IT General

Google Search's AI Mode can now help you book restaurant reservations, or at least get you to the booking page.

On Thursday, the tech giant announced that its AI Mode has new "new agentic capabilities," including helping users book restaurant reservations, with more to come. AI mode is already available in the U.S., the UK, and India, and Google said it's now expanding to more than 180 countries and territories, though only in English, for now.

While some outlets have reported that "Google Search’s new AI Mode can now book reservations for you," that's not quite true yet.

When you're in AI Mode on Google Search, you can describe the kind of dinner reservation you're looking for, including party size, dietary restrictions, date, time, cuisine, etc., and Google's underlying AI models will fan out across the internet and create a list of restaurants with available reservations that fit your criteria. When you've found a reservation that works, AI Mode will take you to the booking page.

SEE ALSO: Welcome to Google AI Mode! Everything is fine.

The ability to streamline reservations in AI Mode soft-launched in Labs, Google's testing ground for new AI features, and it's only available to AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. However, it's a sign that Google is working on launching more widespread agentic features soon. The announcement said users will soon be able to book event tickets and make local service appointments. Google is working with partners like OpenTable, Resy, Tock, Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, and Booksy to help curate these recommendations.

AI Mode does the work of finding you restaurant reservations based on specific criteria. Credit: Google

The agentic part of this new feature, meaning the part of the feature that uses advanced AI models to take action on your behalf, is the research element. The feature still won't do the actual booking for you. Users will have to manually confirm the booking in a third-party tool like Resy.

Of course, you could just go to Resy or OpenTable and search for reservations that way, but this feature searches across all different platforms and the entire web, and pulls up the reservation times.

The advent of the agentic web promises to automate tedious tasks and research, offloading it to our personalized AI assistants. If AI tools can deliver on this promise, the technology could restructure how we interact with the internet. This is an early glimmer of how agentic AI is taking shape online.

If you're a Google AI Ultra subscriber for $250 a month, you can try agentic reservation booking in Search Labs by clicking on "Agentic capabilities in AI Mode."

Do you have an old iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy phone lying around? If you do, Google may have a considerable offer to get you to buy a new Pixel 10. While some of the offers are better than others, they're pretty telling about who Google is trying to win over.

Nothing lasts forever. Can that be said for the Ford F-Series' reign? Or is this just a blip on the radar, and that regular programming will resume shortly? For nearly 50 years, the Ford F-Series has remained the top choice of American Motorists, and for the first time, in 2024, an SUV has knocked it off its perch. Nothing is ever as cut and dry as it seems, but you can't knock down the growth and might of the SUV movement and what it means for motoring. At the forefront of that movement is Toyota's RAV4.

Figuring out how to watch the entire NFL season in 2025 is complicated. But it gets really frustrating when you live in a different region than your favorite team. Watching out-of-market games for any sport is no walk in the park, but for the NFL, it's an excruciating battle — particularly for your wallet.

Before you pull the trigger on any pay TV provider or streaming service, you may want to check to see what games are considered in-market and out-of-market for your region. You don't want to drop $60 on an annual Paramount+ plan or splurge on the new $199 Fox One streaming platform only to find out the games you want to watch are blacked out.

What are in-market vs. out-of-market NFL games?

In-market games are basically your home team broadcasts, or the games geographically closest to you. These are the games you'll regularly find on CBS and Fox on Sunday afternoons. Out-of-market games are those only available outside of the designated broadcast region you are in. These games are blacked out (unless they are national broadcasts) in favor of in-market games. For instance, I am a Baltimore Ravens fan living in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans are my local team, which means their games are in-market for me on Sundays. If both the Titans and Ravens are playing in the 1:00 p.m. time slot on Sunday, I will only be able to watch the Titans. The Ravens will be blacked out, as they are considered out-of-market.

To find out which games are in your local market each week, check out 506sports.com.

How to watch out-of-market NFL games

So, you live in a different region than the team(s) you want to watch. That means the usual streaming services that broadcast NFL games — ESPN, Paramount+, YouTube TV, etc. — aren't going to work for you. With those, you'll only be able to watch in-market teams and national broadcasts. Womp womp.

In this case, the only legal way you can watch out-of-market games is via NFL Sunday Ticket. Sure, there are plenty of bootleg broadcasts floating around the internet, but we can't in good conscience recommend those. NFL Sunday Ticket is the league's own premium sports package that broadcasts NFL regular season games that are unavailable on your local channels. It carries regional Sunday afternoon games on Fox and CBS, specifically. You can get NFL Sunday Ticket as an individual channel on YouTube or as an add-on to YouTube TV.

How much does NFL Sunday Ticket cost?

I won't sugarcoat it for you: NFL Sunday ticket is outrageously expensive unless you're brand new to the service. Through Aug. 31, newbies can score NFL Sunday Ticket as an individual channel on YouTube or as a YouTube TV add-on for $276 total for the regular season (8 payments of $34.50 per month). For returning customers, it'll cost $480 total as an individual channel (8 payments of $60 per month) or $378 total as a YouTube TV add-on (8 payments of $47.25 per month). Students, military personnel, first responders, medical professionals, and teachers can all get discounted rates (see below).

Starting in September, there will also be month-to-month plans available. For new users, it'll cost $85 per month on the monthly plan, while returning customers will pay $115 per month for the YouTube TV add-on and $145 per month for the individual channel.

Here's a breakdown for you:

Season pass (8-month subscription)

• $276 for new users ($34.50/month)

• $376 for returning users bundled with YouTube TV

• $480 for returning users without YouTube TV

• $119 for students who can verify their eligibility

• $198 for Military & Veterans, First Responders, Medical Community, and Teachers 

Month-to-month

• $85 per month for new users

• $115 per month for returning users bundled with YouTube TV

• $145 per month for returning users without YouTube TV

How to sign up for NFL Sunday Ticket

To get NFL Sunday Ticket, head over to YouTube.com/NFL and a prompt will pop up with the details to sign up. If you don't see the prompt, just click on "get NFL Sunday Ticket" to the right of the NFL logo. You'll see options to sign up for both YouTube TV and NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Sunday Ticket only, or the Student Plan. If you want to sign up for the military, first responder, medical professional, or teacher rate, you'll have to go through id.me.

If at any time in the past thirty years you've explored the world of Linux, you've likely at least heard mention of something called openSUSE. Maybe you even recognize its iconic green reptilian mascot. Let's take a look at this unique Linux distribution.

Apple TV+ is getting a price hike, and it's a pretty big one. The monthly subscription for Apple's streaming service is now $12.99, a $3 jump from its previous price of $9.99. The price increase is effective immediately for all new customers.

In the mood for a visual treat to brighten your day? Then look no further than the teaser trailer for the upcoming animated film Arco, from French director Ugo Bienvenu and distributor Neon.

The teaser is just one minute long, but it's packed with lush forests, towering sci-fi landscapes, and surreal space imagery, not to mention its fair share of dazzling rainbows.

That's because rainbows are key to Arco. The film's 10-year-old protagonist Arco uses one to accidentally time travel from his peaceful, distant future to the year 2075. There, he discovers a world in peril, but he also meets a young girl named Iris. The two form a fast friendship and, with the help of Iris' robot caretaker Mikki, they set out on a quest to save the world and get Arco home.

Arco is set to play at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, but it's already had a busy festival year. It had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, then went on to win the Cristal for Best Feature Film at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Could we be looking at a contender for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature?

The film is originally in French, with a voice cast including Little Women's Louis Garrel and Anatomy of a Fall's Swann Arlaud. The English dub features a strong voice cast in its own right, including Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Flea, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg. Portman also produced the film.

Arco hits select theaters Nov. 14.

Do you have two computers at your desk like I do? I always found it a pain to switch between the two, so I rarely did it. Or, I would simply have multiple sets of keyboards and mice on my desk. When I got a monitor with a built-in KVM, though, everything changed.

SAVE UP TO $760 + GET A FREE GIFT CARD: As of Aug. 21, buy a new Google Pixel 10 or other eligible new Pixel device and save up to $760 with eligible trade-in and preorder at Best Buy. Plus, get a free gift card worth up to $350 with purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy Buy a Google Pixel 10 device and save up to $760 with trade-in Plus, get up to a $350 gift card for free Get Deal

It's official: the Google Pixel 10 is finally here. Unveiled during Aug. 20's Made by Google event alongside the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Google's newest flagship smartphone is up for grabs now. And even though this is a brand-new phone we're talking about, there's already a way you can save a significant amount of money if it's time for a smartphone upgrade.

Best Buy is currently offering a deal that can save you some serious cash when you have a qualifying trade-in phone and pre-order (the official release date is Aug. 28) a phone from the new Pixel 10 lineup. This promotion can save you up to $600 on the Pixel 10 ($799), Pixel 10 Pro ($999), or Pixel 10 Pro XL ($1,199), and up to $760 off the Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,799).

SEE ALSO: Here's how to get a free Google Pixel 10 Pro from Verizon

From today through Sep. 4, you can claim this deal by heading to Best Buy and selecting which Google Pixel device you'd like to purchase. You'll need to opt in for a trade-in offer, which is only available if you have a phone that's still in good condition, without cracks. It also needs to come with a power source. You can only trade in phones that you own as well, so if you're still paying on one, that isn't an option for this deal.

You can get up to $760 in maximum trade-in savings based on the value of the device you turn over, and Best Buy's offer for the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be based on what's available. Once you trade the device in, Best Buy will give you the value of your device toward your Pixel 10 phone (any of the aforementioned models). Look for the "Trade in and save" option beneath the device's price in bold on the right side of the screen. You'll also see the amount of the gift card you'll receive with purchase right above it.

When you complete the purchase, you'll be provided with a eGift Card from Best Buy worth $100 to $350, depending on the value of your trade-in.

If you've been thinking about giving a new phone a shot but needed a push to do so, this is a great deal that's still going to be running for a while, so you've got time to say your goodbyes to the old one. If you're already using a carrier or just want something new, this might be the best way of bringing home the new Pixel hotness, though.

First came poaching, then restructuring and downsizing, now Meta has implemented a hiring freeze for its AI research team.

A new report from the Wall Street Journal, following an earlier report this week from The New York Times, added new speculation about Meta's whiplash changes to its AI research efforts.

According to the Times report on Tuesday, Meta is overhauling its newly formed Superintelligence Lab, by breaking it up into four smaller teams. The teams will reportedly focus on AI research, developing superintelligence (a form of AI more advanced than human intelligence), AI products, and AI infrastructure such as data centers, the Times said.

The Times report said that in addition to restructuring its AI lab, Meta is downsizing the overall team, which is reportedly in the thousands. This lines up with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's newfound belief that superintelligence research should be done in small teams. "You really want the smallest group that can hold the whole thing in their head," said Zuckerberg on Meta's latest earnings call. This was in response to how his perspective on developing AI has changed in the past 12 months.

On Thursday, Meta confirmed to the Journal that it has paused hiring for its AI team.

Just in the past two months, things have changed drastically at Meta. Zuckerberg, disappointed by the Llama 4 launch, kickstarted an aggressive recruiting effort, where he reportedly personally reached out to top AI researchers and executives for his superintelligence team. Meta poached more than 50 AI professionals from its competitors like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, enticing them with signing bonuses and salaries worth millions of dollars. That included recruiting former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang to lead its superintelligence research team, internally dubbed "TBD lab."

The fast-paced changes could signify the kind of swift action that comes from clarity of direction or concerns of a looming bubble. Meta told the Journal that the hiring freeze was a result of "bringing people on board and undertaking yearly budgeting and planning exercises." The sudden hiring of dozens of AI researchers and equally sudden freeze could mean Meta has the right team assembled after spending its seemingly massive hiring budget.

However, some investors and analysts warn of a looming AI bubble after this week's market volatility, where major U.S. tech stocks dropped several points. The selloff came after an MIT study found 95 percent of companies implementing AI found no returns on investment.

I carry around a two-thousand-dollar phone. Except here’s the thing—I didn’t pay that much for it. And even if I did, it’s neither an extravagant nor luxurious purchase. But we’ll get to that. Let's start at the beginning.

Season 27 of South Park continues its run of satirizing President Donald Trump, with its third episode packing in more jokes about his relationship with Satan and his penis size.

SEE ALSO: 'South Park' roasts ICE officers and Kristi Noem in savage new episode

However, Trump wasn't South Park's only target this week. The episode's main focus was on tech bros and AI, with Randy Marsh becoming hooked on both ChatGPT and ketamine in order to found his own AI-powered weed company.

South Park tackles ChatGPT and Trump's alliances with tech CEOs.

South Park's latest episode, titled "Sickofancy," brings AI into the fold in a big way, with everyone from Randy to Satan asking ChatGPT for advice on their problems. These range from Satan's desire to escape the White House to Randy raiding an ICE detention center for "one Mexican" employee.

In all cases, South Park portrays ChatGPT as the ultimate yes-man, validating all its users' concerns and suggesting all their plans are good ones. And while Randy claims he can feel ChatGPT making him and his business partner Towelie smarter, the reality is that they're regurgitating buzzwords and affirmations that ChatGPT has churned out for them.

SEE ALSO: 'South Park's anti-Trump episode was its biggest season premiere in years

As Randy and Towelie grow their weed business, they decide the only way they can make billions from it is if Trump reclassifies weed. So Towelie heads to Washington, D.C., to petition Trump.

To get an audience with Trump, Towelie has to wait in line with other politicians and tech figures. Each brings Trump a present, along with the affirmation, "You do not have a small penis."

One of the people in line is Apple CEO Tim Cook, who gifts Trump a plaque on a gold stand — something which did actually happen in real life. (Trump goes on to call him "some dipshit tech CEO.") Later in the episode, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also makes an appearance to give Trump a gold, jewel-encrusted VR headset.

South Park spoofs Trump's federal takeover of D.C. police.

The biggest laugh of the "Mr. Towelie Goes to Washington" section of "Sickofancy" comes when Towelie first arrives in the city. He takes in the sights of the nation's capital, from the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial to the Supreme Court and U.S. Capitol.

However, instead of being crowded with tourists and D.C. citizens, all these locations are overrun by military troops and tanks. The visual gag references Trump's federal takeover of the D.C. police and activation of the National Guard in the city. Trump claimed this was part of an effort to curb crime in D.C. Notably, after a spike in 2023, violent crime has dropped in D.C. over the course of 2024 and 2025.

By its end, "Sickofancy" takes an exceptionally dark turn, trapping Towelie in the White House alongside Satan. He begs for help in getting out, but as a resigned Satan says, "There is no escape from this place."

Even if there were, it's clear South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have no intentions of leaving the White House any time soon. Who's up next on their satirical chopping block?

South Park is now streaming on Paramount+. New episodes air every other Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on Comedy Central, and stream next day on Paramount+.

SAVE $239: Pre-order the new Google Pixel 10 Pro, Google Pixel 10 XL, or Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold from Google and get a free year of access to Google AI Pro which ordinarily comes with a $239 price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Free year of Google AI Pro with purchase of Google Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 XL, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold $0 at Google
$239 Save $239 Get Deal

Google just announced the new Pixel 10 lineup, and if you're looking for a new Android phone, this could be just the news you've been waiting for. You have plenty of options for pre-ordering the new models, but there's a special deal at Google if you're interested in the brand's AI assistance.

As of Aug. 21, pre-order the new Google Pixel 10 Pro, Google Pixel 10 XL, or Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold from Google and get a free year of access to Google AI Pro which typically costs $239 per year. This plan will auto-renew after the first year at $19.99 per month, but you're free to cancel at anytime. You'll be able to add the free year of Google AI Pro during checkout.

SEE ALSO: College students can get Google AI Pro for free, as company launches new guided learning mode

Google AI Pro comes with perks like the Gemini app, better access to AI tools, and an extra 2TB of storage. You'll get Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Vids, and more and you'll have access to NotebookLM, Google's research and writing assistant.

The recently announced Pixel 10 lineup comes packed with upgrades like a 100x zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 XL. Google also upgraded battery life which is always a much-welcomed addition. There's also live translation which is awesome should you be traveling to a non-English speaking country soon.

If you've always wanted to try out Google AI Pro and you're in need of a new Android phone, snag the Google Pixel 10 Pro, Google Pixel 10 XL, or Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold from Google and save yourself the $240 yearly subscription fee. A new phone with enhanced features is just what 2025 ordered.

AirGradient has officially joined the "Works with Home Assistant" program, and will bring its lineup of indoor and outdoor air quality monitors to the platform. This is a huge deal because AirGradient is the very first partner in the program to focus specifically on advanced air quality monitors.

SAVE UP TO $55: As of Aug. 21, shop deals on Amazon Fire tablets and save up to $55. Get the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet for $89.99, saving $50, or get the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet for $84.99 and save $55.

Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $89.99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire Kids tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet $84.99 (Save $55) Get Deal Best Amazon Fire deal for ages three to seven Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet $69.99 (Save $40) Get Deal

If the rumors are true, Amazon Fire tablets are about to get a massive update. Amazon's tablets currently use the brand's in-house operating system, but insiders speaking to Reuters have said an overhaul is coming that will replace Amazon's operating system with an Android system. While nothing is confirmed yet, a slew of Fire tablets are now on sale at Amazon, making us wonder if upgraded versions are coming soon. We can't know for sure, but we can delight in the current discounts.

As of Aug. 21, a bunch of Amazon Fire tablets are now marked down over $50. The deals are for both adults and kids, as kid-friendly tablets have some of the biggest savings right now. Here are all of the best savings we've spotted so far.

Best Amazon Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While Amazon's tablets usually can't compete with the quick processing speeds of Apple's iPads, they're getting closer with the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. With an octa-core processor and 10.1-inch screen, it's great for streaming and gaming. Don't expect it to do as much as an iPad or Android tablet, as Amazon's app store is quite limited. However, if you're looking for a budget tablet, this will get the job done.

Already a great value at $139.99, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is currently marked down to $89.99, saving $50 for 36% off.

Best Amazon Fire Kids tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet $84.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $55.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want a kid-friendly tablet, Amazon has a whole line of Fire tablets that are age-appropriate, providing a safer digital experience. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet is geared toward kids ages six to 12, with built-in parental controls so parents can monitor download requests as well and review activity. In addition to streaming video and reading from the Kindle library, kids can browse the internet with built-in filters to keep content appropriate.

Normally $139.99, you can get this kid-friendly tablet for just $84.99, saving $55 for 39% — the best savings on any Fire tablet right now.

More Amazon Fire tablet deals

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet — $69.99 $109.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet — $134.99 $189.99 (save $55)

Microsoft users beware: Hackers are using a new method to steal login information.

Bleeping Computer detailed the new technique. Effectively, it uses what appears to be a trusted, legitimate outlook.office.com link to redirect to a phishing page.

Bleeping Computer noted that researchers at Push Security believe the phishing method begins with a malicious sponsored link in Google search results. In at least one instance, a person reportedly landed on the malicious link via a search for "Office 265" which seems to be a typo for "Office 365." From there, it would redirect to an Office domain then further redirect to the phishing site.

So, in short, be careful what sponsored links you click. While these links may seem safe, that is not always the case.

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As fast as folks move to protect their information, hackers are often a step ahead. As we wrote earlier this month, for instance, hackers recently found a ransomware workaround to shut down Microsoft Defender, which is the company's antivirus software.

And even if you do everything right, your info still might get leaked via hacked companies. Just this week, it was revealed that more than 1 million people reportedly had their info stolen in a massive hack of insurance giant Allianz Life.

All that in mind, if you want tips on how to keep your info private, we've got you covered.

SAVE $999: Verizon is offering a free Google Pixel 10 Pro to all new and existing customers with an Unlimited Ultimate plan when trading in a Google, Apple, Motorola, or Samsung phone in any condition.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Free Google Pixel 10 Pro with trade-in on Unlimited Ultimate plan $0 at Verizon
$999 Save $999 Get Deal

The new Google Pixel 10 Pro is a great option if you're in need of a phone upgrade. For years now, Google's Pixel lineup has given us awesome Android options like the Google Pixel 9a, which landed itself on the Mashable list of the best phones of 2025. But if you're interested in the latest and greatest model, listen up, because you could be in line for a free phone.

New and existing Verizon customers can snag a free Google Pixel 10 Pro with the carrier's Unlimited Ultimate plan when you trade in a Google, Apple, Motorola, or Samsung phone in any condition. Overall, that puts you in line to save $999 on the free Google Pixel 10 Pro.

The Verizon Unlimited Ultimate plan comes with perks like access to 5G, unlimited mobile hotspot data, and unlimited international data should your travel plans take you abroad.

The lineup of Google Pixel 10 devices is packed with AI upgrades like voice translation, AI camera features, and the Take a Message option, to name a few. The Google Pixel 10 Pro has some pretty nice specs like a 6.3-inch display with 1280x2856 resolution and 3,300 nits at peak brightness. Google mentions the 4,870mAh battery will be capable of at least 30 hours of life before it'll need to recharge.

SEE ALSO: Score a $200 gift card when you pre-order the Google Pixel 10 Pro at Amazon

In terms of the Pixel 10 Pro's camera, Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry is optimistic. "The cameras this year haven't undergone huge (or any) changes in terms of megapixel counts, but one big thing Google did is increase Super Res Zoom capabilities from 30x all the way to 100x," wrote Perry in the Pixel 10 announcement recap. "We'll see how that works in practice, but given the excellent telephoto zoom quality on previous Pixel phones, this is potentially very exciting."

If you're looking to snag a free Google Pixel 10 Pro, sign on with Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan, trade in your old phone, and you'll be on your way to Android bliss.

In the third episode of Alien: Earth, newly awakened after decades of cryosleep, cyborg Morrow (Babou Ceesay) announces, "I don’t have a home. I'm gone a lifetime. Everyone I know is dead." He tells this to Yutani (Sandra Yi Sencindiver), his dead boss' granddaughter and the current head of the Alien franchise's evil mega-corporation, Weyland-Yutani.

Morrow is the lone survivor of the USCSS Maginot, Weyland-Yutani’s deep-space research vessel that departed Earth in 2055, only to crash-land there 65 years later, in 2120, when Alien: Earth is set. That timeline is not a problem in the Alien franchise's lore of decades-long space travel, e.g., between the events of Alien and Aliens, Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley snoozed in an escape pod for 57 years.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth': What are the 5 corporations that control Earth?

But for viewers who believe or hope Alien: Earth is canon to all of the Alien films (except the Alien v. Predator spinoffs, which are generally not considered canon), we’ve encountered some turbulence.

What’s the issue? That's a Weyland Corporation ship in "Prometheus" — not a Weyland-Yutani ship. Credit: Scott Free Prod/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Prometheus, the first Alien film in the series' timeline, mainly takes place in 2093. The Prometheus is also a deep-space research vessel, but one funded by the Weyland Corporation — not Weyland-Yutani — and containing a crew that includes the company's founder, Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce), and his daughter, Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron). At that point in time, Weyland Corp. had not yet merged with the mysterious Yutani Corp.

The Prometheus sequel, Alien: Covenant, is set in 2104, by which time Weyland and Yutani have joined forces as a new company, and they're funding the Covenant colonization mission. If that still holds true, why was the Maginot — which, again, launched in 2055 — branded as a Weyland-Yutani ship since it took off half a century before Weyland and Yutani merged?

Featured Video For You How 'Alien: Earth' pulls you into the world of 'Alien' in its opening scene Why does it matter? Morrow (Babou Ceesay) works for Weyland-Yutani. But they're not called that yet? Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

If Alien: Earth suggests Weyland-Yutani was in existence in 2055, it would be hard to square that with the events of the 2090s-set Prometheus — where Yutani is not mentioned and Weyland Corp. exists as a solo enterprise — and Alien: Covenant, which is a direct sequel to Prometheus. It would also conflict with certain plot points in Alien: Romulus, a 2130s-set midquel that references the Prometheus mission by name.

In other words, having Weyland-Yutani exist in a different timeline than the films may be series creator Noah Hawley’s way of saying his show operates in a slightly different universe than the films. That’s something Hawley has hinted at, but never stated definitively.

And if it does exist separately, does that mean Alien: Earth will not acknowledge subjects explored in the more modern Alien movies, like the Engineers and their mutagenic black goo? It's hard to say, especially since a dissected facehugger in Alien: Earth contains black organs and both black and green blood.

Some possible (if far-fetched) scenarios to square the W-Y discrepancy

So, how could the Weyland-Yutani of it all be explained? Let's play out a few scenarios:

1. The Maginot departed Earth as a Yutani operation and spaceship, but at some point post-merger was rebranded as a W-Y vessel to reflect the new company, possibly at a refueling stop or W-Y space station.

2. The Maginot was a joint operation between Weyland and Yutani corporations, but the companies wouldn’t officially merge until much later.

3. Weyland-Yutani had already merged by 2055, but severed ties before the events of Prometheus (maybe Yutani didn’t support a crazy expensive mission to find ancient aliens?), only to again join forces later.

Aside from continuity complications, the fact that the original Yutani was chasing — or stumbled upon — alien creatures decades before the events of Alien is a fascinating concept. The films, at least the ones made this century, center Weyland as the driving force of Weyland-Yutani’s dangerous alien ambitions, while the TV series suggests it’s actually the Yutani side steering the (space)ship. Alternatively, perhaps Hawley will thread the needle and present a scenario where everything lines up and the original Weyland and Yutani characters were informing each other’s disastrous decisions. We shall see — unlike Xenomorphs, franchises are often imperfect organisms. 

Alien: Earth episodes drop weekly on Hulu and FX at 8 p.m. E.T. on Tuesdays.

Jackery portable power stations on sale now Best portable power station deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $448.99 (Save $350.01) Get Deal Best budget portable power station deal Jackery Explorer 300 $169 (Save $90) Get Deal Best solar-powered portable power station deal Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 $1,399 (Save $1,100) Get Deal

Emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. One of the smartest things you can do is stay prepared for any eventuality, especially if your access to electricity is affected. One good way to make sure you're good to go is by picking up a portable power station. Whether you want one as a backup for important devices and appliances in your home, or you need a way to stay powered up while you're going off-grid, it's a good piece of tech to invest in.

SEE ALSO: Anker's latest portable power station charges to 100% in less than an hour: Preorder now

One of the better-known names in the portable power station game right now is Jackery. Their stations are compact, easy to carry, and typically built for both everyday and emergency use. Right now, you can find several of them on sale, so whether you need something smaller that's easy to pack or a higher-capacity station with the potential for solar power charging, you can find a unit to save some money on. We've gathered a few of our favorite picks below.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $448.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $350.01 Get Deal Why we like it

This Jackery model is a great pick for just about any use case, with a 1,5000W AC output and 3,000W surge, so you can use it for situations where you need to power multiple appliances. That includes fridges, AC units, kettles, toasters, or just about anything else in your tech stack. At just 23.8lbs, it's lightweight enough to carry wherever you go, and it has a foldable handle that you can pick it up and tote it around if you need electricity on the go — perhaps on a camping trip, vacation off the grid, or other adventures. And with about only 1.7 hours needed to juice up from 0 to 100%, it's quick and reliable, so you can charge from USB-C to USB-C and AC outlet-centric devices in a flash.

Best budget portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Jackery Explorer 300 $169 at Amazon
$259 Save $90 Get Deal Why we like it

This lightweight power station is a performer that's built to move, and it's the most affordable option that's on sale right now. It's just 7.1 pounds, which not only makes it the best one to choose if you want to take it with you anywhere (or perhaps keep in your car). It takes about two hours to charge up to 80% when depleted, and you can even charge it from a car outlet or AC adapter while on the road. If you have a compatible Jackery SolarSaga 100 solar panel, you can even juice it up with the sun if need be. With multiple charging ports including USB-C, USB-A, DC, and fast charging, you can make sure all your important devices are ready to go.

Best solar-powered portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 $1,399 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $1,100 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want to stay on the move while keeping your electric devices and appliances charges, a good way to stay prepared is with solar panels. This power station has a powerful 2,200W output and 2042Wh capacity. The device itself is just 39.5 lbs, which is much lighter and smaller than most of the solar-based competitors' devices, and it's easily charged up to 80% in just 66 minutes with AC charging if you aren't relying on sunlight. The app-based Emergency Super Charging mode will net you a full charge in 102 minutes, however. It can stay in silent charging mode that will also get it back up to speed in six hours for 400W panels, so you can go about your business in the meantime. It also has an uninterrupted power supply that can keep your things running.

SAVE $126: As of Aug. 21, the Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones are down to just $273.99 at Amazon. That's 32% off the usual sticker price.

The Sony WH-1000XM6s have officially surpassed the previous-generation XM5s in the race for best-sounding headphones. But honestly, they aren't all that different. And if you opt for the older generation, you can save over $150.

As of Aug. 21, the Sony WH-100XM5 noise-cancelling headphones in black are on sale for $273.99 at Amazon. That's 32% or $126 off the typical retail price of $399.99 and just a little over $20 shy of their lowest price on record. Unfortunately, if you prefer one of the other three color options, the price jumps to $328.

Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern gave the XM5s a nearly perfect rating, crediting their impeccable sound quality, great noise cancellation, and customizable sound. On top of that, they also pack a 30-hour battery life, crisp call clarity, voice assistant support comfy ear cushions, and an ambient mode that helps you stay in touch with your surroundings.

For what it's worth, the newer XM6 headphones are currently $428, which is quite the price jump for only a minor upgrade. Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti writes, "Very few things separate these two models, besides the big price difference. What we know for sure is that the WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features."

The biggest downfall of the XM5s is that they don't fold up like the newer generation. If that's not a deal-breaker for you, though, we highly recommend snagging the XM5s while they're on sale for just $273.99.