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This is the perfect time of year to update your office setup, whether you're a student or not. Take advantage of Secretlab's back to school sale and save big on the most popular models of the company's gaming chair and desk lines!

Home is where the heart is. On Linux, home is where everything personal to you is: your documents, downloads, screenshots, and configuration. In fact, your home is so special, you really ought to be showing it a bit more love.

Do you think Linux is just for homelabs or servers? Worried it can't handle your professional workflow? Well, I've been daily-driving Linux for 10 years, and here are five ways it helps me do real work.

Nobody online wants to be polyester right now.

That is not a compliment.

According to the Gen-Z lexicon, something "polyester" is a way of saying it feels cheap, mass-produced, low-effort, or inauthentic. It might look polished at first glance, but underneath the sheen, something about it feels artificial.

A generic influencer brand can be polyester. An overly polished video can be polyester. So can your relationship.

The insult draws on the fabric’s increasingly poor online reputation. Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from plastic, and younger shoppers have spent years complaining about finding it in expensive clothing, purging it from their closets, and searching for cotton, wool, and other natural materials instead.

Polyester is not necessarily low-quality — different versions of the material have legitimate uses, including in performance clothing — but online fashion discourse often treats the word as shorthand for the cheap, shiny fabric associated with fast fashion. That made it particularly effective as an insult for anything that looks manufactured or disposable.

Where did the polyester meme come from?

Before people had polyester lifestyles, TikTok had "polyester edits." The term emerged around a style of aggressively edited fan video featuring characters such as Spider-Man and Iron Man. The videos layer poses over rapidly flashing footage, usually accompanied by metallic music and enough visual effects to make CapCut beg for mercy.

According to Know Your Meme, examples of the editing style appeared as early as October 2025. A pretty chaotic Spider-Man edit posted the following month later resurfaced and went viral in the summer of 2026. Viewers began calling videos in the format "polyester edits" to suggest they were flashy but cheaply made.

The insult quickly escaped editing circles. Streamers and influencers selling 100 percent polyester merchandise have been mocked for it, with LowTierGod earning the nickname "the Polyester Prince." Creators have also parodied the stereotypical polyester wearer by assembling loud, all-over-print outfits involving galaxy pants, wolf shirts, and other relics of a deeply synthetic era.

From there, “polyester” became less about what something was made from and more about its overall spiritual composition.

The internet has a lot of ways to call you fake

The term joins a growing collection of online insults for anything perceived as fake, generic, or painfully uncool. Someone adopting an identity for attention might be accused of "larping." A man carrying a tote bag and reading Joan Didion exclusively to impress women is "performative." A celebrity whose success feels suspiciously manufactured is an "industry plant," while a person with no original thoughts or tastes might be dismissed as an "NPC."

But wait, there's more! "Slop," the internet’s preferred term for low-quality content churned out in bulk, especially with AI. Calling someone the "Temu version" of another person makes them a cheaply produced imitation, while "corny" remains the remarkably durable verdict for anyone visibly trying too hard. "Cheugy," a personal favorite, similarly targets tastes that felt dated and overly curated, although using it now may itself be considered cheugy.

"Polyester" overlaps with all of them while adding a judgment about quality. Something can be genuine and still be polyester if it feels tacky, disposable, or assembled from whatever happens to be trending. It is "slop" with a fabric-composition label — or "Temu" without naming the store.

That makes it a useful insult for an internet increasingly filled with AI-generated posts, deepfakes, dropshipped products, and lifestyles seemingly designed by an algorithm. Of course, the more people use "polyester" to describe everything they dislike, the cheaper and more generic the insult itself will become.

Which would be extremely polyester.

August has been building up to this on HBO Max, and it's finally here. Lanterns was one of the streaming service's most anticipated new series of the year, expanding James Gunn's new DCU further, and bringing Hal Jordan to prestige TV—it's this week's top pick. American subscribers to the service now have something new to look forward to in the 9:00 p.m. time slot vacated by House of the Dragon.

The NFL's regular season is fast approaching, which is good news for fans and bad news for fans' spouses. It also means fantasy football season is gearing up, with drafts happening every day until the league kicks off on Sept. 9.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the Champions League online for free

Not every fantasy football platform requires a buy-in. For managers who just want to draft, talk trash with friends, and manage a roster without any money on the line, several major platforms remain free to use. Each of these platforms lets you build a full season-long league without spending a dime — the differences mostly come down to interface preference, customization depth, and how social you want the experience to be.

Here's a rundown of five options worth considering for the 2026 season.

ESPN Fantasy Football

ESPN remains one of the most widely used fantasy platforms, and it costs nothing to create or join a league.

The app lets commissioners set up custom scoring and rules, and its recent interface overhaul has made managing a roster from a phone considerably easier. It's a solid default for casual leagues among coworkers or friends. It's also added a new "Knockout" League, a Survivor-style fantasy challenge in which the lowest-scoring team each week is eliminated until one team is left standing.

Yahoo! Fantasy Football

One of the OG's of internet-based fantasy sports, Yahoo's fantasy app has been around since 2008 and continues to draw a loyal user base. (My Gen X parents still use Yahoo for their fantasy league). Leagues are free to create, and the platform supports several formats beyond standard season-long play, including Survival and Pick'em modes.

Deep customization options make it popular with groups that have played together for years and want specific league settings.

Sleeper

Sleeper has become a go-to option for newer leagues. Particularly in the dynasty and social league space.

Creating and joining a league costs nothing, and the app's chat and notification features are designed to keep a league engaged throughout the year, not just on game day.

NFL Fantasy Football

The NFL's own fantasy app is free and doesn't involve prize money or paid contests, making it a straightforward option for fans who want to play without any financial stakes attached.

It includes mock drafts, league-creation tools, and player-comparison features, along with behind-the-scenes content tied to real games.

CBS Sports Fantasy Football

CBS Sports offers a free, all-around season-long platform that has traditionally appealed to larger, deeper leagues. While it doesn't have the same market share as ESPN or Yahoo, it remains a reliable, no-cost option for commissioners seeking an alternative.

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

SAVE $400.99: As of August 18, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone Robot Vacuum and Mop for $699 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099.99. That's a discount of 36%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone Robot Vacuum and Mop $699 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $400.99   Get Deal

If you're tired of constantly vacuuming and mopping up around your home, it might be time to let a robot vacuum handle all of that. Robot vacuums are a great way to save time and money, and you can do both with the right model. We've found one on sale that you can scoop up for a significant discount, and it can handle just about any task you throw at it.

As of August 18, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone Robot Vacuum and Mop for $699 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099.99. That's $400.99 off and a discount of 36%.

SEE ALSO: The best budget robot vacuums to buy in 2026, expert tested at home

This heavy-duty robot vacuum and mop is ready to jump in and tackle any mess. Its Ozmo Roller 2.0 with TruEdge 3.0 cleaning system and nylon roller is all about scrubbing strength with 50% better edge versus the previous model. It can handle cleaning around walls and corners without breaking a sweat, so to speak. Plus, it uses 19,500Pa suction and a 100W motor to really get into the ground-in dirt and debris.

Anti-tangle brushes help you cut through pet fur and tangled human hair so that you don't get stuck in a certain spot. And when it's time to switch over to the mop, it can lift its own roller mop and carpets and raise brushes so that it doesn't unnecessarily get parts of your floor and carpet wet. All this, plus it can empty on its own and charge itself, so you really don't have to worry about anything it's doing except when it's scheduled to run.

If you're ready to let a robot tackle tidying up at home, this one is an excellent choice, ad it's on sale right now. It's time to give up the ghost and have robots step in for you.

Like some of its streaming rivals, Peacock is raising plan prices once more — in some cases very sharply. NBCUniversal has instituted price hikes for all tiers starting today (August 18) for new customers and from September 17 onward for existing customers.

Best Beats deals at a glance Best overall Beats deal Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Amazon (save $180.04) Get Deal Best Beats earbuds deal Beats Fit Pro $129.99 at Amazon (save $69.96) Get Deal Best Beats deal for working out Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon (save $50.04) Get Deal

A new pair of headphones can feel like a hack for a fresh start. Strolling down the street or hopping onto the train with headphones or earbuds that sound way better than your previous pair offers a brand new take on the world. If you'll be traveling soon, a solid pair of noise-cancelling headphones is practically as important as the airplane ticket itself.

For years now, Beats has made excellent headphones. The lineup today features comfortable headphones for wearing all day, earbuds that stay put during workouts, and options that come in at affordable prices.

If you're thinking a new pair of headphones or earbuds is on the must-buy list during back-to-school season, Amazon has a handful of excellent Beats deals. Check out our favorites.

Best Beats headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.04   Get Deal Why we like it

The Beats Studio Pro won the honor of being named Mashable's favorite Beats headphones. Considering we awarded them this accolade when they were at full price of $350 means we love them even more when they're on sale for $170. They excel in ANC and have great sound quality, not to mention they get up to 40 hours of battery life or 24 hours with ANC turned on.

Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry reviewed the Beats Studio Pro and praised sound and performance. "The active noise cancelation is tremendous. My loud window air conditioner unit just a few feet away might as well not exist when I wear these babies," he wrote.

Best Beats earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Fit Pro $129.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $69.96   Get Deal Why we like it

If you prefer the compact nature of earbuds over headphones, the Amazon has the Beats Fit Pro on sale for $129.99, down from the normal price of $199.95.

When the Apple launched the Beats Fit Pro in the fall of 2021, Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry wrote, "Apple may not put its name directly on any Beats products, but the Beats Fit Pro are so much better than the new AirPods that maybe they should start doing that."

Perry found the Beats Fit Pro to unironically fit incredible well, never feeling like they were going to fall out. After wearing them for six hours straight, he had no complaints about the comfort.

Best Beats deal for working out Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's favorite earbuds for working out are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Alex Bracetti reviewed the Powerbeats for six months, noting that the excellent fit, heart-rate monitoring, and long battery life are major highlights. According to Bracetti, the fit is excellent for workouts that see plenty of movement. "The Powerbeats Pro 2 perfect wireless audio athleticism. It starts with the signature ear hooks," he explained. "These are ideal for all workouts, especially running. I always use them when jogging fast-paced on the streets and treadmill. They wrap gently around the ear and lock on for a secure and stable fit that never slips out."

Getting 10 hours of playtime per charge and up to 45 hours with the included charging case, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are ready for fall workout routines.

Swapping out a default Android keyboard for an open-source alternative usually comes with a long list of compromises, but thanks to FUTO Keyboard, that has changed. Here is a private, trustworthy option with features like gesture swiping and voice-to-text that actually work. However, there is one unexpected feature that still leads me to switch back to Gboard.

Plex has decided to bring back its familiar sidebar navigation on its smart TV app. The streaming service is listening to its users who spent the last year complaining that the redesigned app's new top-bar navigation was too slow and unintuitive.

An obvious way to speed up an old PC is to upgrade it or buy a new PC. But what if you can't or don't want to? (And who can blame you, with consumer GPUs pushing beyond $1,600.)

SAVE $320: As of August 18, get the Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar for $679 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999. That's a discount of 32%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar $679 at Amazon
$999 Save $320   Get Deal

If you watch a lot of movies or TV, you know the regular sound from your standard TV can be a bit lacking. A soundbar can punch it up considerably, so you need the right setup to get the best audio out of your media. If you need one to facilitate that, this deal at Amazon can help you get started without breaking the bank.

As of August 18, get the Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar for $679 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $999. That's $320 off and a discount of 32%.

SEE ALSO: The best soundbars for upgrading your home entertainment

This soundbar covers a lot of ground. Not only does it offer great audio, but it can work as a Bluetooth speaker and surround system addition to your setup. It uses Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technology to help separate sounds to place them in different parts of your room. That makes it sound as though you're right in the middle of what's going on on-screen.

It uses AI Dialogue Mode to help balance voice and music so you can actually hear what's going on clearly as well. If you're looking to hear the explosions and chatter of each scene, you'll appreciate the surround sound setup, too. There are six transducers and two custom-engineered upward-firing speakers as well, meant to fill your entire space.

If you're ready to improve your home audio tenfold with additional bass and clarity, this soundbar will be a welcome addition to your setup. And the best part is, you won't have to drain your savings to make it happen. Just be sure to get yours while it's still discounted.

The Mashable Big Guessing Game is back again for our third and final round. In the first round, we tried to guess the new name of macOS (only one person correctly predicted "Golden Gate"), and in the second round, we tried to predict whether a foldable iPhone or touchscreen Mac is coming this year (we still don't know!)

In our last round of the contest, we're focusing on the expected Apple event in September, where we expect to see a full new lineup of iPhone models, including the highly anticipated foldable iPhone. Will new CEO John Ternus appear on the roof of Apple Park? How much will the latest and greatest version of the iPhone Pro Max cost? If there is a foldable iPhone, what will Apple name it?

Make your predictions for September with five quick guesses, then sit back and watch the event to see how many you get right. Each correct guess earns you an additional chance of winning the grand prize, the latest edition of the new Apple Watch.

This final round of contest questions will run until 11:59 p.m. PT on Sept. 1.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win the "CNET Group Big Guessing Game" Giveaway. Open to legal U.S. residents in the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+ yrs of age. Other restrictions apply. Begins May 19, 2026 at 12:01 pm ET and ends Sept. 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules: https://www.mashable.com/article/mashable-big-guessing-game-apple-edition-official-contest-rules/. Sponsor: Ziff Davis, LLC.

Apple is not a sponsor of, affiliated with, or endorser of this sweepstakes. Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc.

You don't need a Mercedes badge to get the things that make a luxury SUV feel genuinely luxurious. The Genesis GV80 focuses on the details you'll actually notice from the driver's seat, including a quiet cabin, a comfortable ride, supportive seats, and a refined driving experience.

It's now easy to buy the world's most repairable phone in the U.S. — and hopefully use it for a long time. Fairphone has officially entered the American smartphone market with the release of the Fairphone Gen 6+, an upgrade to its latest eco-conscious Android device.

"If you’re racist or anti-immigrant, then you shouldn’t watch the World Cup." "Grudges are as vital to success as friendships." "Reporters should be able to play the sport they're reporting on." "Restaurants gotta stop singing 'Happy Birthday' to adults." "Leaf blowers should be eradicated."

Kareem Rahma's Subway Takes keeps our feeds brimming with steaming hot perspectives, and the latest episode of his wildly popular web series won't leave my consciousness.

In a video posted on Monday, the journalist interviews musician Lucy Dacus on a boat off Rhode Island during Newport Folk Fest, asking for her hottest take.

Her answer? "Birds shouldn't walk."

Reader, I started. As a Londoner who constantly apologises to walking pigeons getting off the tube, my eyebrows ascended in distant concurrence. However, Rahma instantly disagrees.

"On what grounds?" asks Dacus. "On the ground!" responds the host.

"If I’m on a sidewalk and I’m getting out of the way of a bird, that's so f*cking rude," says Dacus. "Get up there. They have the whole thing. There's not even traffic."

SEE ALSO: Kareem Rahma's 'Subway Takes' is a challenge to late-night talk shows

The pair then have a frank conversation about whether all birds are weird (yes), and whether birds' legs are actually real or just small sticks (maybe). Curious about the science behind birds walking and whether their legs are, in fact, tiny sticks (remains a mystery), I had a small peruse online for answers.

Turns out, the Natural History Museum in London reckons, that we can trace bird-walking styles back to dinosaur fossils. According to the BBC's Science Focus, birds that live in trees and hop around on branches "have evolved legs and feet that hop efficiently, so it makes sense to keep this up even when they are foraging on the ground." New Zealand Geographic explains the amount of energy a bird uses while flying depends on the type of bird, so swimming might use less energy than flying for aquatic birds. Academic studies show that the amount of energy birds use during flight is "dominated by changes to their mass and airspeed."

Now we know, I guess!

And sure, Dacus appreciates that "maybe flying expends more energy than walking," but she's still not having any of it.

"Are you trying to convince us that you're like, one of the people? That you're humble? Get up there." she says.

As someone who will definitely be interrupted by a bird on my commute home, and will apologise profusely to them like I've offended their mother, I agree.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage or see more of this year’s Mashable 101 to discover the internet's most exciting voices. 

Featured Video For You Girlbossification of AI

The best Garmin watch deals at a glance: Best overall Garmin Venu 3S $294 (save $155.99) Get Deal Best deal for runners Garmin Forerunner 265S $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best multisport deal Garmin Instinct 3 (AMOLED, 45mm) $299.99 (save $150) Get Deal

The smartwatch market is overwhelmingly crowded, but Garmin remains in a category of its own. I've personally been sporting a Garmin smartwatch (the Venu, if you're curious) for six years and continue to sing its praises. If you're in the market for a high-performance smartwatch built to last, I highly recommend going with Garmin — especially when you can find one on sale.

While the Apple Watch may sync with your Apple gadgets seamlessly and serve as a mini phone on your wrist, Garmin shines when it comes with health and fitness tracking, as well as ultra-long battery life. This makes them especially great picks for athletes of all kinds.

A few Garmin smartwatches are on sale for up to 35% off, some at or close to their lowest price ever. In other words, if you're seeking a new smartwatch that can accompany you on your health and fitness journey for years to come, it's a great time to grab a Garmin. I've rounded up my top picks below.

Best Garmin smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3S $294 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $155.99   Get Deal Why we like it

The Venu 3S is a great all-rounder, with an abundance of health metrics and fitness tools (over 30 preloaded sports apps), in-depth recovery advice, detailed sleep data, and a built-in speaker and microphone for hands-free calls and virtual assistant access. It's incredibly sleek and comes in two sizes; the 3S is about .2 inches smaller in diameter (41mm versus 45mm). Like every Garmin watch, the battery life puts other smartwatches to shame. The 3S will last you about 10 days in smartwatch mode, while the 3 will last up to 14. While it comes in a variety of colorways, the French Gray and Sage Gray options offer the biggest discount at just $294 (reg. $449.99). Every other option in both sizes is also on sale for just a few more bucks — $299.99. Whichever you pick, you'll be getting the best price ever on this smartwatch.

Best Garmin smartwatch deal for runners Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 265S $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

While the Venu 3 is a great all-rounder, the Forerunner 265 is designed specifically for runners. Whether you're training for an upcoming marathon or just trying to improve your daily run times, the Forerunner 265 will assist you with all the data you could ever want. You'll get a morning report with recovery and training outlooks for the day, a training readiness score, personalized workouts, training tips, race performance stats, course details, and more. After each run, you'll also be able to zero in on things like cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and HRV. The Forerunner 265 will last you up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 24 hours in GPS mode. Snag it on sale for just $349.99 as of Aug. 18. That's $100 off its list price and about $50 shy of its lowest cost ever.

Best multisport Garmin smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 3 (45mm, AMOLED) $299.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

The Garmin Instinct 3 is a rugged smartwatch that can handle just about anything. You can choose from an AMOLED, Tactical, Solar, or Tactical AMOLED display — most of which are on sale — depending on your preferences. The Instinct 3 is incredibly tough, built with a 45mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel, and even has a built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities for visibility. It packs a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology for the ultimate navigation. And, of course, you'll also get all of Garmin's detailed health and fitness features, as well as an insane battery life of up to 18 days. The AMOLED version is typically $449.99, but as of Aug. 18, it's down to only $299.99 at Amazon. That's just $50 away from its best price ever.

More Garmin watch deals

• Garmin Vivoactive 5 — $189.99 $299.99 (save $110)

• Garmin Forerunner 165 Music — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Forerunner 965 — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Instinct Crossover — $549.99 $649.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Venu X1 — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• Garmin fenix 8 (AMOLED) — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Garmin quatix 8 Marine — $1,049.99 $1,299.99 (save $250)

SAVE $401.99: The 48-inch Sony Bravia A90K OLED TV is on sale for $998, down from the normal price of $1,399.99. That's a 29% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony 48-inch Sony Bravia A90K OLED TV $998 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $401.99   Get Deal

It's time to prepare for fall shows and gaming in the warmth of the indoors while the chill sets in outside. Both of those classic fall activities require a worthy TV. If you don't feel like your current TV is ready to see the finite details of the new Great British Baking Show season, it's time for an upgrade, and this Sony model has never been cheaper.

As of Aug. 18, the 48-inch Sony Bravia A90K OLED TV is on sale for $998, marked down from the normal price of $1,399.99. That's a huge 29% discount that takes $401.99 off the price. It's the best price we've seen at Amazon.

A moderate 48-inch TV is perfect for the bedroom, a studio, or a smaller living room. But just because it's not a giant model doesn't mean it has to skimp on quality or features. Sony makes some of the best TVs, and the OLED display puts you in line for exceptional contrast, brightness, and clarity.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is turning 60: Celebrate with massive weeklong deals on iPads, laptops, and TVs

In addition to being great for streaming your favorite shows, Sony considers this TV to be great for gaming, in part thanks to the Sony Cognitive Processor XR. With input lag as low as 8.5 milliseconds, the Bravia XR has special features for the PlayStation 5.

There's also the modern slim design and built-in Google TV for keeping your favorite streaming apps well organized.

Since we've never seen a price this low for the 48-inch Sony Bravia A90K OLED TV, consider this a great time to make the upgrade before fall TV season hits.