Technology

Nothing disappoints me more than a TV show that fails to live up to the expectations set by its first season. It's called the "sophomore slump." It happens more often than you think. Some shows deliver a near-perfect first season before taking a noticeable dip in quality.

Ubuntu was my first distro. I started with 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa and am still running it to this day, trying out every long-term support version along the way. The reason why I chose Ubuntu? It was everywhere.

Understandably, many people have concerns about the information that their smart home is sharing. If you use Alexa or Google Home, you might not want your location data or voice commands ending up on cloud servers. Home Assistant lets you store your data locally on your own hardware, and I use it to spy on myself on a daily basis.

Stop thinking that you have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get started with self-hosting. If I were starting from scratch today, this is the homelab starter kit I would build for just $50.

Jellyfin is best known as a free, open-source Plex alternative. I've used it for some time to watch my library of movies and TV shows, but it's becoming increasingly useful for other types of content too. I now use it for gaming, eBooks, and audiobooks.

Sennheiser is infamous for being fashionably late with its true wireless releases. Just look at the flagship Momentum True Wireless 5, which took more than two years to hit store shelves. So, it’s no surprise that the legacy audio brand waited this long to create its first-ever open earbuds.

So, the Sennheiser Accentum Clip are here, and they join an already crowded market. A direct competitor to market favorites such as the Shokz OpenDots series and the upscale Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, these clip-on buds not only live up to the Accentum line’s critically acclaimed reputation – they’re easily the best-sounding open earbuds money can buy.

There’s just one problem: Are you willing to cross the border to own a pair?

That's right — Sennheiser has decided not to release these excellent open earbuds to U.S. shoppers.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Sennheiser Accentum Clip: Unrivaled sound

Sennheiser developed a 12mm dynamic driver that pumps out vibrant, crisp sound. The fine-tuned combination of airy mids, smooth treble, and steady bass results in a sonically engaging listening experience no other category entry can match.

Audio is terrific right out of the box, though you can personalize it by creating your own EQ or selecting from multiple well-engineered presets in the companion app. Enabling the LDAC codec produces the best sound quality. There’s an uptick in clarity and depth when enabling the latter. Details and nuances are more noticeable. Vocals have a natural presence and remain transparent in rowdy environments; it takes incredibly loud noises to pull you away from music. However, don’t expect full-bodied sound due to the lack of an acoustic seal.

The Accentum Clip’s greatest strength is delivering lively sound without compromising ambient awareness. Some of my most compelling listening sessions occurred while watching videos outside on my balcony. Sennheiser’s Speech Clarity mode emphasized vocals and made dialogue clearer on audiobooks, movies, podcasts, and YouTube clips. External noises weren’t disruptive.

Credit: Alex Bracetti

Everything else that matters

Reviews for the Accentum Clip have been mostly positive. Performance complaints are largely limited to connectivity and wearability. I couldn’t agree more. While acknowledging the product’s weaknesses, I can also share its strengths, and there are plenty. Here’s what else you should know about the Accentum Clip before buying them.

Design: The Accentum Clip look no different from other clip-on buds. They have the same pinch design to latch them onto the outer part of your ear. Construction is made mostly of hard plastic that carries an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, which is ideal for workout buffs. Unfortunately, this material, combined with the thick battery module, makes the buds an uncomfortable wear after two hours of use. The charging case feels flimsy as well.

Sennheiser’s Smart Control app: The mobile app is stocked with several extras that enhance performance. Most features are conveniently placed on the homepage. You can even customize their placement based on preference. The Device Settings page expands functionality by granting access to other key features, including Battery Protection mode, codec selection, wireless priority (Advanced Audio Quality or Robust Connectivity), and more.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Controls: Touch and voice controls are highly responsive. Every single-tap, multi-tap, and long-hold gesture registers precisely and instantly. The small design does make it difficult to input commands. I was tapping my earlobe and tragus too often. Voice assistance is spot-on, thanks to Sennheiser’s strong mic array. The feature also supports AI-powered programs such as Perplexity, which worked well and demonstrated solid voice recognition.

Battery life: Playtime is sufficient at 7.5 hours per charge when factoring in features and volume. It’s not the 9 hours Sennheiser promises, but it’s still enough for two days of moderate listening before recharging. The non-wireless charging case provides an extra 36 hours and supports quick charging: a 10-minute charge generates 2 hours of listening time.

Call quality and connectivity: The buds are great for phone and video calls, but I wouldn’t make them your go-to because the open design allows a lot of ambient noise to creep in. You’ll be able to communicate clearly in quiet and moderately busy environments. The AI noise-reduction algorithm does a decent job of isolating the wearer’s voice from noisy backgrounds.

Multipoint mode can be wonky at times. Occasionally, my buds refused to switch playback to my second device. There were also times when the Accentum Clip wouldn’t connect to the app.

Now comes the harsh reality for domestic consumers…

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable The Sennheiser Accentum Clip are not available in the U.S.

You read that correctly. The Accentum Clip are import-only.

They launched in Canada, Central America, and South America with a $269.95 CAD price tag (est. $200 USD). 

Releasing new audio products in select regions isn’t unusual for Sennheiser. It just makes zero sense for the Accentum Clip, especially since the best open earbuds are a major draw right now. Not to mention, the company recently launched its flagship headphones and earbuds several weeks apart. Bringing the Accentum Clip stateside could have given Sennheiser the wireless audio trifecta in the U.S. market.

We asked Sennheiser if a U.S. launch was in the cards. The answer was no.

What a shame.

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If you're not reading this in Canada, you can still buy our favorite open earbuds from Shokz, Anker, Sony, and Bose (in that order):

Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $60   See It at Amazon Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 $79.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.00   See It at Amazon Sonly LinkBuds Clip Open-Ear $198 at Amazon
$228 Save $30   See It at Amazon Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (Gen 2) $299 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon See It at Bose See It at Best Buy

For the most part, I've relied on Windows built-in firewall since I left Windows XP. On a whim, I decided to install Portmaster, a third-party firewall, on my Windows PC to get a better idea of which apps were connecting to the internet and when.

Apple is trying to tighten its control of the iOS App Store, especially as it regards AI deepfake nude photos.

In a brief note on its developer website, Apple announced a change to its moderation tactics for the App Store. These new measures target apps capable of generating "nonconsensual intimate imagery" of real people using user-generated content tools.

Pornographic material is already banned on the App Store, and so are apps explicitly designed to do that, but apps that have the potential to do so are now also required to filter such content, provide a way to report it, prevent uploads, and remove anything that gets through all of that.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best smartwatches of 2026: Comparing the latest models from Apple, Google, and Samsung

The change here, essentially, is that app makers are now required to self-police more thoroughly against AI nude photos. If any app is found to violate those rules, as well as a new one prohibiting "bait and switch" tactics (such as misrepresenting what the app can do during the submission review period), it can and will be pulled from the App Store. In addition, developers behind these apps can have their ability to submit to the App Store revoked.

Earlier this year, a study found dozens of apps that can create deepfake nudes of real people on both Apple's App Store and Google Play. Apple removed many of the offending apps at the time, but these new rules show there is still work to be done to prevent more from popping up in the App Store.

There are all manner of video game-themed models contributed by a community of dedicated fans, but there are also occasions when the studios responsible for those games get in on the action too. Inspired by a recent Factorio release, this week we’ll take a look at some official 3D printing models for popular video games.

I've always liked the idea of a projector, and I've used them plenty of times at work over the years, but the tradeoffs were never worth the increased picture size for me until recently. First I was tempted by a new generation of portable LED projector, but now laser projectors are becoming affordable on a paltry writer's income, and I'm mighty tempted.

The first Google Pixel was released 10 years ago on October 20, 2016, with one mission: to raise the bar for Android through Google's own hardware and software. It replaced the Nexus line and ushered in an era in which Google was, to a degree, competing with its own phone and tablet partners.

Time is the enemy of old tech. Fortunately, cheap modern tools like the ESP32 can breathe new life into retro computing hardware, either by enhancing old functionality or replacing components that are difficult to get working today.

There's nothing quite like getting an error message on your Windows PC, only to discover that you can't always copy the text to find out what went wrong. I used to resort to typing the message into a search engine until my sister showed me a keyboard shortcut I've used for troubleshooting ever since.

By now, you've probably heard that enabling an EXPO (AMD) or XMP (Intel) profile in your motherboard's BIOS can improve RAM performance. These predefined overclocking profiles are tested by the memory manufacturer and should work in most systems without issue.

AI coding subscriptions have become expensive, and many developers want a cheaper way in. OpenCode Go promises capable coding agents for a fraction of the usual cost. Here is what it is, how it compares with Claude Code, and who should consider switching. Spoiler alert: it's not better, but it might be better for you anyway.

As much as I would love to say I've fully converted to physical media, most of my music listening still happens on my phone. But I really enjoy sitting in my den and listening to my turntable and cassette deck. Combining those two experiences was easier than I thought.

Starbucks is teaming up with Disney for a 20-piece Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collection celebrating 100 years of the Hundred Acre Wood. The limited-edition lineup drops on Oct. 20, delivering honey-drip cold cups, ceramic beehive mugs, and plush Bearista keychains.

It's an incredibly cute collection that is bound to cause a stir, but there's a catch. We hate to break it to you like this, but the collection is exclusive to the Asia-Pacific region.

Credit: Starbucks / Disney What’s in the Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collection?

The 20-piece range mixes aesthetic drinkware with lifestyle accessories:

• Hunny Pot Tumblers and Cold Cups: Cold cups with honey-drip lids, golden-yellow straw toppers, and Pooh illustrations.

• Ceramic Beehive Mug: A textured, beehive-shaped ceramic mug featuring Pooh stuck in a honey pot entry.

• Bearista Costume Keychains and Phone Straps: Collectible Starbucks Bearistas dressed in plush costumes of Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger.

• Packable Tote Bag: A reusable Hundred Acre Wood tote that folds into its own matching pouch.

Credit: Starbucks / Disney

We want everything, but here's where it gets complicated.

How to buy this collection?

If you live in North America or Europe, you won't find these on local Starbucks shelves.

On launch day (Oct. 20), the collection will be available at participating Starbucks coffeehouses in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Unfortunately for collectors elsewhere, the secondary market is going to be your best bet.

Exporters will begin listing inventory from Oct. 20, but you should expect a significant markup over retail prices on high-demand pieces like the ceramic beehive mug and plush Bearista straps. Head over to eBay and good luck.

If you desperately want official Disney x Starbucks drinkware without paying reseller markups, the Disney Store regularly stocks collaboration tumblers that ship directly to U.S. and UK addresses. In fact, we've spotted a cute Winnie the Pooh tumbler going for $27.99.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $694.88 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $685.98 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

If you thought Pokémon TCG collectors were already losing their minds over 30th Celebration Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes, Amazon just opened preorders for the crown jewel of the anniversary expansion: the 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections.

Both high-end boxes are currently available for preorder at Amazon for under $700 ahead of their official Nov. 6 release date.

As the ultimate flagship products for the 30th Celebration set, both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, the real driver behind the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards:

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon): Includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat.

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon): Includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

The big question when buying trading cards on Amazon is whether or not you're actually getting value for money. Amazon is a reliable pick for finding readily available stock, but you often pay above market price.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $560.87 so there's a decent markup from Amazon here. The market price for the Night Box is $659.98, so the convenience of Amazon actually makes sense in this case.

As the leaves start to turn and the days draw shorter, now is a great time to curl up on the sofa with horror films and hot drinks. But entertainment and liquid sugar can only get you so far; to really relax into fall, you also need the right ambiance.

The best stocking stuffers should surprise and delight, but too often, we miss the mark. Think: tacky socks, bulk chocolate candy from the clearance aisle, and ChapStick. Most of these last-minute gift ideas are just begging to be tossed in a junk drawer or the donation pile, never to see the light of day again. Granted, it's a fate they probably deserve.

But that's a shame, because unpacking your stocking should be the perfect start to the happiest day of the year. So, we consulted our deep bench of shopping reporters, deal hunters, and product reviewers to find out what stocking stuffers they want to wake up to on Christmas morning.

We've gathered our favorite tiny-but-impressive gift ideas that can work for everyone on your holiday shopping list. So, whether you're searching for stocking stuffer ideas under $25 or something fancier that will catch them by surprise, we have more than 60 unique gifts to inspire you.