Technology

Android Auto is great and easy to use, especially in wireless mode. You hop in the car, the phone connects, and you're good to go. However, that doesn't help with all the settings, controls, playlist selection, and other things that distract you on the road or make you sit in the driveway for a few minutes before leaving. That's why I built a one-tap shortcut that changes everything at once.

You can buy a small ESP32 microcontroller for a few dollars—less than a Starbucks coffee. When you combine it with a special LoRa radio, you can create a device that can send encrypted text messages between locations without relying on a cellular service, Wi-Fi, or satellite data.

Despite all the negative comments and jokes online, Ryobi fans are an enthusiastic and passionate bunch. If you're anything like me, you own a large selection of its brightly colored tools, along with some older blue models. Ryobi releases a little bit of everything, many of which end up discontinued, but those forgotten tools have become collector items, and people are still hunting them down.

Like a lot of Windows users, I resisted Linux for years for two main reasons. I expected a steep learning curve, and I assumed I'd have to give up some of the Windows apps I rely on every day. Either one is enough to make switching feel like more trouble than it's worth.

Most USB cables are boring because they should be simple. The plugs are different on each end for a reason, and that reason is to stop you from doing something that seems harmless but isn't. A USB-A to USB-A cable is not just for show; it is dangerous. I have one, and if you know what you're doing, it doesn't hurt to have one too.

Most of us put a lot of thought into the big applications we base our workflows around — the video editors, the note-taking apps, the image editors — and almost none into the system-facing apps we use every day. However, those applications make up a huge chunk of our day-to-day experience and deserve more thought than they get. This is especially true right now, as tons of high-quality free and open-source apps have emerged that easily offer a better experience than most of your system defaults. Here are three such FOSS apps to replace your Windows defaults.

In case you missed Apple's Sept. 9 event, there are a few new iPhones in town. And the big carriers are already competing to offer the best iPhone preorder deals and lock in new customers. Remember: The new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available for preorder starting Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. ET, so you can secure your new phone ASAP.

The best iPhone 18 preorder deals at a glance: Preorder at T-Mobile Get iPhone 18 Pro for free with qualifying trade-in or by switching Get Deal Preorder at AT&T Get iPhone 18 Pro for free with qualifying trade-in Get Deal Preorder at Visible Get $480 of monthly service credits with purchase Get Deal Preorder at Total Wireless Take $600 off iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max Get Deal Preorder at Apple Get up to $885 in credit with trade-in Get Deal

By now, the annual iPhone launch is basically the first indicator of fall. The foldable iPhone Duo has captured most of the hype this year, but the tried-and-true iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max flagship models also deliver exciting new updates. While the Duo won't be available until October, the 18 Pro and Pro Max hit shelves on Friday, Sept. 18.

The new Pro models come in four new colors: deep black, silver, burgundy, and glacier blue. The 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299 for the 256GB models (storage options go up to 2TB). That's a $100 price increase over last year, and new phones keep getting more expensive. Fortunately for our wallets, carriers like T-Mobile are offering up to $1,200 off, and you can also take advantage of the Apple Upgrade program if you don't mind leasing your iPhone.

SEE ALSO: Get an iPhone 18 Pro case to go along with your new phone Save up to $1,200 with iPhone 18 preorder deals

If you're ready to preorder your new device but your wallet isn't quite keeping up with your enthusiasm, we've found a few ways to save money. To take advantage of most carriers' offers, you'll need to switch providers, trade in an older iPhone, or choose a specific phone plan. Smaller carriers like Visible and Total Wireless are also offering up to half off the new iPhone if you sign up for certain plans.

Here are the best preorder deals for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max:

• T-Mobile: Get the iPhone 18 Pro for free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number or trade-in an eligible phone on an Experience Beyond plan. You can also score up to $930 in trade-in credit when you switch a line to T-Mobile's Experience More or Go5G Plus plans.

• Total Wireless: Save $600 on iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max on the All Access plan.

• Apple: Trade in an iPhone 13 or later model and get between $175 and $885 in credit towards the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max. You can also score up to $1,200 in trade-in credit through specific carriers.

• AT&T: Get the iPhone 18 Pro for free or up to $1,200 off iPhone 18 Pro Max with qualifying trade-ins of iPhone 14 or later and activation on AT&T Premium 2.0 plan or higher. You can also get up to $800 in credit to pay off your current device just by switching to AT&T.

• Verizon: Get up to $1,200 off when you add a new line (with qualified trade-in) on eligible myPlan or up to $1,020 off when you upgrade with an eligible trade-in on existing myPlan.

• Visible: Buy the iPhone 18 Pro with Visible+ Pro and receive $480 through monthly service credits. New and existing members are eligible.

• Walmart: The big box retailer doesn't have any preorder deals just yet, but you can finance the new iPhone and pay as little as $78/month if you qualify through OnePay, a Klarna-backed service.

• Xfinity: Get the iPhone 18 Pro Max for free with a qualifying trade-in and device payment plan on the Mobile Plus plan.

What about Amazon iPhone preorder deals?

As of this writing, Amazon's iPhone 18 Pro listings aren't live, and Amazon typically isn't the best place to shop for new Apple smartphones. However, we'll update this page if any iPhone 18 Pro Amazon deals appear in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can preorder the new AirPods 5 and Apple Watches at Amazon.

Apple AirPods 5 earbuds $129 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Apple.com Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $399 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple iPhone 18 Pro, 256GB Save up to $1,200 at T-Mobile
  See It at T-Mobile See It at AT&T Wireless See It at Walmart iPhone 18 Pro Max, 256GB Save up to $1,200 at T-Mobile
  See It at T-Mobile See It at Walmart See It at Apple.com SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Duo vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max: How to decide between them

For the most part, Android phones aren’t made with microSD card slots anymore. That doesn’t mean you can’t still use one with your phone. There are a handful of ways to do this — some good, some extremely awkward. Let’s go over them.

As someone who is very fond of my smart home setup, I’ll be the first to admit that a lot of it is surplus to requirements. Rarely would I recommend everyone install color-changing bulbs or relinquish control of the HVAC to just a smartphone app or a Home Assistant integration.

Not too long ago, if you wanted AirPods with active noise cancellation, you had one option: the AirPods Pro. For several years following, Apple kept ANC strictly limited to its premium options: the Pros and the AirPods Max. Then in 2024, Apple threw a curveball AirPods 4, offering two models, with the more expensive one featuring ANC on a sub-$200 pair of AirPods for the first time ever.

And with the announcement of the AirPods 5 at the brand's "Surprise and Shine" keynote event on Sept. 9, AirPods without ANC have become a thing of the past altogether. At $129 and $149, both the AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case come with ANC (not to mention live translation). It also means there are now three options for noise-canceling earbuds from Apple.

Apple AirPods 5 earbuds $129 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Apple.com Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart SEE ALSO: The 11 best wireless earbuds we've ever tested

In deciding what to get, it's worth weighing out what you need out of your earbuds. To help you make your choice, we broke down the differences between the AirPods 5 (with and without the Wireless Charging Case) and the AirPods Pro 3, Apple's premium wireless earbuds. We just started testing the new AirPods, so stay tuned for a true head-to-head comparison. In the meantime, this is how they compare in specs, features, and form factor.

First: the AirPods 4 vs. the AirPods 5

Before we jump into the full comparison, a quick note on why we're not breaking down AirPods 4 vs. 5 comparison — it's because there really is none. The $129 AirPods 4 feature no noise cancellation, while the ones that do go for $179. Sure, you can catch them on sale for $99 a lot of the time, but you also won't be able to take advantage of the improved ANC, sound quality, Live Translation, and improved controls of the AirPods 5.

So, unless you're trying to spend more money on an inferior product, I'd recommend sticking with the newer AirPods. (That said, the difference isn't so stark that AirPods 4 users need to upgrade).

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Price and specsPricing

• AirPods 5 — $129

• AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case — $149

• AirPods Pro 3 — $249

Specs

AirPods 5

• Battery: Four hours of listening time (six without ANC), 20 hours total with case

• Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency

• Controls: Force sensor for playback and calls

• Charging: USB-C charging case

• Find My: Not available on this charging case

AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case

• Battery: Five hours of listening time (seven without ANC), 22 hours total with case

• Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency

• Controls: Force sensor for playback, calls, and volume swipe controls

• Charging: USB-C charging case, MagSafe, Qi compatible

• Find My: Speaker included to work with Find My

AirPods Pro 3

• Battery: Eight hours of listening time (10 with Transparency mode and Hearing Aid feature)

• Listening modes: Adaptive audio and transparency

• Controls: Force sensor for playback, calls, and volume swipe controls

• Charging: USB-C charging case, MagSafe, Qi compatible

• Find My: Speaker included to work with Find My

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Design The AirPods Pro 3 have interchangeable foam-infused silicon ear tips, opposed to the open ear design of the AirPods 5. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

Most notably, the two earbuds will wear differently. The AirPods Pro 3 feature silicone ear tips for a true in-ear design, while the AirPods 5 stick to the open-ear design. (It should be noted that, though these are technically open earbuds, they sit somewhat in the ear canal, unlike other clip or hook style open earbuds.) Without ear tips to create a tight seal, noise cancellation will take a hit with the AirPods 5.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best open earbuds stay put, sound great, and keep us aware of the world

If you opt for the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, the earbuds' stems feature swipe volume controls, just like the AirPods Pro. Both AirPods 5 have playback and call controls on the stems.

As for the charging case, the Pro and standard AirPods stick to the usual deviation, with the Pros featuring a shorter, wider look. Both the Pros and the more expensive AirPods 5 will have wireless charging and Find My capabilities, but the Pros get the slightest edge with a lanyard loop.

The Pro 3 and both AirPods 5, however, have a water- and dust-resistance rating of IP57.

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Sound quality A multichannel acoustic architecture comes to the AirPods 5. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Again, Mashable's team hasn't yet had the chance to finish testing the new AirPods. We can say that, per Apple, the multiport acoustic architecture in the AirPods 5 was inspired by AirPods Pro 3 design. Considering the discrepancy in price, however, and the AirPods Pro 3 in-ear design, it's safe to say the Pros will have the superior sound quality.

Previously, AirPods haven't offered a manually adjustable equalizer, but that's set to change with iOS 27. If you have an iPhone that supports iOS 27, you'll soon be able to access custom EQ settings for your AirPods.

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Noise cancellation

According to Apple, the AirPods Pro 3 have up to three times more noise cancellation than the AirPods 5. While ANC is difficult to quantify, it does make sense that the in-ear design and the foam-infused silicone ear tips of the Pros would offer, at the very least, more passive noise cancellation.

That said, the AirPods 5 ANC isn't anything to scoff at. Apple claims the ANC on the new generation is one and a half times more powerful than the ANC found on the AirPods 4 with ANC.

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Battery life

This is pretty much as it's written on the tin — the AirPods Pro 3 undeniably have the superior battery life, bringing eight hours per charge with ANC (and 24 hours in the case). The $149 AirPods 5 come next, with five hours per charge with ANC (and 22 hours in the case). The AirPods 5 remain at the same level as the AirPods 4 with ANC, at four hours per charge with ANC (and 20 hours in the case).

While the AirPods Pro 3 do have double the per-charge battery life of the standard AirPods 5, it's worth remembering that the Pro 3 are also $120 more — nearly the price of another pair of AirPods 5.

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Extra features The Pro 3 are great companions for a workout. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

The Pros are designed to offer an all-encompassing experience, and their extra features show exactly that. The Pros have a built-in heart rate monitor that works with the Apple Fitness app and other compatible health apps, making them especially great for exercise. The Pro 3 also have a hearing test, aid, and hearing protection features.

Both the AirPods 5 and the Pro 3 have Live Translation capabilities.

Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Which is better?

If you're wearing earbuds daily, for multiple hours of the day, the longer battery life, versatility, and superior ANC and sound quality of the AirPods Pro 3 are likely worth the investment.

However, for more casual users, the AirPods 5 allow for an experience of some of the better parts of Apple's noise-cancelling experience without the hefty price tag to match.

Where to buy the AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3 Available September 18 AirPods 5 $129 Pre-Order Here Available September 18 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case $149 Pre-Order Here Available now AirPods Pro 3 $249 Shop Now

Apple finally revealed the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at its Sept. 9 "Surprise and Shine" event, alongside the foldable iPhone Duo.

But believe it or not, there are already credible reports and leaks floating around about a potential 20th anniversary "iPhone 20" arriving in fall 2027. If the rumor mill is correct, Apple will skip the iPhone 19 entirely, and this wouldn't be the first time Apple has gotten creative with numbering. The iPhone 20 would commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original model, which was released on June 29, 2007.

To mark 20 years of the iPhone, Apple has reportedly been prepping a major redesign that uses curved glass elements and potentially even a waterfall display.

If you're on the fence about upgrading to the iPhone 18 Pro, then you may want some idea of what next year's iPhone might look like. So, here are the latest iPhone 20 rumors.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new 'Upgrade' program lets you lease a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch like a car iPhone 20: When will it come out?

First things first, the release date. Apple always launches its flagship iPhone models in September, and there's currently no reason to think that will change soon.

In other words, it's widely expected that this phone will be announced in early September 2027, followed a week or two later with an official launch. (For reference, the iPhone 18 Pro was announced on Sept. 9 and launches Sept. 18.) The 20th anniversary iPhone is also the perfect opportunity for Apple to do some weird, fun stuff with its signature device.

iPhone 20: What will it look like?

This is the big point of interest regarding the iPhone 20, and most of what we know dates back to leaks from last year. In 2025, there were multiple credible reports that the iPhone 20 model would undergo a major redesign that uses significantly more glass than the typical phone.

Bloomberg and The Information both reported in May of last year that it would have an all-glass, edge-to-edge display. Specifically, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the source of more Apple scoops than anyone else on the planet, predicted the iPhone 20 would be a "mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display," and feature "curved glass edges all around." That means curved glass wrapping around the edges of the device, and perhaps more importantly, a seeming lack of a notch or Dynamic Island cutout for the selfie camera.

Other reports point to curves around the four corners of the phone. Also in 2025, Korean outlet ETNews reported the 20th anniversary iPhone will have four-sided bending for a bezel-less full-screen experience.

However, other prominent leakers have thrown cold water on rumors of a radical, waterfall-edge display. On X, leaker Ice Universe said that despite the rumors, the iPhone 20 will not have a true curved display.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

And in 2026, Ice Universe speculated that "a true quad-curved display is unlikely" due to manufacturing challenges, suggesting Apple will opt for a "visual quad-curved" design.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

So, instead of a waterfall display with curved glass on the iPhone, we might get something more like the iPhone Air, with rounder corners and sides, plus a visual effect around the edges similar to what you see on the Apple Watch.

Credit: CNET Group

We've seen wrap-around and waterfall displays on other devices like TVs, but a more sculptural, curved glass iPhone would definitely stand out in the mobile market.

Unfortunately, Apple is keeping a very tight lid on the iPhone 20 so far. The most recent update comes from Gurman at Bloomberg (of course), who reported in June that there will be two iPhone 20 models launched in 2027, likely in the Pro category, and that they will measure in at around 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches.

Do the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo tell us anything about the iPhone 20?

With the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple reduced the size of the Dynamic Island, and the iPhone Duo utilizes an under-display FaceTime camera that doesn't waste any pixels. It will be interesting to see which of these elements are carried forward into the iPhone 20.

Apple has clearly embraced curved glass and refracting light in its new Liquid Glass design language, so it would make sense if the iPhone evolved to match accordingly.

iPhone 20: New buttons!

Lastly, for now, leaker Instant Digital posted on Weibo late last year that Apple is working on "solid-state" (in other words, non-moving and non-mechanical) buttons for the iPhone 20. The unique feature here would be haptic feedback for power, volume control, and camera control. I could see this being somewhat controversial, like when Apple got rid of the home button, but we'll have to wait and see.

As soon as we learn more about the iPhone 19/iPhone 20, we'll be sure to update this post. If you want to be the first to know about new tech, science, and digital culture news, sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Top smartphone deals of the week

• Get the iPhone 18 Pro for free at T-Mobile

• Samsung Galaxy S26 FE + $200 Amazon Gift Card — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Google Pixel 11 Pro — $1,019.70 $1,099 (save $79.30)

• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — $1,049.99 $1,299.99 (save $250)

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Why our solar system missed out on having a super‑Earth, a type of world that teems across the galaxy, has long bugged astronomers.

Now, a new study proposes an intriguing explanation: maybe the sun ate it.

Mutlu Yildiz, an astronomy professor at Ege University in Turkey, used computer simulations to wind back the clock and study the young sun with and without a swallowed planet to see which version best matches the star we know today. His models that fed the sun a dense, rocky super‑Earth — about five to 10 times more massive than Earth and rich in heavy elements like Mercury — lined up closely with real measurements.

Earlier work has proposed that a super‑Earth could have formed and then spiraled through space into the sun billions of years ago, but this paper is perhaps the first to delve deeply into the idea, asking whether the sun retains evidence that such an event took place. 

"We believe it could," Yildiz said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: 3D map reveals cities of galaxies taking shape in early universe

Lithium is one of the most important chemical clues pointing to a planet's engulfment. When the sun formed, it was made from the same stuff as meteorites and the gas cloud around it. From those rocks and gases, scientists can estimate how much lithium the newborn sun should have had. Today, the sun's surface has over 100 times less lithium than expected. 

Lithium atoms only break apart deep inside a star, where it is much hotter, so the missing element hints that something might have dragged it down. 

An artist's rendering of a super-Earth orbiting a sun-like star Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech illustration

The new study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests a scenario in which the ill‑fated planet brings in material that is poor in lithium but rich in heavier elements. Yildiz dubbed the hypothetical planet Dev Dilek, meaning "Great Wish" in Turkish. The name Dilek is traditionally associated with wishes directed toward Mercury, and the prefix "Dev" means giant.

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Mixing that lithium-poor material into the sun's outer layers helps explain the lithium shortage. Meanwhile, the extra heavy elements buried just below the surface make the models of the sun's interior — including how sound waves travel and how deep the churning outer layer goes — line up better with what astronomers actually observe.

The study also checks whether a rocky planet could realistically survive the plunge into the sun long enough to deliver its material to the right depth. Separate calculations track how a compact, iron‑rich world behaves as it falls through hot solar gas. Under intense pressure, the planet shrinks, exposing a smaller area to the gas and slowing the rate at which its outer layers burn off. 

In the computer simulations, the planet loses only a fraction of its mass before reaching the base of the convection zone. That means most of its rocky core could end up exactly where the solar models need it, according to the research.

While Yildiz had a hunch that absorbing a planet could affect the sun's structure, he didn't expect the math to align so closely with a specific type of planet's mass range. 

"That was one of the most interesting outcomes," he said. 

Astronomers already have evidence that stars can eat their planets. Some stars briefly brighten and swell after swallowing nearby exoplanets, and subtle shifts in the orbits of hot Jupiters suggest that many are slowly falling inward toward their stars. Studies of sun-like stars also find chemical patterns that hint at past planet meals.

The new paper puts a mirror in front of our own star. Though it doesn't prove the sun devoured a super‑Earth, it does show that a sun with an early planetary feast matches a wide range of measurements better than any model without it. 

"The next step is to see if these fingerprints can be independently detected," Yildiz said.

Based on my extensive hands-on testing and expert input, I’ve picked the best sexting apps and online sites to keep your flirtiest, dirtiest chats truly private — whether you're messaging a partner, a hookup, or a verified creator.

Because sometimes the anticipation of a hookup is even hotter than the main event. In my experience, sexting is the ultimate form of digital foreplay. It’s the glue that keeps long-distance relationships from falling apart, the spark that stops long-term couples from feeling like roommates, and — for all you singles out there — the safest way to test sexual chemistry before you ever meet up in person.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to sexting

If it feels like everyone is sending spicy texts these days, you're not wrong. Some studies show that up to 88 percent of American adults have engaged in sexting at some point in their lives. For many, it's become an essential means of connection, and research shows that sharing intimate pictures can evoke, demonstrate, and reinforce trust.

You can use just about any mainstream dating app, like Tinder, Hinge, and even Hily, to find a potential sexting partner (though I think Pure is probably the best dating app for this). If you're a woman, finding a willing digital playmate is usually as easy as existing. If you're a man, it requires a little more finesse and charm, but it's definitely still possible.

But once you've actually found someone who matches your freak, moving that conversation off the dating grid and into a secure app like Signal is the best way to go.

You've heard of safe sex. But what about safe sexting?

As fun as the buildup is, the sad truth is that no one ever knows for sure if their private photos will stay private once they hit send on standard messaging platforms. Sliding into the DMs on a standard social media app might feel like spontaneous fun, but in 2026, your digital footprint is forever. Plus, with Meta cracking down hard this April (wiping out Instagram accounts and posts just for hinting at sexual expression), it's obvious that mainstream platforms are becoming hostile territory for your spicy chats. If you're going to share that side of yourself, you need to know it stays between you and the recipient.

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

For years, our number-one recommendation that hit all three of those marks was Confide. But with the app officially shutting down, Signal has become my new gold standard for secure messaging. While its "Screen Security" setting prevents screenshots on your own device, it doesn't prevent someone else from taking a screenshot of your chat on their device. However, its open-source encryption and foolproof disappearing messages still make it one of the safest options for sending nudes.

SEE ALSO: Gen Z has a new dating app profile rule, apparently

Whether you're looking for an encrypted vault to text your long-term partner, a sex-positive platform to explore new kinks, or a secure space to find someone entirely new, there's a platform out there that won't compromise your privacy. If you believe in safe sex, you should practice safe sexting, too. Here are the apps I trust to get the job done.

Recent updates to this guide:

• Signal (July 2026): Promoted to our No. 1 overall recommendation following the official closure of Confide. Its open-source encryption makes it the gold standard for secure, free sexting.

• Lovense Remote: Added as our top choice for "Group Sexting." It remains the best interactive option for couples and polyamorous groups to sync Bluetooth toys across long distances.

• FetLife: Expanded our analysis of its custom community groups, cementing its spot as the best social network for exploring niche kinks safely.

Why some popular sexting apps didn't make the cut

You've probably seen other "best of" lists recommending apps and platforms that I've intentionally left off. My goal is to recommend secure spaces where you can build genuine, mutual connections without burning through cash or risking your digital privacy.

Here's why a few common names didn't make the cut this month:

• "Paid Operator" platforms (InstaBang, Arousr, SextLocal): Many web-based platforms marketed for fast sexting don't connect you with real local users. Instead, they hire paid "chat operators" who use fantasy scripts specifically designed to keep you replying and draining your wallet per message. While there is a market for paid fantasy, I don't consider it mutual sexting. This guide prioritizes authentic, user-to-user interaction (with the explicit exception of SextPanther, which uses clearly verified, real adult performers).

• Basic Couples Messengers (Between, Paid Vaults): While apps like Between offer private spaces for long-distance couples, they lack the specific, sex-positive interactive features (like integrated toy controls, screenshot blocks, or custom timer countdowns) that make digital foreplay fun. If you want to level up your intimacy, highly interactive platforms like We-Vibe and Lovense are much better options.

I think I have just seen my favorite animated movie of 2026. And it's Julián, based on Jessica Love's bestselling children’s book, Julián Is a Mermaid.

This year, cinemas have seen sequels for beloved IP like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, and PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie. There have also been original animal-centered adventures like GOAT, Hoppers, and Swapped. Plus, coming up are Shaun The Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Forgotten Island, Wildwood, The Cat in the Hat, Steps, Ray Gunn, and Hexed.

So, what makes me so certain that Julián will be my favorite of the year? Well, for starters, it's a deeply charming story about a child fighting for his individuality, a message that speaks to me. Created by Cartoon Saloon, which produced The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers, and The Breadwinner, it is absolutely beautiful. But most of all, over the course of 85 minutes, this magical movie's style reminded me of some of my favorite animated movies and shows, including Steven Universe, Spirited Away, Craig of the Creek, and Luca. Yet at no point did Julián have me wishing I was watching those instead.

SEE ALSO: Fall movie preview: All the 2026 films you need to know about

Julián thrives on comparison, not by being better than these rightly beloved films and series, but by being a solid stone in the path of the cathedral they collectively build to the glory of animation as an art form.

Julián is a summer-set story of LGBTQ+ youth and identity.

Named for its protagonist, Julián follows a little boy over a summer spent with his Dominican American abuela (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) in Brooklyn. He (Knyght Darius Jack) is a cheerful child with a vivid imagination, a love of the ocean, and little awareness of the mess he makes while playing. In the opening scene, his dad Javi (Anthony Sardinha) shows an appreciation for all of this, as Julián excitedly colors a picture, and splashes about glitter on the drive to New York. But his abuela hasn't seen the boy in a while, and her parenting style is very "my way or the highway." So, getting used to her rules will be an adjustment.

In the first act, Julián pulls a move from Paddington, trying hard to respect his host while making an absolute disaster of their bathroom. It's the kind of childish shenanigans that are both adorable and deeply annoying. Director Louise Bagnall expertly shows Julián's missteps as both, allowing the audience to understand him and his grandmother.

In the book (which is just 40 pages with illustrations), Julián's abuela is almost instantly accepting of his desire to be a mermaid and what that entails. Expanding the story, Julián takes time to develop their relationship, working in new characters and obstacles for both to explore. For his part, Julián is giddy to meet a trio of local girls, who are plotting their "mersonas" in sidewalk chalk drawings and readying for Coney Island's annual Mermaid Parade, where revelers dress in all sorts of nautical costumes for a day of festivities and community.

However, Abeula and her friends see Julián with the girls and heteronormatively assume he's a "lady killer." So, when Julián asks her to do his hair to show off to girls, he's thinking of long braids, like one of the girls has. When he sees the short-cropped cut she's done to "show off [his] handsome face," the boy is reduced to tears.

There's no point in this movie where Julián will come out as queer or discuss such labels with his loved ones. He's just a kid, loving the things he loves and being told that's wrong. After the tears over the haircut, after his insistence that the mermaid costume be colorful and covered in shimmer, Abuela understands who her grandson is. She decides she'll sew him the costume he dreams of, but she also fears how others will react. In a moment of pique, she warns him about being "too much." And so Julián is subjected to the stifling gender norms that are meant to protect him, but make him feel alone and ashamed.

However, like Julián Is a Mermaid (or Luca), this eponymous hero will find his happy ending, embraced by love, community, and family just as he is.

Julián is gorgeous and moving.

Bagnall creates a distinctive visual language for Julián that sets the film apart from Love's book. Thankfully, she rejects the three-dimensional CGI animation that has become almost mandatory for theatrical release across the medium.

Where Julián Is a Mermaid had a painterly look of watercolors, Julián reflects its hero's love of drawing by imitating the texture of markers and crayons. The colors are vibrant, showing the characters' Afro-Latino neighborhood in Brooklyn as a place of life and warmth. The soft edges of the characters and their round, bouncy designs reflect Julián's energy, which is like a Super Ball, high-soaring and playful. In sequences where the world transforms to reflect his imagination, watery fish fly, an aquatic goddess rises, and a whale shark with a belly made of stars soars with the boy mermaid. It's in these moments of embracing play that I thought of Craig and his Creek friends. In the movement of the sea creatures, I thought of Spirited Away's sprites or Ponyo's fishy wonders.

Julián's scenes of joy make moments where he is sad hit all the harder. This brilliant boy, whose nature is to sparkle, is (however briefly) urged to hide his light. The young voice actor's choked-up performance had me spilling tears of my own. The animation, shifting from fluid, spirited dances to stilted shoving, as this kid literally locks his imaginary friend up in a jewelry box, had my heart aching.

But even if you haven't read the book (I hadn't), the love that infuses every frame of Julián assured me that it would get better for him. The world around him is too bright and full of pleasure to keep him locked up in shame or confusion. So, rather than a simple but beautiful tale of a little boy and his abuela who go to the Mermaid Parade together (as Love's wonderful book is), Julián expands to be a thorough and thoughtful story of what it means to be different, misunderstood but still loved.

In the final act, rather than a gentle walk hand-in-hand to the Coney Island beach, Julián offers a rousing action sequence, as he runs away from home to join his friends at the parade. A race against time ratchets up tension, while his pursuing abuela is on a determined mission of her own, to mend what she fears she's broken.

In this race, Bagnall showcases the wonder of the Mermaid Parade, with a cast of characters that could all be Crystal Gems. They have big, colorful hair in pinks, greens, blues, and magentas. Their bodies are varied, none from the same cookie cutter. And when the boy and his friends call upon strangers at the parade for help, it's a trio of queer-coded mermaids (some with facial hair) who aid them kindly and easily. And here, I cried again — tears of joy for the recognition of what it means to find your community.

Where there are moments in Julián where the boy is faced with homophobia, the film overwhelmingly blooms with love. And I loved it right back.

Julián was reviewed out of its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

TL;DR: The new Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for free right now with T-Mobile. To claim, trade in a qualifying device and activate a new line on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan. New customers who switch to T-Mobile and keep their existing number will also qualify.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Free iPhone 18 Pro   Get Deal

We've been treated to some major smartphone drops in recent months. We got the new Motorola Razr lineup, new Google Pixels, and foldable phones from Samsung. All the major players had their moment in the spotlight, but now it's time for the main event: Apple's annual iPhone launch.

After months of speculation, rumors, and leaks, Apple has finally announced the new iPhone 18 Pro, and pre-orders open today, with the phone set to release on Sept. 18.

Any new smartphone announcement causes a stir, but none more than the iPhone. Nothing gets the people going quite like a shiny new iPhone, especially if it folds. And mobile carriers like T-Mobile know that, so they tend to drop seriously tempting iPhone pre-order deals to persuade you into upgrading. And this launch is no different.

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for free right now with T-Mobile. There are two ways to take advantage of this pre-order deal:

• Switch to T-Mobile and bring your existing phone number

• Trade in a qualifying phone (in any condition) on an Experience Beyond plan

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’s top data tier for three years, it's easily one of the best ways to score Apple's premier hardware without a major hit to your budget.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone

T-Mobile requires 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. But come on, that's a small price to pay for the latest iPhone.

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

It may be one of the most popular dating sites out there, but eharmony imposes some seriously inconvenient limits on what non-paying members can do on the site. If you sign up with a free account, you'll be able to create a profile and answer their proprietary personality questionnaire, browse through the profiles of local singles, and even read profiles, but you won't be able to match with others or even view all of their profile photos. 

Opens in a new window Credit: eharmony eharmony   Learn More

If you like how the site operates and want to unlock its full potential, it's worth upgrading to one of their three paid membership tiers. Here's what those membership levels unlock and what they will cost you:

Premium Light

The most basic membership tier, Premium Light, will allow you to send Likes to hopefully match with other singles, view a single, high-resolution profile photo from other accounts, and apply more sophisticated search filters to eharmony members, in case you're looking for something very specific. With this membership, you'll also be allowed to send an unlimited number of messages to up to 15 of your matches each month. The Light membership will also unlock access to an AI-based assessment of your profile, with personalized tips to help you stand out more.

SEE ALSO: How to delete your eharmony account

The cost of a Light plan varies significantly by your location, the duration of your commitment, and the promotional offers currently on the site, but expect to pay around $15 per month for a Light-tier membership.

Premium Plus

If you decide to step up from a Light membership, the next available tier is Plus, which offers the same features as Light but increases the aforementioned messaging cap from 15 users to 30 and allows you to browse an unlimited number of high-resolution profile photos from matches and potential matches. Another cool feature of the Plus-tier membership: you'll be able to see who has visited your profile, even before they've interacted with you.

The cost of a Plus plan varies significantly by your location, the duration of your commitment, and the promotional offers currently on the site, but expect to pay around $17 per month for a Plus-tier membership.

Premium Unlimited

If you're really enjoying eharmony and perhaps especially if you foresee yourself using the service over a longer period of time, the Unlimited membership offers some undeniably great perks, beginning with removing the messaging cap entirely (hence "unlimited"), allowing you to gab away to your heart's content with as many people as you match with. But one of the Unlimited membership's best features is also its most exclusive: you'll be the first to see new eharmony member profiles, so you have the opportunity to match with and message them first. 

The cost of an Unlimited plan varies significantly by your location, the duration of your commitment, and the promotional offers currently on the site, but expect to pay around $19 per month for a Plus-tier membership.

SEE ALSO: Is eharmony still the gold standard for daters over 40?

Which membership tier is right for you? That's entirely down to your budget and dating needs, but we would wager most people would be perfectly happy with the Light membership tier, so we advise you to start there and step up if or when you desire.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Each one.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

EVERY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A safe.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

VAULT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Moving images.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 12, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VIDEO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Taking legal action.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SUING

Final Hurdle hint

Rumbled.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SHOOK

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

It's the start of a new lunar cycle, which can only mean one thing: the Moon is working towards being full again. Over the next few nights, we'll notice it getting bigger in the sky.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Sept. 12, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 2% of its surface visible.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.

What are Moon phases?

As the Moon orbits Earth, its appearance changes over the course of roughly 29.5 days, creating what we know as the lunar cycle, according to NASA. The phase we see depends on where the Moon is in relation to Earth and the Sun, and how much of its sunlit side is facing us. Throughout the cycle, it moves from a slender crescent to a half Moon and eventually a Full Moon, before the pattern begins again.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love cars.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 11, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Automotive enhancers

• Green: Online communicators

• Blue: These do different actions but share the same word

• Purple: Same second word

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Ways to personalize a car

• Green: People in an online forum

• Blue: Things that blink

• Purple: __ alert

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1189 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ways to personalize a car: BUMPER STICKER, FUZZY DICE, HOOD ORNAMENT, VANITY PLATE

• People in an online forum: LURKER, POSTER, SPAMMER, TROLL

• Things that blink: CURSOR, EYELIDS, SMOKE DETECTOR, TURN SIGNAL

• __ alert: NERD, RED, SPOILER, WEATHER

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 12, 2026 Turn signal meaning

Used to indicate a change of direction in a motor vehicle.

Weather meaning

The conditions outside at a particular space and time.

Poster meaning

A document featuring art or details, frequently displayed in clear view.

Bumper sticker meaning

A sticker commonly found on vehicles.

Vanity plate meaning

A license plate with custom wording or numbers.

Cursor meaning

An indicator of a mouse's location on a computer screen.

Spoiler meaning

A story detail about a show or an automotive design feature to improve aerodynamics.

Troll meaning

Someone who harasses others online, or a mythological creature.

Smoke detector meaning

A device intended to warn people of a potential hazard.

Fuzzy dice meaning

A popular decorative feature in cars.

Spammer meaning

Someone who harasses online via repetitive actions.

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Nerd meaning

An intelligent person who possesses deep knowledge of various topics.

Red meaning

A primary color.

Eyelids meaning

Movable skin folds that protect the eyes.

Hood ornament meaning

A decorative element added to the front of a vehicle.

Lurker meaning

Someone who watches on social media but never posts.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.