Technology

How to watch Germany vs. Serbia online for free

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:52

TL;DR: Watch Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League for free on GE TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League has not started well for Germany. They were lucky to draw against the Netherlands, but then lost to Greece. Jürgen Klopp has got his work cut out. He'll be desperately hoping for a positive result at home to Serbia.

If you're interested in watching Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Germany vs. Serbia?

Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 1. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Germany vs. Serbia for free

Germany vs. Serbia in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on GE TV.

GE TV 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 Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Germany vs. Serbia 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 GE TV

  5. Watch Germany vs. Serbia 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 Germany vs. Serbia without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for GE TV?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on GE TV, 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 Germany vs. Serbia for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I reclaimed a terabyte of Plex storage without deleting anything, thanks to this Docker container

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:30

With storage drives going up considerably in price over the last year, it's getting harder to justify wasting space on stuff you don't actually need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save $82 on Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet during its early-access Prime Big Deal Days

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:26

While the highly anticipated Prime Big Deal Days are nearly upon us, you don't have to wait around until Oct. 6–7 to start saving huge, as Amazon has already started posting some of its early-access deals, and there are numerous, noteworthy opportunities. Among the countless products, one that truly stands out as a worthy purchase with your hard-earned cash is this Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet—and it's over $80 off.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon's redesigned Kindle eReaders include its first color Scribe

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:22

Amazon has revamped its entire Kindle lineup, and there are reasons to take notice even if you're happy with your old model. All of them are easier to carry and more colorful, but the highlight is the company's first color Kindle Scribe.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection is under $50 on Amazon — you save over $15

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:19

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection is on sale for $49.98 at Amazon, saving you $20.01 from the regular list price of $69.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $49.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.01   Get Deal

If you're in the market for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration merch, we're keeping an eye on one expansion’s smaller collections. This deal, however, isn't a small one — it's a significant markdown that should tempt trading card collectors to get involved with this latest expansion. 

As of Oct. 1, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection (Alolan Exeggutor) is $49.98 at Amazon, down $20.01 from the $69.99 list price. That's a 29% discount overall. 

SEE ALSO: Shop the best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including 30th Celebration trading cards for under market price

The Tech Sticker Collection is more expensive at Walmart, where it's currently listed for $51. With Walmart, you receive either the Alolan Exeggutor or the Lucario variant at random, whereas at Amazon, you can choose which one you receive (the Lucario version is priced at $49.98). At Amazon’s price, it works out to around $16.66 per booster pack.

This Tech Sticker Collection includes three Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs, an Alolan Exeggutor foil promo card, and a matching tech sticker sheet.

Alternatively, you can pick up single 30th Celebration cards on TCGplayer right now if there's something you really need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 early Prime Day iPhone deals: Shop the new iPhone 18 Pro for free

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 16:09
Best early Prime Day iPhone deals: Best iPhone deal overall iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) $0 (save $1,199.99) Get Deal Best iPhone 17 Pro deal iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) $0 (save $1,299.99) Get Deal Best unlocked iPhone deal iPhone 16e (128GB) $539.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best refurbished iPhone deal Refurbished iPhone 14 (128 GB) $399.99 (save $20) Get Deal

Amazon hasn't released its latest early Prime Day iPhone deals page yet. (Right now, it's just filled with iPhone 16s that aren't on sale.) We don't usually see iPhone deals worth buying on Amazon unless they're "renewed," so if you're hoping to find a discount on a brand-new, unlocked iPhone from Bezos, you probably won't.

But that doesn't mean you can't find a good deal during the sale — it just won't be on Amazon. Right now, T-Mobile is offering new and existing customers a chance to get the iPhone 18 Pro for free (if you don't mind signing a contract). If you'd rather not be tied to a carrier, Best Buy and Amazon offer discounts on unlocked "refurbished" and "renewed" models.

SEE ALSO: The best iPhones to buy in 2026: Our top pick might surprise you

Now that you've heard my spiel, here are the best early Prime Day iPhone deals you can shop right now, and you can check out our Apple guide for discounts on AirPods and MacBooks.

Score Apple's brand-new $1,200 flagship for $0

Getting a $1,200 phone for nothing is a hard deal to pass up. Right now, T-Mobile is covering the full cost of the iPhone 18 Pro through 36 monthly bill credits. To get this deal, you'll need to either switch to an Experience Beyond 2.0 plan or trade in a relatively recent device, like an iPhone 16 or 15 Pro, on an eligible plan.

While T-Mobile says it accepts trade-ins in any condition, older phones like the iPhone 14 or 13 will bump you down to the $930 or $500 credit tiers. You'll also still have to pay the local sales tax on the full pre-credit retail price upfront, along with a $35 device connection fee. But if you're already planning to stick with T-Mobile for the next three years, it's an easy way to upgrade without paying full price.

Read our review of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) $0 at T-Mobile
$1,199.99 Save $1,199.99   Get Deal Trade in an older phone to grab the 17 Pro completely free

If you're not worried about having the latest and greatest, T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 Pro using that exact same 36-month bill credit promo. You just need to switch to an Experience Beyond 2.0 plan or trade in an older phone.

The best part? Since last year's Pro model costs less upfront, trading in an older device like an iPhone 14 or 15 nearly covers the entire cost.

Read our review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) $0 at T-Mobile
$1,299.99 Save $1,299.99   Get Deal Save $60 on an unlocked iPhone 16e — no contract required

Best Buy has the unlocked iPhone 16e marked down to $539.99 — a $60 discount. It comes with 128GB of storage and Apple Intelligence built right in. It's not a flagship Pro model, but it is one of the only brand-new, unlocked iPhones seeing an outright cash discount ahead of October's sale events.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $539.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $60   Get Deal Snag a like-new unlocked iPhone 14 for under $400

If you want a reliable, no-nonsense iPhone without spending top-dollar, going refurbished is the smartest route. Best Buy has the unlocked 128GB iPhone 14 in "Refurbished Excellent" condition marked down to $399.99. It gives you a clean OLED display, solid camera setup, and long battery life for under $400 — no carrier sign-ups or monthly commitments attached.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished iPhone 14 (128 GB) $399 at Best Buy
$419.99 Save $20.99   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Prime Day deals on Pokémon, including Perfect Order Booster Bundle for under $45

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:43
The best early Prime Day Pokémon deals: Best TCG ETB deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 (save vs. market price) Get Deal Best Booster Bundle deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $44.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Pokémon Eevee (72151) $47.95 (save $12.04) Get Deal Best video game deal Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch 2) $50.99 (save $19) Get Deal Best book deal Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $39.84 (save $20.15) Get Deal Best TCG display box deal Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Display Box (Japanese) $288 ($31.90) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day is getting closer, and the early Pokémon deals are getting even better. There are fresh price cuts across the Pokémon trading card game, Nintendo Switch games, Lego sets, and books, including several offers that have either returned to previous lows or dropped even further since we last checked.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Pokémon Eevee is close to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $12 before October Prime Day

Prime Big Deal Days runs from Oct. 6-7, but there’s no need to wait for the main event to start saving. We're seeing the Perfect Order booster bundles below $45 plus more than $19 off Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Switch 2, and even discounts on Pokémon Lego.

These are the best early Pokémon Prime Day deals available right now.

A 30th Celebration Display Box at over $30 off Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Display Box (Japanese) $288 at Amazon
$319.95 Save $31.95   Get Deal

If you're the type of Pokémon collector who just wants to appreciate the artwork instead of playing with the cards, this deal on the Japanese version of the expansion's display box is for you.

There's $31.90 knocked off the original $319.90 price, and with 20 packs per box, you'll save an extra $68.80 compared to buying 20 English packs on TCGplayer.

Perfect Order Booster Bundles now under $45 Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10   Get Deal

Perfect Order is one of the Pokémon TCG expansions that's been fluctuating in price in recent months, but this early Prime Day deal has it under the $45 mark across various sellers. You can now buy the six-booster pack box for as low as $44.63 from third-party sellers, or spend an extra 26 cents on the Amazon listing to get yours delivered a day earlier.

At the lowest price, this means you'll be paying just $7.49 for every Perfect Order booster pack. Single boosters cost $9.99, but buying the Booster Bundle saves an extra $2.50 per pack.

More Pokémon TCG dealsThe only Pokémon Lego set on sale Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Pokémon Eevee (72151) $47.95 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12.04   Get Deal

The 587-piece Lego Pokémon Eevee set is a posable display piece designed for adult builders. Unlike static figures, the ears, head, limbs, and angled tail are fully adjustable, so you can change up how it sits on your shelf. This is now back to its all-time low price for listings directly from Amazon (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel), making it a good time to grab it now rather than waiting to see if it drops further during the main sale.

(Note: Eevee is currently the only set in the Lego Pokémon lineup receiving a discount ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, but we've listed the most popular sets below so you can keep an eye on them if Amazon drops prices during the event.)

More Pokémon Lego deals$19 off Legends: Z-A on Switch 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Pokémon Legends: Z-A $50.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $19.00   Get Deal

Set within Lumiose City, Pokémon Legends: Z-A lets you issue commands on the fly, compete in the nightly Z-A Royale tournament, and use the returning Mega Evolution mechanic to take down rampaging rogue Pokémon. A $19 discount on a major Nintendo Switch 2 title makes this an easy choice to pick up now rather than paying full retail.

More Pokémon Nintendo Switch game dealsBest Pokémon book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alex Irvine/Pokemon Pikachu Press Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide (Pokemon Pikachu Press) $39.84 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.15   Get Deal

For a hardbound, 336-page reference book celebrating 30 years of the franchise, the 34% markdown puts the Pokémon Deluxe Character Guide at its lowest Amazon price ever (confirmed with camelcamelcamel) — making this a must-buy for diehard Pokémon collectors.

This book not only features a foreword from The Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara but also covers characters from every region in numerical order, with artwork from the games, anime, and trading card game. It works well as a coffee table display piece with its color-it-yourself cover, or just as a quick reference guide so you don't have to keep an online wiki open on your phone.

More Pokémon book deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Why is it called a terminal "emulator"?

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:30

Once you start to dabble with Linux, you’ll encounter the phrase “terminal emulator” over and over again. You might be familiar with games emulators, but don’t be misled. This is very different.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Are Kindles without lockscreen ads worth it? Were divided.

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:30

When buying an e-reader from Amazon, you don't have to make many decisions beyond which color to go with. But Amazon gives you one other option: Do you want to pay extra for a Kindle without lockscreen ads?

This question is particularly relevant now that Amazon has released all-new Kindles for 2026, some of which are already available for preorder.

If you look closely at the Kindle product page at Amazon, you'll notice there are two options:

Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Amazon
  • Ad-Supported

  • Without Lockscreen Ads

Going ad-free on your Kindle is an upgrade that will cost you $20 more, unless you go for one of Amazon's premium Signature Edition e-readers, which always come without ads. However, Signature Editions also come with a premium price.

But after Kindles saw huge price hikes in August (and as prices everywhere are on the rise), are Kindles without lockscreen ads worth it?

We are a house divided. Mashable's Tech Editor, Tim Werth, says yes, you should 100 percent pay a small fee to go ad-free. But as Mashable's resident Kindle expert, I say absolutely not. Both Werth and I are dedicated Kindle readers who love books, and we're each going to plead our case.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (with ads) $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (without ads) $169.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now The case for buying an ad-supported Kindle
  • TL;DR: The Kindle ads aren't obtrusive and can be easily ignored. Save the extra $20!

To be clear, I'm not a fan of ads! I always pay for the premium streaming services so I can avoid them, but I just don't think ads on a Kindle are that big of a deal.

The lockscreen ads market other books in the Kindle library. Generally, I find them pretty unobtrusive and mostly ignore them. To be honest, I don't find them much different from the other generic screensavers that come on the Kindle. The main difference is that the ads are just trying to push a new read on you.

So, I say, save some money and buy the regular, ad-supported Kindle. You can always put the extra money toward the new Kindle Click page turner, which costs $34.99.

The case for buying Kindles without lockscreen ads
  • TL;DR: Ads are super annoying, the Kindle lockscreen artwork is much more visually appealing, and when buying Kindles as gifts, it's borderline rude to get the cheaper, ad-supported version.

Hello — this is Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable's tech editor — stepping in. As much as I respect Sam's opinion on e-readers and Kindles, I have to disagree with her here. I have enough ads in my life, thank you.

I don't need to explain to you why ads are annoying. Unless you're using an ad blocker, you're seeing multiple ads as you read these words right now. (And, please don't use an ad blocker — we're trying to keep the lights on here at Mashable.) Do I really want to see more ads while I'm reading? When I'm trying to disappear into a great book, the last thing I want to see is more advertisements.

Artwork on the lockscreen of the new Kindle Paperwhite. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

I'm also a fan of the E Ink artworks that appear on the Kindle lockscreen. These black-and-white, photograph-style images show close-ups of pencils, letter blocks, and other reading motifs. (Newer Kindles also show more artistic drawings, all created by real human artists.) And because they're E Ink, they're always on. But that means the advertisements are always on, too.

My partner has a Kindle that's ad-supported, and we've never seen an ad for a book we actually wanted to read.

But there's one other case in which I think you should always pay the $20 premium to remove lockscreen ads from a Kindle — when you're buying a gift.

If you're buying a Kindle as a gift, spend the extra cash for the best version of the device.

The good news here? There isn't really a wrong choice.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (with ads) $199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (without ads) $219.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Android launcher turned my phone into the Windows 8 foldable Microsoft never made

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

Pick up any Android device or iPhone, and the home screens all essentially look the same: a grid of static icons and some widgets. Most devices in general work like this, but it wasn't always like that. Microsoft experimented with dynamic Live Tiles that combined icons and widgets into one, which hit their peak during the Windows 8 era — and you can still enjoy some of that magic on your phone today.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Movavi's new customizable templates let you rebuild a video, not just fill it in

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

If you have ever opened a video template hoping to save time, only to find it works only if your footage fits its exact shape, you know the frustration. Most templates in editing software are rigid. You swap a photo here, a caption there, and then hope the rest of the sequence lines up with what you actually filmed. Movavi is trying a different approach with its 2027 release of Movavi Video Editor, built around a feature it calls Blocks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meet the Kindle Click: The Kindle page-turner Ive been dreaming about for years

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

Amazon is finally launching a Kindle remote.

On Tuesday morning, Amazon announced it was refreshing the entire Kindle e-reader lineup, and also introducing the Kindle Click, a new page-turning accessory, for $34.99. Mashable got to try the new page turner at a demo event, and we're excited to test it at home. The head of Kindle's design team said the goal was to bring a more tactile and convenient page-turning experience to those who want it.

After a page-turning remote became the must-use Kindle accessory among the BookTok community, plenty of brands jumped on the trend, making remotes of their own for the devices. The problem is that these remotes aren't native to Kindles and require a clip-on piece to tap the screen, and they can't navigate backward. Fellow e-reader brand Kobo introduced its own Kobo Remote last year. And now, Amazon is giving us seamless page turning with the Kindle Click.

The Kindle Click comes with a removable wrist lanyard, and it can even adjust brightness.

Credit: Amazon

The Kindle Click syncs via Bluetooth to Amazon's newly announced e-readers. It's also backward-compatible with Kindles from 2024 onward, making it an easy upgrade for existing users. It features two big haptic buttons for page turning and smaller side buttons to control brightness, truly maximizing the hands-free experience. It's the ultimate accessory for reading curled up on the couch or while exercising on a treadmill or elliptical.

Chris Green, Vice President of Design at Kindle, told Mashable that his team is keenly aware of the latest trends on BookTok (and among competitors in the e-reader space). Green said the new lineup of Kindles and accessories is meant to meet readers where they are, and to make the reading experience as comfortable and seamless as possible.

The Kindle Click is available for preorder at $34.99 and will be released on Oct. 28.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Click $34.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon launches all-new Kindle e-readers, introducing new designs and colors — and we got to try them

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

The year 2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of the very first Kindle, and Amazon is already celebrating by launching a fully redesigned collection of e-readers.

Amazon announced the new 2026 lineup of Kindles today, and some are already available for preorder. The new devices include a basic Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Kindle Colorsoft, and Kindle Kids versions of each. The new Kindles are thinner and lighter than ever before and feature various design upgrades, including a more flush front display and new materials.

The new Kindle Colorsoft offers more paper-like color, Amazon told us. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Kindles got their last makeover in 2024 (Kindle Scribe devices were refreshed in 2025), and now the whole e-reader collection is getting a refresh. The Kindle team rebuilt the popular e-readers with new colors like ube purple and seaglass green. And, for the first time ever, we now have an aluminum option for the Kindle and a cover with haptic page-turn buttons, inspired by the beloved Kindle Oasis (RIP).

And for the passionate community of Kindle users on BookTok, just know that Amazon is listening. In response to the popularity of page-turners, Kindle is finally launching a wireless remote of its own, the Kindle Click.

Mashable was invited to a demo to try the new Kindles and accessories ahead of their release, where Kindle leaders insisted we're witnessing a "resurgence of reading." The company said that 2025 was the biggest year for Kindle device sales in a decade, and that in January 2026, the company recorded its busiest month of reading in its history.

Here's everything we learned about the new Kindles, our first impressions, and pricing and preorder details.

Meet the 2026 Kindles The new 6-inch Kindle comes in a new ube purple color. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Before we dive into all the details, a quick note on pricing. Amazon increased prices on the Kindle lineup in August, and the new devices will have the same prices as their predecessors. (Fingers crossed we'll see some discounts during the October Prime Big Deal Days sale.

  • The new Kindle — $149.99-$169.99

  • Kindle Paperwhite — $199.99-$219.99

  • Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — $249.99

  • Kindle Colorsoft — $289.99

  • Kindle Kids — $179.99-$299.99

  • Kindle Click page turner — $34.99

The new Kindle The new Kindles introduce edge-to-edge color and a front-flush design. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

A 6-inch, pocket-friendly Kindle with a new flush-front display to match the rest of the line-up. It's now 30 percent faster, too. The new base Kindle is lighter and thinner, measuring just 6.8mm and weighing a mere 140 grams. Building off the love of the popular matcha color, the new Kindle comes in ube (a light purple) and graphite. The device will be available for preorder on Oct. 1.

The new Kindle is also available in an aluminum finish for the first time, at a price of $189.99. The device looks strikingly like an iPad Air, and Chris Green, Vice President of Design at Kindle, told Mashable the new design should feel familiar to readers used to metal smartphones and tablets.

Made from 80 percent recycled aluminum, this Kindle has a matte finish in alpine sky blue and seaglass green. The aluminum Kindle has 32GB of storage, no lockscreen ads, and a magnetic cover attachment. It's also available for purchase on Oct. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon All-new Kindle $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon All-new Kindle (aluminum) $189.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition The new Paperwhite in the Graphite color. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Paperwhite, Amazon's 7-inch e-reader, is also getting an upgrade while maintaining everything we love about it, including 12 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light, and waterproofing. It's also just 6.8mm thick, weighs just 204 grams, and is available in the classic graphite color.

The Signature Edition ($249.99) adds aluminum in seaglass green (with the option to purchase a slim magnetic case), adaptive front lighting, 32GB of storage, and ad-free reading. These devices will be available for purchase on Oct. 28.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle paperwhite All-new Kindle Paperwhite $199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $249.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here Kindle Colorsoft — $289.99 Credit: Amazon

The new version of the Kindle Colorsoft, Kindle's color e-reader, delivers more paper-like color that’s easy on the eyes with a glare-free, flush-front display. Like the other new devices, it's also thinner and lighter than its predecessor.

The Signature Edition ($319.99) adds aluminum housing, 32GB, an auto-adjusting front light, double-tap to turn pages, and comes in the fig and graphite colors. It will be available for purchase on Oct. 28.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $289.99 at Amazon
  Learn More Kindle Kids — $179.99 to $299.99

All of the new Kindles also come in Kids versions. While the base design of each e-reader is the same, the Kindle Kids feature kid-friendly covers designed by real artists, 12 months of Amazon Kids+, and a 1-year warranty. Kindle Kids+ gives young readers and their parents access to thousands of books and audiobooks on demand, and new Kindle Kids accessories will be coming soon, according to Amazon.

The new Kindle Kids e-readers are available for purchase now, and the Kindle Kids Colorsoft is available for preorder in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, and Japan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon All-new Kindle Kids $179.99
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Kids Colorsoft $299.99 at Amazon
  Learn More Kindle Click and new accessories Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Alongside the new Kindles come a batch of new accessories. Finally, we're getting the Kindle Click, a wireless page-turning remote designed to work with the full Kindle collection. This follows up on the release of the Kobo Remote last year. Best of all, the Kindle Click will be backward compatible with existing Kindles (from 2024 or later) with Bluetooth support.

Plus, Amazon has listened to all the noise about page-turning buttons. While they're not bringing back page-turning buttons on the actual devices, a new magnetic folio cover for the Signature Editions does include haptic page-turn buttons.

Other accessories include a wireless charging dock and fabric, plant-based leather, and leather cases.

Our first impressions of the new Kindles Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

As Mashable's e-reader expert, I will admit I'm really excited about these new Kindles. I love that Amazon is embracing color in its e-readers and a more sleek design silhouette. So often companies feel disconnected from their users, but Amazon seems totally keyed into what Kindle users and readers really want.

As I'd hoped, I'm thrilled they've moved the pesky power button that used to live on the bottom of their devices. Plus, a wireless remote is going to be huge, especially as we head into cold fall and winter nights. But I think one of Amazon's smartest moves is the addition of a cover with page-turn buttons. Even though they're not adding buttons back to devices, they're still meeting customers halfway.

The new aluminum Kindles feature magnetic pins for connecting cases. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

What do the devices feel like in your hands? Our tech editor Timothy Werth got to go hands-on with the new devices, and he was impressed by the new aluminum models in particular. He did note that while the front-flush design is an improvement over the old "crumb catcher" design, as Kindle leaders called it, there is still a very thin plastic lip around the edge of the non-aluminum models, though that's not a bad thing. The aluminum Kindles feel very similar to the iPad Air, Werth noted.

"All of the new devices feel great in your hand, which isn't a surprise, and Amazon promises they offer 30 percent faster page turns," Werth said. "I just got a new Kindle Paperwhite last Christmas, so I probably won't upgrade, but I imagine a lot of people will be buying Kindles for the first time. I really liked the aluminum versions with magnetic cases. The Kindle design team clearly has a passion for paper, books, and reading in general, and I think that shows in the care taken to get the new devices just right."

Mashable will be testing the new Kindle lineup, so look out for full reviews once we spend more time with all of the new devices.

Categories: IT General, Technology

HP built a $699 MacBook Neo alternative with an OLED display and a 42-hour battery — where to buy

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

TL;DR: HP announced the OmniBook 5, starting at $699.99 — positioning it as a direct Windows rival to Apple’s $699 MacBook Neo. Arriving in October 2026, the 14-inch AI laptop features a 2.5K OLED touch display, an Intel Core 7 chip, and a wild 42-hour battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook 5 $699.99 at HP
  Learn More

Apple's budget MacBook Neo may finally have a serious Windows rival.

HP just announced the new OmniBook 5, a sleek 14-inch laptop starting at $699.99, clearly designed to go head-to-head with Apple's entry-level Mac. Rather than stripping away premium features to keep the price down, HP packed in high-end perks you rarely see on a budget laptop — most notably a gorgeous OLED screen and a battery built to last through days of work or entertainment.

Credit: HP

The real draw of the OmniBook 5 is its display. Instead of the dull, washed-out screens typically found on sub-$700 laptops, HP equipped this machine with a vibrant panel. It reaches up to 2.5K resolution with touch support, so colors look rich and punchy, blacks are deep, and streaming movies or editing photos look crisp from almost any angle. The display also reduces harmful blue light and is bright enough for comfortable use in well-lit rooms or near a window.

If you hate carrying charger cables everywhere you go, the OmniBook 5 delivers where it counts. HP promises up to 42 hours of local video playback on a single charge. While real-world battery life always depends on what apps you are running, that kind of efficiency lets you leave the wall adapter at home when heading to class, a coffee shop, or a long flight. When you finally do run low, the included compact charger can juice the battery back up to 50 percent in about 30 minutes.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best battery-life laptops of 2026. This HP OmniBook shocked me.

Despite its big battery and high-resolution screen, the OmniBook 5 stays super easy to carry. It weighs just 2.56 pounds and measures under half an inch thick, slipping smoothly into any backpack or tote. Inside, it runs on Intel’s Core 7 processors with built-in AI chips to keep your daily multitasking workload running smoothly without draining extra power.

You also get practical built-in extras like dual full-function USB-C ports, an HDMI port so you do not need dongles, a sharp 1080p webcam for clear video calls, and speakers tuned by Poly Studio for clear sound.

The HP OmniBook 5 is scheduled to launch in October 2026 on HP's website and at Best Buy, starting at $699.99.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Carrie review: Does Mike Flanagans modern take on Stephen Kings classic novel work?

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 15:00

How do you remake a story that's as well-known as Carrie?

Stephen King's first published novel has been a part of the horror canon for over half a century. It already has two film adaptations, a sequel, a miniseries adaptation, and even a Royal Shakespeare Company musical (yes, really). How can you possibly take a tale that's such a big part of popular culture and do something new with it?

Well, Mike Flanagan has had a good go. His Prime Video adaptation of the novel places King's story of a tormented telekinetic high-schooler in a modern day setting, filled with the horrors of school shooting drills and online bullying. It's an interesting idea that undoubtedly gives the story a new flavour. The question is, does it work?

SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, ranked What's Carrie about?

First, a recap. For anyone who hasn't read the novel or seen the previous adaptations, Carrie follows the titular main character (Summer H. Howell) as she starts high school. Carrie has lived a sheltered, paranoid existence with her religious mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan,) and conspiracy theorist father (Tahmot Penikett), but the sudden death of the latter throws her into a new and overwhelming teenage world.

Unsurprisingly, it's not easy. With her homemade clothes and complete naivety, Carrie stands out. She's soon picked out as a target by popular girl Chris (Alison Thornton), and what first seemed like it could be an escape from her domineering mother quickly because a fresh source of horror and anxiety.

What everybody doesn't know, though, is that Carrie has the gift of telekinesis. And as her anger at her own mistreatment grows, so do her powers.

The book's infamous "plug it up" scene is made even worse in the show by smartphones. Credit: Prime Carrie makes several key changes from the book

We already know Mike Flanagan makes high-quality TV shows. As a showrunner he typically brings recurring team members between projects, and as such you can normally expect the direction and scripts to be solid. Carrie is no exception. The bigger question is whether the story works. Is it for Stephen King fans, or people unfamiliar with the original story? Or both?

Flanagan’s show makes several key changes from the book. One works well, the other works brilliantly, and the last feels like it’ll divide. First, the 2026 setting. It's effective. The presence of social media and the internet adds a hellish new dimension to Carrie’s suffering, as almost every interaction she has in school is now captured on multiple smartphones. The book’s infamous "plug it up" scene in the girls’ changing room remains, but now it’s the seed for an anonymous Instagram account set up by Chris to bully fellow students and spread rumours about staff. Wherever they are, and whether they’re perpetrating the abuse or absorbing it, students’ faces are permanently bathed in the glow of their phone screens. It’s an element of the show that’s even more constant than Carrie’s telekinesis — a force that has just as much power to ruin lives. The presence of technology works well in Carrie, which is really more about bullying — and the consequences that bullying can have — than it is about psychic powers. It adds something new to the story and will likely introduce it to a fresh audience.

Another key change from the book that feels a little more divisive, however, comes in the first episode. The show is bookended by interviews with survivors of Carrie’s infamous prom night, but early on it’s made clear that Carrie "wasn’t the only one" there that night with powers. This, coupled with a storyline that has echoes of The Umbrella Academy, feels like world-building that risks falling into well-trodden territory and dividing fans. Personally I think the show gets away with it in the end, but I can see how it might put some people off.

Fortunately, it’s a small part of a chilling and effective story that’s been well adapted to fit an eight-episode series. Which brings us to our last point…

Alison Thornton does a brilliant job of making Chris Hargensen both vulnerable and terrifying. Credit: Robert Falconer/Prime Carrie does an excellent job of fleshing out its characters

Rather than giving it a feeling of being stretched, Flanagan’s team has added additional texture and shade to King’s novel. The characters are different because they have to be. They’re arguably more complex. King’s version of Margaret White is a strict religious nightmare with no redeeming features. The show keeps her core but makes her more subtle and manipulative. Carrie's teachers are given more to do, including their own storyline that ties in effectively — and unexpectedly — with that of the students. Chris’ home life is expanded to draw attention to why she’s a bully, with Thornton doing an excellent job of showing her character's repressed vulnerability, which you can almost see turning to anger on her face in real time.

Overall, this is a series that will be enjoyed by people unfamiliar with Carrie, while keeping and changing enough of the book to also appeal to Stephen King readers. It's not a perfect adaptation, but it is a visceral and engaging take on a story that looks set to keep its grip on horror fans for many more years to come.

Carrie is streaming on Prime Video from October 7.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Harry Potter Lego deal has a touch of magic — save on Luna Lovegoods House ahead of Prime Day

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 14:58

SAVE OVER $6: As of Oct. 1, Harry Potter Lego Luna Lovegood's House is priced at $83.94 at Amazon. That's a saving of $6.05 from the regular list price of $89.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Harry Potter Lego Luna Lovegood's House $83.94 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $6.05   Get Deal

October Prime Day is almost here, which is good news for Lego fans seeking discounts. Because a little saving goes a long way when you're a Lego collector. The cost of those little Danish bricks can quickly rack up — especially if you're locked in with completing a range such as Harry Potter Lego, which regularly magicks up new fantastical sets.

You don't need to wait for the official launch of Prime Day, which runs Oct. 6-7, as there are lots of early deals already live. Those deals include a markdown on the Harry Potter Lego Luna Lovegood House.

As of Oct. 1, the Harry Potter Lego Luna Lovegood House is down to $83.94, saving you $6.05 on the regular price of $89.99.

OK, so it's just a few dollars off, but every little saving counts. And it's another typically great construction from Lego, combining the wonky house design with five minifigures — Harry, Luna, Luna's dad, Hermione, and a Death Eater. It also features a Light Brick, which gives this set a literal glow.

Grab the Harry Potter Lego Luna Lovegood House set for $83.94 ahead of Prime Day.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

The MacBook Pro is mighty, but so is this early Prime Day deal — save a massive $600

Mashable - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 14:55

SAVE $600: As of Oct. 1, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is available for $3,499 at Amazon. That's a 15% saving off the regular list price of $4,099.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Pro 14-Inch M5 Max $3,499 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $600   Get Deal

It's little wonder that Apple fans scour Amazon for Apple deals when the likes of October Prime Day roll around.

The tech giant's devices don't come cheap — especially if you're buying the highest-spec model, such as the MacBook Pro. Fortunately, early deals are already available — even though Prime Day doesn't officially run until Oct. 6-7 — including a major saving on the 2026 version of that mighty MacBook Pro.

As of Oct. 1, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is down to $3,499 on Amazon. That's 15% off the regular list price of $4,099 — a total saving of $600.

Anyone who knows anything about laptops knows that the MacBook Pro is pretty much the best of the best — particularly if you need a laptop for creatives tasks such as graphic design or picture and video editing.

This powerful machine is driven by Apple's M5 Max chip and comes equipped with an eye-popping Liquid Retina XDR Display, Apple Intelligence, WiFi 7 compatibility, and a massive 2TB of storage. That's why this MacBook is the most expensive model that Apple has to offer right now — it's also why a saving of $600 is a can't-miss opportunity for anyone looking to upgrade.

Get the MacBook Pro 14-inch and save $600 ahead of October Prime Day. Now available for $3,499.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

TV stands are the third option nobody talks about (and renters need to know)

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 14:45

I used a TV stand. That's the third option. You can see it in the picture above. It's not a mystery. But wait! There really is more to it than that. Because until I started using a dedicated TV stand, I really didn't think there was a third option other than using the TV's built-in feet or wall-mounting.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Instead of buying a NAS, I turned an old laptop and external drive into home network storage

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 14:00

Years ago, I built an arcade cabinet from scratch and powered it with a Dell laptop from 2010 running Windows 7. It played games like Halo, Dragon's Lair, and plenty of other classic games. I also used it as a jukebox in my man cave. It got a lot of use over the years, and it lasted a long time, but several months ago it started to feel underpowered for what I was using it for. After looking around on Facebook Marketplace, I found a great replacement. It was a Dell desktop unit that already had Windows 11 installed. Once the switch was made, my old laptop didn’t have much to do.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your old optical drives still have one storage trick SSDs can't quite replace

How-To Geek - Thu, 10/01/2026 - 13:30

You've probably heard that CDs, DVDs, and physical media in general are experiencing a resurgence. Makes sense. I have so many different subscriptions to various streaming services, I'm seriously considering ditching it all and just collecting DVDs again. At least they're mine for life, then.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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