Technology

Whether you're an experienced Excel pro or you've just switched from another spreadsheet software, many of the default settings make the program frustrating to use. But you don't have to settle for these defaults! Here are some tweaks that will make life easier and speed up your workflow.

Cooler Master has revealed a new PC case with an adaptable design and two color options, and it might look familiar to anyone who has seen Apple's Mac Pro desktop. Meet the Cooler Master Qube 540.

A group representing Japanese animation companies — notably, the widely beloved Studio Ghibli — has demanded OpenAI stop using their art to train Sora 2, its AI video tool.

The trade group called the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) released a statement this week, stating that it had submitted a request to OpenAI at the behest of its member companies.

Wrote CODA:

"CODA has confirmed that a large portion of content produced by Sora 2 closely resembles Japanese content or images. CODA has determined that this is the result of using Japanese content as machine learning data. In cases, as with Sora 2, where specific copyrighted works are reproduced or similarly generated as outputs, CODA considers that the act of replication during the machine learning process may constitute copyright infringement.

Furthermore, according to media reports, it has been stated that Sora 2 responds through an opt-out system based on requests from copyright holders. However, under Japan’s copyright system, prior permission is generally required for the use of copyrighted works, and there is no system allowing one to avoid liability for infringement through subsequent objections."

CODA requested that OpenAI stop using the art of Japanese animation companies without permission and that the company "responds sincerely to claims and inquiries from CODA member companies regarding copyright infringement."

CODA represents Studio Ghibli, video game publisher Square Enix (maker of Final Fantasy), and many other publishers. No company has had a more checkered history with OpenAI than Studio Ghibli, however.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI's Studio Ghibli-inspired AI art provokes backlash across the internet

A viral trend in March had folks creating Ghibli-style images and videos via ChatGPT and Sora. That proved to be widely controversial, considering that beloved Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is vehemently opposed to AI.

"Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever," he said in a 2016 documentary. "I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself."

That didn't stop OpenAI from fully embracing the trend, however. Now, months later, it appears the fight continues.

Wearables and smart rings are trending product categories, and now two former Meta employees have launched another new smart ring brand called Sandbar.

Sandbar's first product is the Stream smart ring, available for preorder for $249 and set to ship in summer 2026. The Stream doesn't track your heart rate or steps like the Oura Ring, nor is it an AI device like Bee, the wearable company recently acquired by Amazon.

So, what does it do?

The Stream has two primary functions: It acts as a voice recorder to capture and transcribe your thoughts, and it lets you control music with hand gestures.

Of course, your phone and various AI chatbots can already record and transcribe notes. And most headphones and earbuds feature touch controls that allow you to control your music with your hands.

The Sandbar website states that Stream is a "fast, private, & effortless way to capture thoughts in the moment." A companion app organizes your voice notes into reminders, calendar events, or notes; however, users will need to pay $10 per month for a Pro subscription. A free tier "includes unlimited notes and limited chats."

Preview of Stream ring app with voice notes. Credit: Sandbar Preview of Stream ring app with calendar. Credit: Sandbar

In terms of design, the new smart ring has an aluminum outer surface, a resin inner surface, and a glass touchpad. Sandbar says the ring is "resistant to rain and handwashing."

TechCrunch reports that Sandbar was founded by former Meta employees Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong. You can preorder the ring on the Sandbar website.

Google Maps is getting an upgrade thanks to the integration of Gemini. This should make Maps a lot more conversational and have as much information as a tour guide would. The idea is to help you understand where you are going, instead of giving flat directions.

If you're not happy with Liquid Glass, Apple has something for you.

The first major post-iOS 26 update launched this week in the form of iOS 26.1. There are plenty of new features and changes to talk about in the update, but the most pertinent one for our purposes here today is the new tint settings for Liquid Glass, the omnipresent design language introduced in iOS 26. Some people may not like the way push notifications and other UI elements now have a transparent, glassy look. The new iOS update didn't give us the ability to turn it off, necessarily, but there is something you can do, at least.

iOS 26.1: How to tint Liquid Glass Go here first. Credit: Screenshot: Apple/Alex Perry

If you've found it hard to distinguish push notifications from your lock screen's background, this may be for you. Just follow these steps to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings

2. Go to Display & Brightness

3. Go to Liquid Glass and choose between Clear and Tinted

It's right there. Credit: Screenshot: Apple/Alex Perry Left: No tint. Credit: Screenshot: Apple/Alex Perry Right: Tinted. Credit: Screenshot: Apple/Alex Perry

And there you have it. Turning this setting on will make the glassy surfaces more opaque, which does indeed make them stand out more from the background. It's not the same as going back to the way things were, but it's a start.

Critics are roaring for Hamnet, calling it a front-runner of the Academy Award race for Best Picture. Luckily for fans of cinema, Shakespeare, Paul Mescal, and Jessie Buckley, you don't have to wait for this raved-about drama to hit theaters on Nov. 26. Mashable and Focus Features are teaming up for a trio of advance screenings to bring Hamnet to keen viewers ahead of release.

With Hamnet, Oscar-winning director of Nomadland, Chloé Zhao adapts Maggie O'Farrell's historical novel to tell a tale of lust, love, and loss. Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers) stars with Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter, Men), playing William Shakespeare and his witchy wife Agnes. Theirs is a story of brilliant passion that begat three lovely children and world-changing plays, including the great tragedy Hamlet. Now, Hamnet is about the real-life tragedy that inspired Shakespeare to write about the doomed prince.

SEE ALSO: 'Hamnet' review: Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley burn in William Shakespeare tragedy

In Mashable's review out of TIFF, I cheered Mescal and Buckley's riveting chemistry, writing, "In early scenes of courting, they sizzle, each utilizing their well-reputed onscreen intensity." But it's as the film plunges into its tragic turn that both actors sink their teeth into these rich roles, making for a movie that's an absolute must-see.

So how can you see it?

How to see Hamnet early?

Join Mashable and Focus Features for an advanced screening in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, hosted by Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, Social Good Editor Neal Broverman, and Senior Reporter Rebecca Ruiz, respectively.

Details for each advance screening are below:

Hamnet: NYC Advanced Screening

Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 PM ET

AMC Lincoln Square

Hamnet: LA Advanced Screening

Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 PM PT

AMC Century City

Hamnet: SF Advanced Screening

Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 PM PT

AMC Metreon 16

Featured Video For You 'Hedda's Tessa Thompson, Nia DaCosta, and Nina Hoss reveal the secrets to that sexy entrance How to get Hamnet advance screening tickets?

To secure your seat for these advance screenings — at no cost — all you have to do is fill out this linked entry form. Tell us which screening you'd like to attend, and if you'd like to bring a guest. From there, watch your email to see if you've won a spot at these advanced screenings of Hamnet.

Note: If you get confirmed, seating at the events will be first come, first serve. No one will be admitted without being on Focus Feature's confirmation list.

What else do I need to see Hamnet?

I mean, this one is a tearjerker. So, might we suggest bringing tissues?

Hamnet opens in select theaters on Nov. 26; expanding on Dec. 12.

Android has a neat built-in feature for separating your digital work life from your personal life. You can create separate profiles for work and life, isolate both spaces, and switch between them as needed. That way, you won’t get Slack notifications during dinner or family text chain notifications during your work hours. It’ll effectively turn your phone into two devices—one for work and for everything else. Let me show you how.

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 5, the Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for just $199 in every color. That's 43% off their usual list price of $349 and matches their Black Friday price from last year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones $199 at Amazon
$349 Save $150   Get Deal

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the best noise-cancelling headphones we've ever tested, but their more basic sibling — the Bose QuietComfort — are pretty great too. And they're also a whole lot cheaper, if price happens to be a top priority for you.

As of Nov. 5, the Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones are on sale for only $199 in a slew of colors at Amazon. That's $150, or 43%, off their list price of $349 and matches their lowest price on record, which they first reached on Black Friday last year. And FWIW, that's also about $130 cheaper than the Ultras on sale.

They may not hold the top spot like the Ultras, but the QuietComforts still check all the right boxes. They offer impressive noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, rich audio, and up to 24 hours of battery life. Plus, they come in all sorts of colors — all of which are on sale. The drawbacks are they don't offer a form of spatial audio and their app doesn't come with any next-level AI features. But if you just want a solid pair of noise cancellers that you can wear all day, Bose's budget option is a great pick.

As our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) put it in their review, "they absolutely won't disappoint if you want to save a bit of money." Choose from nine different color options and snag a pair for just $199 at Amazon while you can. The price could drop even further on Black Friday 2025, but you can rest assured you're getting a great price (the best price to date) if you shop now.

SAVE $501.99: The 65-inch Sony Bravia 5 mini LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $998, down from the normal price of $1,499.99. That's a 33% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony 65-inch Sony Bravia 5 mini LED 4K TV $998 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $501.99   Get Deal

We might have just passed Halloween, but it's never too early to start holiday films. While the weather is changing outside, it's still warm inside which means it's time to tuck into the best holiday films or catch up on shows you missed earlier in the fall. If your current TV is feeling like a let-down, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of Nov. 5, the 65-inch Sony Bravia 5 mini LED 4K TV is on sale at Amazon for $998, down from the normal price of $1,499.99. That's a 33% discount that saves shoppers a major $501.99. It also matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Sony makes great TVs and the Bravia 5 lineup earns a spot in this category. The mini LED display is designed to show maximum brightness and contrast, in part thanks to the XR Backlight Master Drive. There's also the 4K resolution to brag about.

SEE ALSO: Amazon has slashed over $600 off the 65-Inch 4K QLED Roku Smart TV

This model comes with some features that are perfect for winter gaming sessions, espeically on the PlayStation 5. For starters, the 120Hz refresh rate is solid for ensuring there's no lag or tearing. But Sony also included Auto HDR Tone Mapping that can help optimize your gaming experience. HDMI 2.1 is also a gaming benefit.

The 65-inch Bravia 5 comes with Google TV so all of your favorite streaming apps will neatly display on the screen. Plus, the 65-inch size is usually great for most living rooms or larger bedrooms.

While it's back down at its record-low price, snag the 65-inch Sony Bravia 5 mini LED 4K TV for under $1,000 at Amazon. Winter streaming will get a face-lift thanks to this upgrade.

Resale value matters more than ever when you’re buying an SUV. Nobody wants to watch half their money vanish the moment the wheels leave the lot.

Valve has just released a major upgrade for the Steam Deck that should make it much easier to download games and updates. The device now has a new display-off low-power mode that lets the handheld complete all active downloads before automatically going to sleep.

Samsung's got big plans for 2026.

According to Korean news outlet Maeil Business News (via 9to5Google), the company plans to sell 35 million units of its Galaxy S26 flagship, with 24 million sales coming in the first six months. For comparison, the company estimated 22 million sales for its Galaxy S25 smartphone, which it launched in January this year, in the first six months after launch.

The company also plans to sell five million units of its foldable phones, namely the Fold and Flip models, which aren't coming until July 2026.

Overall, Samsung's mobile division plans to do $90.7 billion in sales next year.

This is notable as Samsung's mobile division doesn't typically make this much in sales. Last year, however, the company's flagship Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 exceeded expectations, and Samsung chalks this up to its phones' AI capabilities.

Samsung's chief rival is Apple, and even though the company also had a great year so far, it's almost universally seen as lagging when it comes to AI in its phones.

SEE ALSO: Samsung reveals key features of upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphones

Samsung recently revealed that new camera sensors, a new chip, and "next-gen AI" will be the key features of the Galaxy S26 phones, which are due to launch next January.

The company didn't say much about its super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge, which apparently isn't selling very well.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.

If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2024-25 Europa League online for free

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2025-26 Champions League?

The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.

How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media (select fixtures including the final)

• UK — Prime Video (select fixtures including semi finals with 30-day free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League 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 a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 also 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 the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

November's Full Moon is the Beaver Moon, and it's brighting up our skies a little bit more tonight because it's a supermoon.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Nov. 5, the moon phase is Full Moon. This means 100% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

The moon is so big and bright in the sky tonight, so there's no shortage of features to spot on its surface (cloud coverage dependent). Without any visual aids, you can see things like the Aristarchus Plateau, and the Serenitatis and Crisium Mares. If you have a pair of binoculars you'll also see the Endymion and Posidonius Craters and the Grimaldi Basin. Finally, with a telescope you'll spot the Reiner Gamma and the Rupes Altai (Altai Scarp).

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through different phases as it travels around Earth over roughly 29.5 days. The phases result from the shifting angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. From our viewpoint, the moon can look fully lit, partially lit, or even vanish from sight, though we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight bouncing off its surface depending on its position in orbit; a repeating pattern called the lunar cycle.

The eight main moon phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There's hardly ever such a thing as truly free money. We pay for everything, in some way: with labor, with time, with suffering.

So getting a payment from a tech or social media settlement isn't exactly free — it's likely the company messed up in some way and it legitimately owes you that cash — but it certainly can feel like getting free money. And if you're already using the tech or platform, then you might as well get paid for the issue.

Here are five major settlements you might want to look into — just to see if you're owed money.

YouTube

In 2019, Google was sued for allegendly collecting data on users under the age of 13. The suit was amended, and re-amended repeatedly, and in January 2025, a judge finally ruled. While the judge only agreed with some of the plaintiff's claims, they ultimately ruled that Google knowingly “engaged in highly offensive conduct." Now, Google has agreed to a $30 million settlement (without admitting any wrongdoing), and a settlement claims website is now live.

So, if you or your kids watched YouTube videos between July 1, 2013 to April 1, 2020 and were under the age of 13 at the time, you should file a claim.

AT&T

AT&T this summer settled data breach lawsuits between 2019 and 2024. If you are an AT&T customer, you might be entitled to some of the $177 million agreement. The company said it would be contacting customers between August and October. If you haven't been contacted, it might be worth reaching out to check. You can also check out a website devoted to the settlement, which has the proper forms, deadlines, and information you need to claim a settlement.

Facebook

Pretty much everyone used Facebook at some point, which means you could be due for a payment. Settlement payouts related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal actually began to roll out last month and could go on for several more weeks. There was a deadline in 2023 to submit a claim — to be honest, who could remember if they filed something two years ago — but those who will get a payout should get an email alerting them to the fact that a payment is forthcoming.

Amazon

The retail and tech giant agreed last month to pay $1.5 billion to an estimated 35 million customers over alleged deceptive practices regarding Prime membership. You could be eligible for a payment if you signed up to be a Prime member between 2019-2025 and did so using one of the so-called "challenged enrollment flows." Certain customers will automatically get paid while others may be sent a claims form by Amazon, depending on their eligibility.

For more information on the Amazon settlement payments, check out Mashable's coverage.

Anthropic

AI company Anthropic agreed last month to pay authors $1.5 billion over allegations that it used their work to train its model. So yes, you'd have to be one of the authors in the case to get paid by this settlement, but the Books3 dataset at issue in the case contains tens of thousands of works. The judge in the case, however, has expressed reservations about that settlement — so it remains to see what will actually result from it.

In the meantime, more class-action suits against AI companies are likely to come soon, including a recent case involving Apple and allegedly pirated books. You can check to see if your work was included in the notorious Books3 library at The Atlantic's searchable database.

SAVE OVER $600: As of Nov. 5, the 65-Inch 4K QLED Roku Smart TV is on sale for $598 at Amazon. This is 50% off its list price of $1,199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 65-Inch Pro Series 4K QLED TV $598 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $601.99   Get Deal

Black Friday is a great time to pick up a new TV at a steep discount. The good news is you don't have to wait for the sale event to officially start to score a deal. Amazon already has some great offers floating around at the moment, including 50% off a sleek 65-Inch 4K QLED Roku Smart TV.

Normally priced at $1,199.99, the 65-Inch 4K QLED Roku Smart TV has dropped down to $598. This allows you to save $601.99, which is a stellar discount to take advantage of ahead of Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: Target's Black Friday sale is starting three weeks early on Nov. 6

This Roku Smart TV offers up a stunning picture, with the help of 4K resolution and a QLED display, alongside a nice 65-inch size that's sure to feel immersive when you put on your favorite movies and shows. Its 120Hz refresh rate is also a great option for video games, allowing support for high-end consoles to hit high frame rates. On top of that, since it's a smart TV, you can keep all of your favorite streaming apps right on the home page for easy access.

Don't wait for Black Friday, score 50% off the 65-Inch 4K QLED Roku Smart TV right now at Amazon. Alternatively, you can also save big on the 65-inch Samsung Class OLED S95F 4K TV at Amazon.

I watch a lot of Prime Video. Whether it's from their own catalog of Prime Originals like The Boys, Fallout, or (one of my favorites) The Legend of Vox Machina, or tucking in to its huge library of movies, there's a lot to choose from.

DJI formally released the new Osmo Mobile 8 today, its third smartphone gimbal stabilizer in seven months. But not everyone can buy it.

More specifically, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is now available in all global markets except for the U.S. It's not surprising: Mashable's Amanda Yeo reported in October that the Chinese company "has been facing significant challenges conducting business in the U.S. as of late, many of which appear to be posed by the federal government." In a July blog post, DJI said U.S. Customs and Border Protection was detaining its popular drones due to claims of using forced labor (which the company has denied).

Many products on DJI's website have been listed as "out of stock" in the U.S. for months — not just its drones, but cameras and mobile accessories, too.

Credit: DJI

For its part, the Osmo Mobile 8 isn't a groundbreaking upgrade from the Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P, which debuted in February. Its key new features include 360-degree camera pans, pet tracking, and Apple DockKit compatibility, which lets it use an iPhone's camera to track objects. Its global launch comes less than two weeks after its initial release in China, where it retails for 898 yuan (or about $126).

Notably, the Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P are still readily available in the U.S. at the time of writing. They're priced at $89 and $129, respectively. (The 7P has an added extension rod and a Multifunctional Module that enables tracking and third-party camera apps.) Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth considers the Osmo Mobile 7 to be the best phone gimbal he's tried, and DJI confirmed to Mashable it will still be available for sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Mobile 7 $89 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Mobile 7P $129 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Few things are more frustrating than realizing the YouTube video you just spent much of your precious time watching was actually uploaded 10 years ago, and its content is outdated. Luckily, you can take some steps to limit the number of old videos you encounter on the popular streaming app.