IT General

In a straight comparison between Jellyfin and Plex, there's one clear winner. Jellyfin is open source, totally free with no premium tier, has no account requirement, and has almost everything Plex users need, along with greater customization. For the average person, the day-to-day experience is what really matters, putting Plex above Jellyfin.

I've been using Linux on and off for over 20 years at this point, I'd dual-boot for a few months, or always have a Linux VM or two spooled up on my Windows PC to keep abreast of the latest state of open-source operating systems. The first time I used Linux as my daily driver OS was during my postgraduate studies, where the little netbook I took to class could only handle Linux and not Windows.

SAVE $30: As of July 29, you can sign up for a full year of anime streaming on Crunchyroll for just $69.99 instead of the usual $99.99. That's 30% off its usual cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crunchyroll Crunchyroll Fan annual subscription (Prime Video add-on) $69.99
$99.99 Save $30 *for one year* Get Deal

Everyone's favorite anime streaming service, Crunchyroll, raised its prices earlier this year after nixing its free streaming plan. It's an unfortunate trend amongst streaming services in 2026. If you cut ties due to the jacked up prices, now's your chance to jump back on board for less.

As of July 29, you can sign up for the Crunchyroll Fan annual subscription for only $69.99 instead of the usual $99.99. That's 30% or $30 in savings and even cheaper than its pre-price hike cost. The deal is available through the Crunchyroll app or website directly or as a Prime Video add-on subscription.

The Crunchyroll Fan subscription unlocks ad-free access to the entire Crunchyroll library, including brand new episodes shortly after they air in Japan. You'll also get offline viewing access. The only limitation is that you can stream on just one device at a time. If you want to stream on more than one at a time, you'll need the Mega Fan subscription, which is also on sale for just $99.99 for one year (reg. $139.99).

If you sign up through Prime Video, just be sure to select the annual plan at checkout instead of the monthly plan if you want to secure the savings. You'll be billed directly through your Amazon account and charged automatically for the next year at full cost unless you cancel before then. (Set your calendar alerts now).

Whether you're a longtime anime lover or you're curious and want to explore the genre, Crunchyroll is the subscription to get. It has a vast selection of popular titles, Crunchyroll Originals, and simulcasts, including the beloved Witch Hat Atelier, One Piece, Gachiakuta, Solo Leveling, and Demon Slayer.

Want to buy more tools this year? If you're a fan of Makita, you know the company regularly releases new items to bolster its inventory, including a slew of new tools over the last month. Whether you need a new drill, pellet saw, blowers, or other items, here are some exciting new Makita tools worth considering.

SAVE 42%: As of July 29, you can get the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus portable power station bundled with two 200W solar panels for $2,149 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount or $1,550 in savings.

Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus $2,149 at Amazon
$3,699 Save $1,550   Get Deal at Amazon

Living on the East Coast has taught me that a stiff breeze is all it takes to lose power. Since I live in an apartment, buying a traditional gas generator isn't practical, but a heavy-duty portable power station offers the same peace of mind without the fumes, noise, or installation hassle.

SEE ALSO: The 6 best portable power stations to stay charged up at home and on the go

Right now, you can get the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus portable power station bundled with two 200W solar panels for $2,149 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount or $1,550 in savings.

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus runs on a battery, so it's safe for indoor use. (It has built-in wheels and a retractable handle so you can roll it from room to room like carry-on luggage.) With a 3,584Wh capacity and 3,600W AC output, it's enough to keep your refrigerator, WiFi router, lights, and phones running through a prolonged blackout.

You can charge it from a standard wall outlet in just 2.5 hours before a storm rolls in, or set up the included solar panels to recharge it in (roughly) four hours if the grid stays down.

Reader, I love an art heist film, and there are very few good ones. The Mastermind is one. Entrapment is another (don't look at me like that). But The Thomas Crown Affair has always been been top of this list, both the Steve McQueen/Faye Dunaway 1968 version and the 1999 versions, the latter Pierce Brosnan gem a video store classic in this house.

Now, Michael B. Jordan is restarting the affair, directing his own version with a screenplay by Drew Pearce and Jason Hall and a sublime cast: the Oscar-winning Sinners star himself, alongside Adria Arjona, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, Kenneth Branagh, and Pilou Asbæk.

The trailer promises Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" as a target, high-speed chases, and plenty of luxurious destinations. You son of a bitch, I'm in!

The Thomas Crown Affair hits cinemas March 5, 2027.

Will your next takeout food delivery arrive by air? That's what DoorDash is preparing for.

On Wednesday, DoorDash announced that it had just received Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As a result of this approval, the company also announced the launch of an in-house drone program called DoorDash Air.

"This certification means that DoorDash is authorized to operate as an air carrier and offer an even more deeply integrated drone delivery experience, opening up new possibilities for local businesses," the company said in a statement.

According to DoorDash, the company is only the eighth drone operator to earn the FAA's Part 135 certification. DoorDash was required to pass a five-stage evaluation process that verified aircraft airworthiness, maintenance programs, and safety procedures.

“We want drone delivery to work for any merchant, anywhere. We're building the full stack to make that possible from the ground infrastructure to the drone itself, and the handoff systems that make it work together seamlessly,” said Head of DoorDash Air Harrison Shih in a blog post. “Advances in hardware, compute, and AI are creating extraordinary new capabilities for local commerce, and becoming a certified air carrier accelerates everything we're building.”

Human Dashers will continue to play a main role within the company, DoorDash says. The company mentioned how Dashers will still fulfill deliveries that drones and other autonomous delivery systems can't handle, such as apartment deliveries and fulfilling deliveries with large orders. 

According to the company, drones fulfilled deliveries in an estimated average of 25 minutes last year. The company says that some locations that took part in its drone partner pilot found their order volume grow by around 30 percent during the program.

DoorDash also has a good idea of which type of deliveries would benefit the most from drones. DoorDash says that 20 percent of DoorDash orders need to be delivered between three to five miles. However, those orders took roughly 25 percent longer to be fulfilled than shorter deliveries. The company says this is because it's more difficult to find Dashers willing to take on mid-range trips. DoorDash hopes that drone deliveries can fulfill these orders, allowing human Dashers to focus on shorter trips, which could maximize their earnings.

Of course, DoorDash wouldn't be the first company to experiment with drone deliveries. Amazon, Alphabet's Wing, and most recently, Walmart have all deployed drone delivery systems. These companies have all touted their delivery drone program; however, there have been some speed bumps along the way.

DoorDash says it's currently "designing and building" its first-party drone program with the company's in-house robotics and autonomy team, DoorDash Labs. The company says that this is "only the beginning" and expects to have further updates about DoorDash Air later this year.

Often, AI on your phone lives inside a single chatbot app, without access to the rest of your operating system. DroiClaw aims to change that with an AI-native operating system in which AI can complete almost any task, from information searches to writing assistance, on devices without requiring any third-party apps.

Choosing the right trim level can make all the difference when you're shopping for a new SUV. Spend too little, and you may miss out on features you'll use every day. Spend too much, and you're often paying for luxury extras that add little real value. The sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle.

These days, our smartphones are powerful machines with more cameras and storage than ever before, yet running out of space is still a common problem. But did you know one of the biggest culprits on Android could be Google Messages? I recently realized that Google's Messaging app is using over 25GB of space on my phone, and there's no easy way to clean it up.

Experienced coders and people who have never done so much as a "Hello World" exercise are all having a blast with vibe coding. That's the practice of telling an AI model in plain English what software you want to make and then watching it rattle off lines of code faster than you can read them.

TL;DR: Matthew and Camila McConaughey's Pantalones Organic Tequila has teamed up with Yeti on "A Lot Cooler," a limited-edition cooler featuring a custom Pantalones design, sized to hold a full case (six bottles) of tequila. It's priced at $250 and available for preorder.

Matthew McConaughey's tequila brand is putting its own spin on his most famous line.

Pantalones Organic Tequila, which he co-founded with his wife Camila, has teamed up with Yeti to launch "A Lot Cooler" — a limited-edition cooler that's more or less an inside joke turned real product, referencing McConaughey's "It'd be a lot cooler if you did" line from Dazed and Confused. Priced at $250, it's now available for preorder.

The launch comes with a new video, and it's delightfully ridiculous. McConaughey's whole pitch is that a margarita makes everything better — and he means everything. The two eventually kick back on the tailgate of a pickup truck next to the custom Yeti cooler, margaritas in hand.

The cooler is built for basically any outdoor plan you throw at it — beach days, backyard hangouts, tailgates, or boat trips. It's got Yeti's rugged, durable build quality, finished with exclusive Pantalones branding on top, so it's still functioning as a high-quality cooler. Pack it with tequila, margarita fixings, and snacks, and you're covered for the day.

Pre-order "A Lot Cooler" now at Pantalones.

What’s old will one day be new again; it’s a tale as old as time. This is true of nerdy hobbies that techies love, whether that’s because of the retro charm or in pursuit of a more satisfying experience that rejects the modern approach.

Will Samsung and Google figure out ways for their glasses to overcome privacy concerns? Unclear, but here’s how they’ll work and what you need to know.

Just like USB-C cables can be confusing, so can USB-C ports. On the surface, it's just a port: stick a cable in it, and it'll charge your phone, sooner or later. But in reality, there's a lot more to USB-C than meets the eye.

If you use DistroWatch to find new distros, you've probably assumed—and reasonably so—that its rankings point you toward the good stuff. And while I think it's a great discovery tool, it's a terrible way to judge the quality of a distro. Many distros I would never recommend are ranked higher than objectively better alternatives. Here are three Linux distros that are far better than their DistroWatch rankings suggest.

Certain things in this world don’t follow our natural logic. A Galaxy phone charges from 0-100% in less than 60 minutes, and we’re supposed to believe that’s healthy for the battery? In reality, it is, but there are other things to worry about.

Social media bans for kids are quickly becoming the global legislation trend of the moment.

Children under 16 are finding themselves at the center of political conversations, with countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Austria, and Indonesia, and more attempting to wrangle Big Tech companies' hold on young people's attention.

SEE ALSO: Australia's kid social media ban is ineffective, study suggests

Online age verification laws are taking shape by the month, with governments citing the need to address issues including child sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, self-harm, and the impact on kids' mental health, as well as "addictive" design, violent content, and porn. However, these laws have also come under severe criticism for efficiency and their impact on digital privacy and free speech.

Plus, kids are already finding ways around them.

So, where are we at, globally? Which countries have followed Australia's example and are rolling out their own social media bans? Here's the list, alphabetically, and incidentally starting with the one who started it all.

Australia

The first to do it, Australia set a global precedent in Dec. 2025 with its world-first social media ban for children under 16. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act requires social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and Snapchat to implement age verification and take "reasonable steps" to prevent kids under 16 from creating accounts. However, a July 2026 study by Australian government advisors found the ban so far ineffective.

Plus, Reddit is suing.

Austria

Following in Australia's footsteps with fewer letters, in March 2026, Austria announced a bill to ban social media use for children under 14. With a draft planned for completion by summer, Austria's legislation would also add a new compulsory subject, "Media and Democracy," to school curriculums to boost awareness of "how to recognise disinformation and radicalisation."

Brazil

Brazil's social media ban, the Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents, came into force in March 2026. The law requires kids under 16 to link their social media accounts with a legal guardian, and tech platforms must add age verification for users wanting to access adult content. It also means social media platforms must limit "features designed to artificially increase, sustain, or extend" time kids spend on the platforms, including automatically playing videos.

Canada

Canada is set to ban users under 16 from holding social media accounts, with a proposed law announced by the Canadian government on June 11, 2026. The Safe Social Media Act will enforce age verification to access online services and legally mandated safety requirements for social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. But Canadian law will also apply to companies that use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

Denmark

Denmark is planning a social media ban for kids under 15, announced back on Oct. 8, 2025, by the country's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen. According to the Associated Press, the law could arrive in 2026, but there's no date or details yet. Reports also suggest parents could allow their children to use social media from the age of 13.

Featured Video For You Is ChatGPT Changing the Way We Write? European Union

An EU-wide social media ban for kids under 13 could be coming, announced July 13, 2026. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission (the EU's executive body), presented a report on online safety for children, which recommended age-appropriate restrictions on platforms (the EU has launched its own age verification app), parental supervision for social media use, and the insistence that digital platforms "must prove that their services do no harm."

But it won't just be social media that's impacted. As Mashable's Anna Iovine reports, it could apply to "other digital services such as AI companions, video-sharing platforms, and video games."

France

France is ready to approve its social media ban for kids under 15, with the government reaching a compromise on the bill on July 20, 2026. Once it's through, France will be the first European country to officially enact such a ban. According to Le Monde, the social media ban will block under-15s from creating new accounts as of Sept. 1, and in Jan. 2027, all existing accounts will come under the law.

Germany

Germany hasn't yet rolled out a social media ban, but the government is considering it.

Greece

Greece plans to ban social media for kids under 15, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announcing the proposed law on April 8, 2026. In a TikTok video, translated by the BBC, Mitsotakis cited sleep issues and anxiety in children caused by "the pressure to always be online," and he criticized "the addictive design of certain applications." If passed, the measure will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, and the PM said age verification is also needed.

Indonesia

Indonesia announced it would ban social media for children under 16 on March 6, 2026. As reported by the BBC, the country's minister of communication and digital affairs, Meutya Hafid, said anyone under 16 with an account on a "high risk" online platform would see it deactivated by the end of March, naming "YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox."

Malaysia

Malaysia has banned social media for under-16s, with communications minister Fahmi Fadzil announcing the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) in Nov. 2025. The law came into force on Jan. 1, 2026, but it really got started on June 1, 2026. As NBC News reports, requires social media companies to add age verification and to prohibit kids under 16 from creating accounts on platforms with at least 8 million users (that means YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook). The law also requires social media companies "to limit features that increase, sustain, or extend" kids' online time.

Poland

Poland is looking to ban kids under 15 from social media, with Education Minister Barbara Nowacka announcing plans on Feb. 26, 2026. Yes, that would mean age verification on social media sites and big fines for companies not enforcing them.

Slovenia

Slovenia is set to ban social media access for kids under 15, with draft legislation announced by Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arčon on Feb. 5, 2026.

Spain

Spain announced plans to ban social media for children under 16 on Feb. 3, 2026, with the country's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, promising to "protect them from the digital Wild West." The proposed bill, which still needs to be passed by parliament, will hold social media companies (including their executives) liable for "illegal or harmful content" existing on their platforms. "We will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offence,” Sánchez said at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February.

Thailand

Thailand hasn't announced a social media ban yet, but there's a lot of discussion about it.

Turkey

Turkey passed a bill on April 23, 2026, that blocks kids under 15 from accessing social media platforms. According to the Associated Press, which cited state media reports, the law will require age verification on social media, rapid responses by companies to "harmful" content, and expanded parental controls.

United Kingdom

The UK confirmed an impending social media ban for under-16s on June 15, 2026, following the rollout of age verification in the country in July 2025 (it's kind of working?). The government explicitly said it "plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia," with the intention of broadening the law to cover other platforms, including livestreaming and gaming sites.

The UK is also considering overnight curfews for teens aged 16 and 17 and blocking infinite-scroll mechanisms for kids.

This story is developing and will be updated as laws are proposed and passed.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 29, the Anker Soundcore 2 portable speaker is on sale for $29.98 at Amazon. That's $15.01 off its list price of $44.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $29.98 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $15.01   Get Deal

Portable speakers are great to have around while going to the beach, pool, camping, and more in the summertime. Picking one out can feel a bit overwhelming, though. With so many different models to choose from, we're here to help. We've spotted a great deal on the Anker Soundcore 2 portable speaker right now at Amazon that's well worth a look.

As of July 29, the black model of this speaker has been marked down to $29.98 at Amazon, which is just over $15 off its list price. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it's also pretty close to its lowest-ever price of $21.59, so it's a great time to scoop it up.

Unfortunately, only the black model is available at this price, though other colors are on sale for a few dollars extra. Among the discounts are the mocha brown model at $33.98 and the baby blue, beige, and navy blue models at $35.98 each. There's also the pink model on sale, though for a bit higher at $39.99.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

While the Anker Soundcore 2's portable design is convenient for your summer excursions, it's also durable. With IPX7 waterproof protection, it's ready for a day at the beach or by the pool. Plus, it boasts great sound quality. According to the store page, this little speaker delivers 12W of power and enhanced bass from dual neodymium drivers, offering a nice boost for your favorite tunes.

On top of that, its battery can last up to 24 hours. With that kind of power, you can spend the whole day listening to your favorite music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more.

The Anker Soundcore 2 portable speaker currently has a "limited time deal" tag, so act fast to save at Amazon.

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

TL;DR: Granola has launched an Apple Watch app that lets you record and transcribe meetings without pulling out your phone, available free starting today. Since a feature like this can place extra pressure on battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best pairing for heavy Granola use.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 3 $779 at Amazon
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Granola just launched an app for the Apple Watch that lets you record and transcribe meetings without taking out your phone. It's built for the meetings that happen off your laptop: a walking one-on-one, a whiteboard brainstorm, or even a quick coffee chat. Tap your wrist to start, and your notes sync automatically to your iPhone and computer once you're done.

It's also easy to use throughout your day. Before a scheduled meeting, it gently taps you as a reminder to hit record, and for spontaneous chats, you can add Granola to your watch face so a new note is always one tap away.

If you've got back-to-back meetings all day and plan to keep Granola running through most of them, that'll wear down a standard Apple Watch fast. In that case, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is worth considering.

We've covered the Ultra 3 a few times already, and battery life keeps coming up as its standout upgrade. Mashable's Stan Schroeder noted that most Apple Watch models severely lag behind other watches in battery life.

The Ultra 3 narrows that gap significantly, putting it at up to 42 hours of normal use, a solid jump if you're planning to run something like Granola day after day.

Granola for Apple Watch is free and available today, requiring watchOS 11 or later. If your calendar is packed and you want the app running the whole time, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is your best bet.