Technology

Apple’s iOS 26 update is a big one — not just because it’s new, but because “Liquid Glass” marks the company’s biggest UI overhaul since the iPhone X.

But the so-called “biggest iOS update in years” hasn’t exactly wowed people. Performance hiccups and a jarring reshuffle of the interface have left many users underwhelmed. Even here at Mashable, reactions are split: some enjoy the new look, while others find it pretty “meh.”

If you’ve upgraded and hate how it looks, here’s the bad news: you can’t roll back to iOS 18. That makes sense, sure — but what if you like iOS 26 overall and just can’t stand Liquid Glass? Also bad news: you can’t turn it off.

What you can do, though, is dive into your iPhone’s accessibility settings to tone down the transparent, glossy effect and make it less in-your-face.

How to change Liquid Glass in iOS 26

To cut down the transparency, head to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Reduce Transparency. This makes elements like folders easier to see when you open them.

You can also tweak the look of your home screen. Just press and hold an empty space until the icons start to jiggle, then tap Edit in the top left corner. From there, select Customize and switch the screen to tinted. You’ll be able to adjust the colors of icons and folders to better match your style. Simple as that.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) are free if you use a Microsoft account, but there’s been a major catch added. Now, you have to keep signing in to it every 60 days, or the updates will expire, and you'll be out of luck if you're not able to re-enroll.

Google Messages has been on a roll this year, constantly getting updates packed with new features or design changes, and two more could be coming soon. It looks like Google's about to finally fix a frustrating bug with group chat icons, along with overhauling links and link previews in conversations.

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs are the fastest type of drive you can buy for a PC (or console) today, with the fastest drives hitting almost 15GB/s! Yet, for some reason, video games don't seem to load any differently on a drive a third of that speed, or even much slower SATA drives.

For me, every night is movie night. I love nothing more than settling down, dimming the lights, and relaxing with a good film. The only tough part is choosing what to watch.

Samsung's new foldables are really, really good, but in typical foldable fashion, they are also insanely expensive, to the point that it's out of many people's budget. That's not a problem in itself, but now, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is heavily discounted in one of its most popular storage options.

Apple likes to tout the life-saving potential of its consumer electronics, but AirTags might secretly be the MVP of its portfolio in that regard.

The Leicester Mercury reported that a UK theft victim was able to use the tracking device to find and recover a stolen motorcycle, with the help of local police. Apparently, the AirTag was hidden underneath the bike's seat, and the thief was keeping the bike in his bedroom. Police arrived, announced they were searching the premises, and found it there after it was stolen earlier this month.

SEE ALSO: Every Apple product announcement we still expect in 2025 and beyond — AirTags, Macs, and HomePod

That's stunningly bad OPSEC by the person in question, who pleaded guilty to the theft last week. Funnily enough, that's not even the only time someone recovered a stolen motorcycle using AirTags in the month of September. Two suspects were arrested in Missouri earlier this month after they also allegedly stole a motorcycle, though they at least found and discarded the AirTag shortly after the theft, according to investigators. There was also a case a few weeks ago where someone tracked down their stolen luggage and found an alleged thief wearing their clothes, again just from using AirTags.

At any rate, this is all perfect and totally accidental marketing for Apple.

The Toyota RAV4 has been unstoppable in the U.S. car market. In 2024, it even ended the Ford F-150’s 40-year reign as the nation’s top seller, and the hybrid version played a huge role in that win.

65% OFF: As of Sept. 29, Mashable readers can get 65% off the Fortect Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite, dropping its price from $169.94 to $58.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fortect Get 65% off Fortect Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization Suite $58.95 at Fortect
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While Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite is usually available for $169.94 annually, Mashable readers can enjoy a 65% discount on it through the link above that drops it to $58.95 annually. This suite is stacked with software to help keep your favorite devices safe, too.

SEE ALSO: Best VPN 2025: Tested for performance, trustworthiness, value, and more

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This special promotion won't last for long, so if you've been looking for an all-in-one solution to better optimize your PC and keep it running safely, don't miss out on 65% off Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite.

Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA) has been bought out by a group of investors in what is now the largest-ever buyout from private equity firms.

The consortium of investors, which includes Silver Lake, PIF, and Affinity Partners, will be acquiring EA for $55 billion and will be taking the company private.

Silver Lake is a well-known name in the tech sector and was most recently in the news for being one of the Trump administration-approved U.S. companies to take over TikTok. PIF is Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and has largely funded Affinity Partners, which was founded by President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

EA is one of the biggest video game developers in the world, with titles ranging from FIFA to Battlefield to The Sims franchise.

“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business" said EA Chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson in a statement. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come."

As previously reported by Mashable, Saudi Arabia has made a number of investments in the video game industry in recent years. PIF holds stake in Nintendo, Call of Duty and World of Warcraft developer Activision Blizzard, and the developer of the Grand Theft Auto franchise Take-Two Interactive. In fact, PIF already held a nearly 10 percent stake in EA at the time of the acquisition.

The PIF launched the Savvy Games Group in 2021 specifically dedicated to video game and esports-related investments. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serves as the chairman for the Savvy Games Group.

I'll be honest with you, I've never really bothered with "real" cable management when building any of my PCs over the years. I started to care a little more when computer cases got side windows, but even then my "management" is nothing compared to the obsessive lengths some people go to.

SAVE $62.65: As of Sept. 29, the Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker is on sale for just $116.35 at Amazon. That's 35% off its usual list price of $179 and its best price since January.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker $116.35 at Amazon
$179 Save $62.65 Get Deal

As if you need another excuse to celebrate your favorite beverage, Monday, Sept. 29 is officially National Coffee Day. There are plenty of ways to snag a discounted or free cup, but if you'd rather invest in your at-home coffee experience, you can grab a Nespresso machine for 35% off at Amazon.

As of Sept. 29, the Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker is on sale for just $116.35. That's over $62 off its regular list price of $179 and its best price since January. The only thing better than getting your beloved caffeine fix is getting it at a discount. This deal comes just a week ahead of the formal start of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. There's a chance it could drop even further in price, but if you'd rather not gamble, we can ensure you're getting a great price if you grab it today.

Unlike most countertop espresso makers, which are total eyesores, the Vertuo Next is slim, sleek, and won't take up too much real estate on your countertop. The water tank is even removable to truly optimize your space. It heats up in just 30 seconds and lets you brew coffee in various formats at the touch of a single button. Choose from six different brew styles: 5, 8, 12 and 18-ounce coffees, as well as single and double espressos brewed hot or over ice. Just pop in a Nespresso Vertuo capsule, fill up the 37-ounce water tank, select your brew size, and you're good to go. The Vertuo machines can read the barcode on each capsule and automatically adjust the settings to brew it perfectly every time.

If you're looking to step-up your single-serve coffee brewing experience at home, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is a solid pick — especially at 35% off.

Apple has quietly slipped in a great new feature into iOS 26 that makes receiving photos in the Messages app much faster. Your recipient can now get a smaller-sized preview of an image almost instantly, well before the full-resolution file even finishes sending.

Cover screens on older Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models are finally getting access to Google Gemini.

As spotted by Android Authority, the Z Flip 5 and 6 — both of which share the same cover screen design as the newer Flip 7 lineup — have been updated to support Gemini. The feature debuted with the Flip 7 and was notably absent from earlier models.

Using Gemini on the cover screen of the Flip 5 and 6 isn’t entirely seamless, but it works. You still get core features like voice and text input, Gemini Live, and the ability to share your camera feed. Screen sharing, however, is missing. Android Authority also points out that long-pressing the power button simply prompts you to open the phone instead of launching Gemini, which adds to the inconvenience.

The update appears to be tied to Samsung’s One UI 8 rollout over the past few days. For older Z Flip owners, it’s finally a chance to tap into Gemini’s AI features — quirks and all.

Smart displays are the perfect centerpiece for anyone's smart home setup. Amazon’s Echo Hub is one of the best ones so far, and now, it's back to its lowest price.

I was recently staring at my boxes of keyboard switches and keycaps and wondered what would happen if I mixed them all on one board. With a hot-swappable keyboard, it was easy enough to try, so I went ahead and gave my Frankenstein keyboard a spin.

Android’s openness has always been its strength, but that freedom is about to face some resistance. Starting next year, unverified developers will be blocked from distributing apps even from outside the Play Store. Open-source app store F-Droid has some serious concerns about this.

Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, and while many of us are thrilled about the performance, people on social media are — of course — giving some mixed responses.

Apple Music announced the Puerto Rican superstar as the halftime performer during Sunday Night Football yesterday, according to NBC News.

"What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history," Bad Bunny said in a statement released by the NFL, as reported by CNN. He also added, according to NBC News: "Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL," which roughly translates to: "Go and tell your grandma that we will be the Super Bowl Halftime Show."

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Bad Bunny, who was the third-most-played artist on Spotify in 2024, recently wrapped a 30-show, three-month residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is now gearing up for his international tour.

However, some on social media are calling his upcoming Super Bowl performance hypocritical, pointing out that he isn't playing any U.S. dates on his Debí Tirar Más Fotos tour. In an interview with Variety, he said performing in the U.S. felt "unnecessary," and later told i-D that one reason he avoided U.S. shows was a fear that ICE agents "could be outside my concert."

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That said, plenty of users on X are expressing pure joy at the idea of seeing their favorite musician headline one of the biggest cultural moments in the U.S.

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Would it really be a Super Bowl halftime show without a bit of drama surrounding the headliner? Let’s not forget the conversations sparked by Kendrick Lamar's performance last year.

Have you been patiently waiting for the big Samsung Galaxy Android 16 (One UI 8) update to hit your device? If so, we have more good news. This weekend, Samsung started rolling out the stable One UI 8 update for the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Tab S10, and more.

Linux kernel version 6.17 was released over the weekend, bringing with it several performance improvements and enhancements to benefit Linux folks. In particular, some cutting-edge GPUs and CPUs are getting support.