IT General

The moon is appearing smaller and smaller every night, a nod to the name of the current phase in the lunar cycle, Waning Crescent.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility, and we're currently on day 24 of the 29.5-day cycle. According to NASA, these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth, so let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Sept. 16.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Sept. 16, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is 28% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Right now, visibility is decreasing every night. This will continue until we reach the next lunar phase, the New Moon. For now though, you can still see various features on the moon's surface, so grab whatever gear you have and look up.

Firstly, for those with no gear, the Aristarchus Plateau and Kepler Crater will be in sight with just your naked eye. If you have binoculars, look up to see the Grimaldi Basin, Gassendi Crater, and the Mare Humorum. With a telescope, point it upwards to see the Reiner Gamma, Schiller Crater, and the Apollo 12 landing spot.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 6. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

In our modern digital landscape, software issues sometimes pop up that require urgent fixes. One such fix is currently rolling out for Samsung Galaxy phones as we speak, and if you haven’t checked your phone for updates today, you may want to. The bug it fixes is a doozy. 

The issue has a very technical name called CVE-2025-21043. Per Samsung’s update page, the bug allowed attackers to conduct an “out-of-bounds write in libimagecodec.quram.so” that “allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.” 

According to Google Project Zero, libimagecodec.quram.so is a closed-source tool that third-party messaging apps use to parse images that attackers could use to hijack a person’s smartphone. The patch going out to Samsung devices now fixes an “incorrect implementation” of the tool, preventing that from happening. 

How to update your Galaxy phone

• Go to Settings in your Galaxy phone
• Select the Software Updates option
• Tap on the "Download and Install" option and follow instructions

The exploit, which was discovered in August by WhatsApp’s security team, was reported to Samsung and Apple behind closed doors so as not to spread the news. There aren’t any public examples of hackers using this vulnerability, but Samsung’s report notes that the Korean tech giant was “made aware of an exploit in the wild.” Thus, while any individual WhatsApp user was unlikely to be targeted, the tools to do so existed. 

WhatsApp has over three billion users worldwide, so such an exploit could have done some damage, especially if it were made to target multiple users at once. As PCMag notes, Samsung didn’t mention any other third-party messaging services in its report, so it's unclear if only WhatsApp was affected or if other services could’ve been exploited with the vulnerability. 

Apple was first to the punch to fix the exploit, which it did back in late August. It wasn’t the exact same issue as Samsung was facing, but it had a similar end effect in that it could cause phones to be hijacked. 

Samsung’s update comes approximately two weeks after Google released a duo of similar security flaws that also had exploits observed in the wild as part of Android’s monthly security update for September 2025. 

Save $200: As of Sept. 15, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $999 at Amazon. Typically $1,199, this deal saves you 17%.

15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $999 at Best Buy
$1,199 Save $200 Get Deal

One of the best tech decisions I've ever made was finally upgrading to a 15-inch MacBook.

I made that decision a couple of years ago, so I use the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air as my personal laptop, but if it broke down tomorrow, I would almost certainly pick up an M4 Air. For anyone who is currently in the market for a new laptop, the reason to get one sooner rather than later can be found in this deal at Amazon, which brings the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air down to $999 from its full price of $1,199, saving you $200.

In my own experience, I've found a larger display to make my typical multi-tab workflow feel much more manageable. I also occasionally work on podcasts do some audio editing, and switching from a 13-inch to 15-inch display felt like an absolute game changer, without much of a sacrifice to portability.

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks for 2025: Air or Pro?

But you don't just have to take my word for it. When Mashable's Stan Schroeder reviewed the M4 Air, he compared it to his 16-inch MacBook Pro, writing, "the 15-inch MacBook Air is reasonably light and thin, making it a lot more portable than my 16-inch Pro." With the M4 chipset, you still get plenty of processing power. In his testing, Schroeder found that the housed in the Air, this chip was "considerably faster than any earlier Mac when it comes to single-core operation, and roughly on par with an M2 Max when it comes to multi-core operation."

Despite its power, its passive cooling keeps things quiet (though it can get somewhat hot after intensive tasks). It also comes with 10 hours of battery life, three Thunderbolt ports, the option to connect up to two external displays, and a 12MP camera. It'd be great if Apple finally bumped the 60Hz refresh rate up to 120Hz, but for now, the Air is a great all-around machine, our favorite MacBook for most people, and the perfect for option for anyone who doesn't need the heft of the Pro.

Google Search has many hidden settings and search parameters that customize results pages. Unfortunately, one of them is no longer working reliably, and might be removed entirely in the future: the “num” option.

SAVE $100: The Apple iPad mini (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale at Amazon for $399, down from the standard price of $499. That's a 20% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (WiFi, 128GB) $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100 Get Deal

Great things can come in small packages, and that's especially true when it comes to the best gadgets. A compact tablet can be the perfect device for reading, streaming your favorite shows in bed, taking to campus, or packing along on your next trip. If you're in the market for a small but mighty tablet, listen up to this Amazon deal.

As of Sept. 15, the Apple iPad mini (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $399 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $499. That's a savings of $100 thanks to the 20% discount.

When it comes to the best iPad, Mashable feels the iPad mini is great for reading, mostly thanks to its small size that measures 8.3 inches. "Tablets are an incredibly versatile device, but we all have our go-to use," wrote Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino. "If you, like me, use your iPad to read, you gotta go for the iPad Mini. The other models like the iPad Air start at around 11 inches, which is a lot of screen when you just want to flip through your book."

Of course, since the iPad mini is a fully-fledged tablet, it's also capable of much more than just reading. You'll be able to stream your favorite shows, reply to e-mails, video chat with friends, and plenty more. Those aren't functions a Kindle can brag about.

SEE ALSO: Why wait for the Apple Watch SE 3? The Apple Watch SE 2 is $70 off right now at Amazon.

Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder explained the iPad mini uses the A17 Pro chip, which is the same as the chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro. Overall, Schroeder wrote, "If you're new to the iPad, and you want the most compact one around (or any compact tablet), the new iPad mini 7 is the best choice."

Apple mentions the iPad mini gets "all-day battery life," which translates to about 10 hours of web surfing or streaming video before it'll need to recharge.

While it's on sale for $399 in all colorways at Amazon, snag the iPad mini and upgrade your reading and streaming experience. Its compact size and weight will also be great for upcoming holiday travel.

A lot of pastimes now involve staring at a screen, and while I'm the last person to comment on what "too much" screen time is, I've found myself not wanting to look at a screen more often these days. Which, considering what a geek I am, doesn't mean I want to take up hiking or meditation.

SAVE 17%: As of Sept. 15, the Apple 2024 Mac mini with M4 chip is on sale for $499 at Amazon, down from its list price of $599. That's a 17% discount and $100 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2024 Mac mini with M4 chip $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100 Get Deal

Since Prime Day, Amazon’s been randomly gifting us with some pretty good deals on Apple products. The 2024 Mac mini, for example, was just redesigned (announced Oct. 2024) from the ground up around the powerful new M4 chip, and it's already discounted by $100.

SEE ALSO: M4 Mac mini: Why you should get it over the M4 MacBook Pro

As of Sept. 15, you can get the Apple 2024 Mac mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale for $499 at Amazon. That's a $100 discount off its $599 list price.

The most noticeable change is the new design. Apple shrunk the computer down to a "five by five inch" square, which it claims has a footprint less than half the size of the previous design. They also added convenient front-facing ports, including two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, so you don't have to fumble around the back to plug things in.

As far as power goes, the M4 chip delivers a huge performance boost. It's also specifically built to handle Apple Intelligence, the new AI system integrated into macOS. For under $500, you're getting a powerful, future-proof machine that's perfect for a clean and minimalist desk setup.

TL;DR: Upgrade your older PC without buying new hardware — This bundle includes Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro for $54.97 (reg. $418.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97
$418.99 Save $364.02 Get Deal

If your computer feels sluggish, you don’t necessarily need to buy a replacement. Updating the operating system and office suite can make everyday tasks smoother and extend your PC’s usefulness. With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025, upgrading to Windows 11 Pro is a practical move, especially when you can get the Office suite at the same time with this $54.97 Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro Bundle.

• Windows 11 Pro brings a modern interface, improved security, and productivity features for today’s workflows.

• Microsoft Office Professional 2021 includes eight essential apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Publisher, and Access.

• Ribbon-based interface offers quick access to tools and customizations for efficient document creation.

• Enhanced Windows security features, including built-in antivirus and regularly updated protections, help safeguard your PC.

Rather than spending hundreds on a new machine, installing Windows 11 Pro alongside Microsoft Office Professional 2021 can breathe new life into older hardware. With Windows 10 support ending soon, grabbing this bundle is a straightforward way to keep your PC secure and up to date without a big investment.

Get the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro Bundle for $54.97 (reg. $418.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Montessori-inspired Pok Pok Lifetime Subscription is $49.99 (reg. $250) with code TAKE10 through Oct. 5.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$250 Save $200.01 Get Deal

Screens happen. And that’s okay. The key is making screen time something you feel good about — and where Pok Pok delivers.

Pok Pok is a Montessori-inspired app designed for kids ages 2–8. Instead of loud noises and endless ads, it’s a digital toybox filled with calming, hand-drawn games that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and exploration. Think STEM skills, cause and effect, numbers, and language — all woven into play that actually grows with your child.

SEE ALSO: Meet Microsoft Visio Pro, the tool that can turn your spreadsheet slog to visual ‘wow’

And right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription for just $49.99 (reg. $250) with code TAKE10 at checkout — but through Oct. 5.

Why Parents Love Pok Pok

• Guilt-free screen time: Montessori-inspired, low-stimulation design that keeps kids calm, not wired.

• No ads, no tricks: 100 percent COPPA- and GDPR-compliant. No in-app purchases, no junk.

• Educational fun: Sparks creativity, problem-solving, STEM, and language development.

• Grows with your child: Open-ended play works for toddlers and grade-schoolers alike.

• Peaceful and calming: Gentle sounds and visuals make it a stress-free experience for everyone.

• Ideal for travel: Works offline.

• Regular updates: Fresh content keeps kids discovering new things.

Created by parents and childhood experts, Pok Pok is built with the kind of care you’d want for your own kids. It’s intuitive enough for a two-year-old to use independently, yet engaging enough to keep an eight-year-old curious.

Get a lifetime of Pok Pok for a one-time payment of $49.99 (reg. $250) through Oct. 5 with code TAKE10.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Remember the TikTok ban? The popular short-form video platform went down in the U.S. earlier this year due to a U.S. law that sought to break TikTok away from its China-based owners.

However, during President Donald Trump's Inauguration weekend, TikTok went back online for U.S. users after Trump agreed to give TikTok and its parent company Bytedance more time to work out a deal to sell the company.

TikTok wasn't in the clear, however, and the app still faced a potential ban in the U.S.

On Monday, however, it appears the U.S. and China have finally come to a tentative agreement on how to deal with TikTok. President Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that a "framework" for a TikTok deal was agreed to by both the U.S. and China during broader trade talks in Spain. The Associated Press reports that Bessent shared the news during a press conference in Madrid.

Details of this framework deal are still unclear. However, China's representatives also confirmed that the two countries agreed on a “basic framework consensus” on TikTok-related issues, according to the Associated Press.

Before Bessent shared the news, Trump hinted at the TikTok deal in a post on his social media platform TruthSocial.

"The big Trade Meeting in Europe between The United States of America, and China,  has gone VERY WELL!" Trump posted. "A deal was also reached on a 'certain' company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save. They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!!"

The law to ban TikTok due to national security concerns was originally conceived during Trump's first administration, and the effort to ban the app continued under the Biden administration. Trump has previously stated that his campaign's use of TikTok helped him win a second term, according to USA Today.

However, just this past July, Trump administration officials shifted towards a harsher tone in discussions surrounding a TikTok deal. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated over the summer that the U.S. had to have control of the platform and its algorithm, or TikTok would go dark in the U.S, per CNBC.

A looming TikTok ban has been a major concern for creators who have built a following on the app and depend on it for revenue.

As someone who writes for a living—between 5,000 and 10,000 words every day—I'm always looking for ways to become more productive and efficient. Which is why I ran across a class of device I never thought I'd see—smart typewriters.

When shopping for holiday gifts this season, look no further than the hive mind of all things cool and relevant: TikTok. This list of TikTok gifts combines all the biggest and best things we've come across while scrolling, from the viral products everyone needs to the items that have you immediately adding to your basket. Beloved by influencers and gift guide editors alike, these are the best TikTok gifts for 2025.

Thanks to the total trash-fire that is modern audio mixing, it's become almost impossible to understand what anyone is saying in movies and TV shows. Which is why so many people who are not deaf or hard of hearing have started turning on the subtitles so they don't miss important plot points.

Qualcomm doesn't seem to have quite figured out the naming scheme for its last few Snapdragon chips. Now, after the release of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, next year's chip will most certainly be a mouthful, as things are all up in the air now.

Microsoft has rolled out Copilot Chat and its suite of AI agents to a wider audience, bringing the unified AI chat directly into Microsoft 365 apps. This is a big deal because the full-featured Copilot chat panel was only for those with a paid plan.

The Power Supply Unit (PSU) in your desktop computer is the beating heart of the system.Without power your computer is a paperweight, but just like a sudden heart attack can ruin your day, a worn-out or faulty PSU can scrap your whole computer permanently.

Last week, The Atlantic published a story with a very frank headline: "The Job Market Is Hell." The piece describes a frustrating situation for job seekers and hiring managers alike: "Young people are using ChatGPT to write their applications; HR is using AI to read them; no one is getting hired." Surveys also show growing anxiety about generative AI and its effect on jobs. A recent Reuters Ipsos poll found that 71 percent of respondents said "they were concerned that AI will be 'putting too many people out of work permanently.'"

Perception doesn't always match reality, but in this case, the job market really is facing headwinds. The Washington Post reported today that long-term unemployment is at a post-pandemic high; in a report on the weak labor market, NBC News cited Citi analysts who reported "near-zero job growth" in recent months; and a study by three Stanford economists recently found that AI is already decreasing job openings for software developers.

Reports like these paint a bleak picture for job applicants. But this month, OpenAI announced that it wants to help job seekers and employers by launching an AI-powered hiring platform. According to TechCrunch, the job platform would compete with LinkedIn and is set to launch in 2026.

The new product, which OpenAI outlines in a blog post, would work similarly to other AI-powered job platforms. 

In short, the OpenAI Jobs Platform would help employers find AI-savvy employees to hire for whatever needs the company has. OpenAI says it's been working with tons of businesses like Walmart, various consulting firms, and even state government agencies to find out what modern businesses are looking for in terms of AI. 

On its face, the concept sounds like an AI-focused version of LinkedIn, where people would create resumes on the platform and be matched up with jobs that fit that description using, of course, AI. In addition to LinkedIn, hiring platforms like Hiring.cafe and Sonara are already trying to fill this niche in the job market

OpenAI also announced that it will start its own AI certification program. This actually started earlier this year with the launch of OpenAI Academy, an online class program to instruct people on how to use AI better at work. The OpenAI academy will start issuing certifications to people who complete the courses, and those certifications will be shown to potential employers. (LinkedIn has its own certificate program.)

As generative AI causes new challenges and anxieties for job seekers, OpenAI clearly believes it can also solve some of these problems. In a blog post about the OpenAI Jobs Platform, Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s new CEO of Applications, wrote that she believes “AI will unlock more opportunities for more people than any technology in history.”

For job seekers, it may be hard to square this utopian vision with recent comments from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who famously predicted that AI could destroy half of all entry-level white-collar jobs by 2030. In addition, LinkedIn already offers many of the tools OpenAI hopes to deliver with its own job platform, and in a tough job market, LinkedIn has hardly been a silver bullet.

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.

iOS 26 is here, and with it comes a new Liquid Glass design, interface overhauls for apps like Safari and Music, and support for the new iPhone 17 family of devices.

Common wisdom says that you should never write down your passwords, and for the most part I agree. Especially if you write it down on a sticky note attached to your screen bezel.

The iPhone 17 lineup offers a huge range of updates and improvements, plus it heralds the introduction of an all-new iPhone line, the iPhone Air. The new 17 series brings better cameras, a new design, and better processing, but not everyone is sold on the 2025 iPhone lineup. What’s next? The iPhone 18 series, of course.

There are already tons of rumors around the 2026 iPhones, likely to be headlined by the iPhone 18 series. Some of these rumors are years in the making, while others are relatively new. They all, however, point to a pretty huge year for the iPhone.

So, should you wait for the iPhone 18 series instead of buying an iPhone 17 or iPhone Air? Here’s what we know about the iPhone 18 so far.

Even more new iPhone models are coming soon

The biggest change for the iPhone 17 lineup comes in the form of a new device that doesn’t have the 17 branding at all. The iPhone Air is a totally new model in the lineup, built for those who prefer something as thin as possible to something with a long battery life and multiple cameras. That’s alongside Apple doing away with the “Plus” model.

But rumors indicate Apple could make even bigger changes in 2026. Not only is the company likely to release an updated version of the iPhone Air — potentially called the iPhone Air 2 — but it’s also reportedly set to finally debut its first foldable iPhone. That means that the 2026 iPhone lineup could look something like this:

• iPhone 18

• iPhone 18 Pro

• iPhone 18 Pro Max

• iPhone Air 2

• iPhone Fold / iPhone 18 Fold

This is what a foldable iPHonen Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable Composite; Apple

The foldable iPhone will reportedly be very thin, with early rumors pointing to 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded. Reports suggest it will have a 5.5-inch display on the front and a 7-inch display on the inside. It will also come at a high price. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that the device will cost over $2,000, making it even more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

It’s worth noting that it’s entirely possible that not all of these devices will launch at the same time. It wouldn’t be unheard of for Apple to announce the iPhone Fold in September and release it to the public later in October. Not only that, but some recent reports indicate that Apple might end up delaying the base iPhone 18, releasing it in 2027 instead of alongside the other models in 2026. I would be very surprised to see this happen, however.

Under-display Face ID

Apple may finally do away with the Dynamic Island entirely, or at least make it a whole lot smaller, with new Face ID tech. Reports from The Information suggest that Apple is working on under-display Face ID tech that works more or less the same as Face ID does today, but can work under the screen instead of requiring a cutout. 

It’s unclear if Apple will put the entire Dynamic Island under the screen (including the camera), or just the sensors required for Face ID, keeping a small circular cutout for the front-facing camera. Under-display cameras have notoriously made for low-quality photos, but it makes sense that companies like Apple would be working on improving the tech. 

The Apple A20 chip

As usual, Apple will almost certainly release a new series of chips for its latest iPhone models. The A20 series will follow on from the A19, and will likely be made up of a base A20 chip and an A20 Pro chip.

Reports from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicate that the new chips will be built on the same TSMC 3nm process that the A19 chips are built on, and while the performance improvements might be relatively minor, rumors suggest that the chip will offer a Chip on Wafer on Substrate (CoWoS) packaging, which makes for better integration with memory, the neural engine, and other platform components. This will likely be part of a push for better on-device AI performance. 

Better cameras

Cameras are always a focus (ha) of new iPhone releases, and while sometimes the improvements are a little minor, the iPhone 18 series may end up getting more impressive camera improvements. According to a leak from Apple leaker @Jukanlosreve on Twitter, the iPhone 18 series will get a new three-layer camera sensor from Samsung, which should make the camera more responsive, while at the same time improving dynamic range and reducing noise. 

This would actually be a pretty big change for Apple, considering the fact that Sony has long supplied all of the camera sensors in the iPhone series. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new sensor will be used for the 2026 iPhone’s ultrawide camera.

To update, or not to update?

Obviously, the iPhone 18 series should be better than the iPhone 17 series — phone models improve every single year. But the question remains: should you upgrade now, or wait for next year?

It’s complicated. Basically, if you need a new phone, then upgrade now. If you're happy with your iPhone 15 or 16 Pro or Pro Max, wait a year and see what happens. What you probably shouldn’t do is assume that rumors are fact. Yes, a foldable iPhone has been rumored for a long time, but it’s entirely possible that Apple ends up delaying the release of it for 2027 or beyond.

If you’re on the fence but need a new phone now, you could always upgrade now and sell or trade-in your new device next year once the iPhone 18 series is finally revealed. Year-old iPhones usually retain their value decently well, and you may only be out a few hundred dollars if you keep your device in good condition.