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Linux is famously smaller and lighter than Windows, but that understates just how small Linux distros can really be. There are complete, general-purpose operating systems that only take up 200MB of storage—truly tiny by the standards of 2026.

Are you putting up with pesky household problems? The ones you’ve almost forgotten about, but that make a massive difference to your quality of life when they’re finally fixed?

If you have a multi-gig NAS, one of the most obvious (and yet, somehow, still easy to miss) network bottlenecks is plugging it into a gigabit network. So, naturally, you look at your router, hunt down the 2.5Gbps or 10Gbps Ethernet port, and go for the fastest option available on your hardware. Makes sense.

What a difference a few weeks make for the state of television. During the final days of August, it was a struggle to find new and returning shows debuting on streaming services. Once the calendar hit September, it was a television overload, and this week continues that trend. HBO Max kicks off our countdown with a headline-grabbing true crime documentary.

Paperwork used to be annoying, but at least there was an obvious place to put it. You bought a filing cabinet, labeled a few folders, and hoped you could remember where you filed something when you needed it. Today, most of that paperwork is digital. My wife and I have bills, receipts, records, manuals, and other documents scattered across our PCs, and finding a specific file isn't always as easy as it should be.

I added my Bambu Lab 3D printer to Home Assistant as soon as I realized I could, but it wasn’t until after doing so that I realized what I’d been missing out on. How you go about this depends largely on which printer you own, but there’s an integration out there for most printers.

At this point, you're probably pretty used to the idea that your smartphone tracks what you do and shares that information with various companies. It's a little depressing, but it's become a fact of life. However, what about your TV?

Yoto has redesigned its Yoto Player and Yoto Mini screen-free speakers, adding a new button that lets kids access content without a physical Yoto Card. It looks like a handy upgrade for when you forget to pack their card collection on the family road trip.

SEE ALSO: Yoto Player review: This screen-free speaker keeps kids entertained and engaged

Designed to be a more mentally stimulating alternative to screens, Yoto's robust speakers play kid-friendly stories, songs, and other audio when Yoto Cards are inserted. This gives children the freedom to decide what they want to listen to, while still ensuring they don't stumble across inappropriate content. However, you do have to trust your kids not to lose their favourite cards. While adults can still play content from lost cards via the Yoto App, doing so eliminates the element of independence.

Now Yoto has updated its speakers to offer a solution. Announced today, the 4th generation Yoto Player and Yoto Mini introduce a new customisable Green Button on the side of each speaker. Adults simply need to set it up via the Yoto App, programming the button with a child's favourite Yoto content, and the kid can play it back themselves with a simple twist and press — without inserting a Yoto Card.

Yoto states that its cards are still central to its system, and the primary way in which children engage with its speakers. However, the Green Button allows for more flexibility. Up to 20 pieces of content can be programmed to the Green Button at once, selected from Yoto's physical cards, digital-only cards, or any other audio available on the app. 

Credit: Yoto

The Green Button isn't the only change Yoto has made. Its 4th Gen speakers can now automatically transition to different content according to the time of day, offering gentle cues to help keep families on schedule. This not only applies to audio content such as sleep sounds at bedtime, but also includes their digital clock and the Yoto Player's night light. 

Both the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini have increased storage as well, doubling it from 32GB to 64GB. Yoto states that this is enough room for over 1000 hours of audio, which is more than 40 days.

The 4th Gen Yoto Player and Yoto Mini are available for pre-order from Sept. 11.

The first 24 hours with a new device are always exciting as you set things up and check out new features. But it's after using it for several weeks that you start to find the hidden gems. And while the Pixel 11 series is getting a lot of negative attention for being so similar to the outgoing model, there's a lot that's new. Here are four features I haven't seen mentioned enough.

TL;DR: MyFitnessPal is giving four winners a year's worth of free groceries, about $7,500 each, through its new First Four Challenge. U.S. and Canada residents aged 18+ can enter by logging meals for four consecutive days between Sept. 10 and Oct. 9 and submitting their details at MyFitnessPal First Four starting Sept. 10.

Grocery prices aren't getting any friendlier, so when a free-groceries giveaway shows up, it's worth paying attention.

Starting Sept. 10, MyFitnessPal is giving four people a year's worth of free groceries, about $7,500 each, through a new promotion called the First Four Challenge. Here's everything you need to know to enter.

What is the First Four Challenge?

MyFitnessPal is giving away a total of $30,000 in groceries, split between four winners who'll each receive about $7,500 worth.

The challenge is built around a specific idea from the app's own user data: people who log their meals for at least four days in their first week are seven times more likely to make progress toward their weight loss goals. The company is essentially betting that four days is the tipping point for building a habit that sticks, and rewarding people willing to test that out.

How to enter

To be eligible, you need to be a U.S. or Canada resident, 18 or older. Between Sept. 10 and Oct. 9, log your meals in MyFitnessPal for four consecutive days, then submit your details at MyFitnessPal First Four, which goes live Sept. 10.

A year of free groceries is a real dent in anyone's budget, and four days of logging is a low bar to clear for a shot at it. Worst case, you walk away with a few days of tracked meals. Best case, you won't be paying for groceries next year.

TL; DR: Dreame officially launched its new Pocket Cake Dual Voltage Travel Hair Dryer on Amazon today for $129.99. Weighing just 0.73 lbs and folding down to the footprint of a smartphone, this travel-ready styling tool packs a high-speed motor at 110,000 RPM and dual-voltage support.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame Pocket Cake Hair Dryer $129.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal

If you’ve ever relied on a hotel wall dryer that takes 20 minutes just to leave your hair a frizzy mess, Dreame’s newest styling tool wants to solve that travel nightmare. Officially launching today on Amazon for $129.99, the Dreame Pocket Cake is designed specifically to bring high-speed blowout power to gym bags, carry-ons, and tight bathroom counters without taking up precious luggage space.

Despite weighing only 0.73 pounds and folding into a compact form factor roughly the size of a smartphone, the Pocket Cake doesn't skimp on specs. A high-speed 110,000 RPM motor pushes airflow up to 70 m/s — fast enough to dry long hair in just about three minutes. It also features dual-voltage (120V/240V) support, so you won't blow a fuse or melt your styling tool when plugging it in overseas.

SEE ALSO: Laifen just expanded beyond hair dryers — meet its new beauty-tech lineup

If you're worried about heat damage during quick daily touch-ups, Dreame built in smart sensors that check the air temperature 300 times per second. It caps the heat at a safe 134.6°F, so you get a fast dry without scorching your scalp. It also pumps out 350 million negative ions while you dry, which is the secret for smoothing out static and keeping flyaways under control.

You also get two magnetic snap-on attachments in the box: a concentrated styling nozzle for sleek, straight looks and a diffuser to pop out your natural waves and curls. It comes with a matching travel pouch in three dessert-inspired pastel shades: Peach Mochi, Lemon Parfait, and Mint Puff.

Upgrade your carry-on game and snag the new Dreame Pocket Cake on Amazon now.

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Smart TVs have been around for a while at this point, which means there's a good chance that there's an aging TV somewhere in your home that doesn't have the smarts to be a TV anymore.

Remember those VH1 shows I Love the '80s and I Love the '90s, where talking heads would opine about defining pop culture moments like Pac-Man, General Hospital’s wedding of Luke and Laura, or the OJ Simpson car chase? There was no shortage of easily recognizable subjects to explore.

A version of I Love the 2020s seems less likely — and not just because of unlovable events like a pandemic and climate change. The monoculture that permeated the 20th century, in which a few TV networks, movie studios, record labels, and magazine editors decided what everyone saw, read, and obsessed over, has receded, largely because the internet has fractured audiences and altered viewing habits.

A mainstream culture still exists, though, at least according to a new culture and trends report commissioned by YouTube and released today. The trends report, titled "In Search of Mainstream" and created in partnership with the National Research Group, queried approximately 1,000 respondents aged 14-44 who described themselves as "active online." The participants were asked what they considered "mainstream" and how they encountered media that appealed to them.

It may not surprise many that YouTube’s findings reflect a fracturing of culture, with respondents’ familiarity with the top 10 most powerful entertainment brands sliding in the last six years. Similarly, young people are less aware of movies and TV shows and more knowledgeable about content creators they find on sites like TikTok and, yes, YouTube.

SEE ALSO: YouTube reveals which AI slop videos can't make money

But while knowledge of Hollywood movies continues to slip among young people, fandom among those who are aware of them is growing, according to YouTube's research. In other words, while people may be gravitating to different options in this age of unlimited content, their attachment to their favorites is intensifying.

And that fandom is increasingly personal, according to YouTube, with 63 percent of online 14- to 44-year-olds who identify as fans agreeing with this statement: "I feel successful when the person or thing I'm a fan of experiences success."

The desire to be part of a monoculture remains

A striking aspect of the findings was that many respondents expressed a desire to be part of something bigger or more universal. “...63% agree that being into the same things as other people makes them feel part of something bigger," according to YouTube.

In that vein, many people are seeking out more personalized experiences online, with creators and communities that align with their interests, according to YouTube. So, while a teenager might not be aware that The Odyssey was coming to their local multiplex, they are actively seeking content (videos, podcasts, social media posts) about films they already know and love.

How do you define mainstream?

For YouTube and NRG, mainstream is the sweet spot of visibility, comprehension, and understanding — when something is "seen everywhere, actively engaged with, and understood across audiences."

Participation is a key factor in breaking through to the mainstream, according to YouTube. When people share memes, record podcasts, or film videos about subjects — everything from sports events like the World Cup to content creators like Mr. Beast — it gives them more credence. According to the trends survey, 65 percent of 14- to 44-year-olds agree that something feels more real or legitimate when they see it show up on YouTube.

Backrooms to the front

In its release on the study, YouTube highlights the case of Backrooms, one of the year’s biggest blockbusters. What started as an eerie photograph turned into an urban legend of abandoned, liminal spaces thanks to online forums, fan art, and YouTube videos that generated 15 billion YouTube views.

Backrooms moved towards critical mass when online creator Kane Parsons adapted the mythology into a series of found-footage films, which then became a full-length movie Parsons himself directed. At 19 years old, Parsons became the youngest director to top the global box office. Talk about mainstream.

TL;DR: The Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon, down from its $399.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 $279.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $120 Get Deal

If you want more room for games without setting up two separate monitors, Samsung’s 34-inch take on the Odyssey G5 is back under $300 at Amazon. The ultra-wide variant gives you a much broader 21:9 display than a regular gaming monitor, along with a deep curve and a refresh rate that still reaches well beyond 144Hz. 

As of Sept. 10, this specific 34-inch model of the Samsung Odyssey G5 (G55T) is $279.99 at Amazon, down by $120 from its $399.99 list price as part of a limited-time deal. That comes to a 30% saving, with Amazon selling and shipping the monitor directly — free 30-day returns also being included.

The extra width is probably the main reason to pick this version over the smaller Odyssey G5 models like the 27-inch G5.  

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The 34-inch VA panel with a 3440x1440 Ultra-WQHD resolution and 21:9 aspect ratio grants you more horizontal space for racing games like Forza Horizon 5, RPGs in the realm of Baldurs Gate 3, or just having other windows open alongside whatever you’re playing.

Samsung also uses a 1,000R curve for this particular version, which bends the screen much further around your viewing position than a flatter display. Despite the larger size, the G5 still offers a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT response time, so fast-moving games shouldn’t feel sluggish. 

A favorite usual feature of ours that we’ve seen more among Samsung monitors, too — AMD FreeSync Premium is supported for reducing tearing and stutter, with low frame-rate compensation also included. That’s along with HDR10 adding a little more range to brighter and darker areas of the picture, while HDMI and DisplayPort cover all the main connections you’re likely to need.

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Apple has announced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, bringing upgraded health sensors, continuous heart-rate sampling and new AI-powered features. CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana gives a first look at the new S11 chip, readiness tracking, ceramic models and battery life updates.

Read more about Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Apple Watch Series 12 announced: What we know about release date, price, and features
Apple Watch Ultra 4 announced with no price increase, new features

Timecode chapters
00:00 Intro: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 hands-on
00:22 Price breakdown and comparison
00:45 Upgraded performance: S11 chip and AI features
01:05 Audio intelligence and live rewind feature
02:12 Redesigned health sensors and continuous heart rate tracking
02:58 New readiness score and health app overhaul
04:42 New ceramic and bronze finish options
05:00 Battery life and ultra extended workout mode
05:33 Final Thoughts: Are they worth the upgrade?

Video credits
Host: Vanessa Orellana
Scripted by: Vanessa Orellana
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video editor: Dillon Payne
Thumbnail designer: Cole Kan

Apple announces its latest masterpiece - the iPhone Duo - and man, is it something else. CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti walks us through all the major features and things to know about this futuristic phone phenomenon.

Read more about the iPhone Duo: Here’s what the iPhone Duo actually looks like in people’s hands
The iPhone Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Which foldable has the edge?

Timecode chapters
00:00 Introduction to the foldable iPhone duo
00:11 Display specifications and matte screen finish
00:38 Camera setup and telephoto trade-offs
00:57 Dimensions and folding body
01:16 Apple Pencil support vs. Galaxy Z Fold
01:28 Touch ID authentication
01:36 Color options and titanium frame
01:44 Battery life expectations
02:05 Performance and A20 Pro chip
02:10 Dual-screen camera features
02:31 Pricing, preorders and availability

Video credits
Host: Abrar Al-Heeti
Scripted by: Abrar Al-Heeti
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video editor: Wes Ott
Thumbnail designer: Viva Tung

I've been in the Windows camp for decades, and for years I thought Linux was simply harder to use. That was a pretty common view among Windows and Mac users, and for a long time, it was fair.

While singles might be staring down a bleak dating scene, they still believe in love, according to Match's latest Singles in America survey. From tradwives to AI, here's what singles said about the state of finding a lasting connection.

Singles have hope for love

Seventy-six percent of the 5,000 U.S. singles surveyed by Match between March and April 2026 believe romantic love can last forever. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) believe some relationships are meant to be, and 61 percent believe there's a perfect match or soulmate for everyone.

SEE ALSO: What's dating in 2026 like? Single women tell all.

Despite this, though, 45 percent aren't actively looking for a committed relationship — but would welcome one if the right person came along. Only 16 percent are actively seeking this type of partnership, while 72 percent are interested or open to dating or a relationship.

It does seem that singles are willing to branch out of their usual "types." Nearly half (49 percent) have fallen for someone they didn't initially find attractive. Among singles who've made a list of qualities they want in a partner, 46 percent fell for someone who didn't fit it.

"There's an interesting tension in the data: singles today have clear expectations for a partner, but love still has the ability to surprise them," said Dr. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Kinsey partnered with Match for the survey. "Knowing what matters to you doesn't mean knowing exactly who you'll fall for."

When do you know it's serious?

Match and Kinsey asked participants what signals that a potential partner is serious about them — no games, no ghosting, no playing hard-to-get. The biggest answer, which over half selected (56 percent), is that they make time for you. Next up was clearly paying attention to what you've said or engaging in active listening, which 52 percent selected. Still high on the list are being willing to talk about their feelings towards you at 47 percent, and giving physical affection, like holding hands, at 41 percent.

What about removing social media from one's phone? Twenty-seven percent. Paying for a date, which is a "non-negotiable" for some TikTokkers? Just 19 percent. It seems like a physical and emotional connection and quality time matter more to daters when it comes to finding a "real" relationship.

The impact of tradwife content

Around a third (37 percent) of participants stated they've seen an increased in content about "traditional" dating trends and lifestyles, such as tradwife content. But 41 percent said no, and 22 percent were unsure.

And only 21 percent stated that social media has influenced their preferences around gender roles in romantic relationships. A participant's age and experience in past relationships had bigger impacts (41 percent and 38 percent selected these, respectively).

The dominant answer when it comes to "traditional gender roles" in relationships (the survey uses the example of men handling finances and women managing household tasks) is a preference for more modern, flexible roles (44 percent). Around the same number of people either prefer traditional roles (28 percent) or have no strong preference either way (27 percent).

Money moves are important

At a time when inflation is outpacing salaries, money matters. Eighty-nine percent of participants agree that both partners should share financial decisions equally. Seventy-one percent say being open about money builds trust in a relationship, too, leading Match to conclude that "compatibility extends to money." Around the same number of people, 70 percent, are open to signing a prenup or similar agreement.

And just over half (56 percent) believe they can still fall in love with someone who views finances and spending differently than they do, so it's not a total dealbreaker.

AI is less of a dealbreaker

Last year's Singles in America survey was focused on AI, with the number of singles using AI to date up 300 percent.

This year, half of singles said they wouldn't use AI for dating in the future, and 37 percent said they didn't think AI could be helpful for early dating at all. At the same time, 37 percent said they wouldn't consider the use of AI to be a dealbreaker.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic researcher quits, says AI 'could kill us all by the end of the decade'

But, compared to last year, fewer people consider using AI to alter their image or profile photo to be a dealbreaker: 34 percent this year compared to 44 percent last year. In 2025, 36 percent considered it a dealbreaker to use AI to generate conversations. Now, around 30 percent said it's a dealbreaker to use AI to help with all their dating app conversations.

Around two-thirds (66 percent) believe that AI can't replace human connection (in a way that people would stop needing or wanting connection with other humans in favor of connections with AI). And nearly half (47 percent) don't believe AI could help improve human connection.

So, it seems singles are torn about using AI in dating and AI companions. But when it comes to finding love overall, it's more unanimous that some things are just meant to be.

Apple announces the AirPods 5 in two distinct versions, both featuring 50% more effective active noise canceling and lower prices than previous models. In this video, we break down the key differences between the base and step-up models, including battery life, swipe controls and acoustic upgrades.

Read more about Apple’s new AirPods 5: Apple announces two new AirPods 5 models at iPhone launch event
How to preorder the 2 new AirPods 5 models

Timecode chapters
00:00 Introduction and pricing overview
00:14 Step-up vs. base model differences
00:21 Battery life breakdown
00:27 Design, sound quality and ANC improvements
00:43 H2 chip and conclusion

Video credits
Host: David Carnoy
Scripted by: David Carnoy
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video editor: Jon Gomez
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

SAVE $20: As of Sept. 10, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds are on sale for $149.99 at Amazon. Compared to their full price of $169.99, that's a $20 discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro by Anker Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds $149.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $20   Get Deal

Amazon has dropped a sweet deal on the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds, which were released just a few months ago, back in May. For a limited time, as of Sept. 10, shoppers can scoop up these noise-canceling buds for $20 off.

While these earbuds are normally priced at $169.99, Amazon's knocked them down to $149.99, though not for long. Each color, all on sale, has a 'limited time deal' tag, so you can choose between the standard black, pearl blue, pearl white, or rose gold models. So, if one pair catches your eye, you'll want to make a move on it fast before the deal is gone.

SEE ALSO: Sony XM4C headphones launch along with 2 budget-friendly models

In our first impressions piece on these earbuds, Mashable's Bethany Allard wrote that "the mic performance is no joke" thanks to the new THUS AI chip, and that noise cancellation worked very well. Allard added that, "these earbuds have eight microphones that work together with the THUS chip to provide the best possible noise cancellation. The result is impressive, especially considering their $169.99 price point."

It comes with a cool charging case as well, which features a smart display that lets you control various earbud functions and check their battery life. Allard noted that "Despite the small screen, this was a surprisingly convenient way to use the earbuds — especially when pairing them to new devices."

Since they're listed as limited-time deals, they may not be on sale for long. Act fast to save on the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds at Amazon while they're still discounted.

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