Technology

Had a crap day at work? Again? We’ve all been there. But instead of glazing at your computer screen into the wee hours trying to write that reply email you’re never going to send, turn your work brain off, settle down, and let yourself get taken away for a while.

Netflix's spirited cartoon Haunted Hotel is returning for a second season next month. And the new trailer teases that a question fans have been asking online might finally be answered.

With Season 1, Haunted Hotel introduced audiences to the Freeling family, made up of young Esther (Natalie Palamides), her 13-year-old brother Ben (Skyler Gisondo), their mom Katherine (Eliza Coupe), her brother's ghost Nathan (Will Forte), and Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson), a mischievous demon trapped in an 18th-century boy.

Together, they live in the Undervale, a haunted hotel stuffed with spirits and creepy creatures. On top of all this, show creator Matt Roller and his team have been working in allusions to horror classics like The Shining, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Babadook.

SEE ALSO: 'Haunted Hotel' review: 'The Shining' meets 'Bob's Burgers' in Netflix's charming animated comedy

But there's one ghost lurking around the Undervale that viewers haven't been able to figure out. Fans have dubbed her the "attic ghost." She has dark hair cut into a bob and wears a red jacket with a T-shirt emblazoned with a yellow "Z" underneath—and a knife protruding from its back. She's had no lines, but appears in the attic in the episode titled "How to Train Your Demon" and is spotted among the auditioning ghosts in "Ghost Hunters!"

A scene from Netflix's "Haunted Hotel" episode "How to Train Your Demon." Credit: Netflix / screenshot

Where several of the ghosts in Haunted Hotel feel like references to the likes of Freddy Krueger or Charles Manson, the attic ghost is harder to pin down. Her look is so specific that it feels like she could be an allusion, but to what?

Well, in the Season 2 trailer, Katherine announces the family business has turned around, doing so well that they'll need to hire some help. Enter a mysterious new figure who looks a lot like the Attic Ghost.

Netflix's Haunted Hotel Season 2 trailer Left: Credit: Netflix / Screenshot Right: Scene from Netflix's "Haunted Hotel" episode "How to Train Your Demon." Credit: Netflix / screenshot

Could this mean fans weren't wrong to wonder about this curious ghost girl? Will her identity finally be revealed? Will the new Undervale employee be her sister? Mom? Daughter? There's only one way to find out.

Haunted Hotel Season 2 comes to Netflix with 8 new episodes on Oct. 9.

The average person now has several monthly cloud subscriptions, and the situation only gets worse when you look at households. You have cloud storage, a handful of apps, a photo subscription of some sort, not to mention Microsoft Office. Each one individually won't break the budget, but cumulatively, subscription costs can easily run into the hundreds of dollars per month.

By now, you've likely heard about the push to stop new data centers from being built in the United States. Data centers aren't very popular right now, and a New York Times/Sienna survey just found that 61 percent of Americans oppose new construction. It certainly doesn't help that AI companies are overtly talking about doomsday-like scenarios and widespread AI-driven job loss. On top of that, many people have seen videos on social media showing the noise pollution and other environmental effects that can come with AI data centers.

Despite the discourse surrounding AI data centers, you might be surprised to hear that as of Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, there are no bans on data centers in any of the 50 states.

While some local municipalities and governments have successfully introduced pauses on new data centers, New York is the first and only state to enact a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers statewide. So, if you're wondering how many U.S. states have data center bans, it's either a list of zero or one, depending on whether you count New York's moratorium.

However, state legislation to ban or temporarily pause the construction of data centers has been introduced in 16 states so far, from Democratic strongholds like Delaware and Maine to deep-red states like South Dakota and South Carolina.

Delaware

SB 353 would enact a moratorium on permits for large-scale data centers in Delaware until January 2027. The bill was introduced in June and is currently awaiting consideration in committee.

Georgia

HB 1059 would forbid local governments in Georgia from permitting data centers until December 2028. The bill was introduced earlier this year.

Maine

LD 307 was introduced this year, and it would have put a moratorium on large-scale data centers until November 2027.

Despite bipartisan support in both chambers of the Maine legislature, Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed the bill because it did not provide an exemption for a specific project.

Maryland

HB 120 sought to enact a moratorium on data center permitting and construction. The bill failed in committee earlier this year.

Michigan

HB 5594 / HB 5595 were introduced in Michigan in February. The legislation would stop local governments and public service commissions from issuing permits and approvals for new data centers until April 2027.

Minnesota

HB 4888 / SB 4298 sought to ban new data center permits until at least July 2027 or until the Public Utility Commission submits a comprehensive report on data center development in Minnesota. The bills failed to pass during session, however.

New Hampshire

HB 1265 would've enacted a one-year moratorium on all data center construction in New Hampshire. The bill failed.

New Jersey

AB 5482 was introduced earlier this year in New Jersey. It would put a 6-month moratorium on all data center approval, construction, or tax incentives.

New York

AB 10141 / SB 9144 were passed in June. The legislation enacted a one-year permit freeze and imposed strict energy efficiency standards on data centers with peak demands of 1 megawatt (MW) or more.

Furthermore, in July, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order that paused new hyperscale data center developments for one year in the state. It's the first and only moratorium of its kind in the United States.

However, the Trump administration has warned that "anti-innovation states" like New York lack the legal authority to enact some types of AI regulations.

Oklahoma

SB 1488 sought to enact a moratorium on data center construction in Oklahoma until November 2029. The bill failed.

Pennsylvania

SB 1359 / HB 2533 were introduced in Pennsylvania, seeking a 3-year moratorium on new data centers along with impact studies. The bill would also provide municipalities with the ability to prohibit data centers.

South Carolina

H 5526 was introduced in South Carolina and would forbid any local approval of data centers until the state legislature adopts a “comprehensive oversight and approval process” in the state.

South Dakota

SB 232 sought a moratorium through June 2027 on data center construction or expansion in South Dakota. The bill failed.

Vermont

S 205 was introduced in Vermont and seeks a moratorium on data centers until 2030. The bill also requires an impact study on data centers.

Virginia

HB 1515 in Virginia looks to put a moratorium on final approval of new data centers, permits, or rezoning from local governments until grid interconnection requests are fulfilled or until July 2028.

The House Rules subcommittee voted to carry over the legislation into the 2027 legislative session.

Wisconsin

SB 1061 / AB 1099 in Wisconsin sought to prohibit data centers in the state until 14 conditions were met. These conditions included "the establishment of a statewide data center planning authority" and "a prohibition on shifting data center energy and water costs to residential customers." The bill failed to pass.

Anyone who listens to podcasts on a long drive has probably run into a situation where Google Maps calls out a turn and the audio volume will lower, but never come back up. I've seen this cause multiple issues, especially when you try to fix it on the road. It feels random, but it happens so often that it's hard to blame anything but Android Auto, wireless or not.

SAVE $250: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is on sale at Amazon for $1,849.99, down from the normal price of $2,099.99. That's a 12% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 $1,849.99 at Amazon
$2,099.99 Save $250.00   Get Deal

Folding phones are back, big time. With the Apple Duo, Huawei Pura X Max Wide, and the Xiaomi 18 Fold, we have some awesome advancements coming to the market. But if you're on team Samsung, you know all about the Galaxy Z Fold8, including the steep price. Amazon, however, is offering some respite.

As of Sept. 16, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is on sale at Amazon for $1,849.99, down from the normal price of $2,099.99. That's a 12% discount.

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and wrote, "This passport-style foldable has a huge inner display that lets you do so much more with your phone." In addition to the awesome design and display, the Snapdragon chip is capable of heavy multitasking and gaming. The wide screen is undeniably a great choice for those who edit photos on their phone, stream shows, or use it as an e-reader.

SEE ALSO: Grab the Garmin vívoactive 6 for its best price ever at $70 off

Even though the inner AMOLED display measures a hefty 7.6 inches, the phone only weighs 201 grams with thickness measuring just 4.5mm. That's small enough to still fit in your pocket.

The Amazon sale applies to the Z Fold8 with 12GB memory and 521GB storage and you can choose between the graphite, lavender, or cream colorways.

While it's at a nice $250 discount, make the upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Now that we're entering the fall chill, it'll be nice to have a large screen for watching shows, movies, and gaming while staying warm inside.

As anti-surveillance activists around the country have taken to physically tearing down Flock cameras and automatic license-plate readers, one hacking group decided destruction wasn't enough.

According to reporting by 404 Media and WIRED, a hacker collective calling itself stegan0gram removed a Flock camera above a roadway, copied nearly all the data stored inside it, and turned the files over to journalists for analysis in a joint investigation between the two outlets.

SEE ALSO: Florida takes sweeping action against license plate readers as cities drop Flock

The breach cracked open a system Flock has long described as secured by on-device encryption.

404 Media and WIRED reported that the hackers found two unencrypted partitions on the camera's internal storage — one holding vendor files, the other holding media — and that the media partition contained an encryption key that unlocked most of the footage the device had recorded. The material was also shared with the transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets, which passed it to WIRED for the joint review.

What's inside a Flock camera?

Once inside, the outlets found that the camera runs on a processor comparable to a midrange smartphone and operates around 20 Flock-built applications handling everything from motion detection to image classification and remote updates, according to the joint analysis.

Contrary to some assumptions about the system, the software on the camera itself doesn't read license plates or identify a vehicle's make, model, or color — that processing happens later, on Flock's own servers, after the device transmits its photos, WIRED and 404 reported. The outlets also reported that the camera's recovered logs covered roughly three weeks of activity, which showed the camera photographing over 50,000 vehicles and producing 1.6 million images.

Perhaps most notably, the analysis confirmed the camera's software explicitly detects people, not just cars and plates — logging where a person appears in frame along with a confidence score, a capability 404 Media described as largely absent from public discussion of the devices.

A Flock spokesperson told 404 Media that removing and tampering with its cameras is illegal, and said the company had received no vulnerability report through its official disclosure process, leaving it unable to fully evaluate the hackers' claims. Flock maintains its cameras don't perform facial recognition, and the outlets said they found no evidence of active facial-recognition capability beyond features built into the Android operating system by default, which did not appear to be enabled.

SEE ALSO: This map shows how many Flock cameras are in your neighborhood

The individual camera is only part of the picture. As reported by WIRED, Flock's system routes captured data to a searchable national database, allowing records from a single city's cameras to be accessed by thousands of outside agencies — police departments, universities, and airports, among them.

404 Media has previously reported that this network was used by local police to run searches on behalf of ICE and, in one case, to help track down a woman who had self-administered an abortion, controversies that have fueled the broader backlash against the cameras.

While you can deal with Windows bloatware in a variety of ways, one of the fastest, most straightforward methods to uninstall preinstalled apps you don't need is WinGet, a Windows package manager you can use from the command line. All it takes is typing or pasting a few commands, and your PC will be bloat-free in no time.

TL;DR: Watch Barcelona vs. Racing Club in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Barcelona have made a perfect start to the new La Liga season, leading rivals Real Madrid by three points after five rounds of fixtures. Now the defending champions face Racing Club at home. Fans will be expecting a confident win against a side that has won two from their opening five games.

If you're interested in watching Barcelona vs. Racing Club in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Barcelona vs. Racing Club?

Barcelona vs. Racing Club in La Liga kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 16. This fixture takes place at the Camp Nou.

How to watch Barcelona vs. Racing Club for free

Barcelona vs. Racing Club in La Liga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Barcelona vs. Racing Club for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Barcelona vs. Racing Club for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 Brazil

4. Visit CazéTV

5. Watch Barcelona vs. Racing Club for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only 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 Barcelona vs. Racing Club without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus Premier League action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

• 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 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 Barcelona vs. Racing Club for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $100: As of Sep. 16, get the iRobot Roomba Max 715 robot vacuum for $599.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's a discount of 14%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon iRobot Roomba Max 715 robot vacuum $599.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Tired of spending time vacuuming your floors to get rid of dirt, debris, and pet hair? You don't have to when robot vacuums exist. It's time to outsource that job so you can go handle other, more important things that you actually want to do.

As of Sep. 16, get the iRobot Roomba Max 715 robot vacuum for $599.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $100 and a discount of 14%.

SEE ALSO: The best budget robot vacuums to buy in 2026, expert tested at home

This model boasts 30,000Pa of suction with an anti-tangle brush, odor-control Allergenlock bags, and 90 days of hands-free operation so you don't have to handle or get near dirt or pet dander.

It uses dual rubber brushes to get close to the ground, so whether you're cleaning carpet or hard flooring, it can tackle all the jobs you need it to, especially focusing on high-traffic areas.

When its reservoir is full, it can use its AutoEmpty dock to automatically trap and store dust, neutralize odors, and keep everything fresh, sealed away in a bag that only needs to be changed four times a year.

With intelligent navigation, customizable cleaning schedules, and a wide range of features at its disposal, it can tidy up your home in a flash while you can head off to handle other things. If you're ready to stop focusing on tidying up your home on a regular basis, this robot vacuum is a great pick, especially now that it's on sale.

Dreame's early Prime Day deals list: Best deal overall Dreame Aero Pro Steam $439.99 (save $160) Get Deal Best carpet cleaner deal Dreame N20 Steam $159.99 (save $40) Get Deal

My all-time fave home tech company, Dreame, is offering up to 43% off its products for Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. If you aren't familiar with the brand, it makes everything from smart wet/dry vacuums and steam mops to high-tech beauty products. (I actually own three of its floor cleaners, so I can personally vouch for how good they are.)

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Instead of making you wait until the official Prime event on Oct. 6 and 7, Dreame is rolling out a handful of "Early Bird" discounts right now. A few of these discounts even have active promo codes that'll get you an additional percentage off.

To help you decide whether you should shop now or hold out for Prime Day, here's the full breakdown of what's on sale, when the deals go live, and how much you'll save:

Top pick: Dream Aero Pro Steam Aero Pro Steam $509.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $90 Get an extra $70 off the Aero Pro Steam with the code VIRGOSEASON. Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Now through Sept. 30, you can get an extra $70 off the Aero Pro Steam with the code VIRGOSEASON. (I tried the code out, and it worked!) This is the best price you'll get on this model, even after Prime Day starts. According to Dreame's PR team, the price will drop to $499.99 between Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, and then again to $459.99 from Oct. 6 to 7.

This is one of the products in my "Dreame Team," and I can honestly say that I'm impressed with it. It's easy to clean, has multiple settings depending on what you're cleaning up (I have two beagles, so I really appreciated the versatility), and comes with its own charging base, so you can just set it and forget it.

More Dreame deals

Dreame N20 Steam

• Early Bird (Sept. 25 – Oct. 5): On sale for $159.99 ($40 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $139.99 ($60 off)

Note: I own this model, too! If you want an affordable carpet cleaner that doubles as a steamer, I definitely recommend it.

Dreame H12 Pro

• Early Bird (Sept. 28 – Oct. 5): On sale for $199.96 ($110.03 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $189.96 ($123.03 off)

Dreame Aero

• Early Bird (Oct. 1 – Oct. 5): On sale for $199.99 ($100.01 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $189.98 ($110.01 off)

Dreame H14

• Early Bird (Sept. 28 – Oct. 5): On sale for $276.65 ($73.24 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $263.09 ($86.80 off)

Dreame H12 Pro Gen2

• Early Bird (Sept. 28 – Oct. 5): On sale for $289.99 ($40 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $275.49 ($54.50 off)

Dreame H14 Pro

• Early Bird (Sept. 24 – Oct. 5): On sale for $369.99 ($80 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $349.99 ($100 off)

Dreame Aero Pro

• Early Bird (Sept. 28 – Oct. 5): On sale for $379.96 ($70.03 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $359.98 ($90.01 off)

Dreame H15 Pro CarpetFlex

• Early Bird (Sept. 21 – Oct. 7): On sale for $429.99 ($120 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $429.99 ($120 off)

Dreame H15 Pro Heat

• Early Bird (Sept. 25 – Oct. 5): On sale for $549.99 ($100 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $499.99 ($150 off)

Dreame Aero Ultra Steam

• Now through Sept. 30: Save an extra 8% with code VIRGOVACUUM

• Early Bird (Sept. 28 – Oct. 5): On sale for $679.99 ($120 off)

• Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 6 – Oct. 7): On sale for $649.99 ($150 off)

On paper, there is very little about "Idol" that sounds engineered for the internet.

YOASOBI's 2023 hit, written as the opening theme for the anime Oshi no Ko, is musically restless. Over the course of less than four minutes, it ricochets between glitchy pop, rap, choral flourishes, and something much darker, while vocalist ikura switches between voices with almost theatrical agility. It doesn't exactly sound like a song constructed around the neat, repeatable 15-second snippet that has come to define the TikTok era.

And yet the internet couldn't get enough of it.

SEE ALSO: YOASOBI makes maximalist pop with minimal tech

"Idol" quickly escaped the orbit of Oshi no Ko. With over 689 million views on YouTube and 588 million streams on Spotify, it became a dance, a cover, an edit, a challenge — the kind of song you could encounter online without ever knowing the anime that inspired it. For YOASOBI, a duo whose music has always been inseparable from the internet, it was perhaps the ultimate example of what can happen to a song once they let it go.

But don't mistake that virality for a formula. Ayase, YOASOBI's producer and songwriter, has little interest in writing for the algorithm.

"I don't want to get in a situation where I'm thinking about that with intention," Ayase told Mashable through an interpreter, referring to the pressure to build songs around moments that can be easily clipped or shared online.

In Japan, he said, it's become increasingly important for a song's success that it can circulate on TikTok, inspire a dance, or become a meme. He understands the commercial logic. He just doesn't personally subscribe to it. For Ayase, making music requires balancing art with commercial viability. His preferred ratio is roughly 60 percent art to 40 percent commerce. Writing specifically in pursuit of a meme or viral moment, he said, feels more like 30/70. "That's not something that I want to do for the songs that we make," he explained.

It's a fascinating position for someone at the center of one of the most internet-native acts in contemporary Japanese pop. YOASOBI's very existence is intertwined with the web. Before the duo formed, Ayase built an audience uploading Vocaloid songs online, while singer-songwriter ikura posted covers. YOASOBI's foundational concept of turning novels into songs similarly grew out of an online ecosystem, with source material coming from stories submitted to and published through online platforms.

That concept has since expanded far beyond its origins. Their latest collaboration, "Orion," takes its source material from Overwatch, the massively popular online game. Ayase wrote the song from "The Fall of a Sparrow," a short story about Overwatch characters Kiriko, Genji, and Hanzo; the collaboration then sent it back into the game's digital universe through an animated music video and in-game content. An English version followed, and this month, Japanese producer PSYQUI gave the song yet another life with a new remix.

"Orion" traces a particularly neat digital loop: YOASOBI turned an Overwatch story into a song, expanded it with an animated music video, and watched it return to the game as music players could actually interact with it.

That kind of movement between stories, songs, platforms, and audiences feels almost intrinsic to YOASOBI now. But when the duo debuted in 2019, their relationship to the internet was distinctive enough that they were frequently described in Japan as an internet-born act.

"At the time, I thought that was true," Ayase said. Now, he sees YOASOBI as less of an internet anomaly and more of a product of a broader cultural shift. Using the internet to express yourself through music, release songs, or even find collaborators has become so commonplace, he explained, that "it's almost more unusual not to use it."

The internet-native qualities that once made YOASOBI stand out are now simply part of how music gets made. In that sense, the duo didn't simply adapt to the internet. They emerged alongside a music industry being fundamentally reorganized by it.

Ironically, neither Ayase nor ikura describes a particularly online childhood.

ikura started making music around 15, but much of her time was spent in decidedly offline pursuits, like playing trumpet in her school orchestra, studying classical ballet, and performing in musicals. Ayase similarly began pursuing music around 15 or 16. Before that, growing up in the countryside, he remembers playing baseball, soccer, and basketball outside with friends.

Their lives look considerably more online now. Ayase described his daily existence as essentially two activities: making music on his computer and endlessly watching YouTube. Outside of eating, sleeping, and the other requirements of being a human being, he joked, a MacBook is more or less all he needs.

ikura is a YouTube obsessive, too, particularly when it comes to watching people play video games. She'll put on gaming streams during her downtime and while traveling.

But YOASOBI's relationship with the internet isn't simply about how much time its members spend online. It's about what happens there after they press upload. They learned that with their very first single.

YOASOBI isn't chasing the algorithm. Credit: Courtesy of YOASOBI

When "Yoru ni Kakeru," or "Into the Night," arrived in 2019, there was no precedent for what would happen next. Ayase hoped the song would reach people, of course, but there was no way of knowing how far it could travel. Then it kept traveling. As the song spread online and climbed the charts in Japan, Ayase remembers experiencing a mix of excitement, relief, disbelief, and emotions he didn't quite know how to process. It was the first time Ayase and ikura had watched one of their songs become that big.

More hits followed. And eventually, Ayase stopped watching. These days, he tries not to pay much attention to the numerical life of a YOASOBI song — where it ranks each week, how many times it's being played, or whether its performance meets some quantifiable expectation. It's better for his mental health that way, he said. The internet may have given YOASOBI a career, but Ayase has had to learn not to constantly watch what it's doing with it.

That became particularly complicated with "Idol." Unlike "Into the Night," Ayase wasn't waiting to find out whether "Idol" could become a hit. He believed it had to. He described approaching the song determined to "hit a home run." In his mind, he said, he hit a grand slam.

That confidence was accompanied by enormous anxiety. For roughly a year before "Idol," YOASOBI had continued releasing successful music, but Ayase felt the songs weren't reaching the level he expected of himself. Because YOASOBI frequently works in conjunction with other projects and cultural moments, he worried about how quickly public attention could disappear if they stopped producing songs that felt like events.

"If we don't succeed with this one, we might not actually have a chance," he remembered thinking.

He was so confident in "Idol" — and so afraid of being wrong — that before its release, he dreamed about the song coming out and failing. So when "Idol" became the hit he'd hoped for, the happiness came with an enormous sense of relief.

There is an important distinction, though, between Ayase wanting "Idol" to reach as many people as possible and building it according to a viral blueprint. He admits he had imagined Japanese idols potentially dancing to a song literally called "Idol." And like any songwriter releasing music into today's pop landscape, he can imagine certain parts of a song catching on. What he resists is letting that possibility dictate the music itself.

Once a song leaves his computer, however, his feelings about control change considerably. That's where ikura comes in.

YOASOBI regularly encounters what fans do with their music after release, from covers and instrumental performances to dances and other reinterpretations. In Japan, there's a long tradition of this kind of participatory music culture online, where users don't just listen to a song but sing it, play it, dance to it, remix it, and upload their own version for the next person to discover. ikura watches those fan creations, and the group shares favorites among its team.

For her, those reinterpretations aren't simply promotional fuel helping a song reach another potential listener. They're part of what the song becomes. YOASOBI's creative process already begins with an act of reinterpretation. Someone writes a story. Ayase and ikura take that story and transform it into music. Then listeners hear their version and filter it through their own experiences, sometimes creating something new and putting it back onto the internet.

There is only so much YOASOBI can do themselves, ikura said. Ultimately, their control ends at the moment they release the music. After that, she wants listeners to "layer on their own story."

It's a fitting philosophy for a group whose rise has coincided with the collapsing borders around Japanese pop culture. A song no longer needs to stay attached to the context in which it was created. It can reach someone through an anime, a YouTube recommendation, a gaming stream, a dance, a cover, or a TikTok edit. It can travel thousands of miles before the person listening to it knows anything about the people who made it. YOASOBI can make the song. They just can't dictate its digital life.

Once they release it into the world, their part is largely over. What happens next belongs to everyone else.

All the popular power tool brands make a ton of excellent tools and accessories, but if one stands above the rest, it's probably Ryobi. The company has a loyal following of DIYers and offers over 350 products that all work with its 18V ONE+ battery system. When it comes to weird tools, Ryobi is one of the best, and that includes a versatile new tool that might be perfect for renters or those with small yards.

SAVE $112: As of Sept. 16, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is on sale at Amazon for only $587 instead of its usual $699. That's a savings of 16% or $112.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 4 $587 at Amazon
$699 Save $112   Get Deal

There's no denying DJI's dominance in the handheld vlogging camera department. We tested the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 for ourselves and gave it a near-perfect rating. We get why content creators love it. Our only qualm? It's extremely expensive. Fortunately, we just spotted a rare discount on the beloved device at Amazon.

As of Sept. 16, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is on sale for $587 at Amazon instead of its usual $699. That's a savings of 16% or $112 — the best price on record, according to our favorite price-tracking tool.

Mashable's tech editor called the Osmo Pocket 3 camera "close to perfect," and the Pocket 4 is even better. "With more physical controls, improved tracking, a smoother gimbal, and better low-light performance, the Pocket 4 is even easier to use than its already popular predecessor," our reviewer writes.

This compact camera is capable of filming at a maximum resolution of 16:9 4K at 60fps and can record 4K slow-mo footage at 240fps. It can run for four hours at its lowest resolution and has 107GB of built-in storage (great news to anyone concerned with RAMageddon). Like its predecessor, it also has impressive stabilization and can capture scenic moments day and night. Plus, it's small enough to slip in your pocket (hence the name).

For the $587 sale price, you'll get the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 gimbal camera itself, plus a gimbal clamp, handle with 1/4-inch thread, a portable carrying pouch, a wrist strap, and charging accessories — everything you'll need for everyday content creation.

SAVE $45: The Mint Mobile three-month unlimited talk, text, and data plan is on sale at Amazon for $45, down from the list price of $90. That's a 50% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mint Mobile Mint Mobile three-month unlimited talk, text, and data plan $45 at Amazon
$90 Save $45   Get Deal

The bills never end these days. Instead of worrying about a tall phone bill, snag this shockingly good deal on offer at Amazon with Mint Mobile.

As of Sept. 16, a three-month Mint Mobile unlimited talk, text, and data plan is on sale for $45 at Amazon, down from the standard price of $90. That's a massive 50% discount.

Mint Mobile doesn't mess around with its offerings. For three months, you get access to unlimited talk, text, and data on the nation's largest 5G network. The one small limitation is that speeds may slow after 50GB if the network is busy and video streams at 480P.

The Mint Mobile plan also includes free mobile hotspot (say goodbye to sketchy airport WiFi) and free international calls to your friends in Mexico and Canada.

SEE ALSO: Audible is practically free for 4 months with this $0.99 deal

To be eligible for the plan, you'll need to supply your own unlocked phone and install the SIM. Rest assured the kit comes with a standard, micro, and nano SIM for every possible option. After that, you'll be able to activate the service. Keep in mind this deal only applies to new activations.

Since getting three months of phone service for just $45 is a wild deal in 2026, we suggest hopping on this one soon. That works out to just $15 per month for an unlimited phone plan that many carriers charge much, much more for.

Samsung's One UI 9 is finally available beyond its latest foldable phones and the Galaxy S26 FE. The company has begun the rollout of its latest software to other devices, starting with the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra.

Some iconic phones, like the iPhone 4, light the world on fire and have sales numbers to match. Others may not have sold as many units, but they’re no less beloved. Ask an Android user what the best looking phone of that era was, and most will tell you the same thing—the HTC One M7.

The first few weeks of a new semester as a STEM student can be chaotic. You're acclimating to the specific "work-play balance" of college life, spending afternoons studying for a neural networks class or vibe coding a new app for a hackathon. Meanwhile, your gaming squad is already asking when you're hopping on in the Discord chat. In the evenings, you might juggle experimenting with a local AI model for Machine Learning 101 with a few rounds in the ranked queue before bed.

You need a laptop that doesn't force you to choose between those worlds — something that's versatile enough to support both a technical course load and gaming after hours. MSI's latest notebook lineup is built for that balancing act, pairing heavy-duty processing power with high-performance graphics across a range of designs to suit different student lifestyles and budgets.

Why next-gen graphics cards matter for both STEM studies and gaming

Thanks to the graphics card MSI puts inside each of their gaming notebooks and MSI’s AI Engine, a single laptop can now power both LLM experimentation in class and a graphically demanding open-world title at max settings — all without relying entirely on the cloud.

Such capabilities are in part thanks to fifth-generation tensor cores, found in the GeForce RTX 50 series, built on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture. This specialized AI hardware handles DLSS 4.5 and neural rendering in games by generating frames with AI, rather than rendering every pixel from scratch. MSI’s AI Engine automatically detects when a game launches and shifts the system into its Intelligent Gaming profile without you needing to navigate a settings menu.

That on-device efficiency means real independence from spotty dorm WiFi and semester-long cloud computing credits that always seem to run out right before finals. MSI’s gaming laptops are also NVIDIA NIM-ready, meaning they’re set up to run Nvidia’s packaged AI models for language, speech, and vision directly on the machine.

What is the benefit of an AI gaming laptop for students?

The same AI hardware that boosts gaming performance also accelerates local AI development and machine learning workflows, making a gaming laptop a strong fit for any STEM student. An AI gaming laptop uses its dedicated graphics processor to accelerate local large language models and machine learning workflows, while also producing the high frame rates and AI-powered graphics enhancements that make modern games and creative applications run more smoothly.

Key Takeaways:

• The Stealth 16 AI+ is the best pick for portability, with an all-aluminum chassis that's 16.65mm at its thinnest and a 90Whr day-to-night battery.

• The Raider 16 Max HX sits at the top of the lineup in terms of raw performance, with up to 300W of combined CPU and GPU power and a triple-fan cooling system.

• The Crosshair 16 Max HX and Crosshair 16 HX offer a middle ground between portability and flagship performance, with mecha-inspired styling and up to 200W of total power.

• The Cyborg 15 Max and Cyborg 15 round out the lineup for accessible everyday gaming.

Here's a quick chart to help you figure out which device belongs in your backpack this fall.

MSI Stealth 16 AI+: premium portability, from lectures to late-night play Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Stealth 16 AI+ $3,599.97 at Best Buy
$3,999.99 Save $400.02   Get Deal

If your laptop is constantly moving with you, from morning lectures back to your dorm, then to the library to work on that latest group project, the Stealth 16 AI+ is designed to keep up with the commute. Its all-aluminum chassis measures just 16.65mm at its thinnest point, making it easy to slip into a backpack. The understated design feels just as appropriate on your desk at a lecture hall or internship interview as it does in your dorm-room gaming nook.

Inside, Intel’s Panther Lake-based Core Ultra 9 386H processor and GeForce RTX 50 series graphics ensure peak performance. Extensive Cooler Boost Intra Flow thermal engineering helps the system sustain longer work or gaming sessions. At the same time, Power Delivery fast charging and 90Whr battery capacity make it easy to top off between classes and power your entire day. As projects (and game libraries) grow, dual RAM and dual SSD slots make expanding storage and memory a straightforward upgrade.

The 16-inch 2.5K QHD+ OLED display is equally versatile, with a 240Hz refresh rate that keeps gameplay fluid and a VESA HDR True Black 600 certification that makes creative work and late-night streaming look vibrant.

Best fit: Students who value mobility, display quality, and a professional design without giving up dedicated graphics.

MSI Raider 16 Max HX: the peak performance tier for creators and power users Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Raider 16 Max HX $2,199.99 at Micro Center
$2,999.99 Save $800   Get Deal

Some students quickly outgrow what a typical laptop can handle. If your coursework includes CAD, engineering simulations, 3D rendering, video production, or training increasingly complex AI models, the Raider 16 Max HX is built to function more like a desktop workstation you can carry to class.

At its core is an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor paired with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series graphics card. At the same time, MSI's exclusive OverBoost Technology pushes combined CPU and GPU power up to 300W when demanding applications need every bit of available performance.

To keep that power running smoothly, Cooler Boost Trinity with Intra Flow uses a triple-fan cooling system designed to accelerate heat dissipation and direct cool air where it is needed most — even during extended simulation, rendering, or AI model-training sessions. A quick-access panel and modular dual-SSD, dual-RAM design also make the Raider easier to upgrade over time.

Credit: MSI

To find the setup that fits your workload, browse the Micro Center Raider 16 Max catalog.

Best fit: Power users, AI developers, engineers, and creators seeking desktop-class output in a transportable system.

MSI Crosshair 16 line: tactical engineering with visual clarity and bold style Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Crosshair 16 HX $1,449 at Walmart
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Crosshair A16 HX $2,699 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Crosshair 16 Max HX   Shop Now

For students who want their laptop to make a statement, the Crosshair 16 lineup pairs futuristic, mechanical-inspired design with peak performance specs. The distinctive design features a Dragon Shield emblem, and tactical detailing draws on the aesthetics of cockpit controls and targeting displays.

The Crosshair 16 Max HX pairs an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor with GeForce RTX 50 series graphics and up to 200W of system power, while the Crosshair 16 / A16 HX delivers the same performance ceiling with an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor or an AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. Both models offer high-refresh QHD+ panels, with the Crosshair 16 HX running a fast 240Hz refresh rate that keeps competitive gameplay responsive while making everyday scrolling and creative work feel smooth.

Rounding out the experience, Nahimic Virtual Headset technology uses crosstalk cancellation to create more lifelike spatial audio, so competitive games and movies feel more immersive.

Best fit: Students who want a balance of performance, display quality, good value, and expressive gaming design.

MSI Cyborg 15 line: everyday mobility in a streamlined design Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Cyborg 15 $899 at Walmart
$1,299 Save $400   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Cyborg 15 Max $1,199.99 at Micro Center
$1,599.99 Save $400   Get Deal

Not every student needs workstation-level hardware. For those looking for an approachable balance of performance, portability, and value, the Cyborg 15 Max and Cyborg 15 deliver the essentials in a lightweight, cyberpunk-inspired design that you’ll want to show off around campus.

The Cyborg 15 Max pairs an Intel Core 7 240H processor with up to an RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, delivering ample performance for coursework, creative projects, and modern games. A fast 144Hz display keeps visuals smooth, while Power Delivery 3.0 support lets you recharge with a compact USB-C adapter between classes instead of carrying a bulky power brick.

Combined with WiFi 6E and efficient battery management, it's a practical choice for students who need one laptop that can comfortably handle both schoolwork and downtime.

Best fit: Students seeking approachable pricing, everyday mobility, and dedicated graphics for school and recreation.

Find your fit 

Whichever tier fits your budget, the hardware across all these notebooks works double duty. The silicon accelerating your coursework is the same silicon accelerating your games, and with room to expand memory and storage down the line, it will still keep up for a few semesters.

Elevate your academic workloads and gaming sessions this upcoming semester by upgrading to a highly portable, AI-ready laptop engineered for future-proof performance.

FAQCan a gaming laptop be used for local machine learning and AI development?

Yes. Modern dedicated graphics cards include tensor cores designed for the kind of matrix math that machine learning depends on. That hardware acceleration lets students and developers run local LLMs and train datasets on the machine itself, without relying entirely on cloud computing resources.

What is the advantage of an OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate?

An OLED panel provides strong color accuracy and deep contrast, and typically meets standards like VESA HDR True Black. Paired with a 240Hz refresh rate, it produces very smooth motion, which reduces blur in fast-paced games and makes for a responsive desktop when you're editing or scrubbing timelines.

How does Power Delivery (PD) fast charging assist with remote work?

Power Delivery over a Type-C port lets the laptop accept high-wattage power from a compact adapter rather than a heavy proprietary brick. Packing for campus gets simpler, and you can top off the battery between classes or between coffee shops. 

While USB-C Power Delivery offers a streamlined way to top off your battery between lectures or during light productivity, hitting peak frames or tackling heavy GPU-bound tasks generally requires the specialized high-wattage adapter included with your notebook.

Why are upgradeable RAM and SSD slots important?

Upgradeable memory and storage allow a laptop to keep pace as applications, AI models, and game libraries become more demanding. Before upgrading, confirm the available slots, supported capacities, upgrade procedures, and warranty terms for the specific model.

Why is an upgrade-friendly chassis important for long-term use?

The Raider Series’ quick-access memory and storage design makes future upgrades easier, often eliminating the need for a visit to a repair shop. Users can expand memory and storage as their needs evolve, helping extend the laptop’s useful life and avoid premature replacement.

SAVE $80 WITH ON-PAGE COUPON: As of Sep. 16, get the Viture Pro 2 XR/AR glasses for $299 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $379 with the on-page coupon. That's a discount of 21%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Viture Pro 2 XR/AR glasses $299 at Amazon
$379 Save $80 Clip on-page coupon to save $80 Get Deal

Virtual reality is an interesting landscape to explore, but what about XR and AR? Find out what both can be like with a deal we've found that knocks down a pair of XR/AR glasses to a more affordable price and then check out your favorite videos, get some work done, or game with friends in a larger-than-life environment.

As of Sep. 16, get the Viture Pro 2 XR/AR glasses for $299 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $379 with the on-page coupon. That's $80 off and a discount of 21%.

SEE ALSO: Valve Steam Frame Has Arrived: It’s Trying to Be Everything on My Face

These stylish specs can put a larger-than-life picture right in front of your face. You can use them for a high-fidelity, quality 146-inch XR screen for gaming, work, and much more. Throw on these glasses, connect to a source like your phone or laptop, and you get a massive screen to enjoy all your content on.

These glasses have twin dials with built-in 0 to -5.00D myopia adjustment for nearsighted wearers, certified low blue light lenses, flicker-free operation, and low visual fatigue. They're also lightweight and comfortable for long wear sessions, and tuned for bright, colorful viewing. They boast 1600 nits or peak brightness as well as a 50-degree FOV, so your display looks great no matter what you're doing.

If you're ready to jump into the XR/AR arena with a great pair of glasses, these are an excellent option to start with. Be sure to grab them while this on-page coupon is still available.