Blogroll

Being a tech aficionado was never the cheapest hobby out there, but these days, it's even worse than usual. That's why I tend to advocate looking for cheap upgrades instead of spending lots of money, with tips on how to avoid needing to buy a new router, for instance.

While the list of new Netflix movies in September is impressive, the group of new and returning shows this month is equally impressive. The first show on the list is the second season of a crime comedy by Guy Ritchie. The next show is a coming-of-age story set in the unfamiliar world of high school rowing.

If you’re someone who uses local AI, you’ve probably heard of LM Studio. It's the app that lets you easily download open-source AI models locally, manage them, and talk to them in a fairly basic chat window. It was cool when it launched, but right now, the way people are using LLMs has evolved.

It's no secret that the Milwaukee PACKOUT system is the king of modular storage for all your tools, and users everywhere swear by it. If you're tired of wasting half the day hunting for tools, digging through random bins, or having a cluttered mess in the garage, you need a PACKOUT. Here are a few kits that'll save you hours in the garage or shop, letting you focus on the job at hand.

Since the first lightbulb was invented, technology has evolved to the point where there’s almost nothing a typical modern LED light can’t do. Dimming is a basic feature, but altering the color temperature and actual color, and even creating unique patterns, are also possible. This creates the opportunity for some truly amazing lighting scenes, but getting it all to work can be a challenge. Thankfully, Govee thinks there’s a better way.

When it comes to learning cybersecurity, there's a way to do it that feels less like studying and more like a high-stakes game. I'm talking about Capture the Flag competitions. Out of curiosity, I dived into this interesting world and, before I realized it, I got totally hooked.

SAVE $30: As of Sept. 3, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a $30 discount from its full price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $19.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

Labor Day sales are a real treat for shoppers who don't want to wait until Black Friday and the holidays to score some good deals. Amazon's been particularly great with discounts so far, including devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, which recently saw a price hike. As of Sept. 3, this streaming stick has been slashed to just $19.99.

Compared to its newly increased full price of $49.99, that means you save $30 overall. Price tracker camelcamelcamel even shows that this deal price is just a couple of dollars away from the retailer's lowest-ever price of $17.99, so this is an excellent time to grab it if your streaming setup is in need of an upgrade.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy's Labor Day 2026 Sale is live: Shop deals on Apple, headphones, laptops, and more

Amazon's streaming sticks offer several 4K options, but the 4K Select is the line's entry-level pick. If you're making the jump from HD streaming, this device can deliver a higher-quality picture with support for 4K Ultra HD resolution and High Dynamic Range 10+. It also supports WiFi 5 for smooth streaming and comes with 8GB of storage to store your favorite apps.

You can even play Xbox games via cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass, though you will need a subscription and a compatible controller to fully jump in on the action. On top of that, the Alexa Voice Remote makes searching for your next favorite show or movie simple and easy, just by using your voice.

As we head into the Labor Day weekend, deals like this may not be around for long. If this Fire TV Stick 4K Select has caught your eye, be quick to save on it at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

I’ve never been very interested in smart glasses. The idea of having a hands-free camera on my face sounds great, but there’s always so much extra stuff that goes along with it. However, my Android brain perked up when I heard HTC was releasing a pair of smart glasses. I’ve been using the Vive Eagle for several weeks, and I have a lot of thoughts.

Are you ready to take your homelab to the next level? This weekend, you should definitely deploy at least one of these three homelab infrastructure projects. They might not be glamorous, but they're sure useful.

Featuring an improved design, including replaceable batteries, along with better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance, the excellent sounding $300 Momentum TWS 5 are top earbuds contender and earn a CNET Editors' Choice award.

Read more about wireless and noise-canceling earbuds: We found the 7 best noise-cancelling earbuds after extensive testing
The 11 best wireless earbuds we've ever tested

Timecode chapters
0:00 Intro
0:21 Design changes
0:41 Replaceable batteries
0:56 New features
1:04 Compared to the Momentum True Wireless 4
1:25 Ear tips
1:53 Tight seal is crucial
2:01 Sound quality
2:31 Sony vs Sennheiser
2:48 Noise cancellation
3:23 Sound test
3:47 Firmware update needed
4:03 Audio dropouts?
4:14 Robust connection
4:32 Codecs
4:57 Battery life
5:17 What do you think?

Video credits
Host: David Carnoy
Scripted by: David Carnoy
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video editor: Numi Prasarn
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

I've been using Linux more and more over the past year, and one of the things I've come to appreciate is how much choice it gives you. With Windows, you're largely working within the system Microsoft gives you. With Linux, if something doesn't work the way you want, there's probably another distro that handles it differently.

One of the world's largest consumer technology shows kicks off on Friday, and Dreame understood the assignment. IFA is all-in on the robot lawn mowers this year and Dreame has a new model that's set to enter the market in 2027. The brand has been one of Mashable's favorite options for robot vacuums in the last few years and their lineup of robot lawn mowers is getting damn impressive. Welcome to the yard, Dreame A4 AWD Pro Series.

A robot lawn mower with a swing arm

Like robot vacuums, the majority of robot lawn mowers set out to do the same task: rid us of the inconvenience of manually mowing the lawn. But now that the market has a handful of top models and brands, things are starting to get fancier.

The new Dreame A4 AWD Pro Series is the brand's introductory model made with the EdgeMaster 4.0 Precision Edge-Trimming System. This enables a swing arm to extend the standard cutting disc outward as the mower senses nearby boundaries. After playing with a few robot lawn mowers, I can say this will be a major benefit since not all robots are comfortable getting close to the edge. At times, I've gone out with the string trimmer to get a cleaner line around the edge.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock RockNeo Q110H robot lawn mower just landed at Amazon, and it's on sale for just 1 week

Of course, the Dreame does this while still saying a safe distance away from walls, fences, or flower beds, but the zero centimeter edge cutting is a unique feature that makes using a robot lawn mower and truly hands-off experience.

In addition to the arm, the Dreame AWD can handle climbing slopes that measure up to 90% or 42 degrees. It can also glide over holes or divots of about four inches deep and six inches wide.

Advanced navigation and intelligence

Since the little robot is sent out to mow on its own, it relies on a solid navigation system. The new Dreame AWD uses a slew of tech to make this happen like 360-degree 3D LiDAR, satellite and network Omni RTK, and AI-powered binocular vision. The infrared sensor can help keep the mower away from people and pets.

How to buy the Dreame A4 AWD Pro Series

At the time of launch, Dreame's press release mentions the new robot mower will hit global markets in the first half of 2027. Starting price (listed in Euros) translates to about $3,500, but pricing can vary by market so we could see a different price in the U.S. We do have details that two models of the A4 AWD Pro will launch with one being suitable for almost an acre and the other model capable of mowing about 1.2 acres.

If you're looking for a Dreame robot lawn mower that's already on the market, the Dreame LiDAR 3500 Robot Lawn Mower A3 AWD is on sale at Amazon for $2,399.99, down from the list price of $2,999.99.

Tired of USB-C power banks that need to be replaced every few years? Belkin might have your fix: it's releasing its first power banks with semi-solid-state batteries that reportedly last "up to" 3X longer than conventional models.

Times are tough for RAM, SSDs, GPUs, and whatever else comes to mind. Close to a year of the RAM-pocalypse has left the market bone dry, and the aftershocks are reverberating throughout more than just the store shelves. Warranties are affected, too.

The Full Moon wasn't that long ago, but already it's looking a lot different. Its fully illuminated face is shrinking night by night as it moves into the next phase of its lunar cycle.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, Sept. 3, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 62% of its surface visible.

Without visual aids, tonight you can see the Copernicus and Tycho craters and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, you'll be able to spot the Grimaldi Basin, Alphonsus Crater and Clavius Crater. Finally, with a telescope you'll also see the Apollo 14 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon's appearance gradually changes as it travels around Earth, completing a full lunar cycle in approximately 29.5 days, NASA tells us. What we see from Earth depends on the Moon's position in relation to the Sun, which affects how much of its illuminated side is visible. As the cycle progresses, the Moon passes through a series of phases, from a thin crescent to a half Moon and then a Full Moon, before starting over.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

SAVE $20: As of Sept. 3, the Nothing Ear (3a) earbuds are down to their lowest-ever price of $79 at Amazon. That's $20 off their full price of $99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Ear (3a) $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal

If a new pair of earbuds is on your shopping list, you don't have to wait until Black Friday to score a good deal. Labor Day sales are live across various retailers and offer solid savings to browse. Over at Amazon, the newly released Nothing Ear (3a) is a standout option, sitting at their best-ever price.

As of Sept. 3, these earbuds have had $20 slashed off their $99 full price, bringing them down to $79. According to price tracking website camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price point yet for these earbuds, making now an excellent time to scoop them up. All colors are on sale as well, so you can find your favorite at a discount.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy's Labor Day 2026 Sale is live: Shop deals on Apple, headphones, laptops, and more

The Nothing Ear (3a) earbuds provide up to 45dB of Active Noise Cancellation, so outside noises won't interrupt what you're listening to. On the opposite end of that, they also have a Transparency Mode that can make you more aware of your surroundings if you'd rather not be closed off while out and about.

When it comes to sound quality, it comes through strong thanks to a 12mm driver that's larger than what the Ear(a) offers. These earbuds also feature Clear Voice Technology, which is helpful on calls. Plus, it has a very beefy battery life, lasting up to 42 hours with the charging case.

This deal may not stick around for long, so don't miss out on this great offer on the Nothing Ear (3a) at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Chicken Shop Date is coming to an end.

The viral YouTube series created and hosted by Amelia Dimoldenberg will have one more season before wrapping up, the creator and Mash 101 alumni announced on Thursday.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best Chicken Shop Date episodes to binge

Dimoldenberg took to Instagram to share the news in a statement, saying she feels it's "now time to move on from this adventure and onto a new one."

View this post on Instagram

Here's her statement, in full:

"When I was 17 I had a fantastic idea that I might meet the love of my life on a date in a chicken shop.

I’ve spent my entire twenties sitting across from the most incredible people, people I’d always dreamt of meeting. All of them charmed me (some more than others) and I definitely charmed them.

To me the show is my very own romcom and I have loved creating so many stories for you to watch. I am so grateful to everyone who has followed me on this journey and found some joy in these episodes.

I never thought I’d stop Chicken Shop Date, I thought maybe it would be a part of me forever, and in some way it always will, but I feel like it’s now time to move on from this adventure and onto a new one.

But before I say goodbye forever, I want to celebrate everything Chicken Shop Date has been for me with a few final dates…coming very soon.

Love Amelia x"

Originally starting as a column, Chicken Shop Date launched in its current YouTube form back in 2014. It's since become an online staple up there with the likes of Hot Ones, with new episodes typically getting millions of views.

It will be missed by many — but it sounds like Dimoldenberg, who last year launched an F1-themed web series, has other things up her sleeve. Earlier this year it was announced that Dimoldenberg would star in and produce a romantic comedy about a journalist who interviews celebrities for Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures.

Cloud applications seem very convenient until you start thinking about how much of your work depends on someone else’s servers, but Linux gives you another option.

DJI has launched the Osmo 360 II, its new 360-degree 8K camera, in the global market. With larger sensors, higher frame rates, and replaceable lenses, it seems primed to go head-to-head with Insta360's recently released X6. However, people in the U.S. will have a harder time getting their hands on it than the rest of the world.

SEE ALSO: DJI and Insta360 go to war in the U.S. over its action gimbal cameras

Announced on Thursday at IFA 2026, the DJI Osmo 360 II improves upon last year's Osmo 360 with larger dual 1-inch square sensors that offer 14.5 stops of dynamic range. It also boasts higher frame rates, capable of shooting 8K panoramic video at a maximum of 60fps, as well as 4K slow motion footage at 240fps. In comparison, the Osmo 360 tops out at 8K at 50fps, or 4K at 100fps in slow motion mode.

One of the Osmo 360 II's more interesting upgrades is the introduction of replaceable lenses. Insta360 made the lenses of their X5 camera swappable last year, allowing users to easily replace them if they are damaged, and further upgraded this feature in the X6 last month. Now DJI is bringing out its own swappable 360-degree lens system, reducing Insta360's advantage and helping to make any lens-damaging accidents a bit less disastrous (or expensive).

Pairing the Osmo 360 II with the DJI Mimo app and transferring footage has been simplified as well. Rather than having to search for the Osmo 360 II in the DJI Mimo app, you can just tap its new NFC area to your phone, which should make users' workflow slightly smoother.

DJI's Osmo 360 II also has a few changes on the software side. The camera will debut AI SuperNight 2.0, a new noise reduction algorithm designed to help capture clean footage in low light situations. The Osmo 360 II features Spotlight Follow too, bringing this tracking tool to DJI's 360-degree cameras for the first time. Previously found in the Osmo Pocket handheld gimbal camera series, Spotlight Follow uses AI to automatically reframe your footage, following your subject to keep them in the centre of the frame at all times (though it will only work with 4K 30fps footage at maximum).

Aside from these upgrades, the DJI Osmo 360 II has identical measurements to its predecessor, the same 100-minute battery runtime at 8K 30fps, and the same 105GB of built-in storage available (which can also be supplemented with microSD cards).

Credit: DJI

Unfortunately, the Osmo 360 II won't officially be available in the U.S. for the foreseeable future. The U.S. government's hostility toward DJI has significantly hindered the company's operations in the country, resulting in its products now being unavailable for purchase through its U.S. website. As such, acquiring an Osmo 360 II in the U.S. will require going through a third party.

For everyone else, the DJI Osmo 360 II will be available in most other markets across the world from Sept. 15. No U.S. pricing has been announced, however the Osmo 360 II is already available in Hong Kong, where its Standard Combo will set you back $HK3,899 (approximately $500).

Earlier this year, I was having a ton of issues with Android Auto. My cable didn't want to work. I'd lose my connection randomly (even with a plugged-incable). The cables wore out quickly. There always seemed to be some kind of problem with Android Auto in my car. When I switched to wireless, it was like a completely different experience. I've seen some talk online about the wired vs wireless debate for Android Auto, and I'm firmly in the wireless camp. Here's why.