Technology

Replace these 4 popular Docker containers before they become security risks

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 13:00

Open-source is a promise, not a guarantee. And if you've been homelabbing long enough, there's a good chance that you're running some stale, unmaintained Docker containers. While these containers may be safe to use in the short term, they do pose some long-term risk (or may simply break at some point), so you should disable or replace them as soon as you can.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 40+ best Prime Day deals on trading cards: Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and more

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:55
The best Prime Day trading card deals: Best Pokémon TCG deal Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box (invitation only) $159.99 Get Deal Alternative Pokemon 30th Celebration ETB deal Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $184.16 ($21.83) Get Deal Best MTG deal Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box $161.99 (save $49.12) Get Deal Best One Piece deal One Piece Card Game Card Game Starter Deck (ST-23 Shanks) $44.99 (save $17) Get Deal Best Kpop Demon Hunters deal KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards Energy Edition (001-NA-Series 1-A) $45.22 (save $8.66) Get Deal Best Disney Lorcana deal Ravensburger Disney Lorcana TCG 2-player Starter Deck $19.99 (save $10) Get Deal

Amazon’s October Prime Day is officially here, with plenty more trading card deals across Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece Card Game, Disney Lorcana, and KPop Demon Hunters for you to jump in on.

Our highlights so far include solid discounts on Pokémon’s 30th Celebration expansion, alongside a new standout Magic: The Gathering deal on The Hobbit Play Booster Box. There are also savings on booster bundles, starter decks, collector products, and sealed boxes across several major TCGs, so we’ll keep updating the best deals while Prime Day is live.

With the sale running through Oct. 7, we’re refreshing this roundup as prices change and stronger offers appear, so keep this guide bookmarked so you can check in on the latest and greatest deals with just a couple of clicks.

MTG's Hobbit Play Booster Box is cheaper than ever Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering | Marvel Super Heroes - Draft Night $161.99 at Amazon
$211.11 Save $49.12 Get Deal Why we like it

Following the incredibly successful Lord of the Rings expansion, The Hobbit has been in massive demand as well, and you can now own this 30-pack box at its lowest Amazon price ever: $161.99, with 23% cut off its base $211.11 list price.

With that $49.12 price cut, this is indeed a record low (confirmed by camelcamelcamel); it even undercuts the $169 deal we found in late September. For just $8.53 above TCGplayer's $153.46 market price, you'll be paying the equivalent of only $5.39 per pack.

Along with those 30 packs, the box comes with a traditional foil Middle-earth Box Topper. As for the packs themselves, each will have up to three cards of rare or higher rarity, three to five uncommons, seven to nine commons, one land, and one traditional foil card of any rarity, too.

More Magic: The Gathering DealsGet the Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration ETB for under $160 Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box (invitation only) $159.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

Listings at reasonable prices have been coming and going in the wake of the high demand for the Pokemon TCG's 30th Celebration expansion, but you can now submit invite requests on Amazon for the 30th Celebration ETB for $159.99 — only $11.55 above TCGplayer's $148.44 market price.

To be crystal clear, this is a lottery-type system where getting an invitation isn't guaranteed, but your request will still be kept on file for any future restocks. That said, if you want a 30th Celebration ETB that's readily available to buy right now, Amazon has a separate listing on sale for $184.16, a $21.74 discount.

No matter which 30th Celebration ETB you get, the contents will still be the same: nine booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo card, 16 foil Basic Energy trading cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Other 30th Celebration dealsMore Pokémon TCG dealsOver $15 off a One Piece Card Game starter deck Opens in a new window Credit: BANDAI One Piece Card Game Card Game Starter Deck (ST-23 Shanks) $61.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

At $44.99 after a 27% discount, Shanks' ST-23 Starter Deck is now a solid, affordable way to get into the One Piece card game. Built to be approachable for newer players, you'll get a 51-card constructed deck, 10 DON! cards, a play sheet, and an OP-11 booster pack included. Five cards also feature new text, giving existing players a few fresh pieces to work into their current strategies

More One Piece dealsGet KPop Demon Hunters Energy Edition for just over $45 Opens in a new window Credit: Kayou KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards Energy Edition (001-NA-Series 1-A) $45.88 at Amazon
$53.88 Save $8   Get Deal Why we like it

The KPop Demon Hunters Energy Edition is down to $45.99 at Amazon, giving collectors 15% off the more premium of Kayou’s two main releases. What makes the Energy Edition a go-to is that it spans 130 card types and 11 rarity tiers, with higher-end cards including laser-etched SE cards individually numbered from 1 to 366.

What's more, BP cards are also exclusive to Energy Edition, giving this box more chase potential than the cheaper Classic line.

More KPop Demon Hunters deals Disney Lorcana's TCG Starter Deck sets are now under market price Opens in a new window Credit: Ravensburger Ravensburger Disney Lorcana TCG 2-Player Starter Deck $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon has the Wilds Unknown 2-Player Starter Set for $19.99, a full $10 below Ravensburger’s $29.99 retail price and around $2.38 under TCGplayer’s current $22.35 market price. You get two ready-to-play 60-card decks, four foil cards between them, damage tokens, lore trackers, and a rulebook. That makes it a fantastic low-cost way for two people to start playing without needing to buy decks or accessories separately.

More Disney Lorcana TCG deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Croatia vs. Spain online for free

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:51

TL;DR: Watch Croatia vs. Spain in the Nations League for free on RTVE. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League has been tough going for Croatia. They started with a win over Czechia, but since then they've lost to Spain and England. The latter ended 7-0 after a shocking capitulation at the Stadion Riejka. Can Croatia restore some pride against the World Cup winners?

If you're interested in watching Croatia vs. Spain in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Croatia vs. Spain?

Croatia vs. Spain in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Stadion Poljud.

How to watch Croatia vs. Spain for free

Croatia vs. Spain in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can live stream Croatia vs. Spain for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Croatia vs. Spain for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit RTVE

  5. Watch Croatia vs. Spain for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Croatia vs. Spain without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Spain

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Croatia vs. Spain for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch England vs. Czechia online for free

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:47

TL;DR: Watch England vs. Czechia in the Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League has been going pretty well for England. They started with a close defeat to World Cup winners Spain, but have responded with confident wins over Czechia and Croatia. Now they face Czechia at Wembley Stadium, hoping to build on that stunning 7-0 victory at the Stadion Riejka.

If you're interested in watching England vs. Czechia in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is England vs. Czechia?

England vs. Czechia in the Nations League kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch England vs. Czechia for free

England vs. Czechia in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream England vs. Czechia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream England vs. Czechia for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch England vs. Czechia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch England vs. Czechia without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream England vs. Czechia for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch India vs. Uruguay online for free

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:44

TL;DR: Watch India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly for free on Antel TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

India don't have a great deal of experience playing the world's elite sides, but that has all changed this month. They battled to a 4-0 defeat against Brazil last week, and now they face Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It's not going to get any easier for Khalid Jamil's team.

If you're interested in watching India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is India vs. Uruguay?

India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Salt Lake Stadium.

How to watch India vs. Uruguay for free

India vs. Uruguay in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Antel TV.

Antel TV is geo-restricted to Uruguay, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Uruguay, meaning you can live stream India vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream India vs. Uruguay for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

  4. Visit Antel TV

  5. Watch India vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch India vs. Uruguay without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Antel TV?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Uruguay

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream India vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sony headphones are hitting record lows on October Prime Day: Shop XM6, XM5, and budget headphones

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:43
The best October Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals: Best premium Sony headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $378 (save $81.99) Get Deal Best Sony earbuds deal Sony WF-1000XM6 $258 (save $71.99) Get Deal Best noise cancelling Sony headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM5 $198 (save $201.99) Get Deal Best budget headphones deal Sony WH-CH720N $88 (save $91.99) Get Deal Best Audiophile Sony Headphones Deal Sony 1000X The Collexion $598 ($51.99) Get Deal

You might not have felt ready for the holiday shopping season, which has kicked off with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days — aka October Prime Day — but we know what you are ready for: an upgraded set of headphones.

Audio and noise-cancellation technology advances so quickly that new headphone models come out thick and fast, sounding better all the time.

If you're in the market for an upgrade but you don't know where to start, Sony is arguably the best all-rounder brand, delivering the best sound you'll find in everyday headphone tech and some of the most effective noise cancellation that money can buy.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

They don't come cheap, of course, which is why October Prime Day is a can't-miss opportunity to pick up an excellent pair of Sony cans at an also-excellent price. Price drops may continue as the 48-hour sale rolls on (it runs Oct. 6-7), but we've already spotted great deals on a selection of key Sony models, including some all-time record lows.

Standouts include flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 returning to its lowest-ever price, as well as a new record price on the earbuds. And if you're specifically wanting noise cancellation, the previous-gen Sony WH-1000XM5 gives you the most bang for your buck, with a massive $200-plus discount and ANC that's as good as the upgraded model. That's another all-time low price, by the way.

Keep checking back for updates, but for now these are the best Sony headphones deals for Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.

The best October Prime Day Sony deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 $378 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $81.99   Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the latest iteration of Sony's flagship line and pretty much the best of the best. Sony's noise cancellation is a class leader, and these offer its best ever performance, adapting to external noise in real-time and ensuring you're immersed in your tunes to a level that suits you. For instance, Auto Ambient Sound Mode keeps you in tune with your surroundings, or you can adjust the ANC levels in the Sound Connect.

That noise-canceling tech combines with detailed, finely engineered audio — the signature sound that marks Sony as the standout name in consumer audio technology (for audiophile quality sound, you can get $51.99 off the Sony 1000X The Collexion headphones).

The current discounted price of $378 is the lowest the Sony WH-1000XM6 has been priced at since June. We don't expect them to drop any lower just yet, so now's the time to grab them.

Read Mashable's review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

More Sony headphones and earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung is wasting "Conversations," the Android feature I love on my Pixel

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:30

As much as I want to like Galaxy phones, Samsung makes some software decisions that I just don't get. This is particularly true when it comes to notifications. One of my favorite conversation features on Pixel phones is technically present on Galaxy phones, but Samsung broke it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best October Prime Day deals on iPads, according to Mashables tech experts

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:29
October Prime Day iPad deals at a glance: Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 (save $50) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $499 (save $100) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal iPad Air 11-inch (M4, WiFi) $649 (save $100) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal

Fall has just begun, but the holiday shopping season is already heating up. No longer do things kick off on Black Friday: Amazon's annual Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 6 and 7 is the start of end-of-year deals.

October Prime Day is officially here, and we're looking for the best price drops across top brands, especially Apple. Early deals were pretty hit-or-miss with baseline models seeing modest $20 to $30 markdowns. But now that we've arrived at the main event, there are actually some deals worth shopping.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?

We've rounded up the best October Prime Day iPad deals we could find. While none of the iPads here have dropped to new all-time lows, we're happy to take any savings, given that Apple raised iPad prices earlier this year. But if you want to see where current iPad prices fall, we've compiled the price history on current models.

Save up to $50 on the regular iPad

The standard iPad with the A16 chip is our favorite Apple tablet for budget shoppers. "Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro," writes Mashable's Samantha Mangino, "it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading." It's rated for up to six hours of battery life.

The base iPad with 128GB of storage is now $50 off with or without cellular connectivity. That brings it down to $399, its lowest price since Amazon increased it to $449 earlier this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $549 at Amazon
$599 Save $50   Get Deal Take up to $100 off the iPad mini

If you wish e-readers were more powerful, more versatile, and equipped with way more storage, get Apple's smallest iPad instead. The iPad mini's compact size and anti-reflective display make it our favorite tablet for reading.

We hoped the iPad Mini would drop $70 during Prime Big Deal Days, but the deal is even sweeter. Right now, you can grab it for $499, a full 100 off its $599 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $499 at Apple
$599 Save $100   Get Deal Skip the pro pricing on Apple's newest M4 power tablet with $100 off

In his 4.5-star review, Mashable’s Timothy Beck Werth called the M4 iPad Air "a tablet that thinks it's an AI laptop," making it a great pick for students, artists, and creators. It has the same super-light aluminum body and bright Liquid Retina screen as last year's model.

Where it wins is speed: the new M4 processor and upgraded smart chip make AI tools like fast voice-note transcription and photo editing happen almost instantly. While Timothy pointed out that it only offers "iterative upgrades over last year's model" and can feel "overpowered for casual users", that is exactly why this price drop makes sense.

Paying full retail for an incremental spec bump can be a hard sell, but catching it on sale makes the extra speed, 256GB of storage, and creator-grade power completely worth the tag. Luckily, it's now $100 off, bringing it down to $649.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, WiFi) $649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100   Get Deal Save $200 on iPad Pros

If you're a professional creative in the market for an iPad, consider buying an iPad Pro. Leading up to the sale, we saw discounts of up to $200 on last year's M4 model rather than the freshest M5 version. You can score an 11-inch iPad Pro with 2TB of storage and a nano-texture display. That brings the iPad Pro down to $1,899, which is still a steep price. If you want a Pro at a lower price (albeit with a smaller discount), go for the 11-inch iPad Pro with M5 chip and 256GB of storage, which is on sale for $60 off.

More iPad Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Ive waited months for these October Prime Day MacBook deals: Save up to $600 on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:22
The best October Prime Day MacBook deals at a glance: Best MacBook Air Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 (save $200) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro with 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $2,699 (save $500) Get Deal Best MacBook Neo deal (for now) Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689 (save $10) Get Deal

Genuinely good MacBook deals have been harder to come by in the wake of Apple's summer price hikes. Thanks to Prime Big Deal Days, that's finally changing.

Live now through Oct. 7, Amazon's 48-hour fall savings event for Prime members serves as its unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. (It's often referred to as "October Prime Day.") The first day of the sale has already ushered in sizable MacBooks discounts, the likes of which we haven't seen in months. Of special note is a $200 discount on the M5 MacBook Air that completely erases its price increase; this week marks the first time shoppers have been able to buy it for as low as $1,099 since June.

Check out my running list of the best October Prime Day MacBook deals below. I'll continue to update it as the sale continues.

How I picked the best October Prime Day MacBook deals

The Mashable team has reviewed every current MacBook and monitors their prices continuously throughout the year. The deals I'm personally recommending here involve the lowest prices on select models in at least three months, which I vetted using the Amazon price-tracking tool camelcamelcamel and our past coverage of MacBook deals. Things are looking a bit better than usual so far: MacBook Pro deals maxed out at $400 off last Prime Big Deal Days, but right now, select models are up to $600 off.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026: Live updates on Apple, Kindle, Lego, and Samsung deals

If you're willing to wait, I think some MacBook Pros could get even cheaper as Prime Big Deal Days rolls on. I've marked them as "MacBook deals to watch" for the time being. That's also the section where I've plopped the best live deals on the budget MacBook Neo, which is only $10 off on Amazon right now. (That's its biggest discount outside of the Apple Store's education pricing, but I'd like to see if Amazon gives us $25 to $50 off at some point. Hang tight, people!)

Finally, I'm keeping an eye on other retailers' MacBook deals this week to see if any of them manage to beat Amazon's prices. None of them have yet, though Best Buy was matching some of its offers at the time of writing. Check there if the configuration you want happens to sell out during Prime Big Deal Days.

Best MacBook Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal

The latest MacBook Air is a Mashable Choice Award winner and one of our top-reviewed products of the year. In his testing, Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth found the M5 chip to be ridiculously powerful (probably more powerful than the average person really needs, TBH). It also has a fantastic display, a great-sounding speaker system, and a sharp Center Stage webcam.

The 13- and 15-inch sizes of the MacBook Air are both now $200 off on Amazon, starting at just $1,099 and $1,299, respectively. Best Buy was matching those deals the last time I checked.

More MacBook Air dealsBest MacBook Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro with 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $2,699 at Amazon
$3,199 Save $500   Get Deal

The M5 Pro chip is one of Apple's upgraded laptop CPUs. It's designed to handle the ultra-demanding workloads of "pro users — like data modelers, post-production sound designers, and STEM students — who require robust processing power and graphics," according to a company press release.

Right now, you can save $500 on a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chip that has 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, plus 24GB of RAM and a healthy 2TB of storage. This laptop typically retails for $3,199, but you'll pay $2,699 — a 16% savings. Best Buy is also price-matching Amazon here.

As mentioned up top, Amazon's October Prime Day MacBook Pro deals usually max out at $400ish. With that in mind, this is one deal that probably won't improve within the next two days. I also want to point out that it costs the same as a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the same amount of RAM and storage, but a lesser M5 Pro chip with 15 CPU cores and 16 GPU cores. If you're splurging on a new laptop for AI or creative work, this is more of a bargain.

More MacBook Pro dealsMacBook deals to watch
Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned a Raspberry Pi into an automated hard drive testing station that messages my phone

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:00

I got tired of randomly finding out a hard drive I thought was good wasn't actually good, so I built a tool to automatically benchmark and test my drives before I trust them with my data. Here's what I built and how you can use it to make your homelab more reliable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel has a scathing response to Trump promising $5k if Republicans win the midterms

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:26

Donald Trump has promised every adult American $5,000 if the Republicans win both the Senate and the House in the upcoming midterm elections — but Jimmy Kimmel isn't buying it.

"Well, he's never lied to us before," says Kimmel in the clip above, after playing footage of the president's announcement. "Let me be very clear: Donald Trump is more likely to run a 5k than to give it to us."

Kimmel also makes the point that the money Trump is promising belongs to the American people anyway.

"That's our money," Kimmel says. "You're not giving anyone anything. That's you breaking open Eric's piggybank and going 'Hey dummy, here's your allowance.' That's what you're doing."

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

$90 AirPods Pro are live at Amazon — save over $100 with this stunning October Prime Day Apple deal

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:22

TL;DR: Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) are down to $89.99 on October Prime Day. That's over $100 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) $89.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $159.01   Shop Now

Walmart has dominated the AirPods market around October Prime Day. Walmart's $79 deal on AirPods 4 has been really tough to beat, but Amazon has now dropped a genuine contender.

For a limited time, you can score the Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) for $89.99 on October Prime Day. That's over $100 off the list price and comes with a MagSafe charging case.

We didn't really expect this huge price drop. Our coverage of the best AirPods deals has largely focused on newer models. But if you want the latest AirPods Pro 3, you'll spend $179 on Amazon. That's still a good deal, but if you're trying to protect your budget and spend under $100, this is probably your best bet. We really can't see these popular earbuds dropping any further. This early price drop will likely last for the duration on Amazon's latest event.

Act fast to save over $100 on Apple AirPods Pro (1st Gen) in Amazon's October Prime Day.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts
Categories: IT General, Technology

We found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum and tweak its settings for optimal performance, I keep notes on its overall suction power vigor, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of its automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both Recent changes to this guide

July 2026: I added the Narwal Flow 2 as the new pick for best roller mop robot vacuum overall, bumping the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow to the best roller mop robot vacuum under $1,000. The Narwal Flow 2 has stronger suction power and more advanced AI spill detection.

March 2026: I added the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow as the best roller mop robot vacuum, replacing the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller. Though the Dreame has more powerful suction on paper, the Curv 2 Flow demonstrated better edge mopping and comparable vacuuming. I also replaced the Eufy X10 Pro Omni with the Eufy C28 and shifted it to my budget roller mop pick. The X10 Pro Omni is two years old at this point, and the new C28 offers more advanced cleaning and obstacle avoidance.

January 2026: I added the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Aqua10 Ultra to the best roller mop robot vacuum. The Roborock Saros 10R, which was listed as the best option for corner cleaning, has been removed from the list. It costs nearly the same amount as the X60 Max Ultra Complete, which has near-identical corner mopping abilities and much stronger suction power.

December 2025: I added a disclaimer to the pick for best Roomba value in light of iRobot's bankruptcy news.

October 2025: I added the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller as the best robot vacuum right now and shifted the Roborock Saros 10R (previously named the best robot vacuum right now) to the option for best corner cleaning.

July 2025: I removed the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum from this guide. While it was a solid budget mopping robot vacuum for its first year or so on the market, it's now a little bit too basic compared to other newer budget robot vacuums.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 10 best e-readers weve ever tested

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

So, what is the best e-reader for 2026? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. If you're gearing up to read more books this year, I can recommend a model you'll love.

Note: Amazon just dropped a new collection of Kindles. We've yet to test these devices. Included in this guide are the 2024 Kindles we have already reviewed.

Featured Video For You Latest e-reader news

  • On Oct. 1, Amazon dropped a redesigned collection of Kindles. We have yet to test Amazon's new e-readers, but will update this guide when we've thoroughly vetted the 2026 devices. You can purchase 6-inch Kindles now, and 7-inch Kindles will be available Oct. 28.

  • As of September 2026, we've added the Boox Go 6 to this guide, naming it the best Kindle alternative. We also named the Kindle Paperwhite the best e-reader for the beach (in addition to being the best overall) and named the Durobo Krono the best e-reader for audiobooks.

  • In August 2026, Amazon increased the price of Kindles. Now the basic Kindle costs $149.99 ($40 increase) and the Kindle Paperwhite costs $199.99 ($40 increase).

  • In July 2026, Boox announced it was releasing a pocket-sized e-reader, the Picco. After IFA 2026, rumors floated that the Boox Picco would be released in November 2026.

  • Also in July 2026, Xteink dropped the X4 Pro, a new tiny e-reader with a touchscreen.

  • As of April 2026, we have included the Durobo Krono and the Xetink X4 e-reader in this guide.

  • In May 2026, Amazon ceased support for e-readers released in 2012 or earlier, which includes the first generation of Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.

  • Also in May 2026, Kobo announced its integration with Storygraph, which syncs your on-device reading progress with the Storygraph app.

Which are the most affordable e-readers?

When picking an e-reader, price is always a consideration. However, almost all e-readers fall into the same price range. Kindle and Kobo e-readers both start around $149.99/$159.99, while the tiny Boox Picco is just $109.99. If you want handwriting capabilities, Kobo and Boox make the most affordable options, as Kindle's Scribes start at $500.

Other e-readers we've tested From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

  • Remarkable PaperPro: Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.

  • Onyx Boox Go 7: While we love the Boox Go 6, we didn't love the Go 7. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. Reading ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was significant lag when opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.

  • Boox Palma 2: I loved reading on the Boox Palma. It's a really solid palm-sized e-reader with an open Android system, so you can download any reading app from the Google Play store, including Libby, Kindle, and Kobo. Unfortunately, the Palma 2 is being discontinued, and its availability is dwindling, which is why it's not included in this list.

What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?

If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage. Plus, after recent price increases, the Paperwhite SE now costs $249.99. If you are prepared to spend that much on an e-reader, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.

Where's the Nook on this list?

In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.

Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.

Where to get e-reader books for free

Once you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.

The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.

Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.

If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A dying star may have birthed a planet right before it croaked

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

A star hundreds of light-years away in space may have spawned a giant Jupiter-size planet from the gas and dust it coughed out with its dying breath.

Astronomers spotted signs of such a planet circling a white dwarf — the leftover core of a medium-size star after it burns through its nuclear fuel — called HS 0209+0832. 

Though a team of researchers used data from NASA's Hubble and TESS telescopes to build a strong case for the planet, no observatory has seen the world itself. For now, it remains a candidate planet. But if the evidence bears out, its discovery would mean stars similar to our sun can launch a fresh round of planet formation after death. 

The findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, fly in the face of what astronomers expect from dead stars. Before our sun dies, it will likely swell into a red giant and swallow up Mercury, Venus, and Earth in the process. That late-life stage would mark the end for the inner solar system planets the sun birthed long ago. The potential for a second generation raises new questions about whether planets around dead stars could support life. Until now, scientists had only linked planets like this to pulsars, a different type of collapsed star.

"Rather than the white dwarf stage being a kind of epilogue to the story of a star and its planets, this research points to the systems we are familiar with only being the first chapter of a potentially much longer tale," said Jamie Williams, a doctoral candidate at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and the lead author, in a statement, "with some new characters showing up." 

SEE ALSO: A new NASA mission plan could capture light no space telescope now sees

The clues came from debris falling onto the dead star. Between 25 to 50 percent of young white dwarfs pull in debris from nearby objects, according to an associated commentary by Zifan Lin, a planetary scientist at Washington University in St. Louis. That rubble leaves chemical fingerprints in the star's light and reveals what it contains.

The fingerprints of most white dwarfs match Earth rock or common meteorites, but this star breaks that pattern. Researchers found almost no silicon or iron, the main ingredients of rocky planets like ours. In fact, the mix matches nothing in our solar system, including Halley's comet. Instead, they detected carbon, nickel, copper, zinc, and niobium — an element that threw a major curveball at the team. 

It was this element that led the scientists to the source. Stars forge most of their niobium late in life and disperse it when they molt their outer layers. Some of those cast-offs may have settled into a flat, rotating disk around the young white dwarf, allowing a gas giant planet to emerge from it. Ordinary rocky debris can't explain the niobium, the extra carbon, or the high ratio of nickel to iron, said Nicholas Stone, a University of Wisconsin theoretical astrophysicist. 

"These heavy elements can only be synthesized in the exotic conditions that briefly emerge inside dying stars," said Stone, a coauthor, in a statement. "The presence of niobium is a signpost of these 'death' throes, and the expulsion of the dying star's innards into space." 

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A companion star may have made the disk possible. Stars near the end of life usually push gas outward evenly in all directions, which leaves little chance for a disk to take shape. But if a small star orbited close by, the swelling giant may have swallowed it. That encounter could have flung the star's outer layers into a rich ring of material.

Scientists hypothesize that HS 0209+0832 aged into a red giant star that sloughed its outermost layers, forming a disk around its core. From this material, a planet may have formed, as the white dwarf tears away some of its atmosphere. Credit: NASA / ESA / Leah Hustak illustration

If this planet truly exists, it could broaden the search for life beyond our solar system. White dwarfs are about the size of Earth, so a planet passing in front of one blocks a large share of its light. That makes an orbiting world's atmosphere much easier to study. For a rocky, Earth-size planet at a comfortable distance from a nearby white dwarf, the James Webb Space Telescope could detect water, carbon dioxide, and possible signs of life in just a few more passes, Lin wrote.

Right now, the gas giant candidate seems to be rapidly losing its atmosphere. Because the white dwarf is only about 5 million years old, it is still very hot and likely blasting the planet with energy that is whisking away its outer material. 

Despite this erosion, the white dwarf will eventually cool and hold a steady temperature, potentially putting the planet in a stable habitable zone for millions of years, according to the research team.

"If the second-generation planet is there, I think it is likely to survive," Williams said.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A Statement review: Star-studded climate change drama is more than just hot air

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

"Do we care?"

That is one of the early questions posed in director Tom McCarthy’s (Spotlight) A Statement, which dramatizes a real-life 1980 meeting between scientists, policymakers, and activists about the issue of climate change. By the end of the conference, participants are expected to have prepared a statement on the problem, and what to do next.

SEE ALSO: 'I Play Rocky' review: Can this crowd-pleaser be an Oscar contender?

At this point, everyone in the room is aware that the world’s rising carbon dioxide levels mean rising temperatures and global consequences. That those present ask whether they even “care” seems preposterous, especially to A Statement’s modern-day viewers, who are bombarded with rising temperatures, worsening floods and storms, and news that we’re set to cross the dangerous 1.5°C warming threshold above preindustrial levels within a few years.

Yet in 1980, few in A Statement’s conference room can fathom these catastrophic effects. Some, like meteorologist John Perry (Jason Clarke), even downplay them. He suggests that when the time comes, America can just move its seat of power to higher ground, like Denver.

The cognitive dissonance between the reality of our climate crisis and the hypotheticals floated in A Statement can at times turn the film into an infuriating experience. “Do something!” you’re tempted to yell, even as so much of what happens at the conference reflects our current moment. Through it all, McCarthy weaves an effective tale of human communication and the struggles of trying to reach consensus. Still, given its subject matter, you can’t help but wish A Statement was just a tad angrier.

A Statement turns a dry transcript into a gripping discussion.

Based on journalist Nathaniel Rich’s book Losing Earth, A Statement checks us into the Don CeSar hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida, where, for the next 36 hours, the climate change conference will take place. There, moderator Tom Jorling (Paul Rudd) frets over how best to create a constructive dialogue between differing personalities, such as passionate environmentalist Rafe Pomerance (Evan Peters) and pragmatic Department of Energy official David Slade (Paul Giamatti).

For scenes of the conference, McCarthy draws verbatim from the transcripts of the meeting, taken down in the film by stenographer Bernadette (Nina Arianda). Text from the transcripts appears onscreen at the start of each session, both to highlight the film’s accuracy and formally invite us into the official proceedings.

Much of the text is dry — conversations about limiting carbon dioxide levels, debates about specific wording for the statement. Yet McCarthy, his crew, and his star-studded ensemble bring it to intense life. Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh’s dynamic camera work guides us around the table in an intricate dance, while editor Jane Rizzo turns lengthy scientific explanations into snappy, anxiety-inducing rides. Bryce Dessner’s drum-heavy score ups the urgency, while occasionally bringing some near-farcical levity to the sessions.

SEE ALSO: 'Godzilla Minus Zero' review: The epic monster melodrama fans have been roaring for

Then there's the cast, made up of excellent heavy hitters who are as dialed in as can be. Rudd's nice-guy persona perfectly suits Jorling's mediator role, with an undercurrent of stress slowly ratcheting up by the second. Peters' Rafe is a pent-up flurry of antsy fidgeting and indignation, a perfect contrast to more curmudgeonly veterans of these types of meetings like Giamatti's Slade. While his character first seems like a tired obstacle to progress, a key scene outside the meeting room allows Giamatti to imbue Slade with a deeper humanity and a haunting resignation.

As two of the very few women in the room, Amy Ryan's public health scholar Annemarie Crocetti and Tatiana Maslany's law professor Edith Brown Weiss each get meaty speeches toward the conference's end that they deliver with aplomb, but they are otherwise mostly relegated to the margins. Still, McCarthy emphasizes their smaller presence in the transcript, often holding on their reactions or their raised hands (they are the only people in the room who do so) to emphasize the baggage of speaking up in that male-dominated space.

But the real scene stealer here is John Turturro as David Rose, a professor of nuclear engineering at MIT who's also deeply fascinated by humanity's ability to solve — or not solve — complex, life-threatening problems. Rose becomes a doomsday prophet of sorts, regaling attendees with stories of collapsed civilizations whose citizens saw the end coming and still did nothing to prevent it. Turturro delivers each anecdote with a wry laugh, summoning a darkly humorous cloud to loom over each of A Statement's sessions.

A Statement isn't angry enough.

A Statement falters when it leaves its conference room and veers from the transcript. The difference between dialogue that was on the record and fabricated conversations is immediate: . There are some killer one-liners, but also several overt attempts to gesture toward Big Life Lessons that border on schmaltz. A scene where attendees crash a wedding also taking place at the hotel veers the film into cheesy territory, even if it does gift us Turturro dancing.

The wedding does serve a bigger purpose: forcing A Statement's characters to think about future generations who will be born into a world that bears the brunt of their indecision and eventual inaction. (Generations who will be watching this movie!) A Statement lays out the causes of all this inaction throughout. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions on a significant scale would cost too much. It would require the whole world to work together. It would force people to give up their creature comforts, something they will never accept. And with Ronald Reagan just days away from getting elected, many government attendees wonder whether they'll even have jobs once he's done slashing the budget.

These are all concerns that resonate today, from the arguments about why significant change will never happen right down to a U.S. president who doesn't give a damn about the environment. (President Donald Trump has twice withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.) Knowing all this, it's frustrating when A Statement's conclusion is less of an indictment of the patterns of thinking that have kept us in this mess, and more of a shrug about how impossible solving the climate change problem is.

Yes, McCarthy has crafted an engaging deep dive into a very dense meeting, one that surely reflects the kinds of discussions being had at countless other climate change conferences. Yet in the end, like its characters, A Statement doesn't make enough of one.

A Statement was reviewed following its world premiere at the New York Film Festival. It will be released at a later date.

Categories: IT General, Technology

New York’s ‘voluntary intoxication loophole’: The legal gap at the center of the Cornell 7 case.

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

Saying yes to a drink is not the same thing as saying yes to sex. Yet New York's sexual assault laws draw a distinction between someone whose drink was spiked and someone who chose to drink, even if both become too impaired to consent.

That distinction is often called the "voluntary intoxication loophole," and the Cornell University sexual assault allegations have put it in the spotlight. Back in 2024, a former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven men sexually assaulted her at the Chi Phi fraternity house at the university. In explaining why they initially declined to bring criminal charges, the local district attorney pointed to how New York law treats voluntary intoxication.

Online, the loophole has become a flashpoint, with commenters arguing over whether choosing to drink changes someone’s right to say no to sex. But what the law actually says — and what it leaves out — can get lost in those debates.

Here’s how the loophole works, why it matters in the Cornell case, and what a proposed change would do.

What is New York's voluntary intoxication loophole?

It comes down to what "mentally incapacitated" means under New York law, Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping, an attorney at Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP, told Mashable. The definition covers someone temporarily unable to understand or control their conduct because they were given an intoxicating substance without their consent, or because of another act done to them without their consent. But it leaves out the same impairment caused by alcohol or drugs they chose to consume.

Think of two equally impaired people: one had their drink spiked, while the other knowingly drank alcohol. Both may be unable to consent, but only the first may qualify as mentally incapacitated on that basis.

As Wentworth-Ping explained, "Because voluntary intoxication is excluded from this definition, a victim who willingly drinks or consumes substances cannot be legally deemed 'incapable of consent' under a theory of mental incapacity."

That’s the distinction advocates want lawmakers to reconsider: If someone cannot consent, why should it matter how they became intoxicated?

Can someone who voluntarily drinks still be a rape victim under New York law?

Yes. The loophole limits one way prosecutors can establish incapacity. Other provisions can apply, including those involving force, physical helplessness, or a clearly expressed lack of consent, depending on the alleged conduct and evidence. Physical helplessness also extends beyond unconsciousness. It includes someone who, for another reason, is physically unable to communicate unwillingness to an act.

The gap arises when someone is conscious but too impaired to understand or control what is happening, without meeting another applicable legal standard. Voluntary intoxication alone does not place them within the law's mental incapacitation category.

How did this become an issue in the Cornell case?

Jane Doe's lawsuit alleges that she was pressured into consuming drugs and alcohol and became incapacitated while fraternity members sexually assaulted her. (The allegations remain contested.)

Although Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten pointed to the intoxication distinction in defending his initial decision, reporting on Doe's police interview has raised questions about the evidence his office reviewed. Van Houten told CBS News that he had not seen the interview transcript before news outlets reported on it.

"In what world does the district attorney not even interview her, or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript?" Gov. Kathy Hochul said, criticizing the handling of the case.

The investigation has since reopened, and Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to conduct an independent review and pursue charges if warranted. "We do not take that responsibility lightly," James said in a statement.

What are lawmakers trying to change?

The proposed legislation would allow prosecutors to establish a lack of consent in specified sexual offenses based on a person's level of impairment, regardless of whether they voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs.

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz's proposed bill A101, for example, would cover someone temporarily unable to understand or control their conduct because of an intoxicating substance. Prosecutors would also have to establish that this condition was known, or reasonably should have been known, to someone in the accused person’s situation. The provision would apply to specified offenses, including certain third-degree rape charges.

"This shifts the legal focus away from how the victim became intoxicated and places it squarely on whether they possessed the actual capacity to consent," Wentworth-Ping explained.

Having alcohol before sex would not, by itself, make an encounter a crime. But the proposed standard concerns incapacity and what the other person knew or reasonably should have known.

Its Senate counterpart, S10632, sponsored by Sen. Nathalia Fernandez, passed 60–0 on June 4, 2026. It remains in the Assembly’s Codes Committee and has not become law. Versions of the proposal have been introduced since 2019.

Governor Kathy Hochul has also backed closing the gap. "If someone is too intoxicated to consent, it should not matter whether they chose to use drugs or alcohol," she said on Oct. 2.

What would still be difficult to prove?

Changing the law would give prosecutors another route to pursue a case, but they would still have to prove the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Wentworth-Ping said that limited physical evidence, a shortage of witnesses, and fragmented memories can complicate that task, as can determining whether the accused person should have recognized someone's incapacity.

"For example, an individual might be severely impaired internally while appearing outwardly coherent, meaning a reasonable observer might not recognize their lack of capacity," he said. "While the proposed amendment lowers the statutory barrier to prosecution, it does not erase the intricate factual challenges inherent in trying intoxicated-consent cases before a jury."

A new law would also apply to conduct occurring after it takes effect, rather than retroactively changing the legal standards governing the Cornell allegations, Wentworth-Ping explained.

Will New York close the loophole?

So far, the proposal has repeatedly stalled in the Assembly. Speaker Carl Heastie said his Democratic conference discussed the bill twice but did not have enough support to pass it. A working group is now reviewing the proposal and other possible changes to sexual assault laws, with recommendations due by the end of the year for the 2027 legislative session. Whether the renewed attention will translate into a change remains to be seen.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop micromanaging your storage — pay just $359.97 for 10TB of storage during this sale

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Cloud storage is useful. Continuously paying for enough room to accommodate your ever-expanding pile of files? Not cool. Drime Advanced++ with 10TB of lifetime cloud storage is only $359.97 (reg. $1,299) through Oct. 11 during the Deal Days sales event.

Opens in a new window Credit: Drime Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (Advanced++ Plan/10TB) $476.99
$1,299 Save $822.01   Get Deal

And this isn’t just 10TB of digital attic space.

Drime is a European cloud storage platform that combines storage with tools for sharing, editing, collaboration, and e-signatures. Files sync across your devices, and there’s no file-size limit, so giant videos and other hefty files don’t need special treatment.

For sensitive documents, Drime includes an end-to-end encrypted Vault using 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption. Files are encrypted locally and remain accessible only to you. Drime is hosted in Europe, is GDPR compliant, and doesn’t route data through the U.S.

The Advanced++ plan also gives you some breathing room when mistakes happen. File versioning lasts up to 120 days, allowing you to restore an earlier version instead of dramatically mourning the document you accidentally changed.

Drime’s collaborative workspaces can organize files, projects, and clients. Built-in document and media editors let you make changes without leaving the platform, while review tools support timestamped comments on videos, PDFs, and images.

You can also request e-signatures with Drime Sign and share files using links with passwords, expiration dates, custom links, and access stats. Large videos get adaptive playback, fast scrubbing, and previews.

In other words, you’re not buying 10TB just to watch it fill up.

Get Drime Advanced++ with 10TB of lifetime cloud storage for $359.97 (reg. $1,299) through Oct. 11 during this Deal Days sale.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your next 5 years of AdGuard VPN access can cost just $34.97 if you buy through Oct. 11

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: AdGuard VPN is currently on sale for just $34.97 for five years through Oct. 11, with unlimited data, a zero-logging policy, 70+ locations, and support for up to 10 simultaneous devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard VPN: 5-Yr Subscription $34.97
$359.40 Save $324.43   Get Deal

A VPN is supposed to make using the internet more private, not give you another monthly payment to keep track of. AdGuard VPN is just $34.97 (reg. $359.40) for a five-year subscription through Oct. 11 as part of the Deal Days sales event. Pay once, and the VPN category of your budget can take a nice, long nap.

AdGuard VPN gives you access to servers in 70+ locations worldwide, which can also help you access geographically restricted content. There’s unlimited data, so you aren’t working around a cap when browsing, streaming, or downloading.

Privacy is the main event here. AdGuard uses its own security protocol, designed to provide a faster and safer VPN connection, while its zero-logging policy means personal data isn’t collected and internet traffic remains private.

One subscription also works across up to 10 devices simultaneously. That’s useful when your digital life stretches beyond one laptop. AdGuard VPN is available across platforms, including iOS, Android, and Google Chrome, so you can use the same account across multiple devices instead of picking which one gets VPN access today.

AdGuard also includes light-speed servers for uninterrupted browsing, with access to servers in all available locations.

There are plenty of reasons someone might want a VPN, from keeping browsing activity private to connecting through another location. The smarter part of this particular setup is simply knowing what you’re paying for upfront.

Instead of adding another VPN payment to the monthly subscription pile, one purchase covers the next five years.

Get a five-year AdGuard VPN subscription for only $34.97 through Oct. 11 during Deal Days.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop renting Microsoft Office — own it on your Mac for just $79.97

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:00

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is just $79.97 through Oct. 11, giving you a lifetime license for essential Office apps on one Mac.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $79.97
$219 Save $139.03   Get Deal

We have enough monthly bills. Microsoft Office doesn’t necessarily need to be another one. Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac is just $79.97 (reg. $219) through Oct. 11 as part of the Deal Days sales event, and it’s a lifetime license rather than an ongoing subscription.

That means one purchase gets you the familiar Office apps you probably came here for: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote.

Word handles documents, Excel takes care of spreadsheets and complex data, and PowerPoint is there when someone inevitably asks you to “throw together a quick deck.” Outlook covers email and scheduling, while the bundle also includes Teams Basic and the free version of OneNote.

It’s a practical lineup for families, students, and small businesses, especially when the goal isn’t to find an elaborate new productivity system. Sometimes you just want the Office apps you already know how to use.

The lifetime license is designed for one Mac and can be used for Microsoft Office at home or work. Unlike a device-linked license, this licensing type connects to your Microsoft account rather than the Mac itself. It’s also a one-time-use code.

For Mac users who want the classic Microsoft Office lineup without another subscription, this is an easy win.

Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac for $79.97 through Oct. 11 during Deal Days.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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