Mashable

Back in early February, popular messaging app Discord announced that it would roll out age verification in order to keep its teenage users safe on the platform. By the end of the month, after facing significant backlash, Discord announced that it would be pausing that rollout while addressing some of the issues.

According to Discord, those age verification checks will now be rolling out.

Discord has launched a system that already estimates users' ages based on several factors, such as general activity levels, communities and servers joined, games that an account is connected to, and how old a user account is.

The company has also assured users that no messages, calls, or other content have been analyzed to make an age determination.

SEE ALSO: Discord defaults to teen experience for all users

Discord must believe in its model, as the company says that 90 percent of its users will not have to do or change a thing. However, Discord knows that mistakes will be made. The company says that any user can check the age group they've been assigned to by going to User Settings and checking Account Status. 

The main backlash against Discord's age verification system centered on the privacy and security concerns that came with the facial age estimation and ID upload methods. Discord says that if a user has to verify their age, there are now additional methods to do so that don't require facial age estimation or ID verification. These alternative methods include a credit card authorization, allowing the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to share a user's age range, a Google Wallet confirmation, or an AgeKey credential.

Adult users on Discord will notice no changes to how the platform works. Teenage users will still be able to message friends, join voice calls, and join non-age-restricted servers. However, age-restricted content and spaces will be blocked. In addition, extra safety protections have been added in cases where a non-friend attempts to message a teenage user.

Discord says it has already launched age verification checks in places like Texas, where it's required, and wants to get ahead of age verification laws as they expand globally.

At Meta Connect on Wednesday night, Mark Zuckerberg unveiled what could be the next frontier of VR hardware for the company: the Meta VR glasses.

These new specs blend the form factor of regular smart glasses with the stereoscopic 3D and virtual reality capabilities of a Quest headset. But how, exactly, do these glasses compare with the Quest 3? We can't directly test the glasses just yet, but even on paper, there are some notable differences to consider.

SEE ALSO: Meta's new VR glasses: We tried them, plus Muse on Meta's AI glasses Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Price

The most obvious difference between these two devices, aside from the way they look, is the price. The VR Glasses, when they launch in 2027, will start at $1,299. The Quest 3, meanwhile, can currently be had for just $599. One of these VR devices costs literally more than twice as much as the other, so set your expectations accordingly.

The top deals of the day

• Shop early October Prime Day deals at Amazon 

• Shop the Nintendo Customer Appreciation Sale

• See the latest Amazon deals on headphones and earbuds

• See the latest Amazon deals on laptops and computers

Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Specs There's that puck. Credit: Meta

Despite the price difference, there are actually a couple of areas where the Quest 3 outperforms the VR Glasses on a specs level.

Here are the basic specs of the VR Glasses:

• Display: Micro-OLED display with 2412×2288 resolution per eye

• Field of view: 70 degrees by 66 degrees

• Processor: Snapdragon Reality Elite

• RAM: 12GB

• Starting storage: 128GB

• Controllers: Not included, but compatible

And here are the equivalent specs for the Quest 3:

• Display: LCD display with 2064×2208 resolution per eye

• Field of view: 110 degrees by 96 degrees

• Processor: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

• RAM: 8GB

• Starting storage: 512GB

• Controllers: Included

The VR Glasses have the Quest 3 beat on display resolution and RAM, as well as with a newer processor. But there are some areas in which the Quest 3 wins here, too. Its field of view is significantly larger, as you'd expect from something that completely covers your face. It also comes with significantly more starting storage and a pair of touch controllers. The VR Glasses have a microSD card slot for expandable storage, and the controllers are compatible, but not included.

Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Design That's a lot more bulky than the glasses. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Well, this one's simple. One device is a pair of glasses, and the other is a full-on headset. Whichever you prefer is ultimately a matter of taste.

There are pros and cons to each. The VR Glasses allow the user a greater degree of spatial awareness because they don't cover as much of the face, but that might also make VR experiences less immersive. Meanwhile, the Quest 3 will probably be a bit more immersive, but it's heavier and more cumbersome because its computing hardware sits in the headset.

That last part is important, as the VR Glasses don't actually have any of the real computing hardware built into the glasses themselves. Instead, there's a computing puck attached to the device by wire, similar to the Apple Vision Pro. That's what allows the glasses to be as sleek as they are compared to the Quest 3, but it might also explain why the starting storage is so low in comparison.

Ultimately, the glasses weigh about 100 grams and the headset weighs 515 grams. That's a big enough difference to justify the use of a puck, but again, it's your call.

Meta VR Glasses vs. Quest 3: Software

There is some overlap in terms of available software features, but there are also some key differences between the VR Glasses and Quest 3. In general, it seems like the VR Glasses can do more.

Both devices run on the same operating system, and the glasses support all of the same content that is currently available on Quest 3. Things get more interesting when you look at what the VR Glasses can do that the Quest 3 can't. The glasses support eye tracking and face tracking in addition to hand tracking, while the headset supports hand tracking but not eye or face tracking.

As such, there are some VR Glasses-centric gaming experiences, like a new update to Beat Saber that allows the game to be played without controllers. Glasses owners will also be able to watch fully 3D movies from streaming services like Disney+, and the glasses are the first VR device to be IMAX certified, according to Meta. Meta also envisions the glasses being used as a work device, so they can connect to Macs or PCs using USB-C or wirelessly. That will give users the ability to create virtual displays for their workspace.

Last but not least is Hologram, a new method of video calling coming first to the VR Glasses. You'll be able to join WhatsApp video calls as a face-tracked avatar of yourself, appearing at true scale for the other participants. This feature won't fully render everyone in 3D at launch, but Meta says that's coming later. The metaverse is back, folks.

Given that the VR Glasses are newer and much more expensive, it's not surprising that they seem broadly more capable than the Quest 3. But, as you can tell, there might still be reasons to get a Quest 3 instead.

Top offers on Meta products Meta Ray-Ban Gen 3 $449 at Meta
  Pre-order Here at Meta Pre-order Here at Ray-Ban Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3S, 128GB (Renewed Premium) $319 at Amazon
$349 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3S, 256GB, Gorilla Tag Bundle $449 at Amazon
Get 1 Month of Xbox GamePass Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Adventurer AI Smart Glasses $299 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Gas, groceries, smartphones, and your favorite streaming platform. The cost of all those things just continues to go up.

The latest streamer to roll out a price hike? Disney+ and Hulu.

Just one year after Disney last raised the price of Disney+ and Hulu monthly subscriptions, they're doing it again. Disney+ and Hulu will now cost $21.49 each per month for the ad-free tier and $12.49 per month for the tier with ads. That's an increase of $2.50 and 50 cents per month, respectively.

The Disney+/Hulu bundle subscription continues to be a bargain when compared to the individual service subscriptions, but even those bundled plans are going up in price, too.

The ad-free Disney+/Hulu bundle will now cost $21.99 per month, and the ad-supported bundle will cost $12.99. That's a bump of $2 per month and 50 cents per month, respectively.

How Disney+ and Hulu pricing compares to other streaming platforms

Virtually all streamers have raised prices in the last 12 months, but gas and groceries are necessities in a way that streaming platforms are not. (Well, maybe that's not the case for some binge watchers.) So, if one could only afford one or two streaming services per month, they may be wondering how they rank when it comes to affordability.

Netflix last raised its prices in March. Like Disney, Netflix also bumped the cost of its monthly subscription plans by $1 to $2. The price for a standard ad-free Netflix subscription is now $19.99 per month and $8.99 per month for the ad-supported plan. Netflix also offers a Premium subscription, which includes 4K and additional simultaneous viewing devices, for $26.99 per month.

Apple TV subscription prices just went up last month, but it still remains the lowest-priced ad-free offering if one opts for the annual plan. Apple bumped the price of its Apple TV streaming service from $12.99 to $14.99 per month. The annual plan went up as well, from $99 to $119 per year. Still, that annual price puts Apple TV at less than $10 per month.

HBO Max subscription last saw a price hike in October of last year, so it's very possible that we can see yet another increase next month for 2026. HBO Max's Standard ad-free plan went from $16.99 to $18.49 per month last time around. The annual plan also went up to $184.99 per year, which saved $36.89 from the monthly plan. HBO Max Basic with Ads went from $9.99 per month to $10.99 per month. The annual plan rose from $99.99 to $109.99, yet it remained the lowest cost ad-supported plan. The Premium tier of HBO Max rose from $20.99 per month to $22.99 per month, with the annual plan jumping to $229.99.

Disney will continue offering a Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle option, which may be the best deal of all if you watch content on all three streaming platforms. The ad-supported Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle will cost $21.99 per month, and the ad-free bundle for all three services will cost $34.99 per month.

Before you hand over your inbox to an AI assistant, perhaps you’d like to meet a little guy.

His name is Jolly. He’s cute, cheerful-looking, and the default mascot for Meta’s Muse AI assistant. He also gives a friendly face to Meta’s much bigger ambition of making its AI part of your everyday life.

At Meta Connect on Sept. 23, Mark Zuckerberg showed off Muse and introduced Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like handheld device for interacting with the assistant on the go. With Jolly as its default avatar, it makes the idea of carrying around an AI assistant feel a little more like bringing along a tiny companion.

SEE ALSO: Meta gets metaphysical laying out vision for Muse AI assistant

Giving a product a cute face is a familiar move. Duolingo has an owl whose antics you can follow without ever finishing a Spanish lesson. LINE’s sticker characters became a brand people buy plush toys from. And Microsoft’s Clippy is still recognizable to anyone who remembers trying to get him to leave them alone. (Interestingly, Microsoft recently killed its newest mascot, Pico.)

Before Jolly settles onto anyone’s keychain, meet the other mascots that show what a little character can do for a big company.

Duo, Duolingo’s owl Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images

You don’t have to be learning Spanish to know who Duo is. The green owl is the mascot of language-learning app Duolingo, where he encourages you to keep up with your lessons. But on social media, he’s better known for memes, petty feuds, and a willingness to make absolutely everything his business.

Duolingo has given its mascot plenty to do beyond reminding people to study. The brand is known to join in on trending conversations, joke with followers in social media comments, and once turned celebrity drama into a pretend feud with Google Translate. Following Duo has become its own form of entertainment, no vocabulary quiz required.

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

In 2025, the company went so far as to announce his death. His eventual comeback was part of the "Dead Duo" campaign, which generated 1.7 billion organic impressions and brought a meaningful increase in new and returning users. For an owl employed by a language-learning app, he has a busy social life. That personality keeps people interested even when studying isn’t on their agenda.

Meet Brown from LINE Friends This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Brown has a lot to say for a bear whose expression barely changes. This straight-faced character is part of LINE Friends, the cast that started as stickers on the messaging app LINE in 2011. Alongside characters like Cony the rabbit, Brown gave people another way to express themselves in their chats.

Brown eventually outgrew the chat window. LINE Friends expanded into merchandise, stores, and collaborations, turning characters from a messaging app into a brand people could wear, collect, and give as gifts. With Muse Charm, Meta is also giving people a way to carry a digital character around. Brown offers a glimpse of what can happen when people get attached enough to want a company’s character in their lives beyond the screen.

Grimace, McDonald’s big purple mascot Credit: Jeff Schear/Getty Images

Grimace is the big purple, vaguely blob-shaped character from McDonald’s (canonically defined as a giant taste bud), recognizable enough that he doesn’t need to be holding a burger for you to know which company he belongs to. With his rounded shape and easy smile, he looks like something you’d win at a carnival and immediately want to hug.

He also gives McDonald’s a familiar face to bring back for new generations. In 2023, the company built an entire birthday promotion around Grimace, complete with his own meal and purple shake. That’s a pretty good gig for a character who doesn’t have much to say.

Yes, the shake inspired a bizarre TikTok horror trend, but the jokes also introduced him to people who hadn’t grown up with McDonald’s cast of characters, and gives new generations other reasons to connect with it (beyond the french fries).

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

Enterprise software might not sound like the natural habitat of an adorable character. Salesforce would disagree.

Its mascot, Astro, grew out of a 2014 developer-event T-shirt design and became a guide to the company’s world. Salesforce explicitly describes its characters as a way to make technology accessible, friendly, and fun. They give newcomers a welcoming presence as they learn their way around.

It’s an understandable approach. When you’re already trying to figure out unfamiliar software, a cheerful guide can make the whole thing feel a little less intimidating. Jolly could serve a similar purpose for Meta. "Personal superintelligence" is a lot to introduce to someone. A smiling character gives them somewhere to start.

Clippy, Microsoft’s assistant Credit: Pavlo Gonchar/Getty Images

If you used Microsoft Office during Clippy’s time, you may remember having a complicated relationship with an animated paperclip.

Clippy was an assistant with a face, popping up to offer help while people worked. Unfortunately, those interventions weren’t always welcome. A paper hosted by Microsoft Research described how earlier software agents, such as Clippy, became disliked for being intrusive and annoying. But still, the paperclip made an impression. Microsoft brought Clippy back as an emoji in 2021, giving people a way to enjoy the character without having him interrupt a document.

Microsoft has since tried another friendly face with Mico, an optional character for its Copilot AI assistant. Microsoft recently killed the Copilot mascot, shortly before it came out against anthropomorphizing AI technology.

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

The company told the BBC that Mico was intended to make voice conversations feel more natural, and that users could turn it off. If Meta can learn anything from their experience, putting a face on an assistant gives people something to connect with, but it also gives their frustration somewhere to land. A character’s welcome depends on how helpful it actually is.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft ditches Copilot's mascot Mico (and cuts a few AI features) What does Meta want from Jolly?

There’s a reason companies keep hiring these little creatures. As marketing professor Anthony Patterson told the BBC, mascots give a company "a voice, a personality, a face even." Author and technology commentator Nathalie Nahai explained that big eyes and oversized heads tap into our instinctive responses to babies, while pointing out that their comeback coincides with growing mistrust of tech companies. It’s easier to warm up to a cuddly character than the enormous business behind it.

Of course, people can still recognize when they’re being sold something. A 2021 study found that cute characters could help when consumers felt a brand cared about them, but could backfire when they became more aware of its efforts to persuade them.

That matters for Meta, which wants Muse to handle shopping, email, and tasks on your computer. Those are fairly personal responsibilities to hand over to a product you’re still getting to know, so giving it a friendly face could make the prospect feel more comfortable. (Meta also outlined upcoming privacy protections, including Muse Confidential VM, which the company says will use encryption to prevent even Meta from accessing users’ data.)

Jolly could help get people interested enough to give Muse a try, but staying on their keychains will come down to whether they trust the assistant and find it useful once the novelty wears off.

The official trailer for Musk, filmmaker Alex Gibney's documentary on Elon Musk, has arrived.

The two-minute and 24-second trailer was released today and, like the teaser from earlier this month, sets the tone for what to expect when the movie hits theaters next month.

"Elon Musk is one of the most controversial figures in the world," says Gibney in a voiceover that kicks off the trailer. "So, I decided to make him a subject of my next film."

"But it soon became clear, Elon would not participate," the filmmaker continues as posts from Elon Musk appear on the screen, calling Gibney a "douche" and declaring that the film is a "hit piece."

The trailer continues by touching on critiques of SpaceX, Tesla, Musk's acquisition of Twitter, his personal life and entrance into politics, DOGE, and much more. It truly looks like it's going to be a brutal exposé on Musk.

Musk hits select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Oct. 9 and opens nationwide on Oct. 16.

Apple has a new iOS beta out for anyone who wants to test new iPhone features early.

This time, it's a public beta for iOS 27.2. You might be wondering: Where is iOS 27.1? The answer is a bit odd: Apple is launching the first big iOS 27 update with the iPhone Duo in October, so to keep iPhone Duo-specific features under wraps, the company is beta testing iOS 27.2 first. That means you're unlikely to find any nuggets of info about the iPhone Duo in the iOS 27.2 beta, but fret not, as there is still plenty to chew on.

SEE ALSO: If you have an iPhone, Apple might owe you money. Here's how to claim it. How to install iOS 27.2 beta

As always, Apple's beta process is pretty simple and requires only a modicum of effort on your part. Before getting started, though, make sure you have a recent device backup saved in the cloud. You never know what could happen with beta software.

Here's a basic rundown of how it works:

1. Go to Apple's beta software program page, sign up with your Apple account, and register whichever device you want to install the beta on.

2. On the device, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update.

3. Choose the iOS 27.2 beta as the software version you want to upgrade to.

After that, just wait for the update to download and install.

iOS 27.2 beta: What's up with the Health app? There's the new app. Credit: Apple

Earlier in September, Apple announced a revamped Health app coming to iPhones later this year. It's not actually going to launch with iOS 27.2, but you can test it out in the beta now to help Apple get it into shape for an eventual launch later this year.

Apple has redesigned the app so everything is sorted into three tabs: Insights, Longevity, and Browse. Insights will give you a broad overview of all your metrics in one place, updated throughout the day. There's also a For You section that'll recommend articles you might be interested in.

Longevity, meanwhile, includes a metric called Health Age that will analyze your health metrics relative to your actual age. The Longevity tab also tracks your health over long periods of time and provides insights based on that data. Lastly, Browse is most likely a way to find specific things within the app that might not be easy to find in the other tabs.

There are other odds and ends in the iOS 27.2 beta, like individual profiles in the mobile Apple TV app, but the upgraded Health app is the big headliner here.

TL;DR: Dunkin' is giving away 1 million free drinks on Sept. 24. The promo code has now dropped — use code JUST4U to claim.

Dunkin' is giving away 1 million free drinks, again. That seems like an absolutely wild promotion, but Dunkin' actually does this kind of thing fairly regularly. That doesn't make it any less exciting, and the process of claiming remains the same.

The code JUST4U went live on Sept. 24, and now everyone will rush to claim one of the free drinks. These freebies go quickly, but if you're one of the first million, you will get a free medium hot or iced coffee that's good through Sept. 27.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks just dropped a Snoopy cup for fall, and yes, I'm taking the bait

You'll need to enter the code in the "Offers & Rewards" section of your app. Yes, that does mean you need to be a Dunkin' Rewards member, but it's free to sign up, and this type of giveaway comes around pretty often. It's worth the hassle.

Cricut has made a name for itself in the crafting and DIY space. Its makers are huge on wedding planning TikTok, staples in craft rooms, and even inspired recreations of Taylor Swift's "Stevie Knicks" T-shirt.

As of Sept. 24, Cricut is adding two new machines to its lineup: The Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut and the Cricut StickerPix Print — both available now. Other Cricut machines can be used to make stickers, but these are the first dedicated sticker makers from the brand. I got to play around with both StickerPix machines for the last week, and they've earned a permanent spot in my craft supplies.

Let's break down the pricing, specs, and differences of both machines.

The larger Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable The smaller Cricut StickerPix Print. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut

The Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut is the more advanced of the two. It prints, laminates, and precision cuts all in one machine. Within Cricut's Design Space app, you can start with a template or a blank canvas for your sticker or photo prints. There are tons of preloaded designs and themes: If you want some cute, little ghost stickers, they've got them. If you want to put your friends' faces on different holiday sweaters, they've got that too.

I'm an avid junk journaler and also just had a birthday, so I wanted to make a sheet of stickers for my birthday spread in my journal.

I started with a blank canvas and dropped in a photo of my cake, plus pics of my friends and family celebrating with me. I also wanted some more generic birthday-themed stickers, so I browsed through Cricut's huge library of artist-made illustrations and found a cute happy birthday banner to add to my sheet. To finish it off, I added a striped background to the sticker sheet. This part doesn't affect the stickers, but it adds another level of fun and design to the experience. The Print + Cut machine cut around the outlines of my images, so I have a perfectly cake-shaped sticker for my spread.

All of this creation was done on my phone, but you can also use the desktop app.

What I designed in the Design Space app... Credit: Screenshot: Cricut ...versus the printed sticker sheet. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The StickerPix Print + Cut retails for $299 but is available in a few bundle options. For the first seven days, the machine is available exclusively at Cricut.com and Michaels. After that, it'll be more widely available.

Cricut StickerPix Print + Cut $299 at Cricut
  Shop Now at Cricut Cricut StickerPix Print

The Cricut StickerPix Print is a smaller, pared-down version of the sticker maker. It prints 4x6 photos and prints and laminates pre-cut sticker sheets. My boyfriend and I took a trip to the Indiana State Fair this summer and haven't finished our journal spreads yet, so I used the circle pre-cut sheet to design some blue ribbon-worthy stickers. I paired illustrations with solid-colored and patterned backgrounds to create unique stickers that fit our State Fair experience.

My junk journal vision... Credit: Screenshot: Cricut ...brought to life. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

I also used the Print machine to print a collage of photos from my summer (I could have done this on either machine). There are templates for different types of photo and card prints. I will definitely be printing my own holiday cards this year. Cricut Senior Product Director Jana Lee said she thinks these machines will be direct competitors with printing services like Minted.

I chose a collage tempate in the app and changed the background color and text. Credit: Screenshot: Cricut Filling in the photos was as simple as tapping the empty boxes and selecting from my phone's camera roll. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

The StickerPix Print retails for $169, with bundle options available. Again, the machine is available exclusively at Cricut.com and Michaels for the first week, with wider availability later.

Cricut StickerPix Print $169 at Cricut
  Shop Now at Cricut

The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched an investigation into the most well-known tube site, Pornhub.

The investigation, which opened Sept. 22 and was publicly announced yesterday, is under the country's age-verification law, the Online Safety Act. It requires explicit websites (and some non-explicit websites that contain content that is deemed "restricted to adults," such as about addiction) to install robust age checks that require inputting personal data, like a government ID, to pass.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub viewers left in droves to see Apple's foldable iPhone

The Online Safety Act went into effect in July 2025, and Pornhub stated ahead of the enactment that it would comply with the law. But in Jan. 2026, Pornhub stated that it would restrict access to unverified users due to the Online Safety Act's failures, including the presence of noncompliant sites. In May, however, Pornhub restored access for any adult who confirms their age through Apple's UK age-verification process — a new capability as of iOS 26.4.

This process is device-level age-verification, which is what Pornhub and other industry leaders have been calling for for years. Rather than verifying age each time someone wants to visit a certain website (which might mean repeatedly uploading sensitive information), device-level verification is one-time only and takes place on (in this case) one's iPhone. Advocates for device-level age verification state that it's less invasive and risky from a privacy and security standpoint. And, it doesn't impede free speech rights, advocates say.

A 'welcome' investigation

Now, Ofcom will investigate Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, to determine whether it has complied with the Online Safety Act. Specifically, Ofcom will look into whether Pornhub uses highly effective age assurance to prevent children from seeing porn, and it will also conduct a children's access assessment.

"Online age checks are a vital protection to prevent children from encountering inappropriate or harmful material, including pornography," Ofcom's director of enforcement, George Lusty, stated in Ofcom's announcement. "We expect tech firms to ensure age checks are highly effective before introducing them. Anything less could leave children at risk."

"We actually really welcome this," vice president of brand and community at Pornhub, Alex Kekesi, told Mashabe in a phone interview. "We've done our due diligence."

Kekesi stated that there's no 100 percent, bulletproof solution, but Pornhub is confident that Apple's process is the best, as of today. She told Mashable that Pornhub embraces this investigation and intends to be transparent and public about how it's going, its data and findings, and its interactions with Ofcom.

"We have over 130 million daily visitors," she said. "We're the perfect testing ground if you have anything really that stands to actually work to protect kids and to keep them off of age-inappropriate platforms."

Verified adults in the UK don't have to worry — Pornhub will function in the country as usual, Kekesi said.

In Kekesi's statement on Aylo's website, she mentioned that less than five percent of consumers go through age-verification for adult content, according to the adult industry trade organization, the Free Speech Coalition. Viewers — whether of age or not — can circumvent platform-based age checks by using VPNs or visiting noncompliant websites.

Ofcom itself acknowledged the shortcomings of the Online Safety Act, including the use of VPNs and noncompliant websites, in a report released a year after its enactment. In Nov. 2025, Pornhub urged tech giants Microsoft, Apple, and Google to enable device-level age verification and recently sent a letter to U.S. lawmakers calling for mandates that they do so.

This isn't the first inquiry of its kind. In Feb. 2026, the UK fined porn company 8579 LLC £1.35 million for lack of age verification following an investigation.

PCMag's Iyaz Akhtar leads a panel of tech experts from CNET, PCMag and Mashable to unpack all the news from the Meta Connect 2026 launch event.

Read more about Meta’s new smart glasses: Meet the Meta Ray-Ban Gen 3, starting at $249
Meta unveils camera-free audio glasses

Timecode chapters
00:00 Introduction and muse AI assistant
00:02:49 Event reactions and privacy concerns
05:08 Smart glasses, fashion, and collaborations
09:54 VR glasses and display technology
16:16 Final thoughts on Meta devices and privacy

Video credits
Host: Iyaz Akhtar
Guest host: Timothy Beck Werth
Guest host: Will Greenwald
Guest host: Angela Moscaritolo
Guest host: Scott Stein
Producer: Stephen Beacham
Video editor: Stephen Beacham
Thumbnail designer: Tharon Green

The best early October Prime Day DJI deals: Best drone deal DJI Mini 3 $369 (save $50) Get Deal Best camera deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 (save $80) Get Deal Best mic deal DJI Mic 3 $259 (save $70) Get Deal Best power station deal DJI Power 2000 V2 $759.99 (save $550) Get Deal

As Mashable's Global Shopping Editor, I spend a lot of time trawling through the best deals on the web. And a good portion of that time is dedicated to sourcing the best deals on DJI. "Why?" I hear you ask. Because Mashable readers (like you) absolutely love the range of creator-friendly tools pumped out by the brand.

Apple remains the most popular brand with Mashable's tech-obsessed readership, but DJI isn't far behind. When we write about DJI's drones, vlogging cameras, mics, and power stations, you read about it and sometimes decide to buy. That data is like gold dust, baby. It tells me that you truly care about DJI. And that means I care.

So with that, I have trawled through hundreds of early October Prime Day deals to bring you the very best from DJI. Here you can find record lows, deals for under $100, and smart savings that could elevate your content.

The official Prime Big Deal Days savings event doesn't kick off until Oct. 6, but plenty of deals are already trickling in if you want to get a jump on shopping. If you don't see what you're looking for quite yet, keep checking back for more.

Best DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $369 at Amazon
$419 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the DJI Mini 3 for $369, down from $419. It's not the biggest discount we've ever seen. In fact, this popular drone has dropped as low as $299 on Amazon. But just in the last few days, it's already dropped $30 from its previous discount. Honestly, I would be surprised if we didn't see something even better as we move closer to October Prime Day. Will we see another all-time low price? That I'm not sure about. Will we see something better than a $50 discount? Probably.

More DJI drone deals

• DJI Neo — $169 $199 (save $30)

• DJI Neo Fly More Combo — $295 $349 (save $54)

• DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo — $499 $599 (save $100)

• DJI Mini 3 with DJI RC — $492 $549 (save $57)

• DJI Avata 360 — $719 $817.95 (save $98.95)

• DJI Air 3 — $999 $1,099 (save $100)

Best DJI camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo $549 at Amazon
$629 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo is down to $549 ahead of October Prime Day. The record low for this stacked bundle is $512, so you're getting a real good price here with weeks still to go until the main event. We might see another price drop as we move closer to Prime Day, but in this case, we wouldn't be surprised if this were the lowest price we get.

The Osmo Pocket 3 vlogging camera features a 1-inch CMOS sensor and records in 4K resolution at 120fps. The Osmo Pocket 3's advanced 3-axis mechanical stabilization delivers impressive stability so you can shoot on the go.

More DJI camera deals

• DJI Osmo Action 4 Standard Combo — $239 $299 (save $60)

• DJI Osmo Nano Standard Combo — $349 $389 (save $40)

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 — $439 $499 (save $60)

• DJI Osmo 360 Camera Adventure Combo — $594.99 $664.99 (save $70)

Best DJI mic deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic 3 $259 at Amazon
$329 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

The DJI Mic 3 is on sale for $259, down from $329. We've seen better, but it's still a decent price drop. It's early days, OK?

The Mic 3 is a compact wireless microphone system designed for creators, podcasters, and interviewers who need quality audio and portability. It supports up to four transmitters, features adaptive gain control and selectable noise cancellation, and uses dual-band transmission for clear audio in busy environments. You'll also get up to 28 hours of battery life with the charging case, which is always handy.

More DJI mic deals

• DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $79 $99 (save $20)

• DJI Mic 2 (1 TX + 1 RX) — $129 $179 (save $50)

• DJI Mic 2 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $199 $269 (save $70)

Best DJI power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 V2 $759.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $539.01   Get Deal

The DJI Power 2000 V2 is a popular pick here at Mashable, and it's on sale for under $800 ahead of October Prime Day.

Mashable's Lauren Allain tested this powerhouse last year and noted that it's a "beefy option that’s awesome for camping, backyard parties, or content creators out on projects." Allain added that the "power to physical size ratio is impressive," which is what really matters with these machines. It's all about finding that sweet spot between portability and enough power to keep you moving.

More DJI power station deals

• DJI Power 140W GaN Charger — $59.49 $69.99 (save $10.50)

• DJI Power 140W GaN Charging Combo — $67.99 $79.99 (save $12)

• DJI Power 1000 — $419.99 $449.99 (save $30)

Need a hero? LEGO has got you covered. From Star Wars rebels battling for the galaxy and LEGO Ninjago dragon-riding ninjas to the delivery person who races to get you your pizza on time, LEGO brick sets tell the stories of the heroes we all root for. 

Whether you’re getting ahead of holiday gifting for your kids or buying bricks for yourself, we all need heroes these days, and LEGO has them in spades. 

Take on the giant Guardian Droid Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Star Wars Hutt Palace Sentry Droid Showdown $49.99 at LEGO
  Shop Now

The 415-piece LEGO Star Wars Hutt Palace Sentry Droid Showdown lets you relive epic battle scenes from Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The hands, arms, legs, and feet of the 5.5-inch droid are movable and you can fire its stud shooter. Give minifigure Mando a jetpack and blaster, then help Grogu open the back of the droid so he can deactivate it. Fight your rival bounty hunters, Embo and Keibu, for the fate of Mandalore. For kids ages 9 and up. 

Fun, no matter how you slice it Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO LEGO City Pizza Delivery Experience with Vehicles $49.99 at LEGO
  Shop Now

The 494-piece LEGO City Pizza Delivery Experience with Vehicles celebrates the everyday heroes: the people who deliver your pizza in 30 minutes or less. Turn the dial and see the flames flicker as pizzas are fed into the wood-fired oven. Push a lever to launch the flame-emblazoned delivery car that shoots pizzas from its hood. Or jump on the scooter or delivery drone and save the minifigures from their pizza cravings. For kids ages 6 and up.

Ride the dragon to victory Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO NINJAGO Wyldfyre's Transforming Dragon Mech $89.99 at LEGO
  Shop Now

Fans of the NINJAGO Dragons Rising TV show, prepare for battle. The 821-piece LEGO NINJAGO Wyldfyre's Transforming Dragon Mech set comes fully loaded with a two-in-one action figure that transforms from a 6-inch, four-legged dragon into a formidable mech figure armed with a large sword. Will ninjas Wyldfyre, Arin, and Sora defeat the villainous Empress Beatrix, Ice Monster, and Acid Monster? Empress Beatrix has her mech and the Weapon of Desolation. But you have your imagination. For kids ages 9 and up.

Take the fun in-store this September and October

If building these heroes brick-by-brick isn’t immersive enough for you, swing by the LEGO store at West Edmonton Mall, Guilford Town Centre, Fairview Mall, or Polo Park on Sept. 27 for their Hero Days event. Meet Kai from LEGO Ninjago and get free LEGO swag when you suit up as your favorite hero. 

On Oct. 11, you’ll also get a free LEGO set at the Make & Take: LEGO Pizza Delivery Shark event, held at all official LEGO stores. Bring your LEGO Passport for a Pizza Delivery Shark stamp.

While we’ve highlighted three hero-centric brick sets here, shop all adventure LEGO sets and start building your own hero story today.

Meta's September Connect event reveals a bunch of new Meta products, including a deep dive into its new Muse AI personal assistant, audio-only smart glasses in many new frame styles and new VR Glasses that weigh as much as a deck of cards. Check out all the highlights in less than 10 minutes.

Read more about Meta’s new AI and smart glasses: Meta to release Muse Charm, a Tamagotchi-like device for the Muse AI agent
Blackpink’s Lisa gives Meta’s AI smart glasses a major high-fashion makeover — where to buy

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction to Muse AI agent
1:00 Muse integrations and computer use
1:37 Agentic e-commerce and shopping
2:36 Muse voice customization and live demo
4:00 Privacy and security (Muse VMS)
4:34 Hearing enhancement feature
5:03 Camera-less audio glasses and new styles
5:53 Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3
7:00 Meta VR glasses debut
8:32 Hologram calling and legs in VR
9:05 Pocket Muse keychain device

Video credits
Video Editor: Owen Poole
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

Muse AI on Meta glasses? Hearing enhancement? VR glasses that run Quest games? Camera-free glasses? All that and more to talk about, but very little on privacy.

Read more about Meta’s new glasses and Meta Connect 2026: Everything announced at Meta Connect 2026
Meta reveals next-gen smart glasses at Meta Connect: See all the new glasses

Timecode chapters
0:00 Overview and intro to Meta’s new lineup
0:47 Meta Ray-Ban Gen 3 and audio-only glasses
1:28 FDA-cleared hearing assistance feature
2:23 Meta Muse agentic AI demo
5:07 New frame designs and collaborations
5:46 Hands-on with $1,299 Meta VR glasses
6:08 Productivity, eye tracking and desktop modes
6:51 Media streaming and field of view comparisons
8:36 Immersive sports, IMAX and spatial media
9:44 Controllerless Beat Saber hands-on
10:12 Market price comparisons and final thoughts

Video credits
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video editor: Numi Prasarn
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

TL;DR: Watch Netherlands vs. Germany in the Nations League for free on NPO. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is back with a string of interesting fixtures this week, but Netherlands vs. Germany is probably the pick of the bunch. These rivals go way back, and whether or not they truly value this competition, they're both going to do everything they can to beat each other.

Fans can also get their first taste of Jürgen Klopp's Germany. That's reason enough to tune in to this tasty matchup.

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

When is Netherlands vs. Germany?

Netherlands vs. Germany in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 24. This fixture takes place at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

How to watch Netherlands vs. Germany for free

Netherlands vs. Germany in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on NPO.

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

Live stream Netherlands vs. Germany for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit NPO

5. Watch Netherlands vs. Germany 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 Netherlands vs. Germany 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 NPO?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the Netherlands

• 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 Netherlands vs. Germany for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale is just around the corner — and so are some excellent Apple deals, no doubt. This 48-hour "October Prime Day" serves as Amazon's kickoff to the Black Friday/holiday shopping season, which is the best time to find discounts on popular Apple devices, among many other tech products. This year, it will double as some year-end relief from RAMageddon price increases.

While the sale isn't scheduled to begin for a few more weeks, Amazon is already rolling out some early October Prime Day deals on select gadgets, including most AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads, and MacBooks. That raises the question: If you're thinking about upgrading from an older Apple device to a newer model, should you start adding items to your cart now or hold off for a bit?

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

The answer depends on the exact product you're eyeing. Having covered Amazon's sales for years now, I think most of its current Apple deals will get much better on Oct. 6 and 7, when Prime Big Deal Days is officially live. However, a couple of the deals are worth grabbing immediately. In fact, you might miss out if you wait too long.

Read on to find out which six Apple deals I'd add to my cart ASAP, and which others I'm hoping to see once Prime Big Deal Days starts. I've come up with some October Prime Day discount predictions for every current Apple product based on their pricing histories and Amazon's deal patterns. I'm also keeping an eye on rivaling retailers like Walmart and Best Buy to see if they can one-up their offers. (Check back for updates as we get closer to the sale.)

The only Apple deals I'd shop before October Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Apple's last-gen earbuds are getting harder to find in stock following this month's launch of the AirPods 5, but they were still available on Amazon at the time of writing. While they lack ANC, miss out on Live Translation, and don't sound quite as nice as their successors, they remain a great option for budget shoppers at their current price of $99 (normally $129). It's their best deal of the year so far. If they sell out by the time you go to buy them, try Walmart instead.

Read Mashable's review of the Apple AirPods 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $9.01   Get Deal

Apple's latest flagship smartwatch hit shelves in mid-September alongside the AirPods 5, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and iPhone 18 Pros. It has an upgraded chipset and sensors that support better heart rate monitoring, a new Readiness feature, and new Audio Intelligence tools. Amazon is currently selling it for $389.99, which is almost $10 off its usual sticker price of $399. That discount isn't huge, but it's probably not going to get any bigger once Prime Big Deal Days starts. Its predecessor, the Series 11, was also only $10 off during its first Prime Big Deal Days.

Check out our breakdown of all the differences between the Apple Watch Series 12 and Series 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $779.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $19.01   Get Deal

Similarly, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn't heavily discounted but probably won't get any cheaper than it currently is, if history repeats itself. Last year, during Prime Big Deal Days, the last-generation Apple Watch Ultra 3 was marked down to $779.99 (normally $799). Ahead of this year's sale, the Ultra 4 is already matching that. Its upgrades include a faster processor, a longer battery life, and a new heart rate monitoring system; it has the same new health and fitness features as the Series 12.

Read Mashable's review of the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 at Amazon
$2,099 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal

Amazon still has a couple of older M4 iPad Pros in stock and on sale at deep discounts. One is an 11-inch model with a nano-texture (matte) display and 2TB storage; the other is a 13-inch model with Apple's standard display and 512GB of storage. They're marked down to $1,899 and $1,299, respectively, which is a $200 savings either way. (For reference, they were $250 off and $100 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025.) They're significantly cheaper than their newer M5 counterparts right now, so I can see them selling out well before this year's October Prime Day.

Read Mashable's review of the 13-inch Apple iPad Air (M4).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 at Amazon
$4,099 Save $600   Get Deal

This beefy MacBook Pro, powered by Apple's most powerful laptop chip, is ideal for advanced users like professional video editors and developers. MacBooks don't normally get discounts of more than $300 to $400 during Amazon's Prime events, so at $600 off, this one's a no-brainer buy. I should also mention that this exact configuration cost $3,599 before Apple raised its MacBook prices in June — this discount negates that and then some.

October Prime Day AirPods deals to watch

• Apple AirPods 5: The latest flagship AirPods debuted in mid-September, and they're currently stuck at full price. (The standard models retail for $129, while the ones with a wireless charging case cost $149.) They should get cheaper next month, but not by much. The AirPods 4 only saw a small $10 discount during their first Prime Big Deal Days in 2024, so I think they'll probably go for $119 and $139, respectively.

• Apple AirPods Pro 3: The AirPods Pro 3 have better ANC than the regular AirPods 5, plus a longer battery life, an added heart rate sensor, and an exclusive Hearing Aid mode. They're down to $199 right now — a 20% savings — but there's a strong chance they'll dip even lower for October's festivities. Amazon could revive its record-low price of $169, which last appeared right before June's Prime Day sale.

• Apple AirPods Pro Max 2: Apple's over-ear headphones are currently on sale for $479 (or $70 off their $549 MSRP), but I'd wait. We saw them fall to $399 a couple of months ago on Prime Day — an impressive 27% savings.

Read our reviews of the AirPods 5, the AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2. Plus, find out where they ranked on our guides to the best wireless earbuds and the best noise-canceling headphones.

The best early October Prime Day AirPods deals for now: Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30 at Walmart) Get Deal Apple AirPods 5 $129 Shop Now Apple AirPods 5 with wireless charging case $149 Shop Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Apple AirPods Pro Max 2 $479 (save $70) Get Deal October Prime Day Apple Watch deals to watch

• Apple Watch SE 3: Normally $249, Apple's budget smartwatch has been as cheap as $189.99 before — a savings of just under $60. It's definitely not worth buying now at $239, or only $10 off.

The best early October Prime Day Apple Watch deals for now: Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $239 (save $10) Shop Now Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $389.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $779.99 (save $19.01) Get Deal October Prime Day MacBook deals to watch

• Apple MacBook Neo: The cheapest MacBook hasn't gotten any major discounts at major retailers since its March release. (Its current sale price of $689 on Amazon, or $10 off, is its all-time low there.) There's no world where Amazon matches the Apple Store's $100 student discount for Prime Big Deal Days, IMO, but maybe we'll see it hit $649 for the first time next month. It's due for better deals now that it's more than six months old.

• Apple MacBook Air: Two variants of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air were $150 off at the time of writing, but don't add them to your cart yet. Both sizes of last year's M4 MacBook Air were $200 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025. If Amazon matched that offer in the coming weeks, it would erase the M5 Air's recent price hike. For reference, the 13-inch one usually starts at $1,299, while the 15-inch size typically starts at $1,499; snag them as soon as you catch them at $1,099 and $1,299, respectively.

• Apple MacBook Pro: The 14-inch, M5-powered base model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is also $150 off right now, but I think Amazon might sell it for $1,799, or $200 off, come Prime Big Deal Days. That's the discount its equally configured predecessor got last fall. (It wouldn't fully cancel the MacBook Pro's recent $300 price increase, but it would be a welcome deal regardless. We haven't spotted it on sale for less than $1,849 since June.)

Read our reviews of the Apple MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, and the M5 MacBook Pro. Plus, find out which MacBook is best for you.

The best early October Prime Day MacBook deals for now: Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689 (save $10) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,449 (save $150) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,499 Shop Now Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,849 (save $150) Get Deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Max, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $3,499 (save $600) Get Deal October Prime Day iPad deals to watch

• Apple iPad: Apple's flagship tablet is on sale for $427 in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days (usually $449), which is a skip. Wait to see if Amazon matches or beats its $70 discount from last year's sale, which would bring it down to just $379.

• Apple iPad mini: The smallest, most portable iPad was also $70 off during Prime Big Deal Days 2025, so it's worth adding to your cart if you see it drop to $529 or lower next month. It's now on sale for $569 (only $30 off).

• Apple iPad Air: Both sizes of the latest M4 iPad Air are $100 off right now. That's a decent discount, but we saw last year's M3 models go on sale for $150 off last October. If Amazon can replicate that for Prime Big Deal Days 2026, it would completely nix the 11-inch version's price hike. That size would return to $599, while the 13-inch model would only be $799 (normally $749 and $949, respectively).

• Apple iPad Pro: The 11-inch base configuration of the M4 iPad Pro was $100 off during last year's Prime Big Deal Days, while the 13-inch base model was $200 off. Amazon isn't matching those offers just yet: The smaller size is now $1,139, only $60 off, while the 13-inch one is now $1,399, or $100 off (not bad, but it could be even better). Ideally, they'll soon hit $1,099 and $1,299 or less.

Read our reviews of the iPad mini, the M4 iPad Air, and the M5 iPad Pro. Not sure which iPad to buy? Allow us to offer some guidance.

The best early October Prime Day iPad deals for now: Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 (save $22) Get Deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $569 (save $30) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB $649 (save $100) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $849 (save $100) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-Inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 (save $200) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,139 (save $60) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,399 (save $100) Get Deal

SAVE $1,399.01: As of Sept. 24, the Roborock RockMow X120H AWD robot lawn mower is down to $1,799.99 from its list price of $3,199. That's a 44% discount and a brand new low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock RockMow X120H $1,799.99 at Amazon
$3,199 Save $1,399.01   Get Deal

If you've been waiting for a reason to permanently retire your old push mower, Amazon just handed you one on a silver platter.

Ahead of Prime Day, the Roborock RockMow X120H LiDAR AWD robot lawn mower just dropped to a brand-new, Prime Day-exclusive low of $1,799.99, down $1,399.01 from its usual $3,199 tag. That's a massive 44% savings and the absolute best price we've ever seen on this top-of-the-line robotic mower.

Forget about burying perimeter wires around your property or mounting satellite dish antennas on your roof. The X120H uses a 360-degree LiDAR laser scanner with dual cameras to map out up to a half-acre yard in minutes. Just turn it on, let it scan, and it creates pinpoint digital boundaries on its own.

SEE ALSO: Dreame's new robot lawn mower has a swing arm to make for precise edges

With a heavy-duty all-wheel drive motor, this beast climbs steep 80% inclines (roughly 39 degrees) and rolls right over 3-inch bumps that stall smaller mowers. Its active steering system lets it carve tight turns without digging up or damaging your lawn. By pairing laser depth-tracking with AI cameras, the mower spots toys, garden hoses, patio chairs, and yard tools sitting on the grass. It steers around them in real-time, so you can let it run safely without checking the yard first or worrying about pets and kids.

The Roborock app also gives you complete control to schedule multi-zone cleaning, set custom mowing patterns, and track progress remotely. It includes three years of 4G cellular connection built in with zero subscription fees, rain sensors that send the bot back to the dock when it pours, IPX6 hose-down waterproofing, and built-in GPS anti-theft tracking.

If you want to cross "mow the lawn" off your to-do list forever, head over to Amazon to grab the Roborock RockMow X120H before this record-low price disappears.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

TL;DR: Watch Portugal vs. Wales in the Nations League for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is back. Is this good news for football fans? Nothing really comes close to domestic campaigns for dedicated followers of the game, but this competition is a marked improvement on the string of friendly fixtures we were "treated" to before this tournament came along.

Portugal take on Wales in a particularly interesting fixture this week. All eyes will be on 41-year-old Ronaldo, as always.

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

When is Portugal vs. Wales?

Portugal vs. Wales in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 24. This fixture takes place at Estádio José Alvalade.

How to watch Portugal vs. Wales for free

Portugal vs. Wales in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

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

Live stream Portugal vs. Wales for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Portugal vs. Wales 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 Portugal vs. Wales 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 BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Portugal vs. Wales for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The best early Prime Day deals on speakers: Best speaker deal Beats Pill $99.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best budget speaker deal Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 (save $12) Get Deal

It's officially fall, which means a lot of things: Gilmore Girls rewatches begin, spiced coffees, and of course, the beginning of sales season.

From Prime Big Deal Days to Black Friday to Cyber Monday, the end of summer truly marks the season of discounts. And with Prime Day just around the corner, you can expect to see Amazon discounts on everything from portable power stations to Fire TV Sticks.

We've already spotted a bunch of discounts on speakers, including both premium and more budget-friendly options from brands such as Beats, Bose, and JBL. We've rounded up some of the best early deals below.

Best speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Beats Pill isn't just beloved for its classic, powerful sound; it's also a powerhouse in design. It's robust, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so it's ideal for taking to the beach, the pool, or wherever you might not feel comfortable taking a less durable device. For sound, there's a bespoke racetrack woofer that displaces 90% more air volume. You can also easily pair two Beats Pill speakers for a richer audio experience in Amplify or Stereo mode.

Best budget speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Select 4 Go $22.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $12.00   Get Deal Why we like it

When a speaker is priced as low as the Soundcore Select 4 Go, there's little it needs to do to impress beyond just playing your music. But thankfully, this speaker does a little more than that. It has a compact, waterproof design (rated IP67) and up to 20 hours of battery life. It can even be immersed in water up to 3.3 ft deep for up to 30 minutes, so it's ideal for a variety of activities. And despite its compact size, this portable speaker delivers 5W of output for clear, punchy sound.

More early Prime Day speaker deals

• Anker Soundcore 2 — $29.99 $22.99 (save $15)

• JBL Go 5 — $39.95 $54.95 (save $15)

• Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• Bose SoundLink Flex — $79.99 $150 (save $70.01)

• Soundcore Boom 2 — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

• Ultimate Ears Boom 4 — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)

• JBL Charge 6 — $159.99 $199.95 (save $39.96)

• JBL PartyBox Stage 320 — $499.95 $549.95 (save $50)

The best early October Prime Day deals on robot lawn mowers: Best Dreame Deal Dreame LiDAR A3 AWD Pro $1,799.99 (save $1,900) Get Deal Best Roborock Deal Roborock RockMow X120H LiDAR AWD $1,799.99 (save $1,399.01) Get Deal Best Mammotion Deal Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 $2,109.00 (save $990) Get Deal Best Segway Deal Segway Navimow i105N $669.00 (save $130) Get Deal

While Amazon's next Prime Day event, which the retailer calls Prime Big Deal Days, doesn't officially kick off until Oct. 6, plenty of early deals have already dropped for shoppers to check out.

Robot lawn mower deals are among the items that have popped up ahead of the sale, which is very helpful if you're looking for a little extra assistance around the yard before chilly winter weather arrives.

Dreame, Roborock, and Mammotion are included, with a few popular models getting huge discounts. Check out some of our favorite early October Prime Day robot lawn mower deals below. Even if you don't need it for the rest of autumn, this is a perfect opportunity to get ahead of the game on next year's yard work.

Best Dreame deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame DREAME LiDAR A3 AWD Pro $1,799.99 at Amazon
$3,699.99 Save $1,900.00   Get Deal Why we like it

This Dreame robot lawn mower has received an astonishing discount ahead of October Prime Day, though you'll need to clip a coupon to snag it. Once you do that, its price plummets from $3,699.99 to $1,799.99. That's $1,900 in savings, which is a fantastic offer to jump on right now.

As for what this mower can accomplish, it can handle yards up to 0.87 acres, slopes up to 38.7 degrees, and features dual cutting discs for trimming down your yard. It also comes with EdgeMaster 2.0 technology that can reach the borders around your yard and even map them out. Thanks to 360° 3D LiDAR and AI binocular vision, this robot mower can navigate around any obstacles in its way to ensure the whole lawn gets a full trim.

Best Roborock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock RockMow X120H LiDAR AWD $1,799.99 at Amazon
$3,199 Save $1,399.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Roborock's RockMow X120H is down to its lowest-ever price of $1,799.99 ahead of October Prime Day, a discount of $1,399.01 off its list price. This deal is exclusive to Prime members. If you're not signed up, check out our breakdown of how to sign up.

Unlike the Dreame model above, this robot mower can handle lawns up to 0.49 acres. It also features a 9.49-inch cutting width, and the cutting height can be adjusted from 1.57 to 3.54 inches, depending on how much you need to trim. On top of that, it comes with 3D LiDAR and AI Vision to map your yard and avoid obstacles in its path, and it can handle 38.7-degree slopes and 3.15-inch obstacles.

It's not the only Roborock deal we've stumbled on at Amazon, though. Check out more of our favorite early finds below.

More Roborock deals

• Roborock RockMow X115H Robot Lawn Mower — $1,399.99 $2,299 (save $899.01)

Best Mammotion deal Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 with Cleaning Stand (Ship Separately) $2,109 at Amazon
$3,099 Save $990   Get Deal Why we like it

The Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000 is normally listed for $3,099, but shoppers can scoop it up for $2,109 right now on Amazon, saving you a whopping $990.

This model comes with two 165W motors and six-blade discs to power through your lawn. Paired with AI vision, it can automatically adjust speed and power based on grass density, so your yard gets an even trim all around. Plus, it can handle slopes up to 38.6 degrees. Like the mowers above, it can also map your yard using a combination of 360° LiDAR for navigation, NetRTK for corrections, and Dual-Camera AI Vision to help it avoid objects in its path.

Below, you can see more Mammotion robot lawn mower deals that have caught our eye.

More Mammotion deals

• Mammotion LUBA mini 2 AWD 1500H Robot Lawn Mower — $1,699 $1,999 (save $300)

Best Segway deal Opens in a new window Credit: Segway Segway Navimow i105N $669 at Amazon
$799 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

Segway's Navimow i105N has returned to its lowest-ever price on Amazon, dropping to $669 from its $799 list price. Overall, that means you get to keep $130 in your pocket, which isn't too bad at all. If you're looking for a mower that can tackle slightly smaller yards than the ones above, this Segway model can certainly help you out.

Able to handle up to 0.125 acres and slopes up to 17 degrees, the Segway Navimow i105N features a cutting width of 7.1 inches and a cutting height between 2 and 3.6 inches. It also comes with mapping technology and VisionFence, which help it avoid objects left in the yard while it's cutting.

More robot lawn mower deals

• Sunseeker X5 AWD — $1,573.96 $2,198 (save $624.04)

• MOVA LiDAX Ultra 2000 AWD — $1,799 $2,319 (save $520)