Technology

Snag a two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers at Woot for a record-low price of $35

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:37

SAVE $25: A two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers is on sale at Woot for $34.99, down from the list price of $59.99. That's a 42% discount, and a sale price that's better than the lowest ever offered at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tile by Life360 Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker (2 pack) $34.99 at Woot
$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal

Summer travel is still in its prime, and if you're taking off anytime soon, there's an essential you need to pack. Sure, it's smart to toss in extra socks (and don't forget your chargers), but we also recommend packing Bluetooth trackers. If you don't own any yet, or you need a few more, check out this awesome deal at Woot.

As of July 24, a two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers is just $34.99 at Woot. That's a 42% discount that takes $25 off the normal price of $59.99. The Woot sale price is lower than any price we've seen at Amazon before, and Amazon currently lists a single Tile Pro for $34.99 which means this deal is basically two for the price of one.

On Mashable's roundup of the best Bluetooth trackers for travel and lost luggage, the Tile Pro earns the spot as the best Apple AirTag alternative. Mashable's review from Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth explains they're even better at finding lost items compared to the ever popular AirTag. "If you’re using them for item finding, then we actually recommend them over Apple AirTags," Beck Werth says. "That’s because they can be used with both iOS and Android devices, come with a user-friendly app, and offer extremely detailed location tracking."

SEE ALSO: The Kindle is my ultimate travel essential — here's why

The overall design is also convenient for attaching a Tile Pro to your keyring, purse, wallet, and plenty of other handy spots. Tile mentions the Pro model comes with a battery that'll last for about a year, so scoring this deal likely means you can use them for summer travel in 2026.

While they're 42% off, snag the two-pack of Tile Pro Bluetooth trackers and travel with the reassurance that you'll always be in the know of your bag's location.

The best tech deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon Introduces a Cheaper Full-Color Kindle eReader

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:33

The original Kindle Colorsoft was a slam-dunk despite its $280 price tag. Now, Amazon is introducing a cheaper 16GB model for $250—it's almost identical to the standard 32GB Colorsoft, just with half the storage space and fewer quality-of-life features. Plus, the first-ever Kindle Colorsoft Kids bundle is now available for $270.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google AI Overviews has devastating impact on website traffic, study says

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:30

More research has been published about AI Overviews' effect on declining publisher traffic, athough Google continues to deny it.

A study from the Pew Research Center found that the appearance of Google's AI-generated summaries at the top of the search page significantly impacted outbound clicks to other websites. A group of 900 U.S. adults participating in the study agreed to share their browsing activity. Here are some of the findings from the Pew study:

  • Google users served an AI Overview clicked on links to other websites 8 percent of the time, nearly half as often as users without an AI Overview (15 percent).

  • Users were more likely to end their browsing session after encountering an AI Overview. Users ended their sessions on 26 percent of the pages, compared to 16 percent of pages without the AI summaries.

  • Only 1 percent of users encountering an AI Overview clicked on a cited link in the summary.

The study, which was first published in May and republished earlier this week with additional analysis, echoes what publishers have been saying ever since AI Overviews launched last year. The advent of AI-generated summaries gathered from web data has radically upended the need for users to click to sites in Google search results to find the information they need. That the summaries are sometimes wrong or hallucinated is an entirely different can of worms.

Organic search traffic from major news sites including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post has declined according to SimilarWeb data. And smaller, independent sites say the rollout of AI Overviews has forced them to shut down their sites or entirely reinvent their distribution model as a result of declining traffic, according to a Bloomberg report. Other reports from SEO analysts found the presence AI Overviews reduced clicks to sites, compared to traditional search results.

Google leadership has repeatedly refuted these claims, saying they have not seen a change in outbound clicks. "For any individual publisher, there's lots of reasons why something could fluctuate," Robby Stein VP of product for Google Search said in a May interview with Mashable. "We don't really look at specific publishers in that way. We think about it really in the aggregate."

In an interview with The Verge, CEO Sundar Pichai addressed claims of declining traffic, saying "we are sending traffic to a broader source of people. People may be surfacing more content, looking at more content, so someone may individually see less."

In response to the Pew findings, Google told The Register that they believe the study "uses a flawed methodology and skewed queryset that is not representative of Search traffic," before adding "We consistently direct billions of clicks to websites daily and have not observed significant drops in aggregate web traffic as is being suggested."

Categories: IT General, Technology

The popular Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is back under $25

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:22

SAVE $25: As of July 24, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is back down to just $24.99 with code 4KWINFTV. That's 50% off the list price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 with code 4KWINFTV Get Deal

Life hack: bring your favorite shows and movies with you on your next vacation by grabbing yourself a streaming stick. These compact, portable gadgets can fit in your suitcase, and you won't have to log into a stranger's TV in your Airbnb. Plus, you can pick up exactly where you left off on whatever you're watching. Genius, right? You have plenty of options to choose from, but we recommend grabbing the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K since it's on sale for half price.

As of July 24, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is only $24.99 with code 4KWINFTV. That's not the lowest price on record; that honor goes to the Black Friday 2024 deal, when it dropped all the way down to $21.99. But still, $24.99 matches its recent Prime Day price and is 50% off its list price. We deem that a helluva deal.

SEE ALSO: This stunning 4K Samsung monitor is still at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

While it's not actually our top pick for a streaming device, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a solid budget streamer. For just shy of $25, it gives you easy access to all of your favorite streaming apps. And if you're a big fan of Prime Video, it's definitely the best device for you, as it puts Prime content front and center. It will also highlight all of your recently watched shows in a convenient tab to continue watching without having to cycle through all of the apps.

Feature-wise, the Fire TV Stick 4K is equipped with cinematic 4K Ultra HD, as well as support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and WiFi 6. Its quad-core 1.7 GHz processor delivers faster app starts and more fluid navigation, although we have noticed a bit of lag from time to time. Plus, it allows you to play Xbox games without a console. For only $24.99 (with code 4KWINFTV), that's a pretty solid value.

Best TV deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

12 Old School Retro Racing Games That Are Still Worth Playing

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:00

The racing genre has come to define many eras of gaming, from the top-down pixelated efforts of yore to the photorealistic system-sellers that adorn modern consoles. The good news is that many of these games have stood the test of time, and are worth digging out and playing again (as long as you can find them).

Categories: IT General, Technology

The History of Sound trailer: Paul Mescal and Josh OConnor sing and fall in love in romantic drama

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:00

What's better than one internet boyfriend in a movie? Two internet boyfriends in a movie! That's the case in The History of Sound, a romantic drama that stars Paul Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers) and Josh O'Connor (Challengers).

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2025 (so far), and where to watch them

Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Living, Moffie) and based on the short story by Ben Shattuck (who also wrote the screenplay), The History of Sound premiered at 2025's Cannes Film Festival, where it received favorable reviews.

The History of Sound transports viewers to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1917. There, Kentucky-born singer Lionel Worthing (Mescal) crosses paths with music composing student David White (O'Connor). From their first encounter it's clear they have chemistry — both musical and romantic. The two embark on a relationship, but it's cut short when David is drafted into World War I.

Years later, in 1920, the pair reconnects and travels around Maine. They collect and preserve folk songs for future generations. Years after that, Lionel lives a successful life in Europe, complete with new romantic partners. Yet memories of his time with David constantly draw him back to that Maine trip, and to his great love for him.

The first trailer for The History of Sound teases these different stages of Lionel's life, along with both Mescal and O'Connor singing their share of American folk songs. Separately, each actor has proven themselves as exciting forces to watch, with Mescal earning an Academy Award nomination for his work in Aftersun, and O'Connor taking home an Emmy for his work on The Crown. Watching the pair come together for The History of Sound is sure to be a treat.

The History of Sound hits theater Sept. 12.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Will Dress You Up With Generated Images

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:54

We're past the part where artificial intelligence can actually make your life more useful, and we've been on the "throw it at the wall and see if it sticks" phase. Now, Google, for some reason, thinks you might want to look at AI-generated outfits when you're shopping for clothes online.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The WNBAs Sophie Cunningham got fined $500 after defending Caitlin Clark on TikTok

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:37

A WNBA player who recently reached the echelons of everyday fame says she was just fined $500 for criticizing referees in a TikTok video.

If you follow the WNBA even peripherally, you've probably heard about Sophie Cunningham. She played for the Phoenix Mercury for six years before she was traded to the Indiana Fever. She's since gained popularity among WNBA fans for her on and off the court support for teammate Caitlin Clark. In one viral incident, Cunningham grabbed Connecticut Sun player Jacy Sheldon and shoved her to the ground after Sheldon reportedly poked Clark in the eye earlier in the game. The incident got millions of views on social media, Cunningham's jerseys started selling, and she's since garnered over a million followers on Instagram and TikTok.

There's been talk amongst Fever fans that referees have been too tough on Clark specifically, and Cunningham has been particularly loud in her teammate's defense. She said the league's referees don't adequately protect Clark, who she calls "the star player of the WNBA," from fouls and rough play. Cunningham seemingly pushed that support one step further this week with a TikTok video poking fun at referees, which she says led to a $500 fine.

Despite the fine, the TikTok video is still online.

The video is part of an ongoing trend on TikTok where users sing along to a Sabrina Carpenter song saying, "Stupid! Or is it... slow? Maybe it's... useless?" She voiced the words in a camo matching set with the text "@ some refs" over it. The video has 1.3 million views. The majority of the comments are in support of Cunningham's viewpoint, saying things like "We will pay your fine" and "we all in love with the enforcement," referring to her protection of Clark.

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

In a post on X, Cunningham said: "I got fined $500 for this TikTok 🤣🤣 idk why this is funny to me… like ok 👍🏼 you got it bud! Cause there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now".

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

This isn't the only controversy Cunningham is currently navigating. Beyond being Clark's enforcer, which is laden with plenty of its own controversy, she's also been called "MAGA Barbie" for her alleged political leanings. She also commented on the WNBA's expansion plans, in which the league announced it would create teams in Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia in the coming years, saying "I don't know how excited people are to be going to Detroit."

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 Phone Features Don’t Matter Much to Me

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:30

Buying a new phone can feel like stepping into a spec sheet jungle. Everyone’s got their own checklist, their own “must-haves,” and their non-negotiables. That’s fair. But the more phones I’ve used, the more I’ve realized that some of the most hyped features just don’t matter that much to me personally.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Heres what all the late night hosts said about Stephen Colbert and The Late Show being cancelled

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:26

The dust has now settled on news of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert being cancelled, and — with questions remaining over the real reason for the cancellation — the other late night hosts including Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon have all shared their thoughts on the situation.

While most of them posted on social media following the news, others have given lengthier responses in monologues on their own shows. We've rounded up what everyone has said so far below.

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert doubles down on Trump/Epstein coverage, takes a shot at Paramount Jon Stewart

Colbert's friend and former colleague Jon Stewart had a lot to say about the cancellation in his Daily Show monologue on Monday, going after his own parent company (Paramount Global owns both Comedy Central and CBS) over the possible reasons behind the cancellation, emphasising that the company needs the Trump administration's approval for a proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance.

"Look, I understand the corporate fear. I understand the fear that you and your advertisers have $8 billion at stake. But understand this: Truly, the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor and control, a not insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those fucking shows. That's what made you that money," Stewart said. "If you believe, as corporations or as networks, you can make yourselves so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king's radar, A) Why will anyone watch you?, and B) You're fucking wrong."

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel is currently on a two-month vacation from hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but he took some time to post a blunt Instagram story after the news broke.

"Love you Stephen," he wrote. "Fuck you and all your Sheldons, CBS."

Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon posted an Instagram story of his own and briefly addressed the Late Show cancellation as part of his monologue on Monday.

"I'm just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I'd ride this out with him for years to come," Fallon wrote on Instagram. "I'm sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he's really been a gentleman and a true friend over the years — going back to The Colbert Report, and I'm sure whatever he does next will be just as brilliant."

Meanwhile, during his Monday monologue, Fallon paid tribute to the "years of smart and incredibly hilarious television" Colbert has made on The Late Show.

"Welcome to The Tonight Show! I am your host...well, at least for tonight," Fallon said. "I don't like it. I don't like what's going on one bit. These are crazy times. This morning my dad called and said he's officially a Kimmel guy."

Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers, who was recently on vacation from hosting Late Night, also reacted on Instagram to the news.

“For as great a comedian and host he is, Stephen Colbert is an even better person,” Meyers wrote in an Instagram story. “I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I'm excited he can no longer use the excuse that he's 'too busy to hang out' with me."

John Oliver

John Oliver was asked about the Late Show cancellation over the weekend while speaking to journalists at a minor league baseball game, and footage of his response was shared by AP.

"It's very sad," he said. "Obviously I love Stephen, I love his staff, I love that show. It's incredibly sad, but I'm partly excited to see what they're gonna do for the next 10 months. But yeah, it's terrible, terrible news for the world of comedy. Late night shows mean a lot to me, not just 'cuz I work in them, but because even growing up in England I would watch Letterman's show, which of course was Stephen's show, and think about what a glamorous world that was. So to have got to have been on Letterman's show and Stephen's show is always one of the most fun things. So it's very, very very sad news. I look forward to seeing what he's going to do next, because that man will not stop."

David Letterman

Former host of The Late Show David Letterman shared a video on his YouTube channel featuring various clips of himself criticising CBS over the years.

"You can't spell CBS without BS," was the blunt caption.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Red-Hot Deal on Anker’s Battery-Powered Cooler Will Elevate Your Adventures

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:04

There's still plenty of time for outdoor adventures this summer, and if you're looking for a new cooler for your next camping trip, the Anker EverFrost 2 is an excellent option. This battery-powered cooler doubles as a fridge or freezer, and right now it's available at an all-time low price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

PS5 Controllers Can Now Quickly Switch Devices

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:03

PlayStation is about to drop a system update beta that’s going to make using its controller on other devices much easier. You no longer have to go through the process of pairing your controller every time you decide to use your PC or Mac.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget dead batteries — these Bluetti power stations are game-changers for the outdoors and power outages

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:01
Best Bluetti power stations at Amazon Best Bluetti for most uses Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $549 (save $250) Get Deal Best Bluetti for additional portable power Bluetti Elite 200 V2 $1,099 (save $600 with checkout code B9UPDXLP) Get Deal Best Bluetti for portability Bluetti AC2A $149.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best bonus Bluetti Bluetti X60 CPAP backup battery $349 (save $150) Get Deal

Your camping packing list includes some obvious items like the tent, sleeping bags, s'mores ingredients, and a first aid kit. But if you're not packing along a portable power station, you're kinda doing it all wrong. A portable power station means you no longer have to worry about dead batteries at the campsite. If your site is off-grid or doesn't have power hookups, packing along a portable power station gives you the ability to power an electric camp stove, plug in vibe-setting fairy lights, and keep your phone charged.

Aside from summer weekends camping, a portable power station is wonderful for outdoor movie nights or bringing along to a neighborhood gathering to power up the party speaker. They're also great to keep at home for appliances during unexpected power outages.

Bluetti is one of the leading portable power station brands and they're constantly innovating to bring us new and even more functional options. Plus, Bluetti power stations are often on sale at Amazon. If you've been considering upping your camping set-up or you want reassurance for staying online during a storm, these Bluetti power stations are awesome options.

Best Bluetti power station for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $549 at Amazon
$799 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it

Offering 1,024Wh of capacity from super long-lasting LFP batteries, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is a great option for your weekend camping trips. It comes with four AC ports, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. Recharging the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is possible via standard AC power, solar, or car charging. If you're going the usual wall-charging route, expect to get back to 80% in a bit over an hour.

In real life applications, the 1,024Wh will recharge your phone about 52 times or a laptop 12 times. You electric camping griddle will keep going for about 1.5 hours, and if you're using it during a power outage at home, expect it to keep your refrigerator cooling for almost eight hours.

It's also worth mentioning the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 weighs just 25 pounds, which makes it a super portable option for use on the job site, while camping, or at home.

Best Bluetti for additional portable power Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 200 V2 $1,099 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $600 use checkout code B9UPDXLP to save $600 Get Deal Why we like it

If 1,024Wh doesn't feel like enough for your needs or your camping adventure will last for several days, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 doubles your power to a total of 2,076Wh. It comes with a similar set-up as the Bluetti Elite 100, offering four AC ports, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. With AC recharging, the Elite 200 V2 can get back up to 80% capacity in just an hour.

Keep in mind the extra battery power comes with extra weigh, and the Elite 200 V2 weighs about 50 pounds. That's still a portable weight that you can take along to the campsite, but you won't want to take this model to a site that requires hiking in.

In real-life terms, the 2,076Wh capacity translates to recharging a phone more than 63 times or a drone almost 22 times. If you feel like using the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 for powering up a projector during backyard for movie nights, you're getting over 7.5 hours of playtime.

Best Bluetti for portability Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC2A $149.99 at Amazon
$219 Save $69.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Weighing under eight pounds, the Blutti AC2A wins for portability. The size, ergonomic handle, and lightweight design mean you can carry this portable power station to any situation. It's perfect for shorter camping trips, giving you enough battery to recharge a phone almost eight times or use a slow cooker for almost an hour. Pair this with a solar panel, and you'd be in great shape for longer outdoor adventures. Overall, it offers 204Wh of capacity with six outlets.

A Bluetti honorable mention Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti X60 CPAP backup battery $349 at Amazon
$599 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it

If you deal with sleep apnea, you know how uncomfortable and restless a night without your CPAP can feel. If you dread power outages since that means your CPAP won't be available, the Bluetti X60 CPAP backup battery is a lifesaver. Compatible with popular models like the ResMed S9, AirSense 10 and 11, and the AirCurve 10, this Bluetti is great for keeping around the house or taking on your next camping adventure. It comes with 614Wh which translates up to 14 nights of powering a CPAP. When it comes time to charge the Bluetti, expect a full charge after about four hours when wall charging.

The best home and kitchen deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Lyft announces new tools to favorite (and block!) specific drivers

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 17:00

New personalization and safety features are coming to ride-share app Lyft, including ways drivers can take control of both the good trips and the bad trips.

Riders who have particularly pleasant rides will now get the option to favorite specific drivers, and the app's algorithm will make an effort to reconnect them with that driver for future rides. On the other end, the company explains, when a driver is favorited they will be notified and unlock priority access to future scheduled ride requests.

And, nearly 13 years after its founding, Lyft riders can now completely block drivers, too, helping them take control of more unpleasant ride experiences.

SEE ALSO: The FDA's new drug-approving AI chatbot is not helping

"Our purpose is to serve and connect — and that starts with safety," Lyft said in a statement on Thursday. "Adding favorite drivers is one part of our ongoing commitment to make Lyft the safest way to get around, while giving you the tools you need to feel secure."

The two personalization features are part of a brand new safety hub, which centralizes safety preferences such as in-vehicle audio recording, PIN verification for drivers, and app check-ins during rides. Users can access favoriting and blocking preferences under the new "Matching" section of the safety hub.

Credit: Lyft

More user control seems to be the focus of ride-share companies in recent months. On July 23, Uber announced its new Women Preferences feature, a setting that will allow women users and drivers to choose same-gender rides. Riders will be able to choose women drivers while scheduling rides or can set an account preference beforehand, and drivers will be able to adjust preferences even during peak ride share hours. The setting is now being piloted in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.

Lyft unveiled a similar feature, Women+ Connect, in 2023, which allowed riders to prioritize matches with women and nonbinary drivers, designed with help from the Human Rights Campaign and sexual assault prevention campaign It's On Us. Both Uber and Lyft recently announced personalized app experiences for older drivers, including simplified interfaces, family tracking, and Medicare payment options.

The new settings will gradually roll out on Lyft in select regions starting today, with a complete U.S. and Canada launch by the end of August.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The first Kindle Kids with a color display is (finally) here

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 16:56

It's been nine months since Amazon launched its first-ever Kindle with color, nearly 17 years after the very first Kindle made its debut. Now it's bringing the in-color reading experience to the whole family. Amazon officially unveiled its first color Kindle for kids — dubbed the Colorsoft Kids — on Thursday, July 24.

In addition to the Kindle Colorsoft Kids, Amazon also revealed a lower-priced 16 GB Kindle Colorsoft model. While the Colorsoft Signature Edition (the original, which launched in Oct. 2024) features 32GB and retails for $279.99, the new 16GB model will retail for $249.99. Otherwise, it's the same device.

The new Kindle Colorsoft Kids is priced at $269.99 and comes with two cover options. Customers who purchase the new Kindle will also get 12 months of Amazon Kids+. While we haven't tested the new e-reader yet, it's a strong contender to become the best Kindle for young readers.

Meet the first-ever kids' Kindle with a color display

The new Kindle Colorsoft Kids is a seven-inch, waterproof e-reader with an illustrated cover and a glare-free display that supports a full spectrum of color. That means, for the first time, kids can view book covers, comics, and graphic novels in vivid color. Black and white illustrations just don't hit the same. Amazon said that in 2024, "kids who read graphic novels and comics spent 46% more total reading time compared to the average Kindle Kids reader." So this could be a real game-changer for young readers. And considering there's no distracting notifications, apps, videos, games, or messaging, it's screen time parents can actually feel good about.

Just like the adult version, the Colorsoft Kids also features an eight-week battery life, adjustable warm light, no lockscreen ads, and a fully waterproof body. It also includes helpful tools for young readers like Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise to learn new words, the OpenDyslexic font, and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows them to listen along to audiobooks with headphones.

Credit: Kindle

Like most of Amazon's kid-friendly devices, the Colorsoft Kids will also come with a two-year worry-free guarantee and the Amazon Parent Dashboard. This gives parents some peace of mind, allowing them to manage their child's content, review reading activity, and even set bedtimes. Unlike the adult Kindles, it also includes a cover to personalize and protect your little one's new device. Kids can choose between the Fantasy River or Starlight Reading covers.

The Starlight Reading cover features a gorgeous and vibrant nighttime scene. Credit: Kindle Get even more out of Amazon Kids+

As with other Amazon Kindles for kids, the Colorsoft Kids comes with one year of Amazon Kids+. The kid-friendly subscription service includes thousands of books and audiobooks for young readers, and this summer, even more books are set to be added. The existing library already includes popular titles like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Keeper of the Lost Cities, but Amazon is adding every graphic novel and chapter book from the Artemis Fowl series, over 30 books from the Big Nate series, more Percy Jackson books, and the entire Storm Runner and Aru Shah series.

Where to buy the Kindle Colorsoft Kids

The Kindle Colorosft Kids is officially available as of July 24 at Amazon. It will eventually pop up on other retailers like Best Buy and Target, but at the time of launch, your only option is Amazon. It retails for $269.99, just $10 shy of the adult version's list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Colorsoft Kids $269.99 at Amazon
Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Adult games are disappearing from platforms like Steam

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 16:54

Gaming platforms like Steam and Itch.io are deindexing and removing adult-only, NSFW games, following concerns from payment processors and pressure from the organization Collective Shout.

Itch.io creator Leaf Corcoran said that the platform has "deindexed" NSFW content from its browse and search pages, explaining the circumstances in a blog post. The move came after scrutiny from the platform's payment processors, with Corcoran saying that their ability to process payments is "critical" for Itch.io's creators.

The move also comes after pressure from Collective Shout, an Australian organization that has a history of campaigning against NSFW content available on gaming marketplaces. The organization called on companies like Visa and Mastercard to stop processing payments for adult-themed games containing disturbing themes.

Itch.io will now conduct a comprehensive audit of the games available within its marketplace. New compliance measures will be introduced and some pages will be permanently removed. Creators were not given any warning before the changes.

SEE ALSO: 1 in 5 new video games on Steam now uses generative AI, report says

"We understand this action is sudden and disruptive, and we are truly sorry for the frustration and confusion caused by this change," reads the post.

Steam purged its platform of NSFW content last week, also due to payment processing partners like Visa and Mastercard. The gaming marketplace said it will now "[disallow] games that violate the rules and standards set forth by payment processors and card networks, or internet network providers." Mashable has reached out to Visa and Mastercard for comment.

SEE ALSO: What is Itch.io? This oddball indie games store is a vital source of creativity.

On X, users condemned this censorship, criticizing the new rules implemented by both Itch.io and Steam, and likening the situation to Tumblr banning porn back in 2018.

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Banks have varying rules against NSFW content, previously refusing services to the likes of OnlyFans over concerns of "reputational risk."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meet the full Pixel 10 lineup thanks to Google leak

Mashable - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 16:53

It's getting to the point where I'm not sure there even needs to be a Made by Google event in late August anymore.

That event will largely focus on the Pixel 10 series of phones, the details of which have been leaking to a concerning degree in recent weeks. This most recent leak comes directly from Google, as Android Authority noticed a promotional banner image in the Play Store that seems to just straight up show all four models of Pixel 10 that we expect to see on Aug. 20: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

SEE ALSO: Is Google Home another victim of ensh*ttification? Redditors discuss, Google responds.

The image doesn't contain specs or pricing info, necessarily, so it's not a full leak. But we can at least see the phones and know for certain that there are four of them. Android Authority has the full high-res render if you want to check it out, but basically, they look a lot like last year's Pixel 9 phones. Most of them are in boring colors, save for one, which is in a nice blue hue. There was a part of me that thought maybe the Pixel 9a would be a preview for a new Pixel design language, but that seems to not be the case, at least not this year.

In fairness to Google, there will probably be more shown at Made by Google than just phones. We also expect to see a new Pixel Watch and perhaps new Pixel Buds, as well. Everything will become certain and the leaks will stop on Aug. 20.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Data is Probably on the Dark Web Already: Here's What You Can Do About It

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 16:30

Data breaches are way more common than you think, and millions, if not billions, of people have had their info leaked on the dark web because of them. Chances are, your info is out there, too. But don't fret; there is something you can do to counter this problem.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to Calibrate Your Home Theater Sound System for Maximum Clarity

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 16:15

A truly immersive home theater experience is about more than just having a big screen and cozy seats; it depends heavily on the quality of your sound. If you neglect to optimize your speaker system, even high-end audio video equipment won’t perform at its best.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why I Prefer Foldable Phones Over Android Tablets

How-To Geek - Thu, 07/24/2025 - 16:00

I like the idea of having a regular phone that unfolds into something resembling the same shape as a regular tablet—but after over a year of using a foldable, I've found that I actually prefer the aspect ratio of my folding phone over that of any Android tablet I’ve owned.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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