Technology

Scientists have traced the brightest known fast radio burst to its origin in space, a milestone achievement they hope will provide clues about what's driving these mysterious cosmic flashes. 

The powerful signal, FRB 20250316A, was first spotted in March by the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment, or CHIME, a radio telescope in British Columbia. The burst lasted less than one-thousandth of a second but carried more energy than the sun produces in four days. 

What set this event apart was what happened next. Using a new network of CHIME "Outrigger" stations — three miniature versions of the radio antenna in California, West Virginia, and British Columbia — researchers were able to home in on the burst’s location. That led them to a specific spot in the spiral galaxy NGC 4141, about 130 million light-years away in the Big Dipper constellation. 

Scientists say that kind of accuracy is unprecedented for a single burst of this magnitude. Amanda Cook, a McGill University researcher who led one of the studies, likened the precision to spotting a quarter from more than 60 miles away. 

"This result marks a turning point: Instead of just detecting these mysterious flashes, we can now see exactly where they’re coming from," Cook said in a statement. "It opens the door to discovering whether they’re caused by dying stars, exotic magnetic objects, or something we haven’t thought of yet."

SEE ALSO: NASA spacecraft snaps photo of Earth from across the solar system

Fast radio bursts, or FRBs, were first discovered in 2007, and thousands have been detected since. They are super-short flashes of radio energy from distant galaxies. Historically, they have vanished too quickly to analyze — faster than the blink of an eye — leaving their origins uncertain.

But this radio burst, nicknamed RBFLOAT for Radio Brightest Flash of All Time, was so powerful, it gave researchers that chance. Several teams quickly mobilized to investigate, producing two papers that appear in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 

"It was so bright that our pipeline initially flagged it as radio frequency interference, signals often caused by cell phones or airplanes that are much closer to home," said Wen-fai Fong, a coauthor from Northwestern University, in a statement. "It took some sleuthing by members of our collaboration to uncover that it was a real astrophysical signal.”

The CHIME team provided the initial detection and pinpointed the signal’s origin. Astronomers at the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the MMT Observatory in Arizona then studied the host galaxy and found that the burst came from just outside a star-forming region. Because the area was relatively clear of gas and dust, telescopes could get a rare, unobstructed view.

Meanwhile, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, examined the same spot in invisible infrared light and detected a faint glow. They think it could be a red giant — a puffed-up old star — or even residual heat from the radio blast itself. This marked the first time a possible stellar companion has been linked directly to a fast radio burst.

"This was a unique opportunity to quickly turn JWST’s powerful infrared eye on the location of an FRB for the first time," said Peter Blanchard, a Harvard researcher who led the Webb study, in a statement. "And we were rewarded with an exciting result — we see a faint source of infrared light very close to where the radio burst occurred. This could be the first object linked to an FRB that anyone has found in another galaxy."

The observations taken together point to magnetars — super-magnetic dead-star remnants — as leading candidates for producing RBFLOAT (Get it? Like a root beer float). CHIME researchers saw that the burst’s position, near a nursery of young stars, fits the mold of a magnetar that formed inside the stellar clump and drifted outward. 

CHIME collaboration astronomers observe construction of one of the three new Outrigger Telescopes in northern California. Credit: University of Toronto / Juan Mena-Parra

Still, Webb’s team cautioned that other explanations, such as activity in a binary star system, remain possible.

Adding to the intrigue, CHIME scientists reviewed six years of data and found no previous signals from this location. That suggests RBFLOAT may have been a one-time explosion, bolstering the idea that multiple catalysts could potentially trigger these bursts. Some fast radio bursts repeat often, while others, like this one, appear to be isolated events.

The achievement also showcases the growing capability of new telescope networks. By linking antennas, the CHIME/Outrigger system essentially functions as one giant continent-wide telescope. That allowed astronomers to shrink the uncertainty of RBFLOAT’s position to within 45 light-years — smaller than a single star cluster.

Scientists say this is just the beginning. CHIME is expected to trace hundreds of bursts each year. With Webb and ground-based observatories ready to follow up, astronomers hope to finally learn what powers these fleeting but colossal explosions.

"This bodes very well for the future," Fong said. "An increase in event rates always provides the opportunity for discovering more rare events."

Sorry to say, but a dead laptop battery is no longer an excuse to get out of work while on the road. These days we have tons of portable power options to keep every electronic device charged up to max, regardless of where we are in the world.

EcoFlow has become a standout leader in the wonderful world of portable power, creating a massive lineup of portable power stations in addition to power banks that are perfect for packing along on a work trip, vacation, or a long day out on assignment. And better yet, the brand just dropped two new models that come with advances features and even better functionality.

Meet the EcoFlow Rapid Pro 27K

With 27,650mAh of power and a 60 centimeter built-in cable, the EcoFlow Rapid Pro offers mighty power without a mighty size.

On top of keeping your laptop, phone, and other gadgets charged up, the power bank itself takes just 20 minutes to recharge back to 80 percent. That means if you're scrambling to pack last-minute, you only need 20 minutes before you can toss the EcoFlow Rapid Pro into your bag to keep working through the day when recharging with the EcoFlow Rapid Pro Desktop Charger. With standard AC power, you're looking at a 40-minute recharge time to 80 percent.

Ignore the (maybe) sketchy power options at the airport and pack along your own. Credit: EcoFlow

EcoFlow also upgraded the battery in the Rapid Pro, using a core that's drone-grade, withstanding 300 battery cycles while still maintaining at least 80 percent max battery power. It also connects to the EcoFlow app which gives you better insight into battery status.

If you're taking the EcoFlow Rapid Pro power bank out on assignment or to the hotel pool, rest assured it comes with the brand's X-Guard thermal protection which will automatically shut the power bank off if the temperature rises above 118 degrees Fahrenheit.

The EcoFlow Rapid Pro gives you four ports for recharging including a 140W USB-C, two 65W USB-C and a restractable 140W USB-C cable. Plus, its battery is air-travel friendly in most countries. At launch, the Rapid Pro is selling for $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Rapid Pro $179.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $40 Shop Now Step into the ecosystem of the EcoFlow Rapid Pro X

Building on the functionality of the Rapid Pro, the EcoFlow Rapid Pro X power bank comes with advanced options that included a standout LCD screen, magnetic accessories, and more. The Pro X offers 27,650mAh of power or 99.54Wh which makes it air travel friendly in most countries.

The smart 3.9-inch LCD screen allows you to check on the power status with a quick glance and you can customize the standby display through the EcoFlow app. Set it as a picture of family while you're away on a work trip or add a fun animation, if you like.

Working in the great outdoors has never been easier. Credit: EcoFlow

The Pro X also introduces magnetic accessories that snap on and off in an instant. Change the exterior's case or add a magnetic smartwatch charger to free up one of the charging ports. The power bank is compatable with tons of tech gadgets like the iPhone series, Samsung phones, Apple AirPods, MacBooks, the DJI Pocket 3, Apple Watches, and plenty more.

The EcoFlow Pro X power bank has yet to officially launch, but you can preorder it from EcoFlow for $299.99 and it comes with a free charger. Pricing, however, might change since the official press release indicates the Pro X power bank will come with a retail price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Rapid Pro X $299.99 at EcoFlow
Shop Now

Darren Aronofsky is a filmmaker who's forged his career on big swings, like the mind-bending, black-and-white thriller Pi, the gnarly body-horror nightmare Black Swan, the biblical epic Noah, and the extravagant explosion of Christian mythology and general mayhem that was mother! So, it's genuinely shocking how tame Caught Stealing is. The New York-set crime comedy's biggest swing comes literally from a bat, wielded by a bland hero, played by an underwhelming leading man. 

Austin Butler heads a star-studded cast that boasts Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Matt Smith, Action Bronson, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, Bad Bunny, Griffin Dunne, and Carol Kane. Everyone around him brings verve and character — there's a provocative paramedic, a tough-talking cop, snarling gangsters, a cat-loving punk, a beguiling barfly, and a good ol' fashioned Jewish granny. They build a vivid New York, familiar and fun. But at its center, Butler is a drop-jawed "nice small-town boy" who is the dull eye of their storm. 

It's not even that Butler is the problem with Caught Stealing. He's more the biggest sign that Aronofsky is pulling his punches, and his fans should be worried. 

What's Caught Stealing about?  Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) and Hank (Austin Butler) connect back at Hank's apartment in "Caught Stealing." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Sony Pictures

Charlie Huston adapts his novel of the same name for the screenplay of Caught Stealing, which centers on Lower East Side bartender Hank Thompson (Butler), a California transplant who was poised to be a baseball star until a car collision shattered his knee and dreams. A decade on, he's nursing his wounds with booze and hook-ups with his paramedic girlfriend Yvonne (Kravitz), who matches his sex drive and night owl hours. However, their late night romance is interrupted when Hank's mohawked neighbor Russ (Smith) asks a favor — care for his cat while he jets back to London on a personal matter. 

What should be an easy task turns abruptly disastrous as Russian thugs show up at Russ' door, eager to curb-stomp anybody who gets in their way. Seems Russ is in possession of something they want, as do a red-headed gunman (Bad Bunny), a smirking narc officer (Regina King), and a pair of debonair Hasidic gangsters known as "the Hebrews" (Liev Schreiber and Vincent D'Onofrio).

These tough guys don't play around, and to prove it, they're quick to beat the kidney out of Hank and even injure Russ' cat, Bud (Tonic). If Hank can't find this mysterious thing that's so hotly sought, not only his life, but those of his girlfriend, and his friends — like coke-sniffing bar owner Paul (Dunne) and his loudmouth bestie (Action Bronson) — are on the line as well. 

Caught Stealing lacks panache, grit, or even appropriate New York weirdness.  Russ (Matt Smith) and Hank (Austin Butler) on the move in "Caught Stealing." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Sony Pictures

1998 New York City is a rich terrain to relish exactly the kind of outrageousness and discomfortingly grossness that Aronofsky has typically embraced. Sure, there's some vomit, piss, and blood in the mix with piles of cat shit. Still, Caught Stealing somehow feels sanitized.

A problem is Butler's pretty-boy good looks, which feel too glossy for a guy who's been burying his dead dreams in the bottle for the last 11 years. Even when his model-good looks are peppered with prosthetic cuts and his abs striped with wounds and medical staples, Butler still looks so Hollywood hot that it's hard to take Hank's injuries as real. Butler doesn't have a New York movie face, and it hurts the movie.

Think Goodfellas, After Hours, The Linguini Incident, or Dog Day Afternoon. These are New York movies where people don't have pretty faces, they have mugs. They have good looks but also character. In Caught Stealing, even the kidney-kicking Russian muscle and drug-dealing punk have flawless skin, as if everyone has a sponsorship deal with a French moisturizer or health spa.

It's the wrong look for this kind of movie, not only because it favors a Hollywood ideal of beauty over the gruffer New York aesthetic, but also because this movie is about how "broken" Hank's world is. Yet, everyone is achingly beautiful! Even when they die, they die elegantly, their limbs bent as if posing for a tragic life-drawing class. 

This superficial glossiness makes the stakes of the movie feel hollow. Hank doesn't feel like a real person, but an abstraction of a brokenhearted all-American boy, being brutalized by the big city he can never really call his home. It makes sense that he would stand out. But he should still be imbrued with this brokenness, instead of wearing it like a stylish accessory he can shed when he's tired of the trend. 

Caught Stealing's supporting cast is what works. Hank (Austin Butler, center) works with Lipa (Liev Schreiber, left), and Shmully (Vincent D'Onofrio, right) to find the hidden money in "Caught Stealing." Credit: Niko Tavernise / Sony Pictures

The actors who ground Caught Stealing's New York are as follows: Carol Kane, Griffin Dunne, Action Bronson, Liev Schreiber, and Vincent D'Onofrio. The latter two swagger in their Hasidic attire, their beards and hats a confident extension of their faith and machismo. Kane, who has been an identifier of New York authenticity in everything from Scrooged to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, is almost unrecognizable, as her signature curls are conservatively covered by a precise hair scarf. But as she welcomes in a bewildered Hank to her table — for matzo ball soup — Caught Stealing finds an easy authenticity for a spell.

Where Kane represents the warm domesticity the city can offer, Dunne and Bronson showcase its seedier side, the former covered in grizzled facial hair, tattoos, and a grumbling tone to match. He gives mug, and it's glorious. The latter has the pugnacious attitude of a local who'll take no shit. These character actor looks and performances give a glimpse of a version of this movie that could have been exhilarating. Instead, Caught Stealing cruises on good looks and competent but unremarkable storytelling. 

I'd hoped for Aronofsky's version of After Hours, a comedy that unabashedly showcases the virtues and vices of New York City with appreciation and self-awareness for its depravity. But Caught Stealing is far too mild for that.

Perhaps this timidness is intentional. Maybe Aronofsky commits fully to the perspective of an outsider, who all these years in still looks at New York as a place he's crashing, not living. So rather than New York feeling lived in, it's more like Hank is still floating above it.

Or maybe the mixed receptions from critics on The Whale and mother! have Aronofsky thinking he should play it safe, because Caught Stealing is safe. Outside of a sex scene that offers some brief nudity and a shot of two men doing lines of coke, this film could easily play on TV or an airplane. It's the kind of movie you might find on a cable station and watch half-heartedly while folding laundry or doomscrolling. It's not the kind of grab-you-by-the throat cinema that Aronofsky has made for better or worse since 1998's Pi. 

Watching this unfurl in a theater, I realized that if Caught Stealing were just a Hollywood action-comedy with pretty stars, a New York setting, and a twisting, but not really all that surprising plotline, it'd be fine. I'd write a mixed review suggesting to keep your expectations mid, and you won't be disappointed. But this is an Aronofsky film. We should expect more.

I've loved some of his movies and hated others, but they all made me feel something. I never doubted Aronofsky's ability to create thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, stomach-churning cinema… until now. 

Caught Stealing opens in theaters on Aug. 29. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Cloud Storage Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $129.99
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SEE ALSO: Score $50 off the Apple Magic Keyboard on Amazon

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The recent suicide death of a young woman led her parents to a painful revelation: She'd been confiding in a ChatGPT "therapist" named Harry, and she told it that she was planning to die.

While the chatbot didn't seem to encourage her to take her own life, the product also didn't actively seek help on her behalf, like a real therapist would, according to an op-ed her mother wrote in the New York Times.

Sophie, who was 29 when she died, was not alone in seeking mental health help from ChatGPT or other AI chatbots. A 16-year-old boy discussed suicide with ChatGPT before he died, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his parents against OpenAI this week.

OpenAI has since acknowledged that ChatGPT has failed to detect high-risk exchanges and, in response, plans to introduce new safeguards, including potentially alerting a user's emergency contacts when they're in distress.

Yet for those who consult AI chatbots about their mental health, many say it's the best help they can access, often because they can't find a therapist or afford one.

SEE ALSO: Explaining the phenomenon known as 'AI psychosis'

Experts, however, caution that the risks are unlikely to be worth the potential benefits. In extreme cases, some users may develop so-called AI psychosis as a result of lengthy, ongoing conversations with a chatbot that involve delusions or grandiose thinking. More typically, people seeking help may instead end up in a harmful feedback loop that only gives them the illusion of emotional or psychological healing.

Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that he doesn't want users engaging with ChatGPT like a therapist, partly because there are no legal protections for sensitive information. A therapist, on the other hand, is bound in most circumstances by patient confidentiality.

Rebekah Bodner, a graduate clinical coordinator at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is investigating how many people are using AI chatbots for therapy. The question is difficult to answer because of limited data on the trend. She told Mashable a conservative estimate, based on past research, would be at least 3 percent of people; OpenAI's ChatGPT has 700 million weekly users, according to the company.

Mashable asked OpenAI whether it knew how many of its users turn to ChatGPT for therapy-like interactions, but the company declined to answer.

Dr. Matthew Nour, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist using AI to study the brain and mental health, understands why people treat a chatbot as a therapist, but he believes doing so can be dangerous.

One of the chief risks is "that the person begins to view the chatbot as...maybe the only entity/person that really understands them," said Nour, a researcher in the department of psychiatry at the University of Oxford. "So they begin to confide in the chatbot with all their most concerning worries and thoughts to the exclusion of other people."

Getting to this point isn't immediate either, Nour adds. It happens over time, and can be hard for users to identify as an unhealthy pattern.

To better understand how this dynamic can play out, here are four reasons why you shouldn't turn any AI chatbot into a source of mental health therapy:

Chatbot "therapy" could just be a harmful feedback loop

Nour recently published a paper in the pre-print journal arXiv about the risk factors that arise when people converse with AI chatbots. The paper is currently undergoing peer review.

Nour and his co-authors, which included Google DeepMind scientists, argued that a powerful combination of anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to a non-human) and confirmation bias creates the condition for a feedback loop for humans.

Chatbots, they wrote, play on a human tendency for anthropomorphism, because humans may ascribe emotional states or even consciousness to what is actually a complex probabilistic system. If you've ever thanked a chatbot or asked how it's doing, you've felt a very human urge to anthropomorphize.

Humans are also prone to what's known as confirmation bias, or interpreting the information they receive in ways that match their existing beliefs and expectations. Chatbots regularly give users opportunities to confirm their own bias because the products learn to produce responses that users prefer, Nour said in an interview.

Ultimately, even an AI chatbot with safeguards could still reinforce a user's harmful beliefs, like the idea that no one in their life truly cares about them. This dynamic can subsequently teach the chatbot to generate more responses that further solidify those ideas.

While some users try to train their chatbots to avoid this trap, Nour said it's nearly impossible to successfully steer a model away from feedback loops. That's partly because models are complex and can act in unpredictable ways that no one fully understands, Nour said.

But there's another significant problem. A model constantly picks up on subtle language cues and uses them to inform how it responds to the user. Think, for example, of the difference between thanks and thanks! The question, "Are you sure?" can produce a similar effect.

"We are leaking information all the time to these models about how we would like to be interacted with," Nour said.

AI chatbots fail in lengthy discussions

Talking to an AI chatbot about mental health is likely to involve long, in-depth exchanges, which is exactly when the product struggles with performance and accuracy. Even OpenAI recognizes this problem.

"Our safeguards work more reliably in common, short exchanges," the company said in its recent blog post about safety concerns. "We have learned over time that these safeguards can sometimes be less reliable in long interactions: as the back-and-forth grows, parts of the model's safety training may degrade."

As an example, the company noted that ChatGPT may share a crisis hotline when a user first expresses suicidal intent, but that it could also provide an answer that "goes against" the platform's safeguards after exchanges over a long period of time.

Nour also noted that when AI chatbots incorporate an error early on in a conversation, that mistaken or false belief only compounds over time, rendering the model "pretty useless."

Additionally, AI chatbots don't have what therapists call a "theory of mind," which is a model of their client's thinking and behavior that's based on consistent therapeutic conversations. They only have what the user has shared up to a certain point, Nour said.

AI chatbots also aren't great at setting and tracking long-term goals on behalf of a user like a therapist can. While they might excel at giving advice for common problems, or even providing short-term, daily reminders and suggestions for dealing with anxiety or managing depression, they shouldn't be relied on for healing treatment, Nour said.

Teens and people with mental illness are particularly vulnerable to harm

Dr. Scott Kollins, a child psychologist and chief medical officer of the identity protection and online safety app Aura, told Mashable that teens may be especially prone to misinterpreting an AI chatbot's caring tone for genuine human empathy. This anthropomorphism is partly why chatbots can have an outsize influence on a user's thinking and behavior.

Teens, who are still grasping social norms and developing critical relationship skills, may also find the always-on nature of a "therapist" chatbot especially alluring, Kollins said.

Aura's proprietary data show that a minority of teen users whose phones are monitored by the company's software are talking to AI chatbots. However, those who do engage with chatbots spend an inordinate amount of time having those conversations. Kollins said such use outpaced popular apps like iPhone messages and Snapchat. The majority of those users are engaging in romantic or sexual behavior with chatbots that Kollins described as "troubling." Some rely on them for emotional or mental health support.

Kollins also noted that AI chatbot apps were proliferating by the "dozens" and that parents need to be aware of products beyond ChatGPT. Given the risks, he does not recommend coaching or therapy-like chatbot use for teens at this time.

Nour advises his patients to view AI chatbots as a tool, like a calculator or word processor, not as a friend. For those with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, Nour strongly recommends against engaging AI chatbots in any kind of emotional relationship, because of how an accidental feedback loop may reinforce existing false or harmful beliefs about themselves and the world around them.

There are safer ways to reach out for mental health help

Kollins said that teens seeking advice or guidance from an AI chatbot should first ensure they've exhausted their list of trusted adults. Sometimes a teen might forget or initially pass over an older cousin, coach, or school counselor, he said.

Though it's not risk-free, Kollins also recommended considering online communities as one space to be heard, before consulting an AI chatbot, provided the teen is also receiving real-life support and practicing healthy habits.

If a teen still doesn't feel safe approaching a peer or adult in their life, Kollins suggested an exercise like writing down their feelings, which can be cathartic and lead to personal insight or clarity.

Nour urges people to communicate with a friend or loved one about their mental health concerns and to seek professional care when possible.

Still, he knows that some people will still try to turn an AI chatbot into their therapist, despite the risks. He advises his patients to keep another human in the loop: "[C]heck in with a person every now and again, just to get some feedback on what the model is telling you, because [AI chatbots] are unpredictable."

iOS 26 is coming, and it’s set to be a big deal. The new operating system gets an all-new naming scheme, doing away with the version numbers and sticking to numbers based on the upcoming year instead. But it’s not just the naming convention that’s changing. iOS 26 brings with it a series of major new features, an all-new design, and more. In fact, it could well be the biggest iOS update in many years.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26 preview: I'm using Liquid Glass and it mostly lives up to its promise

So what are the most important new features to look forward to? I’ve been using the beta version of iOS 26 since the end of June. Here are my favorite new features.

A unified Phone app Credit: Christian de Looper / Apple

Liquid Glass is the big new design language across all of Apple’s software — but Liquid Glass itself isn’t really a feature. It does, however, bring with it a series of secondary design changes across Apple’s apps, like the new Phone app.

In the new Phone app, the tab bar at the bottom of the screen is transformed into a pill-shaped bar with only three tabs: Calls, Contacts, and Keypad. So where are your voicemails and favorites? They’re integrated into the main “Calls” tab, where you can view voicemails attached to any recent calls, and see your favorite contacts at the top of the screen. It helps make the Phone app feel less cluttered, but if you prefer the old way, you can switch back to the “Classic” view to separate things out again. Before you do so, note that you can filter the calls in the Calls tab — so you can filter the view to only show voicemails, without having to scroll endlessly through all those spam calls just to find a voicemail that was left last week.

Call screening Credit: Christian de Looper / Apple

The iPhone is also doing a better job of keeping spam calls at bay. There’s a new call screening feature that gives you some control over what happens when a call comes in from someone who’s not in your contacts. It can be accessed by opening the Settings app, scrolling down the Apps, and selecting Phone. From there, you’ll be able to choose from three call-screening options under the title “Screen Unknown Callers.”

The first option is to never screen, which basically means that your phone will always ring, whether the call is from an unknown person or not. The second option is “Ask Reason for Calling,” which means that a caller will be asked a few questions about why they’re calling, before your phone rings, and you’re provided with a transcript of their answers so you can decide for yourself whether or not to answer. The last option is “Silence,” which essentially silences all calls from unknown numbers and sends them straight to voicemail. 

Better Visual Intelligence Credit: Christian de Looper / Apple

Apple Intelligence may not have quite lived up to the hype from last year’s iOS 18, but it’s still getting better. In iOS 26, you’ll notably get better Visual Intelligence features. Visual Intelligence essentially gives Apple Intelligence access to the world around you, using the iPhone’s camera — so you can point it at a sign for translation, for example. In iOS 26, the big change is that it won’t just help you better understand the world around you, but also what’s on your iPhone, through the ability to use Apple Intelligence with screenshots. 

To use this feature, all you need to do is take a screenshot, after which you’ll be able to save it to your Photos, like you always have, but you’ll also be given new “Ask” and “Search” buttons in the bottom corners. These are the same buttons you’ll see on the regular Visual Intelligence screen. Tap one of them depending on what you want to do.

Spatial Scenes on your lock screen Credit: Christian de Looper / Apple

Spatial Scenes uses AI to give your photos a whole new depth. Basically, Spatial Scenes can take 2D photos and give them depth by taking objects in the photo and creating layers, then filling in some of the missing information with AI. When a Spatial Scene is created, you’ll be able to tilt your phone to see the image shift. It’s a neat effect, and definitely adds a whole new dimension to photos. And, to be clear, you can do this with many photos straight from the Photos app.

But my favorite use case for the feature is putting them on the lock screen. To do this, simply hold down on your lock screen to customize it. Along the way, you’ll see a new hexagonal button, which is the button for creating Spatial Scenes. You can toggle it on or off, and the effect should show up in real-time, so you can preview it before you save it.

Backgrounds in iMessage chats Credit: Christian de Looper / Apple

iMessage is getting a little more customizable, too. In iOS 26, you’ll be able to add backgrounds to your chats, which can be a photo, a simple color, or one of the preset images of the sky, water, and so on. It isn’t a major change, but it’s a neat way to add a little more customization to your iMessage chats.

To add a background to a chat in iMessage on iOS 26, open the chat and tap on the name of the contact or group chat at the top. Then tap on the Backgrounds tab and choose from one of the options. The background will be visible for all participants in the chat who are running iOS 26 or later, so keep that in mind.

Safari is more minimalistic Credit: Christian de Looper / Apple

Another app that’s getting the Liquid Glass minimalism treatment is Safari. In iOS 26, Safari gets out of the way and puts the content on the web page front and center. When you first open Safari in iOS 26, you’ll see the same buttons, but turned into hovering bubbles instead of a standard menu bar. You’ll get the buttons for forward and back, the three-dot menu button, and the main URL bar. As you scroll down a web page, however, all of those controls shrink down to just a small representation of the URL bar, maximizing the space that the web page can take up on the screen.

The trade-off is that the controls aren’t quite as accessible. To get the controls back on the screen, scroll up a little or tap on the small URL bar. Having used iOS 26 for a few months now, I can say that it hasn’t really interrupted how I use the web on mobile much. I tend to open and close tabs as I go, so I’m not using the URL bar or controls beyond that initial navigation to a web page. But others may not have the exact same experience. 

Live Translation

Yet another phone call feature in iOS 26 comes in the form of Live Translation, which does exactly what it sounds like. With the feature, you’ll essentially be able to have phone calls in two different languages. When the person on the other end of the call speaks, an AI voice will say the translation in your language, and you’ll see the translated words on the screen. Then, when you talk, your words will be translated, and the person on the other end of the call will hear a translation of what you’re saying.

Perhaps the best thing about this feature is that it all happens on your iPhone. That means that the other person in the call can be on any random phone — your iPhone does the translating and sends audio of your translated voice in place of your actual voice. The feature only works for one-on-one calls, and supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish — though it’s likely other languages will be added down the line.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream them

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're hankering for superhero action, star-studded romance, gnarly horror, cozy crime, or a fan-focused documentary, we've got something just for you.

7. Winter Spring Summer or Fall

Wednesday fans might welcome this romantic drama that reunites Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White. However, the buzz was very bad on the Tiffany Paulsen–helmed film.

Out of the Tribeca Film Festival, Mashable's Belen Edwards reviewed the film, writing, "Winter Spring Summer or Fall seems to think it's a Gen Z Before Sunrise" noting the movie takes place over a year instead of a night, and you feel it. She added, "Generic teen romance tropes and cringeworthy dialogue don't help, but the cardboard characterization and excruciating series of red flag-filled 'meet-cutes' take the film from unremarkable to downright painful to watch." — K.P.

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Percy Hynes White, Marisol Nichols, Elias Kacavas, and Adam Rodriguez

How to watch: Winter Spring Summer or Fall debuts on Paramount+ on Sept. 1.

6. Thunderbolts*

The 36th MCU movie plays like Marvel's version of Suicide Squad, boasting a star-stuffed cast that includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour playing chaotic antiheroes.

Misfits like Yelena Belova (Pugh), Bucky (Stan), Red Guardian (Harbour), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) are united by CIA director Valentina de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) — whether she likes it or not! Together, they must not only battle a new big bad who's terrorizing New York City, but also their own inner demons.

Despite a promising setup and exciting cast, Thunderbolts* wasn't what fans hoped for. In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Sure, there's action, callbacks, deep-dive comic book lore, and the occasional character-driven comedy beat. But overall, Thunderbolts* feels like two to six ideas for a movie haphazardly cobbled together. There's little flow, less fun, and a final act that feels more like a cheat than an achievement."* — K.P.

Starring: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

How to watch: Thunderbolts* is now available for purchase on Prime Video.

5. Together

The last time real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie teamed up for horror, it was the scintillating thriller The Rental. But Together brings them closer than any film before.

Written and directed by Michael Shanks, Together stars Franco and Brie as a couple struggling to take the next step in their relationship. Moving to the countryside for a new job, Millie (Brie) is excited for a fresh start with her boyfriend Tim (Franco), an aspiring musician who's been stuck since a family tragedy. But in this new setting, Tim just feels trapped. And things only get worse when a bizarre experience in the woods has these two finding their skin very eager to knit together.

While the premise is promising, the body horror can't out-ick something like the Oscar-nominated The Substance. However, as I wrote in my review for Mashable, "Still, Together is a twisted ride that's sure to give you goosebumps." — K.P.

Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, and Damon Herriman

How to watch: Together is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)

Part reboot, part sequel, I Know What You Did Last Summer not only pulls major inspiration from the 1997 original, but co-stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. as well.

In the fishing village of Southport, North Carolina, a gaggle of teens accidentally kills someone, covers it up, and seems to have gotten away with it. That is, until a mysterious figure with a hook as a weapon starts stalking them down. Who better to help them survive than the Final Girl (and guy) from the first film?

SEE ALSO: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' review: Still has a great hook

In his review for Mashable, Jason Adams cheered, "Here, Robinson's film leans into the fun of horror legacy, playing to the strengths of the '90s original and throwing curveballs at a new generation. It's all a learning process: When life stabs you, you strike a pose in your designer jeans and vintage rock tee and stab it the hell back, baby." — K.P.

Starring: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Billy Campbell, Gabbriette Bechtel, Austin Nichols, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Jennifer Love Hewitt

How to watch: I Know What You Did Last Summer is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

3. Wednesday, Season 2, Part 2

With all the burning questions we had at the end of Wednesday Season 2, Part 1, we're chomping at the bit to get into the second half. After the festering hell that broke loose in Willow Hill, the fate of Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) seems up in the air. But Part 2 promises the return of Gwendoline Christie as Season 1's early departed Principal Weems, answers to the curliest question marks, more Edgar Allan Poe energy, and the awaited arrival of Lady Gaga.

But most of all, we need more of Wednesday's eviscerating barbs in our life — as Belen Edwards writes in her Part 1 review, "With one deadly glare and a dry putdown in voiceover, Ortega's Wednesday is still a force to be reckoned with. (Especially now that she's not burdened with a love triangle!) Watching her detective exploits continues to be pure gothic fun, and that's something worth snapping about." — S.C.

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Isaac Ordonez, Victor Dorobantu, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joanna Lumley, Fred Armisen, Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Joy Sunday, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Noah B. Taylor, Evie Templeton, Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Christopher Lloyd, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane, and Thandiwe Newton

How to watch: Wednesday, Season 2, Part 2 premieres on Netflix on Sept. 3.

2. Stans

Shady Films–produced Eminem documentary Stans is truly one for the fans in every sense of the word — one born from the 2000 Eminem song itself.

SEE ALSO: Review: Eminem's 'Stans' documentary is truly one for the fans

Amid the famous talking heads and longtime fans interviewed, director Steven Leckart and producers Paul Rosenberg and Tony DiSanto attempt to get to the heart of both the artist known as Marshall Mathers and the nature of fandom itself. As I wrote in my review, Stans is "an ode to the connection between artistic empathy and mental health, a compelling exploration of fandom itself and parasocial relationships, and — specifically thanks to Eminem's final line — a middle finger to anyone who has anything negative to say about it." — S.C.

How to watch: Stans is now streaming on Paramount+.

1. The Thursday Murder Club

Based on the popular mystery novel by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club focuses on a quartet of pensioners who use their diverse set of skills to solve cold cases over tea and cake.

SEE ALSO: 'The Thursday Murder Club' review: 'Only Murders' fans, brace for your new cozy crime fixation

This cozy crime comedy stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie as the eponymous club, which sets out to solve a decades-old murder but finds fresh blood. In a resplendent retirement community in England, this dynamic foursome crack jokes as they crack into the case with the help of local police and some unsavory suspects. If you loved the book, you'll relish director Chris Columbus' earnest adaptation. If you haven't read the books, use this as your launchpad to get into a series that of novels that is downright addictive! — K.P.

Starring: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Richard E. Grant, Tom Ellis, Geoff Bell, Paul Freeman, Sarah Niles, and Ingrid Oliver

How to watch: The Thursday Murder Club premieres on Netflix on Aug. 28.

SAVE $140: As of Aug. 28, the 15.6-inch MSI Thin 15 gaming laptop is on sale for $759.99 at Amazon. That's the best-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Thin 15 Gaming Laptop (15.6-inch ) $759.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $140 Get Deal

For those hunting for a laptop that’s powerful enough for gaming, creative work, and fast multitasking, this MSI laptop deal is for you.

As of Aug. 28, the MSI Thin 15 15.6-inch 144Hz FHD gaming laptop has dropped to $759.99 at Amazon, marked down from its usual $899.99 list price. That’s a 16% discount, and according to tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s its lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: The best gaming laptops of 2025: Check out our top picks

At the heart of the Thin 15 is the 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor, designed to give you a performance boost whether you’re gaming, working, or streaming. Paired with 16GB of DDR4 memory and a fast 512GB NVMe SSD, it promises snappy response times and enough storage for your key apps and titles.

For graphics, MSI has gone with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050. Built on NVIDIA’s Ada architecture, it supports ray tracing to render lighting and reflections closer to how they behave in real life. Whether you’re jumping into demanding modern games or using creative software, it should have more than enough punch.

The laptop also sports a 15.6-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, aiming to continusouly keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Altogether, that means you’ll be able to dive into hit titles like Fortnite, Valorant, and Cyberpunk 2077 with ease. 

Combined with WiFi 6E connectivity and the latest Windows 11 Home, the package feels modern, sharp, and future-proof.

Despite its gaming credentials, the design gives off an understated vibe. The Thin 15 is built for portability, so you can just as easily take it to a coffee shop for work as you can plug it in at home for a marathon gaming session. MSI’s intelligent technology also helps with system optimisation, keeping performance balanced without endless manual tweaking.

At just $759.99, this is one of the best-value gaming laptops you can get right now. It’s rare to find an i7 paired with RTX 4050 graphics and a high-refresh screen for under $800 — so if you’ve been holding out for a deal, this could be the upgrade worth grabbing.

The MSI Thin 15 isn’t the only portable system we’re a fan of; we’ve got a huge roundup of the best gaming laptops you can grab right now in 2025. We’ve also got a list of the best gaming laptops with Nvidia GPUs this year, too — if you’re the type of gamer who’s exclusive to certain graphics cards. 

Stephen King paused his recent run of horror movie reviews on Wednesday to give a damning assessment of what Trump is doing to America.

The legendary author, who has attacked Trump on social media many times in the past, accused the president of turning the country into a fascist state.

SEE ALSO: Stephen King shares his 8-word review of 'Weapons'

"We can kid about Trump, but it’s no joking matter," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "He and his cronies, aided and abetted by the Supreme Court, are turning America into a fascist, authoritarian state. The Republicans need to stop putting party over country and recognize the danger."

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

King's post comes after Trump recently made a comment about dictators during a cabinet meeting,

"So the line is that I'm a dictator, but I stop crime," Trump said. "So a lot of people say, 'You know, if that's the case, I'd rather have a dictator.' But I'm not a dictator. I just know how to stop crime."

Trump has received widespread criticism in recent weeks for deploying the National Guard in Washington D.C. and placing it under federal control as part of a supposed crackdown on crime. His recent remarks about dictators come on the heels of renewed criticism over his plan to expand the policy to Chicago and New York.

Dedicated runners and athletes of all types are always looking for ways to squeeze out everything they can from their program. And that absolutely applies to the equipment used on a daily basis. Is a new sports watch immediately going to shave seconds off your PR? Unfortunately not, but it can have a lasting impact on your training.

The battle for supremacy in this market is fierce. The likes of Garmin, Fitbit, and Coros are constantly beating each other to the line with new releases that change the game (or at least, change the way you approach the game). But it's Suunto that has laid a marker down with the launch of the Suunto Race 2 sports watch.

This feature-packed sports watch is staking a claim to be the best running watch of 2025, particularly for those who like to get away from it all and head out into the wilderness. The Suunto Race 2 is a "trail running watch built for runners who demand precision, clarity, and endurance."

Opens in a new window Credit: Suunto Suunto Race 2 Shop Now Is the Suunto Race 2 worth the upgrade?

The big question whenever a brand launches a new product is whether or not you should bother upgrading from the older model (or from another brand). Suunto has a really strong reputation for delivering products that actually back up what they claim to offer, but the Suunto Race 2 promises a lot. For those looking at their wrists with a sense of disappointment and longing, the Suunto Race 2 might just provide what you're seeking.

The Suunto Race 2 features a 1.5-inch screen with an ultra-high resolution of 466×466 pixels. That's up from the 1.43-inch display on the Suunto Race. Sure, it's not a huge change. But it's all about where the real estate is dedicated on your wrist, because Suunto has increased the size of the display while decreasing the size of the case. At just 12.5mm, the case is considerably thinner than the Suunto Race. That helps to keep the weight down. The Suunto Race 2 is 6% thinner and lighter than its predecessor, "weighing just 57g without the strap and 75g with it." Maybe a new sports could shave seconds off your PR, after all.

SEE ALSO: The internet's obsession with run clubs is ruining running

But what about features for runners, we hear you yell above the sound of your carbon-plated shoes squelching along the road. The Suunto Race 2 offers up a new processor that provides an all-around friendlier user experience. Users also get up to 55 hours of continuous GPS tracking in full-performance mode using dual-band GNSS, up to 16 days with continuous 24/7 heart rate monitoring, or up to 22 days with heart rate monitoring off. That means you can stop charging your watch at all times of the day. Rejoice, runners.

Left: Credit: Suunto Right: Credit: Suunto

The Suunto Race 2 also comes equipped with over 115 built-in sports modes, including running and cycling, obviously. But if you're somehow not seeing exactly what you need, users can create unique sports modes that match their exact training requirements. It's simply a case of only selecting the metrics you find useful and customizing the data fields accordingly. That way, the personalized setup helps you improve training efficiency by only showing you what matters.

Another nice touch is the fact that users can download offline maps directly to their Suunto Race 2 via the Suunto app, meaning you get full route navigation without a phone or network connection. Safety is clearly in mind here, but it's also cool to know that you can step foot outside whenever the feeling takes you, without needing to get your life together before every run.

Credit: Suunto

We know that the world of running is out of control right now, and it feels like everyone is desperately chasing PRs, but there is something to be said for gaining gradual fitness while minimizing the risk of injury. The Suunto Race 2 helps here by quantifying each workout using a Training Stress Score, giving users a picture of how much strain each session places on the body. Simultaneously, Suunto Race 2 assesses recovery by combining sleep quality, training stress balance, heart rate variability, and post-workout feedback into a Recovery Score — a useful metric that shows you exactly when you should be resting and when to really go for it. Whether you actually listen to this is up to you.

We haven't yet had a chance to test this new sports watch, but it looks like decent value at $499 on Amazon.

UPDATE: Aug. 28, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT We've updated this post with updated links and context following the QC Ultra earbuds preorder going live.

Bose announced back in June that new QuietComfort Ultra earbuds were on the way, and as of today, we're one step closer to seeing them officially hit the market.

As of Aug. 28, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) are for preorder for $299 on Bose's website. They will become available to the public starting on Sept. 10 in the white smoke and black colorways, with the deep plum variant scheduled for availability in October. At $299, they are available for the same exact price that their predecessor was upon release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) $299 at Bose
Pre-order Here What's new with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) earbuds?

Among Mashable's team, we consider the first generation of the QC Ultra earbuds to be the best noise-cancelling earbuds out there. True to their name, we also found them incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time. In fact, the only real complaint we had with them was that they were difficult to remove from their case.

Despite knocking it out of the park the first generation around, Bose is bringing more improvements to these new earbuds. Here's a list of what to expect:

• New AI-noise suppression for improved voice clarity during phone calls (whether using one or two earbuds)

• Wireless case charging

• Improvements in adaptive noise cancellation, with smoother transitions to noise cancellation from Aware Mode when using ActiveSense

• The ability to toggle off touch controls

• Ear tips have guard to prevent wax buildup and make cleaning easier

Compared to the previous generation, the design of the earbuds themselves and their case remains largely unchanged, with the classic stability bands and ear tips. Also staying the same is the six-hour battery life (four hours with Immersive Audio), IPX4 water- and sweat-resistance rating, 20-minute quick charge for up to two hours of use, CustomTune sound calibration tech, and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity.

Is the upgrade worth it?

In our first week of testing, we've found the earbuds to perform very similarly to the previous generation, with some improvements in noise cancellation, sound quality, and more available features like wireless charging. While the changes certainly don't justify an immediate upgrade for first-gen QC Ultra owners, these earbuds might be a nice upgrade for folks who've yet to invest in a pair of premium noise-cancelling earbuds.

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

To lead.

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

GUIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To frighten.

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

SCARE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A fun gathering.

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

PARTY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Different.

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

OTHER

Final Hurdle hint

A home.

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

HOUSE

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

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The World Athletics Championships are just around the corner, with the best athletes from all around the world ready to compete for the top prizes. Qualification for the World Championships was particularly fierce this year, which means the Zurich Diamond League Final takes on extra importance.

Winning the final in Zurich secures a spot at the World Championships in Tokyo. That's a huge carrot for top athletes like Josh Hoey and Yared Nuguse.

If you want to watch the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the Zurich Diamond League Final?

The 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final takes place on Aug 27-28. This event takes place at the Letzigrund Stadium.

How to watch the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free

The 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free from anywhere in the world

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

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 BBC iPlayer without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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

• 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Zurich Diamond League Final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Florida with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

We're sure you're already aware, but just in case you've been living under a rock, you should know that more than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including Florida. In response to the introduction of these new requirements, Pornhub has restricted access to millions of potential users. A similar situation is now taking place in other parts of the world, with no sign of slowing down.

The reasons for this ban are complicated, but the workaround is not. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Florida, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Florida

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Online courses from Stanford University are available to take for free on edX.

edX is one of the best places to find online courses on a wide range of subjects, including AI, Python, business, and much more. And better yet, these online courses are delivered by famous schools like Stanford University. This is your chance to become a student of Stanford University without spending anything.

We have checked out everything on offer and got you started with a standout selection of online courses from Stanford University. These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis Part 2

• American Prophet: The Inner Life and Global Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Communicating with Presence

• Compilers

• Computer Science 101

• Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL

• Databases: Modeling and Theory

• Databases: OLAP and Recursion

• Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

• Designing Your Career

• Introduction to the Natural Capital Project Approach

• Language, Proof, and Logic

• Mining Massive Datasets

• Nano at Stanford

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2

• R Programming Fundamentals

• SafetyQuest: Level One - QI Basics

• SafetyQuest: Level Two - Moving Beyond QI Basics

• SafetyQuest: Level Three - Implementing QI

• SafetyQuest: Level Four - Mastering QI

• Semantics of First-Order Logic

• Statistical Learning with Python

• Statistical Learning with R

• The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

• Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria

• Your Body Inside and Out: Using Exercise Physiology to Slow Aging

These free courses do not include certificates of completion or graded assignments/exams, but you can still learn at your own pace. For unlimited access to everything, you'll need to upgrade.

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

The moon is becoming brighter and fuller as we work our way through the lunar cycle. The lunar cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 28.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Aug. 28, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent, and 25% will be lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

The moon is finally bright and big enough for us to spot some interesting features on its surface. With no visual aids, look to the top right (bottom left if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) to see the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also get a glimpse of the Endymion Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

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.

Last Quarter (or Third 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.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Do you like your face to be constantly nestled in a cozy, luxurious beard? Or do you prefer to eradicate every single follicle from your beautiful mug? Maybe you like some facial hair but you want it in a very specific style. However you prefer it, the fact remains: You need the right tools to take care of your facial hair.

It's a case of doing whatever it takes to not look a scraggly mess. If your face isn't looking its best, you're not going to feel your best. That's a rule of manly life.

To get the job done, you need a good beard trimmer. Thankfully, many of the best beard trimmers are very affordable. But what makes a good beard trimmer? And how do you find the best one for you? There are things to consider: Portability, battery life, maintenance, and attachments. Let's break it down with a quick guide.

What are the different types of beard trimmers?

Beard trimmers are mostly alike: Cordless handheld devices that get the job done with a quick flick of a switch. There are some variations on the design, though. Philips and Gillette both offer a trimmer that’s much closer to a regular razor, which may be preferable for gents who like a close shave, or those who just enjoy the feel of a traditional razor. It's specialist features that make the difference — things such as multiple length settings or a built-in vacuum that collects all the beard trimmings.

What are the best beard trimmer accessories?

It’s less a case of which ones are best and more a case of getting what you need. Standard beard trimmer accessories include comb attachments of different grades, usually in increments of 0.5mm, which allow you to maintain beards of all lengths. Other handy accessories are detailing attachments, which are used for shaping, styling, and crafting your beard with sharp, defined cheek and neck lines. There are even attachments for targeting ear, nose, and body hair. Look out for beard trimmers that come with little cleaning brushes and portable carry cases too.

How long does a beard trimmer battery last?

Different beard trimmers pack different levels of power. Bear in mind that more specialist models may have lower runtimes, but a reasonable life for most beard trimmers is 45-60 minutes. Good beard trimmers will have a quick charge feature, which gives you around 15 minutes use from a five-minute charge. Always handy.

How often should you trim your beard?

There’s no exact science, though barbers recommend trimming every three days to keep your beard style precise. That applies to longer beards, of course. For stubble or short beards, a daily run-over with the right comb attachment will do.

What is the best beard trimmer?

Facial hair is something that's very personal, so picking out a beard trimmer is naturally going to be a very personal choice. Choose a trimmer that makes the most sense for your facial hair style, and, most importantly, a trimmer that will ensure you look and feel like your best self. We took these factors into account while searching the internet for the best beard trimmers available right now.

These are the best beard trimmers in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

We're gonna assume that you already own an electric toothbrush. It's pretty much the standard for dental care these days and a must-have bathroom accessory. If you don’t own an electric toothbrush, your toothy-pegs need to get with the times. Because seriously: We're way beyond doing the job of brushing ourselves. We're not cavemen anymore, guys. And there are huge dental health benefits to electric toothbrushes.

Recent studies confirm that electric toothbrushes users have healthier gums and less tooth decay. That's especially true with electric toothbrushes that have “oscillating” heads, which rotate in both directions and sweep away even more plaque.

In addition to all that, electric toothbrushes are seriously advanced in 2025. The best models have multiple cleaning modes, Bluetooth and app control, pressure sensors, and more. All of which makes it harder to upgrade. How can you possibly know which model is best for you and your teeth? To help you out, here’s some information to brush up on electric toothbrush tech, plus a selection of the very best models.

What makes a good electric toothbrush?

We can get really detailed but there are some very basic things to look out for:

• Action — There are different types of toothbrushes that provide different movements, such as oscillating (rotates in one direction and back again), pulsing (moving backwards and forwards against teeth), and rotating (bristles that actually turn).

• Battery life — Thankfully, most electric toothbrushes come with a charging base, though some are powered by regular batteries (that all depends on how fancy the toothbrush is). But still check battery times. A few weeks’ worth of power is good.

• Replacement heads — The head of your toothbrush will need replacing. That’s just a dentist-endorsed fact of life. Some toothbrushes come with a few heads, which is helpful. If not, look out for models that have readily available replacement heads.

Keep these things in mind when shopping around for a new model.

How often should you change your toothbrush head?

General advice is to change every three months, though the more specific rule says when the bristles are worn down. Some brush heads have bristles that change colour to let you know when it’s time to replace the head. While brands like Oral-B and Philips offer lots of different toothbrush models, the heads tend to be one-size-fits-all.

What are the best electric toothbrush features?

As well as the basics, there are lots of more specialised features to consider. Here are some key features that we think are are worth knowing about:

• App connectivity — The most advanced toothbrushes will connect to an app via your smartphone, giving real-time feedback and advice on your brushing. These toothbrushes may also have AI capabilities that adapt to your bushing style.

• Pressure sensor — Pressure sensors will alert you if you’re pressing too hard, which can lead to damage to your gums and tooth enamel. Oral-B includes this feature in its SmartRing, which lights up to warn you if you’re brushing too hard.

• Two-minute timer — Exactly as it sounds, this alerts you when you’ve cleaned for the recommended two minutes. Some timers also pause every 30 seconds, helping you clean each “quadrant” of your mouth equally.

What is the best electric toothbrush?

There's a wide range of quality electric toothbrushes on the market, with models from big names in smart tech and personal care. Everyone's dental needs are different, and everyone's toothbrush needs are different too. All we can do is point you in the direction, helping you to upgrade to a toothbrush that suits you.

These are the best electric toothbrushes for 2025.

Samsung has been on a roll lately when it comes to hardware events. And the company is not done yet. It has already announced this year's new foldables, but it still has some stuff in the chamber—its newest hardware is coming next week, so get ready.

SAVE $60: The Insignia 32-inch LED Smart Fire TV is once again marked down to $69.99 at Amazon, a steep 46% discount from its retail price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 32-inch LED Smart Fire TV $69.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

We're not sure if we should call this a back-to-school sale, a Labor Day sale, or a really convenient impulse buy for college students. Whatever you call it, this 32-inch Insignia TV with the Fire TV OS is ridiculously affordable right now.

We've seen this TV go on sale for events like Prime Day, and now it's back to its lowest-ever price for the tail-end of the back-to-school shopping season. So, if you still need to outfit your dorm (dorm decorating is so popular it was the subject of a recent thinkpiece in The Atlantic) for the 2025-2026 school year, finish it off with a TV.

Specifically, a smart mini TV. This 32-inch Insignia LED TV is appropriately dorm-sized, and at $69.99, it won't completely wreck your budget.

SEE ALSO: The ultimate back-to-college gear guide: 45+ picks for the new semester

This smart TV comes loaded with the Amazon Fire TV OS, which means you don't need a separate streaming stick to watch Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, and Prime Video. You can simply pop on the TV and start streaming the latest college football games, Love Island, or whatever TV shows will be trending a few months from now. With the included Alexa voice remote, you only need to press a single button.

And if you have a little more room in the budget (and a little more square footage), you can also grab a 40-inch Amazon Fire TV on sale for $179.99, or a Vizio 40-inch HD Smart TV for $138.