Technology

This was yet another busy week in tech, with some impressive updates coming to Google Maps and Home Assistant, Google's proposed settlement with Epic Games, more changes coming to Windows 11, and a whole lot more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

One day, all of this will be gone. The sun will swell up and consume the inner planets and burn it all to a crisp. Luckily, all life on Earth and everything humanity has created on this planet will be dust for millions of years before that happens, so that's a bullet dodged!

NVIDIA's mid-cycle "SUPER" refreshes have almost become a tradition in the graphics card industry. The RTX 50 SUPER series was expected to be especially significant, promising meaningful upgrades for gamers. Unfortunately, with reports of a global DRAM shortage, it looks like patient players may not be getting their hands on these cards anytime soon.

We all love our phones and are probably more addicted to them than we realize. Did you know the average person unlocks their phone around 100–150 times a day, and taps the screen over 2,600 times a day? We use these little pocket computers for everything, which is why your oleophobic coating is slowly but surely getting destroyed.

The phone camera in your pocket is an incredible piece of kit. If you’re anything like me, you probably reach for it every time you want to preserve a memory. But phone cameras have limitations, both in terms of their technical ability and what they’re like to use.

Grow a Garden. 99 Nights in the Forest. Steal a Brainrot.

If you're a parent, you've likely heard your kids talk about one of these Roblox games at some point. They're playing Roblox. They're friends are playing Roblox. Half of all kids under the age of 16 in the U.S. are playing Roblox.

Unfortunately, with so many kids on Roblox, predators are taking advantage of the online gaming platform. And, as a result, Roblox has been hit with a slew of lawsuits over its alleged failure to keep children safe on the platform.

So, is Roblox safe for your kids? If your kid is already on Roblox, what should you do?

As a father of three young kids, two of whom play Roblox regularly and one who will likely start playing as soon as she learns how to hold a tablet, I've created this guide to help other parents navigate Roblox and ensure their kids' safety while playing the game.

What is Roblox, and should my kids play it?

Roblox is an online game where your character can explore a virtual universe and interact with other Roblox characters. The Roblox world is cartoony, with the characters resembling those of LEGO people.

At this point, Roblox is more like a gaming platform than a standalone game. Roblox users create their own games in the virtual world, which other Roblox gamers can play. Roblox even has its own economy, with some Roblox gaming developers making hundreds of thousands of dollars or more if their game gets popular. There's an in-game virtual currency called Robux, which can be used to access premium features and items.

Due to the nature of Roblox, it received an official ESRB rating of T for Teen. However, that's just because some of the games warrant that level of rating. If your child tells you they're playing Roblox, that really doesn't give you much information. It's the equivalent of them telling you they're playing video games. You need to know specifically what games they are playing on Roblox to get an idea of what is or isn't appropriate.

Obviously, whether your kids play it or not is up to you. But, I have decided it's fine for my kids in the same way I let them watch their favorite kids shows on Netflix. There are many adult movies available, but with the right parental controls and monitoring, you can also find age-appropriate content for your children.

Getting started on Roblox

So, you've decided your child can play on Roblox. Now, this is where you'll discover that Roblox actually has several parental controls in place to keep kids safe on the platform. However, parents need to actually take the time to set these things up.

First things first: Creating your Roblox accounts. 

That's right, I said "accounts" as in more than one. Your child will have an account, and you will too. Create your accounts, and then from your child's account, navigate to Settings> Parental Controls> Add a parent. Input the email for your account, and then accept the link account request in your inbox. You'll need to verify your age and identification to show you are a parent. 

Link a Parent Account Credit: Roblox

Once your account is linked, parents will need to set up a Parental PIN number to access those parental controls and prevent their kids from changing them. After that, you'll then have full access to control your child's account settings and view any pending requests your child receives.

Parental Controls and Content

Roblox offers several options to ensure your child's safety on the platform. However, you have to proactively set these things up.

In your account's Parental Controls settings, under Content Maturity, parents can set content restrictions based on the maturity level of the content itself, with levels ranging from Minimal, which means occasional mild violence, all the way to Restricted, which allows unfettered access to the most violence, scary, and crude content on Roblox. You probably don't want that last one. There are two in-between labels for older kids, Mild and Moderate, and these settings can be changed by a parent at any time.

Content Maturity settings Credit: Roblox

Blocked Experiences allows parents to block specific game titles within Roblox, even if they are technically within the Content Maturity options you set in the previously mentioned menu. As games are added to Roblox, parents may find a specific game that adheres to Roblox's content labels but still contains an attribute that makes the content inappropriate for their child. Parents can use the search bar to find these experiences and block them.

Similarly, there is a Sensitive Issues toggle to block games from your child that may be themed around social, political, or religious issues. Parents can choose to block games labeled as Sensitive Issues here, even if these titles fall within the previously set Content Maturity settings.

Sensitive Issues settings Credit: Roblox Child safety controls

Now come the privacy controls that directly address the child safety issues for which Roblox is under scrutiny.

In the Communications section of the parental controls, parents can set who their kids can communicate with in Roblox experiences. For young children, the option is simple: turn those chats off completely by selecting 'No One'.

Experience Chat settings Credit: Roblox

However, as your kids get a bit older and want to interact with their real-life friends from school, there are additional options you'll want to set. Roblox allows users to "friend" one another through Connections. Additionally, they can create a Party or a group of friends that can join experiences together.

Parents can view and manage all of their child's connections to ensure they are only connected with individuals they know and trust in real life. Furthermore, parents can adjust their child's profile visibility so that only Connections can view when their child is on Roblox and which game they are currently playing.

Visibility settings Credit: Roblox

Furthermore, parents can control the Party settings so that their child can only create a Party with users who are their Connections. Parents can also toggle Party options off entirely for small children who won't be interacting with anyone on Roblox. 

Party settings Credit: Roblox

Private Servers are another setting that will likely be vastly different for you based on your child's age. Private Servers essentially allow users to participate in Roblox experiences with a select group of people. For small children, you'll want to likely turn this off entirely. For older kids, setting Private Servers to Connections will allow them to play with their friends.

Private Servers settings Credit: Roblox

While Roblox can always do more to protect its youngest users, the platform does have pretty robust options for child safety. The problem is that parents need to be aware of them and learn how to use them. Hopefully, this guide helps. 

TL;DR: Live stream Italy vs. Australia in the Autumn Internationals for free on RaiPlay. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals have already delivered a bunch of exciting games, and we're expecting more of the same from Italy vs. Australia. The Wallabies will probably be the favorites coming into this contest, but Italy will absolutely fancy their chances at home.

If you want to watch Italy vs. Australia in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. Australia?

Italy vs. Australia in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 6:40 p.m. GMT on Nov. 8. This fixture takes place at the Bluenergy Stadium.

How to watch Italy vs. Australia for free

Italy vs. Australia in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.

RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can unblock RaiPlay to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Italy vs. Australia for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy

4. Visit RaiPlay

5. Watch Italy vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of Italy's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Italy vs. Australia in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

Microsoft Excel has been the king of spreadsheets for decades. Now that more people are turning to open-source alternatives, LibreOffice Calc enters the conversation. Let's examine some key features to see if Calc is a viable option for getting the job done.

Smartphones and the apps we use on them are designed to maximize screen time. You might pick up your phone to swipe away a notification alert, only to realize half an hour has passed and you haven’t looked away from the screen. That’s why I set up a notification system to alert me whenever that happened.

For a lot of us, streaming was supposed to be the end of expensive cable bundles. A way to pay only for what we actually watched. But somewhere along the way, that promise started to unravel. Every show seemed to live on a different platform, subscription prices crept up, and the once simple joy of flipping through channels turned into a spreadsheet of monthly charges. According to Consumer Reports, more than half of American households now subscribe to four or more streaming services, and nearly one in ten pay for nine or more. It’s a quiet kind of subscription fatigue that’s easy to ignore until you finally add up the totals.

Major shifts could be ahead for Android—the Epic vs. Google settlement will change app distribution. Motorola's new Moto G series starts at just $170. Plus, Google Messages can now pin 20 conversations, and Gemini is coming to Google Maps navigation. Read on for more!

Android is now over fifteen years old, and in that time, some truly great apps have come and gone. Let's take a moment to honor a few of our fallen brethren who truly did serve us well.

For people desperate to have the smallest eReader possible, the Durobo Krono is a new option. It’s a 6.13-inch phone-like device with an E Ink screen that tries to differentiate itself with a scroll wheel. Unfortunately, the device feels cheap to use.

In the past, we could only dream of staying online while camping off-grid. Instead, we told a family member or friend where we planned to be and when we planned to be back in the real world with a charged-up cell phone. But thanks to the best power stations for camping, those days are over. We now have the magical convenience of portable power stations. Some models are gigantic beasts that can keep an entire house going during an emergency power outage. Others focus on portability and can fit inside a backpack for a hiking and camping weekend. 

Regardless of the model’s size or features, portable power stations are excellent for keeping your phone charged while camping, keeping the string lights on to set the vibe at night, and powering up the induction cooker come dinner time.

Your ideal portable power station for camping depends on your overall power needs, how long you’ll be in the great outdoors, and whether you’ll be utilizing solar power to recharge. And after months of testing some of the top models, I'm finally ready to pick the best portable power station for camping in 2025.

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: My ghoster apologized to me. Here's what they had to say.

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 as of October 2025. 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 dating site.) 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 realize 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.

Contrary to what you might think, you don't need to break the bank to get a great pair of earbuds. We spend a lot of time fawning over the latest tech here at Mashable, and as much as we love nerding out over the newest Sony headphones drop, we know that's not always relatable. New tech is often expensive tech, and a nearly $500 pair of headphones is certainly not always in the budget. That's why we're here to talk about the best budget earbuds.

A pair of cheap earbuds is a compact alternative to over-the-ear headphones, but let's be clear, just because these earbuds are affordable, doesn't mean they skimp on features. Two of the best earbuds we've tested are nearly $300 — Apple AirPods Pro costs $249.95, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds come in at $299 — but we've found models for even less. You don't need to spend $300 on a pair of great earbuds; in fact, you don't even need to spend $100.

Among all the earbuds we've tested, which is an extensive list, these are the best budget earbuds.

What's considered budget?

Budget is a relative term, so for this list, we're looking at earbuds under $200, but mostly under $100. Our top pick is the EarFun Air Pro 4, which have a list price of $79.99, and have the noise cancellation of a much more expensive pair of earbuds. Going the budget route might mean making compromises, but not sacrifices. For under $100, you can still get active noise cancellation and self-charging cases.

We do include a couple of models closer to $200, which we get isn't exactly everyone's idea of budget-friendly. For those models, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, we consider them budget pairs, relatively speaking. Compared to premium options, the Bose QC earbuds offer an awfully similar experience for significantly cheaper. In the case of Apple, AirPods' entire line runs at higher price points than most of the consumer audio market. That's why we recommend the AirPods 4 both with and without ANC for folks who want to stay in the Apple ecosystem, enjoy AirPods' quality sound, but aren't quite ready to make the jump to the Pros.

Currently testing

Another pair of earbuds that are currently in consideration for this list are the CMF Buds 2. We're currently testing these earbuds and will update this guide once complete.

Other models we've tested

The models on this list are pulled from our extensive testing here at Mashable. Our previous top pick on this list was the Apple AirPods 3; however, the AirPods 4 have replaced them, making them more expensive, and they also lack great Android compatibility.

Another pair of headphones we considered for this list were the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds with sound by Bose. We tested these buds, and while they're pretty good for $100, they have a bad case design and just aren't that comfortable compared to other models on this list — plus, the $100 introductory price went up to $129.99.

I ran the New York City Marathon wearing seven fitness trackers to see how they compare, and I left with a few favorites. I received a lot of strange looks, but if shame is the price to pay for finding the best fitness tracker for running a marathon, so be it.

While training for the race, I used 10 different trackers in total — deep breath — the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (which replaced my Apple Watch Ultra 2, which replaced my Apple Watch SE), the Garmin Forerunner 570, the Whoop MG, the Pixel Watch 4 (as well as the older Pixel Watch 3), the Suunto Run, the Oura Ring 4, and the Fitbit Charge 6.

In the end, I ran the marathon using the seven most updated models of our top contenders. I was most impressed by the Whoop MG, Garmin Forerunner 570, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The more affordable Suunto Run also has a lot to offer runners.

Fitness trackers tested for this guide BEST SPLURGE Apple Watch Ultra 3 $699.99 at Amazon (Save up to $99 at Amazon) Get Deal BEST RUNNING WATCH Garmin Forerunner 570 $549.99 at Garmin Shop Now BEST FOR HEALTH TRACKING Whoop MG $359 at Amazon Shop Now BEST GARMIN ALTERNATIVE Suunto Run Sports Watch $249.00 at Amazon Shop Now ALSO CONSIDER Pixel Watch 4 $349.99 at Amazon Shop Now SMART RING PICK Oura Ring 4 $348.97 at Amazon Shop Now BUDGET OPTION Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon Get Deal

I also wanted to find the most reliable fitness trackers for marathon training, so during each week of my training, I focused specifically on one tracker or smartwatch. To ensure the best data collection possible, I also wore it during the day and night outside of my workouts to test its battery life and recovery data collection.

While I focused on a different tracker each week, I wore all seven models during all of my workouts during the entire 18-week training season. In total, I ran 508 miles, had 30 weightlifting sessions, rode a bike for 110 miles, and practiced yoga or Pilates about once a week. And I did all of that looking like Bucky Barnes.

Meet my marathon training partners for the past four months... Credit: Joe Maldonado

Reader: It was humiliating, and I did it all for you.

I wanted a wearable that had a comfortable design, easy-to-understand workout metrics, useful recovery metrics, a long battery life, and was worth the price. I wanted it to help me train, recover, and run the marathon. So, here's everything I learned during my 508-mile quest to find the best fitness trackers for running a marathon.

Best health tracker for marathon trainingMy pick: Whoop MG 4.0 I wore the Whoop MG for 18 weeks and 500 miles of training. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The new Whoop MG is an incredibly comfortable, minimalist tracker designed for health and recovery rather than in-the-moment performance, and I really liked it. 

Its soft, lightweight band feels almost invisible, and because there’s no screen, you’re blissfully free from constant notifications or distractions — something I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. 

That said, the lack of display, GPS, and heart rate feedback during workouts makes it essentially useless for live training metrics, such as pace or distance. So, like with many health trackers, you'll likely need to also use a secondary fitness tracker to get real-time data on your run, including pace, heart rate, and elevation.

Still, the post-workout insights are impressive: you can literally see spikes in strain or stress — even pinpointing moments like a fall or tough interval — making it feel personal and validating. 

The recovery metrics are where Whoop truly dominates. Its journal feature is flexible, allowing you to log habits like alcohol use, weed, or even eating beans, all of which are correlated with sleep, stress, and recovery. The sleep tracking is top-tier, breaking down stages, disturbances, and recovery readiness into clear, actionable data that helps you decide when to push or rest. The battery system is genius — a slide-on charger means you never have to take it off, not even in the shower. 

While the subscription model is financially frustrating, Whoop’s depth of recovery data makes it arguably the best tool for understanding your body.

Opens in a new window Credit: Whoop Whoop MG fitness tracker $359 at Amazon
  Shop Now Also tested: Oura Ring 4 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Oura Ring is probably the best-looking wearable I tried during training season. It's sleek, comfortable, and surprisingly unobtrusive, and it excels at recovery tracking. Obviously, much like the Whoop MG, this shouldn't be the only wearable you use for marathon training — there's no workout data, because there's no screen, and it has no ability to provide live training feedback like pace or heart rate. It provides almost no useful data during or immediately after workouts, making it more of a wellness tracker than a performance tool.

It never pinched or became uncomfortable — though I wouldn’t recommend wearing any rings at all while lifting weights. When it comes to workout metrics, the Oura Ring simply isn’t built for live training feedback. 

However, where it truly shines is in recovery tracking. It monitors key health indicators such as heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, sleep quality, and general activity, delivering consistently insightful data that helps you understand your readiness and recovery trends. 

It’s also surprisingly useful for cycle tracking (if you're into that sort of thing), offering accurate temperature-based insights. The Oura Ring 4 battery life is excellent — it can easily last several days, and I simply charge it while showering without ever running into low power issues. 

Though it’s pricey and requires a subscription, it’s HSA/FSA eligible, which helps. Overall, the Oura Ring is an exceptional sleep and recovery tracker, best paired with a dedicated fitness device for training.

Read Mashable's full review of the Oura Ring 4.

Oura Ring 4 $348.97 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Target Best lifestyle smartwatches for marathon trainingMy pick: Apple Watch Ultra 3 The Ultra 3 easily beat other smartwatches, but it's also pricey. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is one of the most advanced smartwatches yet — powerful, durable, and thoughtfully designed, though not without its quirks. 

Its massive screen and hefty build make it feel substantial on the wrist, but despite its size, it remains surprisingly comfortable, even for sleeping. It’s not the lightest watch out there, but it’s well-balanced enough for all-day wear. 

During workouts, the metrics are simple but reliable, giving you accurate readings of heart rate, pace, and time, with the option to plan structured workouts directly on the watch. You can pause your run by clicking any two buttons at once, and start a new segment by clicking the orange button. I appreciate how easily I can switch between media, segments, and workouts.

Post-run data is basic compared to dedicated running watches, but still plenty for casual runners. The recovery and health tracking features are robust — it tracks sleep, cycle phases, blood oxygen, respiration, and cardio fitness, and you can manually add data on nutrition, medication, or symptoms for a more holistic picture. 

Battery life is the best of any Apple Watch, lasting through a full marathon without dying and recharging quickly. For instance, I wore it all day and all night, during workouts and travel, but just charged it while I showered, and had no problem with the battery life. 

At $799, it’s by far the priciest watch I tested, but its massive screen proved unexpectedly useful during my marathon — I could easily read notes and spot friends on the course, and even reply to texts mid-race without missing a step. For runners who aren't training for a marathon, the new Apple Watch Series 11 also impressed our Apple expert.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 $699.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $99.01   Get Deal at Amazon Also tested: Google Pixel Watch 4 If you're looking for an Android smartwatch for running, Mashable has been very impressed with the Pixel Watch 4. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I really enjoyed using the Pixel Watch 4 for my training, but it had one huge flaw that moved it below the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for marathon training: it died during the marathon. I never had an issue during marathon training, including a long run that was 22 miles long. So, it's still one of the best smartwatches for running in general. But during the race itself — which includes leaving my apartment about five hours before actually starting the race, sitting in a relatively cold start village, and running the race — my Pixel Watch 4's battery died. My Apple Watch SE also died during the 2023 New York City Marathon, so I'm not unfamiliar with the pain, but it's not what you want. 

However, during training, I was pleased with the watch. It's a solid, well-rounded smartwatch that balances comfort, performance, and smart integration. It’s lightweight and easy to wear around the clock — comfortable enough to sleep in, with no irritation or bulk. During runs, it delivers all the essential workout metrics like pace, heart rate, and time, displayed on a bright, easy-to-read screen that holds up even in direct sunlight. 

The buttons feel a bit mushy, but their presence is still appreciated for sweaty workouts when touchscreens fall short. Post-run, the Fitbit app provides deeper insights such as stride length, step cadence, ground contact time, vertical ratio, and oscillation. 

While Fitbit isn’t my favorite tracking platform, its integration here is smooth and responsive, especially with the option to create custom workouts, from interval sessions to threshold runs, and even receive AI-powered daily run recommendations. 

Recovery tracking is solid, too, with accurate sleep scoring that aligns closely with health trackers like the Oura Ring and Whoop. 

The battery life (say it with me: boooooo) is supposed to last around 48 hours for regular use, which isn’t stellar for hardcore fitness users but is fine for a lifestyle watch, and charging is faster and more reliable than previous Pixel Watches.

At $350, it’s a fair value — particularly if you already own a Pixel phone.

Read my full review of the Google Pixel Watch 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Pixel Pixel Watch 4 $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now Best fitness tracker for running and marathon trainingMy pick: Garmin Forerunner 570 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I'm not saying anything revolutionary or shocking when I say Garmin is a runner's watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is one of the most advanced fitness watches on the market, and it's obvious from the second you wear it for a run. The workout metrics are nothing short of incredible. During workouts, it covers all the essentials — pace, heart rate, time — and presents them clearly on a bright, easy-to-read display. I don't love the buttons (they're a bit mushy for my taste), but they’re responsive enough.

Post-run data is where Garmin really shines: run/walk detection, training effect, power output, and running dynamics like vertical oscillation and stride length offer a level of insight few devices can match. It even provides adaptive training plans based on your data. 

On the recovery side, Garmin’s training readiness and body battery features combine sleep, stress, and HRV for actionable insights that rival Oura and Whoop.

Of course, it isn’t without its drawbacks — starting with comfort. I struggled with how it felt on my wrist; during a rainy run in the middle of my training block, the band dug into my skin and rubbed it raw, leaving it sore enough that I couldn’t wear it for the rest of the day. Other people have complained that they've gotten rashes from the Garmin, too. You can get new straps that might solve the issue, but boy was it unpleasant.

The battery life is excellent, lasting up to 11 days, and while the $550 price tag is steep, it’s easy to see why athletes swear by it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 570 $549.99 at Garmin
  Get Deal More affordable running watch: Suunto Run Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Suunto Run also has so, so, so much data. What makes it slightly lower on the list than the Garmin Forerunner 570 is that it has fewer smartwatch perks than the Garmin does — it doesn't have the third-party app support, music, and contactless payments available on the Garmin and, in general, it feels kind of cheap — especially the charger.

But I did really like the Suunto Run. It delivers an impressively balanced experience for runners who want reliable data, comfort, and battery life without overcomplication. Its Velcro strap is lightweight, breathable, and secure — it doesn’t rub, slip, or shift during workouts, and it’s comfortable enough to sleep in, which makes wearing it around the clock surprisingly easy. 

During runs, the watch focuses on the essentials: pace, heart rate, and cadence, all displayed clearly on a bright, easy-to-read screen. The physical buttons feel responsive and satisfying to press, a big plus when you’re sweaty mid-run. 

After workouts, the Suunto app unlocks a deeper layer of training metrics, including training load, stress score, and normalized graded pace. While not every stat will matter to a casual marathoner, the breadth of data is impressive and well-organized. 

On the recovery side, Suunto nails clarity: it combines heart rate variability, sleep quality, and training balance into a single, easy-to-read recovery score that aligns closely with results from Oura and Whoop, though HRV readings can vary slightly. 

The battery life is excellent, lasting up to 12 days in smartwatch mode or 20 hours in performance mode, so you’ll rarely think about charging. At $249, the Suunto Run is a smart, well-priced choice for dedicated runners who don't want all the fuss of a smart watch but do want all the data of a running watch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Suunto Suunto Run sports watch $249 at Amazon
  Shop Now Also tested: Fitbit Charge 6 Good for counting steps, but not much more. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Fitbit Charge 6 is the least expensive option I wore, and it shows. It's lightweight, but don't let that fool you — it's a relatively uncomfortable tracker in comparison to the other trackers I tested. In fact, after two nights of sleeping with it on, my wrist was bruised. 

During workouts, it struggles to keep pace with more advanced fitness watches. The GPS accuracy is inconsistent, overestimating distance on one run and underestimating on the next, which throws off pace data — a dealbreaker for serious runners. It also doesn't track elevation gain, which is an important part of training for a particularly hilly race like the New York City Marathon. 

Mid-run readability isn’t ideal, and the connection with my phone dropped more than once, but heart rate tracking shines — responsive, accurate, and enhanced by helpful haptic alerts when you shift zones. 

Recovery tracking is surprisingly strong, offering clear sleep scores and resting heart rate data that feel well-calibrated for general wellness, even if not the most detailed. The real standout, though, is battery life, which easily lasted a full week with heavy use — truly impressive for a device at this size and price point. 

At $159, the Charge 6 delivers solid value for everyday athletes who want the very least. If you're looking for the best fitness tracker for running for beginners, this is a budget pick worth considering. For marathon training, it can't keep up. It's effectively a fancy pedometer, and you might be better off buying one of those.

Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   See It at Amazon See It at Amazon See It at Walmart After 500 miles, what would I recommend to a friend?

So, after 18 weeks of training, 500 miles, and so, so many funny looks (that's what happens when you wear seven fitness trackers at the same time), what did I decide?

Here's what I'd recommend to a friend training for a marathon: I'd wear the Whoop MG for health tracking, particularly during training and recovery. I'd wear the Suunto Run during training, unless I had a lot of money to play with, and then I'd get a Garmin Forerunner 570. If I was specifically running the NYC Marathon and was worried about finding people, I'd keep the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on my wrist for the marathon. 

For now, I think I might go without any device for a few weeks. Free me from the data.

First off: What is a Chromebook, exactly? The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is one of the newest Chromebooks. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Chromebooks are laptops that run on Google's ChromeOS instead of Microsoft's Windows 11 or Apple's macOS. They support Android apps from the Google Play Store as well as cloud-based apps (meaning apps you access over the web). Google offerings like Gmail, Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and YouTube come pre-installed on all Chromebook models.

ChromeOS is basically just the Chrome web browser, so Chromebooks work best when they're connected to the internet. However, you can change your Google Drive settings to enable offline use of Docs, Sheets, and Slides files and folders.

Google rolled out an initial batch of Chromebooks in 2010 as part of a school pilot program, and the first consumer-facing models made by Acer and Samsung hit shelves a year later. (We reviewed the latter.) Additional manufacturers entered the fray soon after, including Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Google itself. Google now no longer makes its own Chromebooks, called "Pixelbooks," having discontinued the line in 2022.

What is a Chromebook Plus? The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a great mid-range option. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Ian Moore / Mashable composite

In late 2023, Google expanded the Chromebook category to include Chromebook Plus laptops. These models are guaranteed to meet certain upgraded hardware and performance requirements, and they support some exclusive software features. More on those momentarily.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Specs Chromebooks don't look much different from regular laptops. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

When most people think of Chromebooks, they probably picture the bulky, thick-bezeled education models that schools often issue to K-12 graders, which are designed to be rugged above all. But most consumer-ready Chromebooks look like any other budget laptops, save for an identifying logo in the corners of their lids.

Chromebooks range in size from 11 to 16 inches and come in both clamshell and convertible designs. (Convertible/hybrid laptops have touchscreens and 360-degree hinges so they can double as tablets.) Chromebooks' chassis are usually made from plastic in boring shades of silver and gray. Because of their plastic builds, and because they lack heavy-duty hardware, they skew lighter than other cheap laptops.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

Chromebooks and traditional budget laptops are also very similar on the inside. Both are designed for basic everyday tasks, such as browsing, word processing, and streaming, so their specs are equally basic. You'll generally get a small amount of RAM (either 4GB or 8GB), an entry-level processor, integrated graphics, and a teeny chunk of onboard storage — anywhere from 64GB to 256GB. Some low-end Windows laptops have 512GB of local storage, but that's not necessary in a Chromebook, which stashes most of its data in the cloud.

Chromebook Plus models have to meet some spec minimums that guarantee better-than-baseline performance. These include:

• At least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor

• At least 8GB of RAM

• At least 128GB of storage

• A 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction

• An IPS display with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD)

Again, those are just minimums. Google's most recent Chromebook Plus devices blow past them with OLED and 2.8K touchscreens, 256GB of fast SSD storage, 5MP webcams, 12 to 16GB of RAM, and high-end chips with neural processing units (NPUs) for handling AI tasks.

What are the advantages of a Chromebook? Chromebooks are ideal for workloads that revolve around the Google ecosystem. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Cheapness is a Chromebook's most obvious appeal. Prices range from the low $200s for the most primitive configurations and top out around $800 with the latest, most advanced Plus models. As with any kind of laptop, specs and build quality improve the more you spend.

Affordability aside, there are several other reasons to consider buying a Chromebook.

Simplicity and ease of use

If you've ever used Chrome, you've low-key used a Chromebook. Between their simple OS and their pre-installed Google apps, Chromebooks will make people embedded in the Google ecosystem feel right at home.

Setting up a Chromebook is as easy as picking a WiFi network and signing into a Google account. Android smartphone users can get started even faster by scanning a QR code that kicks off a data transfer.

Chromebook users also have the option of syncing their Google account activity to the device for an even more seamless setup experience. Chrome tabs, bookmarks, passwords, themes, and browsing from previous sessions will populate automatically, so you can pick up right where you left off on another computer or phone.

Built-in security

Chromebooks have several layers of built-in protection against malware, viruses, and other security attacks, including automatic software updates every four weeks. All models released since 2021 get 10 years of these updates.

Great battery life

Recent-gen Chromebooks tested by me and other Mashable writers are slower than most cheap Windows laptops and MacBooks. However, they're very strong competitors on battery life.

Google rates Chromebooks at up to 10 hours of use per charge, but the median battery life for our testing pool is 12 hours and 47 minutes. One new Chromebook Plus we tried lasted just over 18 hours, putting it on par with M4 MacBooks and Qualcomm-powered Windows laptops. Now that's impressive.

Gaming is workable The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is a gaming-ready Chromebook. (That's a thing!) Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Chromebooks can run the Android versions of games like Roblox, Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Among Us locally, but they lack the necessary hardware to support more graphically intensive PC games (i.e., dedicated GPUs). Fortunately, cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming offer an easy workaround: They let you stream games from powerful remote servers right onto your Chromebook's screen.

SEE ALSO: I played AAA games on a 'gaming Chromebook' with GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass — which one is better?

All Chromebooks support cloud gaming, but some of them are better at it than others. One such model is the $649 Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (short for "Gaming Edition"), which features a large 120Hz display, an RGB keyboard, and a mid-range Intel processor.

Chromebook Plus is AI- and creator-ready

Chromebook Plus models have exclusive AI features that you won't find on standard Chromebooks. These include a built-in Gemini chatbot, custom-generated wallpapers, Live Translate, Help me read, and webcam enhancements. Two of the newest, priciest Plus models throw in an additional tab-sorting tool and an on-device image editor within the Gallery app. (They're the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 and Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514.)

Chromebook Plus owners also get complimentary trials of Adobe Express Premium, a photo editing app called Luminar, and Google's AI Pro service, which unlocks tools like Veo 3 Fast and Gemini 2.5 Pro. These perks are meant to highlight the machines' ability to handle light multimedia editing and AI tasks.

What can a normal laptop do that a Chromebook can't? The Asus Zenbook A14 is my No. 1 budget Windows laptop. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The biggest difference between Chromebooks and regular budget laptops really boils down to the kind of software they can run.

Robust desktop apps

Some popular productivity and creative apps are only available for Windows 11 and macOS. Two popular examples are the Microsoft 365 apps and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Free, pared-down web versions of them work on Chromebooks, but the full-featured desktop versions do not.

Most top public universities actively discourage their students from using Chromebooks as their primary computers for similar reasons: They don't support the programs needed to complete some college coursework. (Conversely, Chromebooks make great laptops for younger students because they're not very robust.)

The Android version of the Slack app is optimized for mobile view. You can't resize these windows on Chromebooks. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

I'll also add that Android apps can look funky on Chromebooks if they're only designed for mobile view. You won't be able to make their windows any bigger than the size of a phone or tablet screen. They still run, but you won't get the full, laptop-y desktop experience.

Full-fledged PC gaming

As mentioned earlier, Chromebooks don't have the brawn to download and run AAA PC games locally (and starting in January 2026, they won't support Steam). You're also limited to the games in cloud streaming services' libraries, so titles like Elden Ring, The Last of Us, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are all off limits.

Furthermore, the quality of a cloud gaming session is heavily dependent on the strength of your internet connection. You might run into issues with input lag.

Final thoughts: Which is better, a Chromebook or a regular laptop? The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is my favorite Chromebook for most people. Credit: Lenovo

I think a lot of people might be surprised to find out that the best cheap laptop for them is actually a Chromebook.

In 2025, Chromebook hardware is better than ever. Sure, most traditional laptops still outpace them, and options with dedicated graphics are nonexistent. But a lot of modern Chromebooks translate to really good deals on nicer specs in the budget market.

Take the newer Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which starts at $649.99 with a 2K OLED display. The cheapest OLED Windows laptops are at least $50 to $100 pricier unless you find them on sale. The $699 Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, another 2025 release, has a 120Hz touchscreen, 12GB of RAM, and a 5MP webcam. It's only $50 more expensive than the cheapest MacBook you can buy these days, the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air, which has a crappier 60Hz display, 8GB of RAM, and a 720p webcam.

This continues at lower price points. You won't find a 2-in-1 Windows laptop that's cheaper than the $399.99 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11, for example.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops of 2025: Compare the M4 MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, and more

I encourage any Chromebook skeptics to think hard about what kinds of apps they actually, truly use on a regular basis. Is the versatility of a traditional laptop a necessity or a glut? Are you sure the web versions of Microsoft 365 and Adobe Photoshop don't already have what you need? Would a Chromebook limit your workload, or would it actually streamline it?

Our reviewer said the original 2011 Chromebook was great at "anything most people would want to do with a small laptop," and I still think that's true. If you're someone with a chill email job who's just bopping between Chrome, Gmail, and YouTube all day, a Chromebook is totally up to the task.

Between the two Chromebook tiers, I like standard Chromebooks for kids and for adults who want a secondary device they'll use occasionally when traveling or working remotely. (These start at $229.) If you want a peppier, premium-feeling Chromebook that's relatively future-proofed and suitable for use as a daily driver, upgrade to a Chromebook Plus model. They start at only $369.

Full-time creatives, hardcore PC gamers, and college students should think of Chromebooks as fallback plans. They tick many of your boxes, but they make some crucial compromises that lessen their long-term viability for your particular use cases. You'll miss the software flexibility of a cheap Windows laptop or MacBook. You'd also benefit from the additional onboard storage they offer.

As of late 2025, I think the best Chromebook for most people is the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, an attractive mid-range convertible that retails for $599.99. If you can splurge a bit, I'm obsessed with the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 ($699 to $799.99). If you're on a stricter budget, I recommend the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 ($449.99). Check out my complete guide to the best Chromebooks for more buying guidance.

Shop the best Chromebooks we've tested: Best Chromebook for most people Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1334U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $349.00 at Best Buy Shop Now Best splurge Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 12GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $799.99 at Acer Shop Now Best budget Chromebook Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) $379.99 at Acer Shop Now

What is Moravec's Paradox? This robotics theory from the '80s is still extremely relevant today, and it actually explains exactly why the new generation of humanoid robots still can't master simple tasks like loading a dishwasher or buttering your toast.

Posed by robotics researcher Hans Moravec in 1988, Moravec's Paradox states that tasks that are simple for humans are actually very difficult for machines to replicate, and vice versa. Robotics has come a very long way since 1988, and yet Moravec's Paradox is just as true today.

This year, we've seen the introduction of several new humanoid robots, as well as the strange phenomenon of "arm farms." The Los Angeles Times first reported on these so-called arm farms, where an "army" of workers in countries like India strap cameras to their faces and spend all day folding towels and doing other menial tasks so that the footage can be used to train humanoid robots.

As the LA Times reported, "The carefully choreographed movements are to capture all the nuances of what humans do — arm reaching, fingers gripping, fabric sliding — to fold clothes."

Extensive training is required, as Moravec explained, because the simple everyday tasks we take for granted are incredibly difficult for robot helpers. So, while humanoid robots like Iron from EV maker Xpeng may look futuristic, they're often surprisingly incompetent.

X1 recently introduced the humanoid robot Neo, a household helper robot available for pre-order now. Yet videos show Neo trying and failing to do mundane tasks like loading a dishwasher. Of course, humans would struggle to do tasks that robots could do nearly instantaneously, like performing complex calculations or bending steel parts into a precise shape on a factory floor.

Likewise, Tesla and Elon Musk were excited to launch their Optimus robots, promising that a fleet of these bots would soon be available worldwide. Yet, as it turns out, the Optimus robots on display were actually being controlled remotely by humans.

That's Moravec's Paradox in action.

But just because this paradox has held true since the '80s doesn't mean it will always be that way. In fact, artificial intelligence proves that rapid breakthroughs are possible.

AI and Moravec's Paradox Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Moravec's Paradox applies to AI as well as robotics.

Just a few years ago, even advanced machine learning tools struggled to perform tasks humans take for granted, such as identifying the objects in a photograph or taking part in a natural language conversation. Even basic translation proved awkward and difficult for artificial intelligence.

Yet in 2025, AI chatbots like Gemini and ChatGPT can perform all these tasks with ease. The Turing Test seems almost quaint in the era of large language models.

Yes, AI does still struggle with some human tasks — like, say, telling the truth or fact-checking its answers — but the pace of progress since 2023 has been remarkable. Image and video models have gone from mangled fingers and Will Smith eating spaghetti to true photorealism in the blink of an eye.

It's entirely possible a similar breakthrough will occur in robotics, possibly with an assist from AI.

However, there is one fact that might hold humanoid robots back: The fact that the human body is a terrible model for a robot. Humanoid robots may ultimately prove to be a novelty, even as robots in other forms advance quickly.

For now, Moravec's Paradox holds.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

Finding the best gifts for teen girls is not for the faint of heart. Trends among teen girls are an ever-changing hellscape. Even millennials — people who are not that old, thank you very much — can have trouble navigating the world predominantly ruled by TikTok and content creators. Funneling those trends into a gift that she’ll like and use for longer than a month is tricky.

Rule number one when brainstorming a good gift for a teenager: Don't just wing it. Gen Z girls are clearly loyal to a defined handful of brands and have very specific aesthetic goals. Goals that could be torched by the honest mistake of grabbing generic white earbuds instead of the new AirPods or buying a Lafufu instead of a Labubu. (And what if she actually hates Labubus?)

SEE ALSO: How 'KPOP Demon Hunters' became the biggest hit of the year

But you know who does know what teenage girls want this year? Other teenage girls. I've been tracking viral TikTok products amongst young girls for months, compiling the most popular stuff with items that the high school girls in my own life have requested. The 2025 edition of Google's Holiday 100 list (literally based on the most-searched products of the year) inspired a few ideas, too.

So, whether you need Christmas gifts or birthday presents, here are 30+ of the best gift ideas for teen girls in 2025: