNN, "We are pleased to settle this lawsuit, which we always believed was meritless. We never associate data with users when they use incognito mode. We are happy to delete old technical data that was never associated with an individual and was never used for any form of personalization."

The attorney representing consumers, David Boies, added in a statement that the settlement is "a historic step in requiring honesty and accountability from dominant technology companies".

VPNs are powerful security tools that can protect your identity and data, bypass online restrictions to access content, and much more. If this is all very new to you, you've probably got a lot of questions. Don't worry, because we can help.

We've done all the hard work for you and thoroughly researched these services to provide the information that matters to you. Here's everything you need to know about VPNs.

What is a VPN?

VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) provide important protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure.

Basically, you can think about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.

Do you need a VPN?

Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. There's no need to panic, because whether you're sending important emails, doing some online shopping, or paying essential bills, VPNs make sure that everything remains private and anonymous.

SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for your iPhone

First and foremost, VPNs are designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services: streaming more content from around the world. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming services into thinking that you are based in a different country. This means that you can watch all of the shows and films from global libraries, like all the extra content on U.S. Netflix. This is the quickest and easiest way of boosting your content options, without the need to rely on a dodgy stream.

What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to VPNs, but we don't have all day. Instead of listing off every feature offered by the best VPNs, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about.

Before you make any sort of decision, you should look out for connection speed, server network, number of logins, and more important features:

• Bandwidth — There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.

• Connection speed — Using a VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept a significant drop that is going to result in buffering. Be sure to select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a film or download a file without frustration.

• Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade," which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.

• Number of connections — Some VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. Others limit you to just a single device. You should look out for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time.

• Server network — The very best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. It's useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations, because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing anonymously. It's not a straightforward case of more is better, but it's always good to have options.

• Privacy policy — It's worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't clear, it's best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it's absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.

There are other things to consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start.

Should you use free VPNs?

There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. So why would you ever pay for a VPN?

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

What we're saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN?

There are a lot of VPN providers out there all offering different sets of features, with different pricing structures. We recommend taking some time to carefully access your options, and decide on what you really need from a VPN. Once you have established your priorities, you can check out this definitive list of the best VPNs this month.

We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for streaming, shopping, and everything else. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list. All you need to do is weigh up these options against your own set of priorities, and then pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best VPNs in 2024.

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 2 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 2

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, April 2, 2024:

AcrossBarrister or barista

• The answer is job.

Courtroom dozen

• The answer is jury.

Aileen Cannon or Juan Merchan, in 2024 news

• The answer is judge.

Response to a hilarious text

• The answer is LMAO.

Photo ___ (publicity events)

• The answer is ops.

DownBiblical betrayer

The answer is Judas.

Difficult college chemistry class, informally

• The answer is orgo.

"Later!"

• The answer is bye.

Capture, as a checkers piece

• The answer is jump.

Singer in the 2024 documentary "The Greatest Love Story Never Told"

• The answer is JLo.

A very tired Billy Crystal and a fake call from President Biden are at the core of Jimmy Kimmel's April Fools' Day prank on his cousin Micki, who works in his talent booking department and has fallen victim to Kimmel's schemes in the past.

In the clip above Micki asks Crystal, who's appearing on the show as a guest, if he has everything he needs — only to discover that the actor (who's in on the whole thing and gives a solid performance) is suffering from a condition that causes him to keep dropping off to sleep.

Is it up there with Kimmel's waxwork prank? Maybe not quite, but it still make for some undeniably entertaining footage.

The Lenovo Slim 7 14, initially unveiled as the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 14 during its debut at CES 2024, exceeded my expectations for mid-range laptops. For a relatively affordable, sub-$1,500 price, the Slim 7 14 boasts a slew of premium features that I’ve only seen on more expensive laptops.

This laptop has a gorgeous OLED display, a keyboard that’s a joy to type on, and performance capabilities that blew me away. My daily driver laptop, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, is more expensive than this Slim 7 14 configuration, but if I had to choose between the two today, I’d choose the Slim 7 14. 

Of course, the perfect laptop doesn’t exist — at least, not yet. There are certainly a few things I’d change about the Slim 7 14, but it’s still a superb mid-range option that deserves a spot on our best laptops list.

SEE ALSO: Lenovo Legion 9i review: The RTX 4090 laptop that set a world record Lenovo Slim 7 14 price and specs

The Slim 7 14 in this review has a price tag of $1,174 — and it's available via Lenovo’s official website.

• Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU

• Integrated Intel Arc graphics

• 32GB of RAM 

• 1TB SSD

• 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel OLED touch display

If that's too pricey for you, there's a configuration with a less powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU and fewer gigabytes of memory (i.e., 16GB of RAM). This variant will set you back $1,041 at Lenovo. (For even cheaper options, check out our best budget laptops page.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable Lenovo Slim 7 14 $1,041.00
Get Deal What I like about Lenovo Slim 7 14

Lenovo’s new Slim 7 14 laptop has a plethora of positive features, including one of the best laptop keyboards I’ve ever tested.

Addictive keyboard

From the first keypress, Lenovo’s Slim 7 14 keyboard captured my heart. It's satisfyingly clacky and comfortable to type on, and so enjoyably bouncy that I found myself wanting to use it more than my daily driver laptop’s keyboard.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

This laptop’s large, backlit keys, featuring 1.5 millimeters of travel and satisfying feedback, make its keyboard one of the best I’ve ever tested.

Attractive display

The Slim 7 14 has a gorgeous display, and that’s largely thanks to its OLED panel. With its 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution (WUXGA), it’s a slight step up from 1080p. Plus, it has a 16:10 aspect ratio, providing more screen real estate.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

To scrutinize the display, I watched the Wicked trailer on YouTube. Elphaba’s striking green skin came through vivid and perfectly balanced, as did the multiple pink outfits sported by Glinda and the multi-colored landscapes and creatures throughout the trailer. And despite being vibrant and super bright at max brightness, nothing was oversaturated.

Impressive performance

When I saw the price attached to this laptop, I wasn’t expecting top-notch performance, but that’s exactly what I got.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

 

This configuration of the Slim 7 14 sports 32GB of RAM and Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, a 14th-generation CPU that's au courant. In other words, you're getting one of Intel's latest and greatest offerings.

In my experience, these internals translated to seamless multitasking with a ton of Chrome tabs, Spotify, and photo-editing software. 

Talking about how well this laptop handled my daily tasks over the past few weeks is great and all, but I also subjected the Slim 7 14 to the Geekbench 6 benchmark, an objective performance test Mashable uses for all laptop reviews. Its multi-core score barely dipped below the highest score we’ve seen this year for Windows laptops. Check out the Geekbench 6 section for specific results.

Great port selection, with one exception

For a relatively affordable laptop, the Lenovo Slim 7 14 has a great variety of ports. On the left side, there are two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports and an HDMI 2.1 port, which I don’t even have on my more expensive daily driver laptop, Lenovo’s Yoga 9i. 

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Looking at the right side, I spotted a USB-A 3.2 port, a 3.5mm headset jack, the power button, and a webcam kill switch (this lets you quickly turn off your webcam without the added bulk of a privacy shutter switch above the webcam). There’s also a Lenovo Reset Recovery switch that can be triggered using a smartphone’s tiny SIM eject tool.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

I only wish Lenovo had placed one of the Slim 7 14’s USB-C ports on the right side for charging convenience, especially with its charging cable being shorter than most. 

Aluminum chassis resists fingerprints well

The Slim 7 14’s aluminum chassis is cool to the touch, durable, and best of all, fingerprint resistant. 

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

When I tilt the closed laptop in sunlight, I spotted a few scattered smudges, but they’re not very visible otherwise. 

I also love the sleek Luna Grey colorway, but this is the only color you can get the Slim 7 14 in right now. A few other color options would be nice, like Lenovo’s Abyss Blue or Oatmeal hues.

One-handed open design

With a slight lip above the webcam, the Slim 7 14 14 can easily be opened with one hand. The hinge is smooth, and the bottom of the laptop doesn’t even lift if you don’t open it too quickly.

What’s ‘eh’ about Lenovo Slim 7 14

There are some aspects of Lenovo’s Slim 7 14 14 that didn’t blow me away, but they weren’t disappointing enough to throw in the "dislike" category.

Decent sound quality

Laptop speakers are notoriously awful, so I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Lenovo Slim 7 14’s audio. Don’t get me wrong, the audio isn’t fantastic, but it’s certainly better than my smartphone’s speaker setup and countless other laptops I’ve tested in the past.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

The Slim 7 14 is equipped with two Dolby Atmos-tuned up-firing speakers, which already gives it a leg up compared to the bottom-firing speakers found on many laptops. To test audio quality, I played Ariana Grande’s “Supernatural” on Spotify followed by Unprocessed's “Real ft. Polyphia's Tim Henson & Clay Gober."

While Ariana’s vocals came through beautifully, the highs and lows in the song that give it a full-body, atmospheric sound were missing. And same goes for “Real,” a song that I love to use while testing because it has such nuanced highs, mids, and lows that are often lost without higher-quality speakers.

If I didn’t have my Yoga 9i’s rotating Bowers & Wilkins soundbar to compare other laptops to, I might not have even realized the audio was lacking — that’s how great these speakers are compared to most other laptops.

New dedicated Microsoft Copilot key

Whether you use Microsoft Copilot or not, your next Windows laptop will probably come with a dedicated Copilot key that, most likely, replaces the extra Ctrl key on the keyboard’s right side.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

My gripe isn’t with the Copilot feature itself. I actually enjoy using Copilot to help quickly and concisely answer questions, reword an email or a text message, and break down complex terms. But when Copilot can be accessed with an easy click in the bottom right corner of my screen or a keyboard shortcut (Windows key + C), is a dedicated Copilot key necessary? 

What I dislike about Lenovo Slim 7 14

In addition to the lack of a USB-C port on the right side of this laptop, there were only a few things that irked me about the Slim 7 14.

Doesn't last long on a charge

This laptop’s 8-hour battery life can last a full workday, but with Intel’s new Core Ultra 7 155H chip that’s supposed to be more efficient, I expected better battery life. Granted, the Slim 7 14 14 does have an battery-sucking OLED display, but so does the HP Spectre x360 14, and it lasted over 3 hours longer than this laptop in the same battery benchmark.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Check out detailed runtimes for both Lenovo’s Slim 7 14 14 and HP’s Spectre x360 14 in the battery life section.

Short charging cable

The Slim 7 14 14’s charging cable doesn’t have a central brick linking a thicker cable to the wall and a thin cable to the laptop, which translates to: it’s really short. 

I stretched out the cable from where it comes out of the wall brick to the USB-C connector, and it measured about 70 inches. Compared to my Yoga 9i’s charging cable at 113 inches, which I’d consider to be a “traditional” charging cable length, that’s about 3.5 feet less cable length.

Lenovo Slim 7 14 Geekbench 6 score

On Geekbench 6, which tests for overall processor performance, the Lenovo Slim 7 14 earned an impressive multi-core score of 12,267. 

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

This is slightly lower than the 12,955 score delivered by HP’s Spectre x360 14, the most powerful Windows laptop we’ve tested in 2024 so far, with the same Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor.

Lenovo Slim 7 14 battery life 

To test the Lenovo Slim 7 14’s battery life, we ran the PCMark 10 Modern Office benchmark with the display at max brightness. It lasted 8 hours and 11 minutes before running out of juice.

In comparison, the more powerful HP Spectre x360 14 with a higher-res OLED display lasted a whopping 11 hours and 27 minutes when running the same benchmark.

Lenovo Slim 7 14 webcam

Compared to the grainy 720p webcams found on many laptops, the Slim 7 14 14’s 1080p webcam provided a surprisingly crisp picture.

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Mashable

Of course, it’s only a 1080p camera, and zooming in showed obvious blurriness and fuzz. But the edges of my face and hair were relatively sharp, and the webcam rendered colors pretty accurately.

Is Lenovo Slim 7 14 worth it?

The one thought that stuck with me throughout this entire review process is, “How is this laptop only $1,240?” 

I’ve seen a lot of laptops in this price range that only have 1080p LED displays, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, squishy keyboards, and lackluster speaker and webcam quality. But Lenovo’s Slim 7 14 boasts a 1920 x 1200-pixel OLED display, an impressive 32GB of RAM, slightly raised keys with 1.5 millimeters of travel, and a better-than-average webcam and speaker setup.

I wish the battery lasted a bit longer, but an 8-hour battery life isn’t anything to sneeze at, and with Rapid Charge Boost, battery life is replenished quickly. The only hang-up you’ll have to get used to if you opt for the Slim 7 14 is a short charging cable that can only be plugged in on the laptop’s left side. Other than those minor flaws, the Lenovo Slim 7 14 is a mid-range gem.

Just seven years ago, Americans emptied their homes for a chance to witness a total solar eclipse, an astronomical event hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Back then, you might have heard this was the first to cut across the United States from coast to coast in a century — and it was. But lately, you might have heard there's another total solar eclipse slicing through North America on April 8, 2024.

So what gives?

Rest assured, skeptics, the 2024 eclipse is not crying wolf. There is another coming — the last major eclipse to cross the continent for 20 years — and the experience will be different from that of 2017, said Jenna Samra, a physicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

The total solar eclipse this April will last longer, could appear darker, and the corona should look even more reminiscent of a pointy crown around the moon. Also, many more people live where it will be safe to remove protective eclipse glasses for the minutes when the sun is completely blocked.

"When people say the eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event, of course that's not strictly true. Actually, there's a solar eclipse every couple of years, if you can go anywhere in the world to see it," Samra told Mashable. "What makes them rare is appearing in a certain location on Earth."

SEE ALSO: What's the big deal about solar eclipses? It's a 'full-body experience.' The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Credit: NASA Science Visualization Studio

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the sun and Earth in space. During that brief period when the sun is entirely hidden, the sky will darken to twilight.

When the sun is concealed, people have the unusual chance to observe the sun's corona glowing around the edges of the moon. The corona, the outer layer of the sun's atmosphere, is normally washed out by the much brighter solar surface.

The moon is expected to first cast its shadow on Mexico's Pacific coast at 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA. The corridor of the moon's shadow, the so-called "path of totality," will arc from Texas to Maine, entering Canada through Southern Ontario and exiting on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland at 5:16 p.m. NDT. The rest of the U.S. mainland will experience a partial eclipse, meaning the moon will only obscure a chunk of the sun.

All 48 states on the U.S. mainland will experience at least a partial eclipse on April 8, 2024. Credit: NASA

The sun, moon, and Earth align like this to form a total solar eclipse every one to three years. But the shadow of the moon usually traces a path over oceans and desolate corners of the world, said Kelly Korreck, a heliophysicist and NASA's program manager for the 2024 eclipse.

"In one particular location, to get that solar eclipse (again), it's between 400 and 1,000 years on average," Korreck told Mashable. "So it's once-in-a-lifetime in a specific spot, but it's not necessarily once-in-a-lifetime for the planet."

There are, of course, outliers: Carbondale, Illinois, for example — a city that was in the moon's shadow during the eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017 — will also, coincidentally, be in the path of totality in April.

Tweet may have been deleted The 2024 eclipse will last longer

The moon's shadow on Earth's surface was 71 miles wide during the 2017 eclipse, making the longest duration of total sun coverage two minutes and 41 seconds. But the 2024 eclipse will span 122 miles, Korreck said, providing an eclipse lasting up to four minutes and 27 seconds.

The shadow size changes based on the configuration of the moon's orbit around Earth and Earth's orbit around the sun, both slightly oval. The sun's size appears to change ever so slightly — enough to matter for an eclipse, said Michael Zeiler, an eclipse cartographer and co-founder of GreatAmericanEclipse.com, a resource for solar eclipses around the world.

"It all depends on the geometry," he told Mashable. "If the sun's apparent size to us is relatively small, or about the smallest it gets, and the moon is about the largest that it gets, then you will have the longest possible total solar eclipse, which has a theoretical maximum of about seven minutes and 30 seconds."

Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler says the sky could appear darker during the 2024 eclipse than in 2017, due to the wider path of totality. Credit: ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images The 2024 eclipse could appear darker

Setting aside weather conditions, the wider path of totality is also the reason some solar eclipse observers could be treated to a darker sky, Zeiler said, allowing people to see more stars against the backdrop.

If a person stood in the center of the narrower path in 2017, then went to the center of the broader 2024 path this April, the sky could appear darker the second time around. The duration of the eclipse and the level of darkness are related.

"If you're in the center, then you're a farther distance away from sunlight. That's what it boils down to — how far you are from the edge of the shadow," he said.

Tweet may have been deleted The corona will look 'spikier' in 2024

The corona, that hazy white glow that will appear when the moon blocks the sun, means "crown" in Latin. And because of where the sun is in its 11-year solar cycle, eclipse watchers are more likely to see a corona surrounded by pointy peaks, much like the name evokes.

"The shape of the corona that you see on Eclipse Day, it will become seared into your memory," said Zeiler, who has witnessed 11 total solar eclipses around the world. "When you look at a photograph, you'll instantly say, 'Oh yeah, that's the 2024 eclipse.'"

The solar cycle, caused by changes in the sun's magnetic fields, affects activity on the sun's surface. At the beginning and end of the cycle, that activity is at its calmest. But solar activity ramps up, peaking in the middle of the cycle, causing the sun to roil with giant eruptions.

The cycle will have nearly reached its maximum point during the 2024 eclipse. By contrast, the sun was closer to solar minimum in 2017, revealing a more ordered corona.

"The shape of the corona that you see on Eclipse Day, it will become seared into your memory." A solar prominence launches into the corona from the sun's surface. Credit: NASA

"The corona will just look much more, I guess the word I can say is, 'spiky,'" Samra said. "It has to do with the way the magnetic field is. The spikes that we see are actually essentially plasma — hot, ionized gas — and the corona is following the magnetic field lines."

Astronomers and eclipse chasers are excited about the chance to see some wild fireworks in the corona. Those include solar prominences — wispy pink tendrils that extend into the corona. Some prominences resemble bright lakes of fire around the moon's rim.

But the highlight could be witnessing a coronal mass ejection, plasma spewed from the corona, which might look like a bubble or blob. Small CMEs have been reported during totality in recent times, but no major eruptions. Some historians believe the eclipse that crossed Spain in 1860 had a giant one, Zeiler said. Paintings and sketches from that event show a large hook-like feature launching out of the corona.

Nearly three times more people live in the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse compared to the 2017 path. Credit: MARK RALSTON / AFP via Getty Images More people live in the 2024 eclipse's path

Motivated people will travel to the path of totality for an eclipse, but many who observe it will simply be those lucky enough to already live in the track of the moon's shadow. In 2017, that corridor fell over an estimated 12 million residents.

But this time in 2024, the path will arc toward the more densely populated East Coast, casting shade over about 31 million residents — over 2.5 times more people.

Some experts predict that because the eclipse will be in so many citizens' backyards, it will be the most-viewed astronomical event in American history — even if it's not a once-in-a-lifetime moment, per se.

"If you get lucky enough that it's not a-once-in-a-lifetime event, then just seize that," Samra said. "You're not gonna get sick of seeing it — like, no way. You're always going to wish you had longer."

This story originally published on Jan. 27, 2024 and has been updated.

Jon Stewart has turned his attentions away from politics this week on The Daily Show and onto the looming existential threat of artificial intelligence.

In the clip above the host describes it as a "bait and switch", mocking the tech leaders acting like they're helping us while simultaneously putting multiple jobs at risk.

"That's the game," concludes Stewart, after sharing past footage of various presidents talking about workers retraining. "Whether it's globalisation or industrialisation or, now, artificial intelligence, the way of life that you are accustomed to is no match for the promise of more profits and new markets. Which sounds brutal, if you're a human, but at least those other disruptions took place over a century, or decades — AI's going to be ready to take over by Thursday.

"And once that happens, what the fuck is there left for the rest of us to do?"

Each passing year of life is bound to bring new memories, some nuggets of wisdom, and the unsettling awareness of at least one more spot in your home that isn't being cleaned as often as it should be. Spring cleaning acts as our universal reminder to actually tackle the tasks we've been putting off.

What should be included in spring cleaning?

Most people can agree that a spring cleaning is a deeper, more exhaustive clean than what's covered in a weekly tidying routine, even if there are differences in approach on a more granular level. Spring cleaning goes beyond the quick once-over you give the kitchen and bathroom with your emotional support disinfecting wipes, hitting the spots that aren't as visible or easy to reach.

The list of corners in the home that hasn't been touched in a while gets long quickly, and getting overwhelmed by your cleaning to-do list is a recipe for giving up on all of them. To avoid checklist decision paralysis, the first order of business in a spring cleaning is to clean up the checklist itself.

SEE ALSO: Stop scrolling so much. Try these rituals instead.

The easiest way to do this is to pick a task or two in each room that you know you've been putting off. The crusty inside of the microwave? The cat puke stain on the couch? The space underneath any piece of furniture? It could be as simple as de-cluttering your chaotic cabinet of cleaning products so that getting out the Windex isn't a daunting task in itself.

Based on the spring cleaning we've conducted in our own homes, we have some ideas of where to start. Our checklist ranges from deep cleaning of larger appliances to automated floor care. We've also included several cleaning hacks for under $10. To tackle your annual deep clean, here are eight of our favorite hands-on tested spring cleaning products to send you into the new season with a fresh start.

Ideally, these products will minimize your cleaning dread so much that you don't mind keeping up with the list throughout the year — ultimately setting you up for a less-daunting spring cleaning next year.

TL;DR: Through April 7, this Nintendo Switch Joy-Con charging dock is on sale for only $16.99.

It's pretty impressive that the Nintendo Switch has managed to retain its reputation as a crowd-favorite console despite being over half a decade old, which is like an eternity in the gaming world. Then again, it's one of the only portable consoles that can accommodate more players simultaneously compared to PlayStation and Xbox. It allows for up to eight Joy-Cons at once, great for hosting game nights when you need your family to hustle on Overcooked.

But to keep the party going, you need the Joy-Cons all powered up. This Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock on sale can refuel up to four Joy-Cons simultaneously, taking all of them from zero to 100% in just two hours or less. For a limited time, you can grab it on sale for just $16.99.

Just like our trusty Nintendo Switch, this charger boasts a slim and portable design, allowing you to take and use it anywhere. It also has a space-saving structure to sit neatly beside the console, and with its easy slide-in mechanism, it keeps all the connected Joy-Cons stable and neat.

The charger has built-in LED indicators to notify you of the charge status of each Joy-Con. Red indicates that it's still charging, while green means that it's fully topped up, ready for another round of playing. As a bonus, the charger comes equipped with multiple protection features to keep all your controllers safe, including over-current, over-heat, over-voltage, and short-circuit protection.

Don't cut game night short with depleted Joy-Con batteries. This Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock normally retails for $19, but for a limited time, you can snag it on sale for only $16.99, no coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock with LED Indicator Lights $16.99 at the Mashable Shop
$19.99 Save $3.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, save 39% on JBL Tune Flex Ghost Edition earbuds with active noise-cancelling with an open-box model. These are new items with imperfect or non-original packaging. 

Just like you probably can’t imagine still using a landline telephone or dial-up internet in 2024, a lot of us can't imagine still using wired headphones. If that’s you, we’d love to help you unplug from the corded lifestyle with JBL Tune Flex Ghost Edition wireless earbuds for just $59.99 for an open-box pair (reg. $99.95). Open box means you get a brand-new product in imperfect packaging. 

Cut the cords and get tons of extra features

While we understand your literal attachment to your current headphones, you’ll likely never turn back once you meet the convenience and versatility of the JBL Tune Flex buds. Just remove them from their charging case, pop them into your ears, and pair them to any device with Bluetooth 5.2 technology. Then, enjoy total freedom from cords as you work out, take phone calls, tidy the house, or do anything else.

Probably the only drawback of wireless versus wired earbuds is that you have to keep them charged. However, the JBL Tune Flex buds hold 32 hours of playtime in their charging case, which is likely enough for a week or so, depending on how often you listen.

There are many other reasons to go with the JBL Tune Flex buds. For one, they have active noise-cancelling, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru modes so you can choose how much background noise you get through the buds. Two, you can customize your listening experience further with the JBL Headphones app. And, three, they have IPX4-water resistance.

Brand-new buds without the brand-name price

These JBL Tune Flex earbuds are open-box items. In short, that means their packaging has had some sort of contact with customers — possibly a store return or excess inventory from shelves — and they cannot be resold as new. Instead, they’re labeled as open-box products with verification to be in brand-new condition with clean packaging.

Go wireless with an open-box pair of JBL Tune Flex Ghost Edition earbuds for $59.99 (reg. $99.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune Flex Ghost Edition Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds (Open Box) $59.99 at the Mashable Shop
$99.95 Save $39.96 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, save an extra 20% on a lifetime subscription to a second phone number with Hushed and get 6,000 SMS or 1,000 phone minutes each year with coupon code SECURE20.

How many times a day does your phone ring, but it’s not a "real" call — as in, it’s a telemarketer, robocall, or even a scam. These days, it seems like we get those more often than our friends or family dial us, and there might be a solution: Getting a second phone number with Hushed to filter out the bad from the good.

Unlike your current cellular provider which would probably charge you a small fortune for a second line, a Hushed lifetime subscription is currently on sale for $19.99 (reg. $150) with code SECURE20 at checkout. Shop other security-related deals in the Mashable Shop with this coupon through April 7.

A second number is your call to privacy

Having a second phone number with Hushed is as simple as having the app on your iOS or Android phone and using its current WiFi or cellular connection. This is where you’ll have text and phone conversations, though you could also set up call forwarding settings and customize your voicemail.

Start by choosing an area code from hundreds of choices across the United States and Canada. Those using Hushed as a way to ward off those annoying spam calls after calling 800 numbers, applying for credit, or making donations (yes, that’s how your number gets out there) may want to choose a location randomly, while those using a second number for dating or selling online might select one close to their real location.

This particular subscription tier includes a combination of 6,000 SMS or 1,000 phone minutes to use each year, though you can purchase additional credits at any time. There are also higher amounts available that also work with the SECURE20 coupon code.

A second number could be the right call with Hushed, now $19.99 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $150) when you enter coupon code SECURE20 at checkout until April 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Subscription $19.99 at the Mashable Shop
$150.00 Save $130.01 with code SECURE20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 7, this refurbished Apple iPad mini 4 is just $174.99 (reg. $195).

Since we live in an on-the-go world, we need on-the-go tools to support us. The tablet is the usual go-to for portable connectivity, whether you're working, playing games, scrolling through social media, streaming videos, or just about anything else. And an iPad mini is made to be even more manageable while traveling, commuting, or just running errands. This iPad mini 4 is on sale for $174.99 (reg. $195).

With a spacious 128GB of storage and a vivid 7.9-inch Retina display, this could be a top-of-the-list option if you're in the market for a new-to-you device. It's a refurbished model from 2015, but has been inspected and cleaned to run very well. It has a grade "B" refurbished rating. That means it could have some light cosmetic scuffing or other signs of use on the bevel or body. 

It has a 64-bit A8 chip and WiFi capabilities to keep you connected via network or hotspot. This tablet also has Apple Pay and Siri for your convenience.

The iPad mini 4 runs iPadOS 9 and updates to iPadOS 15.5. It can also provide up to ten hours of battery life so you don't have to worry about it dying right in the middle of your favorite show.

This is a solid opportunity to own a versatile, smooth tablet from Apple at an extra 10% savings.

Pick up this refurbished Apple iPad mini 4 for just $174.99 (reg. $195) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini 4, 128GB - Space Gray (Refurbished: WiFi Only) $174.99 at the Mashable Shop
$195.00 Save $20.01 Get Deal

In a world filled with AI skeptics, I'm cautiously optimistic about the proliferation of artificial intelligence. Yes, it has its dark sides, like deepfakes (I mean, did you see what happened to Taylor Swift?), job displacement, and AI-induced intellectual lethargy. 

But I'd argue that all new breakthrough technologies are disruptive (e.g., the internet, ride-sharing apps, and social media), causing ruin to some aspects of society while bringing benefits in other areas.

Pro-AI advocates claim that AI will make our lives easier, so I decided to put that to the test. A five-day vacation is fun, but building a nearly week-long itinerary is not. So, for the first time ever, I partially relied on ChatGPT to plan my Costa Rica trip with my significant other — and I'm not sure I'd do it again.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI previews synthetic voice creator, Voice Engine What I wanted out of my Costa Rica trip

There are five activities I wanted to do in Costa Rica: zip lining, off-roading with ATVs, the La Paz waterfalls hike, a food-sampling tour, and exploring San José. It's the latter, however, that I needed help with the most, so I sought the help of AI.

Cascading waters at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park Credit: Jason England

While I carved out five days for Costa Rica, realistically, we only had three days to play with. Why? I flew into San José, Costa Rica, on Monday at 10 p.m., making it too late to do anything of significance upon our arrival. And my flight back to New York was shortly after midnight on Friday, so that day was out, too.

I managed to book the food-sampling tour ("Bites and Sites") on Tuesday, and I squeezed in zip lining and ATVs on Wednesday. We did the La Paz waterfalls hike on Thursday. So, Tuesday — before our 3 p.m. food-sampling tour — was the only day we could fit in some San José exploration.

What I used to plan my Costa Rica trip

I used the free version of ChatGPT — ChatGPT 3.5, to be exact — to plan my tour of San José.

My prompt:

"I am staying at URBN Escalante at San José, Costa Rica, and I want to check out the must-see points of interest, including the best places for pictures and buying cheap souvenirs. We want to end at Los Presentes by 3 p.m. I am starting at 9 a.m. Don't include lunch. List an itinerary." (Note: Los Presentes is where we were told to meet for the 3 p.m. food-sampling tour.)

ChatGPT’s response:

9 a.m. Start at URBN Escalante. Take a walk around the neighborhood and grab breakfast at one of the local cafes.

10 a.m. Head to the Central Market (Mercado Central). Explore the vibrant market, sample local fruits, and capture colorful scenes for your photos.

11:30 a.m. Make your way to Barrio Amón. Wander through the streets admiring the historic architecture and street art. Don't forget to snap some pictures along the way.

1:00 p.m. Visit Mercado Nacional de Artesanías. Browse through the stalls for cheap souvenirs such as handicrafts, ceramics, and local artwork.

2 p.m. Finish your shopping and head to Lost Presentes. Spend some time browsing the selection of unique gifts and souvenirs before they close at 3 p.m.

3 p.m. Arrive at Los Presentes to wrap up your day of exploration and shopping.

Why I'll never rely on ChatGPT again

"Take a walk around the neighborhood" was frustratingly vague. If I wanted to wander around aimlessly, I wouldn't have asked ChatGPT to create an itinerary for me in the first place.

We spotted a few eye-catching, Instagram-friendly murals in Barrio Escalante (where we were staying), so we were surprised ChatGPT didn't mention them in its itinerary.

Eye-catching mural in San José, Costa Rica Credit: Jason England

Also, I should have added "Don’t include breakfast" in my prompt, since we already had some coffee and a muffin before stepping out. But if we did want breakfast, it would be nice if ChatGPT was "intelligent" enough to recommend a specific cafe that is beloved among locals and tourists alike.

Still, we listened to ChatGPT and went to Mercado Central. At first glance, we weren't impressed. It looked like a typical, bustling Central American fresh-food market. And I was immediately put off by the stench of fish wafting in the air.

Mercado Central in San José Credit: Jason England

Braving the odor, we passed by stalls of vendors selling everything you can think of, from colorful black magic paraphernalia and chirping pet birds to delectable Costa Rican grub like gallo pinto (a popular breakfast dish of rice and beans) and maduros (sweet plantains).

We stumbled upon a souvenir shop, too, where I purchased a beautiful wooden mug with a striking Costa Rican parrot design splashed on it. (As such, we ended up skipping the Mercado Nacional de Artesanías suggestion.)

Wooden souvenir mug from Costa Rica Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, as I found out later in my trip, I totally underestimated Mercado Central.

Human beats AI — this time

I felt slightly disappointed by Mercado Central, so when our Costa Rican "Bites and Sites" tour guide led us back to it, I thought, "Not again!"

However, the tour guide reinvigorated our interest in the fresh-food market by providing some jaw-dropping historical context. For example, we stopped by an ice cream stall — one we'd previously overlooked — that seemed like a run-of-the-mill soft-serve shop. As it turns out, the family-run, government-protected ice cream stall has been around since 1910, and they’ve been serving the same flavor of ice cream for 114 years.

Its ingredients consist of nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, and vanilla, yielding an interesting yellowish color. I tasted it, and it was absolutely divine.

Ice cream shop in San Jose's Mercado Central Credit: Jason England

You didn’t tell us that, ChatGPT.

Our tour guide also advised us to try a caldosa, ceviche mixed with barbecue flavored-corn chips. When we asked, "How did this dish come to be?," the tour guide said, "School kids! They’d throw chips into ceviche during their lunch break. And somehow, the funky idea spread across the country."

Caldosa from San José's Mercado Central Credit: Jason England

Another gem ChatGPT didn't tell us.

And that just scratches the surface. There were countless nuggets of information the tour guide shared that we wouldn't have gotten from ChatGPT. We would have given Mercado Central a rushed walk-through, shrugged, and thought it was yet another ho-hum market. But as it turns out, with the help of a human tour guide, we got a cornucopia of information that I would have missed if I completely relied on ChatGPT.

Even after prompting ChatGPT to provide more details about what, exactly, we should be exploring inside Mercado Central, we didn't get anything substantial that would have benefitted our DIY tour.

How ChatGPT can become a useful AI travel guide

As I mentioned at the outset, before using ChatGPT, I was actually somewhat optimistic about its capabilities. But after using it to plan one day of my Costa Rica trip, I'm feeling disillusioned.

Keep in mind, I was using the free tier of ChatGPT. And it's worth noting that even OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, admitted that the AI chatbot has become "lazy." Its sloppy itinerary was equivalent to someone vaguely gesturing in random directions after you ask them for navigation help.

As opposed to "walk around town" and "check out a local cafe" (something anyone can do on a trip if they want to be aimless vagabonds), I'd prefer ChatGPT list specific hot spots and buzzworthy locales. Which blocks, exactly, should I be exploring? Is there a particular five-star cafe I should be visiting?

ChatGPT's recommendation of Barrio Amón for Instagrammable pictures was cool and all, but we were surprised that the AI bot didn't suggest the other beautiful San José locations we spotted, including the ultra-popular "SJO ¡Vive!" sculptures across the city.

SJO ¡Vive! structure in San José, Costa Rica Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Of course, a human touch will always be better than what AI can provide, but at this point in time, ChatGPT doesn’t even come close to what a real tour guide can offer. Hell, it’s not even in the same ballpark.

For now, when it comes to building a travel itinerary, the scoreboard is Humans: 1 and AI: 0.