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Valve has announced three new pieces of hardware for Steam: The console-like Steam Machine, a new virtual reality headset called Steam Frame, and a brand new version of the Steam Controller. They all run on SteamOS and are set to release sometime in early 2026. Prices have not been revealed yet.

Starting off with the Steam Machine, Valve confirmed that it’s six times more powerful than the Steam Deck and is able to play your entire Steam library, including AAA and indie titles. Games will be noted with a “Steam Machine Verified” tag if they play well on the console, similarly to the “Steam Deck Verified” tag. So, it's not quite a console, but not quite a PC either. According to Valve, "Once you sign in with your Steam account, your entire library will be there waiting for you."

Credit: Valve SEE ALSO: Xbox President Sarah Bond confirms next-gen console will be a premium, high-powered device

As for the size, it’s a 6-inch cube that’s designed to fit under your TV or on your desk. It even has an LED strip to signal system status such as download progress.

The Steam Frame is Valve's new wireless virtual reality gaming headset. It's designed to be “streaming” first and comes with controllers. Valve’s website says it offers “wireless, comfortable, lightweight VR for your Steam library.” Interestingly, Valve also says it can play VR and non VR titles. Just like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck, it’s also going to have its own “Steam Frame Verified” tag. The tag will help you see which games, VR or not, will work on the headset.

The new Valve Steam Frame VR headset. Credit: Valve

There’s a new feature called Foveated Streaming, which optimizes details where your eyes are looking. This feature uses low-latency eye tracking data to move the best quality pixels to align with your eyes, so that you experience better image quality.

Lastly, the brand new Steam Controller has gotten quite an overhaul compared to its 2015 version. It has your standard A,B,X, and Y buttons, along with your thumbsticks and direction pad. But it also features two large trackpads near the grips to simulate how computer mice move.

Credit: Valve SEE ALSO: Playing the Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld made me yearn for the simplicity of my Switch 2

The thumbsticks use TMR technology to create a more responsive feeling and increase longevity. It also includes haptic feedback for a more immersive experience, as well as a grip-enabled gyro called Grip Sense. Players simply hold and release to toggle off gyro aiming.

It also comes with the Steam Controller Puck, which is a wireless transmitter that acts simultaneously like a charging station and a stable connection to your hardware.

The new Steam Controller. Credit: Valve

In the meantime, the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED are still going strong for Valve. The handheld will also be compatible with the new hardware.

You can also watch the full announcement video on YouTube.

TL;DR: Turn any space into a theater with the Kodak Flik X20 1080p Smart Projector with Google TV, on sale now for $269.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Flik X20 1080p Smart Projector with Google TV $269.99
$299.99 Save $30   Get Deal

Want to make an ordinary night magical? All you need is some popcorn and a Kodak Flik X20 1080p Smart Projector, and you can turn your living room into a fancy movie theater. This projector offers full HD visuals with 4K support, providing a big-screen experience anywhere, and right now it’s on sale for just $269.99.

Tired of paying the extravagant prices at the movie theater? Bring the cinema experience home with some help from the Kodak Flik X20 1080p Smart Projector. This smart projector serves up full HD visuals with 4K support, so it’s not only perfect for movie night, but also for gaming or streaming your favorite shows.

SEE ALSO: Rumor suggests Apple could kill Dynamic Island with under-display camera

The watch parties don’t have to stay at home — the Kodak Flik X20 is compact enough to bring along and take the party anywhere. There are also four projection modes — front, ceiling, rear, and rear ceiling — so you can decide how you’d like to watch. No matter where you choose, you’ll see content in rich colors and stunning clarity.

The Kodak Flik X20 has built-in Google TV, so you’ll have your favorite streaming apps like Netflix right at your fingertips without having to bring any other gadgets along. Just download them from the Google Play store and start watching content in full HD.

This projector comes equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can also share, cast, or stream your content from multiple devices. Setup is a breeze and the controls are straightforward, so it’s easy for everyone to use.

Upgrade your movie night with the Kodak Flik X20 1080p Smart Projector with Google TV, on sale now for $269.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Elevate your cybersecurity with this three-year subscription to the Surfshark VPN Starter Plan, now just $67.19 (reg. $430) with code SURF, available for just four more days until Nov. 16.

Opens in a new window Credit: Surfshark Surfshark VPN Starter Plan: 3-Yr Subscription $67.19
$430 Save $362.81   Get Deal

It’s time to start taking your cybersecurity seriously. Whether you’re traveling this holiday season or just want to stay protected during the busiest online shopping time of the year, now’s the perfect time to tighten things up. A VPN is an affordable and easy way to browse the web more safely.

Right now, you can score a three-year subscription to the Surfshark VPN Starter Plan for only $67.19 (reg. $430) with code SURF through Nov. 16.

SEE ALSO: Google issues security alert about malicious VPNs stealing user data

VPNs let you enjoy the internet as it was meant to be browsed, with no geographical limits or online tracking, and no worrying about potential hackers stealing your data. The SurfShark VPN Starter Plan is a great way to surf safer, and this three-year deal lets you test out all the perks a VPN can bring.

Surfshark VPN gives you total privacy, as you can browse the web with military-grade AES-256 encryption. Your online location will be hidden, so you can’t be tracked, and you can rest easy when you log on from anywhere — even sketchy public Wi-Fi networks. You’ll also avoid any geo-restrictions, so you can enjoy total freedom online, no matter where you are.

This three-year subscription also provides access to CleanWeb, offering additional benefits including ad and malware blocking, as well as a faster internet experience. You can also use Surfshark Search, a more private way to browse the web and receive unbiased, organic search results.

This three-year subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices. You can connect to more than 3,200 servers in over 100 countries, and rest easy knowing Surfshark has a no-log policy.

Browse safer with this three-year subscription to the Surfshark VPN Starter Plan, now for only $67.19 (reg. $430) with code SURF.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

There's a new trend on TikTok and everyone hates it.

It's one of those trends you might have found out not because you saw people using it, but because you saw people hating on it — at least that's how it was served up to me, on a plate of disgust.

The trend goes like this: A group of people, typically kids, gives their phone to someone else and asks them to record them doing a dance. They record the dance on the front-facing camera so the dancers can see themselves and at the end of the dance, they move towards the camera and flip it to reveal the person recording them.

SEE ALSO: TikTok Shop reportedly faces deluge of 70 million fake products. AI is to blame.

The trend is a few weeks old, according to Know Your Meme, which reported that it likely started towards the end of October with a video from TikTok creator @jaycrudddy. The video has 1.3 million views.

This might sound like a silly trend with unoffensive consequences, but many people online are labeling it as bullying because the person chosen to record is often someone the dancing kids are trying to make fun of, be it a less popular kid, a person struggling with homelessness, or an elderly person. The punchline of the video is almost always at the expense of the recorders.

Featured Video For You Mashable Rants: Is flirting with AI considered cheating?

In an Instagram post about the trend, user @coquettesvanilla, who has over 41,400 followers, said the trend has "turned into straight up bullying" and saying the trend might seem small but leads to people feeling "insecure" and "like they’re not good enough."

"We shouldn’t be building a whole trend around tearing someone down," @coquettesvanilla wrote. "Bullying isn’t always loud or obvious, sometimes it hides behind 'it’s just for fun.' But if someone gets hurt, then it wasn’t fun to begin with. We can choose to be better. We can choose not to add to the negativity or make people feel ashamed of themselves. Social media doesn’t have to be a place where people get laughed at, it can be a place where we actually respect each other."

Other users have echoed @coquettesvanilla's sentiment.

One user with 14,400 followers on TikTok, @hhyy1037, called the trend "disgusting."

"Nine times out of 10, that person looks like the sweetest, kindest, most innocent human being. You can tell they were just trying to be nice, probably quiet, probably introverted, maybe not even part of that friend group for real," @hhyy1037 said.

Even @Tinx, a creator with 1.5 million followers on TikTok, made a video about the trend calling it out for bullying.

"I'm not a mom but if I found out my kids did that, I would ground them forever. I'm serious I think that is one of the mean- it's not even mean, it's cruel," Tinx said. "It's straight up cruelty. It's so mean-spirited."

A coalition between Pornhub's parent company Aylo and other adult content producers has come together to create the Adult Studio Alliance (ASA), which aims to standardize safety across the industry with its Code of Conduct.

Safety precautions, such as testing for HIV and other STIs every 14 days, have long been mandatory for professional porn productions in the U.S. However, the ASA's goal isn't to introduce new safety procedures — it's to standardize them in a clear, unified, and structured way, as stated in a press release.

SEE ALSO: 'We're all sinners': the Conservative tradwife who does OnlyFans

Key guidelines of the ASA include:

• Give performers full transparency, like scene details and partners, prior to booking

• Boundary checklists and pre-shoot discussions

• Intimacy coordinator or other liaison available before, during, and after a shoot

• Health and safety protocols — like STI testing every 14 days

• Prohibitions on drugs and alcohol on a shoot, and guidelines about prescription medication

• Requirements for licensing, transparency, and ethical representation

The full Code of Conduct is available on the ASA's website.

"The ASA Code of Conduct sets a benchmark for how adult content should be made," Aylo's VP of brand and community, Alex Kekesi, commented in the press release.

Aylo is one of the founding members of the ASA; it owns Pornhub and also studios such as Brazzers and Sean Cody. The other founding members are Dorcel, ERIKALUST, Gamma Entertainment (which owns sites like Adult Time), Mile High Media, and Ricky’s Room.

"When we protect performers' rights, we foster an empowering work environment and destigmatize porn, ultimately benefiting both our industry and society as we create safer content," Kekesi continued.

"I believe strong production standards are the foundation of a safe and respectful and successful industry, and I've always believed performers deserve nothing less. That's why I'm truly excited to see the launch of the Adult Studio Alliance and to enthusiastically welcome this initiative," said performer Cherie DeVille, who has written for Mashable.

Performer and marketing director for queer porn studio, CrashPadSeries.com, Jiz Lee, told Mashable that much of the groundwork and bullet points of this new Code of Conduct were made in the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee's (APAC) performer bill of rights and code of conduct, which were created by a volunteer-based group of performers over a decade ago.

While it would've been considerate for big studios to credit APAC, Lee said, it's great to see this transparency and effort by major studios. "It shows that performers have power to influence the industry and working conditions," they said. Lee wishes ASA's code of conduct included points on AI, tagging (the marketing language used, especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ performers), and individualized health and performer agency (such as working with HIV-positive performers).

This coalition and Code of Conduct come at a time when the adult industry is under scrutiny. Countries, including the UK and France, as well as around half of the United States, have established age-verification laws that require users to input their personal data to access explicit material.

Despite free speech experts and an initial study suggesting that age-verification doesn't work for its intended purpose — keeping minors off of porn sites — more places are adopting them. It's also causing non-explicit platforms, like Spotify, to start age-verifying as well. Earlier this year, experts in the First Amendment and the internet warned Mashable that these laws can fundamentally change the internet and often require more and more personal data as time goes on.

There's also a conservative push in the United States to outright ban porn entirely. The far-right blueprint for Trump's second presidential term, Project 2025, outlines prohibiting pornography and imprisoning creators. Since Trump's second inauguration in January, a few bills have been introduced to ban porn. The bills haven't moved since they were introduced, however.

Waymo says its autonomous vehicles are ready to drive its taxi service customers on the freeway.

The Google-backed autonomous vehicle company made the announcement Wednesday. Freeway service will debut first in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

Waymo previously began testing freeway driving under human supervision in Phoenix in early 2024.

"This has been a long time in the making,” said Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov, according to NBC News. "Freeway driving is one of those things that's very easy to learn but very hard to master when we’re talking about full autonomy without a human driver as a backup, and at scale. So, it took time to do it properly."

The company said in its announcement of freeway access that it would be available to a "growing number" of riders in the initial cities. Service will also eventually expand to other locations including Austin and Atlanta.

Waymo says its robotaxis are safer than human drivers, according to the company's data. The company claims its cars had far fewer crashes that led to pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist injuries, compared to human drivers.

Waymo has also been the subject of federal safety investigations. The National Highway Traffic Safety administration recently announced that it's reviewing an incident involving a Waymo that passed a fully stopped school bus.

"Safety is our top priority, as we provide hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous paid trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments in the U.S.," a Waymo spokesperson told Mashable. The spokesperson said that Waymo will continue to work with NHTSA.

In May 2024, NHTSA opened an investigation into Waymo for 22 reported incidents in which its autonomous vehicles collided with objects like gates, chains, and parked vehicles. The cars also appeared to disobey traffic safety control devices.

In November 2024, Waymo voluntarily recalled 1,212 of its self-driving taxis. The recalled cars, which comprised the entirety of the company's fleet at the time, received a software update in November designed to significantly decrease the likelihood that Waymos would collide with stationary objects.

Waymo's reach has grown rapidly in recent months, adding London, Dallas, and Nashville to the list of cities it plans to serve in 2026.

Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are both taking swings at prestige pics this season with the former starring in the boxing biopic Christy and the latter headlining the religious musical The Testament of Ann Lee. But forget all that, because Paul Feig — helmer of A Simple Favor and Another Simple Favor — has these two leading ladies facing off in what seems to be a totally WTF thriller.

The Housemaid is from Freida McFadden’s global best-selling novel. So readers will likely have some idea of what's going on in this second trailer, which features screaming, blood, and an emotional support sandwich.

Sweeney plays Millie, the eponymous housemaid who's meant to help the lady of the home, wife and mother Nina Winchester, played by Seyfried. But as this trailer teases, their working relationship is anything but healthy.

Per the official plot synopsis:

"But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end."

The Housemaid opens only in theaters on Dec. 19.

Google's latest Android 16 update for Pixel owners is here. And with it, a special Pixel Feature Drop. 

The November Android 16 update for Pixel users is an important one. There are important fixes and security patches here, and we'll break down all the major updates for you. First, here's how you update your mobile device.

Go to Settings then System. Next, you'll want to select Software updates (or System update), followed by Check for update. If your device still needs the November update, you will be prompted to update.

According to a Nov. 10 Google post:

We have started to roll out the monthly software update for November 2025. All supported Pixel devices running Android 16 will receive these software updates starting today, and the rollout will continue over the next week in phases, depending on carrier and device. You will receive a notification once the system update is available for your device. We encourage you to check your Android version and update to receive the latest software. 

Everything in the November Pixel Feature Drop

Alongside the security updates in the Android 16 November release (more on that shortly), Google has also announced the rollout of a new Pixel Feature Drop. This Feature Drop is packed with new capabilities for Pixel owners, especially when it comes to messages.

The first major feature is Remix in Google Messages. This new feature allows Pixel users to edit or recreate any photo right inside Google Messages using Nano Banana, Google's Gemini image generation and editing model. Google announced that Nano Banana was coming to Google Photos last month, but now it's finally here.

Nano Banana finally arrives in Google Photos on Pixel devices. Credit: Google

Pixel devices will also be able to provide users with notifications consisting of AI summaries of long text messages, group chats, and conversations across messaging apps. In addition to that, family and close friends deemed VIPs will receive message prioritization in Pixel notifications.

Building on these messaging and notification upgrades is the new Scam Detection feature for Pixel 6 phones and newer. This feature will warn users about potential scam texts with a "Likely scam" label affixed to notifications of messages that are deemed suspicious.

Moving on from notifications, there are more AI photo editing updates, also thanks to Nano Banana. Personalized edits in Google Photos will allow users to request photo edits from AI by just selecting a photo in the app and tapping "Help me edit." Users can then explain via text what exactly they want changed in the photo. An example provided by Google includes a user asking to "Remove Riley's sunglasses, open my eyes, make Engel smile and open her eyes.” Photos responds by making the requested changes to the picture. 

Designated VIPs will be prioritized in notifications. Credit: Google Google Maps has a new low-power mode to save your battery. Credit: Google

More features in the November Pixel Feature Drop include a power-saving feature in Google Maps, which strips the app down to a simplified layout to extend battery life, and more timely suggestions from the AI-powered Magic Cue, a feature that keeps track of your personal data across apps and accounts.

And, finally, Pixel users who are fans of the hit Broadway show turned hit movie Wicked can take advantage of the included "Wicked: For Good" theme packs, which come with wallpapers, icons, system sounds, and GIFs from the film.

Glinda and Elphaba are coming to Pixel devices. Credit: Google Everything else in the Android 16 November update

Critically, this Android 16 update includes two important security fixes for issues reported in the Nov. 3 Android Security Bulletin, according to 9to5Google.

What else is included? Most importantly, Google has rolled out a fix for the emergency calling feature that was "causing instability and intermittent problems."

The most visible fix for Android users is related to the camera. Google has patched an issue that was causing a "rainbow like color pattern" in photos taken with the ultrawide and telephoto lenses.

The November update also fixes an audio issue causing "occasional system instability and performance slowdowns," an issue that "prevents some apps from loading," and an error where "webcam mode doesn’t function correctly with connected devices."

In addition, the Android 16 November update provides "general improvements for charging and battery usage" as well.

What devices are eligible for the update?

Google says November Pixel updates are available for the following devices, though some features are only available on Pixel 9 devices and newer. You can see the full list of eligibility requirements at Google's support page.

• Pixel 7a

• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a

• Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet

• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a

• Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Popular YouTube speed-dating show Pop the Balloon or Find Love is leveling up as a dating app, creators Arlette Amuli and her husband, Bolia Matundu (who goes by BM), announced.

If you’ve somehow missed the show, which consistently racks up between one and two million views per episode, here’s the premise: singles line up to be judged by other singles, with participants popping the balloons of anyone they don’t feel a spark with. It’s chaotic, painfully honest, and extremely awkward — which is exactly why fans can’t stop watching.

SEE ALSO: 10 free dating apps to try for cuffing season 2025

The app announcement dropped ahead of the show’s 78th episode last week on Amuli’s YouTube channel. BM said the upcoming app will include the usual features, such as chatting, connecting, and matching — along with an extra twist: some contestants from the show will also be featured on it.

View this post on Instagram

There’s no release date yet, but viewers can sign up for early access through a waitlist link shared during the episode. Mashable reached out to the creators for comment, but didn’t receive a response before publication.

The Pop the Balloon universe has already expanded beyond YouTube. A Netflix adaptation premiered back in April with Insecure’s Yvonne Orji as host, and an official UK spinoff is on the way. The Netflix version featured a more "diverse" cast, with some longtime fans upset, since the original series has become a standout Black dating show.

Pitches for AI assistants that can help you send emails or craft pitch decks may be feeling stale, but what about one designed to help new immigrants navigate the U.S.? How about a digital helper that can connect someone to pressing social services or just help them feel supported in a foreign environment? That's what ALMA, a new virtual assistant designed by the nonprofit International Rescue Committee (IRC), is designed to do.

ALMA, which stands for "AI for Life Mapping Assistance," was built in-house by multiple IRC teams and their clients, modeled after a digital learning tool known as aprendIA. It pulls from a vast library of IRC resources — standard client materials, staff training resources, and information offered by trusted external organizations — to provide specialized assistance to refugees, special immigrant visa holders, and others.

SEE ALSO: Can AI help nonprofits do more with less?

Most notably, ALMA is based on WhatsApp, one of the leading communication platforms for immigrant communities nationwide, including those served by the IRC. It's also a growing site for non-English alternative news resources and local organizing. Individuals in need just have to text ALMA's number (+1 619-658-5100) to get instant help. 

"We wanted to make sure that clients had a way to get reliable answers and resources 24/7," said Tara Catanach, ALMA's designer and IRC's project director for virtual reception and placement. Catanach explained that, unlike popular chatbot companions marketed by the field's major players, ALMA isn't designed to continuously engage with a client — the kind of chatbot codependency currently prompting concern among mental health professionals. 

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

Instead, ALMA is designed as an emergency response tool with very specific use cases in mind: An individual new to the U.S. needs assistance finding their benefits or nearby social services. They want to know how to apply for housing or the best way to talk to their landlord. They may ask to roleplay a typical job interview or get an overview of their rights. 

"It's easy to refer to ALMA as a virtual caseworker, but ALMA doesn't replace any of the work our offices do," said Catanach.

ALMA uses LLMs not for any core content, IRC explains, but for personalizing responses. For now, it harnesses OpenAI's GPT 4.1 and GPT 4.1 mini, but the organization explains ALMA can run on any model. It's also structured with safeguards that direct conversations about mental health, abuse, or domestic violence to other organizations or escalate them to IRC staff. 

ALMA can also access the internet if an individual's requests are outside its scope, but it defaults to what Catanach describes as static pools of information, evergreen resources that are unlikely to promulgate misinformation or hallucinatory facts, like other AI-powered search engines. 

Unlike a service like ChatGPT, for example, "ALMA knows who our users are," said Catanach. "They're English language learners. They're new to the U.S. The client doesn't have to do any coaching to get the information they need."

Across the U.S., immigrant and refugee populations have been forced to navigate an increasingly convoluted and hostile political environment. The Trump administration has taken a hard line on immigration, including striking out at special visa statuses and suspending the Refugee Admissions Program. Many fear detention, deportation, and surveillance as guidelines on entry are rewritten by federal leaders. 

Meanwhile, social platforms and Big Tech's leaders have cozied up to the administration, including WhatsApp parent company Meta. Recent changes to the platform's advertising policy sounded alarm bells among privacy experts, as well as investigations that found Trump officials, including ICE agents, used the app for surveillance operations. WhatsApp has been known to exacerbate misinformation when circulating rumors go unchecked. 

Still, ALMA is hosted on WhatsApp because it's where the people in need actually are, and where they already have support systems in place, instead of a separate website or app.

WhatsApp has also recently vowed to alert users to government spyware. User messages are end-to-end encrypted by default, but ALMA does collect phone numbers and other WhatsApp profile information for IRC research, Catanach told Mashable. The AI is instructed to tell users not to share identifiable information, like personal addresses, or even their immigration status, unless they're comfortable. Legal advice — including questions about green cards or constantly evolving visa policies —  is also a no-go for the virtual caseworker assistant, which directs users to outside sources if they need help with their case. 

ALMA launched first in Dari/Farsi, English, Spanish, and Swahili, the most used languages among IRC's clients. Catanach says they're testing ALMA's capabilities in 10 more languages for future updates, and are looking to add new topics like healthcare and schooling to ALMA's knowledge base. She'll hopefully get an accessibility upgrade, too, like the option to send voice notes. 

IRC is hoping to reach 100,000 users in ALMA's first year. "Our goal is to get ALMA in the hands of those who could use its support."

It seems people don't really want to hear about an operating system integrating yet more AI into the user experience.

Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's president of Windows and devices, posted a tweet promoting a company event and promising that Windows would soon evolve to include even more AI. Davuluri posted that Windows would soon be "agentic," which is an AI buzzword that basically means it can do some tasks autonomously.

"Windows is evolving into an agentic OS, connecting devices, cloud, and AI to unlock intelligent productivity and secure work anywhere," he posted on X.

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

Whatever Davuluri expected, folks were not thrilled with their operating system becoming "agentic."

"Stop this non-sense. No one wants this," read one reply.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Microsoft Azure outage: What we know about crash disrupting Minecraft, Xbox, more

"Its evolving into a product that's driving people to Mac and Linux," read another.

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

The replies were largely uniform in their disapproval of the announcement.

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

Read another reply from the account @EricLengyel: "Maybe you should pay attention to the unanimously negative replies here and adjust your goals accordingly."

That seems to about sum it up.

SAVE $125: As of Nov. 12, the Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K Fire TV is on sale for $694.99 ahead of Black Friday. That's a 15% discount and its best price to date.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K Fire TV $694.99 at Amazon
$819.99 Save $125   Get Deal

We've officially entered the best time of year to buy a TV — Black Friday season. Sure, the annual shopping holiday is technically a couple of weeks away, but some TV deals are already popping off. Case in point: Amazon's top-of-the-line 55-inch Fire TV is down to its best price ever.

As of Nov. 12, you can get the Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K Fire TV for just $694.99 at Amazon as an early Black Friday deal. That's 15% or $125 off its list price of $819.99 and its lowest price on record.

The newest and fanciest among Fire TVs in Amazon's lineup, the Omni Mini-LED Fire TV is loaded with features and solid specs. It packs a 144Hz refresh rate, Interactive Art Mode (similar to Samsung's The Frame), hands-free Alexa, and Intelligent Picture technology, which fine-tunes the details of whatever you're watching. Its 55-inch 4K QLED mini-LED display features Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, up to 1,400 nits of peak brightness, and 768 dimming zones, which results in the best Fire TV picture quality ever. If that all sounds like a bunch of gibberish to you, be sure to check out our TV specs explainer for a breakdown of all the essential features.

Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) reviewed the Omni Mini-LED Fire TV and said it "offers plenty of features and a significant increase in brightness from previous models, making it a strong value for the price." And now that the 55-inch model is down to just $694.99, it's inching closer to budget-friendly territory.

SAVE $599.01: The Roborock Saros Z70 is on sale at Amazon for $1,999.99, down from the normal price of $2,599. That's a 23% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros Z70 $1,999.99 at Amazon
$2,599 Save $599.01   Get Deal

Not every new product is a must-have. While many look super cool and come with fancy new features, you simply might not need it. A new smartwatch when you have a great one already means you probably don't need that new model. But if you have a hard time keeping your floor obstacle-free for a robot vacuum to do its cleaning routine, this deal on a new model is for you.

As of Nov. 12, the Roborock Saros Z70 is on sale for $1,999.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $2,599. That works out to a 23% discount that takes a sizeable $599.01 off the normal price.

Mashable's vacuum expert Leah Stodart tested out the Roborock Saros Z70 when it launched earlier this year and had mixed feelings. Its cleaning ability with 22,000Pa suction makes it one of the most powerful models on the market, and its super slim design means it'll have an easier time navigating under furniture. Stodart was also impressed with the mopping function's ability to get into corners.

SEE ALSO: The 40+ best early Black Friday deals: We found record prices on Apple gadgets, headphones, TVs, and robot vacuums

But of course, the star of the Roborock Saros Z70 is its mechanical arm that's designed to remove obstacles from the cleaning path. It's ready to remove socks, shoes, and even small trash like tissues that may have dropped on the floor. In testing, Stodart found the mechanical arm worked as expected, but not perfectly. And given its higher price compared to other robot vacuums that mop, it's probably not the best option for most people.

However, if you're a busy parent or you have mobility issues that make bending over a challenge, the Roborock's assistance could be nice. Not only will the robot vacuum pick up stray socks, shoes, and more, but it can sort them into designated piles or areas in your home. Set all shoes to be put near the front door and socks to head into the laundry room. It might take some time for the lil' robot to get this task done, but it will eventually.

At full price, it was hard to recommend the Roborock Saros Z70 to most people, but thanks to today's discount, it's worth considering if you feel the mostly-accurate arm will be useful.

Before the shopping rush of Black Friday rushes in, snag the Roborock Saros Z70 for $1,999.99. For some homes, this model will be a nice way of keeping floors clean with less pre-cleaning effort.

When it came out in 2006, The Devil Wears Prada was destined to become more than a smash hit at the box office, more than a beloved adaptation of Lauren Weisberger's novel of the same name. It was destined to become a part of internet culture, memed and made into GIFs and referenced on par with franchises that offered a slew of sequels. But now, at long last, here comes The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt are all returning, reprising their roles as Runway editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, former assistant Andy Sachs, fashion guardian angel Nigel Kipling, and competitive first assistant Emily Charlton. While the first teaser from 20th Century Studios does not reveal what Nigel and Emily are up to, it does give the audience our first official look at Miranda and Andy's reunion.

Gird your loins. It's going to be a thrilling ride.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens in theaters May 1.

SAVE $200: As of Nov. 12, get the Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet for $899.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099.99. That's a discount of 18%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet $899.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $200   Get Deal

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, you already know that dust, pollen, and pet dander can make breathing a bit of a nightmare. Keep your air as clean as possible at home with an air purifier, and you can lessen some of that frustration. You don't have to spend a fortune on an air purifier to do a great job, but if you're going to get one, it's worth going all out when you can save some cash on a quality product. Case in point: this Dyson air purifier.

As of Nov. 12, get the Dyson Purifier Big + Quiet for $899.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099.99. That's $200 off and a discount of 18%.

SEE ALSO: The best air purifiers for pet owners

This massive air purifier is for large homes or businesses, as it projects air over 32 feet and can treat bigger spaces than its air purifier brethren. Not only can it purify the air, but it can also detect and destroy any formaldehyde in the air permanently. Formaldehyde is often found in several things, like paint and even tobacco smoke, so it can lurk where you might not expect it. This purifier can help to eliminate it, so even if you're not sure you have it in your home, you can rest assured that it's being removed.

This purifier has a HEPA H13 grade filter that's 3.8x larger than its previous generation, and lasts up to 5 years. You can control and monitor the air quality indoors while using this purifier as well with the MyDyson app, set up preset use times, and opt to use several different modes to make things easier for when you're not at home or in the same room. Plus, Breeze mode circulates air to give you the feeling of natural air in your home.

If you're ready to take charge of the air quality around you, this is a great pick. Be sure to capitalize on it while it's available at this price.

It was only a matter of time until Paramount+ joined the price hike party. Following the lead of its peers — Netflix, Peacock, HBO Max, Apple TV+, YouTube TV, Disney+, and Hulu — Paramount+ is set to raise its monthly and annual subscription costs starting in January 2026. To make matters worse, the newly merged Paramount Skydance announced that it will also be ditching free trials.

This is the second price increase in as many years for Paramount+. In August 2024, the prices jumped from just $5.99 to $7.99 for the ad-supported tier and $11.99 to $12.99 for the ad-free tier. This time around, it's bumping up the cost by another dollar for monthly plans; Paramount+ Essential will cost $8.99 per month, and Paramount+ Premium will cost $13.99 per month. Annual plans are also increasing because of course they are. Paramount+ Essential will go from just $59.99 per year to $89.99 per year, while Paramount+ Premium will jump from $119.99 to $139.99 per year.

Credit: Mashable When do the new prices go into effect?

It's not all bad news. The new Paramount+ pricing doesn't go into effect until Jan. 15, 2026. That means you have plenty of time to lock in a deal (more on that below). The company announced its "ongoing investments in Paramount+ are enhancing the value we deliver to consumers. To support this continued investment, we plan to implement price increases in the U.S. early in the first quarter of 2026," in its reporting of Q3 2025 results. Those programming investments of over $1.5 billion include the rights to show UFC matches throughout the year, new Paramount+ originals and third-party catalog licensing, and a ramp-up of its film slate to 15 movies per year. So, at least your money will be going toward some new content.

How to save on a Paramount+ subscription

Along with the price hikes, Paramount also announced that it's "retiring" its free trials across all tiers and "reviewing discount practices." We're hoping that the review doesn't take place until the new year, as Paramount+ tends to offer a solid Black Friday streaming deal. Not to mention, the streamer puts out some of the best streaming discounts throughout the year — as much as 50% off annual plans.

The best option for most people on any given day will be signing up for an annual plan before the price increase. You'll save $30 on the Essential plan by signing up ahead of the hike and $20 on the Premium plan — and that's on top of the savings you'll already get from paying annually versus monthly.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ annual plans $59.99 or $119.99 per year (save $35.89) Get Deal

If you're looking to sign up for Paramount+ before the price hike takes effect, we've rounded up the best ways to save on a subscription (as of Nov. 12). If you'd rather roll the dice and wait until Black Friday, most of these deals will be ongoing until Jan. 15, 2026.

The best Paramount+ deals at a glance: Best for most people Paramount+ Essential annual plan $59.99 per year (save $35.89) Get Deal Best without ads Paramount+ Premium annual plan $119.99 per year (save $35.89) Get Deal Best for students Paramount+ Premium annual plan $59.99 for one year with SheerID verification (save $60) Get Deal Get Paramount+ for free Walmart+ annual plan $49 per year through Dec. 2 (save $49) Get Deal Best for military personnel Paramount+ Premium annual plan $59.99 per year with SheerID verification (save $60) Get Deal

Apple is turning its Wallet into something akin to a digital passport — but don't expect to be flying internationally without a physical passport just yet.

On Wednesday, the company launched Digital ID, which is a way to present your ID in Apple Wallet in a secure and private way.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Pocket is a new way to carry the iPhone, and we have questions

The new feature is launching as a fairly limited beta. It will initially be only available in the U.S. for domestic travel only, rolling out to TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports across the country.

To create a Digital ID, users will have to scan their U.S. passport. To do so, open Wallet on your iPhone, tap the Add + button at the top of the screen, select Driver's License or ID Cards, then select Digital ID and follow the instructions.

The process consists of scanning your passport with your iPhone, then scanning the chip that's embedded in the passport, and occasionally completing a series of facial and head movements (such as closing your eyes) during setup.

Instead of scanning your passport, you'll be able to scan your Digital ID on select TSA checkpoint locations. Credit: Apple

When presenting a Digital ID (for example, at a TSA checkpoint), you'll need to double click the iPhone's side button to open Wallet and select your Digital ID, hold your iPhone near an identity reader, and then use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate. The process also works with Wallet on Apple Watch.

Apple points out that right now, you cannot use Digital ID to travel internationally.

Featured Video For You Crafting Your First AI-Generated Video in Sora

This is just a start for Digital ID, but Apple has big plans for the feature. For example, in the future you might be able to present your ID to prove your age at a venue that requires it, and you'll be able to use it for identity verification in certain apps.

The advantage of using Apple's Digital ID over whipping out a physical ID is that the venue that's reading it can only verify certain data, such as your age and photo, but they don't get to see all the data on the ID.

The feature builds on Apple's digital driver's license and state ID, which launched in 2022. These can already be added to Wallet in 12 U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico.

Airbnb is reportedly integrating with Instacart in an interesting way, at least for a few months.

Folks who book stays in an Airbnb property will soon be able to order groceries ahead of their stay and have everything stocked and ready for them when they arrive, per Bloomberg. This will happen via a directly integrated Instacart interface within the Airbnb app. It should be noted that this is just a three-month pilot program starting on Jan. 5, and right now it's only for hosts in Phoenix, Orlando, and Los Angeles.

Still, this seems like a promising feature that could make traveling a lot easier for Airbnb guests.

SEE ALSO: Airbnb now offers 'Services' like makeup, photography, catered meals

The benefits for Airbnb customers here are obvious, but there are also incentives for hosts to play along, too. Each host will get $25 per completed Instacart order to their property and a $100 bonus for the first one, as long as they receive the order and put everything away on time.

Getting paid money to put away other people's groceries in the property you own is an interesting labor arrangement, if nothing else.

FX's Alien: Earth quickly became one of the most obsession-worthy shows of the summer

Over the course of eight episodes, Noah Hawley's Alien prequel series gifted viewers with bold new tech, a host of terrifying creatures, and a downright nausea-inducing mini Alien movie. With the show's Season 1 finale looming, can fans expect more Alien: Earth in a Season 2?

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth's game-changing ending, explained Will there be an Alien: Earth Season 2?

Yes! On Nov. 11, FX announced that Alien: Earth has been renewed for a second season. FX also revealed that Hawley had signed an overall deal with FX and Disney Entertainment Television, which bodes well for the future of Alien: Earth.

SEE ALSO: Five burning questions we have for 'Alien: Earth' Season 2

That's a future that Hawley has been thinking about for a long time. In a 2025 interview with Variety, Hawley mentioned his hopes for further seasons. "Season 1 is the proof of concept," Hawley said. "And if it works commercially, then Season 2 is about building a model upon which we can envision making a Season 3, 4, 5."

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Hawley is also already thinking about the wait time between seasons, telling Evolution of Horror that he has "a destination in mind, story-wise" and that his main question going forward is, "How streamlined can we make the process so that you're not waiting for three or four or five years for more?"

When would Alien: Earth Season 2 air?

FX has yet to set a release date for Alien: Earth Season 2. However, the renewal announcement stated that Season 2 will begin filming in London in 2026. From this, we can make an educated guess based on the turnaround time on Season 1.

Season 1 of Alien: Earth entered production in July of 2023, although it began filming without its American SAG-AFTRA members due to the Hollywood strikes. (British cast members were able to film as they were not part of SAG-AFTRA.) Production paused later due to the strike, before resuming in April of 2024 and then wrapping in July of 2024. The show premiered in Aug. of 2025, making for a two-year turnaround from the beginning of production to release. That means we might be waiting until 2028 for a Season 2.

However, production on an Alien: Earth Season 2 will not have to contend with another SAG-AFTRA strike, meaning it will hopefully take less time for Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and her Xenomorph to grace our screens again.

Alien: Earth Season 1 is now streaming on Hulu.

UPDATE: Nov. 12, 2025, 9:30 a.m. EST This article was originally published on Sept. 23, 2025. It has been updated to reflect the news of Alien: Earth's renewal.

It seems like there's always a shakeup going down in AI, with Meta seeing more shakeups than most. The company recently laid off 600 people within its AI unit.

Now, Yann LeCun, a chief AI scientist at Meta and professor at New York University, is planning to leave the company and build his own startup, anonymous sources told the Financial Times. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mashable.

The report says that LeCun, who won the prestigious A.M. Turing Award for breakthroughs in AI, will be leaving in the coming months to pursue work on a startup that focuses on his own world models. He is already working on raising capital for the startup, according to the Financial Times.

LeCun wouldn't be the first to focus on world models, which, according to TechCrunch, are AI systems that develop "an internal understanding of its environment so it can simulate cause-and-effect scenarios to predict outcomes." World Lab, Google DeepMind, and Nvidia are all also developing world models.

This comes at a time when Meta is heavily inserting AI into users' feeds and is working frantically to keep up with AI rivals such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.