Tools For Installing Quartz Countertops In Phoenix

How To Install Quartz Countertops And The Tools Used

new quartz countertops installed in phoenix homeQuartz countertops are created from walnut and resin binders, they are a popular option to solid rock countertops like granite and marble that are frequently utilized in high-end home settings. Quartz countertops are produced from a manufactured substance and are a lot more affordable than the marbles and granite you’ll find out there on the market. The resin on the counters provides additional waterproofing, reducing the requirement to seal the quartz countertops and reducing maintenance requirements. Installation of Quartz is a simple procedure requiring little cutting of the actual counter and some gluing and positioning. We buy the best Quartz countertops Phoenix sells in their local market, and no real special installation tools are needed, general contracting tools typically get the job done. For many DIY homeowners, this can be accomplished in a day or two depending on the size of the counters you are trying to install. Here are some tips of the trade to help you get your quartz countertops installed in a timely manner efficiently.

Four Basic Steps To Installing Quartz Countertops Phoenix

 


• First, like anything else you install, accurately measure the area where you would like to install the countertop using a measuring tape. Buy your quartz slab to match the dimensions as close as possible to prevent the need to cut the quartz countertop to match the space available. Make note of some backsplash ideas if you decide you want to install that also.

• Next, test place the countertop into the measured area by installing the counter as you will be doing permanently. Take into account any additional space for cabinetry. Leave space in the back to allow for the mounting brackets of the countertops. If trimming is necessary to match the space available, then mark cutting lines using a tape measure and carefully make your cuts. Be sure you double check the measurements before you start. Once you cut, you can’t go back. Fortunately, there are scrap yards that stock miscellaneous pieces of quartz countertops phoenix contractors dispose of.

• Spray the quartz with water to cool the saw blade. Wear a pair of work gloves and safety goggles to guard against potential quartz chips. Use a circular saw with a diamond blade attached to decrease the potential damage caused to the quartz countertops. Begin the cut out of the edge of the counter in a clockwise direction, pushing the blade across the line gradually with minimal pressure. Let the blade work it’s magic, just guide it, and let it cut through the quartz for you. Keep the surface of the countertop moist by spraying it with water as you move along till you have completed the cut you want. Examine the new cut against the space you will be installing it in. Make sure that the dimensions are accurate.

installing quartz countertops in az home• Mount the backsplash into the wall with construction adhesive brushed on the rear of the backsplash using a paintbrush. Examine the degree of the backsplash using a carpenter’s level and make any alterations necessary. Apply a coating of the building glue to the tops of the cabinets in which the countertop will lie and across the back of the countertop where it moves against the backsplash. Put the quartz countertop on the cabinets and slip it back from the backsplash. Fill out the seams between the backsplash and the countertop with silicone caulk and then wait immediately for the caulk and glue to dry.

Installing quartz countertops is not difficult if you take the time to do it right. Hiring a professional is always suggested, but you can do this yourself if you take the time to learn the process and have patience when completing the project. New countertops can turn an outdated kitchen or bathroom into a refreshing area in the home.

For more on DIY home, improvements subscribe to our newsletter. For home and garden tips check out this blog on pest control.

Thank you for stopping by!

Gardening Tips And Tools For Pest Control

10 Ways to Maintain Pest Control In Your Garden

pest and rodent control for your garden

There are plenty of rodents wondering amongst the shrubs in Arizona, so how do you keep your Garden free of them, and what tools should you use to accomplish proper pest control? Some of them are cute, but it’s not cute when they start munching on your freshly planted vegetables and chow down on your cactus root. Like it or not, these pests are not selective about what is yours and what is theirs. Your lawn and garden are a part of a bigger system, and it’s called the great outdoors. The animals were there first, now you need to eco-friendly ways of protecting your gardens from these Arizona pests.

While it’s not possible to make your garden 100% pest-proof, here are a couple of ways to minimize the nibbling and live peacefully with the wild rodents and pests of the Arizona desert. Here are some tips from our friends at Green Home (https://greenhomepest.com/) that has plenty of experience handling rodent and insect infestations.

#1 Find Out What The Pest/Rodent Is

Picking the right type of pest control will be easier if you know what is destroying your garden, maybe you need a trap and relocation mechanism, or maybe you need a trap that exterminates the rodent completely? Rodents that seem to create the fastest damage are rabbits, deer, and groundhogs. You can look for signs on the shrubs themselves to help better identify what it is that’s eating away at your garden. Deer can leave trails in the dirt and bite clean snips on crops or rip away at woody plants. Rabbits make sharp cuts on plants and might leave pellet droppings. Groundhogs leave big mounds of dirt 10″ to 12″ in diameter at the entry point of their burrows, typically eating greens, not woody shrubs. Birds peck holes in fruit or sneak it before you even know it is ripe.

#2 Fence The Garden In

Fencing is the most successful (and at times only!) way to keep unwanted rodents and pests out of your garden. Put a fence up from day one to keep them from discovering the food source at the first place. A fence that is a couple of feet tall will do the job for many rabbits, even, however, persistent bunnies and groundhogs may dig under. To stop that, bury it about 10″ deep. Chicken wire, hardware cloth, or bunny fencing would be the cheapest alternatives for smaller mammals. A stake post that is at least 4 ft tall will do the job for many deer looking to jump over and grub on your garden. However, if your area is overrun by deer, then you might need one that is 8 feet tall. Vinyl bird netting can be placed over trees with edible berries a few weeks before they ripen, to safeguard the fruit.

#3 Pick Plants The Animals Don’t Like

pest eating plant leafs in gardenEasier said than done. But if you know beforehand that there are roaming deer and rabbits wandering the property than a little research before planting your garden is highly recommended. When they are hungry enough and competition for food is large, animals will consume anything. But there are particular types of plants which are less attractive than others, particularly plants which are highly aromatic, fuzzy, or have prickles. Look around your area to find out what’s fared well, speak to nurseries, and consult some local farmers that have had success or battled the same pests in their gardens.

#4 Protect Your Plants

Those new nursery plants, that are pampered and fertilized until you purchased them, provide yummy, tender new growth. Whether a plant is yummy or a deterrent to creatures has to do with all the nutritional supplement and compounds a plant generates. Plants recently bought from a nursery are superior in quality and are a preference for roaming animals. The animals can sense those micronutrients, and they are naturally attracted to them. New plants can’t take as much grazing harm as established plants, so fence off your new plants to protect them from the rodents and insects that may sense the new crops. Having proper pest control in place will be important for the survival of your young plant life.

#5 Elevate Your Plants With Risers

At times you may be able to eliminate the nibbling from rodents by elevating containers or planting in raised garden beds. A raised bed two feet or taller will restrict rabbit damage, and stop most smaller rodents from jumping up into the raised containers. While this is not necessarily pest control, it does act as a deterrent.

#6 Do Clear Out The Surrounding Foliage

If you can, allow the grasses and shrubs around the borders of your lawn/yard to go a little crazy. When there are other varieties of plant life available, your garden won’t be as appealing. Animals will not be as inclined to come out to your garden and expose themselves to predators when they can find food to eat in the outer perimeter. They would rather eat sheltered than in the open, so give them the option.

#7 Keep Your Mulch Contained

Open mulch piles attract all sorts of animals that then find the other delicacies growing in your garden. Use an enclosed compost bin with a lid to keep rodents and pests away. And should you feed your pets outside, make certain to bring their bowls indoors after they eat so that you won’t attract unwanted rodents and pests to your property.

#8 Scare Them

Metallic streamers, or bird tape, or an old-fashioned scarecrow can keep birds out of your garden, even though you may need to relocate and adjust daily as the birds wisen up. You can not let it just sit there. Otherwise, as soon as they get used to it, this technique loses its effectiveness. Also, try motion-activated sprinklers or lighting to detour rodents from your yard.

pest control - rodent repellent#9 Repellants Work

Odor repellents are an option and can be sprayed on crops to keep animals away. Taste repellents can be sprayed on plants as well. When ingested these repellants create a foul experience and detour rodents from nibbling on your plants.

#10 Take It All In And Relax

The weather patterns change year to year, temperatures change, and life happens. Take a look around, make note of the changing earth that surrounds your property and understand it for what it is. Relax, don’t let pest control consume you, make an effort, move things around if needed, but don’t stress about it. After all, isn’t gardening supposed to be a stress reliever?

Want to move your existing Garden to your new home? Check out these tips on moving.

Plastic Surgery Procedures Performed On Celebrities

In today’s world, where social media rules and celebrities are emulated and worshiped, it is no surprise that many of us regular folk strive to look like our favorite celebs, even to the point of having plastic surgery to do so. Have you ever dreamed of having a more voluminous bust line or a perfect pout, on par with your favorite stars? Simulated perfection is as close as the nearest plastic surgeon.

So which famous people have the most coveted body parts, according to plastic surgeons? Well, much depends on who you ask, but the following celebrities are named most often when people decide they want to change a feature—or features—to improve their looks:

Jennifer Aniston’s name is often mentioned when women visit the plastic surgeon. Known for her youthful, girl-next-door look, many women ask for the “Aniston nose” as well as Natalie Portman’s nose and Nicole Kidman’s nose. A skilled surgeon can determine if the nose shape you request fits with the rest of your face, otherwise, no matter whose nose you have, you won’t be happy!

Men also request rhinoplasty, the technical term for a nose job. Men often request the noses of famoplastic surgeryus gents like Ben Affleck, and Ryan Reynolds but truth be known—a nose like theirs doesn’t suddenly transform you into a superhero!

So what’s it take to achieve a sniffer like your favorite actor or actress? Undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure can include removal or addition of bone or cartilage, skin grafting, and essentially ‘molding’ the nose to a new shape. Performed by a surgeon, the procedure can be complete either in an outpatient setting or in a hospital for more complicated procedures. Expect a nose job to set you back anywhere from $3000 to $6000.

With a steady rise in popularity, butt lifts and butt implants are all the rage. Which famous ladies have the best backsides, according to the inquiries received by plastic surgeons? It looks as if Kim Kardashian derriere has eclipsed that of beauties Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé—but just by a shadow. And how can you have your very own Kardashian? Either a Brazilian butt lift, where fat is transferred from another part of your body to your rear or with the insertion of butt implants. Both will enhance the roundness and fullness of your backside, but it comes at a cost: the procedures start at around $4000 not including additional fees.

Another very popular plastic surgery procedure is breast augmentation. Many women seek breast augmentation surgery to fill out their form or to even out their proportions. As far as celebrities with envied assets, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Simpson are oftentimes mentioned as having the perfect balance of fullness and firmness while not appearing too fake. The newest twist on breast augmentation is much like the Brazilian butt lift, where fat from another part of the body is siphoned off and injected into the new site. Expect to pay anywhere from $3000 to approximately $10000, depending upon the doctor’s experience, the type of materials used for the implant, and assorted costs, including anesthesia.

Want to have pillow-y lips like Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie or Kiley Jenner? Prepare to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for lip augmentation fillers to several thousand dollars for synthetic lip inserts or fat grafting. Lip augmentation can be achieved by using any one of several dermal fillers such as the popular Restylane and Juvederm. These fillers can plump up your pout but not permanently. To achieve an everlasting look, you’ll need to go the lip implant route, like the silicone lip implant PermaLip, or to have fat grafted from another part of your body and injected into your lips. It is recommended that you try the fillers first to ensure you love the plumped up look before you decide to permanently change your appearance.

If you are looking for perfect cheekbones, look no further than superstars Jennifer Garner, Beyoncé, Ashton Kutcher or Will Smith—they are the celebrities with the most sought after cheekbones. Accentuating your cheekbones will give you a younger, more contoured appearance to your face. But be prepared: silicone cheek implants will cost you a few thousand dollars.

Want amazing abs but don’t want the hassle of working out? A few options can possibly give you a six pack like Janet Jackson, Fergie, or Channing Tatum, the most requested sets of abs on the planet. To achieve the envied abs, you can undergo an abdominal etching, a form of liposuction that gives you a flat, tight stomach with greater muscle definition. The surgeon removes excess fat, and then creates grooves in remaining fat layers to simulate the appearance of toned abs. The other option is abdominal implants that are designed to replicate the look of the six-pack, and they can provide an even more defined appearance than abdominal etching. Hopefully, you’ve been saving your pennies; the average cost for abdominal etching runs about $6500 while abdominal implants cost upwards to ten grand.

Obviously, many famous people have appealing physical features, ones that regular people pay good money to try to duplicate. Plastic surgeons everywhere caution their patients trying to mirror their favorite star’s look: these procedures will not change your life; just your appearance. Don’t expect to be starring in movies after receiving a nose like Jennifer Aniston’s or landing a promotion just because your breasts are as ample as Scarlett Johansson’s—it just doesn’t work that way. And recognize that while your doctor—while skilled and aptly trained, no doubt—is not a magician. Keep your expectations realistic. Take, for instance, people who were born with beauty, and decided to forge ahead with plastic surgery anyway. Heidi Montag, for one, was a gorgeous girl who opted to have ten plastic surgery operations in one day—and morphed into a Franken-babe. She regrets all her surgeries and says she will always feel like Edward Scissorhands from the movie of the same name. Kenny Rogers, of “The Gambler” fame, gambled on a facelift to look younger for his kittenish wife and wound up discontent with his outcome. Just goes to show you, you can have fame and money, but it doesn’t guarantee the outcome of your plastic surgery. Be careful; do your research and keep your expectations in line.

 

Questions To Ask a Moving Company

Just like trying to find a new job or a loved one’s passing, moving can be a really stressful period in an individual’s life. Many professional moving companies understand this and thus attempt to create their clients moving expertise stress-free and exciting. They eliminate each negative emotion by managing every intricate feature of the move. Moving mid-month, instead of the start or end of this month, can save you a significant quantity of money. The majority of the movers are incredibly active towards the start and end of this month. But prior to employing a plumber execute a background check to ascertain their reliability. A few of the questions to ask a plumber before hiring their support include:

Do they have testimonials?

It is very important to seek the services of movers from Lawton, OK which have over a dozen references. Additionally, the mover ought to be eager to provide you contacts of those references. When you get in contact with several of these, you may discover their expertise in the palms of the agency. You need to avoid as far as possible to employ services of unidentified businesses. Small businesses can be well worth the time in case you check them out. The ideal supplier ought to have offices in your region. Additionally, they need to have been operating for at least 5 year.

Can they tackle an in-house quote?

You shouldn’t select an organization which purports to provide cost estimates over the telephone or through email. In-house estimates permit the service provider to find out the quantity and weight of your products before making up a trusted price. Moreover, learn in the firm whether the cost quotes are binding or non-binding. Low prices don’t necessarily imply low closing bills with a flat-rate quote. Moreover, learn what the prices include to assist you consider alternative courses of actions to decrease the bill. You have to understand that a great standing equals to great rates because nobody gets excellent reviews and wins awards by overcharging.

Will the firm be tackling the movement or will it employ a subcontractor?

It is extremely important to understand who will be managing your merchandise to be able to take on a careful history check to the service supplier. When the movers use a subcontractor, request their name, contacts and location. The standing of this subcontractor is something which you might have to learn as you can’t afford to entrust your precious items to somebody that has a suspicious character. By studying the neighborhood small business agency and client testimonials, you may find out more about the support supplier.

Will the relocation need particular arrangements?

To browse the city roads, movers from Lawton are time to time needed to transport things from a bigger truck to the house. This often impacts the expenses of moving and raises the odds of precious items being ruined. For that reason, it’s very important to discover if any special arrangements are needed.

Advancement In Digital Hearing Aids Helping Seniors

Today everyone uses credit/debit card to make purchases online or in store. Same thing applies when someone is choosing to buy electronic hearing aids, be it middle aged people or seniors. People of this generation have the capability as well as the wish to use the internet easily, which enables them to study hearing-aid technologies on their own.

Back in the days, when patients required changes for their digital hearing aid, or discuss any problems concerning the hearing-aid efficiency, they had to travel to an audiologist’s or representative’s office. The audiologist would makes adjustments along with the patient would abandon the office, trying out the new options in the world out. Each time a change is needed, an individual would need to revisit the audiologist’s office and perhaps spend cash in an event the vendor limits the number of changes that are free, or could require a substantial amount of time.

However, hearing-aid technologies has transformed, and programming computer software is accessible that may be used by both the buyer or the audiologist. Patients can decide to plan the system themselves within their own properties utilizing customer-pleasant computer software, where the hearing aid could be altered for the individual, or else they can have the programming PC software deliver the results of queries through the internet to the audiologist’s office. This newest hearing-aid technologies, enables the software to be much more user pleasant and more intuitive than plans before.

earThis latest alternative in hearing-aid technologies is of excellent gain to several of today’s tech savvy middle-aged people. It allows them to be more earnestly a part of their electronic hearing aids – especially these fascinated in being capable to function with programming computer software that runs on their computers. Additionally, they will not have to take faraway from time function to visit an office for changes. Should they do have queries about changes or hearing-aid engineering, they are able to simply select up the telephone and contact the seller for mo-Re info.

Another big change in hearing-aid technologies is the support versions don’t require the same method that is fitting from the past. Older digital hearing aids at the same time as some that are nonetheless obtainable today require to be fit together with the development of a silicon mold. Today, seniors with gentle to average hearing reduction can make the most of new electronic hearing-aid engineering and and buy open-match and speaker-in-the-ear hearing aids. These gadgets may be placed on anybody’s ear with no need to get a custom ear mold. With really minor tweaks to the bodily human anatomy of the hearing-aid, an open match could be customized for the person. By enabling sound to to feed to the ear-canal unprocessed by the help, and after that combining it with indicators that are amplified, fit aids that are open block or don’t occlude the ear canal.

Unlike generations before them, middle-aged people are much more comfortable obtaining details about digital hearing aids on the web or on the telephone, other than face-to-face. Consequently, they might never go to the office of an audiologist at any given point in the getting method. Instead, they’re able to begin by studying articles that are educational and found on the internet talking about hearing support technologies. They’re also able to call different audiologists to request queries – equally particular and basic – before building a purchase.

That also might be done on the internet when it takes time to acquire electronic hearing aids. They finally make the purchase on the web or within the phone after which can get several costs before creating a decision. As formerly mentioned, today, buyers get tech support team on the phone, or can alter their electronic hearing aids online.

If you’re located in the Oklahoma City market- here’s direction for one of the best places to get your ears checked.

Foundation Repair Tools

Tools Needed For DIY Foundation Repair

foundation repair - injecting solutionsFoundation repair can consist of multiple processes and multiple tools. Depending on the severity of the damage done to the foundation, a simple fix could be required, or a more sophisticated approach may be needed. Having the proper to knowledge to repair cracked or damaged foundation is only part of the remedy, the other part is having the right tools. Below I will list 5 tools we recommend using when repairing your foundation. If you are not a DIY individual and do not intent on repairing the foundation yourself then consider hiring a foundation repair contractor.

• Low Pressure Crack Injector System

If there is a crack in the foundation, you will need to inject to properly fill the crack. It’s possible that while injecting you will notice that the injection solution is leaking out the other side of the wall. If this is the case you will need to seal that side up before proceeding with any more injections. Sealing the other side will also prevent water, insects, rodents, and any other exterior element from penetrating the wall barrier into the interior of the structure.

• Injecting The Proper Solution

Identifying what solution you want to inject into your foundation will be extremely important. Various solutions provide various results and depending on how you want the foundation treated this will be important to determine. Do you want a flex in the crack or are you looking for a more solid result that doesn’t allow that foundation to move? There are injection solutions on the market for everything. Some solutions will react with water, while some expand in water. Some will stop water, while some react and bond with it. Contact your local hardware store and ask an expert for assistance when purchasing your injection solution.

• Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiver is commonly used in foundation work, both for new structures and for the repair of existing structures. There is carbon fiber mesh material and carbon fiber sheets on the market for whole wall repair, and carbon fiber staples for crack repair. Carbon fiber is a great tool to have and works best in conjunction with other foundation stabilization products and systems.

• Wall Bowing Toolsfoundation repair - bowing walls in the basement

If you conduct business or live in a region with concrete block foundations, you will need to have a solution for bowing walls. There are several systems on the market that accomplish the same thing, however personal preference comes into play for most of it. Typically to repair bowing walls you will want to choose an interior steel beam system or an exterior wall anchor system you should have a solution to fix bowed walls.

• Underpinning

Underpinning is an important skill to have when repairing foundations. Make sure that if you are offering underpinning to your list of services that you have the proper training and certifications in place for you and your employees. Every manufacture offers proprietary installation instructions and training for their products.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 27

A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for April 27’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Hesitant confidence

  • Green: Lights went out

  • Blue: Plot

  • Purple: Homophones

Here are today’s Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Trust as Real

  • Green: Power Issues

  • Blue: Summary

  • Purple: Name Homophones

Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #321 is…

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Trust as Real: ACCEPT, BELIEVE, BUY, SWALLOW

  • Power Issues: OUTAGE, SHORT, SPIKE, SURGE

  • Summary: ABSTRACT, BRIEF, DIGEST, OUTLINE

  • Name Homophones: CURT, HAIRY, KNEEL, WANE

Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday’s Connections.

Elon Musk reportedly on the verge of raising billions for his AI company

Elon Musk and xAI logo

Elon Musk’s OpenAI competitor is getting ready to raise some big money from Silicon Valley.

According to new, anonymously-sourced reports from The Information and TechCrunch, Musk’s AI company xAI is currently raising $6 billion on a $18 billion pre-money valuation, and the deal is expected to close in a matter of weeks.

SEE ALSO:

If you’re a paying X user, Elon Musk wants his Grok AI to write your posts for you, report says

Musk’s ten-month-old AI company is looking to take OpenAI on directly after Musk openly criticized and feuded with the AI giant that he helped create. Musk has long ragged on OpenAI’s change in ethos, criticizing the company’s move from an open, nonprofit model to a more secretive, profit-seeking approach.

According to reports, Musk and associates have been pitching xAI to investors as an AI brand that will one day integrate with Musk’s various companies like Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. TechCrunch reports that the pitch claims that xAI will be different from other AI companies because it will “master the physical world.” The pitch says that one day xAI will train on the data from all of Musk’s companies and then be able to aid Tesla in creating (still nonexistent) full self-driving cars and its (still underdevelopment) robot Optimus.

It should come as no surprise if Musk has no problem raising big money from tech venture capitalists. Musk has many friends in Silicon Valley, and even though his reputation has taken hits recently, sympathetic VC firms have long been a feature of his support network. As TechCrunch notes, one of the participants in this round of funding is Future Ventures, which was co-founded by Musk’s old associate Steve Jurvetson.

However, as xAI gets ready to raise billions, it’s important to note that its only real product at this point is Grok, the AI chatbot integrated into Musk’s social media company X, formerly known as Twitter. And, as Mashable and other outlets have reported, Grok isn’t really any good. Just recently the AI chatbot could not tell the difference between real news and a joke, and reported a humorous post as actual legitimate news. Grok also recently made up a fake story about Iran striking Tel Aviv with missiles, which X then promoted to its hundreds of millions of users.

But, regardless of Grok’s failures, Musk is utilizing the hype around xAI to bail X out. According to TechCrunch, X owns a stake in xAI, so the social media company, which has seen revenue fall off a cliff under Musk’s ownership, will profit from…whatever happens with xAI.

Quick, the PlayStation Portal is back in stock at two different stores

playstation portal on coffee table

UPDATE: Apr. 26, 2024, 4:40 p.m. EDT We’ve updated this story after confirming that next week’s Early Access Event at Walmart will be limited to paid members of its Walmart+ program. In other words, you’ll have to upgrade from the free trial tier to buy the PlayStation Portal during the sale.

Quick links: PlayStation Portal restock

In Stock

PlayStation Portal Remote Player

$199.99 at Best Buy

the PlayStation Portal Remote Player


In Stock

PlayStation Portal Remote Player

$199.99 at PlayStation Direct

the PlayStation Portal Remote Player


Coming Soon

PlayStation Portal Remote Player

$199 at Walmart starting April 29 at 12 p.m. ET
(paid Walmart+ membership required)

the PlayStation Portal Remote Player

Sony’s PlayStation Portal Remote Player has been relatively difficult to buy, flitting in and out of stock at various retailers ever since its mid-November launch. But luck is currently on wannabe buyers’ sides: It’s back up for grabs at Best Buy and PlayStation Direct as of April 26.

Priced at $199.99, the Portal is a handheld PlayStation 5 accessory that lets players stream their games on the go via the console’s Remote Play feature; it looks like a DualSense controller that’s been spliced in half by an eight-inch LCD screen. Function-wise, it’s nothing revolutionary — you can do the exact same thing on a smartphone (for free!) — and its ability to work successfully largely depends on the strength of your internet connection. Still, Mashable’s Alex Perry was a reluctant fan.

“Portal’s excellent form factor, good display, and overall usefulness have outweighed its numerous problems for me,” Perry wrote in his review, hedging his recommendation with advice to wait for a discount. (Spoiler: That probably won’t be happening anytime soon, judging by its persistent hard-to-findness.)

SEE ALSO:

PlayStation Portal: It’s both life-changing and frustrating at the same time

If the Portal happens to sell out at Best Buy and PlayStation Direct before you can add it to your cart, you’ll have another chance to buy it at Walmart in the near future. From Monday, April 29 at 12 p.m. ET to the same time the following day, the big-box store will be hosting an Early Access Event for paid (non-trial) Walmart+ members that features limited availability of exclusive and hard-to-buy items.

Most of said items will be groceries, per a press release — think KeKe Palmer-autographed Chips Ahoy! bundles, a Dolly Parton baking mix collection, and mystery-flavored Flamin’ Hot Doritos — but a Portal restock will (very randomly) sneak in there, too.

Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ is the internet’s Song of the Summer

Sabrina Carpenter performing in a white mini dress at Coachella Weekend 2.

There are four little words that the girls just can’t get out of their heads: “That’s that me espresso” — a little nonsensical, a lot catchy.

They seem to answer the season’s hottest question: What’s the Song of the Summer? Sabrina Carpenter’s sun-drenched hit, “Espresso,” is currently the top contender. While artists scramble to promote their summer bops on TikTok and stan Twitter battles it out, Carpenter is not-so-quietly poised to take the crown.

SEE ALSO:

Taylor Swift’s brand is mightier than her pen

The Extremely Online — a.k.a. X / Twitter users — are constantly referencing, reworking, and memeifying the song’s lyrics.

Carpenter is no stranger to internet attention. She’s a former Disney Channel star who, back in 2021, was the infamous “blonde girl” referenced in Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License.” But in 2022, Carpenter released her album Emails I Can’t Send, establishing herself as her own distinct pop princess.

As one user wrote, “I love the duality that Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter provide as counterparts… Olivia’s songs are like ‘I’m so insecure and crazy and I’m going to die’ and Sabrina’s are like ‘every boy is in love with me and that makes complete sense.'”

Carpenter recently opened for Taylor Swift on the Latin America leg of The Eras Tour and performed at Coachella, catapulting her to stardom. (The other pop star hovering around a similar come-up is Chappell Roan, who opened for Rodrigo on her GUTS World Tour and also performed at Coachella.)

Carpenter routinely goes viral for her suggestive outros to her biggest hit, “Nonsense,” which she tailors to the city where she’s performing. Just last week at Coachella she sang, “Made his knees so weak he had to spread mine / He’s drinking my bath water like it’s red wine / Coachella see you back here when I headline,” referencing her relationship with Saltburn star Barry Keoghan. (Keoghan brought even more attention to “Espresso” when he posted a photo of a cup of coffee on his Instagram story with the blonde queen emoji.)

But now fans and casual listeners alike can’t stop returning to “me espresso,” the odd phrasing birthing so many memes.

One user wrote, “don’t talk to me until i’ve had my me espresso.” Another clarified, “that’s that me espresso. that’s that me espresso. that? that’s that me espresso. oh that? that’s that me espresso. that thing you’ve got? right there? that’s that me espresso. yeah.” Someone else captioned a video of a waitress pouring a cup of coffee on her foot, “that’s that me espresso.”

Other users are obsessed with just how blonde both the song and Carpenter are. One user uploaded the meme “Actually, can I have five more of these little blonde bitches?” with the caption, “me listening to espresso.” Another observed, “Me Espresso..a most pleasing track to me. It’s not often you can hear the Blonde come through in the recording anymore.” Someone else said, “that espresso song by the little blonde bitch goes crazy i’m sorry.”

The coffee community is also embracing the track as their anthem. Multiple users have thanked Carpenter. One said, “13 year old girl came in to my barista job and asked ‘can i get one espresso? wait actually what’s in an espresso?’ so thank u sabrina carpenter.”

Another wrote, “Sabrina Carpenter is my hero for teaching an entire generation of people that the word is ESpresso, not EXpresso.”

Pop enjoyers, Irish “It” boys, blonde fanatics, and coffee lovers…we’ve got a hit on our hands.

No one’s talking about the Apple Vision Pro anymore — and this may be why

Apple Vision Pro on a table

Apple took a leap just two months ago and launched an entire brand new product category for the company with the release of the Apple Vision Pro.

In the days and weeks after its February release, Apple’s new AR/VR headset was the talk of social media. Tech reviewers raved about how using it was a glimpse into the future of home computers. And the Apple Vision Pro memes were in abundance. Who can forget the guy who wore an Apple Vision Pro at his wedding?

Then February came and went — and there’s not much talk about anymore. It turns out that there’s likely a good reason for the sudden silence around the product: the Apple Vision Pro simply isn’t selling.

SEE ALSO:

I used AI to plan my Costa Rica trip — why I’ll never use it again

Apple Vision Pro sales tank

According to prominent analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has revised its Apple Vision Pro shipment expectations for 2024 down to 400,000 to 450,000 units. 

Apple originally expected to sell as many as 800,000 Apple Vision Pro units this year, reports Kuo, who has accurately broken news on the company over the years due to his supply chain contacts.

This means that Apple had to reduce its sales expectations for the Apple Vision Pro by as much as 50 percent.

Furthermore, Kuo reports that Apple revised these numbers before launching the Apple Vision Pro in markets outside the U.S. Kuo takes that to mean that U.S. sales have declined sharply, forcing Apple to adjust its expectations for international markets as well.

However, this shouldn’t be too surprising.

Apple launched a brand new product in the emerging, relatively nascent product category of AR/VR headsets. On top of that, the starting price point of $3,499 heavily reduces the potential consumer base for the Apple Vision Pro. Most consumers just aren’t willing to fork over thousands of dollars for a head-mounted display.

It’s also interesting that the Apple Vision Pro swiftly faded from online discussion after much fanfare. As Fast Company points out, Google Trends data shows that general interest in the Apple Vision Pro completely dropped shortly after its release and has continued on a downward trend.

The incoming issues for Apple with the Apple Vision Pro were even visible to Mashable when we attended the big Apple Vision Pro launch at the 5th Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan where even Apple CEO Tim Cook was in attendance. There were lines for the event, but unlike other Apple release day events, those lines dissipated fairly quickly. Even more interesting was that quite a few people had lined up due to the hype and wanted to try the Apple Vision Pro out, with no intent of making a purchase.

It’s unclear where Apple plans to takes its AR/VR headset ambitions from here. According to Kuo, there was a prediction that Apple would release a new Apple Vision Pro model in 2025 – something that the analyst is no longer expecting now.

Grab the Apple Watch Series 9 for its lowest price yet at Amazon

A swimmer looking at their Apple Watch while in the water

SAVE $100: Get the Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) for $299, down from $399, at Amazon. That’s 25% off Apple’s latest smartwatch and its lowest price yet.


An Apple Watch with a navy band

Credit: Apple

Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm)

$299.00
at Amazon

$399.00
Save $100.00

A smartwatch can change the way you track your health and fitness levels and make it easier to stay on top of messages without always having to pull out your phone, but they can come with a hefty price tag. Grab a new Apple Watch and make it easier on your wallet with a deal at Amazon today.

As of April 26, you can score the latest Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm) for $399 at Amazon. That’s $100, or 25%, off the original price for Apple’s latest smartwatch — and its lowest price yet.

We’ve yet to test the Series 9, but the Series 8 is our current best overall smartwatch. The latest model is outfitted with the S9 chip, providing a vibrant display and a new mechanism that lets you interact with the watch without touching the screen. The Apple Watch has extensive exercise tracking and is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means you don’t need to slip it off before jumping in the pool. In fact, it will help you track your laps during your next workout.

SEE ALSO:

Apple deals are on the sparse side this week, with MacBook deals offering the most options

In addition to its activity tracking, the Apple Watch has health features such as heart rate monitoring, temperature sensing, and sleep tracking. It also has fall and crash detection to help you connect with emergency services when you need them.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is a great extension for iPhone users, and now is a great time to buy with this Amazon deal.

Have a Ring camera? The FTC may send you a refund — how to claim it

Ring camera

You may have a bit of money coming your way — and all you had to do to get it was endure a breach of your privacy.

The Federal Trade Commission announced this week that settlement payments stemming from a 2023 complaint against the doorbell camera company Ring have started going out to affected customers. Ring reached the settlement after the FTC accused it of “egregious violations of users’ privacy,” including allowing employees and contractors to see videos, which were used to train algorithms without customer consent.

SEE ALSO:

The best sex toys on Amazon

How to get Ring settlement payout

As a result of the settlement, 117,044 Ring owners are getting direct payments for their troubles. These payments will be sent out via PayPal to affected users — and there’s no need to manually make a claim for the money. Eligible customers should have received an email notification this week letting them know the money is available. It must be claimed from PayPal within 30 days.

The FTC says to call 1-833-637-4884 if you have a problem with your payment. That number belongs to Rust Consulting Inc., the company responsible for doling out the payments.

Needless to say, there are plenty of reasons not to own a Ring camera. But if you do own one, you might get a little bit of money out of it a few years later, at least.

What is a VPN? Here’s what you need to know

VPN UI on a phone

What is a VPN? To simply scratch the surface, a virtual private network (VPN) spoofs your location, makes you anonymous online, and gives you the keys to unlock the full breadth of the web. 

With all the third-party advertisers snooping on your personal data and scammers trying to steal it all, the best VPNs have become an easy way to protect your digital privacy. But what exactly is it? And how on earth can it make your internet service provider (ISP) believe you’re streaming in Japan when you’re actually sitting on your couch in another country? 

SEE ALSO:

The best cheap VPNs in April 2024

What is a VPN?

A VPN is an encrypted internet connection between your device and a remote server. By encrypting your traffic through a private tunnel, often through military-grade AES-256 encryption, all your online activities will be hidden from prying eyes. Unlike Incognito mode, this means your ISP, hackers lurking on public networks, and even government entities can’t see what you’re doing. 

Connecting to these remote servers, which are provided by VPN services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, will also mask your real IP address and location. This unique identifier is given to you by your ISP to track your location, but a VPN server offers its own IP address. Therefore, when you connect to a server in another country, you can effectively fool websites and online services into thinking you’re in a completely different destination. 

It’s a neat trick, especially when you’re trying to access geo-restricted websites or streaming services with country-specific content libraries to binge-watch your favorite shows. Better yet, many VPN providers have thousands of servers placed around the globe, giving you an ample amount of ways to browse through the multitude of international streaming platforms out there. 

Another perk is ignoring ISP throttling. This is a nasty way for your internet provider to limit your bandwidth, but if your ISP can’t recognize you when using a VPN, then it can’t restrict your internet speeds. That’s a big bonus for online multiplayer games and anyone who experiences excruciatingly long buffering times. 

It isn’t just about streaming and boosting speeds, as a VPN’s main purpose is to offer anonymity when browsing on public Wi-Fi, bypass region-restricted websites, and keep your online activity encrypted. 

Essentially, no hacker threats, no government eyes snooping about your business, and no problems accessing the site of your choice — even if you’re heading to countries with heightened internet censorship including the UAE, Cuba, or China. 

So, why are there hundreds of VPNs to choose from if they all basically do the same job? Each service can provide different perks, from the number of servers it provides and its various locations in select cities and countries to its compatibility with laptops, PCs, smartphones, and gaming consoles, along with multiple security options.

If you’re ready to give your device a security (and streaming) upgrade with a VPN, our list of the best VPNs (and best cheap VPNs for the budget-conscious) will point you in the right direction. 

Jam out with discounted Apple AirPods Pro right now at Amazon

Apple AirPods Pro on green and yellow abstract background

SAVE $49.01: As of April 26, get the 2nd generation AirPods Pro for just $199.99 at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount.


Apple AirPods on white background

Credit: Amazon

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

$199.99
at Amazon

$249.00
Save $49.01

When it comes to earbuds, few do it better than Apple. If you’re one of the few listeners left out there without a pair of AirPods but are thinking about taking the plunge, now’s a great time to do so. The 2nd generation Apple AirPods Pro are available at a great price at Amazon so you don’t have to suffer audio FOMO any longer.

As of April 26, you can get the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for just $199.99 at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount and $49.01 off their normal price of $249. Not quite their lowest price ever, but still worth grabbing at this discount.

You won’t find many better options out there at this price point with similarly capable noise cancellation. They’re a major upgrade from regular AirPods, with tips that fit in your ears more snugly, support for spatial and adaptive audio, and of course, excellent sound. They’re perfect for getting as immersed in your music, podcasts, or calls as possible – and they pair quickly and easily with your iOS devices.

Sure, there are more affordable options out there, but you’re getting what you pay for with this model. If you’re ready for an upgrade, go ahead and grab yours before they go back to their normal price.

Get a Dyson V8 for under $350 and tackle dust for good

dyson vacuum cleaner

GET 26% OFF: As of April 26, you can get a Dyson V8 cordless vacuum for $349 at Amazon, Walmart, and Dyson, down from $469.99. That’s $120.99 off the list price.


dyson v8 vacuum

Credit: Dyson

Dyson V8 cordless vacuum

$349.00
at Amazon

$469.99
Save $120.99

Dyson is one of the most coveted household brands, from vacuums to haircare tools. But cult-favorite Dyson products also often come with sky-high prices. Today, you can experience the Dyson difference for less with a good deal on a cordless vacuum.

As of April 26, a Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is available at Amazon for just $349, down from $469.99, saving you $120.99, or 26%. You can also grab the V8 for just 99 cents more at Walmart and Dyson.

SEE ALSO:

The best vacuum cleaners for picking up pet hair

With its powerful digital motor and lightweight design, the Dyson V8 easily transitions from carpets to hard floors. Plus, its cordless design offers cleaning freedom without the hassle of a cord. Its Detangling Motorbar is made for homes with pets, with a hair screw tool that’s ideal for dealing with fur-filled homes and a crevice tool that helps you reach those hard-to-clean areas (it easily converts into a handheld as well).

Whether you’re tackling pet hair, dust, or crumbs, the Dyson V8 has you covered with its no-touch bin emptying system and 40-minute run time.