Technology

TL;DR: Scan anything from anywhere with this lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now $59.99 (reg. $199.99) through October 12.

Do you need to scan something? There’s now an app for that — SwiftScan VIP. It can transform your smartphone or tablet into a sleek scanning machine, eliminating the need for owning a printer-scanner hybrid. And if you act fast, you can get a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for just $59.99 (reg. $199.99).

Scan and edit documents right on your phone with SwiftScan VIP

While most of our lives have gone digital, we still need to scan things every now and then. Whether you need to sign an important document or preserve a handwritten note, SwiftScan VIP puts a scanner right in your pocket.

This handy app turns your smartphone or tablet into a high-quality scanner. Just point your device’s camera at the page you’d like to scan, and SwiftScan detects the edges and crops the document for you. From there, you can take advantage of built-in tools like color filters, blur reduction, and auto enhancements to fine-tune your scan.

You can scan multiple pages and easily combine them into a single document, then choose to save them as a PDF or JPG. Once they’re uploaded, it’s easy to send them via email, fax, or upload them to your preferred cloud storage service.

SwiftScan also keeps your scans organized for you. You can organize scans into folders, and OCR technology makes them easy to search later. And if you need to save a file as a PDF, SwiftScan doubles as a PDF editor. Sign, annotate, or redact information directly from a PDF within the same app.

Never touch a scanner again with this lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP, now $59.99 (reg. $199.99) through October 12.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$199.99 Save $140 Get Deal

Did you know that ChromeOS had a built-in clipboard manager? Clipboard history allows you to access the five most recent items you’ve copied to your clipboard—including images.

SAVE UP TO 47%: EcoFlow's latest portable power stations are seeing launch-week discounts. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Plus with a 220W solar panel is on sale for $1,339, down from the normal price of $2,548, and the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus portable power station is on sale for $1,599, down from the standard price of $2,899.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow Eco Flow Delta 3 Max Plus portable power station with 220W Bifacial Solar Panel $1,339 at Amazon
$2,548 Save $1,209 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus portable power station $1,599
$2,899 Save $1,300 Get Deal

By now you've probably heard that you need a portable power station. We're not here to argue with facts. Portable power stations are incredibly useful if you like to go camping, work in the yard with tools that require power, or live in an area that's prone to power outages. EcoFlow is one of the leaders in the market, producing a huge range of portable power stations that come in a wide variety of specialties. As of this week, that product lineup expanded and two new models are already seeing a great discount.

As of Sept. 30, the EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Plus with a 220W solar panel is on sale for $1,339, down from the normal price of $2,548 which works out to a 47% discount, saving you a sweet $1,209. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus portable power station is on sale for $1,599, down from the standard price of $2,899. That equals a 45% discount, shaving $1,300 off the list price.

Amazon is not waiting around for October Prime Day to show up with major portable power station discounts. Tons of EcoFlow models are included in this week's sale prices, but these models are especially exciting to see on sale.

The brand new EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Plus comes with a sizable 2,048Wh and a 3,000W max output. That means you'll be able to connect it to your microwave, the blender, air fryer, coffee maker, and even the refrigerator. If you feel like doing laundry when the power is out, you can also use it to power up a 500W washing machine. However, the Delta 3 Max Plus will keep the WiFi router on, so you can binge Netflix instead of washing clothes.

Today's deal on the Delta 3 Max Plus also comes with a bifacial 220W solar panel. That will be perfect for summer camping trips to keep the phones and camp lanterns powered on for the entire trip, regardless of the duration.

SEE ALSO: Mashable's favorite portable power stations are already 50% off ahead of October Prime Day

The larger EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus packs in even more power, offering 3,072Wh from a long-lasting LiFePO4 battery. You'd think that much power might be loud, but the Delta 3 Ultra Plus can operate at as low as 25 decibels which will be great if you're using it to sleep with a CPAP or for an air purifier in the nursery.

While both EcoFlow models are almost 50% off during launch week, now is a great time to add a versatile portable power station to your home. Use it this fall and winter during storms and take it out camping come warmer weather. Buying this week means you'll be less likely to run into shipping delays during next week's October Prime Day event.

Philo, the live streaming service, just added the ad-supported tiers of HBO Max and Discovery+ to its Core package, which comes with a price hike. The base plan, which gives you roughly 70 basic cable channels along with over 100 free channels, is going up by $5 a month.

The image-sharing site Imgur is now blocked in the United Kingdom.

Online reports from UK users began circulating on social media yesterday, and today the site confirmed the restriction on its U.S. help site. Now, when someone with a UK IP address attempts to visit, they're met with an error page stating, "Content not available in your region."

SEE ALSO: Porn censorship is going to destroy the entire internet

"From September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available," the help site reads. "UK users will not be able to log in, view content, or upload images. Imgur content embedded on third-party sites will not display for UK users."

The page goes on to inform users that they can request a copy of their own data in accordance with the UK's data protection laws or delete their account.

Online, UK users speculate that this is due to the Online Safety Act, which went into effect in July. The act has resulted in wide-ranging age verification, requiring users to submit identification, such as a government ID or undergo a facial recognition scan, in order to access explicit and sometimes non-explicit sites.

However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which regulates data protection in the UK, released a statement on Tuesday that "Imgur's decision to restrict access in the UK is a commercial decision taken by the company."

The ICO launched an investigation of Imgur in March (as well as TikTok and Reddit) to examine how the site handles children's personal information and how it verifies users' ages. On September 10, ICO issued a notice of intent to fine Imgur's parent company MediaLab, ICO's interim executive director, regulatory supervision, Tim Capel, wrote in a statement. He also said that, "Our findings are provisional and the ICO will carefully consider any representations from MediaLab before taking a final decision whether to issue a monetary penalty."

"We have been clear that exiting the UK does not allow an organisation to avoid responsibility for any prior infringement of data protection law, and our investigation remains ongoing," Capel continued, also stating that no further details about the investigation will be given at this time.  

"Safeguarding children’s personal information is a key priority for the ICO and our Children's code strategy outlines our key interventions in this area. Keeping children safe online is the responsibility of the companies offering online services to them and we will continue to hold them to account," Capel concluded.

Imgur removed explicit content (and old content) in 2023. Last year, the site loosened rules on memes and photos involving adult humor, PCMag (which is also owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis) reported.

Mashable has reached out to MediaLab for comment.

SAVE $30: As of Sept. 30, get the Arzopa Portable Monitor for $199.99, down from its usual price of $229.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 13%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Arzopa Portable Monitor $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30 Get Deal

Want to get more done when working on your PC? Try an additional monitor. The extra space gives you more room to breathe, so you can move from window to window and from task to task with ease. And you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on a complete additional monitor to do this. You can get a portable monitor, which is on sale right now at Amazon, and it can help tremendously.

As of Sept. 30, get the Arzopa Portable Monitor for $199.99, down from its usual price of $229.99 at Amazon. That's $30 off and a discount of 13%.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

This slim 16-inch portable monitor is made to work for you on the go, so you can connect it to your laptop, your computer, your console, or even your Steam Deck. If you'd rather use it at home, you can do that too thanks to its lightweight frame and ease of setup.

It has a 2.5K QHD display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution as well as 180Hz refresh rate that gives you lower input latency and higher quality for working or playing. Plus, it's plug and play so all you have to do is hook it up and get going. It has two USB-C connections as well as a mini HDMI port, so you can connect it and start working or using your computer or device in minutes.

With a sturdy kickstand, you can adjust the viewing angle as well as keep it steady no matter where it is you decide to put it for the long (or short) run. So if you do decide to keep it for home use, it's ready to go.

If you need a second monitor and don't want to shell out for one that's full price (or full size), this is a great option to grab while you still can.

SAVE $499: As of Sept. 30, the M4 iPad Pro with WiFi connectivity and 2TB of storage is on sale for $1,499.97 at Amazon. That's just shy of $500 in savings, effectively making it the same price as the model with 1TB of storage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, 2TB, WiFi) $1,499.97 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $499.03 Get Deal

If ever there were a time to buy a maxed out iPad Pro, it's now. A week before the official kickoff of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event, Apple's most powerful iPad is seeing its biggest price drop ever. If you're in the market for a tablet that goes above and beyond, there's no need to wait to add it to your cart.

As of Sept. 30, you can head to Amazon and grab the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro with an M4 chip, WiFi connectivity, and monstrous 2TB of storage for only $1,499.97. That's 25% or nearly $500 off its usual list price, effectively dropping it down to the same price as the model with 1TB of storage. In other words, you can get double the storage space for the same price.

For most people, a maxed out M4 iPad Pro is going to be overkill. This thing is crazy powerful. Despite being unbelievably thin at just 0.21 inches thick and weighing less than a pound, the M4 iPad Pro beat most PCs and even many MacBooks in benchmark tests. That's why we named it the top iPad pick for professionals. Mashable's reviewer was blown away by its power efficiency and breakneck performance — not to mention its striking display and absolutely outrageous battery life. Though it's only rated for 10 hours, the M4 iPad Pro outlasted expectations and delivered a runtime of 16 hours and 24 minutes.

As our reviewer put it, "The perfect user for the iPad Pro 2024 is a professional digital artist who often steps away from their desktop PC and needs a sleek, on-the-go device that can handle taxing workloads (on apps like ZBrush or Nomad Sculpt, for example) while they're traveling from A to B." If that's you, or if you're just an Apple lover who wants to treat themselves, we recommend grabbing this maxed out iPad Pro with 2TB of storage while it's at its best price ever.

You’ll always find me testing new applications on a virtual machine. However, setting up a virtual machine isn't a straightforward process, and the overall performance you get is not very smooth either. That's why I recently made the switch to Windows Sandbox, and here are my initial impressions after using it for over a week.

Home Assistant and Apple Home appeal to two different smart home owners. The former is seen as complex with endless possibilities, the latter a closed ecosystem that’s incredibly easy to use. But did you know you can get the best of both worlds?

In the last few years, the dominant narrative surrounding Glen Powell has been that of "Glen Powell: Movie Star."

The title is undoubtedly earned. Following his breakout in Top Gun: Maverick, Powell has cemented himself as a reliable leading man. He showed that successful box office rom-coms were still possible with Anyone But You, weaponized his Texas charm for Twisters, and channeled a dizzying range of characters in Hit Man.

SEE ALSO: Fall TV preview: 25 TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

But Powell stans know that the actor can do even more than play the suave lead. He's capable of total silliness, a talent on display in his earlier TV work as Scream Queens' ultimate frat bro, Chad Radwell. Very stupid, very douchey, yet somehow still endearing, Chad Radwell revealed Powell's ability to commit wholeheartedly to a bit, playing up his own good looks and frat background to killer effect.

That same level of comedic commitment is on display in Powell's new TV series Chad Powers, in which he, once again, plays a gut-busting character named Chad. (If I had a nickel, right?) Here, Powell proves he's gone beyond the label of "movie star," or, in Chad Powers' case, "TV star." He's a comedy star, too.

What's Chad Powers about? Glen Powell and Frankie A. Rodriguez in "Chad Powers." Credit: Disney / Zac Popik

Chad Powers follows the Ted Lasso formula of taking a comedic sports segment and fleshing it out into a show with real heart. In Ted Lasso's case, that segment was a commercial for NBC's Premier League coverage. Chad Powers, on the other hand, draws from an episode of Eli Manning's Eli's Places docuseries. (Eli Manning and Peyton Manning are both executive producers on Chad Powers.) The episode saw the Super Bowl–winning quarterback don a face full of prosthetics, take the name Chad Powers, and go undercover at Penn State's walk-on tryouts.

Chad Powers, co-created by Powell and Michael Waldron (Loki), expands on that premise, asking, "What if the man behind the Chad Powers makeup wasn't superstar Eli Manning, but instead, a man at rock bottom?"

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Sept. 26, 2025)

That man is Russ Holliday (Powell). Once a rising star quarterback for the University of Oregon, he made an arrogant mistake in a championship game that cost his team the win. Following the loss and his resulting crash out, Russ is reviled by the entire internet. Even eight years later, he can't escape his infamous meltdown.

But when Russ learns that the struggling University of South Georgia Catfish are holding walk-on tryouts for a new quarterback, he senses a golden opportunity. Russ' image is toxic, but maybe he can find new success as someone else. So, one bad wig and several prosthetics later, Chad Powers is born.

Glen Powell is a comedic force in Chad Powers. Glen Powell in "Chad Powers." Credit: Disney / Daniel Delgado Jr.

Russ' double identity is reminiscent of Powell's layered performance in Hit Man, where he plays philosophy professor Gary and his fake hit man identities, often at the same time. As Russ, Powell remains relatively grounded, a man haunted by his failure. Yet as Chad, he goes bigger and sillier than anything we've seen from him, starting with Chad's squeaky voice. You know Channing Tatum's much-memed "My name is Jeff" delivery from 22 Jump Street? Powell's voice is that level of ridiculous, sustained over several episodes of TV.

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

That ridiculousness extends to Chad's dialogue. From the moment Russ walks on the South Georgia field as Chad, he starts improvising the hell out of Chad's backstory. He knows he shouldn't. Messing up details could get him caught. Yet he can't help himself, spinning up folksy tales about a backwoods childhood plagued by wolves and bizarre medical conditions. His eyes light up with worry at every new question about his past, but there's a glint in them that suggests his panic comes paired with the thrill of performance, of becoming someone else. It's a high-wire performance of duality, but Powell makes it looks effortless.

SEE ALSO: 'The Lowdown' review: Sterlin Harjo and Ethan Hawke team up for a killer noir caper

Russ sinking into his daffy alter ego points to Chad Powers' themes of redemption. But it's also pleasant evidence that there's a theater kid hiding inside jock Russ, just as there's a love letter to movie makeup hidden within the football-focused show that is Chad Powers.

If you, like me, aren't the biggest football fan, then Chad Powers' surprise focus on prosthetics serves as a sweet counterbalance to the show's sportier nature. The Chad Powers makeup, which Russ steals from his prosthetics designer father (Toby Huss), essentially becomes its own character. It's the reason why Chad can't shower with his teammates, or join in on their lake parties. It's the reason why Russ has to go on a high-stakes emergency mission to get glue at Spirit Halloween. The prosthetics wind up as a driving force within Chad Powers, highlighting the ridiculousness behind Russ' scheme while also letting the show embrace the makeup craftsmanship at its core.

In some ways, Chad Powers' pairing of football and movie makeup magic is the perfect synthesis of its leading man: a film star who knows the transformative power of prosthetics thanks to films like Hit Man, and who spends football season hyping up the Texas Longhorns.

It's a crime that Chad Powers is only six episodes long. Perry Mattfeld and Glen Powell in "Chad Powers." Credit: Disney / Daniel Delgado Jr.

Powell leads a a charming cast in Chad Powers. As Catfish coach Jake Hudson, Steve Zahn is a live wire of comedic stress. Perry Mattfeld brings gritty determination to the show as Jake's daughter Ricky, who knows football inside and out but can't shake the nepo baby accusations. She's an unlikely kindred spirit for Russ, who also understands what it means to be pigeonholed based on prior expectations.

Elsewhere, Frankie A. Rodriguez is downright delightful as Russ' ally Danny. On top of serving up physical comedy as the Catfish mascot, Rodriguez imbues Danny with a mischievous, scheming quality, making him a bit of a wild card in his dedication to helping Russ succeed. Colton Ryan has a smaller role as Bible-thumping, perpetually optimistic backup quarterback Gerry, but his can-do attitude made me crack up every time he opened his mouth.

Unfortunately, we don't get too much of Gerry in Chad Powers' six episodes — a wild number for any TV show! — nor do we get much of the rest of the Catfish locker room. They have potential to be a great ensemble, but given the truncated length of the show, they fade into the background.

What little we do get of Chad Powers, though, is the makings of a great sports comedy, anchored by a great comedic performance from Powell. Watching the show, I kept thinking that it's not just criminal that Season 1 is only six episodes long; it's also criminal Powell has never hosted Saturday Night Live. Put him in a wig and let him loose onstage. Chad Powers proves he's got what it takes.

The first two episodes of Chad Powers premiere Sept. 30 on Hulu, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Since the release of her first adult novel Beach Read in 2020, author Emily Henry has dominated the modern romance genre.

In the past six years, she's written six romance novels, all of which have become New York Times bestsellers and blown up on BookTok. Now, Henry's work jumps to the big screen thanks to Netflix's film adaptation of her 2021 book, People We Meet on Vacation.

Directed by Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud), People We Meet on Vacation stars Emily Bader (My Lady Jane) and Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as best friends Poppy and Alex. The two are polar opposites: He's buttoned-up, while she's a free spirit.

Despite their differences, the pair have been inseparable since college. That closeness continues even after they graduate, with Poppy and Alex meeting up every year for a week-long vacation together.

In all their time knowing each other, they've only ever claimed to be platonic friends. But get one glance at their chemistry in People We Meet on Vacation's trailer, and it's clear that Alex and Poppy are lying to themselves. Will these long-time besties finally get a chance to kickstart the romance they both so obviously want? It might just take another vacation to find out for sure.

Check out the full teaser above for glimpses at Poppy and Alex's gorgeous vacation destinations, as well as a stealthy recreation of the novel's beachy cover.

People We Meet on Vacation also stars Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, and Lukas Gage.

People We Meet on Vacation hits Netflix Jan. 9.

When it comes to washable rugs, Ruggable's blend of form and function has helped it make a name for itself in the DTC rug market. And with its latest release, Ruggable is looking to offer rug buyers even more convenience.

As of Sept. 30, Ruggable is expanding its catalog to include the All-in-One rug, which is a washable rug with a built-in rug pad. It launches in two textures: the medium-pile Tufted rug and the Plush rug, with the latter being Ruggable's "thickest and softest rug to date," according to the press release. Tufted All-in-One rugs are available in 13 different sizes, starting at $119 for a two-by-three-foot rug, while Plush All-in-One rugs will come in four sizes, starting at $439 for a five-by-seven-foot rug.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable All-in-One rugs Starting at $119 Shop Now What's new about the Ruggable All-in-One rug

When Mashable tested Ruggable's traditional rug design previously, we generally had a great experience — minus matching up the rug cover and rug pad.

Our reviewer wrote, "It’s not necessarily difficult to get it aligned, but the velcro backing does make it a lot harder than dragging a normal rug over a rug pad. Plus, because the rug cover is a bit bigger than the cushioned rug pad beneath it, getting it matched up can be a challenge — one we gave up on."

SEE ALSO: What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair? My cats and I have been testing options at home.

Thanks to the built-in rug pad, the All-in-One rug does away with the need for any alignment. And Ruggable's betting big on the demand for this ease: Its existing Tufted rugs got an upgrade to the Tufted All-in-One design with this launch.

Ruggable says the built-in rug pad also adds flexibility to the rug, making it easier to fit into a washing machine when it's time for cleaning. Design-wise, the Tufted All-in-One rug launches with seven new looks, while the Plush All-in-One launches with nine new designs.

So how does the feel of the All-in-One backing compare to Ruggable's existing standard and cushioned rug pads? We checked in with a Ruggable rep, who told us via email, "It’s in its own class entirely." She continued, "The bottom is also a softer texture for elevated comfort, styles that hold their color longer after washing, and no curling at the edges."

Ruggable All-in-One pricing

As mentioned above, the Tufted All-in-One rug comes in 13 different sizes, with pricing as follows (with some prices subject to change in certain styles):

Tufted All-in-One pricing tiers

• 2 x 3-foot: $119

• 2.5 x 7-foot: $199

• 2.5 x 10-foot: $249

• 2.5 x 12-foot: $299

• 3 x 5-foot: $169

• 4 x 6-foot: $299

• 5 x 7-foot: $399

• 6 x 9-foot: $499

• 8 x 10-foot: $699

• 9 x 12-foot: $999

• 10 x 14-foot: $1,299

• 6-foot round: $499

• 8-foot round: $599

The Plush All-in-One is available in four different sizes, priced at:

Plush All-in-One pricing tiers

• 5 x 7-foot: $439

• 6 x 9-foot: $569

• 8 x 10-foot $799

• 9 x 12-foot: $1,099

Comparatively speaking, the All-in-One rugs do cost slightly more than their rug-pad-requiring counterparts. For example, this flatwoven rug costs $449 for a six-by-nine-foot two-piece rug (without the rug pad included), while the All-in-One counterpart costs $599. However, the cost of a standard six-by-nine rug pad is $189, or $279 for the cushioned rug pad, making the All-in-One more cost-effective.

If you'd still prefer something slightly cheaper (and aren't too picky about texture or design), the washable rug brand Tumble offers faux fur rugs with built-in rug pads in four different sizes, ranging from a $159 two-and-a-half-foot-by-seven-foot runner to a $379 six-by-nine-foot rug.

SEE ALSO: Tumble vs. Ruggable: Which washable rug brand is better? Where to buy the Ruggable All-in-One rug

Ruggable All-in-One rugs are available at Ruggable's website as of Sept. 30.

Ruggable All-in-One rugs Ruggable Tufted All-in-One Starting at $119 Shop Now Ruggable Plush All-in-One Starting at $439 Shop Now

Google's latest hardware announcements were joined by the Pixel Watch 4, but the Pixel Watch 3 is still a really good purchase, especially if you can find it at a good price. Now, the Pixel Watch 3 is heavily discounted—making for a great deal if you're not necessarily aiming for Google's very best smartwatch.

Android secures your device by asking you for a PIN, pattern, or full password. What happens if you forget the security method you set up? If you're lucky, you can get back in easily—but that may not be possible.

You know when Conan O'Brien is a talk show guest that the resulting interview is going to contain plenty of chaos, and his appearance on The Late Show does not disappoint.

In the 23-minute video above the former late night host speaks to Stephen Colbert about his role in A24 drama If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (he introduces the clip in trademark Conan fashion), tells a hilarious story about the time his mom gave advice to Jim Carrey, and takes a more serious minute to say something sweet to Colbert about his future after The Late Show ends next April.

"I, of course, adore you, I love you, I know you as a person and also as a comedic force, and like a lot of people I'm very sad that this chapter is ending," says O'Brien. "But I also want to say that you are going to do amazing things, you're going to have a lot of fun, and the connection you have — and this isn't just you, it's Mr Kimmel, and Fallon, all these guys have — it's very special. The connection you have with your audience, you're taking with you. No-one else owns that. That's yours."

Widgets are now a staple across nearly every Apple platform—from iOS and iPadOS to watchOS and beyond. In iOS 26, Apple expanded widget compatibility to the car with the redesigned CarPlay experience.

Today, Hinge is updating its approach to handling content that violates its Terms of Service for all U.S. users. The dating app will now remove a specific piece of problematic content from a user's account and share clear feedback on what was flagged and why — as opposed to banning the account entirely.

Previously, if one piece of content (like a photo or response to a prompt) on a profile was flagged and didn't meet Hinge's Terms of Service, that account would be booted, and the person behind it would need to appeal the ban.

SEE ALSO: As Tinder struggles to attract paid users, one dating app is gaining popularity

Now, that single piece of content will be removed. The account will remain on the app, but it won't appear in other people's Discover or Standout feeds (where you can "like" and match). Users will also be given a specific reason why and a chance to update their profile so that they can be seen by others again.

Hinge's new content removal process Credit: Hinge

Reasons why content could get removed include discriminatory language, scams, and sexually explicit material, according to Hinge's help center.

This change comes after reports of Hinge (and other dating apps) banning accounts, and those users having a difficult time appealing the decision. Singles who have been banned from apps told Mashable earlier this year that not being able to use them has hurt their dating lives.

Now, Hinge aims to provide greater clarity and transparency regarding its rules and decision-making processes. It also hopes to decrease the frustration of "well-intentioned" daters who will be given a chance to adjust their profiles. Hinge clarified to Mashable that one instance of "extremely harmful" content — like graphic or extreme violence — could constitute a ban.

"We believe in supporting our community throughout their dating journey," said Hinge's chief risk officer, Jeff Dunn, in a statement to Mashable. "By giving daters the opportunity to update their content while remaining in good standing on Hinge, we're delivering on our commitment to greater transparency and helping well-intentioned users better understand our policies — so they can stay focused on what matters most — making meaningful connections."

UPDATE: Sep. 30, 2025, 2:39 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with further clarity from Hinge.

Next week is the October Prime Day event, known as Prime Big Deal Days. Running Oct. 7-8, this is a nice opportunity to check out some discounts on items ahead of the big holiday sale events in November, and Amazon already has some early deals available that are worth checking out.

If you're not looking to spend above a certain amount during this sale event, we've rounded up some of the best offers currently available for under $50. There's some good stuff to look through right now, too, including Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K down to $24.99 and JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones for $48.99.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

We still have a week to go before the sale event officially kicks off, and we'll continue to update this with more deals available for under $50 as they pop up over the next few days. Make sure to check back to see what else is new in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days.

Best deal under $50 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Considering how much there is to watch on streaming services right now, it's worth having a streaming setup that can bring you a high-quality picture to enjoy it all. The Fire TV Stick 4K is a great pick that supports 4K Ultra HD resolution (with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio, too), and is currently on sale for $24.99 at Amazon. This saves you 50% off its list price, and considering how close it is to its lowest-ever price of $21.99, it's well worth it to pick up now.

This deal just scratches the surface of what's currently available, though. Have a look below at even more great deals available on Amazon for under $50.

More deals under $50

Streaming deals:

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max - $39.99 $59.99 (33% off)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD - $17.99 $34.99 (49% off)

• Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 - $29.00 $39.99 (27% off)

Echo device deals:

• Amazon Echo Spot (newest model) - $49.99 $79.99 (38% off)

• Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) - $34.99 $49.99 (30% off)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids with Alexa (newest model) - $34.99 $59.99 (42% off)

• Amazon Echo Pop (newest model) - $24.99 $39.99 (38% off)

Headphone and earbud deals:

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones - $48.99 $79.99 (39% off)

• Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (newest model) - $34.99 $119.99 (71% off)

Blink security device deals:

• Blink Mini 2 (newest model) - $19.99 $39.99 (50% off)

• Blink Video Doorbell (newest model) - $34.99 $69.99 (50% off)

• All-new Blink Video Doorbell + Mini 2 - $39.99 $109.98 (64% off)

Gaming deals:

• Official Luna Wireless Controller - $39.99 $69.99 (43% off)

My recycling bin is overflowing with packaging for smart plugs, remotes, and sensors. After starting my smart home journey relatively slowly, I decided it was time to kick things up a notch and part with a few hundred dollars at everyone’s favorite Swedish flat pack and hot dog retailer.

You know we're living in a strange timeline when the president of the U.S. is casually sharing AI videos of himself on social media, but — as Stephen Colbert pointed out on The Late Show — this story gets messier the closer you look at it.

"The president of the United States posted an AI video of a Fox News report that never happened featuring a fake version of himself, saying things he never said about a magic, foot-growing-back body-pod that does not exist, all reported by an AI anchor of his real daughter-in-law," says Colbert, giving a depressingly accurate summary of the strange AI conspiracy Donald Trump posted about non-existent, secret, cure-all "medbeds".

"After watching that I hope they have medbeds so I can regrow my brain back."

It's difficult to analyse why Trump posted the video and what was going through his mind when he watched it, but Colbert also gives that a go.

"It really seems like Trump saw the AI video of himself and thought it was real. Which means he also thinks in 2020 he did this," the host says, before playing an AI clip of Trump dancing next to a bongo-playing Joe Biden.