Technology

In the movies, robots are often human-shaped, mainly because to have a robot in the movie at all, you had to use the "dude in a suit" method. However, since we're also watching a story to entertain people, it's easier to make them care about a robot that looks like a person. The big exception might be R2-D2 and C-3PO. No one likes the latter and people adore the former.

The new season of Saturday Night Live brought us new cast members Grace Reiter and Saidah Belo-Osagie, and there's no better introduction than a dedicated sketch poking fun at Dream Academy.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' kicks off Season 52 with Trump crushing hard on Mamdani

For those who don't know, Dream Academy is a K-pop talent competition that airs on YouTube and aims to create an international girl group. The show led to the formation of Katseye, who served as musical guests for the season premiere. This time, though, SNL spoofed a new season of the talent show starring two contestants that really shouldn't have been there.

Reiter and sophomore cast member Jane Wickline star as two unlikely contestants for an international girl group. Turns out they're just there cause they have dirt on the producer.

"Duff and Margo saw a hit-and-run caused by a music executive," the producer tells the camera, hinting that it was her. "And now they're on the show."

Ryobi is one of the most popular brands for cordless power tools, and a big part of that is its hundreds of budget-friendly products. Better yet, it's not just the tools, but everything else that you can do or power with your Ryobi batteries.

Saturday Night Live is back for season 52, and some traditions are sacred, ie, James Austin Johnson opening the show once again as President Donald Trump. This time, though, Trump had to share the spotlight.

SEE ALSO: Trump tries to rebrand AI. Is it really that 'super'?

Enter Ramy Youssef as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, doing his best to brace New Yorkers for a Nor'easter barreling up the East Coast. As he's spreading the news, Trump barges in.

"You're in most of my dreams," Trump confesses. "I call you Ma-Dreamy."

From there, the Cold Open is what you'd expect with Trump meandering through the week's headlines. There's his sit-down with China's Xi Jinping, plus the dinner that followed, which doubled as a who's who of Silicon Valley's biggest tech titans.

Then, Ashley Padilla arrives as Trump aide Natalie Harp, and things go off the rails fast.

Have you ever found yourself on a system that's lacking the necessary tools? Maybe it was a rescue or installation environment, an unfamiliar system you were repairing, or a Docker container you were debugging. If you've used Linux for a while, you've likely encountered these scenarios, and installing the required tools can be a hassle when all you want is to finish the job. That's where a convenient toolkit becomes a lifesaver, and I have one that fits the bill perfectly.

Quentin Tarantino's love letter to Hollywood's Golden Age is back on streaming. Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood is now available to watch on Prime Video.

You finally bit the bullet and bought a fast charger for your Samsung, but for some reason, you're not getting anywhere near the advertised charging speeds. As it turns out, there's a surprisingly well-hidden option in the settings that needs to be switched on before your phone can take advantage of its fastest charging speeds.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 26, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
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Pokémon fans are all desperate to get their hands on products from the new Pokémon 30th Celebration collection. We can't believe we're saying this, but Amazon is actually the best place to find the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. And better yet, it's way below market price.

As of Sept. 26, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for just $89.99 on Amazon. That's much cheaper than the market price, according to TCG Player.

So where's the catch? Unfortunately, you can't simply buy the Elite Trainer Box on Amazon. Instead, potential buyers must click the "request invite" button. If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that's valid for 72 hours.

We can see that these ETBs are selling fast, so the "invitation to buy" system is clearly working for many shoppers. And even if your invitation request isn't selected, Amazon will keep it on file, and you might get another shot when it's restocked. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Score the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box for $89.99 this weekend — way below market price.

TL;DR: Target is hosting a nationwide Pokémon 30th Anniversary event on Sept. 27 from 12-4 p.m. local time. Attend to claim custom card crafts, free goodie bags, and limited-edition 30th Celebration TCG drops.

Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Pokémon. It doesn't matter how many collections and expansions hit the market. I know the world will collectively lose its mind whenever anything new drops. Nothing is changing anytime soon.

So when I heard that Target is planning a huge nationwide Pokémon 30th Anniversary event with merch, games, and giveaways, the hairs stood up on my neck. This is going to be big, so I want you to be prepared.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon 30th Celebration box is way below market price — act fast to buy for $89.99 on Amazon

Here is everything you need to know if you plan to attend, what you can actually get, and how to prepare for the inevitable crowds.

When is the Target Pokémon event?

Target's Pokémon 30th Anniversary event takes place on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 12-4 p.m. local time at participating brick-and-mortar locations.

Store participation and stock allocations will vary by location, so I recommend checking the full list of participating stores or calling your local store beforehand to confirm they are hosting. It's also worth asking about their line policies, so you don't go home disappointed.

The top deals of the day

• Shop early October Prime Day deals at Amazon 

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• See the latest Amazon deals on laptops and computers

What freebies, activities, and demos are offered?

Target is setting up dedicated Pokémon areas in participating stores featuring a mix of interactive activities and freebies. You can expect a "draw-your-own Pokémon card" craft station that includes a plastic slab cover resembling a PSA-graded collectible. Select Target locations will also feature playable demos for Pokémon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Credit: Target

Everyone loves a freebie, and the good news is that you can expect promotional giveaways while supplies last. Target hasn't confirmed exactly what will be on offer just yet, but we're seeing rumors around goodie bags for attendees. According to reports, the first ~98 attendees in line will receive a bag of freebies, which includes a Mewtwo promo card and a special event ticket. That ticket can be redeemed to purchase two 30th Celebration Tins, if the rumors are true.

Demand during the Sept. 16 launch was massive, so what are your chances of actually getting your hands on anything during this event? You're going to be going up against scalpers, but what's new?

The term "smart home" can often be something of a misnomer. I have plenty of automations in Home Assistant that work when I'm outside of my home. There are several open-source smart home devices that you can use to extend your smart home to your car.

Almost every Linux distro makes certain decisions for you in the interest of "completeness." That usually means that you'll wind up with a bunch of apps that you'll never use, taking up space on your PC. Worse yet, some of them are basically redundant.

We tend to spend a lot of time chasing the latest and greatest in PC hardware. Each new generation of CPUs promises a new architecture, more cores, and higher clock speeds, which ultimately result in better performance.

There's no denying that VLC is one of the most powerful video players on Windows. On the surface, it's simple enough, but once you dig in, you'll find a deluge of hidden features, such as viewing and recording your webcam feed or converting media files. Most of these features, though, are superfluous for regular users who just want to watch videos.

If you use an Android phone, you’re probably using Gemini as your default AI assistant. Google made it the natural successor to Google Assistant, and while it’s not completely superior to the original, it does integrate deeply with Android, letting you control much of your phone with natural-language commands. However, because it’s Android and not Apple, you aren’t necessarily locked into using just Gemini. Android allows you to change your default assistant and use something else entirely.

Do you prefer working from a sheet of instructions and a box full of parts, rather than assembling everything yourself from scratch? Just because a project is straightforward doesn’t mean it can’t be complex or challenging in all the right ways.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is free right now with T-Mobile. To qualify for this offer, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free   Shop Now

After months and months of speculation, rumors, and leaks, Apple finally announced new iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and more. It's all very exciting, but it's the iPhones that really get the people going.

Like everyone else, we dug deep into all the specs and features to give you an insight into exactly what these new iPhones offer. Now that the dust has settled, the focus switches to deals.

The good news is that deals are aplenty. We've searched high and low for the best launch offers, but it's tough to ignore T-Mobile right now.

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for free right now with T-Mobile. To qualify for this promotion, you can switch to an Experience Beyond plan and bring your existing phone number. Alternatively, you can trade in a qualifying phone (in any condition) on an Experience Beyond plan. The choice is yours.

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. As long as you intend to stay locked into T-Mobile for three years, it's easily one of the best ways to score Apple's premier hardware without a major hit to your budget.

T-Mobile does require you to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout. That's a minor inconvenience to score the latest iPhone without a huge upfront cost.

Score the iPhone 18 Pro for free this weekend from T-Mobile.

After more than 40 months of test flights, SpaceX will attempt to put its mammoth Starship into orbit around Earth for the first time and bring it back for a safe landing — 10 hours later. 

The company, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, plans to launch the rocket from its private pad in Starbase, Texas, as early as 8:15 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 28. 

Prior flights that have reached space have only flown straight up and down, meaning gravity has naturally pulled Starship back toward the ground like a tossed ball. But to stay in space, it must instead fly sideways at 17,500 mph. At that staggering speed, the spacecraft is still "falling" toward the ground, but Earth's surface is curving away at the exact same rate. That's what allows the spacecraft to continuously stay in space without ever crashing back to the planet. 

"Flight tests until this point have intentionally flown passively safe suborbital trajectories to maximize public safety while allowing for maximum learning," according to SpaceX. "By going to orbit, the next phase of developing Starship to be fully and rapidly reusable can begin."

The upcoming test, marking Starship's 14th flight, is the latest step in the company's long campaign to turn the most powerful rocket ever built into a reusable vehicle — one that can haul heavy cargo, survive a scorching plunge back to Earth, and support NASA's Artemis moon missions. Beyond that, Musk's personal priority is to use the rocket and ship to send people to Mars. 

SEE ALSO: Artemis III delays could threaten landing on the moon in 2028

SpaceX says it will stream the South Texas launch on its website and X, the social media platform also owned by Musk. The broadcast is expected to start around 7:45 a.m. ET, or about 30 minutes before liftoff. The actual time those 33 Raptor engines will fire depends on weather conditions, fueling operations, and other factors. The team has until 9:30 a.m. ET to get it off the ground. 

That's incredibly early in the day for a Starship test — for good reason. Flight controllers are gearing up for a long day at the console. The plan is to send Starship around the planet six times before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean to the west of Chile. Though most flights have concluded in a little over one hour, this 10-hour flight undoubtedly will be a stress test.

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Starship is the name of SpaceX's super-heavy-lift booster and spacecraft combined. The 400-foot stack towers over NASA's mega moon rocket, the Space Launch System. SpaceX estimates its stainless steel rocket also has about twice as much thrust, propelled with 10 million pounds of liquid methane and oxygen. 

During Monday's test, the spacecraft will fire an engine again to increase its speed and enter orbit, if it looks healthy. Flight controllers have the option to skip that burn and allow it to arc back to Earth, splashing down in the Indian Ocean, should anything not look good. 

While Starship is in orbit, the team will monitor thousands of pieces of data on the engines, computers, navigation, fuel tanks, communications, and other systems. The spacecraft should circle the world at an altitude of 170 miles — well below the International Space Station, which orbits about 250 miles above Earth.  

Starship will attempt six orbits around Earth on its 14th test flight. Credit: SpaceX

SpaceX will attempt another first during the test. Though Starship carried 20 real satellites (as opposed to dummies) on its last flight in July, those were not meant to become operational. They fell back and burned up in the atmosphere. 

This time, Starship will try to deploy 26 Starlink V3 internet satellites and actually put them to work. If all goes well, they should go into service within a few weeks. Three of the dishes will be festooned with cameras to provide images from the test and observe the ship's heatshield. 

Then, to end the mission as planned, Starship will have to fire one more time to leave orbit and head back through Earth's atmosphere. But, however long the test runs, SpaceX intends to cover it. So, buckle up.

TL;DR: The AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite is on sale for $39.97 (reg. $439.39) through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with a no-logs policy, advanced security protocols, Threat Protection, and DNS leak protection.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard VPN AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite $39.97
$439.39 Save $399.42   Get Deal

Running a business means safeguarding more than just your own information. AdGuard VPN focuses on private, encrypted connections, offering features designed to help keep your online activity secure. During the September Flash Sale, the AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite is available for $39.97 (reg. $439.39) through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

AdGuard VPN uses advanced security protocols and employs a strict no-logs policy, which means the company states it does not keep records of users’ online activity. The service also includes DNS leak protection and Threat Protection, delivering security enhancements that go beyond simply routing your connection through a VPN.

A global server network is another critical factor for professionals who routinely work across locations. A VPN can route your connection through a different server — helpful when traveling or accessing services with regional restrictions. AdGuard also prioritizes connection speed and optimized protocols, ensuring security doesn’t come at the cost of performance.

For those working remotely, the VPN suite’s features can be useful when handling business tasks outside the office. Connecting from a coffee shop, hotel, coworking space, or another unfamiliar network can create a different security environment than working from home or an office. A VPN can help encrypt the connection between your device and the VPN server, while the suite’s additional protections provide another layer for everyday browsing.

Of course, a VPN is not a substitute for strong passwords, multifactor authentication, regular software updates, or other essential security practices. Yet for professionals seeking an additional privacy tool, AdGuard combines several useful features in a single service.

The AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite is $39.97 (reg. $439.39) during our September Flash Sale through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon code is required.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The iScanner lifetime subscription is on sale for $24.97 (reg. $199.90) through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT for new users on iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription (iPhone, iPad & Android) $24.97
$199.90 Save $174.93   Get Deal

Did you know that you don’t need a dedicated scanner to digitize paperwork anymore? A phone can handle plenty of everyday document tasks, which is convenient when you’re working remotely, traveling, or trying to keep your desk from having piles of paper everywhere. The iScanner app is designed to turn an iPhone, iPad, or Android device into a portable document scanner and management tool. New users can get it while it’s currently on sale for $24.97 (reg. $199.90) through September 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

iScanner uses automatic border detection to identify and adjust documents as you scan them, while tools for straightening pages and correcting curves and skew can help clean up imperfect shots. It can also recognize text in more than 20 languages.

Once a document is scanned, you can do more than save it. The app includes a PDF editor and file manager for adding text, signatures, annotations, watermarks, page numbers, and footers. You can merge multiple documents or split a file into individual pages, while folders and drag-and-drop organization can help keep everything in order.

Professionals such as accountants, realtors, managers, lawyers, students, and teachers can use the app to digitize contracts, tax forms, receipts, assignments, handwritten notes, IDs, and other documents while away from a traditional scanner. You can export scans in formats including PDF, JPG, DOC, XLS, PPT, and TXT.

There are some less conventional tools, too. iScanner includes modes for reading QR codes, solving math problems, measuring objects and counting similar items. For confidential documents, you can lock folders and files with a PIN, and the app is ad-free.

Get the lifetime subscription to iScanner while it’s price dropped to $24.97 (reg. $199.90) until September 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's Week 3 of the new NFL season and both the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints are coming off wins. Both teams are looking to build a streak as they face off today.

The Saints have the home advantage following two weeks on the road, which included a 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders have shown more consistent form overall, going 2-0 in back-to-back wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers. All of which makes this a must-watch game.

If you want to watch Raiders vs. Saints in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Raiders vs. Saints?

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Sept. 27. This fixture takes place at Caesars Superdome.

How to watch Raiders vs. Saints for free

Raiders vs. Saints in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Raiders vs. Saints for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Raiders vs. Saints for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Raiders vs. Saints without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.