IT General

After years of ban threats, deadline extensions, and geopolitical brinkmanship, TikTok’s long-running U.S. saga may finally be nearing its end. TikTok has signed an agreement to divest its U.S. operations to a joint venture controlled by American investors, according to an internal memo first reported by Axios and later confirmed by CNN on Dec. 18.

The deal, reportedly outlined in a memo sent to employees by TikTok CEO Shou Chew, is expected to close on Jan. 22 and represents a major step toward resolving a years-long standoff over the app's ownership and national security concerns. While the transaction is not yet finalized, it would bring TikTok closer to complying with a U.S. law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app's American business or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

SEE ALSO: Every potential TikTok buyer we know about

Under the agreement, the U.S. entity — to be called "TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC" — will be jointly owned by a group of American investors and ByteDance. Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will collectively hold a 45 percent stake in the company. Affiliates of existing ByteDance investors will own nearly one-third, while ByteDance itself will retain just under 20 percent.

Mashable will be live on the ground covering the first U.S. TikTok Awards tonight, so stay locked to mashable.com and our socials for the awards livestream and updates, starting at 8 p.m. EST.

According to the memo, as reported by Axios, the newly formed joint venture will take over responsibility for U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance. The memo also says TikTok’s content recommendation algorithm will be retrained using U.S. user data, a step intended to ensure the platform’s feed is "free from outside manipulation."

The most recent extension pushes the effective deadline to Jan. 23, giving TikTok additional time to complete the divestiture. Trump said in a September executive order that a plan had been presented to him for a "qualified divestiture" of TikTok’s U.S. operations, justifying another 120-day delay.

Negotiations over a sale have been marked by uncertainty and geopolitical tension, with the Chinese government expressing opposition to a forced divestment and signaling it could block a deal. Still, Axios reported that the White House and Chinese officials reached a deal in principle in September for a U.S.-controlled joint venture led by investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Silver Lake, and Oracle.

The move would end a saga that began in 2020, when Trump first issued an executive order seeking to force ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. business over national security concerns.

The first-ever TikTok Awards are almost here. They're set to air this Thursday, Dec. 18.

So...what are the TikTok Awards? Well, they're kind of exactly what they sound like — an event to honor TikTok and its creators.

Mashable's Crystal Bell has all the details, but, as she wrote, you can expect "the chaos and creativity of TikTok brought to life in physical space" with "creator-led segments, live performances, and moments designed to be experienced and immediately shared, clipped, and stitched."

SEE ALSO: What to expect from the inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards

Mashable is covering the awards live, both on the red carpet and inside the venue. We've already seen some cool outfits, big stars, and fun moments. But if you want to watch from home, it's simple enough.

How to watch the 2025 TikTok Awards

As you might've expected, you can watch the TikTok Awards on TikTok itself. Fire up the TikTok app, go to @TikTok, and you should see it streaming on the company's livestream.

You can also stream the TikTok awards via Tubi, for free. The red carpet livestream kicks off at 5 p.m. PT (that's 8 p.m. ET) while the event itself starts at 6 p.m. PT.

We've got the full list of nominees here at Mashable, but the marquee award of the night is Creator of the Year. My money is on Keith Lee — but we'll have to tune in to find out.

Best ways to watch the 'Now You See Me' films at a glance: Stream 'Now You See Me' and 'Now You See Me 2' on MovieSphere+ (Prime Video add-on) Free 7-day trial, then $4.99/month Learn More Stream 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' on Starz at a later date $11.99/year for your first year (save $58) Get Deal Buy all 3 films at Prime Video $34.99 (save $5.98) Get Deal

It's been a dozen years since Now You See Me hit theaters and nearly a decade since the sequel. In other words, with the release of the third film, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, it's a good time to revisit the originals and queue up a marathon. Or, maybe even watch them all for the first time.

The films feature a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as the Four Horsemen, Morgan Freeman as master magician Thaddeus Bradley, Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, and more. The whole gang returns in Now You See Me 3, plus some newbies join the mix. So it's essential to get caught up with the characters and lore of the films before diving into the newest film.

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't.

How many Now You See Me movies are there?

The fall release of Now You See Me: Now You Don't marks the third film in the Four Horsemen trilogy. The first film, Now You See Me, arrived in 2013 as a surprise hit. It grossed over $350 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel, Now You See Me 2, hit theaters in 2016 and brought in over $334 million.

When does Now You See Me: Now You Don't come out?

The third film in the Now You See Me franchise arrived in theaters on Nov. 14, 2025. That's nearly 12.5 years to the day since the original film made its mark at the box office. In a time when cinema is struggling, Now You See Me: Now You Don't has still been largely successful at the box office. It didn't quite live up to its predecessors, but still raked in $213.6 million worldwide so far on a $90 million budget. It's still in select theaters and is now officially available to watch at home as of Dec. 16, 2025 (more on that below).

Check out the official trailer below:

How to watch all of the Now You See Me movies online Credit: Lionsgate Films

There are a few different ways you can watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't at home. We've broken down all the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

To watch Now You See Me 1, 2, and 3 individually without signing up for a streaming service, you can rent or purchase them at digital-on-demand retailers. Make note that if you choose to rent, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep. Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the films at the main digital retailers.

Now You See Me:

• Prime Video — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Now You See Me 2:

• Prime Video — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Bundle the first two films for just $15.98 at Prime Video.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't:

• Prime Video — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• YouTube — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

Bundle all three films for just $34.99 at Prime Video.

Are the Now You See Me movies streaming anywhere?

Both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 were streaming on Netflix this fall, but left the streamer as of Sept. 30. At the time of writing, none of the major streaming services have the films in their libraries — a huge bummer. However, we did spot both the first two films on MovieSphere+, a Prime Video add-on service that costs $4.99 per month. You'll also get a free seven-day trial, which means you can watch both movies for free. The only catch? You must be a Prime Video subscriber or Prime member to get the add-on.

Opens in a new window Credit: MovieSphere+ MovieSphere+ (Prime Video add-on) free 7-day trial, then $4.99/month Get Deal

As for the third installment, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, we're still waiting on an announcement for its official streaming date. As a Lionsgate film, we expect that it will make its streaming debut on Starz. Based on the streaming trajectory of previous Lionsgate films, we expect a March 2026 streaming date. We'll update this if and when Lionsgate announces new streaming information.

It's worth mentioning that Starz is running a holiday deal where you can get an entire year of streaming for just $11.99. If you secure that deal now, you'll have access to Now You See Me: Now You Don't when it arrives on Starz, as well as future theatrical releases like The Housemaid and The Long Walk. Once the promotion ends, the price will jump back to $69.99 per year unless you cancel. There's no end date listed, but since it's branded as a holiday deal, we expect it to disappear in early 2026.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz annual plan $11.99/year for your first year (save $58) Get Deal

Firefox is addressing recent community concerns about AI integration by confirming it will include the option to completely disable all AI features within the browser. The team has been calling this functionality the "AI kill switch" internally, which is what I hope it ends up being called.

TL;DR: Give a PC an affordable upgrade with this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license, now just $9.97 (reg. $139).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Home $9.97
$139 Save $129.03   Get Deal

When was the last time you updated your Windows OS? If you’d like to show your old PC a little TLC, this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license should do the trick. It gives your device a serious upgrade, and it’s on sale now for just $9.97 (reg. $139).

Whether you’re in the market for a new computer or your old one is just feeling a little sluggish, Microsoft Windows 11 Home can breathe new life into a PC. It brings a user-friendly interface and some serious enhancements that will make everyone’s lives a little easier — from students to gamers to professionals.

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If you’re in need of a productivity boost, features like snap layouts and seamless redocking can help streamline your workflow. You’ll also have access to Microsoft Teams, so it’s easier to connect with coworkers, friends, or family members.

You’ll have access to Copilot right on your desktop, an AI-powered assistant that is ready to answer all your questions. It can even take actions for you, like changing settings, summarizing a web page, or opening an app.

If you’re a gamer, the DirectX 12 Ultimate life-life graphics takes your gaming to the next level. And everyone will benefit from the improved cybersecurity features. With biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses, you’ll stay safer online.

Before you purchase this license, make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.

Make your PC feel new again with this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license, now just $9.97 (reg. $139).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

This is it. The last hurrah, the final curtain, the end game of 2025. And as Netflix looks forward to 2026, it's also already shelled out its list of movies and TV shows that are leaving the world's biggest streaming service in the U.S. next month.

Former President Barack Obama dropped his annual Best Of list for 2025 — his top movies, music, and books — and the internet, of course, was ready to react.

In case you missed it, Obama posted the year-end list to social media.

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Personally, I appreciate the inclusion of Jay Som, Laufey, and Jason Isbell — but "Ordinary"...come on. Anyway, the internet, of course, was quick to respond to all of Obama's choices.

Including Drake and Kendrick is very funny.

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People mentioned the now-infamous tweet from Boygenius member Lucy Dacus from 2023.

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Naturally, the K-pop fans jumped in.

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Gaga fans celebrated her inclusion.

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People also generally weighed in on his picks.

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Some people loved Obama's picks, while others...not so much. If you want other recommendations, however, you can check out all of Mashable's Best of 2025 coverage.

A 3D printer is a wonderful tool, especially around the holidays. I recently upgraded to the Bambu Lab P2S, and wanted to put it to work making some fun games for the family to play. Here are five of the games I 3D printed to play (and gift) this Christmas.

ChatGPT has launched its app directory — meaning you can now connect to some of your favorite services without leaving the OpenAI platform.

The idea is that moving forward, the chatbot can suggest apps or you can easily access them (using the @ command) during a conversation. For instance, if you connect Adobe Photoshop to your account, you will then be able to utilize Photoshop tools when making image requests. In our testing, this works even if you don't have an existing Photoshop account.

You can now integrate third-party apps directly into your ChatGPT experience. Credit: Screenshot: Timothy Werth / OpenAI

"Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions like order groceries, turn an outline into a slide deck, or search for an apartment," wrote OpenAI in an announcement for the app directory.

In addition, app developers will be able to create experiences within ChatGPT.

"Developers can use the Apps SDK — now in beta — to build chat-native experiences that bring context and action directly into ChatGPT," OpenAI explained.

While some commentators have referred to the new Apps beta as a ChatGPT app store, at this time, it's more of an app directory. However, in the "Looking Ahead" section of its announcement post, OpenAI does note that this tool could eventually "expand the ways developers can reach users and monetize their work."

Apps will, of course, be added over time. But here's a look at some of the apps you can now access right in ChatGPT. You can also check out the directory at chatgpt.com/apps.

1. Spotify

The idea is that you can talk with ChatGPT and it'll use Spotify to fire up the correct music for your long run, dinner party, or whatever the mood might be.

2. Apple Music

Well...the idea is pretty much the same as Spotify.

3. DoorDash

Say you're using ChatGPT to discover recipes, the thought is that DoorDash can then have the exact ingredients delivered.

4. Instacart

So...pretty much what we said about DoorDash.

5. Tripadvisor

If you're using ChatGPT to help plan a vacation or travel, then you can book through TripAdvisor right on the OpenAI platform.

6. Expedia

So, again...see Tripadvisor above. Oh, and the Booking.com app is available, too.

7. Target

This might prove dangerous for the impulse buyers out there, but Target is integrated into ChatGPT. So if, say, ChatGPT recommends a product, you can then buy it via Target.

8. Zillow

Finding the right place to live isn't easy. If you use ChatGPT for help, then you can use the Zillow app right on the platform to schedule tours, see photos, and more.

It appears that more and more major apps will be integrated into ChatGPT moving forward. It'll be interesting to see how the integration experience goes for users — and if it becomes a part of their daily life.

To see the full list of apps included in the new ChatGPT Apps beta, head to the ChatGPT app directory.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Every app seems to end the year with a Spotify Wrapped-style recap now, but what if you could get one for the neighborhood where you live? How many people complained about potholes? What was the most complained-about spot? A new project turns neighborhood complaints into a personalized highlight reel for your city.

Europe’s long-planned 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine cars is no longer as clear-cut as it once seemed. Recent policy shifts and growing political pushback have reopened the door for gas-powered vehicles, signaling a major recalibration of the continent’s all-electric ambitions. For automakers and consumers alike, this change could have far-reaching consequences for product planning, pricing, and the pace of electrification.

Meta AI glasses are getting a software update designed to help wearers hear the person they're talking to in noisy environments.

The "conversation focus" feature, which Meta announced on Wednesday, amplifies the sound of another person's voice when there's competing noises, such as chatter in a restaurant or the auditory chaos of a public transit commute.

The amplified voice will be slightly louder, and wearers can adjust the level through the glasses' device settings or by swiping the right temple of the glasses.

SEE ALSO: Buy the Meta Quest 3S and get a free $50 Amazon credit

The software update is first available to those enrolled in the product's Early Access Program in the United States and Canada.

Last year, Meta partnered with the accessibility service provider Be My Eyes to give glasses wearers who are blind or low vision access to live support.

This Christmas, Netflix has a huge shelf of magical holiday titles to choose from. Whether you're settling in for a laid-back holiday romcom or picking a Christmastime title for your family, the streaming platform has something to explore every night of your holiday.

I'm often searching YouTube for the latest movie trailers, full of excitement for the next big release. However, I typically find the results full of AI-generated trailers, sometimes ranking higher than the real trailer from the studio's official channel. I bet you've experienced the same. Now, YouTube is finally doing something about that.

There are a lot of metrics you should pay attention to when buying new PC components. Temperature, bandwidth, wattage, capacity, you name it. But there's one metric that just doesn't matter much these days, and that's clock speed. In the past, this number may have meant something, but not anymore.

OpenAI has faced enormous pressure in recent months to address concerns that its flagship product, ChatGPT, is unsafe for teens.

The AI chatbot is at the heart of multiple wrongful death lawsuits alleging that it coached teens to take their own lives or didn't appropriately respond to their suicidal feelings. A public service announcement recently depicted some of these exchanges, imagining the chatbots as creepy humans that harm kids. OpenAI has denied the allegations in one case — the suicide death of 16-year-old Adam Raine.

On Thursday, OpenAI published a blog post on its escalating safety efforts and committed "to put teen safety first, even when it may conflict with other goals."

The post introduced an update to its Model Spec, which guides how its AI models should behave. A new set of principles for under-18 users will particularly inform how the models react in high-stakes situations.

SEE ALSO: 5 strategies to avoid ChatGPT dependency

OpenAI said that ChatGPT update should provide a "safe, age-appropriate experience" for users between the ages of 13 and 17 by prioritizing prevention, transparency, and early intervention.

"This means teens should encounter stronger guardrails, safer alternatives, and encouragement to seek trusted offline support when conversations move into higher-risk territory," the post said. ChatGPT is designed to urge teens to contact emergency services or crisis resources when demonstrating imminent risk.

When users sign in as under-18, safeguards should make ChatGPT take extra care when discussing topics like self-harm, suicide, romantic or sexualized role play, or keeping secrets about dangerous behavior, according to the company.

The American Psychological Association provided OpenAI with feedback on an early draft of the under-18 principles, according to the post.

"Children and adolescents might benefit from AI tools if they are balanced with human interactions that science shows are critical for social, psychological, behavioral, and even biological development," Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association, said in the post.

OpenAI is also offering teens and parents two new expert-vetted AI literacy guides. The company said it's in the early stages of implementing an age-prediction model for users with ChatGPT consumer plans.

Child safety and mental health experts recently declared AI chatbots as unsafe for teen discussions about their mental health. Last week, OpenAI announced that its latest model, ChatGPT-5.2, is "safer" for mental health.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Apple's next public iOS beta is here.

That would be the public beta for iOS 26.3, to be more specific. It launched this week, shortly after the launch of iOS 26.2 to the public, and with the expectation that the full release of the update will happen in early 2026. The new beta brings with it a few small (but still noteworthy) new features, and you can try them out for yourself. Here's how.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new iOS feature is huge for people with non-Apple smartwatches How to download the iOS 26.3 public beta

Apple makes its public betas available for anyone with an iPhone to test out. All you have to do is sign up for the beta program. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get the iOS 26.3 public beta on your iPhone:

1. Go to Apple's beta website

2. Sign up for the beta program with your Apple ID

3. Log in and click "Enroll your iOS device"

4. On your iPhone, open Settings, then go to General, then Software Update

5. Select the iOS Public Beta and install it

iOS 26.3 public beta new features

Once you've done that, you can start looking at the new stuff Apple added to iOS 26.3. Be warned, though, that there aren't any game-changing everyday adjustments here for most Apple users. There is, however, one notable update for Apple users who prefer non-Apple smartwatches or fitness trackers.

For starters, Apple has slightly rearranged the Wallpapers page, putting Weather and Astronomy into their own distinct sections instead of bundling them together. There are also a few new Weather wallpapers to choose from, but otherwise, everything else is the same.

On top of that, you can also choose to have your notifications forwarded to a third-party wearable device instead of an Apple Watch. This should make life easier for folks who prefer other wearables but still want to get every notification that their iPhone gets without looking at the phone. The only problem is that this is only available to users in the European Union at the moment, and there's no telling when (or even if) U.S.-based iPhone owners will get this feature. As we reported earlier today, Apple was forced to make this change by the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Lastly and most significantly, Apple and Google worked together to make switching from an iPhone to an Android device (or vice versa) easier than it used to be. You'll be able to place your iPhone next to a new Android device and wirelessly transfer messages, notes, photos, apps, and even your phone number between devices. This sounds easier than the old way of doing things, which largely involved downloading an app on either side of the equation.

Google is expanding its content transparency tools within the Gemini app. It is now possible to verify videos generated by the company's own artificial intelligence models. Keep in mind, this is exclusive to anything Gemini made, because the AI uses an ID that only it can see.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 18, the JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker is on sale for just $99.95 at Amazon. That's a savings of 33% and marks its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 7 $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Looking for a last-minute gift under $100? JBL's iconic Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker just dropped below that threshold for the first time.

As of Dec. 18, you can pick up the JBL Flip 7 speaker for just $99.95 at Amazon in any colorway. That's 33% off its list price of $149.95 and its lowest price to date. This deal even beats its Black Friday price by $10.

While it's not quite as good as our favorite Blueooth speaker, the JBL Charge 6, the Flip 7 is a force to be reckoned with. It's practically indestructible (waterproof, dustproof, drop-proof), can pump out massive sound in a water bottle-sized package, and will last for up to 16 hours on a charge (thanks to a new Playtime Boost mode). The latest edition features a new tweeter dome design that delivers powerful, clearer bass and crisper, higher frequencies. It also now features AI Sound Boost, which can analyze and boost sound in real time. JBL calls it "an audio genie."

It comes in a variety of fun colors and includes a new PushLock system with interchangeable accessories. Choose from a carabiner or a loop or keep it attachment-free. My personal favorite perk of the Flip speakers (I have the Flip 5) is that they fit into cup holders and water bottle cages. I pop mine into the cage on my bike for on-the-move tuneage.

Usually $150, you can pick up the JBL Flip 7 for its best-ever price of $99.95 ahead of the holidays.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 18, get the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station for $399, down from its usual price of $469. That's a discount of 15%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station $399 at Amazon
$469 Save $70   Get Deal

Winter weather is here for most of the country, and that means potential power outages, bad signal, and other frustrating ways to mess up your day. If you don't particularly enjoy being without electricity, there are ways to overcome that problem: a portable power station, for one. And you can get a great one right now at a special discount.

As of Dec. 18, get the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station for $399, down from its usual price of $469. That's $70 off and a discount of 15%.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 power station is over $100 off at Amazon

This portable power station boasts 1,024Wh of output though it retains its compact size. It has 2600W of electricity available for all your smaller devices: your phone, tablet, smaller items from your kitchen, and more. So if you end up needing emergency power, you'll want to take advantage of it for just about all the everyday things you use. And when it's used up, you can go from 0 to 80% charge in just 37 minutes.

All of this is housed in a sturdy, flame-retardant exterior, with sub-nano coating and multiple outlets to not only make sure you're safe, but to make charging up as efficient and useful as possible. It also promises quiet operation, running as low as 26 dB for quiet nights so you can actually get some shut-eye whether you're dealing with a long night of power issues or just hanging out off-grid.

Now's a good time to make sure you're prepared with a power generator if necessary, so snag this one while it's on sale.