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Elena Cavender

Elena Cavender

Elena is a tech reporter and the resident Gen Z expert at Mashable. She covers TikTok and digital trends. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in American History. Email her at elena.cavender@mashable.com or follow her @ecaviar_.

By Elena Cavender

You're watching 'Industry' wrong
If you don't have closed captions on, you're missing out.
By Elena Cavender
You're watching 'Industry' wrong
Duolingo partners with Sony Music to bring pop songs to its music course
More than 60 songs will be available for study on the platform, including hits from Pharrell, P!nk, and more.
By Elena Cavender
Duolingo partners with Sony Music to bring pop songs to its music course
Awkward! Google Gemini fails twice during a live demo
The demo spirits were not on Google's side.
By Elena Cavender
Awkward! Google Gemini fails twice during a live demo
Apple started paying out its $50 million settlement over MacBook's defective butterfly keyboards
Checks of up to $395 started arriving.
By Elena Cavender
Apple started paying out its $50 million settlement over MacBook's defective butterfly keyboards
'Kneecap' takes the Irish language revolution to the big screen
The rap group is making Irish cool one Irish-language bar at a time.
By Elena Cavender
'Kneecap' takes the Irish language revolution to the big screen
Hola Livi: Spotify's AI DJ is launching in Spanish
DJ Livi is the Spanish version of DJ X.
By Elena Cavender
Hola Livi: Spotify's AI DJ is launching in Spanish
Samsung taps Sydney Sweeney and K-pop stars TXT for its Unpacked event
It wasn't as star-studded as past Samsung events.
By Elena Cavender
Samsung taps Sydney Sweeney and K-pop stars TXT for its Unpacked event
Redbox's owner files for bankruptcy
The company is in more than $970 million in debt.
By Elena Cavender
Redbox's owner files for bankruptcy
TikTok's Instagram competitor that no one's heard of is flopping
Whee is off to a bad start.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok's Instagram competitor that no one's heard of is flopping
How to connect your AirPods to your Chromebook
A perfect match.
By Elena Cavender
How to connect your AirPods to your Chromebook
TikTok sues the U.S. government over ban
ByteDance claims the law violates users' First Amendment rights.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok sues the U.S. government over ban
Ranking August Moon songs based on how close they are to One Direction
Is Nicholas Galitzine imitating Harry Styles' voice, or is he just British?
By Elena Cavender
Ranking August Moon songs based on how close they are to One Direction
Streamers rejoice: TikTok Live is now integrated with Streamlabs
A stream key is no longer needed.
By Elena Cavender
Streamers rejoice: TikTok Live is now integrated with Streamlabs
Open AI and Google trained AI models on YouTube videos
The two tech giants transcribed YouTube videos, which may violate creator copyrights.
By Elena Cavender
Open AI and Google trained AI models on YouTube videos
How to use Spotify Audiobooks
It's never been easier to dive into an audiobook.
By Elena Cavender
How to use Spotify Audiobooks
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
One of the most helpful tools.
By Elena Cavender
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
Universal Music Group turns to Spotify after pulling catalogue from TikTok
Spotify's pivot to video continues.
By Elena Cavender
Universal Music Group turns to Spotify after pulling catalogue from TikTok
Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and more auctioning off eccentric experiences in support of Gaza
Bedtime stories with Tilda! Porridge with Josh!
By Elena Cavender
Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and more auctioning off eccentric experiences in support of Gaza
Watch Taylor Swift perform 'Cardigan' ahead of 'The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)'
Sorry to Android Swifties.
By Elena Cavender
Watch Taylor Swift perform 'Cardigan' ahead of 'The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)'
John Mulaney's 'Field of Dreams' Oscars bit proves he should've hosted
A great bit!
By Elena Cavender
John Mulaney's 'Field of Dreams' Oscars bit proves he should've hosted
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt bring their Barbenheimer beef to the Oscars stage
A little playful ribbing between box office rivals.
By Elena Cavender
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt bring their Barbenheimer beef to the Oscars stage
Celebrities show their support for Palestine at the Oscars amid protest outside the venue
As a pro-Palestine protest disrupted the Oscars red carpet, the stars showed their solidarity.
By Elena Cavender
Celebrities show their support for Palestine at the Oscars amid protest outside the venue
Facebook and Instagram are down. What we know.
Meta, get it together!
By Elena Cavender
Facebook and Instagram are down. What we know.
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya's Cinépolis ad for 'Dune: Part 2' is strangely horny
Things are getting spicy at the movies.
By Elena Cavender
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya's Cinépolis ad for 'Dune: Part 2' is strangely horny
The internet is obsessed: Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet match for 'Dune: Part Two' promo
Forget Barbie and Ken, it's Chani and Paul season.
By Elena Cavender
The internet is obsessed: Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet match for 'Dune: Part Two' promo
If Taylor Swift attends Super Bowl 2024, who will she bring?
Our bets are on Keleigh Teller.
By Elena Cavender
If Taylor Swift attends Super Bowl 2024, who will she bring?
Super Bowl 2024 performers: Who is singing the anthems?
It's a stacked lineup!
By Elena Cavender
Super Bowl 2024 performers: Who is singing the anthems?
7 songs poised to make a Swift exit from TikTok amid UMG's licensing dispute
Bad day to be a TikTok Swiftie.
By Elena Cavender
7 songs poised to make a Swift exit from TikTok amid UMG's licensing dispute
TikTok users report that they can no longer log in through Twitter / X
Another side effect of Twitter becoming X.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok users report that they can no longer log in through Twitter / X
Spotify launches 'daylist' because it knows your music taste varies throughout the day
It's Spotify's latest attempt to corner your listening habits.
By Elena Cavender
Spotify launches 'daylist' because it knows your music taste varies throughout the day
Incase to bring back previously discontinued Microsoft accessories
Microsoft ergonomic keyboard fans rejoice.
By Elena Cavender
Incase to bring back previously discontinued Microsoft accessories
Disney's 'Steamboat Willie' YouTube copyright claim is back, this time for audio
The public domain saga continues.
By Elena Cavender
Disney's 'Steamboat Willie' YouTube copyright claim is back, this time for audio
Surprise? The most popular film on Letterboxd in 2023 is perfectly predictable
In a true Barbenheimer moment, Christopher Nolan was the most-watched director.
By Elena Cavender
Surprise? The most popular film on Letterboxd in 2023 is perfectly predictable
Snapchat+ subscribers can now send custom generative AI images
Generative AI is coming for your Snapchat messages.
By Elena Cavender
Snapchat+ subscribers can now send custom generative AI images
ChatGPT is writing legislation now
A Brazilian city councilman secretly submitted an ordinance written by ChatGPT.
By Elena Cavender
ChatGPT is writing legislation now
Adam Mosseri says Threads won't be getting chronological search results
Per a Threads post.
By Elena Cavender
Adam Mosseri says Threads won't be getting chronological search results
Troubleshooting your Spotify Wrapped: How to get it if it's not showing up
Participate in the internet's favorite end-of-year event.
By Elena Cavender
Troubleshooting your Spotify Wrapped: How to get it if it's not showing up
How to remove music from your Spotify taste profile
Save your 2024 Wrapped before it's too late .
By Elena Cavender
How to remove music from your Spotify taste profile
Run, don't walk: This limited edition Supersonic Dyson Hair Dryer is $100 off
A full $100 off!
By Elena Cavender
Run, don't walk: This limited edition Supersonic Dyson Hair Dryer is $100 off
Get cleaning: The Dyson V8 vacuum is on sale for a great price
There's a $195 discount on this Dyson vacuum.
By Elena Cavender
Get cleaning: The Dyson V8 vacuum is on sale for a great price
I let fancams dictate what I watch
My unique approach to becoming a film bro.
By Elena Cavender
I let fancams dictate what I watch
Elon Musk's first AI product is a chatbot named Grok
"It's also based and loves sarcasm."
By Elena Cavender
Elon Musk's first AI product is a chatbot named Grok
TikTok convinced me I had seen the best of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour.' Until I saw it in theaters.
It was just me, Taylor, and all the eras we shared.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok convinced me I had seen the best of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour.' Until I saw it in theaters.
'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' invites fans to dance, sing, and flip in movie theater aisles
Look what 'The Eras Tour' movie made them do.
By Elena Cavender
'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' invites fans to dance, sing, and flip in movie theater aisles
TikTok makes it easier for effects creators to cash in on their viral effects
Effects creators keep the platform interesting.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok makes it easier for effects creators to cash in on their viral effects
23andMe confirms stolen user data
However, the company claims there wasn't a data breach.
By Elena Cavender
23andMe confirms stolen user data
Snapchat's Bitmoji update upsets users
"The Bitmoji has evolved into something horrifying and unsettling."
By Elena Cavender
Snapchat's Bitmoji update upsets users
Spotify's latest use of AI translates podcasters' voices into different languages
¡Hola, bienvenidos a Spotify!
By Elena Cavender
Spotify's latest use of AI translates podcasters' voices into different languages
Celebrities fundraise to help strike-impacted crew by...auctioning off a custom Lena Dunham mural
The auction isn't in vain: The proceeds go to support crew members impacted by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
By Elena Cavender
Celebrities fundraise to help strike-impacted crew by...auctioning off a custom Lena Dunham mural
The iPhone 15 arrives with a whisper of pink
No shade, but this isn't the pink we wanted.
By Elena Cavender
The iPhone 15 arrives with a whisper of pink
RushTok has lost its novelty
RushTok girlbossed too close to the sun.
By Elena Cavender
RushTok has lost its novelty
The soundtrack of Summer TV is Taylor Swift
*a Taylor Swift song plays softly in the background of a pivotal scene*
By Elena Cavender
The soundtrack of Summer TV is Taylor Swift
TikTok announces its first music competition
#GimmeTheMic
By Elena Cavender
TikTok announces its first music competition
TikTok users in Europe will be able to opt out of personalized feeds
Introducing the popular in your region page.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok users in Europe will be able to opt out of personalized feeds
How to change the order of photos in an album on Instagram
Spice up your Instagram feed.
By Elena Cavender
How to change the order of photos in an album on Instagram
It's officially August (Taylor's Version)
Fans of Taylor Swift celebrate the start of 'August' before it slips away into a moment in time.
By Elena Cavender
It's officially August (Taylor's Version)
Find out your top five Taylor Swift eras on Spotify
'Red' sun, 'Folklore' moon, and 'Lover' rising.
By Elena Cavender
Find out your top five Taylor Swift eras on Spotify
TikTok will launch its own e-commerce business
Just what we need, another a shopping platform.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok will launch its own e-commerce business
Spotify turns up the price of a Premium membership
This is Spotify's first price hike in 12 years.
By Elena Cavender
Spotify turns up the price of a Premium membership
Breaking Mashable report: An evidence-based ranking of Ryan Gosling's most Kenergetic quotes
Ken-sential science!
By Elena Cavender
Breaking Mashable report: An evidence-based ranking of Ryan Gosling's most Kenergetic quotes
It's 'girl, we f*cking see them' summer
Nothing says summer like the pale blue waves of an actor's eyes.
By Elena Cavender
It's 'girl, we f*cking see them' summer
The trailer for Timothée Chalamet's 'Wonka' generates buzz (and lots of questions) online
HUGHMPA LOOMPA DOOPATY GRANT
By Elena Cavender
The trailer for Timothée Chalamet's 'Wonka' generates buzz (and lots of questions) online
Barbenheimer isn't just a meme, it's a call to action
Date night for 'Barbie' gf and 'Oppenheimer' bf incoming.
By Elena Cavender
Barbenheimer isn't just a meme, it's a call to action
A brief history of the idgaf wars
Twitter is its battleground.
By Elena Cavender
A brief history of the idgaf wars
Twitter backtracks to the old version of TweetDeck
The new TweetDeck can't come to the phone right now.
By Elena Cavender
Twitter backtracks to the old version of TweetDeck
Emmy nominations 2023: How and when to watch
Tune in to see all the nominees and snubs.
By Elena Cavender
Emmy nominations 2023: How and when to watch
Ijbol isn't a Korean word. It's just a sillier version of lmao.
ijbol iykyk
By Elena Cavender
Ijbol isn't a Korean word. It's just a sillier version of lmao.
How to make a TikTok
You've got this.
By Elena Cavender
How to make a TikTok
TikTok enrolls in 'Euphoria' High
Put on your uniform and GRWM for school.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok enrolls in 'Euphoria' High
It's time to turn your vintage tech into a fashion statement. And more 2022 trend predictions.
If you want to be trendy in the new year, check your junk drawer.
By Elena Cavender
It's time to turn your vintage tech into a fashion statement. And more 2022 trend predictions.
Twee talk is all over TikTok
It's 2022, and TikTok is currently obsessed with the 2010s.
By Elena Cavender
Twee talk is all over TikTok
Instagram is currently in its flop era
With a pivot to video and 'casual' photo dumps taking over our feeds, has Instagram lost its cool factor?
By Elena Cavender
Instagram is currently in its flop era
TikTok cried "make Instagram casual," and now users are having second thoughts
Weird last week of 2021.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok cried "make Instagram casual," and now users are having second thoughts
I tried Salt & Straw's ice cream line inspired by this year's viral moments
They tasted as weird as this year felt
By Elena Cavender
I tried Salt & Straw's ice cream line inspired by this year's viral moments
From wired headphones to yoga pants, here are 10 trends Gen Z brought back in 2021
Y2K is trendy, baby!
By Elena Cavender
From wired headphones to yoga pants, here are 10 trends Gen Z brought back in 2021
It's a super time to stay inside and build this new Sonic the Hedgehog Lego set
There are 1,125 pieces, so go at your own pace.
By Elena Cavender
It's a super time to stay inside and build this new Sonic the Hedgehog Lego set
Emoji helped me find my voice in our new remote reality
An emoji is worth a thousand words.
By Elena Cavender
Emoji helped me find my voice in our new remote reality
Gorgeous, gorgeous girls take over TikTok
I want to give this week a zero, but I can't. So I give it a one.
By Elena Cavender
Gorgeous, gorgeous girls take over TikTok
How to post a photo to multiple Instagram accounts at the same time
Posting a photo to multiple Instagram accounts is easy
By Elena Cavender
How to post a photo to multiple Instagram accounts at the same time
Don't flip: Olivia Rodrigo's collab with Casetify is a '90s tech dream
It's giving major deja vu.
By Elena Cavender
Don't flip: Olivia Rodrigo's collab with Casetify is a '90s tech dream
Dark or light? Chaotic or romantic? The academia aesthetic can teach you a lot about yourself.
On platforms like Tumblr and TikTok, academia is more than an aesthetic — it's a community.
By Elena Cavender
Dark or light? Chaotic or romantic? The academia aesthetic can teach you a lot about yourself.
Twitter recalls when we used to be a proper country in a new meme
We haven't been a proper country since...
By Elena Cavender
Twitter recalls when we used to be a proper country in a new meme
TikTok is 'not the vibes' this week
STOP
By Elena Cavender
TikTok is 'not the vibes' this week
Why is everyone on Twitter 'pondering the orb'?
Ponder this.
By Elena Cavender
Why is everyone on Twitter 'pondering the orb'?
Teens don't need 'finstas' anymore
"I don't think I have much to say on my finsta, and anything I want to post I can post anywhere else."
By Elena Cavender
Teens don't need 'finstas' anymore
BTS open individual Instagram accounts, delightful chaos ensues
If you need me, I'll be daydreaming about sitting on a peaceful seaside cliff with RM...
By Elena Cavender
BTS open individual Instagram accounts, delightful chaos ensues
Sorry Adele, you've officially become a TikTok trend
For someone who claims they don't make TikTok music, Adele sure went viral on the platform this week.
By Elena Cavender
Sorry Adele, you've officially become a TikTok trend
What's an Audio Aura? We asked an aura expert about Spotify Wrapped's new feature
Here's what your playlist can tell you about yourself.
By Elena Cavender
What's an Audio Aura? We asked an aura expert about Spotify Wrapped's new feature
Spotify Wrapped's latest feature reads Your Audio Aura
What do your top songs of 2021 say about your aura? It's time to find out.
By Elena Cavender
Spotify Wrapped's latest feature reads Your Audio Aura
On TikTok, viral songs from 2020 elicit mixed emotions and nostalgia
Why users on the app are "listening to 2020 TikTok sounds to feel something."
By Elena Cavender
On TikTok, viral songs from 2020 elicit mixed emotions and nostalgia
Claiming tarot in the age of social media
This article found you for a reason.
By Elena Cavender
Claiming tarot in the age of social media
Pets have no idea it's daylight savings time, and it's going to be a rough week
Dogs and cats do not care that it's daylight savings time.
By Elena Cavender
Pets have no idea it's daylight savings time, and it's going to be a rough week
TikTok's version of the photo dump finds beauty in the mundane
POV: You take pictures of everything because you find everything aesthetic.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok's version of the photo dump finds beauty in the mundane
TikTok wants you to stop dressing for the male gaze
It’s about drive, it’s about power, it's about wearing whatever you want.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok wants you to stop dressing for the male gaze
Dad creates impressive drive-in movie costume for his daughter that actually works
It really projects movie clips.
By Elena Cavender
Dad creates impressive drive-in movie costume for his daughter that actually works
Why Gen Z is plugging in wired headphones and tuning out AirPods
Want to be a wired "It" girl?
By Elena Cavender
Why Gen Z is plugging in wired headphones and tuning out AirPods
The rumors are true: Timothée Chalamet used to mod Xbox controllers
Timmy is a gamer boy.
By Elena Cavender
The rumors are true: Timothée Chalamet used to mod Xbox controllers
I tried the viral TikTok adjustable buttons and they actually work pretty well
If you don't mind stabbing your jeans and having an off-center button, these are for you!
By Elena Cavender
I tried the viral TikTok adjustable buttons and they actually work pretty well
An interview with Annie Rauwerda, the queen of the Wikipedia rabbit hole
The @depthsofwikipedia account is an invaluable source of wacky facts.
By Elena Cavender
An interview with Annie Rauwerda, the queen of the Wikipedia rabbit hole
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