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I'm probably guilty of making Excel spreadsheets more complicated than they need to be, but I have one rule I keep coming back to: if I'm going to build a PivotTable, I want to actually enjoy using it. The basic summary is useful, but a few small additions can make a surprisingly big difference.

A smartwatch can do far more than show notifications or count your steps, especially if it's connected to the rest of your smart home. Google's ecosystem has quietly turned the wrist-worn device into a surprisingly capable remote control, letting you interact with devices around your home without reaching for your phone.

A Wi-Fi router can advertise hundreds of MBs, yet your Linux laptop may deliver a fraction of that speed. Before replacing the router, changing channels, or blaming the wireless adapter, there is one Linux setting worth checking.

Smart video doorbells can be incredibly useful, but they don't last forever. If you have an old or even broken video doorbell, you don't need to throw it away. There are plenty of ways you can put it to good use.

I always find that Android Auto is at its best when you keep it as stripped back as possible. It's great for navigation and music, but throw a podcast app into the mix, and it can quickly start to complicate things again. You don't want to be browsing through hundreds of episodes or fiddling with complicated menus while driving.

When Nvidia first announced DLSS 5 neural rendering, many were quick to label it "AI slop." And I get it. We're definitely getting some uncanny valley vibes.

Just got home and can't stop replaying that one crappy email or Slack you got and how it managed to ruin a nine-hour workday? It happens. All you want to do is sink into the couch and leave the day behind, but the last thing you need is six seasons of something that needs a wiki to get through. Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean

I have a soft spot for old software Easter eggs, especially the ones that make you wonder what developers were doing when nobody was looking. Excel 97 has one of my favorites: a secret 3D flight simulator hidden inside a spreadsheet. And, yes, I went looking for a way to play it.

We live in a world where almost everything is connected. Your phone is constantly communicating with nearby networks and devices, while your car keys, bank cards, and even some access cards can transmit information wirelessly without you giving it much thought. That convenience is hard to beat, but it also means there are more wireless signals around us than ever before, and not all of them are necessarily working in our favor.

SAVE $100.05: As of Sep. 8, get the Ninja Flip for $149.94 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $249.99. That's a discount of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ninja Flip $149.94 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $100.05   Get Deal

If making meals at home feels like a pain, you may want to invest in an appliance like an air fryer or multipurpose cooker. If space (and time) are both at a premium, consider a combination air fryer that can do a number of other things, too. Ninja is especially good for this, and you can get a great and reliable cooker from the brand right now at Amazon thanks to this deal.

SEE ALSO: Is the Ninja HydraSense a miracle water filter? The internet seems to think so.

As of Sep. 8, get the Ninja Flip for $149.94 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $249.99. That's $100.05 off and a discount of 40%.

This 8-in-1 appliance can air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, dehydrate, and make pizza or bagels. It's also nice and compact, and about 50% smaller when you flip it up to store as well, so it won't take up the entirety of your kitchen counter space. Since it can do all of this without needing a massive amount of storage area, it's a great alternative to large toaster ovens or even singular air fryers, so you can make more food and get more done in small spaces.

But just because it's small, that doesn't mean it doesn't have space for all your meals. It can air fryer and roast up to 4 lbs of ingredients, toast up to 6 slices of bread, cook 6 chicken breasts, and bake a 12-inch pizza. It might not be ideal for massive families, but for modestly-sized clans, it's an easy way to get meals out in about 20 minutes or less, depending on what you're cooking.

If you're looking for easy ways to get dinner out on the table sooner without breaking the bank, this is an ideal way to do it.

Arch Linux has a reputation for being an operating system you build for yourself rather than one that comes built for you. That’s genuinely its biggest strength, since you get to build a hyper-personalized system where every component is there because you chose it. At the same time, it’s also its biggest weakness, because you need to know how to build and manage the thing. That said, not all Arch distros are the same, and some require more babysitting than others. As such, here’s my list of the top 5 Arch options and Arch-based distros, ranked from the neediest to the least needy.

Apple's public iOS 27 betas may not tell the whole story of what's coming to the iPhone's Camera app.

According to developer pdfu, who goes by @itspdfu on X, the current software contains a broader set of camera-related code than what Apple has shown off publicly or made accessible to beta testers so far. Posting ahead of Apple's iPhone event, pdfu detailed five Camera app features found buried in the iOS 27 code that have yet to be enabled for users.

SEE ALSO: The surprises we expect and want from Apple’s surprise and shine event

None of the five features has been confirmed by Apple, and code found in beta software doesn't guarantee a feature will ship, or ship soon. Still, several of these tools — particularly the aperture-blending system — align with earlier reporting about variable-aperture camera hardware expected in this year's iPhone lineup and could offer an early hint of what Apple's Camera app has in store as more of iOS 27 becomes public.

Exposure scopes

The first find is a more advanced set of exposure tools built directly into the Camera app: waveform and histogram views. Per pdfu's breakdown, these are meant to help users judge exposure more precisely across different shooting formats. Normally, these tools are generally seen with prosumer video and photo editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom rather than a phone's native camera app.

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The feature doesn't appear to be user-facing yet, but pdfu demonstrated it running against sample images, showing both waveform and histogram readouts updating alongside an exposure slider.

Focus peaking and highlight-clipping overlays This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The second feature pairs two overlays aimed at more precise manual shooting. Focus peaking highlights edges with strong contrast to show what's actually in focus, while a highlight-clipping overlay flags areas of an image that are becoming overexposed.

Once enabled, the two overlays can be displayed either separately or simultaneously in the camera preview, and demo images shared in the thread show the difference between a normal preview and one with each overlay active.

Burst-style timed captures

The third feature expands the Camera app's self-timer capabilities. Rather than triggering a single delayed photo, the code allows users to set a specific number of repeat captures, each preceded by its own countdown at a chosen duration.

Pdfu noted that the timer resets automatically between captures, effectively turning the self-timer into a mini burst-capture tool — though this functionality currently appears to be disabled.

Manual focus This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

A fourth feature revives manual focus controls for the Camera app, letting users directly adjust lens position rather than relying on autofocus. According to pdfu, Apple has been testing this capability on iOS 26 and iOS 27, but accessing it currently requires a compatible iPhone that originally shipped with iOS 27, meaning it will be a feature exclusive to the iPhone 18 lineup.

Aperture-dependent optical processing

The final, and perhaps most notable, discovery concerns how iOS 27 handles lens correction data. According to pdfu, the code allows the system to select and blend calibration data based on aperture value, pulling correction data from neighboring aperture settings and combining it in varying ratios depending on where the lens is set.

In plainer terms, because camera lenses aren't perfectly precise, camera software will keep a "correction map" to digitally straighten out a photo depending on the aperture setting used. Normally, most phones have one correction map cause the aperture doesn't change. However, if pdfu's deep dive into the code is accurate, the implication is that the new iPhone has a variable physical aperture that can be opened or closed to varying degrees.

It's a feature that's been the subject of separate rumors about this year's iPhone camera hardware, but nothing is confirmed until tomorrow's event.

Streaming sticks used to be a really good purchase that was pretty straightforward. You paid the cost, which changed over time, plugged it in, and watched your shows. The same devices now boot into ad-heavy home screens, autoplay sponsored trailers before you've touched a button, and push updates that make the interface worse on purpose. You technically own the hardware, but the experience is designed around someone else's revenue. Building your own box used to sound like overkill, but not anymore now that an option like Fire TV is bad for home labs.

Zelda is turning 40 this year, and Nintendo is showing up for the celebration. In a video presentation, Nintendo just announced a handful of special edition hardware options to go alongside the new Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While the game launches on Nov. 5, fans can snag the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition system on Oct. 29.

The Zelda makeover of the Nintendo Switch 2 pays homage to Link's classic colors of gold, black, and green. In addition to the console itself, Nintendo is also dropping a matching display stand and carrying case with a screen protector. Of course, all showcase the iconic Triforce design. There's also a truly stunning Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller coming with a Zelda makeover.

Immediately added to Christmas wish list: the new Zelda Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Credit: Nintendo

These launches are all part of Nintendo's 40th anniversary celebration of Zelda, which will feature plenty of merch drops and live events that'll continue on into 2027. We'll update this article with pricing and purchase links once they're live. The console will go live on this page, and the controller will go live here.

There's no reason why kitchen gear should be drab. Case in point: we now have an entire Le Creuset Star Trek collection that will jazz up any kitchen. In celebration of the franchises' 60th anniversary, Le Creuset is giving fans premium stoneware options that are a delight.

In total, the collection has 12 items that range in price from $40 up to $500. That might seem steep, but they're fairly on par in terms Le Creuset prices. Plus, nine of the 12 items are under $100. This is a limited-edition collection and given popularity of the franchise, we wouldn't be surprised if pieces sell out quickly. Here are some of our favorites from the collection, or browse all 12 items here.

Small kitchen accents from the Le Creuset Star Trek collection

For starters, we have the $60 Spock Mug. Sure, that seems like spendy for a mug but once you check out the incredible silhouette detailing and gold accents, it starts to feel well worth the price. If you're interested in the most affordable piece in the collection, go with the Star Trek Collection Live Long & Prosper Oven Mitt.

Not mad about a mug with the Spock ear. Credit: Le Creuset The Communi-Grater is surely one of the highlights of the collection Credit: Le Creuset

Here at Mashable, we're pretty smitten with the Star Trek Collection Communi-Grater. With a Starfleet emblem and durable stainless steel blade, this compact piece can find a home in any kitchen.

Showpiece items in the Le Creuset Star Trek collection

For big fans of the franchise or Le Creuset die-hards, the collection has three incredible pieces that I'll consider showpiece items. For starters, there's the $150 Galileo Shuttlecraft Rectangular Covered Casserole, a fantastic nod to the space craft.

Details on the Enterprise Round Dutch Oven with Starfleet Delta Knob are undeniably awesome. Credit: Le Creuset Even the box is collector-worthy. Credit: Le Creuset

The $450 Klingon Round Braiser with Klingon Trefoil Knob is also a delight for those in need of a larger cast iron option. This model has a capacity of 3.5 quarts and the Klingon trefoil knob paired with Kapla detailing on the lid's exterior make this piece espeically fun.

Finally, the Enterprise Round Dutch Oven with Starfleet Delta Knob is the most spendy piece in the collection, coming with a price of $500. The 5.5 quart enamel cast iron showcases the starship NCC-1701. Take your cooking galactic with this collection.

When I first switched to Linux from Windows, I was intimidated by the terminal. The black screen with its blinking cursor seemed archaic compared to Windows' polished GUI. Why would anyone choose to type commands when you could just click buttons? Oh, how wrong I was.

Cheers to the cult following of Practical Magic. The 1998 adaptation of Alice Hoffman's novel was no hit at the box office. Yet 28 years later, a sequel has manifested, thanks to all those who kept the fantasy of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's sister witches alive via fan art and social media posts, and by rewatching on streaming.

The sequel brings its leading ladies back, along with storied actresses Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing as their onscreen aunties. Many years have passed since the first film, so the next generation of Owens sisters has been recast, with Joey King and Maisie Williams stepping into the roles previously played by Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip. Also joining the enchanting ensemble are Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod, as menfolk who cross the Owens women's paths for better or worse.

Together, they craft a tale of love, loss, sisterhood, and magic that bounds across genres while being thoroughly entertaining.

Warning: Practical Magic 2 begins as a bummer. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest in "Practical Magic 2." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on Hoffman's The Book of Magic, this sequel initially unravels the happy ending promised by the last film. After defeating the vicious spirit of her ex (Goran Visnjic), Gilly (Kidman) and her sister Sally (Bullock) thought they'd defeated the curse that kills every man who dares to love an Owens woman. But in between movies, Sally's second husband, Tucson investigator Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn), dies.

Not only does this pitch Sally back into grief, but it also renews her hatred for her own magical abilities. So, at this sequel's start, she casts a spell on her young daughters so they will forget all the magic they've witnessed and have no idea that they are witches. Sally has also sworn Gilly to keep this secret from her daughters. However, the Owens girls still live in the Massachusetts community that knows they're all witches, and recently helped them seance away an evil spirit. And they still are close with openly witchy aunties Jet (Wiest) and Franny (Channing). But — uh — magic. The girls don't know magic is real, or that they are witches. Move on. The point is, Sally is back to one, in that she is alone and refusing to interact with magic.

Nicole Kidman and Joey King in "Practical Magic 2." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Less than 28 years later, Antonia (Williams) is in a medical residency, and Kylie is studying art at university. But more importantly, she's falling for Gideon (Maridueña), a classmate who is utterly besotted with her. This renews the family's concerns about the curse. But before Gideon's life is threatened (which it will be), the Owens' family experiences another peace-shattering loss.

Be warned: In Act 1, Wiest will remind us what an aspirational witchy old woman Jet is, showcasing her joy, her mischievousness, her love (of her family and margaritas), and her determination. And then Jet will die.

Before 15 minutes of this sequel passed, I cried harder than I could have imagined, as I always regarded the first film as fun but fluffy. Truth be told, it just never got macabre enough to really thrill me. Practical Magic 2, however, goes harder in heartbreak and in its oddness.

Lee Pace defines Practical Magic 2. Lee Pace and Sandra Bullock in "Practical Magic 2." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Bullock and Kidman slide comfortably into reprising the roles of Sally and Gilly, recreating the comedy duo of a bristling straight man and silly free spirit. Kidman in particular is a delight, swanning around in silky flowing garments and regarding minor inconveniences (stairs, low ceilings) with radiant disgust. Yet her Gilly is always game when magic comes into play, her eyes glowing with excitement as Sally is relegated to stiff worry. (Though Bullock, who also produces, makes it a point to weave in some slapstick and other silliness to keep Sally from being one-note.)

However, the plot this time hinges on Kylie. Once the curse pitches her boyfriend Gideon into a coma, Kylie gets a crash course in magic and her family's history. Then, she runs away to England in search of a cure. Sally and Gilly are soon on her tail, butting heads along the way. But overseas, they find an ally in Professor Ian Wright, a dark magic academic who is covered in tattoos, played by Lee Pace, and introduced totally nude.

Now, as Practical Magic 2 is rated PG-13, director Susanne Bier (Bird Box) won't show nudity. But she brings a female gaze the first film lacked, understanding that a close-up on Sally's hand on Ian's exposed chest is as seductive as the low whisper when he says they're both "molecules." Sure, that might sound silly or corny. But like the first film, Practical Magic 2's romantic subplot is unapologetically earnest. Here, it's more alluring because Ian isn't conflicted by his attraction to this beautiful, powerful witch. Fuck being reserved or coy. His every gaze is one of temptation. And as Pace has been known to play heroes and villains, this temptation comes with a hint of danger all his own.

On top of that, Ian embodies the sequel's darker tone and new location. With a crisp English accent, the American actor welcomes audiences into the eccentric flats, cramped taverns, and stony ruins of England. In the first act, Bier embraces the salty sea town eccentricities of Massachusetts with a vibrant color palette. Production details assure the Owens' tendency toward silks, velvets, chiffon, and feathers is a sharp contrast to the hard-wood architecture and rough roads. But in England, darker hues creep in, warning of the danger Kylie is in. That danger is reflected in the tattoos that litter Ian's strong, long body. So, every time he reaches for Sally's hand, as much as she yearns for his touch, the sigils inked there remind her of her daughter's peril.

Practical Magic 2 descends into a chaotic climax. Sandra Bullock in "Practical Magic 2." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Look, if you want a heart-warming witch fantasy, this sequel delivers. Craving a sexy but PG-13 romance? You got it. You want fashion that's aspirational and deceptively simple? All good. You want to see women harness their own power to battle back against a system made to keep them down? You'll be pleased.

Simply put, Practical Magic 2 covers a lot of ground in satisfying the presumed expectations of its audience. Plus, Bullock is once more the executive producer of the soundtrack, bringing in female-led bangers like Olivia Rodrigo's "The Cure" and Stevie Nicks' "Landslide." What this sequel doesn't have is a third act that makes much sense.

Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the adapted screenplay for Practical Magic with Robin Swicord and Adam Brooks, teamed with Georgia Pritchett and Kelly Marcel on the sequel. Together, they've crafted dialogue that reflects the intimacy and intensity at the core of Gilly and Sally's bond. However, Hoffman's book series includes two extra novels in between the two that serve as inspiration for Practical Magic and its sequel. And in the third act, the screenwriters hastily introduce a new character and a lot of backstory that causes a tangle of nonsense in the climax.

The story becomes convoluted, and character depictions are frustratingly thin. But after some whiz-bang action, the sequel's tone evens out with a finale that is once more joyful and unapologetically girly. Ultimately, like its older sister, Practical Magic 2 offers a wild ride into different genre influences. But it's undeniably a joy to see Kidman, Bullock, Wiest, and Channing back again. They offer a path for witchy women who might not be magic, but who boldly seek love, self-contentment, and sisterhood even when they're no longer ingenues.

Through them, Practical Magic 2 is more than a good time; it's a source of inspiration and hope in dark times for women.

Practical Magic 2 opens on Sept. 11.

The tech and e-reader space was abuzz when Boox first announced its tiny e-reader was coming soon. The Boox Picco, which would be the smallest e-reader from Boox with a 3.97-inch screen, was first teased in July. We knew very few details on the pocket-sized e-reader beyond its size and the company's promise it was coming at an "accessible price point." But at IFA 2026 in Berlin, the device finally made its debut with several outlets reporting more details on the new e-reader.

According to reporting by Android Police, the Boox Picco is coming this November. No exact date is provided, but that's just two months away from its reported release date. We'll also have to wait until November to learn its price. Although Good e-Reader has reported the device will cost around $100, the company has not confirmed this.

The biggest development we've learned about the Boox Picco is its operating system. When the Picco was first teased, I expect the device would run on an Android operating system like the rest of Boox's E Ink tablets. That would mean unlike the popular Xteink X3, X4, and X4 Pro e-readers, you could read across a variety of apps including Kindle and Libby. However, the new Boox Picco reportedly runs on a Linux operating system.

A Linux operating system on the Boox Picco would mean a closed system with no access to the Google Play store. That limits what you can read on the device and potentially limits you to only DRM-free books. So if you read primarily through the Kindle or Libby app on a Boox e-reader, you won't be able to do so on the Picco. It will include several built-in apps including image, a Pomodoro timer, reading stats, to do list, and countdown calendar.

As reported by Android Police, the Boox Picco won't have a magnetic attachment to make it compatible with MagSafe devices. It will feature page-turning buttons and all storage will be through a MicroSD. It's also USB-C compatible, a relief to those disappointed by Xteink getting rid of USB-C on its X4 Pro e-reader.

TL;DR: Unveiled at IFA 2026, iRobot introduced its most powerful vacuum-mop combos to date: the Roomba Max 875 Combo ($1,199) and the Roomba Plus 678 Combo ($899). Both feature iRobot's new "SealForce" technology — a mechanical chassis skirt that seals against carpet fibers to stop airflow leakage — paired with heated mopping and AI obstacle avoidance.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo robot + AutoWash dock $899.99 at iRobot
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Max 875 Combo robot + AutoWash dock $1,199.99 at iRobot
  Shop Now

For years, robot vacuum brands have kept chasing higher suction specs on paper without much innovation in their actual cleaning performance on carpets. iRobot is taking a different approach with its latest flagship launch. Announced on Sept. 2, the Roomba Max 875 Combo, priced at $1,199, and the Roomba Plus 678 Combo, at $899, do more than just push stronger suction; they alter how the robot makes contact with your floor to tackle deep carpet debris and stubborn, dried-on messes.

Credit: iRobot Credit: iRobot

Instead of letting vacuum airflow escape around the chassis, both models come with SealForce Vacuuming Technology. The moment either robot senses carpet, its chassis automatically lowers a mechanical skirt against the fibers to form an airtight seal. That seal channels 35,000 Pa of suction power (or 30,000 Pa on the Plus 678) directly into the rug, giving its 20 L/s airflow nowhere to escape except straight through the carpet for three times deeper dirt pickup.

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

The models replace standard flat mop pads with continuously self-cleaning roller mops that scrub using heated water, though they approach dried spills a bit differently:

The Max 875 Combo sprays a warm, fine mist in front of the mop to soften stuck-on messes before scrubbing them away, and it automatically lifts the mop and covers it with a guard to protect your rugs. The Plus 678 Combo uses a strong blast of water to break down sticky spots before wiping them clean, lifting its mop 10 millimeters off the floor when it senses a carpet.

The AutoWash Dock handles all the dirty work, so you won't have to touch a mop pad or dustbin for up to 90 days. It washes the roller with 176 degrees Fahrenheit hot water, dries it with 131 degree heated air to stop mildew, and self-empties debris into a sealed bag. The Max 875 dock even auto-dispenses cleaning solution straight into the tank.

Both models come equipped with ClearView Pro Dual-Line LiDAR for precision mapping and PrecisionVision AI to recognize and avoid more than 300 common household items. They also feature hair-cutting main brushes to prevent pet hair tangles, along with edge-extending brushes that reach up to 45 millimeters into tight corners and along walls.

Both the Roomba Max 875 Combo and Roomba Plus 678 Combo are available to order now.

Andrew Garfield steps into OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's shoes in the first teaser for Luca Guadagnino's Artificial, and the result is foreboding.

The biopic centers on Altman's firing and rehiring from OpenAI in 2023. Based on the teaser, it will also include the creation of the artificial intelligence company and the launch of ChatGPT, with Anora's Yura Borisov playing OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and Ike Barinholtz playing Elon Musk, also a cofounder of OpenAI.

SEE ALSO: 'Musk' documentary gets first teaser trailer

"We opened Pandora's box together," Garfield's Altman tells Borisov's Sustkever in the trailer. "The future's inevitable. Countries will fall. Industries are gonna collapse, and we get to be the ones to shepherd people into this new world."

Artificial is just one of many high-profile films that examine powerful tech CEOs set to release this fall. Others include Alex Gibney's Musk, a nearly four hour-long documentary all about the Tesla/SpaceX CEO, as well as Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning, his follow-up to The Social Network starring Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. However, Artificial almost didn't get a release at all. Its original distributor, Amazon MGM, dropped the film in June, months after signing a multi-year partnership with OpenAI. Artificial was then picked up by Neon, and is set to premiere at the New York Film Festival.

Artificial also stars Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI and interim CEO, and Cooper Hoffman as Greg Brockman, current president of OpenAI. Jason Schwartzman, Chris O'Dowd, and Mark Rylance also star.

Artificial hits theaters Dec. 25.

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