IT General

House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 1: Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower are worlds apart

Mashable - 7 hours 45 min ago

House of the Dragon Season 3 sees some characters catapulted back into the action while others wait in the woods.

The latter, in episode 1, applies to our Westeros odd couple, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), a pair who couldn't have a more contrasting attitude to The Times if they tried. The mission? Wait for Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to show up on his colossal dragon Vhagar and take the crumbling castle of Harrenhal from Team Black. But where the hell are they?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' may be hiding Daeron Targaryen in plain sight

On one hand, Cole's really going through it. The traumatised Lord Commander fatalistically wallows in the "doom and ruin" surrounding him, especially after the massacre that was Rook's Rest in Season 2. It's a very different Cole from the man we first met in the very first season, who found himself swept up in court politics, heartbreak, and ended up covered in blood. At the start of Season 3, he's all nihilism.

"He's on the road, all of his stuff is so isolated, so you're not dealing with so much plot," Frankel told Mashable. "First two seasons, especially in the Small Council...that stuff is so dense material-wise. It takes so long to shoot and it's almost always plot, which needs to happen, but it's not massively about character development in that sense."

Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel). Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

On the other hand, we've got Gwayne, a knight of House Hightower, and a man of principles with big Rob Stark energy. And as the troops wait, he's constantly asking his Lord Commander to be a good manager, to keep his men in line.

"It's very difficult, they have such opposing views on how to see this war out, and when you're second-in-command to someone who has, in some sense, got a death wish, you've got this load on your back, and you don't know how to shift out from under it," Fox told Mashable. "Especially if you're trained in the school of honor, and respecting that hierarchy that Gwayne would have obviously grown up around. Do you break your principles to honor, or do you go, 'we just have to survive'? It's a rock and a hard place.

"He's obviously been schooled in the way that knights would have been trained in a training ground — jousting and all of that stuff — and when it comes up against actual war, an almost nuclear holocaust style of war that the dragons represent, it's a really sobering, immediate maturing. He realises that if, unless I am ultra responsible, there's no way through here for anybody, least of all, my men, who I am responsible for."

Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox). Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

How will they sort it out this season? Time will tell — especially if Aemond doesn't get here soon.

House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres June 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with a new episode every Sunday.

For all things House of the Dragon, Mashable has you covered.

Featured Video For You 'House of the Dragon' cast on Season 3's colossal Battle of the Gullet
Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel has the perfect joke to sum up Trumps Iran deal

Mashable - 7 hours 52 min ago

Donald Trump's recent deal with Iran has been met with criticism from both sides of the aisle — and speaking in his monologue on Monday, Jimmy Kimmel wasted no time in joining in with the naysayers.

"The deal is Iran gets billions of dollars and then we'll talk about a deal. It's a deal to make a deal," says Kimmel. "They still haven't even gotten into the details of the nuclear stuff, which is interesting because three months ago, Trump wrote, 'No deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" Little did we know he meant it was ours.

"So in the end, after all of this, Trump's answer to the questions, 'Who did you go to war with?' and 'How did it end?' will be the same answer: 'I-Ran.'"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The DJI Mini 4K drone just hit a record-low price for Prime Day — buy now for $209

Mashable - 7 hours 54 min ago

SAVE $90: As of June 23, you can get the DJI Mini 4K drone for $209 at Amazon, down from $299. That's a 30% discount or $90 savings.

DJI Mini 4K $209 at Amazon
$299 Save $90   Get Deal at Amazon

If you want to get into drones but don't want to drop $500-plus on a premium rig, the DJI Mini 4K is a budget-friendly option worth considering.

It normally hovers (ha) around $299, but Amazon just dropped it to $209 for Prime Day — making it the best value you can get right now for a traditional, controller-bound DJI setup. It's also the lowest price we've seen it go for since its 2024 debut. (Want to save even more? The DJI Neo is $139.)

The DJI Mini 4K features a true 4K Ultra HD camera mounted on a mechanical 3-axis gimbal (cheaper knockoff drones use digital image stabilization, which looks shaky and amateurish), so if you're into aerial photography or need to take some product shots for your job, this is the way to do it. It's also super beginner-friendly; it has pre-programmed "QuickShots" (like Helix, Dronie, and Boomerang) that track a subject and film cinematic movements, and an automatic GPS Return-to-Home if you lose signal.

Bonus perk: It weighs under 249 grams, so you don't have to register it with the FAA or deal with Remote ID requirements for recreational use. You can literally open the box, charge it up, and start flying safely.

Our Best Editor-Vetted Prime Day Deals Right Now

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds $179.99 (List Price $249.00)

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds With Active Noise Cancellation $148.99 (List Price $179.00)

Apple iPad 11" 128GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (Silver, 2025 Release) $299.00 (List Price $349.00)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) $279.00 (List Price $399.00)

Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones $378.00 (List Price $459.99)

Echo Dot 5th Gen Smart Speaker (2022 Release, Charcoal) $34.99 (List Price $49.99)

55" Amazon Ember 4-Series 4K HDR10+ Smart Fire TV (2025 Model) $279.95 (List Price $459.99)

Amazon Fire TV 2.0ch Bluetooth Soundbar With Dolby Audio $79.99 (List Price $119.99)

Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Streaming Player With Remote (2025 Model) $24.99 (List Price $49.99)

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best portable power station deals live on Prime Day — shop Jackery, Bluetti, DJI, and more

Mashable - 8 hours 52 sec ago
The best early Prime Day portable power station deals at a glance: Best anker deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $399.99 (save $399.01) Get Deal Best Bluetti deal Bluetti Elite 10 $107 (save $62) Get Deal Best durable deal Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $899 (save $400) Get Deal Best bundle deal EcoFlow Delta 3 + 220W Solar Panel $629 (save $370) Get Deal Best content creators deal DJI Power 1000 $348.99 (save $350.01) Get Deal

Summer 2026 is in full swing now. Barbecues, camping trips, vacation, and avoiding mosquitos are all on the agenda. But something else big happens every summer — Amazon Prime Day. This year, Amazon is hosting the annual sale earlier than ever, running June 23 to 26. Things are well and truly underway.

There are some excellent deals on portable power stations, from tiny models that keep your phone charged up to absolute beasts that can keep your refrigerator cooling for days. Having reviewed dozens of power stations, these are the models I would consider buying during Prime Day.

Best Anker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $399.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $399.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2.

If you're looking to buy your first portable power station, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is an excellent all-around model. It offers a respectable 1,024Wh capacity, which is a bit like a Goldilocks amount. That's a good amount of power for a weekend away, but it doesn't go overboard. It's also easy to transport, coming in at under 25 pounds. It has excellent recharging ability, going from dead to 100% power in under 50 minutes. It's a summer essential for me, and it's also excellent during a power outage.

More Anker dealsBest Bluetti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 10 $107 at Amazon
$169 Save $62   Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't need heaps of power, consider the Bluetti Elite 10, one of my favorite small portable power stations. It comes with 128Wh of power, which is enough to keep your phone, earbuds, or Kindle charged up during a camping trip or when the power goes out. Plus, the green colorway option is undeniably special.

In addition to its small size, the Bluetti Elite 10 is lightweight and great for people to carry from room to room during a power outage. On Prime Day, it's on sale at Amazon for $107.

More Bluetti dealsBest Jackery deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $899 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra has a unique feature when it comes to portable power stations — it's resistant to water and dust. As you can imagine, it's not wise to add water into the mix with most portable power stations, but the Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra has an IP 65 rating and a level nine seismic shockproofing. All of that means this model is ideal if you'll be in harsh conditions. Bring this model camping in the rain or take it to the job site. It's also ideal if you'll be working in a shed with wood shavings.

The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra is currently $899 at Amazon, its lowest ever price.

More Jackery dealsBest EcoFlow deal Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Delta 3 + 220W Solar Panel $629 at Amazon
$999 Save $370   Get Deal Why we like it

A huge benefit to choosing a portable power station is its ability to recharge via sunlight. Of course, in order to do that, you'll need a solar panel. The EcoFlow Delta 3 with a 220W solar panel is a great deal to hop on. For $669, down from the normal price of $999, you get the EcoFlow Delta 3 and a 220W solar panel for recharging.

The EcoFlow Delta 3 itself comes with 1,024Wh with an impressive 3,600W surge. EcoFlow states the 220W solar panel can recharge the Delta 3 back to 100% in about six hours. Take the power station and solar panel camping this summer and you might be in for unlimited power.

More EcoFlow dealsBest DJI deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 $348.99
$699 Save $350.01   Get Deal Why we like it

You might know DJI better for their leading drone technology, but the tech brand makes highly-rated power stations too. This model, the DJI Power 1000, is equipped with 1,024Wh plus a selection of outputs or multiple device charging, including various USB ports and AC outputs. The power station itself fully recharges in just 1.35 hours, making it highly practical for a continuous power supply.

More DJI deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Pokémon deals to grab over Prime Day — save over $25 on the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box

Mashable - 8 hours 22 min ago

Amazon's Prime Day sale has officially started, kicking off several days of discounts across tech, home essentials, gaming accessories, and, most importantly for collectors, Pokémon cards, games, toys, and merch.

Now that the four-day shopping event is live, Amazon has opened up a much bigger wave of offers than the early deals we were seeing. However, Pokémon discounts tend to move faster than most Prime Day markdowns. TCG releases can sell out as soon as they drop below the usual market price.

Whether you're hunting booster packs from the newest trading card game sets, picking up a Nintendo Switch title, or adding a few gifts to your basket, Mashable has sifted through Amazon to find the Pokémon offers worth buying before they sell out or climb again.

Here are the best Prime Day deals available right now.

Best Pokémon card deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box $92.55 at Amazon
$118.99 Save $26.44   Get Deal Why we like it

Still one of the most in-demand expansions from the Mega Evolution set, getting over $26 off the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box — now only $92.55 — is a fantastic buy for Amazon shoppers on Prime Day. 

Far below its initial $118.99 list price, this box gets you nine Chaos Rising booster packs, a full-art foil Fennekin promo card, card sleeves, Energy cards, dice, a coin, a collector’s box, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. Among those nine, you still have a chance at pulling one of its high-value chase cards (available to buy separately at TCGplayer) — including SIR Mega Greninja ex, Mega Hyper Rare Mega Greninja ex, Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalge ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex. 

Amazon isn’t the cheapest place to buy it today, with Walmart at $87.88 and TCGplayer listings from $77.98, but this is still a great Prime Day pick if you prefer to buy your trading cards from Amazon.  

More early Prime Day Pokémon dealsPokémon TCGClothingDVDsFunko Pop! figuresGiftsVideo games
Categories: IT General, Technology

House of the Dragon Season 3, episode 1: Aegon originally knelt. Tom Glynn-Carney changed it.

Mashable - 8 hours 23 min ago

In House of the Dragon Season 3, we find the once proud Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) in an even worse state than we left him in Season 2.

We've seen "the usurper" essentially dragged to the Iron Throne by his mother, where he terrorised the staff of Red Keep. We've seen him married to his sister Helaena (Phia Saban), endure the violent loss of a child, and execute an entire King's Landing profession in retaliation. He's a Targaryen who lost his dragon, Sunfyre, in the Battle at at Rook's Rest and he's been mercilessly burned by Vhagar probably thanks to his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), who now rules in his stead as prince regent.

It's a lot.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' may be hiding Daeron Targaryen in plain sight

Now, a panicked and persuaded Aegon has fled the capital and gone undercover, trundling through enemy territory in a bird cart with the diabolical Larys Strong (Matthew Needham). And he's in despair, to put it lightly. "I am the king of nothing, with raven shit for a throne," Aegon declares in characteristically verbose hilarity in episode 1, and he's not entirely wrong.

"He likes to lament," Glynn-Carney told Mashable. "He is really in his pit of self pity and wallowing in it. Eventually you can see that that really grates on Larys — and it would do if that's your journey partner and all they do is moan."

"He likes to lament." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

In episode 1, however, we see a glimmer of pride still clinging to Aegon, when he and Larys are apprehended by guards loyal to Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy). Unlike his road buddy, who plunges that knee to the ground and offers up Aegon's crown, the king refuses to kneel and denounce the usurper (that's him).

"Originally it was in the script that he kneeled straight away, and I was like, no, he wouldn't do that. He'd be defiant and get himself in a lot of trouble," said Glynn-Carney. "But I think that's what's important to hold on to with Aegon. He's in a situation now where his status is out the window, and he's lowest of the low, but there needs to be — and what we achieved, I think, in the end — is that tiny thread still hanging on to pride.

"You know, the line in Season 2 where he says, 'Fuck dignity, I want revenge.' Actually, he doesn't want to fuck dignity, he wants his dignity back at this point, because he totally lost it."

House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres June 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with a new episode every Sunday.

For all things House of the Dragon, Mashable has you covered.

Featured Video For You 'House of the Dragon' cast on Season 3's colossal Battle of the Gullet
Categories: IT General, Technology

3 more free and open source (FOSS) apps that are better than its paid alternatives

How-To Geek - 8 hours 25 min ago

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of paying for apps, especially now that everything seems to come with a subscription. So for a while now, I’ve been hunting down free and open-source (FOSS) alternatives that don’t charge a monthly fee and also don’t force me to compromise on the features I actually need. Turns out there are plenty of great options out there, and I’ve started feeling a little dumb for paying in the first place.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Beats Solo 4 are under $100 for Prime Day — act fast to score the best-ever deal

Mashable - 8 hours 30 min ago

SAVE $100: As of June 23, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon for Prime Day. This is $100 off their full price of $199.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00   Get Deal

Prime Day is officially underway — running until June 26 — and there's already an incredible amount of discounts to look through. If you're using this opportunity to scoop up new headphones, you're in luck. We're spying some excellent deals worth buying, including Beats Solo 4 for under $100.

If you're a Prime member, you can scoop up every available color of the Beats Solo 4 (including the pretty Amazon exclusive metallic pink) for $99.95. This is a massive 50% price cut from the usual price of $199.95, but it also marks a new low price for select colors. The metallic pink, for example, has never been this low before, and for the black and gold, this deal price marks a return to its lowest point.

The other colors — cloud pink, slate blue, and matte black — are extremely close to their lowest price of $97.99, which is definitely still a win. If you've had your eye on these headphones, now is the time to make a move on them.

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best deals to shop

When it comes to Beats headphones, we think the Beats Solo 4 are the best budget pick from the brand, according to our roundup of the best Beats headphones. It's not just their more affordable price point that makes them stand out, though. Writer Alex Bracetti says in that roundup that they're: "A noteworthy upgrade that comes loaded with performance perks. That includes hi-res audio, dual-device pairing, and the highest battery life of any Apple or Beats headphones."

If you're wondering just how long that battery will last you, the store page states that the Beats Solo 4 can last up to 50 hours. That's excellent news if you're hoping to have a reliable, long-lasting pair of headphones you can take on vacations this summer.

Since it's a Prime Day deal, it won't last for long. Be quick to save on the Beats Solo 4 at Amazon if you're a Prime member. And if you're looking for more deals like this one, check out our roundup of the best Prime Day headphones deals.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Meta Quest 3S VR headset is selling fast on Prime Day — buy now for under $300

Mashable - 8 hours 34 min ago

SAVE $53: As of June 23, the Meta Quest 3S VR headset bundle is down to $296.79 at Amazon. That’s a 15% discount on a solid VR headset.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3S $296.79 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $53.20   Get Deal

Prime Day has started, and the Meta Quest 3S VR headset bundle is on sale for $296.79 at Amazon. That’s a $53.2 discount on a wireless VR headset bundle that includes access to over 100 games and a three-month trial of Meta Horizon+.

The Meta Quest 3S VR headset bundle is an easy entry point into VR without dealing with extra gear and with over 100 games included from the start. It’s fast enough for smooth gameplay and has enough memory to keep apps and games running without constant slowdown, which helps the experience feel consistent overall.

It also blends what you see in VR with your real surroundings using built-in cameras, so you’re not completely cut off from your space. Battery life runs a little over two hours, which is fine for short sessions, but you’ll still be charging it fairly often if you use it regularly.

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You also get a three-month trial of Meta Horizon+, which gives access to a rotating library of games, so there’s plenty to try without buying everything upfront.

Grab the Meta Quest 3S on Amazon before you convince yourself VR can wait.

Categories: IT General, Technology

We swept Amazon for the best Prime Day Lego deals — score sets starting at $7.99

Mashable - 8 hours 47 min ago
The best Prime Day Lego deals at a glance: Best overall deal Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Budget Pick Lego Lotus Flowers $7.99 at Amazon (save $7) Get Deal Best Botanicals deal Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet $33.59 (save $26.40) Get Deal Best Lego car deal Lego Technic Peugeot 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar $139.99 (save $60) Get Deal

Any Lego fan knows that getting into the plastic brick building hobby isn't cheap. Which is why it's a good idea to take advantage of Prime Day deals and shop Lego sets on sale. Amazon's annual mega sale has officially kicked off on June 23, and we've already spotted some awesome Lego sets marked down to record-low prices.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Lego sets of 2026 so far, from F1 to Monet and Pokémon

Keep scrolling to find all the best Lego deals live right now, including two Lego sets below $10, an Architecture set, and a Lego Fortnite deal. We're also keeping a close eye on Pokémon Lego sets, the new Lego Smart Play sets, and the most popular new releases.

(Note: Anything that is struck out below is either sold out or no longer on sale.)

Best Prime Day Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Technic NASA Artemis Space Launch System $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

The Artemis Space Launch system is one of the bestselling sets on Lego's website, but you'll have to shell out full price if you get it directly from the official Lego store. Or, you could pick it up today and save 20% on the $59.99 list price, bringing it down to just $47.99. For a 632-piece set that measures 27.5 inches tall and has a pretty cool real-world analog, this set is a Prime Day steal. As a bonus, it comes with four astronaut nanofigures.

More Prime Day Lego deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

We found the 17 best Prime Day deals on DJI drones and creator tools — save on wireless mics, drones, and cameras

Mashable - 8 hours 52 min ago
The best DJI Prime Day deals at a glance: Best drone deal DJI Mini 3 $269 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best new release DJI Mic 3 $219 at Amazon (save $110) Get Deal Best camera deal DJI Osmo Action 4 Essential Combo $169 at Amazon (save $60) Get Deal Cult-Favorite DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Gimbal camera $378 at Amazon (save $121) Get Deal Best DJI Gimbal Deal DJI Osmo 7P Gimbal for Smartphones $99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Budget Pick DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is officially here, and if you've had your eye on any DJI gear, now's the time to click "add to cart."

In case you haven't heard, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially added foreign-produced drones and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to its national security Covered List on December 22, 2025. This means DJI isn't allowed to import or sell any new drone models moving forward (so a future Mavic 5 Pro is out). That also means you can only buy DJI drones at Amazon from third-party sellers here in the United States, which is a bummer.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is here: We found 50+ deals on Apple, Sony, and Lego favorites

The good news? Anything that already secured FCC approval before the cutoff — like the Mavic 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Air 3S, and Neo 2 — is legal to buy, own, and fly. So, if you want to grab a beginner-friendly drone or stock up on discounted backup batteries, action cams, and creator gear, Prime Day is likely your best window to get them on sale before the inventory dries up.

Many of the DJI products in this guide — like the DJI Mini Mini, the DJI Mic 3, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, and the DJI Osmo 7P Gimbal — have been personally tested and recommended by Mashable product reviewers. If you want to find the best Prime Day deals on DJI products, we can vouch for these products.

Best Prime Day DJI drone deal DJI Mini 3 $269 at Amazon
$419 Save $150   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

Right now, you can get the DJI Mini 3 for $269, down from $419. That's a 36% discount or a $150 savings. It's also a jump from where we saw it earlier this morning, if you can believe it (it was $381). This is the lowest price we've tracked on this model to date.

The DJI Mini 3 is a level up from the DJI Mini 4K, which is a more budget-friendly pick for entry-level fliers (and at just $209, a steal). It weighs less than 249g, features 4K HDR video with True Vertical Shooting (ideal for photographers or real estate agents), and a 38-minute max flight time.

More DJI drone dealsBest Prime Day DJI camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Action 4 Essential Combo $169 at Amazon
$229 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Osmo Action 4 Essential Combo includes an extension rod, three batteries (two more than the Standard Combo), and a multifunctional battery case, and it's currently on sale for $169 — a new record-low price.

The camera itself features a 1/1.3-inch sensor for shooting in low-light conditions, as well as 4K video capabilities at up to 120fps with a 155-degree ultra-wide field of view. It offers up to 150 minutes of battery life and it works in temperatures as low as -20°C. It's even waterproof to depths of 18m, making it an ideal choice for vlogging your outdoor adventures.

More DJI camera dealsBest DJI mic deal DJI Mic 3 $219 at Amazon
$329 Save $110   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The DJI Mic 3 is on sale for $219, down from $329. This is another all-time low price for a Mashable-tested wireless microphone kit.

The Mic 3 is a compact wireless microphone system designed for creators, podcasters, and interviewers who need quality audio while on the go. It supports up to four transmitters, features adaptive gain control and selectable noise cancellation, and uses dual-band transmission for clear audio in busy environments. You'll get up to 28 hours of battery life with the charging case, so it's great for long hours of recording. Not to mention, it has compatibility with a huge range of DJI devices.

More DJI creator tools on sale
Categories: IT General, Technology

6 things to do with all those Benchy models you’ve 3D printed

How-To Geek - 8 hours 56 min ago

The humble Benchy has become a rite of passage for many new 3D printer owners, even though benchmarking modern 3D printers isn’t strictly necessary. But let’s say you’ve assembled a small armada of these toy boats, and now you’re wondering what to do with them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Is a Siren Head movie happening?

Mashable - 8 hours 59 min ago

Monsters that have long been haunting the internet are finding their way to the big screen.

2026 has already been a huge year for the world of creepypasta (internet urban legends) intersecting with Hollywood. Backrooms, Kane Parsons' feature length adaptation of his own series of YouTube shorts, has brought in $300 million at the global box office in four weeks. The Third Parent, an upcoming horror movie based on Elias Witherow's Tommy Taffy short story series that went viral on Reddit's r/NoSleep sub, is due for release next January.

The question is, will another internet nightmare soon be joining their ranks? Could Siren Head, the towering monster created by artist Trevor Henderson, be the next creepypasta to get the movie treatment? Nothing is confirmed yet — but if you look closely, there are clues.

SEE ALSO: 'Backrooms' review: Does the online creepypasta make a good full-length movie? What is Siren Head?

In a nutshell, Siren Head is a monster the height of a telegraph pole that's capable of blending into its surroundings while it hunts human prey. It was created by Henderson back in 2018, after a follower called Cally sent him an image of a graveyard framed against a blue sky. At this point Henderson was quickly building his social media by drawing monsters that he'd splice into photos. He liked Cally's image, and tried to draw something that he thought would look scary standing among the tombstones. Just like that, Siren Head was born.

"I was just drawing a long, emaciated figure, and I just had the idea to put a siren for its head because a) that noise has always terrified me, and b) I've always been kind of obsessed with the idea of numbers stations," Henderson told Mashable back in 2022. "Numbers stations are these radio broadcasts that are constantly playing — and no-one can identify their origins or what they're supposed to accomplish — that are just weird snippets of music, and strange voices saying odd number combinations. There's a lot of theories that they're like old Russian spy channels that have been abandoned and are still counting out codes."

Credit: Trevor Henderson

It's difficult to overstate just how popular Siren Head has become in the years since Henderson shared that first image. It was a slow burn initially, but when YouTuber Markiplier — who recently had his own feature film success with Iron Lungstarted talking about the monster on his channel in early 2020, millions of people tuned in.

The thing is now all over the internet. Siren Head-inspired content has millions of views on TikTok and YouTube. There are multiple unofficial Siren Head games on Steam and merchandise on Amazon (much of which has been created without Henderson's knowledge or permission).

"The internet just kind of takes stuff," Henderson said. "And there's not a lot you can do, really, especially when a character blows up like Siren Head did. It kind of stops becoming yours, in some ways, and starts becoming everyone's."

Is a Siren Head movie in the works?

Speculation around a possible movie adaptation has been ramping up over the past week. There's been a couple of reasons for this. First, Henderson has started posting frequently about the creature again on Instagram.

By itself, this isn't that unusual. Although Henderson has created hundreds of monsters, Siren Head is a favorite that pops up now and then. But it's worth noting that the frequency of his posts has dialled up — there have been a handful over the last week alone, including some found footage-style Reels featuring the creature's trademark siren call.

What's even more intriguing, though, is who's been commenting on these posts.

View this post on Instagram

Beneath the above image, which Henderson posted about a week ago, movie producer Scott Glassgold replied with several eyes emoji. Glassgold, who founded production company 12:01 Films, is a big name in the horror movie space, particularly when it comes to adaptations based on viral internet urban legends (he's previously been involved in a number of deals, including stories that originally started on Reddit).

Credit: Instagram

Glassgold's comment didn't go unnoticed. A commenter asked him directly about the possibility of a Siren Head movie in response, to which he replied with three slightly cryptic siren emoji. Henderson himself then responded to Glassgold with a little megaphone. Mashable reached out to Glassgold to ask about the possibility of a film, and his response was just as cryptic. "I'm a huge fan of Trevor's and will be first in line to see anything he does," Glassgold said.

Henderson, when asked about the potential for a movie, also didn't give much away. “I'd be delighted," he told Mashable. "I think Siren Head has a lot of potential to be expanded into a film, but we’ll have to see. Either way, it makes me very happy that people still respond positively to the creature design in 2026."

Credit: Instagram Credit: Instagram

So, what does it all mean? Well so far, there have been no official announcements and this is all speculative. But Glassgold's comments — plus the fact he's been sharing Henderson's recent Siren Head Reels — seem too deliberate to be chalked up to mere coincidence.

Here's hoping the creepypasta-to-movie pipeline gets a telegraph pole-sized extension in the near future.

Disclosure: The author of this text shares the same film/TV representative as Trevor Henderson. All reporting was conducted independently.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Noise-cancelling and open earbuds are down to record-low prices on Prime Day

Mashable - 9 hours 16 min ago
The best Prime Day earbud deals: Best Apple Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best Bose Deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) $249 (save $50) Get Deal Best workout deal Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $179.95 (save $70.04) Get Deal Best Sony deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $178 (save $51.99) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is here and so are the earbud deals. This year's Prime Day runs June 23 to 26, but the sale was hot before it even began.

The actual start date felt like a bit of a formality after the AirPods Pro 3 hit record low prices twice this week. They even dropped to $169 at Walmart on June 18, knocking $80 off the normal $249 price.

SEE ALSO: A Prime Day Apple deals primer: We're tracking prices on AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks

Other notable buds, like the Sony XM6 earbuds, second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and Nothing earbuds, are all on sale. Below, we've rounded up all the best Prime Day earbud deals you can grab right now.

Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $69.01   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 dropped down to a record low price of $179 ahead of Prime Day, but then the price dropped even lower before the sale's official start. According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, the Pro 3 buds got down to $169 at Amazon, but at the time of writing, that specific deal is gone. Now that Prime Day has officially started, you can still find them for $179.99 and in stock at both Amazon and Best Buy.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More noise-cancelling earbuds dealsBest open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $178 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $51.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The Sony LinkBuds Clip give the ultra-popular Bose Ultra Open earbuds a run for their money. In my head-to-head testing of the two pairs of earbuds, I found that while the Bose buds generally lean louder, the Sony earbuds have a more detailed sound profile, making for an overall superior listening experience. They also have a longer battery life, delivering nine hours per charge, where the Bose earbuds deliver seven. With both earbuds on sale, there's only a 99 cent price discrepancy between the two, but if you don't anticipate using these earbuds in many noisy situations, the Sony earbuds are likely the way to go.

Read our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds dealsEven more Prime Day earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Lego Speed Champions Ultimate Formula 1 Collectors Pack has raced to its best-ever price for Prime Day — save over $80

Mashable - 9 hours 24 min ago

SAVE OVER $80: As of June 23, the Lego Speed Champions Ultimate Formula 1 Collector's Pack is on sale at its lowest-ever price of $188.99 for Prime Day. That's $81 off its list price of $269.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego LEGO Speed Champions Ultimate Formula 1 Collector's Pack (66802) $188.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $81   Get Deal

Prime Day deals are starting to drop, and if you're hoping to save on Lego sets during the sale event at Amazon, this is a great time to look for discounts.

It's only the first day, but already we're finding some excellent offers to check out. The Lego Speed Champions Ultimate Formula 1 Collector's Pack (66802) is one of them, which has returned to its lowest-ever price at the retailer for Prime members.

As of June 23, Amazon has slashed the price of this Lego F1 Collector's Pack down to $188.99 for Prime members. That's $81 in savings compared to its list price of $269.99. And since it's never been lower than this price, why not take this opportunity to pick it up?

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best deals to shop

This Lego F1 Collector's Pack is a fun pick-up for an F1 fan. Recommended for adults ages 18 and up, it comes with 2,601 pieces in total that create 10 cars from the 2025 season, each one measuring just over one inch high, eight inches long, and three inches wide. On top of that, it also comes with an exclusive poster that features the full lineup.

This deal won't last for long, though. Act fast to save on the Lego Speed Champions Ultimate Formula 1 Collector's Pack at Amazon during Prime Day.

Looking for even more Lego deals like this one? Check out our roundup of the best Prime Day Lego deals to scoop up even more sets at a discount.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 reasons my small local AI model gets more use than Claude or Gemini

How-To Geek - 9 hours 25 min ago

I have a subscription to Claude and use the free tier of Gemini. Both are incredibly powerful tools that I use on a daily basis, but I also run a small local model on my modest mini PC. I use this local LLM for almost all of my automated tasks, and despite the relative lack of power, it can offer things that Claude and Gemini can't.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $1,300 on the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max this Prime Day — on sale for $1,699

Mashable - 9 hours 27 min ago

SAVE $1,300: As of June 23, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max portable power station is on sale for $1,699 at Amazon. That's down from $2,999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max $1,699 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $1,300   Get Deal

Prime Day is finally here, and the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max portable power station is on sale for $1,699 at Amazon. That’s a $1,300 discount, or 43% off, bringing this home backup power system down to a much more accessible price for outages and emergencies.

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max is set up to act more like a fixed home power system than a simple portable backup. It can be connected through a manual transfer setup and is designed to support household-level power needs during outages without a complicated install process.

Once the power goes out, it switches over super quickly — fast enough that everyday devices like laptops or WiFi routers keep running without restarting. That matters if you’re working from home or relying on connected devices that can’t afford sudden shutdowns.

It delivers 120-volt and 240-volt power from a single unit and can expand with extra capacity if needed, so it can handle heavier home use. It also runs quietly, supports multiple ways to recharge, and is built for long-term use with a safety-focused battery design meant for repeated outages and regular backup duty.

Grab the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max portable power station on Amazon before the grid gets the final say.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Nintendo Switch 2 bundle is leading the way on Prime Day — how to score a free game today

Mashable - 9 hours 29 min ago

TL;DR: Amazon has the Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle available for $499 on Prime Day. That gets you the Switch 2 console and your choice of a digital copy of Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia — saving you up to $79.99 compared to buying the console and game separately.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle $499 at Amazon
Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Day sale has landed for Nintendo fans. Amazon already has one of the best Switch 2 bundle offers live if you’ve been waiting for a new deal before finally picking up this popular console. 

As of June 23, the Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle is available at Amazon for $499. That price includes the Nintendo Switch 2 and a download code, which can be redeemed for a digital copy of Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia

That last part is important because Amazon’s Switch 2 product page lists a whole mess of extra configurations. Alongside this bundle, you can also see the standard Nintendo Switch 2 system, console and Mario Kart World bundles, console and Donkey Kong Bananza bundles, console and microSD card bundles, or other add-ons. Those aren’t all the same deal; they merely add the extra game or accessories at their standard price, with no discount.

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For this offer, you want to select the "Choose Your Game Bundle," with the configuration set to "Console Only." That may sound counterintuitive, but this is the version that includes the download code insert inside the box. You do not pick Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia on Amazon at checkout.

Instead, after your Switch 2 arrives, you redeem the included "Choose One" code through the Nintendo eShop. From there, you select which of the three games you want to download. 

Mario Kart World costs $79.99 on its own. Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Pokopia are each listed at $69.99 separately, so you’re effectively getting a full Nintendo release bundled in without paying the extra game price. 

Mario Kart World would technically save you the most value in terms of pure price, whichever free game you pick when the time comes depends on your preference. 

Mario Kart World is a fun Mario Kart game and Switch 2 launch showcase all in one, with interconnected courses, Free Roam, 24-driver races, and the Knockout Tour elimination mode. Donkey Kong Bananza is the action-heavy platformer option, built around smashing through underground environments, tearing through terrain, and exploring with DK and his new friend, Pauline. 

Pokémon Pokopia is the surprising critical hit that’s also the cozier choice — letting you play as a human-like Ditto who builds up a new life with Pocket Monster friends. Think of it like a brilliant Pokémon-Animal Crossing hybrid. 

Mashable has also put together a selection of wider Nintendo Switch Prime Day deals — including discounts on preorders for Starfox, controllers, and more as the sale goes on. For Pokemon fans, there are plenty of Pokemon deals we’ve selected for Prime Day as well, from trading cards and Nintendo Switch games to awesome gifts. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

I test e-readers, and Ive found best-ever Kindle deals to shop during Prime Day

Mashable - 9 hours 39 min ago
The best Prime Day Kindle deals: Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $144.99 (Save $55) Get Deal Best Colorsoft Deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $159.99 (Save $90) Get Deal Best Scribe Deal Amazon Kindle Scribe (32GB) $379.99 (Save $120) Get Deal Best Kids Kindle Deal Kindle Colorsoft Kids $179.99 (Save $90) Get Deal

Testing Kindles and e-readers is my job, but it's also my passion. I use my Kindle Paperwhite every day — unless I'm testing a new e-reader — and it's accompanied me on many a summer adventure. So, while I spend a lot of time convincing Mashable readers to buy my favorite e-readers, I also track the best times to buy an e-reader.

The best time to buy a Kindle is during a big sale, and with Amazon Prime Day 2026 running June 23 to 26, Kindles are back down to record-low prices. Plus, the new Kindle Scribes finally received price drops.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2026

So TL;DR, if you're eyeing a Kindle, now is the time to buy. Here are the very best Kindle deals to shop during Prime Day.

Best Prime Day Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $144.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $55   Get Deal Why we like it

My absolute favorite Prime Day Kindle deal is on the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. It's the e-reader that I use everyday, and it just hit a new all-time low price of $144.99. That makes it cheaper than the Paperwhite at full-price, but it also makes it the same price as the currently on sale Paperwhite without ads.

However, the Signature Edition is far more bang for your buck as it comes with twice the storage, an auto-adjusting front light, and wireless charging. It's an exceptional deal and the device's new lowest-price ever.

Interested in a different Kindle model? Explore all the Kindles on sale during Prime Day.

More Prime Day Kindle deals

Kids Kindles

How do Kindle prices compare to previous sales?

Having tracked prices on Kindles for years, I have a pretty good sense of how much Amazon's e-readers cost during a sale. So how are Kindle deals this Prime Day?

We tracked the prices on the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite over the past four sales to predict this years prices. Credit: Mashable

The Kindle Paperwhite's lowest price ever is $124.99, which the device dropped to during Black Friday, Prime Big Deals Days, and of course, last year's Prime Day. This year it's back down to $124.99. The Signature Edition on the other hand reached a new low of $144.99, just $20 more for a boatload of extra features.

The deal I'm most disappointed in is on the basic Kindle, which previously dropped to $79.99. This Prime Day, it's $5 more for $84.99. New deals this Prime Day include the latest Kindle Scribe and Scribe Colorsoft, both getting their first price drops since being released.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best deals on noise-cancelling headphones for Prime Day — shop Apple, Sony, and Bose

Mashable - 9 hours 53 min ago
The best Prime Day deals on noise-cancelling headphones: Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $378 (save $81.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 (save $69) Get Deal Cheapest option CMF By Nothing Buds 2 $24.50 (save $24.50) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is upon us once more, running June 23 through June 26, and some of our favorite noise-cancelling audio products are marked down to record-low prices.

There are deals on flagship models from Sony, Bose, and Apple. But it's not just the $400+ flagship headphones getting discounts. The mid-range Nothing Headphone (a) are down to $151.05, while one of our budget-friendly favorites, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, are just $10 away from a record low price.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for a 4-day Prime Day sale in late June: Everything you need to know

Earbuds have an impressive showing too, with the AirPods Pro 3 down in price, plus markdowns on the newer Sony XM6 buds. You can also pick up the CMF by Nothing Buds 2 for just $24.50, making them the cheapest option on our list.

We'll be updating this guide as the sale continues, so keep checking in for updates.

Best ANC headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 $378 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $81.99   Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony XM6 headphones aren't a must-upgrade if you already own the XM5s — in fact, we find the two quite similar. That said, the XM6 headphones are a much more palatable upgrade at a sub-$400 price range, and bring the added convenience of folding ear cups, which is especially handy if you anticipate using them for travel often (which their excellent ANC does make them a great candidate for). At the time of writing, every color option is discounted, though a few finishes are off by about a dollar, depending on which one you pick.

Read our full review on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

More ANC headphones deals Best ANC earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $69.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The AirPods Pro have long been a great choice for any Apple power user, and the third generation of the earbuds is no different. In fact, it fills even more gaps than its predecessors. In addition to its solid sound quality and top notch ANC, these earbuds come in with live translation features, and a built-in heart rate monitor. At their full price, they're already on the cheaper end of premium flagship earbuds, but at $179.99, they're nearly unbeatable value.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More earbuds deals
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