IT General

On the first day of 2026, the Steam Beta for Chromebooks will end. This means you will no longer have the option to play Steam games on your Chromebook with official support. If you're not a Chromebook user, this might not sound like much of an issue. After all, who plays video games on a Chromebook?

Billionaire Peter Thiel apparently thinks activist Greta Thunberg and AI "doomers" are "legionnaires of the antichrist," the PayPal and Palantir co-founder reportedly said in a recording reviewed by the Washington Post.

The recording is from a four-part lecture series on the Antichrist, aptly titled "The Antichrist: A Four-Part Lecture Series," according to the Post. In the lectures, which were told to be off the record according to the event listing, Thiel laid out his religious views.

SEE ALSO: Strange AI-generated clips of musicians with animals are going viral

Reuters reported that Thiel has become cautious that an ntichrist who promises to stop something like AI will emerge and forge a one-world government. That person would curtail individual freedoms and human innovation.

"In the 17th, 18th century, the Antichrist would have been a Dr. Strangelove, a scientist who did all this sort of evil crazy science," Thiel reportedly said. "In the 21st century, the Antichrist is a Luddite who wants to stop all science. It's someone like Greta or Eliezer."

The Luddites were former textile workers in the early 19th century who destroyed machines used to replace their labor; "Luddite" has become a term to refer to technology skeptics or opposer.

Thiel also referred to Thunberg, who rose to fame for her climate activism and was recently detained by Israel along with other activists on an aid flotilla to Gaza. (It is apparently not the first time he associated her with the Antichrist.)

He also named Eliezer Yudkowsky, a prominent AI researcher whose new book, If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, poses AI as an existential threat. As Gizmodo pointed out, Thiel started funding Yudkowsky's "Singularity Institute" in 2005.

Reuters also recently reported that Thiel warned fellow billionaire Elon Musk against donating to charities.

One of the most famous read-later apps, Pocket by Mozilla, shut down permanently in October. The app was known for its ease of use, sync, and interface, leaving many loyal users shifting to similar apps.

In today’s market, the average new car price has soared well beyond reach for many buyers, making affordable options harder than ever to find. But one model still stands as a reminder that value and practicality can coexist, even in 2025. It’s the last new car in America you can buy for under $20,000, a rare find in an era of rising prices and disappearing budget-friendly vehicles.

Whether you want to restrict data inputs, ensure consistency, or avoid errors, data validation in Microsoft Excel is the tool for you. It can also serve as a vital safety net if you plan to share your workbook with people who are new to Excel or unfamiliar with your spreadsheet.

Remember the metaverse? The virtual reality world from which Mark Zuckerberg's Meta gets its name may not be the trendy tech term it was a couple of years ago, but the company now wants workers building it to utilize the latest shiny tech trend: AI.

In an internal message obtained by 404 Media, Meta's VP of Metaverse, Vishal Shah, apparently told the Metaverse team to work five times faster with AI. "Think 5X, not 5 percent," a graphic in the note included.

SEE ALSO: Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2: Early reviews are in — what do they say?

"Our goal is simple yet audacious: make Al a habit, not a novelty. This means prioritizing training and adoption for everyone, so that using Al becomes second nature — just like any other tool we rely on," Shah reportedly wrote to employees.

"I want to see [project managers], designers, and [cross-functional] partners rolling up their sleeves and building prototypes, fixing bugs, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible," the note continued, according to 404 Media. "I want to see us go 5X faster by eliminating the frictions that slow us down. And 5X faster to get to how our products feel much more quickly."

A Meta spokesperson told Gizmodo that it's well-known that this is a priority and that Meta is focused on using AI to help employees with their day-to-day work. Mashable reported in April that Zuckerberg wants AI to do half of Meta's coding by 2026.

This note comes shortly after AI stole the spotlight at the developer conference Meta Connect last month, with the debuting (and failed demo) of Meta's "AI glasses." Meta also recently launched Vibes, an endless scroll of AI-generated videos, and continues to bake AI into Facebook and Instagram, like adding an "AI dating assistant" to Facebook Dating.

While AI is today's hyped product, it wasn't too long ago that Meta leaned heavily into the metaverse, despite users not being really into it. Meta's VR efforts continue to incur losses, with Meta's Reality Labs reporting a loss of over $4 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

If nothing else, generative AI has proven useful for people who want to make odd stuff for no real reason.

The latest thing? Musicians accompanied by animals. Accompanied in the official, musical sense, and also in an even more literal way — as in a kitty cat climbing all over a metal singer for reasons that are entirely unclear.

Here's this clip that's racked up 13 million likes (and about 113 million views) on TikTok.

Is this AI? Yes. Obviously so, I'd argue. Just look at the cat — the way it moves is uncanny, physics-defying in a way that's unmistakably a trademark of AI. But it is good enough to fool lots of folks.

Here's a good breakdown of the inconsistencies in the video that make it clear it's AI-generated.

That metal singer with a cat isn't the only version of the strange, specific trend. Here's an AI-generated cat accompanying a choir. It's racked up nearly 3 million likes on Facebook.

If you look at the mouths of the singers or how the cat meows, nothing really lines up. But, again, it's good enough to get people to like it as they scroll by.

AI video trends have become remarkably common. There was a whole trend of faking surveillance footage of cute animals, or there was the one with uncanny valley babies, or an entire genre where humans clean whales with heavy machinery.

So just keep this in mind as you scroll: Anything that seems unbelievable, well, maybe you shouldn't believe it these days.

I like to purchase and download MP3s directly on my phone, but this is a challenge with video game soundtracks. Why, when buying music in a browser has been around for decades, is this still a problem?

Want to add a little unpredictability to your Python code? The random module is the quickest way to do it. From generating numbers and shuffling lists to simulating real-world randomness, it's one of those small but useful modules every Python programmer should know. Let's dive in!

As the automotive world charges toward electrification, one icon continues to roar defiantly against the current. The Ford Mustang remains America’s last great muscle car standing, a living link to the golden age of V-8 power, rear-wheel drive, and unfiltered performance. While its rivals have either gone electric or disappeared altogether, the Mustang carries the torch for traditional American muscle.

Multiview is one of the best features to hit some of our favorite streaming services. It allows users to watch multiple sports or news stations simultaneously. While this technology is still slowly arriving for more services, Amazon recently introduced a new immersive and customizable viewing experience for Prime Video. I hope YouTube TV copies it, and fast.

This was another busy week in tech, with the big release of Ubuntu Linux 25.10, Synology walking back its hard drive compatibility restrictions, Microsoft testing a new Start Menu for Windows 11, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Call it escapism, call it wanderlust, call it living vicariously through the lives of kick-ass covert spies and kung-fu masters—our love for action movies is primal.

If you regularly use speakers on your PC and feel like something’s missing, there’s a good chance it’s the bass. That’s because true, full-bodied bass requires a specialized speaker called a subwoofer, and without one, you’re seriously missing out.

Have you ever called the "terminal" a "shell" or the "command line"? While you're not wrong for doing so, there are distinct differences between these terms. I'll dive into those differences and where the terms originated; how many can you get correct?

The Unihertz Titan 2 is a BlackBerry-inspired smartphone that is limited not by its ambition, but by its size. It makes for an intriguing pocket computer, but as a phone, it stretches the definition of portable—along with the hands and pockets that hold it.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) hot to go with the tap of a button. Thanks to the best hookup apps, finding a sexy new friend can be just as easy as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s probably the same too — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you. I've personally vetted all of the best dating apps to separate the contenders from the pretenders. I also consulted a panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

What to know before you swipe

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you’re looking for. You’re here for a good time, not a long time — so own it. That also means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little insider secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps to try for cuffing season 2025

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

• Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

• Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a website.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

• FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few well-known hookup apps are missing here. That’s intentional. Part of my job is to swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. An app doesn't get my recommendation just because it's popular; it has to be effective, safe, and actually worth your time.

The apps below were left out for a combination of reasons, from having what I consider an ancient interface to user reviews and Reddit threads complaining about everything from bots to questionable billing practices.

BeNaughty and Fling.com: On the surface, sites like BeNaughty and Fling.com look like they'd be a good time, but the user feedback I read (and I read a lot) paints a different picture. Reddit threads are filled with complaints about these platforms being overrun with what seem to be bots and fake profiles. One user reported that, within a minute of making the payment, they received over 20 messages. That's a major red flag in my book. Multiple users have also reported confusing "trial" offers that lead to unexpected, recurring subscriptions, sometimes from affiliated sites they didn't realizing they were signing up for — a common trick on adult websites.

Kasual: Unlike the others, Kasual doesn't seem to be an outright "scam," but based on user feedback, it’s not very effective either. The biggest complaint is that the app feels like a ghost town, with a small and inactive user base, especially if you're not in a major city. Many users report that matches rarely reply or that conversations go nowhere, feeling forced or like people are just there to pass the time. While the platform itself seems legitimate, a dating app without enough active people is like a party with no guests. For that reason, I can't recommend it.

Apps I've cut from the list

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles. At the end of the day, it just doesn't offer anything special that other apps aren't already doing better, so it's off the list.

• Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond, so I've removed it from this guide to avoid any confusion.

Sexting can open up a whole new frontier for your sex life. In my experience, it’s an exciting form of digital foreplay that builds anticipation like nothing else. But you can't just slide into someone's DMs on a random dating app and start a spicy conversation (unless you're on a site like AdultFriendFinder, where that's the whole point). Real sexting requires more thought, especially when it comes to your privacy.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

As Mashable's resident dating app expert for the last three years, I've tested dozens of platforms to find the best and most discreet apps for the job. My highest priority is always user safety. I spoke with security expert Gary Orenstein, who stressed that for sharing intimate content, "privacy features cannot be optional — they’re essential." He recommends looking for apps with three key features: end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection.

After all, if you believe in safe sex, you should practice safe sexting, too. Based on my hands-on testing and these expert criteria, I’ve picked the best sexting apps that will keep your chats private.

Recent updates to this guide:

We regularly test new apps and dating platforms. For our most recent update to this guide in October 2025, we made the following changes:

• Confide: We've once again named this the best overall sexting app, replacing Signal as the top pick. We still recommend Signal as the best free secure messaging app. On balance, we think Confide's security and privacy tools give it the edge.

• Lovesense Remote: We added Lovesense Remote as the app that's "Best for Group Sexting." Lovesense Remote is also a fun way for couples (and polyamorous folks) to incorporate sexting and Bluetooth sex toys to their love life.

• FetLife: We named FetLife "Best for Niche Kinks & Fetishes." This social networking platform is popular in the kinkster community and can be a good way to connect with sexy new friends.

I don’t know when it started, because it definitely wasn’t always like this, but Grindr has a serious problem. You can’t do a single damn thing on the app without being smacked in the face with an ad, and it’s absolute hell.

Does it really cost a minimum of five long seconds (in some cases, many, many more) to get a little bit of action in 2025? Yes, it does. But, it doesn’t have to… if you’re willing to let the Grindr gods take a peek into your wallet. 

For $14.99 — a steep price for a weekly app subscription, I have to say — users can get rid of every unwanted Grindr ad for one whole week. On top of that, you’ll unlock access to 600 additional profiles in your area, enjoy unlimited album views without the hassle of them vanishing after a few hours, send as many expiring photos and albums as you like, and tons more.

But, for a little over $2 a day, is paying for Grindr XTRA for the week really worth the money, especially when there are so many other dating apps? Prior to testing the feature for myself, I was sure I’d say no. But the answer isn’t as black and white as you’d think.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Grindr XTRA Check pricing Learn More What Is Grindr XTRA?

Grindr XTRA is basically Grindr’s way of saying, “We know you’re desperate, so how about you pay us to make this hellscape slightly less miserable?” What do you get in return for coughing up the cash? First, sweet, sweet freedom from those endless ads clogging every corner of the app, which is a major bonus. It makes the app actually, dare I say, usable. This is the most beneficial aspect of getting Grindr XTRA, full stop. 

You’ll also get the ability to create multiple albums, mark recently chatted people (so you don’t accidentally message the same guy twice), and the ability to send three expiring photos each day. 

Multiple albums are a nice perk, though their usefulness feels a little limited to me. Since Grindr only allows one video per album, the feature really only shines if you’re juggling lots of photos or sending different sets to different people.

As for recently marked profiles, this one’s pretty killer. It saves you from déjà vu (and from coming across as desperate), like when you think, “Oh, this torso pic looks really hot,” click over for a quick “Hello,” and then realize you definitely messaged the same guy at 3 a.m. a couple of weekends ago. And, personally, when it comes to expiring albums, I don’t have much of a use for ‘em. I’m an out gay man, and I don’t really care who sees my dick anymore. Every Chicago gay on Grindr already has. It’s whatever. But, if you’re the type that likes to keep your nudes sensitive, this is a massive step up for privacy. You’ll never have to worry again about whether or not some rando you chatted with once saved your nudes to a private album in their smartphone.

SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps to try for cuffing season 2025

Like I mentioned, you’ll also have a bigger grid of guys to scroll through (an absolutely incredible perk), a golden ticket to the global Explore feature (useless unless you’re planning to go on a Dublin trip next month and/or prefer long-distance sexting), and a few shiny extras like read receipts (so you know exactly who’s ignoring you) and saved phrases (so you don’t have to type what you’re into 600 times over).

Another handy feature is the ability to filter profiles more effectively based on what you’re looking for. The free version of Grindr doesn’t let you use filters nearly as well as it once did. 

Back in the day (yes, I’ve been single long enough to remember), you could set an age range, pick a tribe (jocks, bears, twinks, etc.), select a “looking for” category (hookups, relationships, dates, and so on), add tags (bondage, anon, couples, whatever) to actually narrow in on your ideal person. The results would still show just as many profiles as you’d see without filters at all. 

Now? The free version only spits out three to six profiles when you try to get specific. With Grindr XTRA, you’ll see the same full range of profiles whether you’re using filters or not. This is great if you’re interested in something super specific, like bottom non-binary bear trade who is into fisting (or ff, if you know, you know) and tentacles.

How Much Is Grindr XTRA?

Grindr XTRA is currently available under four price points, which may vary by location:

• One week: $14.99

• One month: $22.99 (savings of 64%)

• Three months: $49.99 (savings of 74%)

• Twelve months: $149.99 (savings of 80%)

What’s the Difference Between Grindr XTRA and Grindr Unlimited?

Because of course, Grindr XTRA isn’t the only paid Grindr subscription the app offers. Go figure. Grindr Unlimited is the cream of the crop when it comes to Grindr, offering every single aspect of what you’d get with Grindr XTRA, plus everything else in the kitchen sink. You’ll have the ability to see every single profile that has viewed you, unsend messages after post-nut clarity, browse the grid without being seen in incognito mode, see when someone is typing a message, and, of course, see unlimited profiles using unlimited filters. 

The catch? It starts at $9.99 for one day. For a full month, though, that would set you back $22.99, with savings of 64% total. Three months is $49.99 with a savings of 74%, and 12 months is $149.99 with a savings of 80%. We don’t know what kind of money you’re working with, but if you can afford to pay for your hookup apps and you’re that horny, you do you, baby.

Is paying for Grindr worth it?

Here’s where things get tough: I honestly do not know how to answer this question for you. My wallet and brain both tell me no, but, the user experience Grindr XTRA has to offer? It’s incomprehensibly good. And I can’t help but feel like there’s a little conspiracy behind why that is.

Unpaid-for-Grindr is a borderline unusable app in 2025, but it does technically work just fine for free users. It’s not that you need to pay for Grindr to use it effectively. The problems with using Grindr for free in 2025 are the following:

• Ads are overwhelming

• The app crashes constantly

• Messages slip through the cracks

• The search function is almost useless

I’ve noticed all of these issues popping up over the past few years at different points in time, and I’m hardly the only one. I fear Grindr did this on purpose — make the app a true piece of shit so we’re left with no other option but to purchase a week-long Grindr XTRA subscription in our horniest of moments, realize once again how incredible the app can be, and then, poof, the week is over. Your only choice? Re-up for another week of Grindr XTRA or suffer through all of the ads once again. It’s kind of like a drug for insufferably horny gay men like myself.

But, again, is Grindr XTRA worth it? While I don't usually say this, I could go both ways. Sometimes, yes, depending on the circumstances. Are you touring a new city alone for a week and want your whole cake and to eat it, too? Then, sure — pay for a week-long Grindr XTRA subscription for a little over $2 a day. Go buck wild on your Berlin trip. Are you home on your couch when Pornhub is just a few clicks away in your Safari app? Maybe don’t pay for Grindr XTRA this time. Let it be a little treat every once in a while. Everybody deserves a little treat every once in a while.

So, should I get Grindr XTRA?

I think that if you’re here and you read everything I had to say about Grindr XTRA, you’ll realize it absolutely has its perks, with my personal two favorites being absolutely zero ads and the ability to filter out the wazoo. But, once upon a time, these weren’t “perks”. This was just how gay dating apps were supposed to function. If Grindr would actually fix the unpaid user experience instead of squeezing every penny out of the gay community, we could go back to using Grindr the way the gay gods intended. No one should have to cough up cash just to make a hookup app function the way it’s supposed to. Just some food for thought.

But, here’s the hard truth we all have to swallow: I bought Grindr XTRA, and my experience was nothing less than perfect. 

In the future, I do hope the Grindr experience goes back to the way it used to be, but that seems unlikely. So, here’s my verdict: When you take that solo trip to Rome, New York City, or Ibiza, pay for Grindr XTRA for a week, and only a week. You’ll hate yourself for paying, but you’ll hate Grindr even more if you don’t.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Grindr XTRA Check pricing Learn More

Watching sports used to be easy — after flipping a few channels, you'd likely stumble across the biggest games by pure chance. Now, between regional blackouts, exclusive streaming rights, and astronomical cable bills, tuning into live sports has become quite a headache.

Whether you've cut the cord or are still weighing your options, you can still catch all of the games, matches, and races you desire — it just may take a few different subscriptions. We've done some of the heavy lifting for you and dissected the top live sports streaming services to help you decide.

Which streaming service is best to watch live sports?

Streaming services give you the sports coverage you want, but on your terms. However, there are so many to choose from that it can be a little difficult deciding which ones are the best fit for you. When making your selection, here are some of the essential things to keep in mind:

• Which sports are most important to you? If you’re a die-hard college football fan and don’t really pay attention to any other sports, you may be solid with just ESPN and Fox One. Only care about hockey? You can just subscribe to your regional sports network and forget about the rest.

• Which channels do you need? Figure out which networks are non-negotiable for you to watch the sports you want. NFL games, for instance, air on CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN, while NBA, MLB, and NHL games mostly air on regional sports networks as well as TNT, TBS, ABC, and ESPN.

• Are you looking for a cable replacement? Some streaming services on this list are a cable replacement first and a sports service second. YouTube TV, for example, offers access to a bunch of live channels, on-demand movies and shows, as well as sports. These kinds of options are great if your whole family is going to be using them, or you just want a comprehensive TV plan for yourself. Otherwise, they can be pretty expensive.

• Is your team in-network? By far, the most annoying thing about streaming live sports is the prioritizing of in-network games. If you’re a fan of a local team, you shouldn’t have as much to worry about. But if you’re a fan of an out-of-market team, your life will be significantly harder — particularly for NFL games. You’ll probably have to splurge on NFL Sunday Ticket if you want access to all games, regardless of the network.

• How much are you willing to pay? Cable replacement services are extremely pricey — especially if you want access to regional sports networks. If you don't need all of the extra bells and whistles that come with services like Fubo and YouTube TV, you can save a lot of money by opting for several casual streamers like ESPN and Peacock instead.

How to watch league-specific sports

If you really only care about watching a specific team or league, you might not need to sign up for an entire cable replacement service. Individual leagues often offer dedicated streaming services. Of course, these services also have their own pros and cons, but we'll leave it to you to decide. Here's a brief breakdown of the league-specific streaming services you can choose from.

NFL

• NFL+ — mobile only, in-market games only for $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year

• NFL Sunday Ticket — out of market games only for $47.25 per month or $378 per year with YouTube TV, $60 per month or $480 per year without YouTube TV

MLB

• MLB.TV — out of market games only for $29.99 per month or $149.99 per year

NBA

• NBA League Pass — out of market games only for $16.99 per month or $109.99 per season

MLS

• MLS Season Pass — every regular and post-season game for $14.99 per month or $99 per season

How to watch live sports without cable

While there are at least a baker's dozen streaming platforms (and counting) to watch live and recorded sports, each has its perks and drawbacks. There's no point in canceling your cable plan if you can't watch your favorite teams live, right? We've done some of the grunt work and sorted out which streaming services can get you access to the live sports you crave. Check out our top picks to help you decide what to spend your money on.