Technology
The best microwaves for your kitchen
The microwave is an underrated addition to any kitchen. Often maligned as the culinary weapon of choice for lazy or unwilling-to-learn chefs, the microwave is undoubtedly there to ensure that meal-making is quick and easy. Sure, you won't make Michelin star-rated cuisine but that's kind of the point. Sometimes quick and easy is exactly what you need. Never underestimate the need for convenience.
Whether you're out of ideas, short on time, or just taking it easy, the microwave is there to make sure you're well fed. If in doubt, opt for the microwave, whether you're warming up last night's leftovers or you need a fancy a ready meal in two minutes.
There's a huge range of microwaves out there. It's great to have options, but — a bit like look at meal options too — much choice can become a problem. How are you supposed to know which model is right for you and your kitchen? This is where we can help. We've put together a helpful guide and a round-up of the best models. Read on and the best choice should jump out at you and go "ping".
Are there different types of microwaves?You're likely to come across a few different types of microwaves when shopping around for the best model. There are three key types of microwaves:
Solo Microwave — This is the most basic microwave type of microwave. It can defrost and heat your food, and that's it.
Grill Microwave — A small step up from the solo microwave, with a grilling element that can, wait for it, grill your food.
Combi Microwave — The ultimate in microwave cooking, with the ability to grill, bake, and even roast. So it's essentially a conventional oven in microwave form.
You're likely to encounter microwaves with even more advanced cooking features, like the ability to steam and air fry, but these are the essential categories.
What is the best wattage for a microwave?A microwave with a higher wattage should cook your food more quickly and efficiently. It doesn't always work out that way though. You're better off reading reviews — particularly comments regarding cooking speed and efficiency.
What are the most important features in a microwave?There are plenty of things to consider when buying a microwave, and keeping a few features in mind throughout the purchasing process can make things a lot easier. These are the most important features in a microwave:
Power — Most microwaves give you the choice of a range of power levels, which is useful when you're switching up your meals. This might be a surprise to some, but you don't need to blast every item in your microwave at maximum power.
Preset programs — Some models that offer programs that automatically adjust the power and cooking time based on what food you've got in there.
Defrosting — It seems like an obvious feature because almost all microwaves are equipped with a defrost function. But the quality of this feature can vary. Cheaper microwaves may have just one defrost setting, whereas others will have accurate defrost timings for specific food types and the weight of food.
Convection cooking — This simulates oven cooking by using an additional heating that circulates heat evenly. Convection cooking is the thing that usually determines whether your microwave is a combi microwave or not, as a combi microwave combines regular microwave cooking with convection cooking or other methods.
Inverter technology — This delivers a consistent power level so your food cooks evenly. This allows the microwave to cook at different power levels, giving you precise temperature control no matter what type of meal you're cooking. This prevents the age old problem of microwaved food that's hot on the outside and cold in the middle.
Safety — Have you got kids? You may benefit from a microwave with a child lock option. This locks the control panel, giving you some much needed peace of mind. There are already so many dangerous items in the kitchen, so it's good to know that the microwave isn't something to worry about.
Keep these features in mind when shopping for your next microwave.
What is the best microwave for your kitchen?We've tried to make the purchase process easier by lining up a selection of top microwaves from top brands. There should be something for everyone and every budget. We recommend taking your time and properly considering all the options.
These are the best microwaves in 2025.
The best headphones for Samsung devotees
Your Samsung smartphone might offer plenty of great features, but we'll bet that the earphones it came with aren't that great. That's a standard-issue problem with standard-issue earbuds. You're better off upgrading by buying a pair of earphones or headphones that offer superior audio and features.
But before you jump in and invest in a fancy new set, it's worth thinking about your specific requirements — particularly as a Samsung user. After all, some headphones are geared towards Samsung devices, and some are geared towards Apple devices.
Where will you use your headphones? Do you commute regularly? Do you love using Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant? Do you need noise cancellation? It's important to pick a pair that works for you. Especially if you're looking to spend a sizeable wedge of money. To help get through the jargon and figure out what works best for your Samsung devices, here's a quick guide.
Are wired or wireless headphones better?When buying headphones, you can choose between wired headphones, wireless, or even "true" wireless. Wired means you plug them into your headphone jack with cables trailing up to your ears. This can be an issue if you're moving around a lot and don't want to get tangled up. These do tend to be cheaper than wireless solutions, though.
Wireless headphones, meanwhile, are typically connected via Bluetooth. That means you're free to move around without being physically connected to your device.
The latest Samsung smartphones don’t have a headphone jack. Instead, they have a USB-C port that connects to the standard-issue earphones. In other words, Samsung is following Apple in moving towards wireless listening. Be aware of this when ordering headphones that still use an old-school jack connection.
Should you buy headphones or earbuds?Wired, wireless, and true wireless aren't the only variations you have to consider. There are also on-ear headphones or in-ear earphones aka earbuds. Neither is technically better than the other. It all comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of on-ear headphones. Others like buds that feed music directly into their ears.
There are benefits to both. On-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, while in-ear earphones are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. They’re also better suited to fitness or commuting.
What is noise cancellation?Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a clever bit of tech that blocks out external sound. It uses mini microphones that detect incoming noise and then create anti-sound waves to cancel out that noise. Some headphones have variations of ANC, such as “adaptive” noise cancellation, which cleverly adapts to your surroundings, or ambient modes which let in certain types of external noise such as other people’s voices, so you know when someone has started a conversation.
Are Beats headphones compatible with Samsung?This is a commonly asked question, because Beats is such a popular brand but was bought by Apple back in 2014. You'd think that you can't use Beats headphones with your Samsung smartphone but that is not the case. The people at Beats are quick to remind listeners that their headphones sync with other types of devices straight out of the box. They have one-touch pairing with Android devices and there's a Beats app specifically for Android. Although you will miss out on some iOS features.
Are cheap headphones any good?It's pretty easy to find cheap headphones, but there are reasons why they're so inexpensive. Typically, you get what you pay for, and the cheapest set is going to be lacking. You'll want to make sure your headphones offer decent battery life, sound quality, durability, and portability, because otherwise you're just wasting your cash. The more you spend, the more features you tend to get.
What are the best headphones for Samsung devices?If the sheer number of headphone options has you feeling overwhelmed, do not fear. We've made the whole process much easier. We've done the research, listened to the experts (not to mention some tunes), and pulled together a selection of your best options. Just pick something that sounds good to you.
These are the best headphones for Samsung devices in 2025.
How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now
Horror stories from robot vacuum owners mostly stem from two fixable mishaps: They accidentally bought a dinky robot vacuum or merely haven't set their very capable robot vacuum up for success in the settings.
For those who resonate with the first statement — you need to upgrade from your ancient five-year-old Roomba, for example — I've vetted a handful of good robot vacuum recommendations. (I've even curated a list of cheap robot vacuums that actually work well, if you still want to pay a price similar to your current clunker.)
SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has bothBut for those who purchased a robot vacuum more recently — as in, you did your research and know your model has more potential than you're seeing — there may be some robot vacuum features that you're just not fully taking advantage of. These settings, like suction power adjustment or customizable cleaning zones, are kind of hidden in plain sight in most robot vacuum apps. We knew they were there at one point, but it's easy for our conscious mind to go full hands-off mode and expect a robotic vacuum to do everything right, right off the bat.
Throughout my years of testing robot vacuums in my own various apartments, I've developed a pretty solid strategy for customizing robot vacuum settings to work for various home sizes, number of rooms, and floor types. These obvious robot vacuum tips are the ones many people blow off, but they make a huge difference.
Get detailed with mapping and zone cleaningA big component of how proficiently a robot vacuum does its job is how intimately it knows your living space. Much of this comes from the robot vacuum's initial mapping run of your home — and while many robot vacuums actually create a fairly accurate map on the first try, it probably won't be perfect. The first step is to split or merge rooms, and even that's easy to be lazy about. There was a period of time where I'd simply use the map a robot vacuum created even if it incorrectly mushed two rooms together. Then, I realized my life didn't have to involve so much dragging and dropping. Editing and labeling all the rooms off the bat makes the chore much more streamlined in the future.
The Roborock Saros 10 knows every room and floor type in my apartment. Credit: Screenshot: Roborock The Roomba Home app lets you label recurring cleaning zones in the map. Credit: Screenshot: iRobotMy personal favorite strategy is to get super extra with customizing cleaning zones within those rooms. Some apps don't offer recurring zones, so I just create a room like "front door." Others do let you add permanent cleaning zones to the map, which I always use to designate the areas that get dirty faster, like the area around a litter box. These let the robot vacuum get in and out quicker on days that you're not conducting a whole-home clean.
Yes, smart mapping is valuable even in small apartments with only two or three rooms. Without it, you won't get the luxury of virtual boundaries with zone cleaning. You'll still want to be able to say "mop in this square, but don't mop in this square," or draw a keep-out zone near the pile of cords by the TV stand.
SEE ALSO: I found the most impressive robot vacuum under $500. You've never heard of it.Sub-tip: If you're reading this in your preliminary shopping phase, rule out robot vacuums that don't have smart mapping at all. Bumping around and hoping for the best just isn't worth it when smart mapping is a present feature in so many budget robot vacuums. Not all robot vacuum brands will phrase this in the same way, but look for key phrases like "home mapping" or "clean by room." After all, cleaning performance can't even come into play unless the robot vacuum makes it to the right spot in the first place.
Send it for two cleaning passes instead of oneWatching other people watch a robot vacuum clean for the first time is always entertaining. There's almost guaranteed to be a shit talking session about the vac missing a spot. While some junky robotic vacuum cleaners are simply bad at cleaning, a lot of people don't realize the app has a built-in backup plan: Toggle two passes instead of one.
You can select multiple passes in the robot vacuum's app. Credit: Screenshot: iRobotThe first round can be a fluke sometimes, especially if the side brushes accidentally swept a crumb the wrong way. There have been countless times when I've watched a robot vacuum do a mediocre job the first time around, turn away for a second, and look back to see the same area sparkling clean after a second pass.
Also, remember that many robot vacuums clean the edges of the room first, and then go back to sweep in rows down the middle. Don't get frustrated right away if your robot vacuum "misses" something within the first few minutes of cleaning. It's very possible that that droplet or piece of debris will be grabbed in the latter half of cleaning.
Adjust suction and water settings on a case-by-case basis The Roborock Saros 10 cleaning a rug on max suction. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The Roborock Saros 10R mopping the kitchen floor with heavy water flow. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableNot all messes on the floor are created equal. Many of your robot vacuum's cleaning sessions won't be much more than a daily skim for new dust and hair that's accumulated in the past 24 hours. But other times, your robot vacuum actually will be tackling legitimate spills, or extra-furry spots on the carpet — messes that require more oomph than the default setting you use daily. Most robot vacuum apps have a settings tab where you can scale suction power up or down (and water flow, if it's a robot vacuum that mops), so you can adjust the cleaning intensity based on how soiled the floor is.
SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros 10R aces one thing that most other robot vacuums can'tFor instance, I make sure to use heavy water flow when a robot vacuum is mopping the gross shoe area near the front door, or if I've sent it to wipe up a liquid splatter. I settle for moderate suction power for bathroom cleanings to avoid the botvac sucking up my bath mats, but I'm sure to crank it up to the highest suction setting for rooms with rugs covered in cat hair.
Some premium robot vacuums have the option to let AI decide the cleaning settings for the room or zone you've selected. While I do appreciate robot vacuums that automatically boost suction power whenever carpet is sensed, I still prefer to tweak the settings myself — I know my cleaning preferences better than a machine.
Manage your expectations, like actuallyWhile customizing the above settings can expand the variety (or severity) of messes a robot vacuum can tackle, they're not always all-powerful. Even the most powerful robot vacuums have limits due to the compact motor that their slim build requires. It's impractical to send it over a catastrophic mess, like a giant pile of spilled powdered sugar or a spilled full glass of juice, and expect spotless results on the first try. If you're expecting a heavy-duty clean like that, you should probably just buy a heavy-duty stick vacuum instead.
This Linux Laptop Has a Powerful AMD Ryzen Chip
Linux-first laptops are overlooked because of their specs sometimes, but you can find some pretty sweet and powerful deals on the open-source side of the pond. This laptop by Tuxedo is one of the most powerful you can buy, and it comes with Linux out of the box.
I Install This Open-Source Video Editor on All My Computers, Here's Why
The Adobe Suite is a mainstay of creatives everywhere, and one of the most common apps is Adobe Premiere—the video-editing software. However, I've switched to an open-source alternative, and I don't regret it for a moment.
After 20 Years, I've Finally Found a Replacement for WinRAR
WinRAR has been such a steadfast part of the Windows experience that its payment model—politely nagging users to buy a license—has become a meme. But after more than 20 years, I've finally found an alternative.
The fastest mobile services have been ranked, and there’s a clear winner
For as long as the industry has existed, mobile carriers have been competing to offer the biggest and fastest mobile network. You can find yearly stats on the big players' speeds since the 3G era. Well, testing hasn’t stopped, and carriers have continued to expand and beef up their networks to get faster download speeds, especially since they could soon be competing with satellite internet providers like Starlink.
So, what is the fastest mobile network in 2025?
Ookla, the company behind the popular internet speed testing service Speedtest, has published new stats measuring network speed for the first half of 2025. And the new Speedtest Connectivity Report contains very good news for T-Mobile customers.
(Disclosure: Ookla and Mashable are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)
T-Mobile has the fastest mobile networkPer Ookla, T-Mobile’s speeds are heads and shoulders above its competition. Based on download speeds, upload speeds, and other metrics, Ookla assigns a “speed score” to carriers. T-Mobile scored 74.45 through June 2025. The next closest carrier was Verizon at 65.72, while AT&T scored 63.16. In short, the competition for the first half of 2005 wasn’t particularly close. T-Mobile clearly won. In fact, in addition to the naming T-Mobile the fastest network, Ookla also crowned T-Mobile with the best overall mobile network and the best 5G network.
T-Mobile collected its win based on a variety of metrics, but most of all was its consistency. T-Mobile was the fastest carrier overall in 46 states and Washington, D.C., while Verizon only had the fastest speeds in North Dakota. Per Ookla, the results in the remaining four states were “too close to call.” AT&T wasn't the fastest carrier in any U.S. state or territory.
T-Mobile also reigned supreme in most large U.S. cities, although AT&T took the top spot for Chicago, while Verizon Wireless scored highest in San Francisco.
T-Mobile claims back-to-back-to-back winsThese results shouldn’t be terribly surprising. T-Mobile’s network speed has been at the top of the stack for a few years now across multiple testing methods. In 2021, PCMag drove 10,000 miles and tested all three major networks, concluding that T-Mobile was the fastest. T-Mobile has carried the title of fastest mobile network ever since, including in Ookla’s 2023 report as well as its 2024 report.
Verizon has the best mobile network for streamingVerizon was the second-fastest mobile network, according to Ookla. And while T-Mobile nabbed the best overall spot, Ookla named Verizon the best mobile network for streaming. Verizon also received the highest 5G streaming score.
So, if you're interested purely in speed, T-Mobile wins out. However, Verizon has a lot to offer customers interested in streaming video on their devices.
AT&T is the fastest ISPUnfortunately for AT&T customers, the carrier didn't win any awards in the lastest Ookla rankings. However, AT&T did rank highest in a related category. In the same report, the AT&T Fiber network was named the top-rated internet service provider overall. It was also named the fastest ISP, with the highest median download speed. AT&T also ranked highest among all ISPs in the "Consumer Sentiment" category.
So, for customers who often connect to WiFi, AT&T does offer some advantages.
Remembering Sony VAIO: The 5 Most Beautiful Sony Laptops in History
When you think of iconic laptops, you might immediately think of the IBM ThinkPad, or the Apple MacBook. However, Sony used to be quite the leader in beautiful, cutting-edge laptop design—its VAIO series.
It's Time for Something Better Than the PDF
No matter who you are or what sort of things you do in life, there's a pretty good chance you have to deal with PDF files from time to time. This document format has had its day, and it causes numerous problems on modern screens, yet it just doesn't show any signs of going away.
This 90s Apple iBook Has Modern USB-C Power
Mods on old hardware can be especially cool. While an old 90s laptop shouldn't be driven daily by anyone, that didn't stop this person from making their old iBook a tad more modern than even some laptops these days.
Every Operating System Should Copy This Unique Chromebook Feature
Operating systems have to strike a balance between supporting older technologies, and avoiding unnecessary bloat from accumulated components over the decades. Which is why developers like Microsoft or Apple may eventually dump support for legacy hardware, since hardly anyone uses it.
Unreal Engine 5 Makes Things Better for Developers, Not Players
Unreal Engine 5 is an absolute marvel—for developers. With tools like Nanite and Lumen, studios can create stunning visuals faster than ever before, using assets with unprecedented fidelity.
Google Chrome adds online store reviews to help you know if a retailer is legit
If you're an experienced online shopper, then you know what it's like to question a site's legitimacy. It's common to come across something cool — or something you've been searching for far and wide, like, say, a Labubu — only to be unsure if the site is a scam.
Google Chrome is rolling out a new tool aimed at helping you see if a website is legit. While Google already provides details on product reviews in its search results, you'll now be able to see reviews of the store itself before you buy anything, built right into Chrome.
Wrote Google in a blog post on the new tool:
"This feature uses data from Google Shopping and other popular review websites to provide people with helpful insights when shopping on e-commerce sites.
Just click the icon to the left of the web address and you can access an AI-generated summary of reviews. The description will cover topics like customer service, product quality, shipping, pricing and returns, helping you understand what to expect from your shopping experience at a glance."
Here's what a store review will look like.
Credit: GoogleSo now when you find something you really like online, you've got another tool to be certain your order is legit.
5 Linux KDE Plasma Features that Completely Changed How I Use My PC
Are you using KDE Plasma but still working the same way you did on Windows? Do you wonder if you're getting the most out of your KDE Plasma setup? Well, here are five game-changing features that completely transformed how I use and interact with my PC!
If you want to write a book, this AI tool can help
TL;DR: Youbooks is a unique AI tool that combines AI models to write your book how you want it, and it’s only A$75 for life.
Opens in a new window Credit: Youbooks Youbooks - AI Non-Fiction Book Generator: Lifetime Subscription AU$75AU$827 Save AU$752 Get Deal
If you’ve ever thought about writing a book but got stuck on where to start, Youbooks can help get you over that hurdle.
This AI-powered platform helps transform your ideas into professional-quality nonfiction books, and right now, you can get a lifetime subscription for just A$75 (reg. A$827).
AI can write your bookWhat makes Youbooks stand from other AI tools is its use of multiple AI models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama, to craft well-rounded and coherent content. You can create massive manuscripts of up to 300,000 words, so whether you’re a content creator, educator, or entrepreneur, Youbooks gives you a solid way to bring your ideas to life.
You can even upload your own research, documents, or notes to steer the AI in the right direction and make sure the final product reflects your voice and expertise. Plus, Youbooks taps into real-time web research to pull in current facts and stats, keeping your book accurate and up to date.
You also have a lot of flexibility when it comes to style. You can set the tone and writing style you want, and once your book is ready, you own it completely. You’re free to publish, sell, or share it however you like.
With 150,000 monthly credits included (and the option to stack codes for more), there’s plenty of room to create.
It’s now only A$75 to get a Youbooks lifetime subscription, but it won’t stay that way.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Cash App's Newest Feature Is a Game Changer For Group Expenses
Splitting expenses for things like group trips with friends can be hard. But it doesn't have to be. Cash App just rolled out a really solid money pool feature, and the most important part is that you don't need all your friends to sign up for Cash App.
The Shortcut AI Excel agent could one-shot spreadsheet jobs. Heres how to try it.
There's a new AI agent on the block for people who spend their waking hours inside spreadsheets.
Navigate to Shortcut AI's website, and you'll find a page that looks almost exactly like an empty Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The main difference is a sidebar chatbot that can be tasked with taking on the tedious legwork of building, say, complex financial models or competitive analyses.
Because Shortcut is agentic, meaning it can handle multi-step tasks on the user's behalf, the tool can do more than just generate Excel formulas or analyze spreadsheet data. In a demo on X, Nico Christie, founder and CEO of the Shortcut AI agent, showed how the tool swapped out the data from a Microsoft distributed cash flow analysis (DCF) for Google data by looking up Google's SEC filings and populating the data in the same template.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Shortcut launched on Monday with a rather ominous tagline: "Try Shortcut (before your boss does)." Christie also said on X that the Shortcut Excel agent "one-shots most knowledge work tasks on Excel."
In the launch video, Christie said that the company tested Shortcut's skills in private equity, banking, consulting, and product management tasks against first-year analysts from McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and other firms.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.When scored by managers from the same firm, he said Shortcut "won" against the analysts 89.1 percent of the time, although details about how this "win rate" was scored is unspecified. Christie also claimed Shortcut beat ChatGPT Agent 90 percent of the time. Mashable cannot independently verify these claims, however.
The advent of agentic work tools like Shortcut calls to mind Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's prediction that AI could wipe out half of entry-level white collar jobs. Disruptive tech throughout history has often targeted manual labor and blue-collar jobs through automation and robotics. But today's advanced AI models promise to automate desk job grunt work and even complex office tasks. A recent study from SignalFire found a decrease in hiring for entry-level tech jobs, suggesting AI's impact on the job market is already in effect.
The optimistic view is that tools like Shortcut will work for workers by automating time-consuming tasks, and thus freeing up space for more creative and strategic work that AI isn't as a good at. The outcome may vary from company to company, but agentic AI already shaping the way employees approach their jobs.
Indeed, the Shortcut AI agent is marketed as a secret weapon for finance bros, consultants, and the like. You can edit existing Excel files in Shortcut and export it back to Excel. "No one would ever know that it was made in Shortcut," Christie said in the launch video.
And heavy spreadsheet users are already paying attention. "Looks like a massive part of finance workflow got automated by AI," said finance creator and writer @HighYieldHarry on X.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed."This is a really big moment for the Finance industry! Exciting times we're in," posted Michael Yuan, cofounder of fintech company Waverly AI.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Yuan also pointed out some of Shortcuts current limitations: it's slow and has formatting issues. Christie himself also shared that it's "not perfect" and needs to be easier for users to review.
How to try Shortcut AIShortcut offers two plans: Shortcut Pro for $40 a month or Shortcut Max for $200 a month, which gets power users everything in the Pro subscription plus unlimited access to its more advanced model and other perks. There's also a 7-day free trial for either option.
You can learn more at tryshortcut.ai.
Note: The Shortcut AI Excel agent is unrelated to the iOS Shortcuts app, which Apple said would be getting an AI makeover during WWDC 2025. There is also an unrelated agentic AI company called Shortcut.
Move over, Labubu: Pop Marts Crybaby is taking center stage
You’ve seen Labubu all over your social media feeds, but now it’s Crybaby’s time to shine. One of Pop Mart's cult-favorite characters, Crybaby is everything its name suggests: soft, sensitive, and unafraid to show it. With juicy teardrops streaming down its face and an aura of quiet vulnerability, Crybaby wears its emotions proudly.
It's tearfully chic. Just ask its celebrity fans: BLACKPINK’s Lisa, who was spotted toting the Love You Cherry Much plush on her Louis Vuitton bag, internet personality Bretman Rock, and (G)I-DLE's Minnie.
SEE ALSO: The cult and community of LabubuNow, the character is taking a sparkly, tutu-clad turn with the new Crybaby Shiny Shiny Series, a limited collection of plush accessories and collectibles that channels full balletcore energy. There are plush bag charms dressed in white tulle skirts and ballet buns, fuzzy dolls with pearl necklaces and floppy bunny ears, and glittering phone cases and cardholders that let you carry a little catharsis everywhere you go.
The collection dropped on July 24 in stores and online. And while some of the online stock quickly sold out, you don't want to miss out on future Crybaby drops.
Crybaby Shiny Shiny Plush Pendant Blister Pack ($24.99)A ballet bag charm with a tear-streaked face and a tutu.
Wear your emotions on your bag. Credit: POP MART Crybaby Shiny Shiny Plush Doll ($43.99)Ultra-textured and dreamy, with bunny ears and soft pastel details.
Your emotional support doll is draped in pearls and emotionally available. Credit: POP MART Crybaby Shiny Shiny Earphone Case ($20.99)A sculptural pouch for your AirPods that’s equal parts cute and functional.
Even your earbuds deserve a safe space to cry. Credit: POP MART Crybaby Shiny Shiny Phone Case ($25.99)Available for iPhone 15 and 16 Pro Max.
Text your ex with grace and glitter. Credit: POP MART Crybaby Shiny Shiny Card Holder Blind Box ($19.99)There are six surprise designs (plus one secret edition).
A surprise with every tear. Credit: POP MARTCreated by Thai artist Molly Yllom (Mod-Nisa Srikhumdee) after the death of her dog Somchun, Crybaby isn’t meant to be a person or even a baby, but a vessel for emotion. "Crying is a normal thing, is a normal feeling,” Yllom said in a Pop Mart video from 2024. "Maybe sometimes we feel like there should be someone telling me that it is OK to cry."
View this post on InstagramThat’s the core of Crybaby: not just a toy, but a tender little reminder that it’s OK to fall apart sometimes. And it’s resonated deeply. While the character first debuted in 2017, it became part of Pop Mart's official lineup in 2022 and quickly cultivated a global fandom.
SEE ALSO: Where can you buy Labubu online?With the Shiny Shiny collection, Crybaby is stepping into its most glamorous form yet — still vulnerable, still tearful, but sparkling with new confidence. It’s not just cute; it's a wearable mood. And now your tech can be too.
Where the I have one daughter TikTok trend came from
Have you ever had an incredibly stupid conversation with someone on a dating app before?
TikTok creator Luke Holloway takes those conversations and turns them into very, very catchy little songs. You've probably heard some of the tunes before, as part of his series "Day X of turning terrible TINDER conversations into songs," but none more than the now-viral "I have one daughter" video. It goes like this:
Holloway, dressed in a white cable-knit sweater: "You have any kids?"
Holloway, dressed in a green blouse and a white wig: "Yes, I have one daughter. How about you?"
Holloway in the sweater: "How many baby daddies do you have? If you don't mind me asking."
Holloway in the wig: "... I have one daughter."
Holloway in the sweater: "I understand that, is she by the same father?"
Holloway in the wig: "I don't understand."
You get the gist. It's a goofy conversation in which one person does not comprehend a fairly easy-to-comprehend issue. Unless you're the plot of Mamma Mia, chances are if you have one baby, you also have one baby daddy.
But Holloway's song is devastatingly catchy. I've been singing it for weeks. "I have one daughter," I sing as I float around my apartment doing the dishes or cooking dinner. Because of its catchiness, the video has 1.2 million likes and over 14 million views. The audio itself has been used over 65,500 times on the app, with users putting text over it to describe frustrating conversations about selling books, having vitiligo, and being a parent.
Holloway didn't immediately respond to Mashable's request for an interview, but the trend doesn't seem to be slowing — likely because, as one user said in the comment section of his video, "This is beyond catchy."
Final warning: Microsoft will delete your passwords unless you act ASAP
Microsoft is killing off the password functionality in its popular Microsoft Authenticator app as the company moves toward a "password-less" future. That means your passwords will be deleted on Aug. 1 — this Friday — unless you act quickly.
We've covered the ongoing Microsoft password saga in detail, but now the key deadline is approaching. The long and short of it: Microsoft is migrating to using passkeys — a more secure credential that effectively rolls passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) into one step — which means removing passwords from Authenticator. You can still store passkeys with the app.
In lieu of traditional passwords, users will need to set up passkeys with Microsoft, which isn't too difficult. That's option one. Option two involves saving your existing passwords with Microsoft Edge.
So, if you've been procrastinating on migrating your passwords or setting up a passkey, you're almost out of time.
How to set up a passkey with MicrosoftIt's easy to set up passkeys because, after all, Microsoft has planned for this change. In fact, if you use Microsoft Authenticator, then it should prompt you to switch to passkeys. From there, Microsoft should detect and determine the best method for you to set up a passkey — facial recognition, fingerprint, PIN, etc. — and then walk you through the steps.
You can also look for a "set up a passkey" button in the Authenticator app, which will allow you to... set up a passkey.
SEE ALSO: Don't forget: Microsoft is killing passwords. How to set up a Microsoft passkey before August deadline. How to save your passwords before Microsoft deletes themNow, let's say you don't want to migrate to using passkeys. Well, first, your passwords have migrated to Microsoft Edge, the company's web browser. If you're using Edge on desktop, iOS, or Android, you can turn on the "autofill" function in settings to have your passwords automatically load.
If you're not an Edge user, you can also export your passwords and load them into a different password manager before Friday's deadline. You can find an "Export Passwords" tool in the settings of the Microsoft Authenticator app. From there, you can import that file into pretty much any new password manager tool. Should you wish to go that route, we can recommend a few password managers.
So, yes, you may lose your passwords in a few days — but it's pretty easy to prevent it.