April 2026

There were 1,591 posts published in April 2026 (this is page 78 of 160).

Deandre Ayton knows the Lakers need him to be his best in the playoffs

Lakers center Deandre Ayton dunks during a game against the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena this season. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

The last time Deandre Ayton appeared in the playoffs was in 2023, when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns and viewed in NBA circles as having the potential to be a force as a center in the league.

A lot has changed since then.

He’s on his second team since those days in Phoenix, playing two years for the Portland Trail Blazers and now the Lakers. He has been viewed by many as an inconsistent player who hasn’t reached his full potential.

Ayton has a chance to prove his worth, to show his critics he has the ability to be elite in the postseason when the Lakers open the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs Saturday against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

“I love playing this game and I take great passion of playing on both ends of the floor,,” Ayton said after practice Wednesday. “I still believe just being a two-way player in this league, that’s truly my second nature, and that’s how I want to be noted as in this league. It’s just being an all-around, two-way superstar. Just taking passion on both ends of the floor.

“I can play hard on offense. I can play hard on defense. So, that’s just really my goal — running the floor always and closing out possessions with rebounds and protecting the rim. So, just trying to enhance everything I can coming into the playoffs.”

Read more:Lakers prepare for Rockets playoff series with emphasis on rebounding

Ayton averaged career lows in points (12.5), rebounds (8.0) and minutes (27.2) this season. But he did play a career-high 72 games and shot a career-best 67.1% from the field.

In the three seasons Ayton reached the playoffs with the Suns, he was a double-double machine, averaging 15.9 points and 10.5 rebounds in 45 postseason games.

The Lakers will need that version of Ayton, especially with star guards Luka Doncic (hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) out indefinitely.

“I’ve shown it,” Ayton said. “So, it’s just me accepting the role I’m in and playing hard as hell in that role. That’s about it. Every night.”

In seven seasons before he arrived in Los Angeles, Ayton averaged a double-double. When the Lakers signed him to a two-year, $16-million deal with a player option, they hoped to get that Ayton.

Lakers center Deandre Ayton deflects a shot by Nets guard Nolan Traore last month at Crypto.com Arena. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“The whole season for him has been about finding consistency,” coach JJ Redick said. “When he’s at his best, we’re an elite basketball team. That’s just the reality. He raises our ceiling so much — and it’s on both sides of the ball. It’s not him being able to score 24 points, although when he scores and shoots, we typically win. … He’s just a really good basketball player and we’re very happy with where he’s at.”

Ayton was asked to evaluate his season.

“I was challenged a lot this season and I feel like I embraced everything that was thrown at me,” he said. “It took some time, but I eventually got control of everything. And I think I got a hang of it and I like it. I got the guys on the team that helped me embrace everything that’s going on.

“And just things we have going, with the dilemmas and the injuries, I feel like we’ve been through this the whole year. Just guys going out and guys having big games. And we’re the team where you don’t know who’s gonna have the 30 points, or this or that. We’re just going to play hard and just play together.”

Ayton will have his hands full with Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who averages 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds.

“It’s the postseason, you know?” Ayton said. “It’s called mano y mano and it’s not always Xs, and O’s. You got to stop the man and guard your yard.”

Read more:LeBron James takes the reins for Lakers entering playoffs

When the Suns reached the 2021 Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, there were times when Ayton was considered the second-best player on his team. Over six games he averaged 14.7 points and 12 rebounds and shot 53.1% from the field.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series for the Lakers is on the horizon, and Ayton is excited to show what he has to offer now that he’s back in the playoffs.

“Almost speechless, especially being on this side of town now, you know, playing in L.A. when I was on the other side,” he said. “This place can get pretty loud. And I’m still trying to just go home and embrace everything. I know we haven’t ramped up yet, but coming out of these practices, JJ gives you so much. And you have to dissect it sometimes, and you’re thinking about the environment, you think about the fans, thinking about the first game as a Laker in the playoffs.

“So, I just try to find some time to catch myself and gather and just just relax. I’ve been here before, but I am truly excited. I want to do backflips. I’m in the purple and gold, and I just want to really just play hard as hell to contribute to wins.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Mr. Whammy: Would be an honor to rep team at Lottery

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: Bruce Reznick, a.k.a. Mr. Whammy looks on before the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Center on April 10, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty) | Getty Images

With the NBA Draft Lottery about three weeks away, fans are talking about two big mysteries: where the team will pick on May 10 and who will rep Brooklyn on the dias in Chicago that night. Last year, when the Nets dropped from the sixth seed to the eighth, it was Jordi Fernandez, the head coach, looking ashen as the bad news was delivered.

Who will be sitting proudly in front of the Nets logo this season? The possibilities include Fernandez; the owners Joe or Clara Wu Tsai: last year’s lottery pick, Egor Demin: or a former star. Julius Erving for example. The 50th anniversary of the New York Nets final ABA championship is that week.

How about a fan, like Bruce Reznick, aka Mr. Whammy, the Nets 90-year-old superfan and grand master of the hex. It’s been true for a while that said hexes work. Opposing teams shoot worse at Barclays with the distraction of Mr. Whammy and the spirit of his late wife. There’s already a petition circulating to get Bruce to Chicago, although he notes that since he doesn’t fly anymore, he’d had to get their by train. The petition already has nearly 500 signatures as of 6:00 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Doug Bearak of the Brooklyn Brigade, a superfan in his own right, interviewed the retired Brooklyn lawyer this week about the petition. Bruce won’t deny interest, not at all. He in fact repeatedly noted how grateful he’d be if chosen, and when asked if he hex other team reps at the event, his response was simple, “Of course!” (Now there’s an image!)

He spoke as well about how his late wife, Judy, would join him on the dias in spirit if chosen, adding she still sends messages to him about the team.

There’s no public deadline for teams to select their representation for either the dias or the back room where the actual drawing takes place. Nets capologist Makar Gevorkian had that honor last year. Indeed, the choice may or may not be decided yet. Fernandez told the media back on April 25 of last year that he’d be in Chicago for the lottery which was no surprise since the NBA Draft Combine is the same week. But his role as team rep on the dias wasn’t revealed until three days before the ping pong balls began to rattle through the hopper at NBA Studios.

Here’s the transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity.

Doug Bearak:

So, first off, how does it feel that fans wanted to have a petition created to have you be the representative for the NBA lottery in Chicago? How do you feel about fans wanting you to be the representative for the NBA lottery.

Bruce S. Reznick

I’m deeply full gratitude for all our friends, whether they get involved with this or not … the NBA fans are wonderful, and they treat Mr .and Mrs. Whammy, a wonderful, regardless of the jersey that they’re wearing, and the color of the jersey. A fan recognizes another fan. And he doesn’t have to have the same jersey.

DB:

So if you were at the Lottery, on the stand representing the stand that represents the team out of Chicago, what would be your, you know, your method behind the madness to ensure that the nets get a high pick in this lottery? If you were in the room with all the draftees?

BR:

I’d be very grateful, proud, I’d be very, I’d be very proud, if we got a, a, a, a great pick or pick. I will, I will do whatever I can. Just try to make that happen.

DB:

Well, as of now, we only own one lottery pick, meaning we have the possibility of just one slot within, I believe the top, seven, is our floor. But our goal, you know, we have flattened odds where we can get as high as No. 1, even though the Wizards, you know, landed ahead of us. So what would be your tactic to kind of bring that opportunity to fans to bring that, you know, potential franchise changing player to Brooklyn by giving us the opportunity to pick first, second, third, fourth, whatever it may be?

BR:

We would have somebody working for us. Two hands. Mrs. Whammy. We have Mrs. Whammy up in heaven, and she watches over the Nets families, all the players, all the fans, and her family and Mr. Whammy, so let’s see, what Mrs. Whammy can pull off.

DB:

So you won’t be hexing your peers on stage? The representatives of the other teams?!?

BR:

Oh, I’ll be. Of course, I only know to hex.

DB:

Okay, so while duty brings in the gold, You’ll be bringing in the hexing.

BR:

I just use my [powers] — and just to refresh everybody’s memory — when it was last year in Brooklyn. I had my wife and my picture hanging. I went to hit the number. The picture fell off the wall. So my wife spoke from heaven last year, and hopefully she’ll do the same this year, and bring more greatness to the beloved Nets. And whatever I should do. My pleasure, and I hope we’re successful.

DB:

Well, if you got to pitch this idea to anyone, what would be your pitch be? What would be your pitch to the people above us (ownership and the front office) to have that opportunity. Well, I’m talking about getting you on stage getting you to the draft lottery. What would be your message to them to make these fans’ dreams come true of having you be the representative this year?

BR:

If I could be of any help … That it would be my blessing.

DB:

Well, first, you know, hope to see you there. If not, hope to see you in Brooklyn with the other fans. Appreciate you taking the time. Hope to, you know, hope to celebrate with you soon.

BR:

Hey. Anything I should do to help my next, our next, I should say, our next. It’s, it’s, it’s my pleasure. To be there. I support. The commissioner, everybody involved with the NBA and all the players. Every time I need a player, I say to him. I wish a good luck and no injuries. And that’s a blessing that I get from upstairs, and hopefully, it works.

BR:

Oh, I don’t fly, so if I’m invited. I’m taking the train.

So, we wait the word.

How to watch Warriors vs. Clippers, Play-In Tournament Round 1

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on as Kris Dunn #8 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during a game at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors will play with their season on the line Wednesday night in a first-round Play-In Tournament matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in Los Angeles and can be watched on Prime Video.

Previously with the Warriors:

The Warriors closed out the regular season with a 115-110 loss to the Clippers on Sunday night. With Golden State locked into the No. 10 seed and Los Angeles essentially secured as the No. 9 seed, both teams entered knowing a Play-In Tournament rematch was likely. As a result, neither side showed much strategically as the Warriors held out Draymond Green, while the Clippers opted to rest All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard.

Steph Curry, however, did play as he continues to ramp up for the postseason. He led all scorers with 24 points in 29 minutes, and more importantly, said afterward that he’s in a decent spot physically ahead of Wednesday’s matchup.

What to watch for tonight:

The Warriors are expected to have a full roster available after dealing with a wave of injuries to end the regular season, although, head coach Steve Kerr did mention multiple players could still be on a minutes restriction. That includes Curry, who Kerr indicated will likely not exceed 40 minutes in this win-or-go-home matchup.

Entering tonight’s game in Los Angeles, the Warriors have lost nine of their last 10 against the Clippers, including a 1-3 record against them this season. That said, tonight’s game will likely come down to two key matchups: Golden State’s defense on Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers’ defense on Stephen Curry.

Leonard remains one of the most dangerous postseason scorers in the league, so Golden State will likely lean on Green as the primary defender on him. In their March 2nd matchup, Green was able to hold Leonard to 23 points — slightly below his season average of 27.9, which was the sixth-highest in the NBA.

On the other end, the Warriors’ offense will inevitably run through Curry. Clippers head coach Ty Lue has a long history of throwing different defensive looks at him, and in Sunday’s matchup, they used Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. as the primary defenders. Expect a similar approach on Wednesday with potential double teams to force the ball out of Curry’s hands.

One thing is for certain: Getting to the playoffs won’t be easy. To keep their season alive, the Warriors must win this game and then defeat the Phoenix Suns just to secure the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s a challenging path, but one that is led by a superstar like Curry, a roster with playoff-tested veterans, and a plethora of championship experience.

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!! 

Projected Starters

Warriors: Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis

Clippers: Darius Garland, Kris Dunn, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez

How to watch Play-In Tournament Round 1

Who: Golden State Warriors (37 – 45) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (42 – 40)

When: Wednesday, April 15th, at 7:00 p.m. PT

Where: Intuit Dome — Los Angeles, California

TV and Streaming: Prime Video (available on fuboTV)

MLB, Twins investigating after Red Sox’s Jarren Duran alleges heckling fan told him to kill himself

Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.

Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins are both investigating an allegation leveled by Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, who claimed Tuesday that a heckling fan told him to kill himself after he grounded out in the top of the fifth inning during a 6-0 loss at Minnesota’s Target Field, as reported by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

“We were made aware of the situation late last night and are looking into it,” Twins senior vice president of communications and public affairs Dustin Morse said, per the AP. “There’s no place in our game for conduct like that.”

Duran, who has been transparent about his mental health struggles — including the fact that he attempted to take his own life earlier in his career — responded to the alleged remark by directing a middle finger toward a spectator sitting in the stands behind first base.

“Somebody told me to kill myself,” Duran said after Tuesday’s game, according to The Athletic.

“I’m used to it at this point. S*** happens. I’m going to flip somebody off if they say something to me. It is what it is. I shouldn’t react like that, but that stuff is still kind of triggering. It happens.”

In a Netflix docuseries that followed the 2024 Boston Red Sox and aired last year, Duran opened up about the internal battles he has faced, particularly during the 2021 and 2022 seasons as an inexperienced major leaguer. He shared that, at his lowest point, he attempted to shoot himself with a rifle, except the gun didn’t fire.

Not long after his story became public, the one-time All-Star and All-Star Game MVP was taunted in a similar fashion early last season. Late in a Red Sox road win over the Cleveland Guardians on April 27, 2025, a fan near the Boston dugout yelled at Duran, who retorted and had to be held back by coaches, umpires and teammates.

The 29-year-old Duran, now in his sixth season with the Red Sox, has a history of clapping back at fans. In August 2024, the team suspended him for two games after he used an anti-gay slur mid-at-bat while addressing a fan who was critical of his offense. Duran apologized, and his salary for the two games he missed was donated to an LGBTQ organization.

When Duran divulged about his 2022 suicide attempt to cameras, his main goal was to increase awareness about the resources available to manage mental health issues, to share his story “and let people know that they’re not alone,” as previously reported by MLB.com.

But despite all the good that has come from that message, Duran was hard on himself Tuesday.

“Honestly, it’s my fault for talking about my mental health, so I kind of brought in the haters,” Duran said, via MLB.com. “So it’s just something I’ve got to get used to.”

Duran is still working on staying composed in those unfortunate moments. He told reporters that he didn’t relay what he heard from the stands to the dugout on Tuesday, noting that he “was just trying to hold it in” and was focused on winning the game.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora wasn’t aware of what happened when asked about it postgame, but he met with assembled media Wednesday ahead of Boston’s 9-5 win in the series finale and offered his thoughts.

“I know the Twins are all over the case and trying to find out who he was, and hopefully they find the person,” Cora said, in addition to mentioning that, if the fan is found, “it’s probably the last big-league game that that person is going to attend,” per the AP.

Cora also said Wednesday, according to the AP: “We have Jarren’s back. Like I said last year, for him to open up, he saved lives. And it’s not easy. It’s not easy because, like he said, we’re in the business of winning games, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction. And he’s not a distraction. He’s not.

“He’s just a player that plays for the Red Sox and has our full support.”

NCAA urges further study of change that would start eligibility at HS graduation or age 19

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA confirmed Wednesday it is exploring a move to an age-based eligibility model that would give athletes a window of five years to compete in Division I starting immediately after their high school graduation or 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

The Division I Cabinet discussed the possibility at meetings that concluded Wednesday but did not take a formal position. The Cabinet supports having NCAA staff continue to discuss the idea with other stakeholders to gather feedback.

The Cabinet said the new model would include possible exceptions for circumstances such as pregnancy, military service and religious missions.

The age-based model is similar to an idea included in an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on April 3.

Currently, athletes generally are allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.

The possibility of an age-based model comes after numerous athletes have challenged NCAA eligibility rules in lawsuits with the hope of extending their college careers and ability to earn money through revenue sharing and name, image and likeness deals.

During its meetings, the Cabinet approved changes to preenrollment eligibility rules, including one that would bar athletes who have entered and remained in a professional sports draft from competing in college.

One of the rules requires prospects to withdraw from opt-in professional league drafts, including the NBA draft, to bring precollege enrollment draft rules in line with postcollege enrollment draft rules. Men’s ice hockey and baseball would not be affected because athletes don’t opt in to those sports’ drafts.

The change came after two basketball players, Alabama’s Charles Bediako and Baylor’s James Nnaji, played in college this season after entering the 2023 NBA draft.

Bediako played two seasons at Alabama and entered the draft. He wasn’t selected but played three years in the G League, the NBA’s minor league. He played in five games this past season before the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a ruling that made him ineligible.

Nnaji was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round. He played professionally overseas before he enrolled as a freshman at Baylor in December. He was granted eligibility because he had never signed an NBA contract or played in the G League. He would be ineligible in 2026-27 under the new rules.

In other changes, athletes are allowed to sign with agents prior to enrolling for purposes other than name, image and likeness and are allowed to accept prize money in their respective sports without impacting eligibility.

___

AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

NBA broke viewership records in 2025-26 season. How many tuned in?

The 2025-26 NBA regular season is officially in the books and it was one that was well-watched.

NBC Sports’ NBA coverage began with a record-setting night with “NBA Tip-Off” on Oct. 21, marking the return of the nostalgic broadcast partner.

The season started with the first opening night double-overtime game in 20 years, a matchup between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, who kicked things off with their championship ring ceremony.

It was the largest “NBA Tip-Off” doubleheader audience since 2010, not including 2011 opening games on Christmas holiday. The doubleheader maintained an average of 5.6 million viewers across NBC and Peacock.

Here’s a look at the season highlights for viewership, attendance, digital and social numbers during the 2025-26 NBA season:

NBA 2025-26 regular-season viewership

A total of 170 million people in the United States watched NBA games across ABC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC, Peacock and NBA TV through the regular season.

It was the most-watched NBA season in 24 years. Viewership was up 86% compared to the 2024-25 regular season, according to the league.

NBA games across ABC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC and Peacock averaged 1.78 million viewers. It was the most in seven years and up 16% year-over-year. Including NBA TV, the league had the highest amount of viewership in 13 years and was up 35% year-over-year.

There were 57 telecasts that averaged at least two million viewers this season, the most since the 2011-12 regular season, and the league had 19 broadcasts that averaged at least three million viewers – the most since the 2012-13 regular season.

The regular season drove more than 920 million hours watched, the most since the 2011-12 season.

NBA on social media for 2025-26 season

The league generated a record 228 billion views on social media this season, up 13% over a year-to-year basis, according to Videocites.

The NBA debuted Tap to Watch, to allow fans to live stream games. According to a league news release, the new implementation drove fans to nearly 20 million live game streams with nationally televised games making up 75% of that engagement. Usage was driven largely by partners such as Google, social media platforms and the NBA App, the news release said.

NBA attendance for 2025-26 season

The NBA fans showed up in record numbers this season. A new league record was set for total attendance across a three-season span (2023-24 to 2025-26), exceeding 22.18 million fans in total attendance in team arenas for the third time ever.

Fun facts from the 2025-26 NBA regular-season

Here are some highlights from the 2025-26 NBA regular-season, according to the league:

  • More than 40 million people in the U.S. watched NBA Cup 2025 group play games across Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and ESPN, up 90% from last year and the most-watched group play games in the event’s three-year history.
  • The NBA Cup final between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs in December 2025 averaged 3.07 million viewers on Amazon Prime Video, a 3% increase over the 2024 championship, which was 2.99 million on ABC.
  • ESPN delivered its largest average NBA Christmas audience since 2018 across its platforms. The five-game slate on Thursday, December 25, averaged 5.5 million viewers, up four percent from 2024. The Christmas games reached 47.2 million fans, up 45 percent from 2024. It is the largest audience reach for ESPN’s Christmas NBA games since 2010, excluding the season-opening Christmas day in 2011.
  • Games between the Mavericks and Knicks, and the Thunder and Cavaliers on Jan. 19, in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, delivered the league’s two largest afternoon audiences on MLK King Day on record, dating back to 1992.
  • The first NBA All-Star Game broadcast by NBC Sports since 2002 delivered the largest NBA All-Star audience since 2011, averaging 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, according to preliminary Nielsen data and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
  • More than 46 million people in the U.S. watched NBA All-Star weekend across NBC platforms and ESPN, the most in 24 years and more than triple last season.
  • The NBA’s storied rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics on NBC on Feb. 22 was the most-watched regular-season Sunday night game since April 2, 2000, averaging 5.6 million viewers across ABC, Peacock and Telemundo.  It was also the most watched NBA regular-season game since 2017, excluding Christmas Day.
  • Knicks and Thunder on March 29 delivered 3.4 million average viewers, marking the network’s 10th game with at least 3 million viewers, the most for any network since the 2018-19 regular season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA announces 2025-26 viewership, digital and social media statistics

Google’s New Gemini App for Mac Comes With Two Key Benefits (and One Drawback)

If you’re a frequent Gemini user, and you happen to have a Mac, good news: Google just launched a dedicated Gemini app for macOS. It’s a long time coming, seeing as Google’s rivals, like OpenAI and Anthropic, have had dedicated Mac apps for ChatGPT and Claude for some time.

Gemini’s Mac app appears to come with many of the same benefits as other desktop AI apps. For most queries, the experience is about the same as it is on the web app: You ask Gemini a question or make a request, and it responds appropriately. But there are two keys advantages to breaking out of the web app.

Summon Gemini with a keyboard shortcut

First, Gemini can be called up at any time using a keyboard shortcut. (By default, Option + Space, so rather than pull up the Mac app (or the web app, for that matter) whenever you have a question or a request for Gemini, you can hit the keyboard shortcut for quicker access. This makes using the chatbot more convenient when you’re bouncing around tasks on your Mac, without having to switch between different apps or windows. Alternatively, Gemini can live in your menu bar, so you can access it there as well.

Ask Gemini questions about your Mac

The second benefit is that Gemini for Mac can answer questions about your Mac with contextual clues. In other words, you can ask a question about something happening on your screen (e.g. “what are the three most notable trends in this chart?”) and Gemini can answer, without you having to take a screenshot and share to the app directly.

This isn’t quite as seamless as just pulling up Gemini and asking it a question, however: If you want to try it out, you’ll need to click the “Add files and tools” option in Gemini, choose “Share window,” then select the window you want to share. From here, Gemini will have access, and can answer questions—assuming you have the proper settings enabled in System Settings > Privacy & Security. This is definitely the move from a privacy perspective, but it does add friction to the experience for users who would otherwise feel comfortable letting Gemini access the screen.

The Gemini Mac app can’t do things for you

Speaking of access, Gemini for Mac does not appear to have agentic features, such as Claude’s “Computer Use.” As such, you won’t be able to have Gemini take over your computer and perform tasks on your behalf—though that’s not necessarily a bad thing, seeing as these tools are vulnerable to link injection. In addition, Google says that Gemini for Mac also works with Nano Banana, the company’s AI image model, and Veo, the company’s AI video model, so users can generate images and videos without leaving the app. Gemini is available for free to all Gemini users on Macs running macOS 15 and up. You can download it here.

This 55-Inch LG OLED TV Is Nearly Half Off Right Now

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The best value OLED TV is always going to be last year’s model: still recent enough to have most of the latest technology and features, but sold at a discount compared to the latest and greatest—especially when you can score a deal. Right now, the 55-inch version of the LG B5 OLED TV, released in July 2025, is marked down to $799.99 on Amazon, a nearly 50% drop from its $1,491 launch price. And if you’re looking for a bigger size, Best Buy is offering the LG B5 77-inch for $1,499.99 (originally $2,999.99)—and it’ll throw in a 43-inch LG 4K TV for free with your purchase (a $250 value).

Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR10, AI Super Upscaling 4K, Filmmaker Mode, Wow Orchestra, Alexa Built-in (OLED55B5PUA.AUSZ, 2025)
LG 55-Inch Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV


$799.99
at Amazon
$896.99
Save $97.00

Free LG 43″ class TV
LG 77-Inch Class OLED AI 4K B5 Series Smart TV


$1,499.99
at Best Buy
$2,999.99
Save $1,500.00

The B5 is LG’s entry-level OLED TV, meaning it’s the company’s most budget-friendly option. Regardless, it’s uncommon to see any 55-inch or larger OLED TV under $1,000 (55 inches is the smallest standard size OLED TV are sold in). The LG B5 is a great first OLED for people who have never had an OLED before, since there is a bit of a learning curve with the tech. Not only does it offer the virtually infinite contrast ratio that OLEDs are known for—making colors really pop—but it also adds Dolby Vision and 120Hz gaming support, which the previous B4 model did not have. The set also supports HDR10 Pro, Dolby Atmos, and Filmmaker Mode (no HDR10+). Since it’s from 2025, you’ll get AI features that improve picture processing (thanks to the α8 AI Processor 4K Gen2).

Google Is Finally Taking a Stand Against ‘Back Button Hijacking’

It’s one of the most annoying things a website can do: You visit a page, take a look, and decide for whatever reason you need to head back to the previous page you were on. Only when you click the back button, or you use a keyboard shortcut to go back a page, the current site simply reloads. So, you try again, only to reload the site once more. What gives? This is back button hijacking.

Back button hijacking is an aggressive tactic websites can use to try to keep you browsing their pages for longer. By taking over your ability to go back a page, they can keep you on the same page, redirect you to other pages, or present you with ads you normally wouldn’t have seen. It’s a scummy thing to do, though it isn’t reserved to “malicious” websites—I’ve experienced it on websites big and small. It’s an effective tactic for any website that wants to inflate its sessions. The rest of us hate it. Including Google, it seems.

Back button hijacking’s days are numbered

Google is now doing something about this practice. In a Monday post on its Google Search Central Blog, Google officially labeled it an explicit violation of the “malicious practices” section of its spam policy, placing it alongside malware and unwanted software downloads as examples of practices Google says “create a mismatch between user expectations and the actual outcome, leading to a negative and deceptive user experience, or compromised user security or privacy.” You bet it does.

When it comes to back button hijacking, Google says that users who experience the practice feel manipulated, and are less likely to visit unfamiliar sites in the future. In short, it’s not just annoying; it interrupts the overall experience of surfing the web, and makes the internet a worse place to explore.

Google is warning website owners that instances of back button hijacking may result in manual spam actions, which require users to fix the issue (in this case, back button hijacking) and request a manual review by Google before the it can be marked resolved. Google says these sites may also be subject to automated demotions. Both of these actions can affect how sites are ranked in Google search results. Google advises all website owners to carefully review their sites to remove or disable any code, imports, or configurations that result in back button hijacking—even if those instances came from ad platforms or existing libraries, not just the site owner’s intended design. If you know your site is using a script to prevent users from returning to the previous page, you must remove it.

When will back button hijacking rules be enforced?

Unfortunately, you may not see back button hijacking disappear overnight. Google is giving website owners a two month head start before the policy is put in place—but as of June 15, back button hijacking will be prohibited, and will result in consequences from Google.