Technology

TL;DR: Live stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really interesting matchups in the Champions League this week, including Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid. Any game involving Real Madrid is going to draw the eyes of the world, with everyone keeping tabs on how Xabi Alonso gets the best out of this team of stars. This could be a long night for Kairat Almaty.

If you want to watch Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid?

Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 30. This fixture takes place at the Almaty Central Stadium.

How to watch Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid for free

Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

Fate or destination.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

KARMA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Gossip.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

RUMOR

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A medical attendant.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

NURSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A sheen, often found on a donut.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

GLAZE

Final Hurdle hint

A messenger.

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

GOFER

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

SAVE $20.99: As of Sept. 29, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $79, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streambar SE $79 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for an all-in-one entertainment solution for your bedroom TV or a smaller living room, I’d like to introduce you to the Roku Streambar SE. This little soundbar doubles as a 4K/HDR streaming device, and it's on sale for a limited time at Amazon. So, if a new TV isn't quite in your budget but you still want to get access to streaming apps like Peacock and Apple TV+, this is a great 2-in-1 solution.

The Roku Streambar SE is the lower-priced successor to the Roku Streambar, which is currently out of stock. The original Streambar even got a shoutout in our guide to the best home soundbars, and the SE is an even more affordable streaming solution.

Ahead of Amazon's retailer's Prime Big Deal Days event on Oct. 7, tons of popular gadgets are on sale, including this popular streaming stick. Right now, the Roku Streambar SE is only $79, down from its usual $99.99 retail price. That's a 21% discount and a $20.99 in total savings. This isn't the lowest we've seen it go for (it was $59 during an Amazon sale last year), but it's the lowest price we've seen since early June. And with tariffs causing price increases all over the tech world, we'd be surprised if it gets marked down to $59 again.

SEE ALSO: Our 5 favorite expert-tested soundbars to upgrade your TV setup

With the Roku Streambar SE, you’ll be able to enjoy 4K picture quality (if your TV offers 4K quality) and an easy-to-use Roku interface that lets you stream from pretty much every service you can think of, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can pair your headphones for a quiet night of TV watching or stream music from your phone. Plus, the remote controls your TV, sound, and streaming, so you don’t have to juggle multiple remotes.

The two full-range speakers are pretty decent for a budget soundbar, and if you want a more immersive home theater experience, you can pair it with a Roku Wireless Bass Subwoofer.

SAVE $24: As of Sept. 29, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale for $74.99 at Amazon. That's a 24% discount on the usual list price and just $18.75 per tracker.

Apple AirTag Offers Apple AirTag 4-pack $74.99 (save $24.01) Get Deal Apple AirTag $24.99 at Amazon (save $4.01) Get Deal Belkin Apple AirTag Secure Holder with Key Ring $12.99 Shop Now

Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day, is almost back. And with just over a week to go, Amazon is already offering early Prime Day deals on TVs, earbuds, e-readers, and tons of gadgets. It's also a great time to look for Apple deals. One of our favorite Apple products is already seeing great discounts ahead of the event — AirTags.

As of Sept. 29, you can find the four-pack of AirTags on sale at Amazon for $74.99, a $24 saving on list price that works out to just $18.75 per tracker. If you only need one AirTag, the one-pack is also on sale, but it's not as good of a deal (a single tracker is discounted to $24.99 at Amazon as of this writing). This deal is perfect if you have lots of items or devices you want to keep tabs on, like your phone, keys, tablet, or even your passport.

SEE ALSO: Police use Apple AirTag to track stolen motorcycle to thief's bedroom

AirTags work as a tracking device, and they're a popular alternative to Bluetooth trackers from Tile and Chipolo. Thanks to Apple's extensive Find My network, they offer a convenient way for iOS users to track their items. You attach them to whatever you don't want to lose and follow it in the Find My app. If you do lose it, you can use the map to track it down. And if that doesn't work, the AirTag has a small speaker built in and can play a noise to alert you to its location.

AirTags are also IP67 water and dust-resistant, so if your items end up somewhere they really shouldn't be, the AirTag can still remain trackable. It also has a year-long battery life, and when it does run out, just replace it with a CR2032 coin cell battery — nice and easy.

Get this AirTag deal from Amazon now and pay just $18.75 per tracker when you buy a four-pack.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-Pack $74.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.01 Get Deal

We've seen a whole lot of tiny PCs in all shapes, forms, and specs. We like them a lot here at How-To Geek. But Qualcomm's prototype computers have us wishing that we could actually have them as a real product.

Four and a half years after YouTube banned Donald Trump's channel in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Alphabet-owned company agreed today to pay the president $24.5 million — money that will go to build a new ballroom at the White House.

Trump sued after his channel was shut down shortly after his followers stormed the Capitol in the wake of his election defeat by Joe Biden. At the time, YouTube stated it believed content posted to Trump's channel could encourage more violence. Though YouTube reinstated Trump's account in 2023, he still pursued the litigation.

Much of the settlement — $22 million — will partially fund the creation of a new White House ballroom, which is being built at Trump's behest. The remaining $2.5 million will go to the Plaintiffs American Conservative Union, a group of individuals who also sued YouTube following the banning of Trump's channel.

Trump has had much success suing tech companies that booted him after he encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell" before they ransacked the Capitol. Following his account suspensions, Meta forked over $25 million, and X paid him around $10 million.

Similarly, Disney paid Trump $15 million for his future presidential library after he sued for defamation over an interview George Stephanopoulos conducted for ABC News. Paramount Global settled a Trump lawsuit for $16 million for a story that didn't even directly involve him — he had taken umbrage with an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

SEE ALSO: How to watch 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!,' even if your ABC station isn't showing it

Trump is currently suing the Wall Street Journal over stories related to his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The president also sued the New York Times for stories during the 2024 election, but a judge recently tossed that lawsuit, calling it "improper."

TL;DR: As of Sept. 29, the popular DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $249 at Amazon in this Prime exclusive deal. That's $50 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Prime member exclusive Shop Now

DJI drones have been causing a lot of fuss recently, and it comes down to uncertainty over their availability. These drones are favorites with TikTokers, YouTubers, filmmakers, and even farmers, and there's no real alternative. So, any stock issues could upset a lot of creators and business owners. Yet, after losing a lawsuit against the Department of Defense, DJI drones are still on track to be banned by the end of 2025.

If you're looking to beat a potential ban and pick up a DJI drone online, we have some good news: The DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $50 off right now at Amazon. These popular mini camera drones are now only $249, but only for Prime members. These drones were a hit during the July Prime Day sale, and we've seen them go out of stock repeatedly in the months since.

We should flag that this drone is being sold by AeroTech Hubs, as DJI itself is facing major problems importing its drones in the United States. (Virtually the company's entire lineup of drones is listed as "unavailable" at the DJI online store.) We don't usually recommend purchasing from third-party sellers on Amazon, but AeroTech Hubs actually has a pretty great track record with Amazon shoppers. So with stock running low, we feel comfortable making this recommendation to buy. With your Prime account, returns are free, after all.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. And because of its connections to the Chinese government, DJI drones may soon be banned altogether here in the United States. That's not official just yet, but the prospect is looking more and more likely, which is one more reason these drones are often out of stock. And that has been driving a massive uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

Again, get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $250 at Amazon while you still can. You're running out of time to get a DJI drone for yourself.

OpenAI is pushing the limits of agentic AI with the launch of Instant Checkout in ChatGPT, a new commerce tool that lets users buy directly from vendors. Starting today, ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and free users in the U.S. can start using the tool for single-item purchases, though only one merchant is available at launch.

In a blog post published today, the company explained that Instant Checkout was co-developed with payment processor Stripe and already works in chat with Etsy. Support for “over a million Shopify merchants, like Glossier, SKIMS, Spanx, and Vuori,” is coming soon, the blog post said. OpenAI also revealed that the underlying technology will be open source to help bring agentic commerce to more merchants and developers.

Here’s how it works: when ChatGPT users ask for shopping recommendations, the chatbot surfaces suggestions. If a merchant supports Instant Checkout, users can simply tap “Buy,” confirm order details, shipping, and payment, and complete the purchase without leaving the chat. For subscribers, the system uses the payment method already on file.

According to OpenAI, orders, payments, and fulfillment are still handled by the merchant’s existing system — ChatGPT just acts as a digital personal shopper, passing the information back and forth.

So far, the inability of AI agents to actually complete purchases for users has been a big limitation of the technology. By launching Instant Checkout and making the backend technology open source, OpenAI could change that status quo.

The new feature is likely to ruffle feathers at some of OpenAI's tech rivals. Google is developing its own agentic commerce agent and has already released an open-source tool for AI-powered purchases, putting it in direct competition with OpenAI. Meanwhile, rumor has it that Amazon isn’t thrilled about AI agents skimming its storefront instead of drawing in human customers — and potentially threatening its lucrative advertising business.

As TechCrunch points out, both companies have a history of leveraging their dominance in ecommerce and search to charge higher fees or push out competitors — practices that have landed them in court more than once. But if chatbots become the starting point for retail purchases, the power dynamic flips. This time, it’s the firms behind the bots that hold the leverage. Plus, by working directly with Shopify merchants, OpenAI can avoid dealing with retailers like Amazon altogether, at least, for now.

They’re not alone in the race. Perplexity has rolled out a similar in-chat shopping and payments feature, while Microsoft offers merchants the ability to build in-chat storefronts through its Copilot Merchant Program.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Tech deals scavengers are going nuts over the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, which can be found for $198 to $228 at Amazon on any given day.

Sony’s fourth-gen flagship cans were a class leader when they launched, but how do they hold up in today’s wireless audio landscape? For starters, as we've noted before, new flagship headphones now cost a minimum of $450. The new flagship Bowers & Wilkins Px8 just dropped for $799. This economy — and those nosebleed-inducing prices — can make previous-gen tech like this awfully attractive.

If you’re reading this, then you’re debating whether to drop two Benjamins on these beloved headphones or spend the difference on their advanced siblings. The upgraded specs on the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 might make the Mark Four model look outdated. Don’t buy into that malarkey. All Sony wireless headphones share many of the company’s proprietary features and technologies, including the classic WH-1000XM4.

So, I dug into my closet and pulled out the noise-cancelling headphones to see if they’re still worth buying five years later. Spoiler alert: They hold up better than I expected.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $228 at Amazon
$348 Save $120 Get Deal SEE ALSO: The best expert-tested Sony headphones for every price point Why should you consider buying the WH-1000XM4 headphones?

About 85 percent of what’s available on the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 can be experienced on the WH-1000XM4. There's a reason each of these products has dominated Mashable's guide to the best wireless headphones year after year.

The WH-1000XM4 still sound better than most luxury rivals. Frequency range leans heavily towards the low end, resulting in deep bass that blends nicely with crisp mids and highs. Instruments, vocals, and subtle nuances are transparent on boom-heavy tracks.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Most of Sony’s mobile feature suite is accessible via the Sound Connect app to personalize the headphones. There’s the customizable EQ with well-engineered presets, LDAC audio codec for hi-res streaming with minimal latency, and voice activation. The WF-1000XM4 also have 360 Reality Audio, which creates convincing 360-degree sound, as well as my favorite feature to upscale sound on Sony headphones: DSEE. Everything works well.

Noise cancellation on the WH-1000XM4 eliminates a vast amount of ambient noise. I’ve worn them around the house for two weeks to silence common disruptions (e.g., kitchen appliances, laundry room fracas, a wildly cheerful toddler) during work hours. Most noises were muted, except for certain high-frequency sounds, and even those weren’t too distracting. Sony’s 20-level Ambient Mode was dependable for eavesdropping on conversations and raising situational awareness. The mics demonstrated superb noise and vocal capture.

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Battery life with ANC on is no different than the current releases (30 hours). Connectivity perks like Google Fast Pair and multipoint technology to pair to two devices simultaneously come part of the package. This is the last pair of Mark Series headphones to come with NFC. Lastly, the touch and voice controls are responsive and operate smoothly. 

Why should you consider not buying the WH-1000xM4 headphones?

The new Adaptive NC Optimizer on the WH-1000xM6 is better at noise reduction and auto-adjusts performance for optimal sound delivery. Call quality on the WH-1000xM4 is a failure that has been greatly improved on the latest models. Audiophiles will also gravitate towards the WH-1000xM5’s and WH-1000xM6’s more tonally balanced sound.

Another factor that deserves serious attention is the product’s shelf life. The AirPods are fantastic because Apple designed them to function for years to come, thanks to its frequently updated and intelligible ecosystem. Sony has done a tremendous job of distributing its high-end mobile features across all wireless headphones and earbuds. At some point, older models have their plug pulled and stop receiving firmware updates. The WH-1000xM4 are still getting them. It is unknown how much longer that will continue. 

So, are the Sony XM4 headphones still worth it in 2025?

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable The verdict: For deal hunters, the Sony XM4 headphones are still worth it

It’s easy to be coerced into buying the newer Mark Series releases based on their stronger ANC and audio. That doesn’t mean you should overlook the WH-1000xM4. They have effective noise cancellation, longer playtimes than any Apple or Bose headphones, and vibrant sound. Not to mention they support Sony’s big three audio hallmarks: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, and LDAC.

Pricing is the biggest factor when comparing the last three Mark Series models. You’ll be lucky to find the WH-1000xM5 on sale for no less than $285, and even luckier to stumble upon the WH-1000xM6 at under $400. 

That being said, there is no better audio deal right now than the WH-1000xM4, and it’s well worth the pickup for anyone seeking terrific noise-canceling headphones at a reasonable price.

Top offers on Sony headphones Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $228 (save $120) Get Deal Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $498 Shop Now Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $398 Shop Now

The thousands separator is a character used to separate groups of three digits in larger numbers, such as the commas in 1,000,000. In Microsoft Excel, you can format numbers to include the thousands separator. In this guide, I'll show you how.

TL;DR: Give your videos a serious upgrade with a lifetime subscription to Macxvideo AI, now for just $24.99 (reg. $69.95).

Opens in a new window Credit: Digiarty Macxvideo AI: Lifetime Subscription $24.99
$69.95 Save $44.96 Get Deal

Do you want to tap into the full potential of your videos? Macxvideo AI makes it possible, offering an all-in-one toolkit that enables you to enhance your footage with the help of cutting-edge AI. And right now, you can enjoy a lifetime subscription to this powerful tool for just $24.99 — $45 off the usual price.

Whether you have a precious family memory you’d like to make more vivid or you’re just looking to do some basic edits, Macxvideo AI is ready to tackle video enhancements both big and small. Powered by AI, Macxvideo equips you with over 20 professional-level tools to make the most out of your content.

SEE ALSO: Save $150 on the M4 Apple iMac in several colors

Let Macxvideo AI enhance your videos with AI Super Resolution to boost clarity and AI Frame Interpolation to create smoother motion by adding frames. There’s also AI Image Enhancer to sharpen color and detail, AI Face Recovery to restore facial features, AI Image Colorization to bring black-and-white images to life, and AI Audio Suppression to precisely remove background noise.

Want your videos to look like a real movie? Macxvideo AI also offers cinema-grade detail, helping to preserve skin texture, facial pores, and other fine details with precision upscaling. You can also add watermarks to protect your content or make your videos into shareable GIFs.

Get access to premium features that would usually cost a fortune with this lifetime subscription to Macxvideo AI, now for just $24.99 (reg. $69.95).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When you apply Microsoft Excel's percentage number format to a cell already containing a number, it multiplies the value by 100. This can be frustrating, as there's apparently no easy way to stop this from happening. Until now!

Threads is nearing X in mobile user numbers, according to data from Similarweb, a leading web analytics firm. The Twitter alternative from Meta is reportedly growing steadily and appears to be drawing users away from Elon Musk’s platform.

A chart shared by Similarweb shows Threads steadily increasing its daily active users on both iOS and Android. The data suggests Threads has reached parity with X — around 130 million daily active users — and is on track to surpass it globally within days.

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

It's worth noting, however, that X still far surpassed Threads in web traffic, according to Similarweb.

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

All that data tracks, especially considering a significant portion of Threads traffic likely comes from users clicking through via the Instagram app. Being embedded within Meta's broader ecosystem has clearly been a powerful — if unsurprising — growth driver. In August, Threads announced that it reached 400 million monthly active users.

X, on the other hand, has long been part of users' daily web habits, albeit under its former name. It's no surprise, then, that more of its traffic comes from desktop use.

Still, the fact that Threads has reportedly pulled even with X marks a major milestone. This shift had been anticipated since earlier this summer — and now, according to Similarweb, it appears to have arrived.

Amazon agreed to a whopping $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last week over allegedly "deceptive" practices in signing up users to its paid Amazon Prime subscription service.

Out of that settlement, Amazon will pay a $1 billion civil penalty to the U.S. government. The other $1.5 billion? That's the Consumer Fund, and it's going to be used to refund Amazon Prime customers who were affected by these practices.

According to the settlement terms, an estimated 35 million customers are entitled to that $1.5 billion pool, which would amount to a refund of $42.86 per person if distributed evenly. That's not an earth-shattering chunk of change, but free money is free money.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's October Prime Day is coming on October 7 — here are 30+ early deals to shop now Who gets a refund from the Amazon-FTC settlement?

The FTC's lawsuit against Amazon, which resulted in the settlement, focused on Amazon's Prime subscription service. The FTC alleged that Amazon intentionally used deceptive designs, also known as dark patterns, to get users to sign up for the paid service and then made it difficult for customers to cancel their subscription.

But that doesn't mean everyone who signed up for Amazon Prime is eligible. 

First, an Amazon user needs to have signed up for Prime between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025. In addition, the Prime subscription must have been made via one of the "challenged enrollment flows." 

Basically, a user needed to sign up for Prime through one of those offending designs. Per the FTC, these allegedly deceptive Amazon Prime sign-up designs include the Universal Prime Decision Page, the Shipping Option Select Page, the Prime Video enrollment flow, or the Single Page Checkout. For example, on the Shipping Option Select Page, a user could've chosen the free shipping option without realizing that this would automatically sign them up for an Amazon Prime membership.

Furthermore, the consumer needs to have used their Prime benefits, which include free Prime shipping, no more than three times within 12 months of signing up for Prime.

How to get a refund from the Amazon-FTC settlement

There are two ways consumers will be compensated. First, consumers who meet the previous requirements will receive a payout automatically within 90 days, capped at $51. There is no sign-up or opt-in required. Amazon will just refund anyone who's eligible.

After those refunds go out, Amazon will then open a new round of payouts. The e-commerce giant will send out a claims form within 30 days to other customers who are eligible for a refund. The consumers eligible in this round include those who signed up via one of the challenged enrollment flows and also used up to 10 Prime benefits in a 12-month period. Consumers will have 180 days to fill out the claim form and submit it. Amazon will then issue those refunds within 30 days after a review of the claim.

If Amazon has paid out less than $1 billion after this second payout process with the claim forms, then the company must continue to make another tier of customers eligible for a refund. For example, the next group would be anyone who did not submit a claim form, signed up for Prime through a challenged enrollment flow, but used up to four of their Prime benefits. The next eligible group would be those who used up to five of their Prime benefits. 

This would continue until at least $1 billion is paid out of the Consumer Fund.

Personally, I find the argument that vinyl audio sounds better than CDs or high-quality digital streaming audio unconvincing. However, what is inarguably true is that vinyl audio quality, more than any other extant physical media, is affected by the quality of the turntable you use.

Meta is training its AI chatbots to more effectively address child sexual exploitation after a series of high-profile blunders around the sensitive topic, according to guidelines obtained by Business Insider.

The guidelines that contractors are reportedly using to train its AI chatbots have recently been updated, Business Insider reported. These guidelines state that content that "enables, encourages, or endorses" child sexual abuse is explicitly barred, as is romantic roleplay if the user is a minor or if the user asks the AI to roleplay as a minor, advice about intimacy if the user is a minor, and more, according to an Engadget report based on the Business Insider scoop.

While these may seem like obvious safety guardrails for underage users, they are necessary as more people — including underage users — experiment with AI companions and roleplaying. An August report by Reuters revealed that Meta’s AI rules permitted suggestive behavior with kids. As Reuters reported, Meta's previous chatbot policies specifically allowed it to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual."

Just weeks after that report, Meta spokesperson Stephanie Otway told TechCrunch that their AI chatbots are being trained to no longer "engage with teenage users on self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations." Before this change, Meta's chatbots could engage with those topics when it was deemed "appropriate."

So, what's included in the new guidelines?

Content that "describes or discusses" a minor in a sexualized manner is also unacceptable, according to the Business Insider report. Minors cannot engage in "romantic roleplay, flirtation or expression of romantic or intimate expression" with the chatbot, nor can they ask for advice that "potentially-romantic or potentially-intimate physical content with another person, such as holding hands, hugging, or putting an arm around someone," Business Insider reported.

However, acceptable use cases for training the chatbot include discussing the "formation of relationships between children and adults," the "sexual abuse of a child," "the topic of child sexualisation," "the solicitation, creation, or acquisition of sexual materials involving children," and "the involvement of children in the use or production of obscene materials or the employment of children in sexual services in academic, educational, or clinical purposes." Minors can still use the AI for romance-related roleplay as long as it is "non-sexual and non-sensual" and "is presented as literature or fictional narrative (e.g. a story in the style of Romeo and Juliet) where the AI and the user are not characters in the narrative."

As Business Insider reported, the guidelines defined "discuss" as "providing information without visualization." So, Meta's chatbots can discuss topics like abuse but cannot describe, enable, or encourage it, per the new guidelines.

Meta isn't the only AI struggling with child safety.

Parents of a teen who died by suicide after confiding in ChatGPT recently sued the AI platform for wrongful death; in response, OpenAI announced additional safety measures and behavioral prompts for its updated GPT-5. Anthropic updated its chatbot to allow it to end chats that are harmful or abusive, and Chatacter.AI introduced parental supervision features earlier this year.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Amazon never rests. With Prime Big Deal Days (aka October Prime Day) and the holiday shopping season fast approaching, the retail juggernaut is gearing up for some big announcements on Tuesday. The retail giant's Devices & Services team is hosting a NYC-based press conference on Sept. 30, where several new devices will likely make their debut.

While Amazon has yet to publicly announce any concrete details about the event, an invitation, as shared by The Verge, shows a quadrant of four devices, providing a sneak peek into what's to come. While Amazon has yet to publicly comment on which devices and services will be unveiled, here's what we're expecting to see.

Is another new Kindle coming? A new Kindle Scribe arrived last year but is a color version coming soon? Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable At $249.99, the Kindle Colorsoft is more expensive than other color e-readers on the market. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Since fall 2024, Amazon has gone non-stop with the updates to Kindles. The biggest innovation to come to their e-readers is the addition of color. The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition had a rocky rollout last year with reports of discoloration plaguing some of the devices. While that has been resolved and Amazon has since released the standard Kindle Colorsoft and the Kindle Colorsoft Kids, a fourth Colorsoft entry is seemingly coming.

If Amazon is adding color to its existing line, then there are only two options left: the basic Kindle or the Kindle Scribe. However, according to The Verge, Amazon left a sneaky clue in its invitation. In the quadrant of the invite clearly showing a color Kindle, the line "with the stroke of a pen" appears, implying that it's the Kindle Scribe — the only Kindle with writing abilities — that's getting the color makeover.

This would be a much-needed addition to the Scribe, which is the only Amazon e-reader that has annotation abilities. With color, readers will hopefully be able to highlight in different colors and journal in rainbow. (The new reMarkable tablet lets you write notes in color, for instance.)

If we are getting a color Scribe, that means the Colorsoft line is probably not getting a price cut. Kindle's color e-readers are expensive, and in our opinion, not worth the price compared to color e-readers like Kobos. Considering the current Kindle Scribe has a list price of $449 and Colorsoft devices are averaging $90 more than their non-color counterparts, there's a non-zero chance a Kindle Scribe with color will be priced over $500.

A new Fire TV? The Amazon Fire TV gets bogged down by a clunky OS, so we're looking forward to a new system. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Amazon's Fire TVs are also reportedly getting an update. It's unclear if a hardware or software update is coming, but we think an updated TV operating system is more likely. Vega OS, Amazon's new Linux-based operating system, has been an open secret in the tech world for a while now.

Having tested Amazon's Fire TVs, our main complaint was its laggy OS, so we're hopeful for what the Vega OS may offer.

An updated Echo speaker is also possible

For as popular as they are, Amazon's Echo Dot hasn't seen an upgrade since 2022, nor the Echo Pop since 2023. It wouldn't be a surprise that these compact Echo devices were finally getting an upgrade.

However, as reported by ZDNet (also owned by our parent company Ziff Davis), the Echo image used on the invite to this event looks like the Echo Studio, which is notably no longer listed on Amazon's site.

What about that Android-powered Fire tablet? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is an affordable and clunky unit. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable

First rumored back in August, Amazon Fire tablets are reportedly getting a new Android operating system. The new Android OS would replace its existing in-house operating system, an attempt to compete with Apple and Samsung's higher-end tablets.

While a Fire tablet doesn't appear to be on the leaked invite, that's not to say one isn't coming.

We'll be reporting on Amazon's devices and services event on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Return here for more information as it's revealed.

HBO Max is setting the tone for October with its hearty new schedule, which boasts a host of HBO Originals. From the debut of new series, such as IT: Welcome to Derry, and a comedy special from Adam Pally to the premieres of emotion-evoking documentaries and hit films, such as The Substance, you won't want to skip these titles, or this lineup.

There's not much of a reason to wait until Black Friday to buy a robot vacuum — not when Amazon treats its October Prime Day sale like Black Friday when it comes to vacuum deals.

In fact, compared to the Prime Day that just happened in July, I'm already seeing many of the same deals live before Prime Big Deal Days even starts next week. Those include a handful of the 2025 Roombas that impressed me during testing and the Eufy robot vacuum that converts to a stick vacuum — a criminally underrated vacuum that more people need to know exists. There's even a substantial discount on the flagship of all flagship robot vacuums that Dreame just announced in August.

A look at the best early robot vacuum deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days Editor's pick eufy Robot Vacuum 3-in-1 E20 Stick and Handheld Vacuum Combo $348.99 (save $301) Get Deal Budget pick iRobot Roomba 104 Combo $249.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best mop washing station deal Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller $1,279.99 (save $320) Get Deal Best vacuum-only robot vacuum deal Shark AV2501S AI Ultra $229.99 (save $320) Get Deal

By the time the event officially starts on Oct. 7, I expect to see most (if not all) of the best robot vacuums I've tested on sale. You have until then to read up on what to look for in a robot vacuum and assess the features that are non-negotiables in your home.

SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros Z70 review: If you think you need the robot vacuum with an arm, no you don't

Regardless of your budget, there's definitely a robot vacuum on sale for you this October Prime Day. I'm tracking all of the best robot vacuum deals at Amazon below, noting when they self-empty, mop, or wash and dry their own mopping pads. All robot vacuums in the list have smart mapping. Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best October Prime Day budget robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 104 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop $249.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

Prime Day Roomba deals have been a bust in years past, but that all changed when iRobot overhauled the Roomba lineup in March 2025. iRobot specifically spent extra time on the budget-friendly and mid-tier options with this product drop, and it's easily the most practical pricing I've ever seen from this brand.

One of the new Roombas released was the Roomba 104 Combo: a straightforward mopping, smart mapping, self-emptying Roomba that's an affordable choice for shoppers who want to cover those three crucial features, but don't want anything fancy. I tested the virtually-identical Roomba 105 Combo a few months ago and was satisfied for the price — it was a radically better experience than what I've had with cheap Roombas in the past. It even automatically recognizes carpet and rugs to keep them dry while it's mopping.

Best October Prime Day robot vacuum with mop-washing station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller $1,279.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $320 Get Deal Why we like it

Oh, nothing. It's just the most powerful robot vacuum we've ever seen on sale during any Amazon sale event. No biggie. Meet the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller: one of the flagship Dreame models that was just released in August, already 20% off ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. I haven't personally tested this one yet, but on paper, it's quite the beast.

The Aqua10 Ultra Roller has a jaw-dropping 30,000 Pa of suction power — a market high for any mainstream robot vacuum. That's also significantly more powerful than the 20,000 Pa of the Roborock Saros 10R (my favorite robot vacuum of the year). Interestingly enough, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller's current sale price is the exact same that we saw for the Saros 10R during Prime Day in July. Past its strong suction being great for pet hair, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller also has a two-way livestream camera that I think any pet parent should prioritize.

If you're wondering, the "Roller" part of the title is referring to the paint roller-style roller mop, which rinses itself as it's mopping, not just when it returns to the dock. This is one of a handful of late-2025 robot vacuum and mop combos to ditch the dual spinning pads typically seen in older premium robot vacuums. They're said to offer a bit more heavy-duty scrubbing, and avoid smearing better than spinning and flat pads.

More robot vacuums on sale at AmazonHybrid robot vacuums that mop

• Roborock Q7 M5 — $169.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Yeedi C12 Plus with self-empty station — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Roborock Q8 Max — $259.98 $399.99 (save $140.01)

• Dreame D20 Plus with self-empty station — $296.99 $399.99 (save $103) 🔥

• Roborock Q10 S5+ with self-empty station — $299.99 $549.99 (save $250) 🔥

• 3i G10+ with dust compression — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Narwal Freo Pro with self-empty and mop washing station — $479.99 $699.99 (save $220)

• iRobot Roomba 405 with self-empty and mop washing station — $399.99 $799.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Eufy Omni C20 with self-empty and mop washing station — $379.99 $699.99 (save $320) 🔥

• Yeedi M12 Pro with self-empty and mop washing station — $379.99 $899.99 (save $520) 🔥

• Dreame X40 Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

• Dreame X50 Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $1,199.99 $1,699.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Roborock Saros Z70 with OmniGrip arm, self-empty and mop washing station — $1,999.98 $2,599 (save $599.02) 🔥

Robot vacuums that don't mop

• Eufy C10 with self-empty station — $199.99 $479.99 (save $320) 🔥

• Shark AV2501S AI Ultra with self-empty station — $229.99 $549.99 (save $320) 🔥

• iRobot Roomba 105 with self-empty station — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Eufy L60 with self-empty station — $299.99 $559.99 (save $260)

• Eufy E20 3-in-1 robot vacuum and stick vacuum with self-empty station — $348.99 $649.99 (save $301) 🔥

• iRobot Roomba Plus 504 with self-empty station — $379.99 $749.99 (save $370) 🔥

After recently promising new safety measures for teens, OpenAI introduced new parental controls for ChatGPT. The settings allow parents to monitor their teen's account, as well as restrict certain types of use, like voice chat, memory, and image generation.

The changes debuted a month after two bereaved parents sued OpenAI for the wrongful death of their son, Adam Raine, earlier this year. The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT conversed with their son about his suicidal feelings and behavior, providing explicit instructions for how to take his own life, and discouraging him from disclosing his plans to others.

The complaint also argues that ChatGPT's design features, including its sycophantic tone and anthropomorphic mannerisms, effectively work to "replace human relationships with an artificial confidant" that never refuses a request.

SEE ALSO: Colleges are giving students ChatGPT. Is it safe?

In a blog post about the new parental controls, OpenAI said that it worked with experts, advocacy groups, and policy makers to develop the safeguards.

In order to use the settings, parents must invite their teen to connect accounts. Teen users must accept the invitation, and they can also make the same request of their parent. The adult will be notified if a teen unlinks their account in the future.

Once the accounts are connected, automatic protections are applied to the teen's account. These content restrictions include reduced exposure to graphic material, extreme beauty ideals, and sexual, romantic, or violent roleplay. While parents can turn off these restrictions, teens can't make those changes.

Parents will also be able to make specific choices for their teen's use, such as designating quiet hours during which ChatGPT can't be accessed; turning off memory and voice mode; and removing image generation capabilities. Parents can't see or access their teen's chat logs.

Importantly, OpenAI still sets teen accounts to be used in model training. Parents must opt out of that setting if they don't want OpenAI to use their teen's interactions with ChatGPT to further train and improve their product.

When it comes to handling sensitive situations wherein teens talk to ChatGPT about their mental health, OpenAI has created a notification system so that parents can learn if something may be "seriously wrong."

Though OpenAI did not describe the technical features of this system in its blog post, the company said that it will recognize potential signs that a teen is thinking about harming themselves. If the system detects that intention, a team of "specially trained people" reviews the circumstances. OpenAI will contact parents by their method of choice — email, text message, and push alert — if there are signs of acute distress.

"We are working with mental health and teen experts to design this because we want to get it right," OpenAI said in its post. "No system is perfect, and we know we might sometimes raise an alarm when there isn’t real danger, but we think it’s better to act and alert a parent so they can step in than to stay silent."

OpenAI noted that it's developing protocols for contacting law enforcement and emergency services in cases where a parent can't be reached, or if there's an imminent threat to a teen's life.

Robbie Torney, senior director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media, said in the blog post that the controls were a "good starting point."

Torney recently testified in a Senate hearing on the dangers of AI chatbots. At the time, he referenced the Raine lawsuit and noted that ChatGPT continued to engage Adam Raine in discussion about suicide, rather than trying to redirect the conversation.

SEE ALSO: After losing their son, parents urge Senate to take action on AI chatbots

"Despite Adam using the paid version of ChatGPT — meaning OpenAI had his payment information and could have implemented systems to identify concerning patterns and contact his family during mental health crises — the company had no such intervention mechanisms in place," Torney said in his testimony.

At the same hearing, Dr. Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association, testified that Congress should require AI systems accessible by children and adolescents to undergo "rigorous, independent, pre-deployment testing for potential harms to users' psychological and social development."

Prinstein also called for limiting manipulative or persuasive design features that maximize chatbot engagement.