IT General

How to watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings online for free

Mashable - Thu, 09/12/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The WNBA season continues and next up it's the New York Liberty taking on the Dallas Wings. The New York Liberty have already claimed their postseason spot, but sadly it's all over for the Dallas Wings who have been eliminated from playoff contention.

If you want to watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out how.

When is New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings?

New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 12. This fixture takes place at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

How to watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings

New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings is free to watch on Prime Video in the U.S. If you're not subscribed to this platform, don't worry, you can still watch this latest fixture for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video in the U.S.

For fans not in the U.S., don't worry — to watch the WNBA, just use a VPN to stream for free on Prime Video. The process couldn't be easier, just follow the below steps:

  1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

  2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  5. Watch New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the WNBA on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select WNBA games before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream New York Liberty vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bluesky adds videos to the platform to take on Elon Musk's X

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 21:34

Bluesky has launched the one major feature that was missing from the platform, keeping it from being a total replacement for Elon Musk's X for social media users.

On Wednesday, Bluesky announced that it has finally added native video to the site. Bluesky users can now upload videos directly to the platform to embed in their posts.

"Bluesky now has video!" the platform's official account posted. "Update your app to version 1.91 or refresh on desktop! We’ve begun gradually rolling out the ability to post video. Thanks for your patience!"

Bluesky now has video! Update your app to version 1.91 or refresh on desktop! We’ve begun gradually rolling out the ability to post video. Thanks for your patience! Estamos gradualmente implementando a capacidade de postar vídeos. Obrigado pela sua paciência!

[image or embed]

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) September 11, 2024 at 1:11 PM

Bluesky had promised that the long-requested feature was on the way in an update last month. On Tuesday, the official Bluesky account warned users that they might see video posts show up on their feed as they tested native video and put the "final touches" on the feature.

Just one day later, Bluesky's video feature is now live across the platform for all users.

Bluesky's video feature details

As a brand new feature, there are some limitations to video uploads on Bluesky as further detailed in a post by the company. 

According to Bluesky, each video can be up to 60 seconds long, and posts can only contain one video. Users can currently upload 25 videos or 10GB of video per day. Bluesky says it may tweak those limits in the future. Video uploads support .mp4, .mpeg, .webm, and .mov file types. 

Bluesky says users can add subtitles to their videos as well as labels, such as ones that denote adult content. Videos will also auto-play by default, although Bluesky says auto-play can be turned off in Settings.

Users will be required to verify their email address before uploading videos if they haven't already. The platform also shared content moderation details and noted that each video will be scanned for content that requires a warning, or illegal content that needs to be removed completely, such as child sex abuse material.

Bluesky takes on Elon Musk's X

Since acquiring X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk has pushed hard for a pivot to video on the platform.

Some users looking for an X replacement due to Musk's leadership found a new home in Bluesky. However, the lack of native video on the platform was a common frustration among new Bluesky users.

By launching video features, Bluesky has solved this problem. And it couldn't have come at a better time. Last week, Bluesky shared that it had gained 3 million new users in just one week as a result of Musk's feud with Brazil's Supreme Court and X's subsequent ban in the country.

Categories: IT General, Technology

French startup Mistral unveils Pixtral 12B, its first multimodal AI model

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 19:02

French AI startup Mistral has dropped its first multimodal model, Pixtral 12B, capable of processing both images and text.

The 12-billion-parameter model, built on Mistral’s existing text-based model Nemo 12B, is designed for tasks like captioning images, identifying objects, and answering image-related queries.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI Strawberry might release sooner than expected. Everything we know so far.

Weighing in at 24GB, the model is available for free under the Apache 2.0 license, meaning anyone can use, modify, or commercialize it without restrictions. Developers can download it from GitHub and Hugging Face, but functional web demos aren’t live yet.

According to Mistral's head of developer relations, Pixtral 12B will soon be integrated into the company’s chatbot, Le Chat, and API platform, La Platforme.

Tweet may have been deleted

Multimodal models like Pixtral 12B could be the next frontier for generative AI, following in the footsteps of tools like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Anthropic’s Claude. However, questions loom over the data sources used to train these models. As noted by Tech Crunch, Mistral, like many AI firms, likely trained Pixtral 12B using vast quantities of publicly available web data — a practice that’s sparked lawsuits from copyright holders challenging the "fair use" argument often made by tech companies.

The release follows Mistral raising $645 million in funding, pushing its valuation to $6 billion. With Microsoft among its backers, Mistral is positioning itself as Europe’s response to OpenAI.

Categories: IT General, Technology

iPhone 17: Everything we know so far

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 18:10

Apple's "Glowtime" event on Sept. 9 came and went, and now we know everything we need to know about the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. But what about next year?

If the iPhone 16 announcement didn't do much for you, or you don't need to upgrade for another year, there's always the iPhone 17 to look forward to. Of course, Apple hasn't officially said anything about the iPhone 17 yet. All we have to go on are rumors, leaks, and news reports.

Thankfully, a handful of those are already out there regarding the next iPhone. Let's dig in. Here's what we know so far about iPhone 17.

SEE ALSO: Apple 'Glowtime' event 2024: iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and everything else announced A new model?

Easily the biggest potential iPhone 17 development that we've heard about so far involves a new addition to the iPhone family. According to multiple sources, including analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information, Apple plans to get rid of the Plus model and put a new, thinner iPhone in its place. Folks have called it "iPhone 17 Slim" or "iPhone 17 Air," though we don't know what its official name will be just yet.

This new slim iPhone would reportedly be much thinner than existing iPhones and feature a display somewhere in the neighborhood of 6.5 or 6.6-inches in size. There's not much else to say about it yet, however, as different sources disagree on what this phone actually is. The Information says it will be the most expensive and high-end phone in the new lineup, while Kuo says that won't be the case.

SEE ALSO: 'Should I upgrade to iPhone 16?’ Only do it if you fall into these 5 categories

We'll have to wait for a while to find out more.

ProMotion for all

One thing Apple typically does when there's a new generation of iPhones is add features that used to be exclusive to the Pro models to the new base models. It seems that ProMotion is next.

According to MacRumors, all four iPhone 17 models will feature 120Hz refresh rates thanks to ProMotion display technology. This is a godsend that is not quite on the same level as Apple finally adding USB-C ports to iPhones, but it's not far off, either. Apple's base-level iPhones have been stuck on 60Hz displays for years, while competitors like Google have bumped even their budget handsets up past 90hz or more.

It's one of the main ways in which base model iPhones have felt outdated for a while, so ideally, Apple will fix this soon.

A19 chips

There isn't much info about this yet, but Apple always includes newer and faster chips in at least its Pro iPhone models every year. The iPhone 16 Pro models feature an A18 Pro chip, for example, which is new for this year.

As such, we can reasonably expect to see some kind of A19 chip in the new iPhones. If precedent matters at all, it might only be in the iPhone 17 Pro models, while the regular iPhone 17 gets a slightly older chip. However, Apple does weird things all the time, so who knows what will happen when it comes to chips next year.

A better selfie camera

While selfies taken on iPhones never look bad, necessarily, they could always be better. Rumors indicate the iPhone 17 will help out with that.

According to Apple analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors), all four new iPhone 17s will have a 24MP front-facing camera, up from 12MP on the iPhone 16 models. Who knows yet how much this will actually improve things, but that's a hefty increase.

Other camera upgrades

In another report by Kuo, the prominent Apple prognosticator said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max (at least) will have a trio of 48MP camera lenses on the rear for the first time. The wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses will all be 48MP next year, in comparison to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, both of which only have 12MP telephoto lenses.

Hopefully, that means even deeper levels of zoom, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Facebook flagged and removed emergency wildfire information as 'spam'

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 18:05

Facebook is reportedly taking down important safety information as wildfire season spreads across the western part of the country.

An investigation by The Washington Post found dozens of instances of the tech giant flagging and removing posts since June, in areas that saw a total of 20 active fires. Posts often contained links or screenshots from the fire safety app Watch Duty, for example, a nonprofit resource that provides live alerts of wildfire movements. Daily posts from federal and state agencies, such as Cal Fire, warning residents in fire-prone California towns were also removed — including those made on dedicated fire update pages.

Many of these takedowns affect small town community pages, vital resources for live updates and information sharing. According to the publication, volunteer responders, fire and sheriff departments, news stations, and disaster nonprofit workers have also been targeted with takedowns across multiple states.

SEE ALSO: 5 details Apple didn't tell you at iPhone 16 launch event

Facebook's automatic explanation for the removals implies the posts have been taken down not for spreading misinformation, but for violating community spam guidelines: "It looks like you tried to get likes, follows, shares or video views in a misleading way," the reports told users. The Post found that most of the targeted takedown involved external links, even those to official, government sources. Another problem: None of the users were notified that their posts were removed.

Facebook has long been faced blowback for its role in spreading deceptive information and posts, and now works with third-party experts to combat political and public health misinformation, including spotlighting reputable sources. As the platform's misinformation policy reads: "We remove misinformation where it is likely to directly contribute to the risk of imminent physical harm...We focus on slowing the spread of hoaxes and viral misinformation, and directing users to authoritative information." But its Community Guidelines, under which these posts are removed, are more broad. "We seek to prevent abusive tactics, such as spreading deceptive links to draw unsuspecting users in through misleading functionality or code, or impersonating a trusted domain," the platform writes. "Online spam is a lucrative industry."

Across the site, posts frequently slip through the platform's moderation gates, or are unfairly taken down and then reinstated, but emergency and fire workers told the Post that the problem has escalated in recent months — and in this case it could threaten lives. Facebook spokesperson Erin McPike told the publication that the company is "investigating this issue and working quickly to address it.”

Categories: IT General, Technology

One of Samsung's biggest and best sales of the year is live through Sept. 15

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 17:52

UPDATE: Sep. 11, 2024, 12:45 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with current pricing and availability, plus additional deals on laptops and smartwatches from the Discover Samsung Fall Sale. The event continues through Sept. 15 with savings of up to 35% across all of Samsung's major product categories.

A quick look at the best deals during the Discover Samsung Sale: Best TV deal Samsung 75-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV $2,499.99 at Samsung (save $500) Get Deal Best tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (12GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $769.99 at Samsung (save $150) Get Deal Best laptop deal Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, 14-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB eUFS) $899.99 at Samsung (save $450) Get Deal Best monitor deal Samsung 43-inch M70D Smart Monitor $349.99 at Samsung (save $150) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum with All-in-One Clean Station $499.99 at Samsung (save $200) Get Deal Best smartphone deal Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (256GB) $1,499.99 at Samsung (save $400) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (40mm, Bluetooth) $279.99 at Samsung (save $20) Get Deal

Apple doesn't get to hog the entire spotlight this week. The Discover Samsung Fall Sale kicked off on Monday, Sept. 9 and runs through Friday, Sept. 15, and Samsung itself assures shoppers that this is one of the smartest times of year to find deals on its most sought-after products — including some newer releases.

SEE ALSO: All of the best football streaming deals for the 2024–2025 NFL season

You can save up to 35% across categories like TVs, phones, tablets, monitors, laptops, smartwatches, and large appliances, with some discounts getting even juicier if they're featured as a fleeting Deal of the Day. If there's a device you were planning on grabbing during Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon's Prime-exclusive savings event in October, this could be your chance to snag it on sale and enjoy it for an extra month.

We'll be tracking the best deals in top categories as the week goes on, so be sure to check back if you don't feel like perusing the sale yourself.

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung 75-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV $2,499.99 at Samsung
$2,999.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Football season's not a bad time to finally make that TV upgrade you've been fantasizing about, and The Frame is a worthy splurge. Samsung's viral "art when it's off" QLED TV has a matte display that diminishes distracting glares and dual LED backlighting, which offers more balanced color and brightness across the entire screen than traditional edge lighting. All sizes are on sale, but the 75-inch model has the highest discount (at $500 off). If you have an old TV to get rid of, you can save another $50 by letting Samsung pick it up and recycle it for you.

More TVs on saleBest tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (12GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $769.99 at Samsung
$919.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The super solid Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 was already an easy choice if you're simply in the market for an entry-level Android tablet. That choice is even easier when the version with beefier memory and storage is on sale for less than $800. The model featured here has 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage (versus the $649.99 version with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage) and is WiFi only.

"Entry level" doesn't feel so "entry level" when any content you stream or graphic designs you whip up are displayed so vividly on Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens. The "2X" refers to the screen's ability to jump from 60Hz to 120Hz during gaming — a nearly lag-less experience not often had on tablets in this price range. This Galaxy Tab S9 comes the S Pen stylus, Transcript Assist using Galaxy AI, as well as two free months of Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Express (both a $19.98 value each).

More tablets on saleBest laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, 14-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB eUFS) $899.99 at Samsung
$1,349.99 Save $450.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The 14-inch base configuration of Samsung's first-ever Copilot+ PC comes with a snappy Snapdragon X Elite CPU, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of embedded Universal Flash Storage. With an 18-hour battery life and a sleek 2.62-pound frame, it's doing a decent MacBook impression — though you won't find a bright 120Hz AMOLED touchscreen on an Apple laptop. Its $400 Discover Samsung discount just so happens to coincide with the release of the Galaxy Book5 360, Samsung's first-ever Lunar Lake laptop (which is currently up for preorder). Best Buy was matching that offer at the time of writing.

More laptops on saleBest monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung 43-inch M70D Smart Monitor $349.99 at Samsung
$499.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If your space doesn't have room for both a TV and a nice desktop setup, opting for a smart streaming monitor from Samsung means you don't have to choose between them. The 43-inch M7 can be operated via mouse and keyboard or remote, eliminating the need for strategically wrangling adapters and dongles. Samsung's smart TV platform and Gaming Hub are built right in, too, so the switchover from work to entertainment is as quick as switching apps.

More monitors on saleBest vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum with All-in-One Clean Station $499.99 at Samsung
$699.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung's chic cordless stick vacuum comes with a cleaning station that doubles as a charging dock and a place to dump its dustbin with the press of a button. (There aren't any Dyson stick vacuums that come with this kind of accessory, and if there were, they'd definitely cost more than $500.) It can run for up to 60 minutes at a time, and its Jet Dual Brush works on both carpets and hard surfaces — no need to swap accessories mid-clean. You can get it in a misty white or midnight blue finish.

More vacuums on saleBest smartphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (256GB) $1,499.99 at Samsung
$1,899.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 was one of the many devices unveiled at Samsung Unpacked in July. While it didn't receive the snazzy hardware upgrades that the S24 line did, it's already inherently one of the most fun phones on the market — you know, the whole "unfolds into a tablet" thing. However, the Z Fold6 does do a ton of new stuff, and that's all thanks to Galaxy AI integration. New features include Note Assist, Live Translate, Sketch to Image, and Circle to Search.

More smartphones on saleBest smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (40mm, Bluetooth) $279.99 at Samsung
$299.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This isn't a huge discount on Samsung's current flagship smartwatch, but it's also noteworthy because it just launched in July; this appears to be its first discount to date. Users who prioritize health features may want to consider it over an Apple Watch: It has a sleep apnea sensor just like the all-new Apple Watch Series 10, but it tacks on an additional blood pressure monitor and an upgraded BioActive Sensor that can measure blood oxygen levels (among other metrics). Choose between two Watch face hues and three different band styles: fabric, sport, or athleisure.

More smartwatches on sale
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Kim Kardashian x Beats Studio Pro headphones are now 28% off at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 17:46

SAVE $108.96: The Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones with two years of AppleCare+ are on sale for $269.99, down from the list price of $378.95. That's a 28% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones $269.99 at Amazon
$378.95 Save $108.96 with two years of AppleCare+ Get Deal

If you're an avid music fan, or you're always listening to a podcast, you might spend a decent amount of the day wearing headphones. Instead of opting for a ho-hum pair, you want headphones that are comfortable to wear, offer great sound quality, and come in a range of colors to suit your preferences. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, a pair that matches all those criteria are over $100 off.

As of Sept. 11, the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones with two years of AppleCare+ are on sale for $269.99, marked down from the usual price of $378.95 which makes for a savings of $108.96. This sale price is also a better deal than the one we spotted last month that offered the bundle for $299.95.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best noise-cancelling headphones for flying in 2024

This collaboration brings special Kim K. colors to the Beats Studio Pro headphones — Moon, Dune, and Earth, which take on the celebrity's favorite neutral tones. But the Beats Studio Pros are more than just looks. With custom 40mm drivers, the headphones are designed for great sound clarity.

Depending on what you're up to, you can either activate noise cancellation or shift into transparency mode, which'll allow you to hear the sounds around you. Plus, the Beats Studio Pros can get up to 40 hours of listening time before they need to recharge. If you're short on time, a 10-minute charge will give you four hours of listening power.

This deal also includes two years of AppleCare+ support, which offers you both protection and service directly from Apple. It covers unlimited repairs for accidental damage, and you'll have access to help 24/7.

In the box, you'll get the Beats Studio Pro headphones, a carrying case, and a charging cable.

With a range of neutral shades, the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones could be your next favorite pair. Thanks to Amazon's sale price, the headphones with accident protection are currently an impressive 28% off, which means this is a great time to grab this collab.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get $50 off the Echo Hub, plus other smart home deals

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 17:37

Save on this week's best smart home deals, including $50 off the Echo Hub with the code HUB50 at checkout.

Our top picks: Best smart home deal overall Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon (save $50 ) Get Deal Best smart plug deal Kasa Smart Plugs (4-pack) $33.99 at Amazon (save $16) Get Deal Best smart light bulb deal Kasa Smart Bulbs (4-pack) $24.99 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal

If you’re looking for new ways to make your smart home even smarter, or you’ve decided to take the leap and trust Alexa to help manage your daily routine, there are tons of deals on smart home devices at Amazon right now.

SEE ALSO: Here's why a smart lock should be the first smart home device you own

Here are the best smart home deals we've spotted, from the Echo Hub to gadgets like smart plugs, lightbulbs, and more.

Best smart home deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50.00 $50 off with code HUB50 Get Deal Why we like it

The all-new Echo Hub is exactly what it sounds like: a smart home control panel where you can manage all your connected devices, from lights and plugs to cameras and sensors. It’s for pro-smart-home-owners who want to make their days a little easier.

This eight-inch display panel works with thousands of Alexa-compatible devices, and it’s on sale for $50 off with the code HUB50. You can mount it wherever there’s an outlet or plop it on a shelf (stand sold separately). It also doubles as a home speaker system; connect it to any smart speaker for music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.

Best smart plug deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Our pick: Kasa Smart Plugs (4-pack) $33.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Smart plugs are one of the easiest, most affordable ways to make your home smarter. I love that my nightstand is connected — all I have to do is ask Alexa to turn the nightlight on, or I can set a schedule for it to turn on and off automatically. These little devices are also ideal for the holidays, so you can turn your Christmas lights on and off at set times.

You can get a four-pack of Kasa Smart Plugs for just $33.99, marked down from $49.99. Setup is easy, and they're compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and more.

Best smart light deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Our pick: Kasa Smart Light Bulbs (800 lumens) $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Smart lights are another quick and easy way to start automating your home. You can control the brightness, color, and schedules with voice commands or with an app. We like this four-pack of Kasa Smart Light Bulbs (800 lumens) because they’re easy to set up and don’t need a smart hub to use them.

The Kasa light bulbs are on sale for $24.99, down from $39.99.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bumble AI photo picker tool in the works

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 17:13

During a moment where singles are increasingly sick of dating apps and turning to IRL events, the apps themselves are leaning harder into technology to find love, particularly artificial intelligence.

The latest announcement comes from Bumble, the dating app known for "women making the first move." The app plans on expanding its AI features in the coming months, TechCrunch reported. During Goldman Sachs' Communacopia + Technology Conference this week, Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones said that the app is planning to add an "AI photo picker" to help create one's profile, as that's something users have anxiety doing.

SEE ALSO: People are using AI to date you

This comes months after Tinder announced its own AI photo picker tool, Photo Selector. Tinder users provide a selfie for facial recognition, allow Tinder access to their photos, and Photo Selector curates the photos for one's profile. (Mashable found that this photo tool is relatively safe from a privacy perspective, but users should always stay cautious when sharing sensitive data like this.)

During a time where major dating apps are competing against each other — and growing dating app fatigue — these apps have started introducing very similar features and blurring the distinctions between them.

Additionally, Jones said over the fall and winter, there will be a focus on "authenticity" when it comes to product rollouts at Bumble. She mentioned Opening Moves, a prompt women can give on their Bumble profile so men can technically make the first move now. Opening Moves launched in May. Jones also mentioned additional filters, more support for engendering healthy conversations (perhaps AI-generated icebreakers that are already on Bumble for Friends), and continuing to use AI for safety purposes. Earlier this year, Bumble launched Deception Detector to weed out scam and fake profiles.

Jones emphasized that the use of AI at Bumble isn't about replacing users, but wanting users to be themselves. These announcements follow Bumble founder and former CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd describing the future of dating as using an "AI concierge" to date for you. As NBC News reported, people were not impressed. It remains to be seen how users will react to these upcoming AI features.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It's a great week to shop for a new smartwatch from Apple, Samsung, and Garmin

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 17:08

Ready to track your steps this autumn? You're in luck, because this is a great week to score a new smartwatch from top brands like Apple and Garmin. Here are some deals we're found during the week of Sept. 11:

Best smartwatch deals this week Best overall smartwatch deal Garmin Forerunner 265 $349.99 at REI (save $100.01) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch SE (2nd gen, 40mm, LTE) $189 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Best Samsung smartwatch deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, LTE) $189.99 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal

A smartwatch comes in handy for all sorts of reason. For some, it's essential to track a daily workout, while others enjoy getting texts to their wrist instead of having to check your phone. For whatever reason you fancy, a smartwatch can be a great addition to your tech lineup.

If your old smartwatch or fitness tracker isn't performing its best anymore, we're seeing some nice deals this week for those who need an upgrade. These are some of our top picks if you're looking for a deal during the week of Sept. 11:

Best smartwatch overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Our pick: Garmin Forerunner 265 $349.99 at REI
$450.00 Save $100.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Garmin is consistently a trusted leader in the fitness tracker industry, which makes this deal on the Garmin Forerunner 265 pretty great for any serious or aspiring athlete. Through Sept. 22, REI is offering the Garmin Forerunner 265 for just $349.99, down from the list price of $450, which works out to a 22% discount.

From the moment you wake up, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is ready. You'll get a morning report that includes metrics about how well you slept, your recovery trajectory, a daily training outlook, and the weather report. The Garmin calculates a "training readiness" score based on your sleep quality, recovery time, training history, and more, which is kinda like having a mini running coach on your wrist.

The Garmin also comes with impressive battery life, getting up to 13 days of life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode. Plus, the Garmin is friends with Android and Apple smartphones, so you'll be good to go regardless of which operating system you prefer.

More Garmin smartwatch dealsBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, 40 mm, GPS) $189.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE is a solid contender when it comes to smartwatches, and thanks to today's sale price, it's an even better option. As of Sept. 11, you can grab the Apple Watch SE at Amazon for just $189, down from the usual price of $249 which means you'll be getting a 24% discount.

The Apple Watch SE comes packed with features for iPhone users like fitness tracking, water resistance, and perfect synching to your other Apple devices. You also get handy features like Apple Pay and fall detection, which can be great for older folks.

Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon put the Apple Watch SE in a head-to-head test with the more expensive Apple Watch Series 9 where she found the Apple Watch SE to have very similar battery life to the Series 9.

Best Samsung smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, LTE) $189.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

While it's not the newest model of the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a great option thanks to its sale price of $189.99 at Amazon. You'll get a 24% discount off the standard price of $249.99.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 gets bragging rights as the first smartwatch to come with on-wrist body composition data. It can give you readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, and more. Thanks to the LTE connectivity, you'll still be linked to your phone's calls and texts even if your phone is nowhere near.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 also comes with wellness tracking like sleep metrics, counting steps, and tracking your workouts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon deal of the day: The basic (in a good way) Fire HD 8 tablet just hit a record-low $59.99

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 16:53
Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 10: OUR TOP PICK Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $59.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL eufy HomeVac H11 cordless handheld vacuum $35.98 at Amazon (save $44.01) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL FoodSaver PowerVac vacuum sealer $61.88 at Amazon (save $33.11) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian + 2 years of AppleCare+ $269.99 at Amazon (save $108.96) Get Deal BEST CAMERA DEAL Canon PowerShot V10 camera $349 at Amazon (save $80.99) Get Deal

Happy hump day! Celebrate being halfway to the weekend with a handful of deals from brands like Beats, Amazon, Canon, and more. We scoured the lengthy list of daily deals at Amazon and sorted through the noise to curate our own batch of the best deals worth your money.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these speak to you, be sure to take a look back at our top picks from Monday, Sept. 9 and Tuesday, Sept 10. Many of those are still live, including a record-low Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 30% off a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ (also its biggest discount to date).

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $59.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

With a 13-hour battery life (an extra hour compared to the previous version), USB-C charging support, a strengthened aluminosilicate glass display, and hexa-core processor (which is 30% faster than the previous model), the Fire HD 8 tablet is a solid tablet for basic tasks. If you're looking for something to stream shows, read, scroll socials, or consume media in any capacity, it won't let you down. As PCMag noted in its review of the tablet, "It won't wow you, but it doesn't need to." Regularly $129.99, it's on sale at Amazon for only $59.99 as of Sept. 11. That's 54% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker eufy HomeVac H11 cordless handheld vacuum $35.98 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $44.01 Get Deal

When you can't get all the crumbs in cracks and crevices, reach for this eufy HomeVac H11. A handy complement to your upright vacuum, the cordless HomeVac H11 is a lightweight handvac ideal for tight spaces. It comes with different attachments for various cleaning tasks, from keyboard crevices to seat cushions, to those sharp angles beneath the seats in your car. And although it's tiny at just 1.2 pounds, it offers 5,500 Pa of suction power. Usually $80, it's on sale for just $35.98 as of Sept. 11. That's 55% off and the lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: FoodSaver FoodSaver PowerVac vacuum sealer $61.88 at Amazon
$94.99 Save $33.11 Get Deal

With the outrageous price of groceries in 2024, we can't afford to be wasteful. Invest in the FoodSaver PowerVac vacuum sealer and keep your food fresh in the freezer up to five times longer. It's on sale for just $61.88 as of Sept. 11 — that's just $2 away from its all-time low. This particular model is slim and space efficient, making it ideal for smaller kitchens, and seals with 35 percent less bag waste than previous models. It features customized dry and moist settings for different food types and comes with one 11-inch by 8-foot roll, three quart-sized bags, and two gallon-sized bags to get you started.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian + 2 years of AppleCare+ $269.99 at Amazon
$378.95 Save $108.96 Get Deal

The Beats Studio Pro collaboration with Kim Kardashian offers three earthy neutral tones opposed to the typical boring black, white, and gray varieties. And this deal gets you a pair plus two years of AppleCare+ for only $269.99 — that's 28% in savings and the lowest price on record for this bundle. Not to mention, it's $80 cheaper than buying the headphones alone. Other than the aesthetic, the Kim K. model isn't any different than the standard Beats Studio Pro headphones. But that's not a bad thing — as Mashable's Alex Perry put it, "It's hard to find a pair of over-ear headphones with a better all-around experience than Beats Studio Pro."

Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon PowerShot V10 camera $349.00 at Amazon
$429.99 Save $80.99 Get Deal

The Canon PowerShot V10 is a pocket-sized vlogging camera you can comfortably fit in your hand to capture content from anywhere. It includes a kickstand for tabletop recordings, a fixed 19mm wide-angle lens for expansive landscapes or tight interiors, multiple image stabilization modes, and an 8-bit 4K video capture at up to 30 fps or full HD video capture at up to 60 fps. Our pals at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) appreciated its clever design and attractive 4K video, but weren't so enthusiastic about its flexibility. The battery life could also be better, but for the discounted $349 price tag (reg. $429.99), it's still a pretty sweet deal.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save with best air fryer deals this week and serve up snacks at your next tailgating party

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 16:48

We gathered the best air fryer deals as of Sept. 11:

Best Air Fryer Deals Best air fryer deal overall Ninja Air Fryer $89 at Amazon (Save $40.99) Get Deal Best medium air fryer deal Cosori 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer $89.99 at Amazon (Save $30) Get Deal Best large air fryer deal Instant Pot 7-in-1 Air Fryer $130.42 at Amazon (Save $19.57) Get Deal

Football season is here again. If you're planning on having the gang over for some brewskis while you take in the big game, there's one thing you're going to need: snacks. After all, what are sports without munchies to chow down on while you root for your team?

If you're prepping snacks, you obviously need something to cook them with. Sure, you could toss a bunch of wings into the oven and prep them for everyone, but that's going to take a while. And you could get catering, but that's expensive. What's an easy and affordable compromise? An air fryer, of course! Air fryers can help you sling out some serious (and seriously delicious) food in a small amount of time, without the mess.

It's time to bring home an air fryer to prep all the mozzarella sticks and chicken wings you can eat for your next tailgating party. You can save big right now on some of the biggest brands in the space. Below, find our picks for the best deals on air fryers this week and get ready to serve up some crowd-pleasing eats.

Best air fryer deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Ninja Air Fryer $89.00 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.99 Get Deal Why we like it

This Ninja air fryer is a great all-around pick for anyone looking for an all-in-one solution for smaller families. Its 4-quart capacity means you can whip up plenty of snacks for the crew and make a few batches of goodies to take on the go in a short amount of time. It has a simple interface and can handle a variety of cooking tasks beyond air frying as well, including roasting, reheating, and dehydrating. So if you don't need anything complex and just want to prep some tasty goodness without a lot of cleanup at a low price, this is a model you'll love for football season and beyond.

Best medium air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Cosori 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer $89.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Have more people to feed? This Cosori air fryer has you covered. With its larger 6-quart capacity, it's got plenty of room to swap out batches, but it also has 9 other functions for whatever you need to prep for the day's tailgating festivities. That includes baking, roasting, dehydrating, reheating, and broiling. Plus, despite its larger size, it's compact enough for only a small footprint on your kitchen counter. It also has customizable preheating options that will adjust how long you need to preheat based on the temperature chosen, as well as a five-fan speed airflow system to cook things faster and more evenly.

Best large air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Instant Pot 7-in-1 Air Fryer $130.42 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $19.57 Get Deal Why we like it

You may know the Instant brand for its pressure cookers, but the company makes a mean air fryer as well. This larger air fryer and toaster oven is super spacious, with a 10-quart capacity that should feed a small legion compared to most other smaller units. It's also quite compact as well, so you don't need much real estate for it. It can broil, roast, dehydrate and all the other functions its competition can perform, but it can also rotisserie with the best of them. That means you can whip up some seriously great tailgating snacks with this bad boy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hate resetting passwords? This $25 tool is your forever answer.

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 16:28

TL;DR: Through September 29, get lifetime access to Sticky Password Premium for only $24.99 with promo code TAKE5 and never worry about forgetting a password again.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sticky Password Sticky Password Premium: Lifetime Subscription $24.99
$199.99 Save $175.00 with promo code TAKE5 Get Deal

If you’re constantly hitting the “Forgot Password” button or struggling to remember which pet’s name you used this time, you’re definitely not alone. Password management can be a headache, especially when you’re trying to keep everything secure without writing it all down on sticky notes — or when it says "new password cannot be old password" and you want to throw your computer against a wall.

Save your walls and your sanity and check out this lifetime deal on Sticky Password Premium for just $24.99 with coupon code TAKE5 through September 29.

This app offers a seamless solution for all your password woes. Designed for people who value both security and convenience, Sticky Password securely stores your passwords, autofills them when you need them, and even generates strong, unique passwords so you don’t have to. No more resetting passwords or panicking about security breaches.

You’ll get unlimited access to this powerful tool, ensuring that your digital life stays organized and secure. Whether you’re managing work accounts, personal logins, or even passwords for your side hustle, Sticky Password Premium keeps it all in one secure vault, accessible whenever you need it.

Say goodbye to the frustration of forgotten passwords and hello to a simpler, more secure way to manage it all. Through September 29, use coupon code TAKE5 at checkout to get a lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Premium for $24.99 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Budget-friendly dorm essentials: Snag last-minute deals for college students

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 16:14

UP TO 50% OFF: Get up to 50% off dorm essentials at Amazon. Shop smart devices, compact coffee makers, and more.

Our top picks: Best smart speaker deal Amazon Echo (4th gen) $64.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Nespresso Vertuo POP+ by Breville $99 at Amazon (save $26.96 ) Get Deal Best entertainment deal INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV (NS-32F201NA23) $79.99 at Amazon (save $50 ) Get Deal Best cleaning supplies deal MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Kitchen Basics Set $14.48 at Amazon (save $6.72) Get Deal

College can be one of the best experiences of a lifetime — but it'll be even better if you have the right essentials to really make a dorm room feel like home.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for students: MacBooks, Microsoft Surface, and more

Here are some of the best deals we could find on dorm essentials — from a smart speaker to coffee makers and cleaning supplies — you’ll want to snag at the start of this school year.

Best smart speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo (4th gen) $64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Echo (4th gen) is a dorm room must-have. This smart speaker can play music, set alarms, timers, and reminders, control compatible smart home devices (if you have a smart plug), and even make calls and get news and weather updates — all with just your voice or the Alexa app.

The Echo Dot (5th gen) and Sengled Smart Color Bulb bundle is a great alternative if you're trying to save even more money and space. It’s on sale for $49.99 at Amazon, so it's about 20 bucks less than buying the devices separately.

Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Our pick: Nespresso Vertuo POP+ by Breville $99.99 at Amazon
$129.95 Save $29.96 Get Deal Why we like it

The Nespresso Vertuo POP+ by Breville is compact enough to fit on a dorm room desk, but it has the power to brew both coffee and espresso. It has a 25-ounce water reservoir and brews five cup sizes, including five-, eight-, and 12-ounce coffees and single or double shots of espresso. This little machine could save you at least 15 minutes standing in line at the campus coffee shop every day. (It also comes in a variety of colors and is the same price as a Keurig, but brews better-tasting coffee.)

Best entertainment deal Opens in a new window Credit: INSIGNIA Our pick: INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV (NS-32F201NA23) $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD Fire TV (NS-32F201NA23) is big enough to stream and game on from your bed, but small enough to fit on a dorm room desk. (It’s also way better than streaming on your laptop.) At just $79, this Fire TV is a steal and will make your dorm room feel more like home.

If you don't have room for a TV, you might want to consider getting a projector like this mini portable projector by Magcubic. Just hop in bed and use the ceiling as your screen!

Best cleaning supplies deal Opens in a new window Credit: MRS. MEYER'S Our pick: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Kitchen Basics Set $14.48 at Amazon
$21.20 Save $6.72 Get Deal Why we like it

The Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Kitchen Basics Set includes a multi-surface cleaner, hand soap, and dish soap. This specific bundle features the lavender scent, but you can get it in others like basil or lemon verbena. Mrs. Meyer's is a cleaner option that won’t cost you an arm and a leg — you can also save up to 15% when you subscribe.

If you want something even more eco-friendly, I recommend anything from Cleancult. They’re a little pricier but anti-plastic and have refillable cleaners and hand soaps. (I use Cleancult all the time. They’re the only cleaner I have under the sink besides white vinegar and Windex, and the basil scent smells so good.)

Categories: IT General, Technology

The sun bubbles. Astronomers just saw a distant star do it, too.

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 16:00

Like an enormous lava lamp, the sun roils with hot bubbles that rise from its belly to the surface, then cool and sink back down into its interior. 

This process occurs through convection, distributing heavier elements like carbon and nitrogen throughout the sun. It's also thought to be a driving force behind solar winds — hot, ionized gasses flowing away from the sun — which spread charged particles into space

Astronomers have now seen and captured pictures of another star bubbling gas on its surface. The star, R Doradus, is a red giant, with a diameter about 350 times larger than the sun's. This puffy star is about 180 light-years away from Earth in the southern constellation Dorado. 

The ability to watch this process unfold on another star could help scientists understand how convection changes over time as a star ages. Though R Doradus is much larger than the sun, its mass is almost the same, meaning the star is perhaps what the sun will look and act like in another 5 billion years, when it also becomes a red giant and is near death.

"This is the first time the bubbling surface of a real star can be shown in such a way," said Wouter Vlemmings, lead author of the study, in a statement. "We had never expected the data to be of such high quality that we could see so many details of the convection on the stellar surface."

SEE ALSO: The sun actually pelts itself with colossal 'shooting stars'

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, captured the images, seen in the video above, in July and August 2023. The humongous observatory is based in Chile, co-owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation, European Southern Observatory, and National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan.

Convection bubbles have been previously spotted on other stars, but the new ALMA observations track the motion of the bubbles in a detailed way that was not possible before. The findings are published in the journal Nature. What the images reveal are giant, hot bubbles of gas appearing and then disappearing beneath the surface at a rate much faster than predicted. 

Antennas of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, in the Chilean Andes point at the night sky. Credit: ESO / C. Malin

On the sun, these bubbles, known as convective granules, are each about the size of France. In the past two years, the new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii has taken extremely detailed images of these bubbles as it studies the origins of "space weather." The telescope is working in conjunction with the Solar Orbiter, a collaborative mission of the European Space Agency and NASA launched in February 2020, and the Parker Solar Probe, a NASA spacecraft sent up two years earlier. 

Despite the sun being 93 million miles from Earth, solar storms can have serious consequences on technology, disrupting power grids and telecommunications systems on Earth when their radiation reaches the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere.

Tweet may have been deleted

But if you thought bubbles the size of France were big, on R Doradus, each bubble is a whopping 75 times the size of the sun, the researchers said. 

The new paper also marks the first time astronomers have been able to track how fast the convective granules on another star move. On R Doradus, the bubbles appear to move on a one-month cycle, faster than how convection works on the sun. Scientists don't yet understand why.  

"It is spectacular that we can now directly image the details on the surface of stars so far away," said Behzad Bojnodi Arbab, a doctoral student at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, who contributed to the study, "and observe physics that until now was mostly only observable in our Sun."

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Apple deals following Apple's September event

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:54

UPDATE: Sep. 11, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT Check out the latest Apple deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and more.

Best Apple deals this week: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899 at Amazon (Save $200) Get Deal Best iPad deal iPad Air (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $549 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) $189 at Amazon and Walmart (Save $60) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Max $429 at Amazon (Save $120) Get Deal

Apple may have an iron grasp on the general population, but when it comes down to it, their products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — so of course, people love 'em. Whether you build your calendar around Apple events or just want solid tech no matter the brand, Apple's got you covered. Sure, they're a little notorious for their high prices, but we've rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, MacBooks, and more to help you save where you can.

iMac and MacBook deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899.00 at Amazon
$1,099.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The M3 MacBook Air is no longer at its $850 record low, but $899 is still a solid deal for one of the best chips you can find in a MacBook, along with an 18-hour battery life, WiFi 6E support, and the ability to connect up to two external displays with the laptop lid closed. Of course, it also has the signature portability of the Air line, making it great for working at home or taking on the go. This price also puts it just $50 above the M2 MacBook Air with the same specs, offering a bit more future proofing without a huge price bump.

More iMac and MacBook deals

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

Mac

SEE ALSO: Apple's new AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max are available for preorder iPad deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $549.00 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Though it's still $20 away from its record-low price, you're still saving $50 on a tablet released just over a couple of months ago. The M2 chip gives a zippy upgrade to 2022's Air, and offers starting storage of 128GB compared to the last gen's 64GB. Considering this was one of our biggest gripes with the 2022 Air, we're happy to see that this change came without a price jump.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

iPad Air

iPad Pro

SEE ALSO: The best iPads for reading, working, and streaming Apple Watch deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple Watch Series SE (40mm, GPS) $189.00 at Walmart
$249.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking to get an Apple Watch on the cheap, you'll want to check out this Apple Watch SE deal at Walmart and Amazon. This smartwatch is more on the basic side, without an S9 chip (and therefore Double Tap), an ECG sensor, and a display that maxes out at 1,000 nits of brightness (as compared to 2,000 nits). It may not be the newest Series 10, but it can still act as a heart rate monitor, and of course, the ability to download a whole host of apps at a fraction of the price.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 9

SE

Ultra

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: All the new upgrades AirPods and Apple accessories deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Max $429.00 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $120.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review on the Apple AirPods Max.

We'll be the first to admit the AirPods Max aren't typically our top pick from Apple's headphones line, but a $120 price tag reduction certainly helps. At $429, these headphones are about $35 away from their lowest price ever, making their flaws — like a lack of a case and on button — feel less egregious, and their strengths — like their excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation — shine even more. Plus, considering that Apple didn't really give the AirPods Max an upgrade, so much as fresh coat of paint and a new charger, grabbing these headphones at a such discounted price is extra worth it.

More deals on AirPods and Apple accessories
Categories: IT General, Technology

Last chance to get $30 off your first month of Hulu + Live TV

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:27

SAVE $30: Sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get a $30 rebate on your first month's subscription, which costs $76.99 per month after your free three-day trial.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) + Live TV at Hulu
Get a $30 rebate after your first month Get Deal

You have many options these days when it comes to choosing which streaming platform you prefer. In fact, there are so many options (that come with pages of fine print) that it can feel overwhelming when all you really want to do is binge some great shows. Thankfully, Hulu has a great bundle that neatly packages your favorites all in one. And if you sign up today, you're in for a nice rebate.

Until 11:59 p.m. PT tonight, Sept. 11, sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get a $30 rebate at the end of your first month. Hulu (with ads) + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ costs $76.99 per month, while Hulu (without ads) + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ costs $89.99 per month. You're eligible for the deal as long as you're a new or returning subscriber. Hulu says you can expect the rebate money to land back in your method of payment in six to eight weeks.

SEE ALSO: Prepare for spooky season with the best streaming deals this week

Just in time for football season, Hulu + Live TV is coming at us with a pretty nice discount. The package includes Hulu (with or without ads, depending on your pricing preferences), Disney+, ESPN+, and live TV from over 95 channels with no cable TV required. To list a handful of channels, you'll gain access to live viewing of ABC, NBC, HGTV, National Geographic, CNN, Hallmark Channel, NFL Network, and many more.

If you're a sports fan, this package could be incredible since it includes live games from both pro and college leagues like the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, and more. (And you might want to check out the best TV deals right now while you're at it.)

And if you're not home to watch your favorite games this weekend, or you're missing out on a new Hallmark holiday movie, go ahead and record it to watch later. Hulu + Live TV comes with unlimited DVR, so you can record all you want with no restrictions.

It's also worth noting the monthly subscription price is set to increase on Oct. 17. Hulu (with ads) + Live TV will increase to $82.99 per month, while Hulu (without ads) + Live TV will jump to $95.99 per month. You're free to cancel your subscription at any time.

If you plan on tuning in to this season's football games, upcoming NBA games, or want to stream all the great new shows coming this fall, signing up for Hulu + Live TV could be a fantastic option. It bundles Hulu with Disney+ and ESPN+ while also giving you access to over 95 channels of live TV. Sign up before 11:59 p.m. PT tonight and get $30 back after your first month.

Categories: IT General, Technology

iPhone 16 announcement not enough to get Android users off Pornhub

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:27

If there's one thing that gets people off Pornhub, it's an Apple Event. Over the last couple years, Pornhub traffic consistently declined during Apple's slew of announcements — even for people on Android devices. How did the event stack up this year?

Once the event started, viewers on Apple devices closed the X-rated site and tuned into the event: Pornhub traffic dropped 15.2 percent compared to that of an average day.

Those on Android devices, however, didn't seem interested as that traffic stayed at around the average. This continued throughout the event this year — Android users didn't care to watch what Apple had to offer. At least, they didn't care enough to stop watching porn. (And they're not the only ones who found this year's Apple Event to be underwhelming.)

The plunge in Pornhub traffic on Apple devices when the event started. Credit: Pornhub

Another significant dip happened during the announcement of the new AirPods 4: 14.9 percent compared to average. Not as much as the event started, but pretty close. Perhaps Pornhub viewers wanted to see the latest in Apple's noise cancelation tech so they can watch their favorite videos in peace.

Traffic dropped significantly compared to average during the AirPods announcement. Credit: Pornhub

The biggest drop of the event happened — unsurprisingly — during the unveiling of the iPhone 16.

Most Pornhub viewers on Apple devices switched over to watch the new iPhone reveal. Credit: Pornhub

Traffic dropped 16.4 percent compared to average during talk about the latest iPhone. From there, viewership bounced in and out through the continued announcements for the iPhone 16 camera as well as the iPhone 16 Pro.

Once the event ended at 2:40 p.m. ET, Pornhub traffic on Apple devices steadily returned back to average.

See all of Pornhub's Apple Event insights here.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple 'Glowtime' event 2024: iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and everything else announced

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:23

Apple events typically come with lots of news — and the Sept. 2024 "Glowtime" event on Monday delivered. The marquee event from the tech giant promised the new iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and more.

There's almost too much to track when it comes to these big events. But we've got you covered.

Here's everything Apple announced and what you need to know, as well as links to in-depth coverage from the Mashable team.

Apple Watch Series 10 specs, price revealed

The tech giant announced the latest edition of its popular smart watch, while adding black and rose-gold colorways. Apple said the Series 10 was significantly lighter thinner without sacrificing performance. It also apparently has a better speaker for any sicko playing music through their Apple Watch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 Pre-order at Apple Pre-Order Here

Mashable's Elizabeth de Luna covered the new watch's features in depth.

Tweet may have been deleted Apple Watch gets a sleep apnea feature

Lots of people suffer from sleep apnea and don't know it. Mashable's Chase DiBenedetto has the details of Apple Watch's new feature that'll help people discover if they have sleep apnea.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 ... gets a new color

There was an update to Apple Watch Ultra but not an entirely new watch. Instead, we got a satin black variation of eht Ultra 2, which looked cool but, you know, was the same watch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 Pre-order at Apple Pre-Order Here

Mashable's Elena Cavender has the full story.

Tweet may have been deleted AirPods get lots of updates

Apple announced AirPods 4, one as an entry-level product and another with active noise cancelling. Apple said the AirPods 4 are more comfortable and, as you'd expect, have improved audio — they should, for instance, be better at removing background noise.

Apple also announced AirPods Pro 2 would get new noise-protection features and a feature that allows them to become a hearing aid. The AirPods Max didn't get anything in the way of updates beyond new colors.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods 4 Pre-order at Apple Pre-Order Here

Mashable's Matt Binder has all the details on the AirPods news from Apple's event on Monday.

Tweet may have been deleted iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are here

As expected, we got the the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus at Apple's "Glowtime" event on Monday.

There are some big updates, including new colors, increased brightness, AI developments, and the customizable "action" button we first saw on iPhone 15 Pro.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus Pre-order at Apple Pre-Order Here

Mashable's Alex Perry has all the details on the new iPhones.

Tweet may have been deleted A deep pink iPhone

Apple has ended what has become a bit of a Quixotic quest for some at Mashable by introducing a pink iPhone. The standard iPhone 16 now comes in a hot pink color as Mashable's Chase DiBenedetto wrote.

SEE ALSO: It's time for a pink iPhone iPhone 16 gets Apple Intelligence for free

Apple announced iPhone 16 would get its suite of AI tools that it first debuted at WWDC 2024. What does that mean? Well, you'll be able to do things like create new emoji, get AI-generated summaries of your email, or use AI to write better Slack messages. Mashable's Cecily Mauran has the details.

A new camera control button

Apple announced a new button that promises to make photography more intuitive. As Mashable's Chance Townsend wrote a tap activates autofocus, while a hard press takes a picture. It also has lots of other features aimed at helping users take better pictures and videos.

Tweet may have been deleted iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple, as expected, announced the updates to its premium phones. The phones promised to deliver bigger screen sizes, longer battery life, and improved camera performance.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Pre-order at Apple Pre-Order Here

Mashable's Stan Schroeder has the full story on Apple's top-of-the-line phones.

Tweet may have been deleted The Lightning cable is dead

Apple didn't make big news of it, but as Mashable's Alex Perry wrote, the Lightning cable is dead. Every device at the event on Monday used a USB-C charging port, completing the process of the company aligning with European Union regulations. Still, it's a huge convenience that one cord can now charge pretty much all of your devices.

This story is developing and will be updated...

Mashable's currently on the ground in Cupertino for the Sept. 9 "Glowtime" Apple event. Check out our live blog to keep track of all things iPhone 16 (and more) before, during, and after the event.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI Strawberry might release sooner than expected. Everything we know so far.

Mashable - Wed, 09/11/2024 - 15:23

OpenAI reportedly plans to release Strawberry in the next two weeks, as new reports build anticipation for the model's capabilities.

The latest intel about the AI model's release date comes from The Information, which cites two people who have tested the model and shared further details. OpenAI did not respond to request for comment by the time of publication.

Strawberry is reportedly a generative AI model that's capable of advanced reasoning beyond the back-and-forth responses that the current models provide. Based on earlier reports from Reuters, Strawberry can perform multi-step tasks based on a single query and "plan ahead enough to navigate the internet autonomously and reliably to perform what OpenAI terms 'deep research.'" This would put the model one step further towards OpenAI's goal of developing autonomous AI agents.

It's unclear whether Strawberry is related to SearchGPT, OpenAI's search engine that is currently a prototype only available to a small group of users. But according to The Information, Strawberry is reportedly a standalone model that can also be used with ChatGPT, possibly through a drop-down option within the app.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman teased Strawberry in August with a wink-wink image of a strawberry plant, further adding to buzz about the mysterious new model. OpenAI's Dev Day is October 1 in San Francisco, which is when OpenAI was expected to announce something about Strawberry. But now it looks like we'll hear about it sooner than that.

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The recent outlook on generative AI tools was somewhat tempered recently by talks of an AI bubble, fueled by waning investor interest, consumer backlash, and apathy towards its general usefulness.

But if OpenAI can successfully tackling the tricky "reasoning" problem as reports of Strawberry suggest, it might just reignite the AI hype machine. If the rumors about investing the AI company are true, Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft certainly believe in OpenAI's promise.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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