IT General

Your CD and DVD Collection Is Slowly Destroying Itself

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 23:00

I love physical media, you love physical media. Physical media is awesome, and generally just better than digital streaming or downloads, if a little bit less convenient.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Did Taylor Swift use AI art? Life of a Showgirl orange door videos seem AI-generated

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 22:04

Fans worldwide are expressing disappointment after Taylor Swift allegedly used AI-generated videos to help promote her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.

To be clear, it has neither been confirmed that the videos in question are AI — though it certainly seems that way — nor is it clear that Swift was directly involved in the creation of the videos. The allegedly AI-generated videos surfaced via 12 "orange doors" with QR codes placed in major global cities. Those QR codes led to videos related to Showgirl. It's the classic Easter egg tactic Swift has made famous.

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But once those videos made their way online, people began to notice they seemed to be made with AI. Here's a good breakdown on TikTok about parts of videos that appear to be AI.

SEE ALSO: Did Taylor Swift swipe a lyric from a TikTok creator?

Folks online, including seemingly some Swifties, were disappointed that Swift would use AI in a promotional campaign for Showgirl. Why would an impossibly wealthy artist choose to use AI-generated works rather than pay artists for the actual work that AI poorly replicates?

Swift also famously fought to own her back catalog of music, and using AI — a technology that scrapes other folks' work to create its own content — would seem to run counter to that ethos.

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It's also worth noting that Swift has worked against AI-generated content when it directly affects her. She spoke out in support of Kamala Harris after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump used AI-generated art to suggest Swifties supported him in 2024. Swifties also mobilized to protect Swift after AI-generated deepfakes of the singer surfaced online.

Perhaps the videos rely on (poorly done) visual effects created by humans. But if the videos are actually AI, there are certainly a lot of disappointed people online.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is Your Pixel Hiding Notifications on the Lock Screen? This Setting Is to Blame

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 22:00

When I set up my Pixel 10 for the first time, I was pretty happy with how smooth the process was. But then I hit something that didn’t feel right. My lock screen was only showing one notification in full, while the rest were shrunk down into a row of tiny app icons. This new compact style is part of Android 16 QPR1, which the Pixel 10 ships with by default, and it’s designed to keep things tidy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Logitech's POP Smart Buttons Are Shutting Down

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 21:59

The era of Logitech’s popular smart home control solution, the POP button system, is abruptly coming to an end. Logitech has announced the complete discontinuation of the service, in some emails to customers, stating that it is effective October 15, 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why You Shouldn’t Count on Edge's Real-Time Video Translation Just Yet

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 21:30

The inability to understand the language used in a video shouldn't stop you from watching it. That's why Microsoft is testing a new AI audio translation feature in Edge that allows you to translate audio into your preferred language. However, as much as I want to love it, the feature isn't perfect and has a long way to go.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sora update: OpenAI expects copyright holders to opt out character by character

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 21:00

OpenAI launched Sora, its AI video app for iOS users, last week, and it quickly shot to the top position on the Apple App Store charts — despite the fact that the app is invite-only.

Powered by the Sora 2 video model, the Sora app lets users create and share AI videos in a TikTok-like feed. If you've gained access to Sora, you've probably noticed a common thread on the platform: There's a lot of copyrighted content being used for these AI-generated videos. Mashable's tech editor said over the weekend that the Sora app feed was dominated by popular characters from SpongeBob Squarepants, Rick & Morty, and various Nintendo franchises. CNBC also reported on one popular Sora video featuring OpenAI CEO Sam Altman standing alongside Pokémon characters.

"I hope Nintendo doesn't sue us," the AI-generated Altman says in the video.

If you assumed OpenAI cleared the use of intellectual property like Pokémon with copyright holders like The Pokémon Company or Nintendo, you'd be wrong.

An OpenAI representative told Mashable that the company is taking an opt-out approach when it comes to copyright, pointing to the company's Copyright Dispute form. This means intellectual property is fair game unless the copyright holder contacts OpenAI and opts-out from the platform. In fact, an OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable that copyright holders cannot request a blanket opt-out for their IPs. Instead, copyright holders must request specific characters be blocked or flag specific videos.

OpenAI appears to realize that it needs to work more with copyright holders, however. Over the weekend, users began sharing screenshots of "Content Violation" warnings. In the freewheeling days after the app's launch, users could make videos featuring all sorts of copyrighted material, but that seems to be changing fast.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Sora 2 app: 7 weird AI videos people have already made with the new OpenAI tool

Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal reported that before Sora's launch, OpenAI reached out to talent agencies and film studios to notify them about Sora and that their copyrighted works could appear in the app.

In an Oct. 3 post on his personal blog, OpenAI CEO Altman told users to "expect a very high rate of change," and admitted that OpenAI would need to monetize Sora to cope with user demand.

"We are hearing from a lot of rightsholders who are very excited for this new kind of 'interactive fan fiction' and think this new kind of engagement will accrue a lot of value to them, but want the ability to specify how their characters can be used (including not at all)," Altman wrote.

In addition, in a post on X published on Sunday, OpenAI's Head of Sora Bill Peebles said that the company is going to put restrictions on the app's cameos feature. The cameos feature in Sora allows users to upload real video of themselves in order to enable Sora users to generate AI content with their likeness and image.

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According to Peebles, Sora users will be able to choose exactly how their likeness is used. Peebles used the example of users putting restrictions such as "don't put me in videos that involve political commentary" or "don't let me say this word."

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Arch Linux Is a Meme, but It Shouldn't Be

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 21:00

You've probably come across the Arch Linux memes, but are they doing it a disservice? Arch Linux is an excellent distribution, and I have five reasons why you should look past those labels and see for yourself.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lexar's Magnetic Phone SSD Is Now Available

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 20:47

The Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD, which was first announced in July, is officially available to buy now. Lexar is clearly targeting Apple users with the ability to magnetically stick the SSD right to the back of any iPhone that supports MagSafe accessories.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Hybrid SUV Is More Efficient Than the RAV4 and CR-V

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 20:30

In a segment dominated by familiar names, one hybrid SUV has quietly pulled ahead with efficiency that even the most popular models can’t match. Its blend of fuel savings, smooth performance, and everyday practicality makes it a standout choice for families and commuters alike.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI: You can use third-party apps like Spotify and Canva in ChatGPT

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 19:52

OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman want ChatGPT to evolve beyond a conversational tool into a full-fledged digital assistant — one that can use other apps for you. The company announced a new initiative to create a "new generation of apps in ChatGPT," allowing users to connect and interact directly with third-party services inside the chatbot.

The new feature was unveiled during OpenAI’s Dev Day, during which the company showcased several live demos highlighting how this could work in practice. In one example, ChatGPT connected to Spotify to generate a playlist based on the user’s favorite songs, created and saved automatically within the Spotify app.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft launches Copilot Mode in Edge for agentic AI browsing. How to try it.

Another demo showed an OpenAI engineer tagging Canva in the chat to design a poster for a dog-walking business. After specifying that it should look whimsical and bright with a sans-serif font, ChatGPT returned multiple poster options generated through Canva. The system prompts users for permission the first time an app is connected, but once approved, it can use that app freely in future chats.

OpenAI also demonstrated educational and real estate integrations, like creating a machine learning lesson plan via Coursera and finding homes for sale in Pittsburgh through Zillow.

Starting today, ChatGPT users can connect to apps including Spotify, Canva, Booking.com, Expedia, Coursera, Zillow, and Figma. Altman added that more integrations, such as DoorDash and Uber, are coming later this year. Additionally, developers will soon be able to submit their own apps for review and publication within ChatGPT. OpenAI also plans to launch a dedicated app directory, giving users an easier way to discover and install integrations. As for monetization, Altman says the company will share more details in the near future.

This push marks a key step in OpenAI’s broader vision of agentic AI, especially after the company recently introduced Instant Checkout, a feature that lets users make purchases directly in chat.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Kindle Paperwhite deal at Woot beats Amazons best-ever price

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 19:33

SAVE $60: As of Oct. 6, you can pick up a Kindle Paperwhite at Woot for only $99.99. That's 38% off the usual list price and beats its best price ever on Amazon by $30. There's just one catch: they may have blemishes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $99.99 at Woot
$159.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

With Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event kicking off tomorrow, Oct. 7, we're expecting some of the best prices of the season on Kindle devices. But I'm fairly confident none of those deals will beat this Paperwhite deal at Amazon's daily deals site Woot (though I'm happy to be wrong).

As of Oct. 6, you can pick up a new Kindle Paperwhite (2024) at Woot for only $99.99. That's 38% or $60 off the usual list price of $159.99. The Paperwhite has only ever dropped as low as $129.99 at Amazon, so this is by far the best price we've seen on our favorite Kindle device. That's also cheaper than the most basic Kindle. But, of course, there's a slight catch.

While these Kindle Paperwhite devices are brand new, Woot writes that they "may have a slight blemish on the screen." If a tiny aesthetic imperfection is no big deal for you, then you're good to go. The device is still backed by a 90-day warranty at Woot, should any issue arise. Plus, you can always send it back if the blemish is too much of an eyesore.

As I mentioned above, the Kindle Paperwhite is our top pick for a Kindle (though I personally own the basic Kindle and also highly recommend it!). Mashable's e-reader expert Sam Mangino writes that it's "as good as an e-reader can get with its responsive interface, quick-turning pages, and lightweight design." It's also waterproof (unlike the basic Kindle), comes with adjustable screen warmth and brightness, and can last up to 12 weeks per charge.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Tiny TP-Link Travel Router May Be Faster Than the One You Have at Home

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 19:15

The TL-WR3002X AX3000 travel router is one of the fastest and most powerful models TP-Link currently offers, and it’s an easy device to recommend. If your living space is small, this, frankly, could even be the only router you need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GIMP Photo Editor Gets More Bug Fixes Ahead of v3.2 Update

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 19:09

The GIMP team has officially released the third micro-release for its stable branch, GIMP 3.0.6. While the team is hard at work on the much-anticipated GIMP 3.2, this new stable release was "really needed" because of how many bug fixes have accumulated.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AirPods deals are finally trickling in ahead of October Prime Day: Heres how to score the best deals

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 19:01

October Prime Day is coming up quickly, but Apple AirPods deals are taking their time to trickle in.

The two-day sale, officially dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, doesn't start until Oct. 7, but we started to see early deals pop up a week in advance. There are a fair number of deals on Apple products, including AirPods — but the price cuts have been a little slower than expected.

SEE ALSO: What is Prime Big Deal Days? Everything you need to know and what deals to expect.

A day before the big sale, we're finally seeing a few significant discounts — particularly on the AirPods 4. While they haven't reached their record-low price, they're within a dollar of it. The AirPods Max have also finally dropped in price to $429.99. That's the biggest discount we've seen since Prime Day proper in July. Fingers crossed the price drops even further once the shopping event officially kicks off.

The AirPods Pro 2 are still $199 following the release of the AirPods Pro 3 — though they did very briefly fall to $169.99 for less than 24 hours. It's a little disappointing, considering the Pro 2 buds are down to $199 often enough that we consider it their standard market price. If you can, we recommend waiting until their price drops further. Historically, shopping events like Prime Day have brought the earbuds down to record-low prices.

The AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, aren't on sale yet — though we have already seen a minor price dip following their recent release.

Below, find all the Apple AirPods deals available ahead of October Prime Day 2025.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $39.01 Get Deal Why we like it

A great value for the price, the AirPods 4 feature personalized spatial audio; voice isolation; Siri interactions; improved bass, mids, and highs; a comfortable and snug fit; and a more compact charging case that's easier to find. They come in two options: with or without active noise cancellation. Either option you choose, Mashable's reviewer noted that, "They sound like honey." Not to mention, they actually stay put in your ears when sprinting on a treadmill, which is no easy feat. Both options last up to five hours per charge (30 with the charging case), making them excellent daily drivers. If noise cancellation doesn't matter to you, the entry-level AirPods 4 are the best option for your wallet at just $89.99 ahead of October Prime Day. That's 99 cents shy of their best price on record. If you upgrade to the pair with ANC, it'll cost you an extra $50.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC.

More Apple AirPods deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

62 deals from Best Buys Techtober Sale that match or beat Amazons early Prime Day offers

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 18:48

Amazon can never run a sale all by itself. As the retail giant gears up for its annual Prime Big Deal Days event on Oct. 7 and 8, Best Buy has kicked off a competing "Techtober Sale" that's live through Oct. 12.

A Best Buy representative tells me via email that the weeklong event includes "some of the hottest deals this fall on tech like laptops, TVs, headphones, video games, electric bikes and more." New markdowns get added to the sale every day, and all featured deals are available online, in the Best Buy mobile app, and in stores.

Best Buy's best anti-Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple AirTag $19.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $579.99 (save $420) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 75-inch QM5K 4K QD-Mini LED TV $599.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best streaming device deal Google TV Streamer 4K $84.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best vacuum deal iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock $599.99 (save $800) Get Deal

Amazon has been hosting a two-day fall savings event for members of its Prime program every year since 2022 — and every year since 2022, Best Buy has held its own concurrent sale. (Previously, it came in the form of a 48-Hour Flash Sale.) Best Buy also times a savings event to run alongside Amazon's big flagship Prime Day sale in July, so this sort of counter-programming is par for the course.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's October Prime Day is coming on October 7 — here are 30+ early deals to shop now

Best Buy isn't the only retailer giving Amazon a run for its money this month. Walmart is having a "Walmart Deals" event from Oct. 7 to 12, and Target is hosting one of its Circle Week sales from Oct. 5 to 11. Notably, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is the only event that locks its deals behind a paid membership.

I've spent several hours combing through the Techtober Sale to find the deals worth buying from Best Buy instead of Amazon this week. So far, I've identified over five dozen products that are either price-matched or cheaper at Best Buy, or only available on sale there. That's either because Amazon doesn't carry the item (see: my beloved Asus Zenbook A14, now just $580) or because it sold out on Amazon (see: the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock, now just $600).

I've listed my Techtober Sale findings below, and I'm planning on refreshing them as new deals pop up throughout the week; check back soon.

Apple dealsAirPodsApple WatchesiPadsMacBooksApple accessoriesWindows laptop deals

Note: Paid My Best Buy members (Plus and Total) get a $50 bonus reward when they spend at least $499 on select Windows laptops.

2-in-1 laptopsGaming laptopsTV deals43-inch TVs50- to 58-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and biggerStreaming device dealsVacuum dealsRobot vacuumsStick vacuums
Categories: IT General, Technology

Corsair Void V2 Wireless Gaming Headset Is 31% Off

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 18:19

You can snag the Corsair Void V2 Wireless Gaming Headset for a surprisingly low price of just $90 on Amazon right now. This is a massive 31% discount off its regular $130 price tag, which is incredible when you think about the 70 hours of battery life this headset offers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Windows 11 25H2 Update Just Hit Another Milestone

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 18:17

The long-awaited widespread availability of the Windows 11 2025 Update, officially known as version 25H2, is finally set to release. While Microsoft technically shipped the update on September 30, 2025, the rollout has taken a while, but this frustrating holding pattern will finally end.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Noise-cancelling headphones from Sony, Apple, and JLab are on sale ahead of October Prime Day

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 18:09
Early Prime Big Deal Days noise-cancelling headphone deals Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Deal Sony Ult Wear $249.99 (Save $101.99) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (wired case) $35 (save $85) Get Deal

Audio fans, look alive — Amazon's October Prime Day sale is about to begin. From Oct. 7 through Oct. 8, you can score discounts on just about everything the retailer has to offer. This pre-Black Friday sale is known for offering up some historically low prices on goodies from tablets to laptops and everything in between, including headphones.

SEE ALSO: What is Prime Big Deal Days? Everything you need to know and what deals to expect.

But you don't have to wait until Oct. 7 to start shopping. Amazon already has tons of deals on offer ahead of the main event on everything from MacBooks to outdoor supplies and, of course, noise-cancelling headphones. Ahead of the sale, the Apple AirPods Max headphones have dropped nearly $120 in price, while some of our budget favorites like the JLab JBuds Lux ANC and Amazon Echo Buds with ANC have also taken steep price cuts.

Below, find some of our picks for our favorite early noise-cancelling headphone October Prime Day deals.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony Ult Wear $148 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Why we like it

These cushy over-ear headphones are an excellent all-rounder choice if you want a good pair of noise-cancelling cans. Mashable's Miller Kern noted in her review that they "prioritize bass and provide punchy sound without sacrificing quality", and they rock 30 hours of battery life so you can listen for marathon sessions without having to charge up. Their boosted bass options, comfortable ear cups, and ability to supercharge your music, no matter what you listen to, can't be understated, and at this price, you're getting an excellent pair of headphones that can block out the world and keep you bopping too.

Check out our full review of the Sony ULT Wear headphones.

More early October Prime Day noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest noise-cancelling earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (wired case) $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85 Get Deal Why we like it

While these aren't the newest earbuds on the market (they came out in 2021), at $35, they do offer some of the best bang for your buck on noise-cancelling earbuds. If you can put up with a middling battery life and overly sensitive touch panels, the Echo Buds with ANC are "a steal for anyone who wants to dip their toes into the world of ANC without setting their wallet on fire," as Mashable's Alex Perry wrote in his review. This deal is exclusive to Prime members.

Check out our full review of the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation.

More early October Prime Day noise-cancelling earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Prime Day deals on Dyson are already live

Mashable - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 18:07
Best October Prime Day Dyson deals Best cordless vacuum deal Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum $399.99 (save $230) Get Deal Best upright vacuum deal Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Upright Vacuum $659.99 (save $250) Get Deal

Whether you’re a Dyson stan or not, you’d probably still agree that Dyson products have become somewhat of a “gold standard” within the industry. (I mean, that 2023 New York Times article on how Dyson’s cordless stick vacuum became a “status symbol” still lives rent-free in my head.) But premium quality usually comes with a premium price tag to match.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

That's why we recommend waiting for a major sales event to splurge. Amazon’s October Prime Day (officially “Prime Big Deal Days”) kicks off tomorrow, Oct. 7, but a bunch of early Dyson deals are already live. We're tracking the prices across Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Dyson's own store to find the absolute best savings. Here are the top early Prime Day Dyson deals you can shop right now:

Best cordless vacuum deal Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum $399.99 at Amazon
$629.99 Save $230 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re trying to get into the Dyson fam for less than $500, then the Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum is a solid choice. Mashable’s vacuum cleaner queen and senior shopping reporter, Leah Stodart, says the V11 line offers a decent battery life (up to 60 minutes) for the price and a pretty good suction for tackling various household cleaning tasks.

The best price on this model is currently at Amazon. As of Oct. 6, you can get it for $399.99, down from $629.99. That's a 37% discount and $230 in savings.

  • Amazon: $399.99 $629.99 (save $230)

  • Walmart: $569 $629.99 (save $60.99) Note: This is technically on sale, but not officially "on sale" on the Walmart website.

  • Dyson: $629.99 (not on sale)

  • Target: $629.99 (not on sale)

More Dyson cordless vacuum dealsBest upright vacuum deal Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Upright Vacuum $409.99 at Amazon
$659.99 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need the kind of deep clean that only an upright vacuum can provide, the Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Upright Vacuum is the way to go. It's especially ideal for pet owners or anyone with a larger home, and it comes with eight different accessories to tackle any job. The vacuum features a self-adjusting cleaner head, a motorized brush bar, and whole-machine filtration to catch and destroy allergens on site. You’ll also get a five-year limited warranty and lifetime support when you register your vacuum on the MyDyson app.

The best price on this model is currently at Amazon. As of Oct. 6, you can get it for $409.99, down from $659.99. That's a 38% discount and $250 in savings.

Even more early Prime Day Dyson deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

GTA IV Just Got Its (Unofficial) Ultimate Edition, and You Have to Play It

How-To Geek - Mon, 10/06/2025 - 18:00

Despite Take Two's efforts to shut it down, the GTA modding community is still alive and kicking. Their latest effort is Fusion Fix for Grand Theft Auto IV, a massive community mod that gives the PC version of GTA IV an Ultimate Edition treatment. GTA IV on PC has never looked this good.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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