Mashable

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."

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

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.

The northern lights wowed sky gazers across much of the U.S. last night when they made an exciting appearance in states as far south as Florida. But if you missed out last night, don't worry, the skies are set to be glowing again tonight as another blast of geomagnetic energy is coming, according to a prediction from the Space Weather Prediction Center.

Wrap up warm, pick a dark, secluded spot, and keep on reading to see when and how you can spot the northern lights tonight.

When are the northern lights?

Tonight, Nov. 12, the northern lights are returning to North American skies. The Space Weather Prediction Center is predicting a "severe" geomagnetic storm, meaning the chances of there being northern lights are pretty high.

The geomagnetic activity is measured by the planetary K index, or Kp. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher numbers indicating stronger activity and a greater chance of seeing the aurora across the United States. Tonight’s activity is forecast to reach a Kp of 8, meaning the northern lights could move far from the poles and appear bright and active, even across northern parts of the U.S. According to these stats, the northern lights should peak at 10 p.m. ET.

Where will the northern lights be visible?

According to maps from the Space Weather Prediction Center, the northern states are more likely to see the northern lights tonight. However, social media posts from last night have revealed people as far south as Florida managed to catch a glimpse of them.

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

These maps display the view line cutting roughly through Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and up to Maine. Anywhere above this line has a very high chance of spotting the northern lights, but this is approximate, not a strict boundary. And don't count yourself out if you live a little further south, with a Kp of 8, you might just get lucky...

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What causes the northern lights?

The aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, is a natural light phenomenon visible in the night sky, most often near the polar regions. NASA explains that the display happens when charged solar particles interact with Earth’s atmosphere, producing glowing streaks of green, pink, and purple that ripple and move overhead.

Viewing tips for the northern lights

Catching a glimpse of the northern lights can be a stroke of luck. There are so many elements at play, including your local forecast and cloud coverage, but there are some things you can do to help. As ever with these events, travel away from light pollution as much as you can, and don't forget to give your eyes time to adjust. The Space Weather Prediction Center also suggests the best time to see the aurora is usually between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when displays are at their most active.

Nintendo held a Nintendo Direct livestream...of sorts on Wednesday.

No, there weren't any trailers for new Switch 2 games or anything like that. It was only a few minutes long and was dedicated solely to the upcoming film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The sequel to 2023's blockbuster hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie is taking Mario and friends to space, just as the game Super Mario Galaxy did in 2007. The trailer is just a quick peek at the movie, but it looks a lot like the game it's inspired by.

SEE ALSO: Yoshi's design in 'Super Mario Galaxy' may have leaked thanks to a box of cookies

That's not all, though. Nintendo also revealed two key new cast members for the movie. Playing the role of galactic protector, Princess Rosalina is Academy Award winner Brie Larson, who, perhaps not coincidentally, is also a noted fan of Nintendo games. (She also has quite a bit of experience playing a galactic protector in the form of Captain Marvel.) That one makes sense.

On the funnier end is Uncut Gems co-director Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., the movie's primary villain. Safdie has also worked as an actor, sure, but the idea of anyone at Nintendo watching and enjoying Uncut Gems is bringing me a lot of joy this morning. Safdie most recently appeared in Oppenheimer, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., and Happy Gilmore 2.

Behold, the itty bitty baby Bowser in all his glory. Credit: Universal and Illumination Pictures

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie comes out in theaters on April 3.

If the title for Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die didn't give you an idea of the bonkers energy Gore Verbinski's upcoming film is channelling, the trailer will lock it in.

In the video above, the Pirates of the Caribbean director sends you into a Los Angeles diner on a rainy night, where Sam Rockwell turns up in a strange (and leaking?) get-up claiming to be from the future. His warning? Technology and AI are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our impending doom. As weird things begin happening and birthday parties are ruined, we're in for a mission to save the world with an all-star cast including Zazie Beetz, Michael Peña, Juno Temple, Haley Lu Richardson, Asim Chandhry, and Tom Taylor.

Written by Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying), Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die kind of looks like a film for people currently obsessing over apocalypses and possibly Apple TV+'s Pluribus (that's us, we're people).

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die hits cinemas Feb. 13.

In a Truth Social post and an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump has introduced the idea of a 50-year mortgage in the U.S, suggesting it might make home ownership more affordable for Americans. But Daily Show host Josh Johnson isn't convinced.

In the clip above from Tuesday's show, the host pulls up a graphic calculating that a six percent mortgage on a $400,000 home would mean roughly $300 a month less in repayments versus a 30-year mortgage, but over $800,000 in interest over the lifetime of the loan.

"So you're saying that after interest, a $400,000 mortgage is going to cost me $1.3 million?" says Johnson. "That is the opposite of affordability. This man is creating generational debt. They're going to be fighting to get out of grandma's Will. Grandkids will be like, 'I barely knew her, alright? I wouldn't even hug her at Christmas because her skin was too loose."

SAVE $50: As of Nov. 12, the Dyson HushJet is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 14% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson HushJet $299.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $50   Get Deal

If you're someone who suffers from allergies, has a pet, or just really hates the thought of lingering dust, an air purifier will become your best friend. They're handy devices that keep the area around you feeling clean and clear, as well as eliminating any unwanted odors. And as of Nov. 12, you can get one of the most popular models on sale at Amazon.

Right now you can get the Dyson HushJet on sale for its lowest-ever price. At Amazon you'll find the HushJet reduced to $299.99, a saving of $50 on list price.

SEE ALSO: The best vacuums we've tested at home, from robots to Dyson stick vacs

The Dyson HushJet is a compact but powerful air purifier that's perfect if you don't want a big, clunky device taking up space. And despite its size, it can purify up to 203 square feet. It has a fully sealed system which means any pollutants or allergens it collects won't escape. It also has a 360° Electrostatic filter that captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

One of the best qualities of this device is its noise level. Operating at just 24dB in Sleep mode, it will deliver purified air quietly through a star-shaped nozzle that minimizes turbulence. If you can't focus or sleep with background noise, this purifier won't bother you.

Everything is controlled through the MyDyson app, so it's easy to monitor and control air quality from anywhere. You can even set schedules, adjust modes, and view personalized air quality reports.

This is a limited-time deal according to Amazon, so act fast so you don't miss out.

On Tuesday, Jimmy Kimmel took to Instagram to announce that Cleto Escobedo III, the leader of his show's band and his childhood best friend, had passed away at the age of 59. In the monologue above, Kimmel pays an incredibly moving tribute to the man he's known since his family moved to Las Vegas when he was nine years old, and who he ended up working with on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for 22 years.

Over the course of the 22-minute monologue above, Kimmel describes his childhood friendship with Escobedo, explaining that Escobedo and his father both worked as professional saxophone players before they formed the shows's band when it launched back in 2003.

"I'm heartbroken to lose him. I'm going to take yet another lesson from him and acknowledge how lucky I was to have him literally at my side for so many years," says a tearful Kimmel. "Cherish your friends. We're not here forever."

FREE GIFT CARD: Sign up for the Prime Visa card to get a free $250 Amazon Gift Card to spend over Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $250 Amazon Gift Card with Prime Visa Card   Learn More

Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon has been dropping some stellar early deals for shoppers. If you're keen on taking advantage of some of the deals already available at the retailer and need a new way to save cash, Amazon is offering a limited-time deal that gets you a $250 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for the Prime Visa.

This deal can be accessed from the Prime Visa application page, which also gives you the chance to check to see if you're pre-qualified. The good news is you don't have to wait long after approval for the gift card — you'll get it instantly upon approval. It's worth noting that this card is only available to those who don't already have an Amazon Visa or Prime Visa credit card.

SEE ALSO: Target Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online early

Once your application has been approved, you'll find the gift card loaded into your Amazon account. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the gift card cannot be used for other gift card purchases, but there's still a lot to shop at the retailer right now.

With this extra gift card cash, you can put it towards a wide variety of items at Amazon that have already dropped in price. To see some of the items that are already on sale ahead of Black Friday, check out our roundup of the 40+ best early Black Friday deals.

Treat yourself to something nice over Black Friday. Don't miss out on Amazon's limited-time offer of a $250 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up for the Prime Visa. And if you're curious when the official sale event begins this year at Amazon, we've also gathered up everything you need to know about the retailer's plans in our breakdown.