IT General

The first rule of Pluribus is "don't talk about Pluribus."

The newest show from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan is shrouded in secrecy. Its teasers are cryptic, boasting ominous phone calls and people licking donuts with measured precision. Its trailer is unsettling, yet vague. And crucially, Apple TV doesn't want critics discussing the key conceit of the show in any reviews. So, what can I really say about Pluribus?

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

Well, let's not beat around the bush. It rules.

With Pluribus, Gilligan and Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn deliver an enthralling sci-fi tale about a future that toggles between utopian and downright terrifying. It's part apocalyptic thriller, part character study, and altogether another sci-fi win for Apple TV, which, between titles like Severance, Silo, and Foundation, has reliably proven itself to be the best streaming home for the genre.

What's Pluribus about? Rhea Seehorn in "Pluribus." Credit: Apple TV

Pluribus sets up a battle unlike any other. In one corner we have Carol Sturka (Seehorn), the most miserable person on Earth. In the other corner, we have the rest of the world's population, all of whom have been infected with a virus that makes you blissfully happy.

Where did the virus come from, and how did it spread across the globe? I wish I could tell you, but suffice it to say that Gilligan has crafted answers that are absolutely mind-boggling, so much so that Pluribus' first installment is one of my favorite episodes of TV I've watched all year.

SEE ALSO: The 38 best Apple TV shows, ranked

The episode plays out like a top-tier disaster movie, an exquisite demonstration of tension that snowballs into a bizarre horror show. Yet somehow, these infectious horrors wind up making the world a happier place — except for Carol, that is. She's the lone frown in a sea of smiling faces, each of whom wants nothing more than for Carol to be happy (which naturally only makes her more upset). While the rest of the infected might see their treatment of Carol as kindness, in her eyes, each too-big smile and overly chipper greeting of "Hi, Carol!" are nothing more than grim reminders of the topsy-turvy reality she finds herself in.

Pluribus raises intriguing questions about ethics and happiness. Rhea Seehorn in "Pluribus." Credit: Apple TV

In the first seven episodes sent to critics for review, Pluribus never quite hits the white-knuckle highs of its riveting premiere. However, in the wake of the sheer "What! What! What!" of the first episode, you'll find fascinating questions about the ethics of the world's newfound bliss.

Chiefest of all is the question of whether the infectious happiness and the peace it brings are actually good tidings for the world. Yes, conflict has stopped, and the infected's focus on resource management will heal the environment. Sounds great, right? The infected seem to think so. Their eerily calm explanations, delivered with placid smiles and the kindest eyes you'll ever see, may sway you, to the point that Carol's commitment to reversing the virus may seem like a villain attempting to work against the greater good.

SEE ALSO: Can consent exist in 'Severance'?

Yet there's a darker undertone buzzing beneath Earth's new idyllic way of living, since the virus leaves its happy citizens without agency or individuality. Gilligan deftly walks the line between the horrors of that truth and the strange, sometimes even funny ways that constant happiness changes the way humans live. The result is a show whose tone is an ever-changing meld of dread and humor, sci-fi and offbeat travelogue, as Carol journeys around the world in search of answers.

Rhea Seehorn is sublime in Pluribus. Rhea Seehorn in "Pluribus." Credit: Apple TV

The Gilligan-Seehorn partnership that kicked off in Better Call Saul continues to pay off big time with Pluribus. Gilligan wrote the role of Carol specifically for Seehorn, and it's not hard to see why. She is a force.

At first, Carol's misery is like a suit of armor, with misanthropy and frustration in place of plate mail. Yet as she spends more time in the world that the virus has created, her anguish comes through in brief, brilliant flashes. For this, Seehorn channels all the rage and sadness that's left on Earth, making for scenes that are equal parts cathartic and devastating.

In Pluribus, Seehorn spends quite a bit of time on her own, even going almost entire episodes without a human scene partner. Here, Seehorn's performance really shines, as Carol shifts from hardened to vulnerable and back again in the face of total isolation. Like the rest of the show, it's captivating to take in, a portrait of a character who tries to keep her emotions close to her chest, even as those emotions could be the only thing that will save humanity. That internal tension proves to be the heart of Pluribus, anchoring the show while things get wonderfully weirder and weirder.

That weirdness, coupled with Seehorn's performance and Gilligan's epic vision of a frightening future, combine to make one of the most promising TV debuts of 2025. Yes, "pluribus" may mean "many," but so far, the show is shaping up to be a singular experience.

Pluribus premieres Nov. 7 on Apple TV, with a new episode every Friday.

We all know someone who always complains about how cold it is. Maybe you are that person.

Then allow me to make your fall and winter a little more enjoyable. I've been buying these cute electric hand warmers as Christmas gifts for years. They're basically the perfect stocking stuffer. Even at full price, they cost less than $30. I first bought the Orastone Electric Hand Warmer for my long-time partner, who struggles with always-being-cold syndrome, a very serious and under-studied medical phenomenon.

She loved it, using it every day for several winters before its battery finally gave out. Ever since, I've been buying them for friends, family, and under-$25 White Elephant gift exchanges, and they're always a hit. Most electric hand warmers work just fine, but are pretty ugly. The Orastone is the rare hand warmer that's actually cute, and it comes with a lanyard you can wrap around your glove-covered hands.

I really do swear by this on Credit: Orastone

While it comes in a few different styles, this geometric-print version is on sale at Amazon for just $17.99, down from its regular retail price of $29.99. (Per Camelcamelcamel, its typical price is usually $23.99, so this is a genuine discount.)

There's not much else to say about this one. It's cute, it's warm, and it works. Oh — and it also has a flashlight, FWIW. In my experience, you'll get at least two winters' worth of warm and toasty hands out of this little gadget, and that's a fair deal for the price.

British brand Nothing has been on a roll in 2025. The brand's more affordable budget line, known as CMF, has been particularly impressive. And over at Amazon, the just-released Nothing CMF Headphones Pro are on sale for just $84, and we're seriously tempted. These headphones are the companion to the Nothing Headphones (1), which we raved about over the summer.

Opens in a new window Credit: CMF by Nothing CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro $84 at Amazon
$99 Save $15   Get Deal

The new CMF headphones have a slick, circular design, but what really caught our attention is the battery life. These headphones pack a 100-hour runtime, which is mightily impressive, especially for headphones with a regular retail price of only $99. It's rare to find an extremely long battery life and genuine Active Noise Cancellation in a pair of budget headphones. It's even rarer still to find budget headphones that don't look like ass.

The $15 discount at Amazon won't last much longer. It's a Lightning Deal and scheduled to end tonight. So, if you're looking for a replacement pair of headphones, you have a limited window to get in on this discount.

Here's what you get with the new Nothing ANC headphones:

The new CMF by Nothing headphones come in three colorways. Credit: Nothing

• Support for Hi-Res and LDAC codecs

• 40mm drivers

• Up to 40db of adaptive noise cancellation

• Up to 50 hours of ANC listening, 100 hours without ANC

Earlier this year, CMF by Nothing released the Watch 3 Pro, an under-$100 AMOLED smartwatch that Mashable readers have been obsessed with (so have we). We recently published a full review of the Watch 3 Pro, and our reviewer said that Nothing should be charging two or three times as much for this smartwatch. Like these new wireless headphones, that smartwatch has an insane battery life in our testing.

CMF will soon be spinning off into its own brand, and if its latest product launches are any indication, we're excited to see what they come up with on their own.

SAVE $10: As of Nov. 6, the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro is down to as low as $88.50 at Amazon. That's an 11% discount on an already budget-friendly smartwatch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $88.50 at Amazon
$99 Save $10.50   Get Deal

The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro launched back in July 2025 and has been blowing our minds ever since. Surely a smartwatch worth its salt should cost at least a couple hundred bucks, right? Wrong. At an outrageously low $99, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is an anomaly — and somehow, it's on sale once again for $10 cheaper.

As of Nov. 6, Nothing's famous AMOLED smartwatch is as low as $88.50 depending on which color option you choose. Sure, that's only 11% off, but every dollar counts in this economy. And the price is so good to begin with, that every extra dollar off is just icing on the cake. Every color besides the light green is currently on sale (dark gray, ash gray, and orange).

Nothing is known for its quirky products, but the Watch 3 Pro design doesn't venture too far from the norm. It's sleek and modern with slim bezels, a round watch face, and a soft silicone band, and it offers over 120 custom watch faces for personalization. It is a bit on the large side, though — fair warning for anyone with tiny wrists.

Although CMF is Nothing's budget brand (which will soon be spinning off into its own company), Mashable's reviewer says the smartwatch's specs are far beyond a budget pick. She praised its sleep tracking accuracy, hella good battery life (nearly two weeks), dual-band GPS tracing for athletes, intuitive design, and advanced workout metrics. "The watch feels, looks, and functions like it costs a few hundred dollars," she writes, "Please, no one tell Nothing they should be charging a lot more for this watch."

Hands down, the CMF Watch 3 Pro takes the cake as the best smartwatch under $100. And at only $89, it's hard to think of a reason not to buy it.

Maybe it's just me, but I've had the worst luck when it comes to the reliability of Android Auto. I hate to say it, but my iPhone never has any issues connecting to Apple CarPlay in any car I've ever tried it on, but my Android phones always seem to have one or another extra hoop to jump through.

Up until now, Xbox was the only major platform left out of the gaming handheld space. Valve’s Steam Deck lets players play their Steam library on the go. Nintendo has the hugely successful Switch and Switch 2. And Sony recently made a comeback into the handheld space — harkening back to the PSP and Vita days — with the disappointing PlayStation Portal.

Now, Microsoft has finally stepped up to the plate with the ROG Xbox Ally X, the long-awaited collaboration between ASUS ROG and Microsoft’s Xbox division. The new Xbox handheld promises to let you play your Xbox and PC games on the go, and it even features a new processor, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, which offers more power than previous ROG models. It’s also a whopping $1,000 — $350 more than the Steam Deck and $550 more than the Nintendo Switch. However, it’s still cheaper than the starting price of the new Lenovo Legion Go 2 at $1,099, which is also a Windows handheld.

So, after all the hype, is the ROG Xbox Ally X worth it? Here’s our in-depth review of the ROG Xbox Ally X after spending over two weeks with it. You can also check out our interview with Sarah Bond, the President of Xbox, who told Mashable the new handheld is a preview of the future of Xbox consoles.

How does the ROG Xbox Ally X feel? Right way, the ROG Xbox Ally X feels like an Xbox device. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

I love the ergonomics of the ROG Xbox Ally X, and I'm sure Xbox gamers will agree. The integrated grips simulate the feel and comfort of a standard Xbox controller. Previous ROG Ally iterations didn’t have these kinds of grips, so that makes this a step up already in that aspect.

Right out of the box, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a bit on the heavier side at 1.5 pounds, more similar to the Steam Deck rather than the lighter Switch 2 or PS Portal. Its dimensions are comparable to the Steam Deck and PS Portal. However, the Switch 2 is superior with its slightly more compact design, especially when its Joy-Cons are detached.

Clockwise, from top left: ROG Xbox Ally X, Nintendo Switch 2, Playstation Portal, Steam Deck Credit: George Yang / Mashable

The buttons are perfectly spaced out and have a satisfying, clicky feeling when pressed. The direction pad is excellent as well, which makes this gaming handheld a great way to play platformers. The thumbsticks are slightly diagonal from each other, similar to an Xbox controller.

The RGB lighting beneath the thumbsticks is a nice aesthetic touch as well, adding a splash of color against the all-black exterior.

Overall, the ROG Ally X will feel very familiar to gamers in the Xbox camp, in a good way. The device even has a fingerprint reader, adding a layer of security while providing an easy way to jump right back in and play. Overall, we loved the design, ergonomics, and controllers.

Setting up the ROG Xbox Ally X Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

When booting up the Ally X, it wastes no time telling you that it’s primarily a Windows PC handheld. The familiar blue Windows user interface had me select a language, install some updates, and then finally took me to the Xbox app called the “Xbox Full-Screen.” It’s a new interface for the handheld that is designed to be more streamlined, like a console, but it looks strikingly similar to the Xbox app on PC. I wish it were more unique to the Ally X, something the Steam Deck does well.

The Xbox UI is easy to navigate, but it seems to suffer from a bit of lag and is prone to freezing. Sometimes, I’d try to open up the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass App, and the handheld would remain unresponsive.

In the menu on the right, you’ll see your three primary sources of games: Game Pass, your current library, and Cloud Gaming. Game Pass is Xbox’s signature gaming subscription model, which recently saw a price hike. I’m an Ultimate tier subscriber, so I have access to Microsoft's first-party games. Through it, I downloaded several games, including Doom: The Dark Ages, Avowed, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I also downloaded several games I already own — Lies of P and Hotel Barcelona — both of which are Play Anywhere games.

'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' played flawlessly for me. Credit: George Yang / Mashable

It’s important to note that the only games that can be directly downloaded are ones available through Game Pass and Play Anywhere titles. The latter is a program that allows you to buy a digital game once through Microsoft, and play it on both an Xbox console and a Windows PC. Normally, you’d have to have to pay twice if you want to play a game on different platforms, but the Play Anywhere program is a convenient and consumer-friendly initiative. Unlike the Steam Deck, you can’t carry your entire library on the go, unfortunately. 

On the left side of the device, there’s a button with the Xbox logo on it. By pressing it down, you can switch between different launchers, including Xbox, Steam, and Epic. As a Windows-based handheld, it supports all PC launchers so if you want to play launcher games like Steam’s Counterstrike 2 or Epic Games’s Fortnite, you’re able to do so. Having access to all of these different launchers greatly expands the Xbox ROG Ally X’s library of games compared to its competitors.

For example, the Steam Deck is Linux-based, meaning the only access it has to Xbox games is through Xbox Cloud Streaming through a web browser in its Desktop mode. This gives the Xbox ROG Ally X a huge leg up, being able to download both Xbox and Steam games natively, whereas the Steam Deck can only do the latter. 

Playing games on the ROG Xbox Ally X Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

When it comes to playing games, I've found so far that performance between titles is inconsistent. Doom: The Dark Ages and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle performed flawlessly. Doom is the fastest-paced game out of all of the ones I’ve tried on the handheld so far, and having the power to kill demons in the palm of my hands felt immensely gratifying. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s framerate held steady and was buttery smooth, making it the most immersive experience I’ve had yet.

Lies of P played impressively well. Despite some initial lag when transporting and loading through different areas, my gameplay eventually smoothed over. There are plenty of challenging Soulslike games on Xbox, as their fast-paced nature and difficult fights demand precise performance. So Lies of P running in top shape really demonstrated how much power the Xbox ROG Ally X had.

On the other hand, games like Expedition 33 and Avowed had framerate and stuttering issues. Expedition 33’s battles require precise timing to dodge enemy attacks, so when I missed button presses due to these performance problems, it negatively impacted my gameplay. Avowed is a real-time action game, where a more stable framerate would allow me to react faster.

While it’s a bit of a disappointment that the ROG Xbox Ally X has an LED screen instead of an OLED one, that doesn’t mean games don’t look great. I booted up Metaphor: ReFantazio, and the game’s incredible art direction and bright color palette really pop through the device’s display. I also played A Plague Tale: Innocence, and the game’s more muted and dark tones were richly saturated. The thousands of generated rats crawling around looked menacing, even through a handheld screen.

Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

This is where the Lenovo Legion Go 2 outshines the ROG Xbox Ally X. It features an OLED screen that makes colors more vibrant, which helps justify its higher price tag compared to the ROG Xbox Ally X.

I also tried out the Cloud Gaming capabilities for a bit and played about 30 minutes of Borderlands 4. With a solid WiFi connection, Borderlands 4 performed just fine with minimal hiccups. Borderlands 4 is not available on Game Pass, and it’s also not a Play Anywhere title. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, using Cloud Gaming is a fantastic way to circumvent the ROG Xbox Ally X’s library limitations by letting you directly stream games from your Xbox account. However, the caveat here is that cloud functionality is only available on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll need to check whether the game you want to play through Cloud Gaming is possible by checking its page on the Microsoft Store.

As for the battery life, it really depends on the game you’re playing. More graphically intensive games will drain the battery faster. I left Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continually running on the device’s Performance mode (17W), and it came around to be just around 3 hours. You can also go into the Armoury Crate, ASUS’s software managing app, and enable the ROG Xbox Ally X’s Turbo mode (25W) to squeeze the maximum amount of graphical fidelity out of it. Doing so cuts down the device’s battery life (with Expedition: 33 playing in the background) down to about two hours.

Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced Copilot for Gaming, an AI-powered assistant for Xbox players. It’s still in beta testing, but its purpose is to help guide players through the games they play in case they get stuck. It’s a helpful tool for beginner gamers, as it can provide instructions or advice without having to close the game or open another device to search for a guide. For example, when I was playing A Plague Tale: Innocence, I was navigating a cave. When I asked Copilot what to do next, it simply told me to continue forward and make my way out of the cave. It’s sometimes rather vague and general, but offers just enough guidance.

However, if you’re experienced or a seasoned gamer, I'm not sure you'll get as much mileage from it. If you need very specific instructions on how to defeat a boss, then the general tips that Copilot delivers may not be very helpful. Of course, this could change as Copilot improves, and your mileage may vary.

What can the Xbox ROG Ally X improve on?

The biggest caveat to the Xbox ROG Ally X is that it doesn’t play every Xbox game, despite what the marketing material says. You can only download games that are on Game Pass or the Play Anywhere program. This means that even if you bought a digital game through the Microsoft Store, there’s no guarantee that it’s a Play Anywhere title. For example, if you purchased Monster Hunter Wilds on the Microsoft Store, you can’t play it on the Xbox ROG Ally X since it’s not part of the program. Other handheld devices like Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 have it beat here, as you can download every game bought through their respective ecosystems. While Xbox Cloud Gaming can be a workaround, the gaming experience is dependent on your internet connection. Playing games natively will always be the better option.

Because of this library limitation, this also means you’re unable to download any backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Backwards compatibility is one of the most enticing aspects of Xbox’s ecosystem, and it’s a shame that it’s not part of the Xbox ROG Ally X. Hopefully, a future software update can remedy this. If you’re able to download any Xbox game from your library, then the ROG Xbox Ally X would be a handheld behemoth.

Still, the ROG Xbox Ally X has an impressive library for a device that just launched. There are numerous indie and mid-tier games to play, and you also have other launchers like Steam and Epic Games at your fingertips on the Windows side. For Xbox gamers, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there's no shortage of titles you can download or play via the cloud. Just remember that only Xbox Game Pass and Play Anywhere games can be downloaded directly to the handheld, so check to see if your digitally purchased games are compatible.

The Windows 11 experience You can switch between the Windows OS and an Xbox gaming UI. Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable

As it stands, the ROG Xbox Ally still feels too much like a Windows PC experience. The Xbox Full Screen has stuttering issues. The reason why people gravitate towards consoles is that they’re easy to use. You don’t have to deal with updating drivers or figuring out what’s preventing your game from booting up. It just works.

I actually experienced this issue with Doom: The Dark Ages. I had installed the game through the Xbox app, but Windows error pop-ups kept occurring. For some unbeknownst reason, the game ended up booting up and playing fine, but those errors aren’t what I expect for this kind of experience.

For a staggering $1000, I expected a smoother experience navigating a premium handheld device. The frustrating lag impedes the flow of downloading games and updates, which ends up feeling like some time wasted.

Is the ROG Xbox Ally X worth it?

The ROG Xbox Ally X marks Microsoft’s long-awaited entry into the handheld gaming space. The ergonomics, build quality, and performance of many games are impressive, and the design feels comfortable and familiar to Xbox players. However, the overall experience is let down by software issues, such as interface lag, bugs, and Windows-related errors. Despite its great power and content variety, the price tag and limited Xbox library access make it feel like something of a work in progress.

If you love Xbox's Play Anywhere titles or want to play games on a long flight, then it may well be worth the splurge, especially as an alternative to an expensive Windows gaming laptop or PC. But $999 will be tough sell for a lot of gamers.

The new ROG Xbox Ally X launched on Oct. 16 for $999.99. You can purchase the handheld at Best Buy, Microsoft, and ASUS, though it's been hard to find in stock at times.

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X $999.99 at Best Buy
  Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Asus ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld: By the numbers

This gaming handheld has some impressive specs:

• Processor: New AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor

• RAM: 24GB

• Storage: 1TB SSD

• Operating System: Windows 11

• Refresh rate: 120Hz

• Ports: Dual USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD

• Display: 1080p LED

• Weight: 1.58 pounds

Our initial review of the ROG Xbox Ally X was published on Oct. 16; we've now published this full review after spending additional time testing the device.

SAVE $50: As of Nov. 6, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $449. That's 10% off its list price of $499, saving you $50.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 405 $449 at Amazon
$499 Save $50   Get Deal

The state of iRobot's Roomba robot vacuums are admittedly a little unclear. In a crowded market, Roombas are no longer the gold standard or the most popular robot vacuum among consumers, but that doesn't mean they aren't great vacuums. Recently, Mashable's in-house robot vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, called out the 405 as being one of the brand's best value models. So we're more than thrilled to see the robot vacuum currently on sale.

As of Nov. 6, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $449. That knocks $50 off its list price of $499 for 10% savings. According to Camelcamelcamel, that's the lowest price ever on the robot vacuum and mop.

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is a combo vacuum and mop. Unlike many combo vacuum mops that have one large mopping pad, the 405 takes the approach of two pads, allowing for more precise scrubbing. It's the definition of hands-free cleaning as it can go 75 days of auto-emptying and 4 weeks of mopping and pad washing before the vacuum needs attention.

Get the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 robot vacuum and mop for $449 at Amazon, and save $50.

TL;DR: Give your little one a lifetime of calm, creative, and educational screen time with Pok Pok — just $59.99 (reg. $250).

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$250 Save $190.01   Get Deal

If you’ve ever handed your toddler a tablet and instantly regretted it, Pok Pok might just restore your faith in screen time. This innovative, Montessori-inspired app turns digital play into something that actually feels okay for both kids and parents.

Designed for ages 2 to 8, Pok Pok replaces those noisy, overstimulating apps with calm, open-ended play that encourages creativity, independence, and curiosity.

SEE ALSO: Get 7 powerful Microsoft apps for life for just $20 with this deal

Kids explore a beautifully hand-drawn world filled with toys that grow alongside them — from early cause-and-effect puzzles to more advanced STEM-style challenges. It’s like a digital game sandbox for little minds.

Every sound, color, and motion in Pok Pok is crafted to feel soothing and natural — no flashing ads, no pressure to “win,” and no hidden purchases. It’s also fully COPPA-certified, meaning it meets strict safety standards for children’s digital content. Parents can relax knowing their kids are learning, not zoning out.

Perfect for travel, quiet time, or rainy afternoons, Pok Pok runs offline, so playtime never depends on Wi-Fi.

At this low price, this lifetime subscription is the kind of tech investment that doesn’t come with a side of parental guilt — giving your child a fun, educational start in a calm digital space built just for them.

Get lifetime access to Pok Pok while it’s on sale for just $59.99 (reg. $250).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

On Sept. 30, Amazon announced new Ring security cameras and AI features at an event in New York City. Now, the Electronic Frontier Foundation says that one of those AI features, a tool called Familiar Faces, "has the potential to violate the privacy rights of millions of people and could result in Amazon breaking state biometric privacy laws."

Mashable attended the Sept. 30 event, where Ring founder and leader Jamie Siminoff provided an overview of the Ring product line's new AI feature set. Siminoff only recently returned to Ring, and he has made a focus on AI one of his top priorities.

He's also renewed Ring's work with law enforcement, a source of controversy in the past, after the company backed away from this approach in recent years. Ring was founded by Siminoff in 2013, and the entrepreneur eventually sold the company to Amazon for $1 billion. However, Siminoff left the company in 2023 before returning in 2025.

What is Familiar Faces, and how could it violate privacy laws?

Like virtually every tech company, Ring is embracing AI. That includes the new Familiar Faces tool, which gives Ring cameras the ability to recognize trusted friends, neighbors, or family members to provide more personalized notifications and home monitoring. (Or, as Amazon describes it, "Familiar Faces intelligently recognizes familiar people and empowers customers to reduce notifications triggered by familiar people's routine activities.")

To do this, Ring cameras conduct facial scanning on people who enter the camera's view, without their consent or knowledge. Ring camera users can turn the feature on or off, however.

This week, the EFF said that the tool could potentially violate state privacy laws that require consumers to actively opt in to tools like facial scanning.

"Many biometric privacy laws across the country are clear: Companies need your affirmative consent before running face recognition on you," writes Mario Trujillo in a new EFF report.

Trujilo also points out that Amazon has already confirmed "the feature will not be available in Illinois and Texas — strongly suggesting its feature could not survive legal scrutiny there."

"Amazon says it will provide in-app messages to customers, reminding them to comply with applicable laws. But Amazon—as a company itself collecting, processing, and storing this biometric data—could have its own consent obligations under numerous laws," Trujilo writes.

Ring's controversial history with user privacy Ring cameras on display at the Sept. 30 event. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Ring, the Amazon-owned brand of video doorbells and smart security cameras, doesn't have a great track record with user privacy. In fact, that's probably understating the problem.

Mashable has reported on the company's repeated privacy controversies. Progressive critics have also taken issue with the company's work with law enforcement over the years, which included sharing users' footage with police without their knowledge or consent, and absent a warrant or subpoena.

Most notably, in 2023, the FTC accused Ring of allowing employees and contractors to watch users' private videos, which ultimately resulted in a settlement.

Despite this, Ring remains an extremely popular brand, and the company's video doorbells and security cameras can be found in millions of homes. And while critics take issue with the company's close work with law enforcement, some customers may actually view this as a positive feature for a home security company.

What does Amazon say about Familiar Faces and privacy? Amazon also introduced 'Search Party,' which can help identify lost pets using neighbors' cameras. Credit: Amazon / Ring

The EFF isn't the only notable critic of Familiar Faces. Democratic U.S. Senator Ed Markey sent Amazon a letter on Oct. 31 calling on the company to abandon its plans for facial recognition.

In his letter, the senator wrote:

“Although Amazon stated that Ring doorbell owners must opt in to activate the new facial recognition feature, that safeguard does not extend to individuals who are unknowingly captured on video by a Ring doorbell camera. These individuals never receive notice, let alone the opportunity to opt in or out of having their face scanned and logged in a database using FRT. To put it plainly, Amazon’s system forces non-consenting bystanders into a biometric database without their knowledge or consent. This is an unacceptable privacy violation.”

The EFF also sent Amazon a list of questions about the Familiar Faces feature, including whether it would be available in states that require opt-in consent to process sensitive data such as facial biometric scans.

In response, the company wrote, "Customers are expected to use our products and features in accordance with law. We display a message in-app to remind customers that they should comply with applicable laws that may require obtaining consent prior to identifying people.”

In addition, Amazon told the EFF that the processing for Familiar Faces happens in the cloud, not on device, though with appropriate security measures.

“Ring's Familiar Faces feature happens in the cloud, not on the device. We implement comprehensive security measures including encryption for data at rest and in transit, access controls, and database isolation to protect user biometric data. Users maintain control over their profiles with the ability to delete any profile at any time, resulting in removal of associated biometric data.”

While privacy advocates and Ring's critics take issue with Familiar Faces, it's not clear how many Amazon customers share these reservations. Indeed, for customers worried about crime, facial recognition and close ties with law enforcement may be a feature, not a bug.

Familiar Faces is set to launch in December, according to an Amazon blog post.

The biggest hit of the year, and maybe the decade, is KPop Demon Hunters. The animated pop musical has become a monster sensation since it was released in June of this year. Not only is it the number one watched title on Netflix of all-time, but it’s the first soundtrack ever to have 4 tracks in the Billboard Top 10 at the same time. KPOP Demon Hunters isn’t just a great movie with killer music, it’s much more than that. What we are witnessing is a once-in-a-generation success story. So what made KPOP Demon Hunters the golden hit of 2025? We’re going to show you how it’s done, done, done!

Check out the extended video on our YouTube page.

KPOP Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

The "We got X before GTA VI" memes live on for at least another year. That's right: Everybody's favorite unreleased video game — Grand Theft Auto VI — has been delayed yet again.

Rumors of an even longer wait have been spreading for a while now, but Rockstar Games confirmed the frustrating news on Thursday.

The company posted on X:

"Hi everyone, Grand Theft Auto VI will now release on Thursday, November 19, 2026. We are sorry for adding additional time to what we realize has been a long wait, but these extra months will allow us to finish the game with the level of polish you have come to expect and deserve."

The release of GTA VI — or non-release, really — has been an exercise in patience for gamers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the beloved, ground-breaking franchise. The last installment in the GTA franchise came all the way back in 2013. So, obviously, GTA VI has built up lots of anticipation.

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Initially, it was scheduled for release late this year. It was then pushed to May 26, 2026. Now we're on to November 2026.

SEE ALSO: 'GTA 6' fans are losing their entire minds over new trailer and its twerking queen

"We want to thank you again for your patience and support," Rockstar Games wrote in its latest post announcing the further delay. "While the wait is a little longer, we are incredibly excited for players to experience the sprawling state of Leonida and a return to modern day Vice City."

If the repeated delays help Rockstar avoid the kinds of launch bugs that plagued Cyberpunk: 2077, they may be worth it for gamers. But that doesn't make the disappointment go down any easier.

While you wait, you can check out some official screenshots from the game, previously released by Rockstar.

No one knows what it takes to be an It Girl better than the cast of HBO's new comedy I Love LA.

Created by Rachel Sennott, the series follows talent manager Maia (Sennott) as she takes on a new client, her bestie and rising It Girl Tallulah (Odessa A'zion). Naturally, given that premise, I Love LA pays a lot of attention to the world of influencers and digital culture, including what it takes to make it in that world.

SEE ALSO: 'I Love LA' is Charli XCX and Lorde's 'Girl, so confusing,' but make it TV

In a virtual junket interview, Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards spoke with Sennott and A'zion, as well as co-stars Jordan Firstman, True Whitaker, Leighton Meester, and Josh Hutcherson, about I Love LA's take on It Girls and the internet.

"I think it's having a special, unique quality that people latch onto and identify with but are excited by," Sennott said of what truly makes an It Girl. "It's hard to describe."

"And you have to have a Sidekick," A'zion added, referring to the It Girl phone of choice in the early 2000s.

For Hutcherson, I Love LA offered up a glimpse into the world of influencers, one he wasn't entirely familiar with before filming the show.

"A person who's a TikTok influencer might have a management team and a PR team and a studio where they record their TikToks," Hutcherson said. "It's a whole industry inside of it, and that's just a new industry, just like how film and TV was a new industry once, so it's another development in the world of entertainment. It's cool to see a show that breaks into that world a bit."

New episodes of I Love LA premiere Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Video playback is dependent on a lot of low-level stuff—mainly, codecs, which decode video files into something you're actually able to watch and consume. Some HP computers are suffering from issues with playing videos, and it's all due to some weird codec shenanigans tracking back to HP itself.

The Epic Games vs. Google lawsuit has been going back and forth for nearly five years, and we finally have an outcome. Just one decision away from a total loss, Google settled with Epic earlier this week. As a result of Google’s concessions, there are some pretty major changes coming to Android in the future. Let’s go over them.

Just got on the Spotify Premium or Free subscription plan? Before you start creating playlists and liking songs from your favorite artists, there are a few settings that you should enable and adjust for a better listening experience.

Calling all half-bloods! Disney+ has released the full trailer for Percy Jackson & The Olympians Season 2, and it looks like it's going to be a watery good time.

Based on The Sea of Monsters, the second book in Rick Riordan's beloved series, Season 2 reunites viewers with Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), son of the Greek god Poseidon (Toby Stephens). After recovering Zeus' (Courtney B. Vance, replacing the late Lance Reddick) Master Bolt and preventing a war among the Olympians in Season 1, Percy is headed back to Camp Half-Blood for the summer.

SEE ALSO: How is 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' different from the books?

However, things are different this year. Percy's satyr bestie Grover (Aryan Simhadri) has gone missing on his search to find Pan. To make matters worse, Kronos' acolyte Luke (Charlie Bushnell) has poisoned the tree that keeps all of camp safe from monsters — the very same tree that Zeus' daughter Thalia (Tamara Smart) transformed into prior to the events of Season 1. Now, Percy must head to the Sea of Monsters, aka the Bermuda Triangle, in order to find the Golden Fleece and save both Grover and Camp Half-Blood.

Accompanying him are Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), the wise daughter of Athena (Andra Day); Clarisse (Dior Goodjohn), the hotheaded daughter of Ares (Adam Copeland); and Tyson (Daniel Diemer), Percy's newly discovered cyclops half-brother.

The trailer teases massive nautical battles, new monstrous encounters, and even a glimpse at Thalia in action. Still no sign of what book fans are most pumped to see, though: Grover in that wedding dress.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 premieres Dec. 10 on Disney+.

The right-click menu on Windows 11 has received a lot of criticism over the last few years, and for good reason. Some people love it, while others aren't too pleased with its ever-changing look. Lately, the right-click context menu has become somewhat lengthy, bloated, and cluttered, and it appears that Microsoft is ready to clean things up.

Google Messages has been the default messaging app on Samsung phones for more than a year now. While you can still use Samsung Messages on your Galaxy device without issues (at least for now), you ought to switch to Google Messages. Here's why.

Have you ever counted how many USB ports are on your computer? Do you ever think twice about which port you plug your hard drive or mouse into? If you feel like your peripherals aren't performing up to snuff, it might be due to which port you are plugging them into.

Ikea is known for many things: its cafeteria meatballs, assembly instructions that drive you to madness, and now, it's venturing into smart home. While the home goods purveyor is mostly known for its affordable, assemble-it-yourself furniture, is branching out into tech, specifically smart home.

Ikea is launching a collection of 21 new smart home devices centered on lighting, sensors, and controls. All of the devices will be Matter-over-Thread, meaning that they speak the universal smart home language so they can work with your Apple HomePods and Google Homes.

Ikea is known for its affordability, and they're staying true to that as they expand their smart home collection. “Until now, smart home technology hasn’t been easy enough to use for most people — or affordable enough for many to consider. This launch brings us closer to helping everyone feel ready and confident to get started,” says David Granath, Range Manager at Ikea of Sweden. 

The new light bulbs in Ikea's smart home collection can add a colorful touch to your home. Credit: Ikea

This isn't actually Ikea's first foray into smart home. Previously, its tech came in the form of sneaky built in appliances like air purifiers built into side tables or speakers that blend into book shelves. But this is the first line with Matter certified products.

Matter is a system developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, to allow any smart home device to speak to another, regardless of what brand makes the device. This means your Google Home can connect to your new Ikea lightbulbs, and you don't need a new smart home hub to control them.

Ikea's devices will also be Thread connected. Thread is another away of connecting devices, similar to how many devices connect via WiFi.

What's coming to Ikea's Matter-over-Thread collection? Ikea's new smart home devices include light bulbs and remotes that work together. Credit: Ikea

Ikea has broken down its collection into three categories: lighting, sensors and controls. The lighting will include a new line-up of light bulbs as well as sensors that monitor your homes well-being. No release date or pricing has been provided for the products as it will vary between markets. Here are all the new smart home products coming soon.

Lighting

Kajplats smart light bulbs will be available in all shapes and sizes. These are the new options:

• E27/E26 – standard globe shape, 60 mm diameter. Available in white and colour. Dimmable options available.
  Colour and white spectrum, 1 055 lm – colour-changing  

• P45 E14* – compact profile, 45 mm diameter. Available in white and colour. Dimmable options available.

• GU10 – directional spotlight. Available in white and colour. Dimmable options available.

• Clear-glass decorative bulbs. Available only in white. Sizes available include E14 and E27 standard and large globe.

Sensors

• Myggspray: Motion sensor for indoor and outdoor use that turns on lighting automatically in areas like entrances, staircases, garages, or anywhere you need hands-free light. 

• Myggbett: Door/Window sensor. Detects when a door or window is opened or closed, and if connected to a smart system you can get notifications on your phone. Also works for spaces like walk-in closets, where it can trigger a light to turn on or off. 

• Timmerflotte: Temperature and Humidity Sensor. Measures the indoor climate at home. Press the button to view temperature, followed by humidity — one after the other. 

• Alpstuga: Air quality sensor. Measures CO₂, particles (PM2.5), temperature, and humidity to show the air quality in your home. Built to work together with IKEA air purifiers for better indoor air. Can also display the time.

• Klippbok: Water leakage sensor. Detects leaks and alerts you with a sound — and can also send a notification to your phone when connected to a hub. Small enough to place under sinks, appliances, or other risk areas. 

Remotes

• Bilresa remote control with dual button: A simple way to control smart products from afar. Use it to switch lights on or off, adjust brightness, change colour, or trigger a preset scene. 

• Bilresa remote control with scroll wheel: Lets you adjust smart products with a simple turn. Use it to switch lights on or off, dim, change colour, or control a group or preset scene. 

• Bilresa Remote Control Kits (2x): Kits of three colorful versions of the remote controls, in green, red and beige. One kit with three scroll wheels, and the other is with remote control with dual buttons. 

• Grillplats smart plug: This smart plug lets you control ordinary lamps or smaller appliances remotely — turning them into smart products. It also tracks energy use and can be paired with a remote or motion sensor.