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My $2 humidity sensor is the best 3D printing upgrade I've made
There are many ways to tinker with 3D printers. You can mod the software, add extra lights, build filter boxes, and so much more. What if I told you that I decided to buy a simple $2 humidity sensor before doing anything else to my 3D printer—including buying extra filament? Here's why a humidity sensor is important in my 3D printing setup.
5 new and returning shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, and more (October 23-25)
What should you watch this weekend? If you're staying home to watch something on streaming, NBC has a sitcom about a newly married couple that might suit your interests. On Hulu, an intriguing mystery comedy premiered earlier this week and has already attracted attention.
Nvidia just made DLSS 5 twice as fast, but that's not even the biggest surprise
Nvidia's DLSS 5 came at a time when little else was going on in the GPU world, and it shook its very foundations. People loved it, people hated it. It had several big problems, and the AI slop was not even the worst of it.
I can use these 3 essential apps on any Windows PC without installing anything
I have a number of Windows computers around my home. Some are media centers, others handle my outdoor cameras and smart home, and some are just for basic office work. I’m also the person in my circle of friends and family who gets the call when there is a technology problem. Basically, this means I’m working on other people’s PCs pretty frequently. I don’t particularly enjoy having to install the same group of apps on every machine I’m working on, especially when the PC isn’t mine. Having portable apps on my thumb drive means I don’t have to.
5 Google Maps features I wish I'd discovered sooner
Hands up if you use Google Maps almost every day. Yep, same here. Between grocery runs, long drives with my husband, and picking up my daughter from school, I open it so often that I assumed I knew all the useful bits.
Google gives itself permission to use data from Gmail and Google Photos for ads
You might have suspected that Google was using personal app data for more than your own tasks, but now you have confirmation. Google has updated its privacy policy with an exception that lets its services use your shared content for personalized ads when you connect them to apps like Drive, Gmail, and Photos.
3 brilliant Netflix documentaries to binge-watch this weekend (October 23-25)
Who's up for some brilliant documentaries? At the moment, there are a few fresh Netflix documentaries trending in the Top 10. One of those is Tyson, a limited series about one of the "baddest men on the planet," Mike Tyson. On the comedy side, Norm Macdonald's documentary is winning over viewers thanks to the late comedian's indelible humor.
15 historic moments that shaped the Linux desktop we use today
Linux has come a long way from the days when getting a graphical desktop running could feel like a project of its own. Today, you can install a modern Linux distro, open a browser, connect your Bluetooth headphones, and get on with your work. That experience is the result of decades of development, arguments, ambitious redesigns, and a few spectacular failures.
What is TikTok’s Im so sorry trend? The AI photo reveals, explained
There's always a new AI photo trend on TikTok, whether people are turning themselves into caricatures or posing for an '80s yearbook portrait. If you've tried those and are looking for another excuse to play around with AI image generation, the "I'm so sorry" trend has people digging through their childhood photos — and apologizing for what they find.
SEE ALSO: ChatGPT '80s trend: Prompts to try it yourselfPeople are sharing edited versions of their baby pictures, childhood snapshots, and old Halloween costumes, then revealing the changes one slide at a time. With every swipe, another detail gets stripped away until they unveil the real photo — and the result is usually pretty horrifying. Horrifying enough that users feel compelled to caption their posts with "I'm so sorry." The carousels are usually set to Harry Styles' "Coming Up Roses" or Prince's "Purple Rain."
The appeal of the trend is in the anticipation. Once you understand the format, even an innocent opening photo becomes suspicious. You start inspecting the hair, the outfit, the background. Something is going to go. Something is going to appear. You just don’t know what!
In the Halloween versions, that can mean revealing a costume was much more homemade or culturally offensive than the opening image suggested. Other versions start with a picture-perfect baby portrait before revealing a newborn photo that is not as cute as expected (I'll leave it at that). Some depict yearbook photos or women after giving birth.
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Viewers online are eating it up, for the most part. "The 'I'm sorry I lied' trend on TikTok has to be the funniest trend ever," one user wrote. Another said it was "actually making me feel better about my childhood photos."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.But others are less amused by exactly how those slideshows are made. "Why do we keep normalizing uploading pictures of children into a public AI?" another user asked, raising a real concern that in order to participate in the trend, people are handing real childhood photos over to AI tools.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Those very real concerns center on what happens after the upload. Depending on the service and its settings, images may be retained or used to help train AI models. The public can also easily copy and manipulate those without permission. UNICEF has warned that real photographs of children are being altered into sexually explicit deepfakes. Of course, that doesn’t mean participating in this trend will lead to abuse, but it helps explain why some viewers are questioning the privacy trade-off behind the joke.
How to do the 'I'm so sorry' trendStart with the photo you want to reveal at the end, then use an AI image editor (any will do) to create a more polished-looking version. You might change the hairstyle, upgrade the outfit, or give the background a makeover.
Then, for a gradual reveal, add in one edit at a time and save each version. Then arrange the images in reverse order. Upload the images as a TikTok photo carousel or create a video slideshow using an editing app, and add captions over each photo, admitting to each change as you go.
Finish with the original photo and the obligatory "I’m so sorry," then add your chosen audio from either the Harry Styles or Prince track. They're both pretty great songs.
4 ESP32 weekend projects that are cheaper than buying ready-made products (Oct 23 - 25)
While many undertake ESP32-based electronics projects for fun, because they find building rewarding, or to learn, saving money is another valid reason to DIY a solution. It could be argued your own time has a price too, but if you find the build enjoyable, then you’re probably not going to mind the time commitment.
5 brilliant Android Quick Settings shortcuts that make everyday tasks faster
Android gives several ways to customize your phone. Most users use the Quick Settings panel for the same handful of things — Wi-Fi, brightness slider, flashlight, location, and mobile data. These barely scratch the surface. Tucked inside the Quick Settings edit menu are tiles that save you several taps and put useful controls one swipe away. To add tiles, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the pencil icon, and add the one you want into the panel. The exact steps vary by phone and Android version. Here are five Quick Settings tiles that are worth the space.
Etsy is cracking down on AI slop. Here’s what’s changing.
Shopping on Etsy shouldn’t require figuring out whether the product in the photo actually exists. Now, the marketplace is introducing new rules to help take some of that guesswork out of buying.
Etsy announced new restrictions on Oct. 22 in a news post titled "Creativity and Trust in the Age of AI," in which the marketplace banned AI-generated patterns, recipes, and other instructions that buyers follow to create a finished product. Sellers must also show a real example made using those instructions. An AI-generated image of what your project could theoretically look like won’t cut it.
"AI should support our sellers' creativity and craftsmanship, not replace them," James Ossman, Etsy’s vice president of customer operations, wrote in the announcement.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.For most listings, sellers will need to include at least one completely unedited photo showing the actual product against a real background. Some categories, including digital, customized, and made-to-order items, have different requirements. Sellers can still edit additional photos using software or AI tools, but those images must accurately show what buyers will receive.
There are potential consequences for misleading listings. If a seller's images don't meet the requirements and a buyer opens a case because the product looks materially different, the seller could be responsible for a refund. Bot-generated listings without human involvement will be removed and could also result in the seller’s shop being removed from Etsy.
SEE ALSO: Etsy says it will allow the sale of AI-generated art but not AI promptsFor shoppers, the frustration goes beyond disliking AI art. According to online testimonies, generated images can make it harder to judge the actual product. In a Reddit discussion about the announcement, one user said they stopped buying from a shop selling molds used to make bath bombs after it replaced real product photos with AI imagery. They wanted to see both the mold and a bath bomb made with it so they could assess the details and quality before buying.
"I can't tell anything from a fake generated unrealistic idea of the mold," they wrote.
Another commenter said the search itself had become exhausting: "I spent hours today trying to find an item that didn't have AI-generated art and eventually gave up."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.For some sellers, the frustration extends to their own shopping habits. "As a seller myself, I only shop on Etsy when I’m looking for something very niche," another user wrote. "Otherwise I don’t have the patience to scroll through several pages of AI crap before finding something not AI." One X user said: "Half the listings there looked nothing like what showed up in the mail, so this is overdue."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The company, to their credit, had been listening to complaints. "Today, many active buyers say they can’t tell which items involve AI-generated content. It’s become a top-three barrier to shopping more often on Etsy," Ossman wrote in its notice to sellers.
Can sellers still sell AI art?Yes. Etsy will continue allowing AI-generated art when sellers have a clear creative role and disclose their use of AI. They cannot present it as handmade or entirely their own creation.
That approach dates back to Etsy's July 2024 policy update, which allowed artwork generated using sellers’ own original prompts, provided they disclosed the AI use in the listing description. But Etsy drew a line at selling AI prompt bundles — collections of instructions for generating content — separately from finished artwork. The new restrictions expand those limits to AI-generated recipes, patterns, and other functional guides.
Appropriate use of AI, according to Etsy Credit: Screenshot: Etsy Inappropriate use of AI, according to Etsy Credit: Screenshot: EtsyEnforcement is the next test. Etsy says it’s investing in technology to identify misleading images and fraudulent listings, with plans to expand removals over the coming months. It's also introducing prompts that alert sellers when an uploaded image appears AI-generated and offer guidance on meeting photo requirements. Shoppers will also have a new option to report misleading AI imagery.
Xteink's X4 Classic V2 eReader is now under $80 on Amazon
eReaders offer the perfect solution to break free from the dreaded doom scroll trap, as they provide you with a meaningful way to finally convince yourself to actually start reading more. The Xteink X4 Classic takes that idea a step further with a pocket-sized design you can carry without the need to pack along another large device like a tablet. This newer model is now under $80 on Amazon, and though it's not a massive discount on an already affordable model, it's enough to help you save a bit.
What is Kindle+? A library of books at your fingertips for just $12 a month.
As of Oct. 22, 2026, Amazon has rebranded Kindle Unlimited as Kindle+. We've updated this article to reflect the name change.
E-readers are one of our favorite topics to cover here at Mashable. Partly because we love testing them, but also because there is so much you can do with an e-reader to maximize your experience. We've walked through instructions on how to download EPUB files to a Kindle, covered the joys of Libby and Stuff Your Kindle Day, and taught you how to save when you spend with Kindle Rewards, but now we want to talk about Kindle+.
If you're a Kindle user, when you got your device, you were probably offered a free trial of Kindle+. But what exactly are you signing up for? In short, it's like Amazon's very own library service... except you have to pay for it. Here's everything you need to know about Kindle+.
SEE ALSO: 8 Kindle features you should be using What is Kindle+?Formerly known as Kindle Unlimited, Amazon has rebranded its subscription service as Kindle+. But rather than streaming shows, it offers a catalog of books and magazines that users can borrow to read on an e-reader or through the Kindle app. It offers more than, say, a membership to Book of the Month does. Instead of getting one new book a month, with Kindle+ you receive access to the Kindle+ library, which is full of millions of titles.
It works like a library where you can borrow up to 20 books at a time (magazines don't count toward your borrowing limit). To be honest, if you use Libby, you're basically getting the same service for free, but Libby often results in long wait times for popular books, which isn't the case with Kindle+ — all of the books in the Kindle+ library are available all the time.
However, the Kindle+ library doesn't offer every book. Its library has a regular rotation, and some books are only temporarily available through Kindle+.
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How much is Kindle+?Kindle+ costs $11.99 per month. It's a recurring payment, and no annual membership is offered. During shopping events, like Prime Day and Black Friday, Amazon typically offers a Kindle+ free trial for three months.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle+ $11.99 per month Learn More at Amazon What books are on Kindle+?We can't go through every book offered on Kindle+ because that would mean parsing through millions of titles; however, the mix of books in the Kindle+ library is huge. It features books across all genres, plus bestsellers. The fantasy phenomenon Fourth Wing and the entire The Empyrean series are available on Kindle+.
Other featured titles included in Kindle+ are The Housemaid by Freida McFadden and Regretting You by Colleen Hoover — both of which are getting movie adaptations soon.
Other popular titles include books that are now Amazon Video adaptations, including The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han and Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.
While browsing books, you'll know if a title is available on Kindle+ if it's prompting you to "join now to read." If you're already a member, it will prompt you to add the book to your library.
If a book is available on Kindle+, you'll be prompted to read for free. Credit: Amazon Do I need a Kindle to use Kindle+?We love e-readers, and if you're thinking of getting one, especially a Kindle, you won't regret it. We have reviews on nearly every model, including the basic Kindle, Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, and Scribe, all of which you can use to read with Kindle+. But you don't actually need an e-reader to use Kindle+.
You can read on any device with the Kindle app, including your computer, smartphone, and tablet. You can even read on a web browser.
Shop e-readers Kindle $149.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Paperwhite $199.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Colorsoft $289.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Scribe $399.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kobo Clara Colour $179.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kobo Libra Colour $259.99 at Amazon Shop Now6 reasons your brand new router is making your Wi-Fi worse
Buying a new router feels like a sure-fire way to fix a bad internet connection (even though a router that's new to you may not be new at all). But if your internet was alright before and you bought a new router and it's all gone downhill, you're not imagining it. It's completely possible for a new router to mess up your connection despite all that money you just spent on trying to improve it.
The 4 dumbest TV gimmicks we all fell for
A TV is an infrequent purchase, and every time that opportunity comes by, there is a whole list of new technologies and features to contend with.
Apple Music has a fully functional iPod Easter Egg
Apple is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the iPod in style.
That is to say, by putting a fun little Easter egg inside the Apple Music website. If you know the right URL, you can find a virtual iPod living on the Apple Music site that's fully interactive, complete with the scroll-wheel interface that was so iconic on iPods back in the days before touchscreens. You can scroll through a shockingly large list of artists and listen to 90-second samples of songs that you probably would've been listening to back in the peak iPod era, such as Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz' "Get Low."
SEE ALSO: Apple Music will now cost you more There it is. Credit: Screenshot: AppleThe best part is you don't actually need to know the right URL. Just type whatever gibberish you want after the music.apple.com/us/ portion of the URL and the iPod will come to you on the 404 page. This is a fun way to let people reminisce about Apple's seminal portable music player 25 years after it first launched.
And if you're too young to remember a time before touchscreens, yes, we actually did navigate menus using a scroll wheel like that back then. It worked just fine.
I paired Calibre with this TUI file manager to tame my disastrously messy eBook collection
Maintaining an eBook collection can feel like a full-time job. A folder full of public domain books downloaded from the internet can include multiple copies of the same book in different file formats, or file names that bear little resemblance to the titles of the books themselves. I used Yazi, a terminal-based file manager, to clean up an eBook download before the files ever made it into my Calibre library.
You probably won't see a massive 62% discount on Ryobi's ONE+ 18V Cordless 5-Tool Combo Kit again
If you're buying new power tools, stick to quality products that won't let you down on the job or project. Savvy buyers can save a fortune by taking advantage of this massive 61% discount on Ryobi's 18V ONE+ 5-tool combo at Home Depot.
The Pixel 11's best feature completely ruined standard voice typing for me
The newest Pixel phone is often the first to get features that eventually trickle out to the entire Android ecosystem. "Rambler" for Gboard is one such feature that's currently exclusive to the Pixel 11 series. I'm here to tell you that you should be very anxious to get your fingers (and voice) on it.


