Technology

The best headphones we found on October Prime Day for under $100

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:49
The best Prime Day headphones deals under $100 at a glance: Best headphones deal under $50 JLab JBuds Lux $39.80 (save $60.19) Get Deal Best headphones deal under $100 Sony WH-CH720N $88 (save $91.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal under $50 Soundcore P30i $23.68 (save $26.31) Get Deal best earbuds deal under $100 Apple AirPods 4 $79 (save $50.99) Get Deal

Believe it or not, headphones don't have to cost hundreds of dollars. In fact, there are plenty of worthy options with budget-friendly price tags. And now that Prime Big Deal Days has arrived, those prices are even better.

Amazon's October Prime Day event is overflowing with deals on headphones, including Mashable editor favorites and award winners. But even at 40% off or more, some of the most popular picks might be over your budget. That's fine; we found 20+ other options that are under $100 and still pretty dang great.

For those ballin' on a budget, check out some of our top October Prime Day picks for headphones and earbuds deals under $100.

Best October Prime Day headphones deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux $39.80 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $60.19   Get Deal Why we like it

They may not be the most well-known headphones on the market, but they deserve more credit. We named them the best budget headphones of 2026, thanks to their well-balanced sound, decent comfort, functional ANC, and killer battery life. And despite the price, they don't feel cheap. On any given day, they're less than $100, but for October Prime Day, they're *checks notes* under $40.

More headphones deals under $100Best October Prime Day earbuds deal under $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $50.99   Get Deal Why we like it

While its Amazon's time to shine on Prime Big Deal Days, Walmart's Fall Deals event is not to be slept on. The AirPods 4 are down to just $79 at Walmart, while Amazon no longer has them in stock now that the AirPods 5 have arrived. These entry-level Apple earbuds might not have noise-cancellation, but they're still pretty great. They're also 39% cheaper than the newer model announced last month. Mashable's Bethany Allard notes that while they're still $10 away from their record-low price, they likely won't be around long enough to see that discount. Stock is already low, so you want the most affordable AirPods on the market, we recommend grabbing them now.

More earbuds deals under $100
Categories: IT General, Technology

Someone made a backyard timelapse camera with a Raspberry Pi

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:47

You don't have to buy an expensive dedicated camera (or repurpose an old phone) just to take timelapse photos of your garden. Reddit DIY engineer Atypicalworkshop has made a Raspberry Pi camera that captures timelapse footage from his backyard.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hey gamers, dont miss these Samsung gaming monitor deals

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:41
The best Samsung gaming monitor deals Best Samsung Gaming Monitor Deal Samsung 32" Odyssey OLED G8 $999.99 (Save $300) Get Deal Best Mid-Tier Samsung Gaming Monitor Deal Samsung 32" Odyssey OLED G7 $749.99 (Save $350) Get Deal Best Budget Samsung Gaming Monitor Deal Samsung 27-Inch Odyssey G50D $209.99 (Save $140) Get Deal

Mashable's reporters and editors are constantly testing the latest gaming gear, from headsets and controllers to handheld PCs and monitors. This year, upgrading a gaming PC has gotten a lot more expensive, with RAM and SSD prices climbing because of the ongoing memory crisis. If your rig's internals have to wait, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day, has knocked down prices on the screen you play on, including several of Samsung's Odyssey gaming monitors.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days is officially live, running Oct. 6 to 7. We've covered this fall shopping event since its 2022 debut, and this year we're tracking Samsung's gaming monitor discounts as they drop. We've found several options across different price points to choose from if you're ready to dive in and give your gaming setup a leg up on the competition. With games like Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon, there's no better time than now to give your gaming battlestation a bit of a boost.

Here are the best Samsung gaming monitor deals we've spotted for October Prime Day so far.

Best Samsung gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung 32" Odyssey OLED G8 $999.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $300   Get Deal Why we like it

Need some seriously crisp visuals? The Odyssey OLED G8 pairs a 4K QD-OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, so you don't have to choose between sharp detail and smooth motion. Plus, its 0.03ms response time keeps fast action from smearing while you're trying to stay on top of the leaderboard. This premium-tier monitor also boasts a glare-free finish to cut down on reflections from lamps and windows, with an OLED Safeguard+ feature helps protect the panel from burn-in when static elements like HUDs and taskbars stay on screen for hours. If you're looking for a fantastic experience with your gaming monitor, this option should give you plenty of satisfying sessions.

Best mid-tier Samsung gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung 32" Odyssey OLED G7 $749.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $350   Get Deal Why we like it

The Odyssey OLED G7 is no slouch when it comes to great visuals. It has a dual-mode panel, so you can play at 4K and 165Hz when you want a sharp picture in single-player games, then switch to 1080p at up to 330Hz for more fast-paced competitive rounds of games like Overwatch or Apex Legends. With a 0.03ms response time and support for both G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro, fast motion is free from screen tearing and looks the best it can. Plus, its DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification and Pantone-validated color means you get true-to-life hues. Raise, tilt, swivel, or pivot it on the included stand until it sits where you want it and get your game on.

Best budget Samsung gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung 27-Inch Odyssey G50D $209.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $140   Get Deal Why we like it

This more wallet-friendly option pairs a 1440p resolution with a 180Hz refresh rate, which gives you sharper detail than a 1080p screen and smoother motion than a standard 60Hz or 144Hz monitor. It has a Fast IPS panel with a 1ms response time and 178-degree viewing angles. It even supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible to cut down on screen tearing, while VESA DisplayHDR 400 adds a contrast boost in HDR games. If you don't need the best of the best in terms of what money will get you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going down this path with a budget gaming monitor that truly delivers.

More Samsung gaming monitor deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Fake influencers, real money: Inside the AI creator business

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:35

You don’t need to be a model to land a brand deal. You don’t need to step onstage to post a stand-up clip. And in the AI influencer business, the person attracting all that attention doesn’t even need to exist.

If you haven’t encountered one yet, an AI influencer is a character whose images or videos are created using artificial intelligence. A person or company gives it a face, a name, and a social media account, then posts as that character. It might appear to be a model, a lifestyle creator, or a stand-up comedian, with followers who can be directed toward brand promotions, products, or paid subscriptions.

The pitch is that you can do all this without getting in front of a camera. With tools that put AI characters into existing footage, you may not even need to film anything.

The people promoting the opportunity aren’t being especially subtle. "this is like ecom in 2016," one post declares, comparing it to an early opportunity in online retail. "these AI characters have gotten 100M+ views in only the last couple of days," he adds, "making them is SO easy it feels unfair." Another promises a "you can do it in 5min," ending with "hope you get millions of views with this one."

Credit: Screenshot: X

A growing industry supports all of this, from AI platforms that generate faces and voices to agencies managing fictional talent and people selling courses on how to get started. Here's how AI influencers are made, how they make money, and why real creators are pushing back.

SEE ALSO: Seen an ad with an AI influencer or actor? It may be against the law. How do you make an AI creator?

The tutorials circulating on social media break the process into a few steps. First, decide what your character looks like. Some recommend browsing Pinterest for inspiration and using ChatGPT or Claude to help develop the character. Next, make a "character sheet": a set of reference images showing the same fictional person from different angles. Those images give the video tool a guide to the character’s appearance.

Then, users bring those images into a tool such as Higgsfield’s Genjutsu, along with a video they want the character to appear in. Several promotional posts recommend downloading a viral video and keeping its movement, lighting, framing, and overall appearance while swapping out the performer. A sample prompt is:

"replace the person in @ video1 with the character from @ image1. keep the same motion, camera movement, color grading, lighting, framing, and overall video quality."

Another (seemingly sponsored) tutorial recommends using luxury lifestyle footage to make a character appear wealthy. "while everyone was busy making bizarre AI characters, this creator found a MUCH bigger angle. he made poor person look filthy RICH." The post added that "he grew this account to 280K+ followers in just two days posting multiple times a day."

Credit: Screenshot/Higgsfield AI Influencer Studio

Not everyone suggests that users should take someone else’s video. "Shoot on your phone, Genjutsu does the production: wardrobe, set, grade," Higgsfield says on its website. In that approach, you film yourself performing the movements, then use the tool to transfer them to your fictional character. The platform's AI Influencer builder allows users to choose features including age, ethnicity, hairstyle, and body proportions. A similar platform, HeyGen, offers talking AI avatars — digital characters that appear to speak on camera — while ElevenLabs supplies AI-generated speech. Together, these services let an account’s operator create the appearance of a person who can pose, move, and talk, without that person existing at all.

Over the past few years, but especially in recent weeks, these sort of accounts have gone viral, particularly in the sketch and stand up comedy spaces. Popular creators include Abu Shalab, Leopold Delarue, Jean Phil, and Percival Ashcroft.

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

The business extends into beauty, fashion, and fitness, too. Examples include imma, a Japanese virtual influencer featured in an SK-II skincare ad, Shudu, a digital model who appeared in Balmain’s "Virtual Army," Hazel Delarose, who posts dating and GRWM content, and Lil Miquela, whose fictional life has included starring in a BMW campaign (she also has 2.2 million followers).

Credit: Screenshot: Instagram/@hazeldelarose How does a fictional person make real money?

An AI influencer can attract millions of views, but those views don’t come with a fixed paycheck. The person running the account can earn through platform payments, brand deals, or selling something to the audience.

On YouTube, the platform pays eligible creators a share of advertising revenue through its Partner Program; for Shorts, YouTube pools revenue from ads shown between clips and allocates money based on each creator’s share of eligible engaged views. AI-generated videos can qualify, but channels must join the program and meet its originality requirements. YouTube specifically lists "AI-generated content made with generic or unoriginal templates giving the impression of mass production without adding the creator’s original, authentic insights or perspective" as ineligible for monetization.

TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program, on the other hand, pays eligible creators for original, high-quality videos longer than one minute — but on that platform, along with Instagram, it's more likely that an AI clip could attract millions of views without earning anything. That's why, according to one post, "views alone pay little, the money is in what you put behind." That's why for some accounts, free videos are advertisements for paid subscriptions. Profile links send viewers to NSFW-subscription platforms like OnlyFans or Fanvue to purchase additional content. Fanvue, which explicitly welcomes AI creators, offers subscriptions, paid posts and messages, and tips.

Many of these influencers sell courses or guides on how to make this sort of content. For example, Aitana López, an AI fitness and lifestyle personality who has more than 400,000 Instagram followers and 1,000 YouTube subscribers, sells instructions to followers on how to create characters like her. Aitana’s Instagram links to AI community platform skool.com's AI Creator Aicademy, whose page promises: "Learn how to build, position, and monetize a profitable AI avatar through strategy, structure, and systems." The community lists a $9 monthly price and lessons on making AI content, developing advertising campaigns, and automating production.

Credit: Screenshot: Skool.com "AI stole my joke and outfit"

A recent case of a viral AI comedian shows what can happen when that strategy relies on a real creator’s work.

"Tiffany Sloane," posting on Instagram as @tiffany.bbyx, has about 377,000 followers and 118 posts (as of Oct. 6). Its earliest post appeared on Sept. 11, less than a month ago. Since then, Tiffany's AI has appeared in generated sitcom episodes and stand-up clips. Videos get a range of 10,000 views to millions. The profile describes Tiffany as an actress and discloses that she is AI generated (a change that developed while writing this story). Its Instagram highlights link to Tiffany's OnlyFans page, with a bio that reads "19, and yeah, the body’s real." Who operates that page, and whether it features a real woman, remains unconfirmed, and the Instagram account's page has since been seemingly deactivated.

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

Of course, since Tiffany is not a real person, she also did not come up with the joke, or the mannerisms behind her character on stage. In an Oct. 4 Instagram video, comedian George Brett Olsen shared a side-by-side comparison showing himself and Tiffany wearing similar outfits, gestures, and telling the same joke. "AI stole my joke and outfit!" he declared.

"What’s crazy to me is you can’t report this. A bunch of people tried," Olson added. "This account has 300k followers, counting, and just full send stealing jokes from comics. What’s more, it’s scary that it’s either bots commenting, people who don’t know the difference or just don’t care. Also they screwed up my punchline."

A concerning aspect is how many people genuinely take the account seriously. Before all her videos were taken down, there were comments on posts like "she's the funniest!" and "When do you do live shows?" Though most people can see through the facade. "Ew. This thing gets follows for stealing jokes?? Who wants to see this?" Venture capital partner Justine Moore even posted on X that the tactic was a "genius marketing hack."

Other comedians have encountered the same problem as Olson. AI performer @aylenskye3000 delivered a joke by comedian Olivia Carter in a (now deleted) video about asking out her personal trainer — material the comedian had performed on Netflix and The Tonight Show. According to Carter, via Gizmodo, initially she couldn’t see one of the copied videos herself because the account had blocked her. Jokes by comedians Sarah Purdum and Julia Jasunas were also identified on the same bot account that connects to a Fanvue profile with close to 5,000 likes.

Purdum told Mashable she knew of one instance involving her own work, but that the comedy community had been discussing similar experiences, particularly among women. "It seems to be that female comedians work is being stolen and repurposed for sexy AI models," she said. "I feel annoyed that my work is being taken for the purpose of drawing in men, although I think the models could say anything and it would mean the same to a man that is there for unrealistic bodies."

Credit: Screenshots: TikTok

Purdum has a point: The AI women in these vides have exaggerated breasts and hips, tiny waists, and practically painted-on clothing. Serving a sexualized image attracts attention that can be directed toward paid subscriptions on platforms — or just to get views. Along the way, they put real women up against bodies designed to grab eyeballs, potentially feeding insecurities about how women are supposed to look. Sara Ziff, founder and executive director of the Model Alliance, warned that using AI to create idealized people who don’t exist risks "narrowing our definition of beauty instead of broadening it," according to the New York Times.

"I would hope platforms would take down work that has been plagiarized," she added. Mashable has reached out to Instagram and TikTok for comments.

There are real agencies for fake people

Beyond accounts repackaging viral videos, more and more companies are starting to build fictional personalities specifically for advertising and entertainment. Think of a talent agency where the agency also designs the talent. For example, The Clueless manages López, describing her as, "Born in Barcelona and 26 years old," with a "sporty style and a bold attitude." The fictional creator has appeared in an Amazon Black Friday campaign, and according to the agency, works with brands like L’Oréal and Coca-Cola.

Other companies have developed entire casts of fictional personalities. Inception Point AI’s roster has more than 100 characters covering subjects including gardening, cooking, and celebrity gossip, and are designed to host podcasts, appear in videos, and interact with followers.

As CEO Jeanine Wright told the Times in August, "As long as people like the content, we think they’ll accept that it comes from A.I.." Andreea Petrescu, who co-founded AI marketing agency Seraphinne Vallora, addded that: "With A.I., it’s like a clean slate: You can design it the way you want, she can be as gorgeous as you want, and she’s all yours."

"With A.I., it’s like a clean slate: You can design it the way you want, she can be as gorgeous as you want, and she’s all yours." - Andreea Petrescu, co-founder of AI marketing agency Seraphinne Vallora

Platforms have rules addressing parts of this. Fanvue permits AI content but prohibits deception and infringement of ownership rights, while OnlyFans requires it to clearly feature the verified creator and be identifiable as AI. Meta applies "AI info" labels, and TikTok introduced a similar AI-labeling tool back in 2023, and YouTube began rolling out its disclosure tool in 2024, with updates this past May. All of these require disclosures of realistic synthetic content, but a label doesn’t establish where the original performance came from or whether its creator agreed to its reuse in the first place.

TikTok prohibits certain synthetic depictions even when labeled, including likenesses of anyone under 18 and those of adult private individuals used without permission. In August, a source at TikTok told Mashable the company was testing certain AI tools like "AI Cast," which helps users create an "AI Self" that can appear in AI-generated videos. In response to various influencers and musician's content getting ripped off, the platform said, "We are testing strategies broadly to help protect AI likeness on the platform." YouTube, meanwhile, clarified in July 2025 that repetitive or mass-produced content cannot earn money through its Partner Program.

SEE ALSO: What happens when your AI self starts influencing without you?

Getting noticed in an already crowded entertainment and influencer economy is hard enough. But in an ecosystem where a stranger can put a new face on your performance and use it to build their own following, creators are now also left competing with a version of their own work.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 free Android apps I’d actually spend money on

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:30

Your phone apps define the tone of your entire experience. If every useful feature is hidden behind a subscription, using your phone can start to feel like a never-ending checkout page. I’ve definitely had moments where I wanted an app to do one simple thing, only to find a monthly plan waiting for me.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 20+ best Prime Day deals on MicroSDs, SSDs, and hard drives: Our favorite deals to beat RAMageddon

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:05
The best Prime Day MicroSD, portable SSD, and internal SSD deals: Best Rugged SSD deal Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $209.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best SSD deal Samsung SSD 990 Pro 2TB PCIe 4.0 $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best MicroSD card deal Sandisk 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $129.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best Travel-Friendly SSD deal Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD $379.99 (save $170) Get Deal

Thanks to the global memory crisis known as "RAMageddon," prices on memory products like internal drives, external SSDs, and high-capacity flash storage have continued to climb. It’s been a relentless up, up, and up trajectory as AI demand squeezes consumer supply.

That makes finding genuine discounts during Prime Big Deal Days — Amazon's 48-hour fall savings event that kicks off today and runs through Oct. 7 — all the more crucial.

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

High-speed NVMe drives, rugged external SSDs, microSD cards, and HDDs are Prime Day staples that matter more than ever amid RAMageddon. We did some digging and found the best October Prime Day deals in the solid-state and hard drive categories right now. If you've been waiting to expand your PC build, give your PS5 some breathing room, or secure your off-site backups, now is the time to take advantage of these offers from top-tier brands like Samsung, Sandisk, and more.

Best rugged SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

Pocket-sized, ridiculously fast, and virtually indestructible, the Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is engineered for harsh travel conditions that would destroy standard desktop drives. It nearly doubles the speed of previous generations, so you can back up thousands of photos in less than a minute, while offering full weather resistance to rain and spills, and hardware encryption to keep your private documents locked down tighter than a vault. Now $209.99 for October Prime Day (normally $299.99), it's never been cheaper before.

Best SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung SSD 990 Pro 2TB PCIe 4.0 $389.99 at Amazon
$639.99 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung 990 Pro delivers top-tier sequential speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, effectively maxing out what a PCIe 4.0 slot can process. That translates directly to faster boot times, near-instant game loading on PC or PS5, and smooth handling of large 4K video renders. It also runs more power-efficiently than its predecessor, so it stays stable under heavy continuous workloads. With a solid five-year warranty and a huge price drop, it’s one of the best value-for-money storage upgrades you can buy right now.

Best microSD card deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk Sandisk 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $129.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Nintendo's bestselling Switch 2 console comes with 256GB of built-in storage, which can fill up fast if you play a lot of AAA games. Sandisk's officially licensed 512GB microSD Express Card for the console has read speeds of up to 880 MB/s and comes with a lifetime warranty. If you're a Prime member, you can add it to your cart for just $129.99 during Prime Big Deal Days (typically $199.99). That's its lowest price ever.

Best travel-friendly SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD $379.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $170   Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung T7 is built for life on the move. Weighing under two ounces and barely larger than a credit card, it slips into a pocket or backpack pouch without taking up space in your carry-on. Its solid aluminum unibody design handles the bumps of travel with ease, featuring shock resistance that withstands drops from up to 6 feet. With transfer speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s, you can offload massive 4K travel footage, photo backups, or offline media libraries in seconds. You can even plug it directly into an iPhone 15 Pro (or newer) to record high-res video straight to the drive while on location.

More SSD and hard drive dealsSSDsMicroSDsPortable SSDsPortable HDDsExternal hard drivesInternal hard drives
Categories: IT General, Technology

3 quick Linux tools that protect your PC from bad updates and hackers

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

Linux gives you plenty of control, but it also expects you to look after your own system. Most hardcore users do, but if you're coming from a more closed OS, it can feel daunting at first. These three tools handle the most common causes of trouble: broken updates, hostile login attempts, and missed patches.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Argentina vs. Benin online for free

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 22:00

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

Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player to ever play the game. He has won every personal accolade on offer, leading Barcelona and Argentina to famous victories and trophies over an incredible career.

The 39-year-old has now retired from international football after winning the World Cup and scoring 125 goals in 207 appearances.

Before he bids farewell, Argentina are set to play Benin at the Estadio Monumental. Lionel Messi is in the squad, giving devoted fans one last chance to see him play in the colors of La Albiceleste. And you can do the same.

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

When is Argentina vs. Benin?

Argentina vs. Benin in an International Friendly kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 6. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Monumental.

How to watch Argentina vs. Benin for free

Argentina vs. Benin in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on GE TV.

GE TV is geo-restricted to Brazil, 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 Brazil, meaning you can live stream Argentina vs. Benin for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Argentina vs. Benin 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 Brazil

  4. Visit GE TV

  5. Watch Argentina vs. Benin 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 Argentina vs. Benin 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 GE TV?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

  • 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 Argentina vs. Benin for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

ChatGPT generates fake New Yorker cartoons, complete with artist signatures

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:34

OpenAI's ChatGPT can't seem to shake its plagiarism problem.

Amid an ongoing battle with authors and publishers over its text-based outputs and continued criticism that the chatbot's creative mind is ripping off human artists, the chatbot is under fire again. This time because of poor imitations of New Yorker cartoons, complete with signatures of real, paid artists.

Recent viral outputs shared on social media seem to show a repeated pattern of the chatbot adding fake signatures of prominent New Yorker staff cartoonists to its artificially-generated images, reported Nieman Lab.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI is adding an invisible watermark to AI-generated text

ChatGPT was able to generate the signatures of more than a dozen professional cartoonist and affix them to the fake images, often rendered in the signature style of the publication, Nieman Lab reported. The artists were not asked permission or provided compensation.

"I can see the DNA of my work in there, but it still doesn’t look like something I drew. It’s kind of like seeing a distant cousin," contributor Emily Flake told Nieman Lab.

The New Yorker signatures are likely the result of two factors: The ubiquity and popularity of New Yorker cartoons across the internet and internet-wide scraping that aims to siphon content for model training.

Many publishers, including Condé Nast, are now pushing Congress to enact federal laws that would prevent unlicensed bot scraping. In recent years, these same publishers have signed deals with AI companies to recoup revenue lost from previously unlicensed data grabs, including a 2024 partnership between publisher Condé Nast and OpenAI. Under the deal, OpenAI paid for use of content from Condé Nast brands, including New Yorker, Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, and Bon Appétit.

However, a New Yorker spokesperson clarified that the deal did not grant OpenAI permission to train its models on cartoons or use its logo and art in image generation. In addition, the publication clarified that contributing cartoonists retain copyright of their work.

In response to reports of potential plagiarism, an OpenAI spokesperson said: "We believe the future of creativity is one that is fundamentally human, and our focus is on building tools that empower human creativity and creators. We very much appreciate the community flagging bugs and unintended behavior by our models, so we can address them."

The chatbot now warns users of potential content violations when prompted to generate New Yorker-style images. It reads, "This prompt may violate our guardrails concerning similarity to third-party content." However, ChatGPT will still generate images in the style, including signatures, the publication reported.

Categories: IT General, Technology

TUI apps aren't outdated—they're what power users choose when they stop wasting time

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:30

With the dawn of the graphical user interface in the 1980s, people have been saying that text-mode apps are outdated. Using the terminal might seem archaic, but power users and developers still reach for it when they want to get to work.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wondering what to buy on Prime Day? Shop our top 10 deals of the sale.

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:28

Amazon's October Prime Day event kicked off in the wee hours of the morning on Oct. 6 with tons of deals begging for your attention. It's tough sorting through what's actually worth your hard-earned cash, so we've taken it upon ourselves to do that part for you.

Mashable's shopping team has been hunting deals in the weeks leading up to Prime Big Deal Days and now that it's officially begun, we've gathered our top 10 deals of the sale. If you're itching to knock out some early holiday shopping or simply have a "treat yourself" kind of week, but aren't sure what to buy, here are our picks for the best Prime Day deals so far.

The newest Apple Watch Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $349.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $49.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's latest flagship smartwatch is just a few weeks old, but it just got its first notable discount for Prime Day. What's new about the Series 12? More regular heart rate variability (HRV) readings, quicker charging, a faster processor, and a new Daily Readiness score. Unfortunately, the battery life is still the same at around 24 hours.

A limited-edition Yeti cooler Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler $243.75 at Amazon
$325 Save $81.25   Get Deal Why we like it

Spotting a Yeti cooler on sale is like finding a four-leaf clover: rare, but possible if you look hard enough. This gorgeous limited-edition ultramarine violet Tundra 45 hard cooler can squeeze in 26 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, can keep ice frozen for days, and is 25% off for Prime members. It's a bit hefty to tote around, but that heft is what makes it virtually indestructible.

A smart charging brick to match your phone Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano Smart Display Charger $25.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Anker always drops some of the best Prime Day deals on its charging tech. This cute Nano USB-C wall charger is under $30 and comes in colorways that match your phone — including the new burgundy iPhone 18 Pro. It also has a sleek smart display that shows you the real-time charging status.

A speedy new MacBook Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

The M5 MacBook Air is Mashable's favorite MacBook for most people, thanks to its absurdly powerful M5 chip, sleek design, portability, and unrivaled performance for the price. Our laptop expert Haley Henschel calls it "the sweet spot in Apple's lineup." This $200 discount basically negates the price hike from earlier this year.

Noise-cancelling headphones that are actually comfortable Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones (1st Gen) $169 at Amazon
$359.99 Save $190.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Whether you have a long trip approaching or just need something to quiet the noise of your commute, Bose's QuietComfort headphones deliver all-day comfort and excellent noise cancellation. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino said these are her all-time favorite headphones, even after testing a ton of other options.

A portable SSD that's virtually indestructible Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD $209.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

Despite the global memory crisis causing steep increases to SSDs, this SanDisk Extreme 1BT Portable SSD is the cheapest it's ever been at $90 off. It's built to withstand practically anything, from spills to drops, and is ridiculously speedy compared to previous generations. Plus, it packs an entire terabyte of storage space.

A mid-range OLED TV for a budget-friendly price Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,202.00   Get Deal Why we like it

If an OLED TV has been on your wishlist, now's a great time to make the leap. The S90H is Samsung's mid-range OLED model from 2026, which is just a step down from our favorite OLED of the year. It packs superior contrast, a brightness increase from last year's model, an upgraded anti-reflection display, support for 4K at 165Hz, and gaming perks like NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It's also down to its best price ever.

The latest AirPods Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

Time to replace your AirPods? You might as well grab the Pro 3's while they're just $10 away from their best-ever price. They're no longer the latest AirPods, but they are the latest Pro model, featuring a bunch of excellent features — Live Translation, heart rate sensing, adaptive noise cancellation, and three-dimensional spatial audio. They can even act as hearing aids.

A basic Kindle for just over $100 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (2024) $103.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $46.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon raised the prices of its Kindle models over the summer, then dropped a whole batch of new ones. None of the new editions are on sale for October Prime Day, but the basic Kindle from 2024 (the exact model I own) is on sale for just over $100. That knocks it back down below its price pre-increase. While it may not be the newest Kindle on the market, it remains the best e-reader on a budget.

The ultimate Dyson Airwrap dupe from Shark Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styling & Drying System $199.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark FlexStyle is way more affordable than the Dyson Airwrap at full cost. Now it's even better at under $200. Mashable Lead Shopping Repoter Bethany Allard tested it and called it the best Airwrap dupe we've seen, even noting that it outperformed the original as a multi-styler.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best October Prime Day kitchen deals: Our favorite Owala water bottle is on sale

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:14
The best October Prime Day kitchen deals: Best air fryer deal Ninja Foodi Air Fryer $149.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best drinkware deal Owala Free Sip 32 oz. Water Bottle $27.99 (save $7) Get Deal Best blender deal Ninja Professional Blender 2.0 $79.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker $129.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best espresso machine deal De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso Machine $599.95 (save $300) Get Deal Best baking deal Caraway 11-Piece Non-Stick Ceramic Bakeware Set $396 (save $49) Get Deal

Cooking at home is supposed to save money, but between grocery prices and the cost of decent appliances, it doesn't always feel that way.

So if you need a new air fryer, want to upgrade your morning coffee station, or just need to replace a worn-out pan without spending a fortune, now's your moment with Amazon's October Prime Day.

Prime Big Deal Days, runs from Oct. 6–7, so if you need to make kitchen upgrades, now is the time. The best deals include $100 of Ninja air fryers and $300 off of De'Longhi espresso machines. Prices can move fast during Prime Day, so we’ll keep checking and adding new deals as they go live.

Best kitchen deal Ninja Foodi Air Fryer (10-Quart) $149.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $80   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

At $149.99 (down from $229.99), the Ninja Foodi 10-Quart DualZone is just 99 cents above its all-time low.

Instead of cooking in batches or relying on your oven, it gives you two separate 5-quart baskets that run at different temperatures at the same time. The Smart Finish setting automatically syncs the timers so both baskets finish cooking at the exact same time, while Match Cook lets you duplicate settings across both sides for full 10-quart meals. It also includes six standard functions — air fry, broil, roast, bake, dehydrate, and keep warm — and has enough total capacity to handle about eight pounds of wings.

Best drinkware deal Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala Free Sip 32 oz. Water Bottle $27.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $7.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Our very favorite water bottle here at Mashable is the Owala FreeSip. Its innovative design lets you sip or chug from the included spout and straw. The stainless steel insulation keeps drinks ice cold for hours at a time, plus it has a loop that either locks the lid into place or functions as a carry loop.

During Prime Day, grab a 32 oz. Owala FreeSip for $27.99. That saves you $7 off its list price of $34.99.

More Prime Day kitchen deals

Air fryers and countertop appliances

Coffee and espresso makers

Drinkware

Cookware and bakeware

Blenders and ice cream makers

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 hidden trade-offs you make when you leave Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 21:00

Most people overpay for cellular service. There's really no reason for a homebody to burn $75 a month on a postpaid unlimited plan when they could get comparable prepaid MVNO service for $20. Still, MVNOs come with some downsides, and these downsides regularly convince people to stick with postpaid service even though they know it's grossly overpriced.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 weird things you can do with a spare webcam (aside from making video calls)

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:30

Whether video calls are the bane of your existence or you love them, most people own a webcam. It might be in your laptop; it might be your phone; maybe you have a standalone webcam. If you have a spare one, you have a treasure trove of weird possibilities awaiting you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Walmart Fall Deals to shop: TVs, headphones, and toys at steep discounts

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:27
The best Walmart Fall Deals: Best TV deal LG 77-inch C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K Smart TV $1,797 (save $1,902.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 (save $70) Get Deal Best gaming deal Super Mario RPG $34.87 (save $24.13) Get Deal Best Lego deal Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) $136.99 (save $33) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (NV380) $118 (save $61) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer (8-quart) $109 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs Oct. 6-7, which means every other major retailer is currently scrambling to steal your attention with competing sales. (Honestly, in this economy, I definitely don't blame them.)

Walmart is taking on the retail giant with its own "Fall Deals" event that officially kicked off at 12 a.m. ET on Oct. 5 and runs through Oct. 11. The best part about Walmart's event is that you don't have to be a paid member to shop, though Walmart+ members are eligible for perks like same day delivery on select items. With the main event officially started, we're seeing 50% off home goods, 40% off tech, and 30% off toys.

SEE ALSO: Target Circle Deal Days also runs Oct. 6-7

Now that Amazon's sale has also kicked off, we're starting to see more competitive deals from Walmart, which tracks with their approach to sales from years past. As such, all the deals on this list are at least as good, if not better, than deals you'll find at Amazon or other retailers.

A word of caution: If you see a deal that's too good to be true while you're perusing the site, it most likely is. We've found tons of sketchy, third-party sellers selling items with inflated list prices. (Anything you buy should have a little note that reads "Sold and shipped by Walmart.com.") That said, all of the deals in this roundup are legit — it's literally our job to find them for you.

Best Walmart TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 77-inch C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K Smart TV $1,797 at Walmart
$3,699.99 Save $1,902.99   Get Deal Why we like it

On the product page, this LG TV deal looks decent. However, Walmart didn't list the correct list price for this TV, which is actually $3,699.99. Immediately, this deal becomes much more impressive but get this — it gets even better. The next closest price you can find it for at the time of writing is $2,199.99 at Best Buy. Meanwhile, it's sold out at Amazon and LG's website. And it's the number one best selling OLED TV at Amazon, and a top-rated TV at Best Buy. In other words, this is a really good deal.

More TV deals Best Walmart headphones and earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Walmart
$249 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds in the biz, especially if you're an Apple user. They have class-leading ANC, great battery life at eight hours per charge, clear and detailed sound out of the box, and unique additional features like live translation and a built-in heart rate monitor. At $179, they're just $10 away from their lowest price ever.

Looking for more headphones deals? Check out our Prime Day headphones deals guide.

More headphones and earbuds dealsBest Walmart video game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Super Mario RPG $34.87 at Walmart
$59 Save $24.13   Get Deal Why we like it

Anything Mario Bros-related is definitely worth snagging while it's on sale. If you're looking for something else to play on your Switch (and you haven't experienced the Mushroom Kingdom, Walmart has the Super Mario RPG game on sale for $34.87.

More video game deals Best Walmart Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) $136.99 at Walmart
$169.99 Save $33   Get Deal Why we like it

The Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds (76419) is a big-ticket holiday gift. It's currently on sale for $136.99, down from $169.99. It's possible this will get cheaper the closer we get to the actual sale, but a $33 isn't too shabby.

More Lego deals Best Walmart vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum $118 at Walmart
$179 Save $61   Get Deal Why we like it

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum (NV380) is ideal for pet owners or parents who need an easy-to-maneuver vacuum for quick cleanups. And, right now, you can get it for $118, down from $179. That's a $61 savings, but stock is low, so this discount may not last until Oct. 5.

More vacuum deals Even more deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Shark FlexStyle in a cute baby blue is 43% off for Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:20

SAVE $150: As of Oct. 6, get the Shark FlexStyle in Glacial Blue for $199.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark FlexStyle $199.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day sale is officially here, and you know what that means: time to start shopping all the excellent deals on offer. Among them are plenty of great options in terms of beauty tools, including the Shark FlexStyle, which can help you achieve gorgeous at-home salon-quality hair without having to leave your home.

As of Oct. 6, get the Shark FlexStyle in Glacial Blue for $199.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349.99. That's $150 off and a discount of 43%.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day 2026 is here: Live updates on the latest deals on AirPods, Kindles, and Yeti coolers

This 4-in-1 multi-styling tool is for all types of hair, from straight to curly, and works without inflicting heat damage to your locks. This model comes in a gorgeous Glacial Blue shade, and it offers multiple attachments for a variety of use cases. It measures heat 1,000 times per second to stay at certain air temperatures to keep your hair safe and secure.

It acts as a blow dryer, curler, straightener, volumizer, and much more to achieve whatever style it is you're looking for, no matter if you have fine, thick, coily, or wavy hair. Just twist the default dryer mode into the tool you need to use and get started whipping your mane into shape.

If you're tired of using multiple styling tools to achieve different outcomes with your hair, this is the one that you can finally use to replace them all, and at a great price. Grab yours while it's still up for its Prime Day price, and in a cute pastel shade while you're at it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your smart TV might be listening even with the screen off—here's what to check

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 20:00

Turning off your TV doesn't necessarily mean all of its smart features have stopped working. Modern televisions are essentially connected computers with microphones, internet connections, and software that can continue operating in the background while the screen is off. That can be convenient, but it also means there are privacy settings worth paying attention to if you don't want your TV collecting more information than necessary.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung Galaxy Buds are now as low as $95 during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:40

Amazon is now live with its Prime Big Deal Days sale, and there are thousands of products to look through if you're trying to maximize savings. Samsung has some fantastic offerings, and some of the standouts in its lineup are its Buds earbuds—right now, you can pick up the Buds 3 FE, Buds 4, or Buds 4 Pro versions at a great discount.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Paramount just merged with Warner Bros. Discovery, and streaming will never be the same

How-To Geek - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:37

One of the largest media mergers in history is now official. Paramount has completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with far-reaching implications for the pair's streaming services and the competition.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows 11 update reduces RAM usage

Mashable - Tue, 10/06/2026 - 19:30

When the new Windows 11 26H2 update was released last week, Microsoft highlighted a number of features and improvements. These included Windows Search improvements, additional Start menu customization options, a smarter File Explorer, new archive formats, new AI enhancements, and more. There are a lot of little additions and fixes, but nothing too mind-blowing.

However, one of the biggest improvements users are reporting after installing Windows 11 26H2 appears to be one that Microsoft didn't announce. Multiple Windows users have reported that RAM usage has dropped after the Windows 11 26H2 upgrade, providing a significant performance boost to their computers.

Over at Windows Latest, for example, one writer found that RAM consumption on a three-year-old 16GB laptop was reduced by a whopping 2GB after the update was installed. On Reddit, users are reporting similar experiences, with some even finding a RAM usage reduction of 3GB.

While the biggest differences are seen when idle, systems that have updated to Windows 11 26H2 are seeing increased performance when applications are running due to overall enhanced RAM management. 

So, what's happening? Some responsiveness improvements are being attributed to a Windows feature called Low Latency Profile, though it hasn't been established as the cause of the reported RAM reductions.

Low Latency Profile on Windows 11 forces a CPU to finish a task, such as opening an app, as fast as possible instead of trying to sustain a consistent processing speed. By doing so, the processor is able to move to an idle state more quickly. In turn, RAM is freed up and a user's system runs better.

Microsoft stated earlier this year that there would be some memory optimization and performance improvements on the way with Windows 11, and these reports suggest users may be seeing some of those benefits. It is interesting though that the company hasn't announced a RAM reduction with 26H2, especially based on the positive reaction around the reports. Perhaps even more improvements are on the way?

Categories: IT General, Technology
Syndicate content

eXTReMe Tracker