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On Friday, Roblox announced it would be launching a new social video platform within Roblox, plus new AI tools for Roblox creators.

The popular online game platform shared these announcements at its Roblox Developers Conference.

Roblox gaming clips and other short-form brainrot videos often go viral on vertical video platforms like TikTok and Reels. But, over on TikTok, they still have to compete with dancing videos, political talking heads, and viral AI slop.

Enter: Roblox Moments, a TikTok-like short-form video platform for Roblox players to watch and share in-game moments.

Roblox's announcements, especially its new social features, will likely come under scrutiny. Last month, Roblox endured a wave of headlines regarding lawsuits against the company over its allegedly lackadaisical child safety features.

Roblox Moments 

Roblox Moments is launching in beta for users 13 years and older, and it will act much like TikTok's feed, allowing users to scroll through viral Roblox gameplay moments. Users will be able to clip and edit their own moments, up to 30 seconds long, and share them to Moments for other users to view.

In Roblox's press release for Roblox Moments, the company quotes a YouTube announcement from last month regarding how Roblox-related content has garnered "over 1 trillion video views" on the Google-owned video platform.

Clearly, Roblox itself wants a piece of that action and is launching its own video platform for gamers to share gameplay videos.

Along with editing and trimming their gameplay clips, users will be able to add music and a text description to their videos, much like they can do on TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

Also, being that this is a developer conference, Roblox announced that it planned to release APIs for Roblox Moments, which would allow third-party developers to integrate new ways to capture, upload, and discover moments within Roblox games.

AI tools for creators

Roblox Moments wasn't the only big announcement at the conference. New AI tools for creators will also soon make their way to Roblox.

For example, creators will be able to enter a prompt regarding a specific vehicle or weapon they want their in-game character to use. Roblox's AI tool will then generate an interactive car based on the prompt, which their character can drive around in the virtual world. These functional creations are a significant upgrade from the static 3D objects that creators were generating in-game already

Roblox is also rolling out a new real-time AI-powered voice chat translation tool, allowing English, Spanish, French, and German-speaking users to more easily interact and socialize.

In addition, the company announced other AI-powered tools, like new text-to-speech and speech-to-text APIs for creators. The text-to-speech API will allow creators to integrate AI-powered voice narration and in-game character dialogue with at least 10 voice presets to start with. The speech-to-text API will allow users to control their characters in-game with vocal commands.

UPDATE: Sep. 6, 2025, 8:50 a.m. EDT This story has been updated to clarify that Roblox Moments is not a standalone app, but an experience within the Roblox platform.

SAVE $500: As of Sept. 5, get the LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI 4K TV for just $3,996.99, $500 off. That brings it down to its lowest price ever, saving you 11% off its list price of $4,496.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 100-Inch Class QNED Evo AI 4K TV $3,996.99 at Amazon
$4,496.99 Save $500 Get Deal

Fall is TV season. As the sun begins to set a little bit earlier and the weather gets a little bit chillier, there's no better place to be than inside and on the couch watching your favorite show. With so much TV returning in coming months, it's probably time upgrade what you're watching on. And now is a good time to look for that upgrade, as we just spotted a 100-inch model down to its lowest price ever.

As of Sept. 5, shop the LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI 4K TV for just $3,996.99 at Amazon. That saves you $500 off of its list price of $4,496.99. That's 11% in savings and brings it down to its lowest price ever.

The 100-inch screen of this LG, provides a huge canvas to watch the big game on. It's lit by mini LEDs with QNED color, giving more accurate and vibrant colors. It features an Alpha 8 AI Gen2 processor to help improve picture quality and with Filmmaker Mode, you can watch movies just as the director intended with calibrated color and frame rates.

Grab the LG 100-Inch Class QNED evo AI 4K TV for its lowest price ever at Amazon now and save $500.

A couple of months ago, we got an official preview of the Lenovo Legion 2 from a leak, which also predicted a September launch date. Well, it turns out that the leak was entirely correct because it’s currently September and Lenovo has fully announced its new Legion Go 2 at IFA 2025 in Berlin. 

The new Windows-based handheld gaming console looks impressive, and it offers upgrades such as an improved battery and a fancy new OLED display. Now for the bad news — it arrives with a $400 price increase over the original.

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is available for pre-order now but won't be in players' hands until Oct. 31. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Legion Go 2 Gaming Handheld, AMD Ryzen Z2, 16GB, 1TB SSD $1,099.99 at Best Buy
Pre-order Here The Lenovo Legio Go 2: The specs and pricing explained

The Legion Go 2 retains the same general shape and overall design language of its predecessor, including the removable, Hall Effect joysticks of the prior model. The joysticks slide out along a hidden rail after you hit a button, which isn’t quite as elegant as the Nintendo Switch 2 and its magnetic controllers, but it's still appreciated. 

Under the hood, the Legion Go 2 comes with two sets of specs. The first is an AMD Ryzen Z2 with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD that gets you started for $1,099. This can be upgraded to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB PCIe SSD for $1,349. This is a sizable upgrade from the first generation, which had the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. However, the prices are quite a bit more than the prior model, which sold for $700 when it launched in 2023. 

Credit: Lenovo

While $1,099 is expensive for a handheld, it’s also hard to say how it compares to the competition. The long-awaited ROG Xbox Ally handheld launches Oct. 16, and we still don’t know how much that handheld will cost.

The new OLED display is definitely the most notable upgrade. The new Lenovo gaming handheld packs a beautiful 8.8-inch OLED display. The display features a 144Hz variable refresh rate (which can go up to a maximum of 240Hz) as well as HDR TrueBlack 1000 for deep blacks and brighter HDR colors. On the downside, Lenovo dialed back the resolution from 2,560 x 1,600 pixels to 1,920 x 1,200.

Credit: Lenovo

The increase in battery capacity is also appealing. The prior generation had a 49.2 WHr battery, which was good for around one to two hours of gaming at max power. Lenovo stuffed a 74 WHr battery into the Legion Go 2, nearly doubling the prior generation’s battery capacity. Of course, battery life won’t be known until the reviews come out, but a Lenovo press release promises a 50 percent increase in battery life.

In terms of ports, you get a headphone jack, two USB ports, and a microSD card reader for expanded storage. The handheld comes with three free months of Xbox's PC Game Pass. 

The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is available for pre-order on Lenovo’s website and online retailers like Best Buy. The current release date is slated for Oct. 31, a couple of weeks after the ROG Xbox Ally. 

SAVE UP TO $120: As of Sept. 5, you can save up to $120 on a range of Sonos speakers and soundbars at Best Buy. Shop the Arc Ultra, Era 300, and more.

Best Sonos deals as of Sept. 5: Best subwoofer deal Sonos Sub 4 $679 (save $120) Get Deal Best soundbar deal Sonos Arc Ultra $899 (save $100) Get Deal Best smart speaker deal Sonos Era 300 $359 (save 490) Get Deal

It’s not often you see a major sale on Sonos gear, but Best Buy is offering up to $120 off a handful of products, including the Sonos Sub 4 wireless subwoofer. (If you prefer to shop direct, Sonos is running a similar promotion on its website.) The sale includes speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers (and the Sonos Ace headphones are on sale on the Sonos website).

Here’s a breakdown of the best deals.

Sonos Sub 4 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Sub 4 $679 at Best Buy
$799 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Sub 4 is on sale for $679 at both Best Buy and the Sonos website. That's a $120 price cut from the original $799 list price. Just be mindful of the end dates: the Best Buy deal ends on Sept. 7, while the Sonos deal ends a day earlier on Sept. 6.

The Sonos Sub 4 wireless subwoofer is designed to transform your living room into a home theater. You can pair it with a soundbar like the Sonos Arc Ultra, Arc, or Beam to get dramatically deeper bass. If you're more focused on music and spatial audio, you can pair it with speakers like the Sonos Five, Era 300, or Era 100.

Sonos Arc Ultra Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra $899 at Best Buy
$999 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Arc Ultra is on sale for $899, down from $999, at both Best Buy and the Sonos website. That's a $100 savings. You'll also get four months free of SiriusXM All Access and free Apple Music for up to three months with the Best Buy deal.

The big upgrade here (from the Arc) is Sonos's Sound Motion technology, which uses 14 internal drivers to create an immersive Dolby Atmos spatial audio experience. It's designed to precisely place sounds around you while keeping dialogue ultra-clear so you never miss a word. Setup is simple; just plug it in and connect it to your TV with the included HDMI cable, and then open the Sonos app to complete your setup.

Sonos Era 300 Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $449 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

The Sonos Era 300 is on sale for $359 at both Best Buy and the Sonos website. That's $90 in savings and, like with the Arc Ultra deal above, Best Buy will give you four months of SiriusXM All Access and three months of Apple Music for free.

The Sonos Era 300 supports Dolby Atmos Music and has six drivers positioned around the front, sides, and top. You can stream music from just about any service or device, and when you pair two Era 300 speakers with a Sonos Arc or Beam (Gen 2) soundbar, you can get a concert-like feel right at home.

It’s no secret that Microsoft is ending official support for Windows 10 in October. The tech giant has been chomping at the bit to get users to upgrade to Windows 11, and even allows Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

However, some folks really want to stay on Windows 10, be it for upgrade compatibility reasons or just to avoid the increasingly AI-forward Windows 11. They may also be stuck running a laptop that doesn't meet the system requirements for Windows 11.

If you fall into that group, you have two ways to get another year’s worth of updates for Windows 10 for free via Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This will grant guaranteed security updates until October 2026, giving you another year to either upgrade to Windows 11 or buy yourself a new PC. 

SEE ALSO: The best Windows laptops for 2025 — tested and vetted

Microsoft initially planned to charge users $30 to enroll in this program, but backtracked on that idea after user backlash. So, take advantage of the offer while you can. 

But don't forget: If you want to stay on Windows 10 for free, you have to take action before Oct. 14.

How to find Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates

You may get a notification from Microsoft to enroll. If you don’t, here’s how to find the offer in your settings menu.

• Open your Settings.

• Navigate to Updates & Security and then Windows Update. 

• There, you should see a header stating that Windows 10 support is ending on October 14, 2025. 

• Underneath it is a link to “enroll now” in the ESU program. 

• A box should pop up with further instructions. 

If the ability to enroll is not available, make sure your PC is entirely up to date, reboot, and then try again. Microsoft launched this feature in August 2025, so it is fairly new to the menu, and people without the latest updates may not see it. 

How to get Windows 10 security updates for free

Once you access the ESU within Windows 10, you should be presented with three options to “pay” for the next year of updates.

• Cash in 1,000 Microsoft Reward points - This is the easiest option. You can learn more about how to accumulate points at the Microsoft website. 

• Sync your Windows Backup with OneDrive - Per our sister site PCMag, you can upgrade for free by syncing your Windows Backup with Microsoft OneDrive, though you will probably need to purchase additional cloud storage space.

Microsoft also allows users to pay $30 for the extended Windows 10 updates, as originally planned. So, if you want to keep this simple, just pay $30 and you’re set for another year. 

Once you access the ESU, you’ll be able to choose the one that works for you. Since you still have a month, attempting to accumulate the Microsoft Rewards points is arguably your best option. 

How long do the extended security updates last?

Exactly one year. Microsoft says that the updates will continue through October 13, 2026, and then Windows 10 users are entirely on their own. There are some additional rules to consider as well. The ESU updates will be only security updates, and therefore will not contain any new features or what Microsoft refers to as “customer-requested non-security updates.” Technical support will also be unavailable except for license activation and installation. 

So, in short, you’ll get the security updates and quite literally nothing else unless you upgrade to Windows 11, but at least you’ll have another year to make that choice.

Imagine this. You're in Austin, Texas, the one place where Tesla's autonomous robotaxi service is open to the public. You order a Tesla robotaxi in order to try the service out. After all, it's a self-driving car! You're living in the future.

And the Tesla robotaxi arrives with a human sitting in the driver's seat.

That's what's happening right now as Tesla seeks to operate its robotaxi under Texas's new driverless vehicle regulations.

In a post on Elon Musk's social media platform X, Elon Musk's robotaxi service replied to a user explaining how some robotaxis will now require a human "safety monitor" in the driver's seat on certain trips.

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

"Safety monitors are only in the driver's seat for trips that involve highway driving, as a self-imposed cautious first step toward expanding to highways," the official Tesla Robotaxi account said.

Basically, human safety monitors are required to be present inside a Tesla robotaxi to supervise the driverless vehicle, make sure the software is performing as expected, and intervene if necessary. Typically, the safety monitor has been seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

However, under Texas's new regulations, if a customer requires the robotaxi to drive on the state's highways, the safety monitor must move to the driver's seat while the vehicle is in operation.

Texas SB 2807, which went into effect on Sept. 1, provides a robust regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles. Under this law, a human operator must be present within a driverless vehicle unless the state classifies it at a Level 4 or higher autonomy. 

As Gizmodo points out, the Society of Automotive Engineers defines Level 4 autonomy as a vehicle that can operate without a human "under specific conditions, such as within a geofenced area or on designated routes."

Despite Tesla calling its autonomous system "Full Self Driving," the state of Texas only classifies it at a Level 2, which means robotaxis are required to have human oversight at all times.

After Tesla's robotaxi launched in Austin in June, it only took about a week before occupants started sharing cautionary tales about the driverless service. Customers reported the robotaxis drove in the wrong lane, ran over a curb, and unexpectedly braked in the middle of a street for no reason.

Musk had touted a Tesla robotaxi service for at least a decade before it finally launched to the public in one single U.S. city this year. Regardless of the human safety monitor requirements and other issues, Musk recently claimed that he expects the robotaxi service to be available for roughly half the U.S. population by the end of 2025.

Philips has just announced a monster list of new products for its Hue lineup, part of an overhaul announced at the IFA conference in Berlin.

In recent years, the Philips Hue line has struggled, as cheaper smart lights (that don't require a complicated hub) entered the market.

The new products include smart light bulbs, the new Hue Bridge Pro, and not one, but seven new light strip products. Tucked in the announcement was a neat new feature called MotionAware, which will activate your lights when they sense motion. 

A press release states:

Built with a processor five times more powerful and a memory 15 times larger than the Philips Hue Bridge, the Hue Bridge Pro allows users to store over 500 custom lighting scenes and enjoy faster response times across the system. It’s powered by the new Hue Chip Pro and enables cutting-edge capabilities like Hue Motion Aware – an advanced smart feature that transforms Philips Hue lights into motion sensors which turn on the lights when motion is detected.

This new feature can be useful in a variety of ways, and the way it works is pretty neat, too. It works when using Zigbee by measuring fluctuations in the wireless signal strength that occur when a person walks through them. Once it measures this fluctuation, the lights will turn on all on their own without any voice or app commands. 

Credit: Philips Credit: Philips

The obvious use case for this feature would be having your lights turn on automatically when you get home from work or get up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water. However, this can also be part of a home security system. Someone uninvited coming into your home won’t have the cover of darkness as an advantage anymore, as any room set up for MotionAware will light up like New Year’s Eve as they pass through it. 

Per Philips, MotionSense can be set up in any room that has enough lights to accurately measure the aforementioned fluctuations and can be customized so that they only work during certain times of the day. Philips also notes that this is for indoor use only and can’t be used with lights in different rooms. 

Credit: Philips

So, while it is a very cool feature, you’ll have to invest in a sizable number of Hue lights to make it work. In addition, you’ll need Philips’ new third-generation Hue Bridge Pro, a nearly $100 upgrade that will enable the feature on compatible lights automatically. The updated bridge also adds more features to Philips’ Zigbee bulbs, like lighting scenes and out-of-house controls. 

The good news is that Philips says that the “vast majority of Hue products support Huge MotionAware technology.” Philips has a helpful list that shows the products that do not support MotionAware, so if your lights aren’t on the list, they’ll work for it. A cursory glance over the list shows that very nearly all Philips Hue bulbs and light strips are compatible, including the newest ones. 

According to a press release, most of the new Philips Hue products will be available in North America starting in September, with some products to follow in November.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret: Content doesn’t have to be complicated to connect.

My name is Ty Cole, and as a content strategist, award-winning journalist, and creative producer, I'm often working on the fly with no production crew. Sometimes it’s just me, my phone, a ring light, and the kind of lighting that only God and golden hour can provide. I mean, y'all seen my skin in some of my content? Flawless – thank my parents.

My process is super intentional but never overwhelming. I use all I can with what I’ve got (shoutout to my Aries queen Mariah Carey). If you know, you know, and I make it work for me.

The gear

A good selfie stand? Game changer. I even recently added a phone holder that lets me play with angles, and honestly, it's chef’s kiss. I can film a whole segment solo, get multiple shots, and still make it to an event.

I aspire to create content that is clean, clear, and crisp, even when I don’t use my ring light. That’s the beauty of perfect natural lighting and knowing your angles. For me, perfect lighting usually means golden hour—right after sunrise or before sunset—when the sun is soft, warm, and super flattering. 

But if I’m not blessed with that magic hour, I make the most of what I’ve got. I face a window, avoid overhead lighting, and always check how the light hits on camera before I hit record. It’s all about working with the light you have and not being afraid to adjust on the fly.

When it comes to creating, sometimes it’s a script, sometimes it’s vibes. I might hop on a TikTok trend with a voiceover that’s too good to scroll past, or I’ll just share a random thought that popped in my head at 2AM and somehow makes perfect sense in the morning. 

In my feed, I showcase the access—the fun, the exclusive, the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood. I post photos with celebs and videos of us laughing, connecting, and having real moments. Nothing feels forced. Whether I’m at a premiere or a party, I’m making sure the content feels like you’re right there with me.

Sometimes I just throw music over the video, and sometimes it’s a voiceover. Either way, I want the visuals and captions to work together to tell a full story. Something fun, something real, something that makes you feel like you’re not just watching me—you’re with me.

It might look effortless, but that’s because I’ve mastered the art of making it feel that way. It’s low-lift, but high strategy. It’s giving DIY director, editor, and talent, all in one. And you best believe I’m going to give you a show every single time.

Lenovo loves to get a little freaky with laptop form factors, and its latest concept has a screen that can rotate.

Unveiled at the IFA trade show in Berlin a week after it leaked on X, the ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept is a 14-inch Windows PC with a "rotation display system" that lets it swivel into portrait mode — it's the perfect laptop for people who really love TikTok.

From a design standpoint, it's similar to Samsung's Sero TVs, which also rotate from landscape to portrait. So far, the Sero has failed to move past its novelty act reputation.

SEE ALSO: The biggest announcements from IFA 2025: Smart home upgrades, a new robot vacuum, and a tennis partner

The ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept is still just a concept, as its name implies, so it's unclear whether it will ever come to market. At big trade shows like CES and IFA, companies sometimes debut vaporware — futuristic concept devices that will never actually hit the market.

Lenovo's laptop with a rolling display, the $3,499 ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, is a rare example of one such prototype that you can actually now buy.... two years after it was first introduced.

This also means we know very little about the ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept beyond the fact that it has a cool party trick. In a press release, Lenovo notes that it has a 14-inch screen and a sleek design that measures 0.7 inches thin and 3.06 pounds, making it slightly thicker but a touch lighter than Apple's latest 15-inch MacBook Air.

When the ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept is in vertical mode, Lenovo adds, users can pair it with Android smartphones using the Lenovo Smart Connect app "for transferring files and phone mirroring."

Computer, enhance! Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo provided one picture of the ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept, which reveals an island-style keyboard, a large trackpad, a raised notch containing the webcam, and a port setup that includes HDMI, two Thunderbolt ports, and a microSD card slot on the left-hand side.

Otherwise, the ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept's specs are a complete mystery. What kind of screen does it have? What sort of processor is hiding in there? How many rotation cycles can that system withstand? And how much will this thing cost?

We don't know, and we might not ever know — but at the very least, we now have confirmation that it exists in some form.

The 2025 NFL season is officially underway, and some fans have already identified a new TV commercial they never want to see again.

Thursday night's game between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles was, in many ways, an all-time goofy kickoff game. One of the Eagles' best players was ejected before the first play because he spit on the Cowboys quarterback, and then there was a lengthy lightning-related weather delay in the third quarter, which meant the game ended well after midnight on the East Coast.

However, some fans online were much more annoyed by an official NFL commercial celebrating the new season, which aired once during the game. (You can also watch the ad on the NFL YouTube channel.)

The "Ride the Float" commercial riled up some fans online (and, I can confirm, the people I watched the game with) because major parts of it really looked like they were made with generative AI. There are lots of real celebrity cameos, including Druski and The Rizzler, but there are also huge swaths of the ad that had all the hallmarks of AI videos.

A scene with a singing baby decked out in Raiders gear seemed particularly obvious, but there's also a shot of a CGI lion that really doesn't look right. In general, these parade float scenes had the glossy, uncanny valley look I associate with AI videos.

I can confirm that the ad was made with AI because the NFL put out an official press release on Thursday celebrating that fact. The press release also confirmed that it will be the first of a series of ads that air throughout the season as part of the "You Better Believe It" ad campaign.

Credit: NFL / YouTube SEE ALSO: NFL Bluesky is fantastic. Here's why and how to join in.

“Our fans are at the heart of this campaign – their joy, optimism and belief in what’s possible – and we embraced AI to bring them even closer to the game they love,” NFL chief marketing officer Tim Ellis said in the press release. “By combining technological innovation and human creativity, we had the opportunity to pay tribute to each of our 32 fanbases in one unified fantastical celebration and build a world as limitless and imaginative as they are.”

The ad features numerous parade floats that reference various in-jokes related to each of the league's 32 franchises. It was made in conjunction with a marketing firm called 72andsunny. The firm also worked with the NFL on an ad that aired during last year's playoffs.

As you can imagine, social media did not take especially kindly to the news that the NFL, a massive, money-printing machine, decided to use generative AI in creating a primetime ad.

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Unfortunately for anyone who disliked the commercial, yelling on social media might be all they can do about it. As the press release said, more ads like "Ride the Float" will be airing throughout the NFL season.

I've spent the last 15 years covering tech, and in that time have tested thousands of products to find what genuinely makes life better. My rule of thumb is if it doesn't pass the “mom of two in a hurry” test, it doesn't get my recommendation.

When I became a mom to my son Jordan, everything changed. I wasn’t just chasing cool gadgets anymore; I needed solutions. Technology became less about specs and more about how it fit into real life everyday moments. I needed tech that could help me stay organized, save time, and give me more moments with my family.

That's why I've made my lane all about how tech can be a part of everyday life. I'm always on the hunt for apps that can help calm the morning chaos at my house, devices for my family to stay connected on the go, and smart home systems that actually work for busy families. When done well, technology can help us live better, more present lives. The key is to understand how to use tech to our advantage, without it feeling like our tech is using us instead.

Technology shouldn’t be intimidating; it should be empowering. Say hello on Instagram and let me know how you're using gadgets and gear to power your family life as well.

Between being the blueprint for cordless stick vacuums and for heated hair tools, it never felt right that Dyson couldn't figure out how to be relevant in the world of robot vacuums. But less than two years after its last failed attempt, Dyson is releasing another new robot vacuum — and it actually feels promising this time. The Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai was announced on Sept. 4 and again in the Sept. 5 Dyson Unveiled event on YouTube.

Frankly, it wouldn't have taken much for Dyson to eclipse the (lack of) prestige of its 2024 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum. It wasn't a self-emptying, small obstacle-avoiding, or even mopping robot vacuum, but was confidently priced like one. The new Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum is all three of those things, complete with a few secret weapons that could help Dyson claim its stake in the saturated robot vacuum market.

Most exciting to me personally, the new Dyson robot vacuum has a laser. Dyson's technically calling it "green LED illumination," but the product images show it highlighting dust and debris just like the laser heads do on Dyson's stick vacuums.

My beloved Dyson laser is coming to the robot vacuum. Credit: Dyson You'll be able to see how well the new Dyson robot vacuum cleans your floors. Credit: Dyson

A few months ago, whilst ruminating on overly ambitious robot vacuum innovations like the Roborock Saros Z70's robotic arm, I was also brainstorming some dream new robot vacuum features that would actually be practical. And guess what I verbatim manifested in that story? For the next Dyson robot vacuum to have a green laser, that's what. I've been laser-or-bust since I first experienced it with my beloved Dyson V12 Detect Slim stick vacuum. The ability to so plainly see the status of dust and debris on the floor before and after the vacuum hits it is such undeniable proof of a thorough clean. Not even the best robot vacuums out there from Roborock or iRobot offer this yet.

Here's where the "AI" part comes in. The Spot+Scrub Ai assesses the cleaning path ahead of it in real time, using AI stain detection and an AI-powered camera to determine the best way to clean different types of messes. If a liquid stain on a hard floor is detected, before and after photos are taken of the area to ensure that the robot doesn't stop mopping until the stain is fully gone. The scrubbing is done with a wet roller instead of spinning or flat mopping pads. (Dreame also unveiled a flagship robot vacuum and mop combo with a wet roller mop in August, so this must be the new thing.)

Dyson noted that the roller mop rinses itself with fresh water as it rotates, but the tank refilling situation in the dock is still unclear. Dyson hasn't revealed numbers for the Spot+Scrub Ai's suction power, though it probably won't be in Pascals (Pa) to easily compare to other robot vacuums, anyway. The 360 Vis Nav was actually quite powerful during my testing, so I expect the Spot+Scub Ai to be a good robot vacuum for carpets.

So yes, it seems that Dyson has read the room and addressed the critical features missing from the 360 Vis Nav. But the ultimate test of self-awareness lies in price. We don't know how much the Spot+Scrub Ai will cost, but it would be bold of Dyson to pass the $1,500 threshold. The 360 Vis Nav debuted at $1,299 when it had no business in such a premium price range (though it conveniently dropped to $499.99 the same week as this announcement dropped). I hope that Dyson is more realistic this time around, ideally staying in line with similar flagship robot vacuums like the Roborock Saros 10R or new Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum and mop Sign up for preorder notifications Learn More

College administrators think AI might be the solution to their political PR problems, as the Department of Education weaponizes long-standing civil rights law to control educational institutions under new Trump administration goals and university campuses crack down on student protest.

New York City's Columbia University, for example, is reportedly exploring a student debate platform, powered by AI, that encourages more "civil" conversations about "dangerous" topics, including abortion, immigration, trans identities, and the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, according to an exclusive from The Verge. The embattled institution has been testing the tool at Columbia’s Teachers College under new conflict resolution curriculum.

SEE ALSO: The White House and PragerU's new history exhibit features AI founding fathers

The tool in question is called Sway, a beta program designed by Carnegie Mellon University postdoctoral researcher Nicholas DiBella. DiBella has tested the tool on 3,000 students from more than 30 colleges and universities, including debates on contentious topics like whether or not the 2020 election was legitimate. As an intended moderator between students with polar viewpoints, Sway encourages individuals to find a middle ground and for students to rephrase verbiage that may be "disrespectful." DiBella says that students often come away "less confident in their own views," but closer to their colleagues.

DiBella has received partial funding from the U.S. intelligence community to construct Sway as part of his doctoral work, and has said that it will "share anonymized data with the public and the intelligence community, but not transcripts or specifics." Columbia associate professor Joseph Howley told The Verge that Columbia is failing to appropriately handle student tension, with Sway providing yet another example. "What we have are approaches from the world of corporate crisis response, policing, and law enforcement being directed at disagreement and dissent as if they are problems to be solved rather than fundamental values to be cherished," said Howley.

Sway isn't the first tool Columbia has used to assuage student tension (or, allegedly, filter out student dissent). The university reportedly uses Khan Academy's Schoolhouse Dialogues system to pair prospective students in debate-style conversations, which are then ranked by "civility" and fed back to Columbia admissions officers.

In 2024, the university came under fire for its militarized treatment of student protesters who had bunkered down on university grounds to demand the school divest from its Israeli ties. Earlier this year, Columbia complied with immigration officials to arrest international students under pressure from President Trump, allowing and later disciplining student protesters with suspensions, degree revocations, and expulsions. Columbia settled with the federal government for $200 million in July, complying with demands to hand over student data in order to monitor protests and international students and foster "constructive dialogue."

The "poke" technically never went away, but Facebook is trying to make it a thing again.

In a nod to Y2K nostalgia, Facebook announced a few updates to the poke button, according to TechCrunch, which spotted the announcement. A fixture in the early Facebook days, no one was ever quite clear on what a poke meant. It could be used for flirting, passive aggression, a friendly hello, or an awkward combination of the three.

Now, the poke button is mounting a comeback, again.

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Facebook has tried to revive the poke in various forms a few different occasions, but this time with more effort.

The poke button now features prominently on a user's profile page, so you can poke someone directly from there. It appears on the mobile app, but we didn't see the button on the desktop site. There's also a dedicated page to keep track of your pokes on facebook.com/pokes, where users can see who's poked them and find friends to poke. Facebook also has a helpful FAQ for the poke ignorant.

The poke hub also tracks pokes between friends, which is reminiscent of the "streaks" feature on TikTok and Snapchat, which gamifies interactions on the apps by encouraging users to keep their daily streaks going.

Snapchat got in trouble for streaks and other features that regulators said were designed to make the platform addictive, a concern for teens and their mental health.

Once upon a time, Facebook was a cultural juggernaut among the youths. But over time, as other social media apps like Snapchat, Meta's own Instagram, and eventually TikTok rose to prominence, Facebook fell out of favor with younger generations.

In recent years, Facebook has gained a reputation for being overrun by political rants from baby boomers, earning the decidedly uncool nickname of "Boomerbook." Nowadays, you can add the proliferation of AI slop to the pile of user deterrents.

Last year, Facebook executives began strategizing on how to appeal to younger generations. Although, at the time, exactly how Facebook planned to stay relevant "remained nebulous," according to Mashable former reporter Elizabeth de Luna, who covered the press event.

Surprisingly, young users enjoy the poke. Facebook reported a 13x spike in pokes last year, and it's certainly capitalizing on the Y2K nostalgia trend, as low-rise jeans, micro mini skirts, graphic tees, and other Y2K-era staples are back, much to this millennial reporter's horror.

SAVE $70: As of Sept. 5, get a refurbished Meta Quest 3 for $379.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $449.99. That's a discount of 15%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Meta Quest 3 (Refurbished) $379.99 at Woot
$449.99 Save $70 Get Deal

Virtual reality is still not perfect, but it's a fun prospect if you have the time and want to explore it. Meta has made it more affordable over the years to buy into, especially if you're interested in trying out a ton of fun games from shooters to rhythm titles and everything beyond. If you're ready to invest, this Woot deal is a great place to start.

As of Sept. 5, get a refurbished Meta Quest 3 for $379.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $449.99. That's $70 off and a discount of 15%. This model is grade A refurbished by Woot, which means that it's been inspected and guaranteed by the company to come with only "minimal cosmetic imperfections" that aren't immediately noticeable. It also has passed a diagnostic test to promise "like-new functionality" and has been stripped of info from the previous owner.

SEE ALSO: Meta Quest 3S review: Best VR headset for new gamers, but seasoned players will notice flaws

This is the most powerful model of the Meta Quest yet, and requires no wires to operate. It has 4K visuals with its Infinite DIsplay, which offers a 30% increase in resolution from the Quest 2, and 3D audio with better sound, bass, and volume as well.

Its included Touch Plus controllers give you ways to interact with your favorite games for more realistic vibrations, sensations, and ways to "touch" and "feel" what you're playing, so you can use gestures and other hand controls to interact.

Plus, there are over 500 games to choose from in the Meta Quest library, so there's tons to play and keep you occupied, all without the need for a computer accompanying your headset.

Former Mashable Tech Editor Kim Gedeon called the Quest 3 better than the prior model "in many ways", praising its access to SteamVR games, wireless connectivity, and its improved controllers that she found "more ergonomic than their predecessors."

If it's time to give VR a look, this is a great deal you won't want to pass up on.

I remember being glued to the first, game-changing season of Survivor in 2000. Since then, I’ve fallen for everything from the raw talent on So You Think You Can Dance to the glitzy drama of The Real Housewives of New York City (my East Coast roots showing). But now? Watching cloaked figures lie and manipulate each other for $250,000 in a Scottish castle is the kind of reality TV chaos that really speaks to me. 

Nothing has grabbed my attention lately like the U.S. version of The Traitors, a competition show centered entirely around deception and suspicion. In my view, The Traitors is ultimately a result of reality TV evolving into a genre where villains aren’t just tolerated — they’re often rewarded and celebrated for their dishonesty.

Each episode also permeates with a distinctly queer sensibility, and it’s not because of its players or its fabulous host, Alan Cumming (we’ll get to him later). It’s the secrecy and code-switching set against a glamorous backdrop that resonates with many queer viewers — me especially. 

As a queer person growing up, I felt the need to be two steps ahead of others' suspicions, a skill I believe would serve well as a Traitor. My history of pretending to be straight and drawing inspiration from manipulative TV characters has prepared me to anticipate every scenario, from roundtable banishments to breakfast revelations, to keep me two steps ahead of the Faithfuls. 

The Traitors gives me space to embrace the villain, to imagine slipping into that black cloak and playing the game as someone no one sees coming. 

That fantasy is harder to buy into when everyone on screen already has a brand. Which is why NBC’s recent announcement that civilians will be making a comeback for the U.S. edition instantly makes the game less predictable and a lot more interesting. Especially for those of us still waiting to see ourselves at that roundtable.

If Agatha Christie wrote a drag version of Clue, it would be The Traitors 

For the uninitiated, the premise of the Peacock show is this: Put two dozen competitors in a Scottish castle, assign them one of two roles (Faithful or Traitor), and watch what happens. I see it as an epically scaled version of the game Mafia, where players attempt to root out saboteurs while competing in challenges along the way, before voting to banish who they think is a Traitor.

The murder-mystery theme of the show will pique the interest of any fan of the genre, particularly someone like me who is a fanatic of the movie Clue and was raised by a mother who worshipped at the altar of Agatha Christie. I was immediately drawn to The Traitors in early 2023 when the first season dropped with a cast featuring a mix of civilians and reality TV stars. It was fascinating to see the dynamic play out between everyday people (Andie Vanacore, we say your name) competing alongside reality TV stars, including celebrated alums from Survivor (hi, Cirie!) and Real Housewives franchises (Brandi Glanville).

As Mashable's Shannon Connellan has outlined before, Cumming as the show's chic but cryptic host is reason enough to binge-watch the available seasons as we wait for the show to return. He’s a pitch-perfect facilitator, delivering delicious one-liners with the right amount of sass, styled in scene-stealing outfits.

However, that’s not entirely why this cutthroat competition has me hooked.

Come for the camp, stay for the sabotage 

Having watched three seasons of the US version and two of the UK version, I’ve concluded that the show is designed for Traitors. With no real clues to find early in the mystery game, there’s no reason to suspect anyone. All a player has to do is voice some doubts, and from there, we get to watch how quickly people become influenced and how herd mentality sets in. 

Watching them sneak around in their hooded cloaks in the castle’s turret every night is fun, but what hooks me is how easily I find myself rooting for the manipulators and how comfortably I imagine tapping into my inner Traitor. 

There’s an inherent thrill to being a villain; just look at how many contestants arrive ready to dig into their murderous roles. There’s something intoxicating about practicing the art of deception, without a care for who you backstab in order to be a winner. It’s kind of alluring.

Soapy queens and scheming dreams

My urge to star as a villain on The Traitors stems from watching one too many primetime soap reruns in my youth and being enthralled by the secretive and conniving vixens I admired on those shows. Knots Landing’s scheming Abby Cunningham (Donna Mills) could intimidate a lion with her wicked smile, while on Melrose Place, Marcia Cross’s Kimberly Shaw plotted against her enemies with relish. 

Then again, maybe I was attracted to the campiness with which these women executed their devious plans. As a gay man, I tend to respond favorably to camp, a style known for its ostentatious and theatrical qualities. Performative deception comes with the queer territory for me. Hiding my true self for years forced me to play a certain role and trick others into believing I was someone I wasn’t. And developing a sense for camp (knowing when to be “on” or “off”) may have trained me in keeping others further off my scent.

Buying the lie over and over again

The Traitors also resonates with me because it reiterates a lie reality TV has gradually fed me for years: Authenticity is everything. The American show clearly favors panache and polish over anything resembling realness. It relies less on people “being themselves” and more on established names and personalities to deliver a good episode.

Seventeen years ago, when I first entered the Real Housewives universe, I bought into those women living in luxurious leisure. But the more popular these shows became, the more famous these women became — and the more they seemed to become lucrative commodities. And because they were commodities, the more they – and perhaps the franchise – had to flaunt their wealth via shopping sprees, extravagant vacations, or catered events celebrating a pet’s birthday. That’s when I realized the authenticity felt performative. To me, it screamed, “Aspire to have this lifestyle!”

We’re living in an era in which the reality TV genre has evolved to the point where the line between performance and reality is at its blurriest. This has birthed a new type of “real people” who know how to work the camera, and the camera seems to keep focusing on them.

Now that NBC plans to bring civilian players back into the mix, I think it would make the game feel more grounded. I enjoy seeing regular people compete to win, not perform. There’s more of an authenticity factor at play with them, and I find that kind of endearing. Veteran reality TV players built their reputations on screen; viewers who know them are biased, expecting these personalities to clash with each other.

During her exit interviews, Big Brother’s Britney Haynes, who was the last Traitor standing in Season 3, reflected on how much players, especially reality TV vets, are always thinking about what makes for good TV. I have to ask then: Will future civilian players in the American production have the same know-how? What will casting directors be looking for this time? If we’ve become a nation of viewers that favors performative reality over watching actual, real people, could that dictate their selections?

Hiding in plain realness

As for the upcoming Season 4, it still leans heavily on familiar faces, but I can see how adding actor-comedians like Ron Funches and Michael Rapaport could inject some unpredictability into the mix of contestants. Even casting Monét X Change as the show’s next resident drag queen – following in the footsteps of past contestants Bob the Drag Queen and Peppermint – could ensure some complementary camp next to Cumming. 

As Ira Madison III, former co-host of the podcast Keep It, shared earlier this year, “when you cast good people who aren’t seasoned reality TV people, they will deliver a good season.” I agree. I’m sure there are plenty of everyday Americans who have perfected the art of hiding their identity and could use The Traitors as a playground to demonstrate those skills, tapping into their inner villains by strategizing and deceiving their way to $250,000.

That's who I’d root for. 

The Traitors and all of its foreign counterparts are currently streaming on Peacock.

Apple is on the verge of launching new iPhones, which means that a new version of iOS is also just around the corner.

With the big iPhone 17 event looming next week, one of the primary questions on everyone's mind pertains to when they'll be able to test out all the new iOS 26 features. There are two bits of good news here: It's relatively easy to predict the iOS 26 release date, and that time is coming very soon.

To be more specific, the best estimate anyone has for the release date of iOS 26 is Sept. 16.

Apple typically releases the newest operating system for iPhones sometime between the big annual iPhone announcement event and the launch of the phones themselves, which usually means roughly a week after the event. Last year's Apple event was, like this year's, on Sept. 9, and iOS 18 did, in fact, launch on Sept. 16 of that year.

Messages gets a new look with Liquid Glass and iOS 26. Credit: Apple Liquid Glass and iOS 26 also bring new personalization options to the iPhone. Credit: Apple SEE ALSO: The iPhone 17 is days away: What to expect from the specs, cameras, colors, and release date

Even if Apple changes it around by a day or two on either end, you can still pretty much book that week in your calendar for the release of iOS 26 and Liquid Glass. Apple wants the new version on as many phones as possible, including new iPhones at launch. According to Apple, iOS 26 is compatible with every iPhone from the iPhone 11 onward, including the second-generation iPhone SE. (Apple Intelligence features are only available with newer models, however.) Anything older than that is out of luck.

In case you've been out of the loop, iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and iPadOS 26 bring a new "Liquid Glass" design language where every UI element looks like, well, like glass. It's a big change for Apple users, and it brings with it wholesale redesigns of the Photos and Phone apps, as well as new features like group chat backgrounds and polls in Messages.

You can download a public beta for iOS 26 right now (keep in mind that doing so on your everyday device can be risky). Apple just released the ninth beta for iOS 26 a couple of days ago, though it looks like the latest build is mostly filled with small bug fixes.

We're almost there, folks. You don't have to hold your breath for much longer.

SAVE $40: As of Sept. 5, get the 27-inch Samsung S3 curved monitor for $139.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $179.99. That's a discount of 22%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor (27-inch) $179.99 at Amazon
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Whether you have a home office or just use the computer a lot in general, a good monitor is an essential way to level up your workspace. You could get a huge display or a modest-sized option, but no matter what you choose, you'll be doing your eyes a favor with a better, improved screen, no matter what. And thanks to this Amazon deal, now's a great time to treat yourself for less.

As of Sept. 5, get the 27-inch Samsung Essential S3 curved monitor for $139.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $179.99. That's $40 off and a discount of 22%.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

The Samsung Essential S3 monitor is a fantastic curved monitor that won't set you back an entire paycheck. It helps you focus by wrapping around your peripheral vision and gives you a more immersive feeling if you're diving into a gaming session.

It boasts a 100Hz refresh rate as well as a bright, crisp screen with deep blacks and vivid hues. It also has Game Mode to help adjust whatever you're playing to both fill the screen and enhance what's on there. It has both an HDMI connection and a headphone jack as well, just in case you need to add anything to it on the back end.

But perhaps the most enticing thing about this monitor is its affordability, especially since it's less than $200 even without its sale price. If you're ready to add a new monitor to your tech stack or just want a significant visual upgrade, this is the way to do it without breaking into your savings.

It's all eyes on Berlin for the next few days as tech brands debut their latest, fanciest, and most AI-laden gadgets at IFA 2025. Similar to what we see at CES in Las Vegas, some products are awesome, some are totally creepy, and others leave us wondering who would ever need such a thing. Tons of big hitters are in attendance for IFA 2025 like Samsung, Anker, Acer, Hisense, LG, and hundreds more.

The show runs through Sept. 9, so check back as we continue to update this page with the best IFA 2025 products. Below are standouts from the show as we head into the weekend.

The Eufy MarsWalker is coming for your stairs

Tech shows are no strangers to robot vacuum innovations, and IFA 2025 is following suit. Your multi-story home will love the Eufy MarsWalker. To specify, the MarsWalker refers to the transport that'll take the Eufy RoboVac Omni S2 up and down the stairs.

The Eufy MarsWalker is ready to tackle your stairs. Credit: Eufy

The RoboVac drives itself into the MarsWalker, nestling in for a safe journey up the stairs to continue on its mission of cleaning up crumbs. This is in contrast to the Dreame X50 Ultra, which is basically really good at getting over major two-inch thresholds but can't actually climb stairs, while the MarsWalker glides over them. Plus, it's capable of ascending and descending straight, L-shaped, and U-shaped staircases.

Color us impressed considering it wasn't all that long ago that robot vacuums tumbled down the stairs and left themselves lifelessly upside-down. Eufy hasn't released official launch dates yet, but says we can expect the Eufy RobotVac Omni S2 in January of 2026 with a price tag of $1,599 and the MarsWalker to follow in spring of 2026 with no pricing as of yet.

Soundcore's Nebula X1 Pro is a one-stop entertainment system

Anker makes tons of projectors under the Nebula brand name, which has now joined the brand's Soundcore umbrella. In testing, I loved the super portable Anker Nebula Capsule 3 Laser mini projector, and it came with me to Japan, fitting neatly into my 15-pound backpack. At IFA 2025, Anker introduced the incredibly not-portable Nebula X1 Pro projector, which is so massive, it comes on wheels.

The wheel-y big Nebula X1 Pro Credit: Souncore

To call this a projector is a bit of an undersell since it comes packed with other features and Soundcore mentions it’s a “mobile theater station.” As a projector, the Nebula X1 Pro gives off a 4K display with 3,500 ANSI lumens. By comparison, the portable Nebula Capsule that I love maxes out at 300 lumens.

Projectors are notorious for coming with terrible onboard speakers, but the Nebula X1 Pro aims to break that stereotype by incorporating Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. To give off the surround-sound vibe, Soundcore uses a 7.1.4 speaker layout which equates to seven surround channels, one subwoofer, and four overhead height channels.

There’s no onboard battery on the X1 Pro, and instead, you’ll need to plug it in via the 6.6-foot retractable power cable. Given that the top of the projector’s housing opens with storage space for two microphones, the Nebula X1 Pro could be the ultimate party system, serving as a projector, speaker, and karaoke machine. 

Soundcore will launch the Nebula X1 Pro on Kickstarter on Sept. 23, and says it’ll cost somewhere between $4,000 and $5,000. However, you can snag a massive discount before Sept. 9 by placing a preorder deposit. Head to the Nebua X1 Pro’s product page, navigate to the upper right, and hit “claim your offer now.” A $100 deposit earns you a spot in the first-tier early bird section, getting the projector for a total of $2,499 once it goes live on Kickstarter. Soundcore says the first deliveries of the Nebula X1 Pro are slated for November with priority shipping. With any luck, the projector will arrive before holiday parties in December.

The Samsung Sound Tower wants a party invitation

Party speakers are having a spotlight moment, and we're all invited. The JBL Party Box 520 was a star at a Mashable wedding over the summer and brands are taking note of their popularity. At IFA 2025, Samsung literally packed the party by introducing the Sound Tower ST50F and Sound Tower ST40F.

Roll up to the party with portable tunes. Credit: Samsung

Indoor or outdoor parties are in for a treat with either of the new Samsung Sound Towers. The ST50F comes with 25mm dual dome tweeters, dual 6.5-inch woofers, and a battery that can last for up to 18 hours. It's a big one, so it's equipped with a telescopic handle, wheels, and an IPX4 water resistance rating. The smaller Sound Tower ST40F gets up to 12 hours of battery life with 5.25-inch dual woofers and 20mm dual dome tweeters.

With the Samsung Sound Tower App, partiers can set the LED lights to sync with the music's rhythm. The app also has customizable mood lighting that sets off various effects, movements, and color schemes, according to Samsung.

Both models are on the books to come out later in September, and the Sound Tower ST50F will come with a price of $699.99, while the smaller Sound Tower ST40F comes in at $499.99.

Make an at-home art studio with the EufyMake E1 UV Printer

Who needs a 3D printer when you can get a UV printer? The EufyMake E1 UV Printer allows you to print on nearly anything, and you can do so with 3D texture. Stick your face on every mug in your home, make your own art pieces, gift everyone personalized stickers for Christmas 2025, and never wear a bland, blank T-shirt ever again. You could even launch your own Etsy shop. These are just a few ideas you can create with the EufyMake E1 UV Printer, which is set to debut for customers in December 2025, but Eufy mentions preorders could begin shipping as early as October.

Lets your artistic side shine with the EufyMake E1 UV Printer. Credit: Eufy

You can already preorder the EufyMake E1 UV Printer, and all bundles are at least $200 off. The basic bundle is listed at $2,499, but you can preorder it for $2,299 with promo code WS24e1basicbundle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy EufyMake UV Printer E1 (basic bundle) $2,299 at Eufy
$2,499 Save $200 Get Deal Bluetti's sodium-powered Pioneer Na portable power station

Portable power stations are truly some of the best innovations we've seen in years, revolutionizing the camping experience as well as offering a way to stay on-grid during a power outage. Bluetti has been a leader in the industry, and the brand will debut the Pioneer Na at IFA 2025 on Sept. 6. Instead of the industry-standard lithium-ion phosphate battery (which we often see as LiFePO4), the Pioneer Na will use a sodium-ion battery, and that means it'll be ready to go in low temperatures.

Chainsawin' in negative temperatures is on the agenda for winter 2026. Credit: Bluetti

That could be awesome if you live in a cold climate that gets coated in snow, ice, and negative temperatures in a winter that lasts for seemingly half of the year. The Pioneer Na portable power station comes with 900Wh of battery capacity with 1,500W of continuous power. We're waiting on word from Bluetti about pricing, but the brand has said it'll be available for purchase in mid-October.

Become the star of the neighborhood with the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Prism

Govee seriously showed up prepared to wow at IFA 2025. The brand debuted several new smart lighting options, and a highlight is the new Prism model of the permanent outdoor lights. They'll come with a triple-color lighting effect for a more dynamic display. Govee mentions the adjustable brightness ranges from 6500K to 2700K, so there are options for super bright displays to chill, warm lighting. The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Prism come with the brand's LuminBlend color management system, giving users the option to choose from an astonishing 16 million color options.

Celebrate every holiday with permanent outdoor lights. Credit: Govee

The lights are designed to never come down, working in a temperature range between -30 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Govee says they'll get 50,000 hours of life, which equates to 4,166 days, should you have the lights on for 12 hours each day.

Govee has the Permanent Outdoor Lights Prism listed with a release date of Sept. 22 for an undisclosed price. They'll also land at Amazon on launch day.

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro that rivals the Apple Watch Ultra 3

Garmin is coming in hot with a new flagship smartwatch — the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro. It's a total coincidence that it goes on sale on Sept. 8, just one day before we anticipate the announcement of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at the brand's annual launch event.

Use satellite and LTE networks to stay in touch. Credit: Garmin

Garmin has designed the Fenix 8 Pro for serious athletes. Not only does it come with the standard 24/7 fitness tracking, it has an LED flashlight, a mix of satellite and cellular connectivity, and the ability to send a signal to Garmin’s Response Center should you require help. It can also get up to 15 days of battery life and you can leave family with the ability to follow your location thanks to Garmin's Livetrack location sharing technology.

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro comes in two versions — an AMOLED display and an upgraded micoLED. The AMOLED is available in a 47mm and 51mm size with prices starting at $1,199.99. The microLED is available in just the 51mm size with a price of $1,999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (47mm, AMOLED) $1,199.99 at Garmin
Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Fenix Pro 8 (51mm, microLED) $1,999.99 at Garmin
Learn More The Acemate Robot is an always-available tennis mate

Sometimes AI is atrocious, but other times, it's pretty rad. Tennis players who struggle to find friends with a similar schedule can now play with the rally-master Acemate Robot. The Acemate rolls around the court, catching balls in its hopper and then serving balls back at up to 80 miles per hour and eight meters high. Combined, this allows for a single-player tennis practice that mimics what it'd be like with a fellow player.

The Acemate won't judge your weird backhand technique. Credit: Acemate

Since the Acemate is using cameras to catch and serve balls back, it's also capturing swing techniques, accuracy, and more. After your tennis lesson is over, you can review footage and stats like ball speed, spin, and landing points. The Acemate is already in production after a successful Kickstarter campaign, and units should begin shipping in November. Preorders get a major $900 discount. There's also a pickleball version if tennis isn't your thing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acemate Acemate tennis robot $1,599 at Acemate
$2,499 Save $900 Get Deal Acer's first Chromebook with an NPU — the Acer Plus Spin 514

Acer's first go at a Chromebook with NPU means it packs in the AI features. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel spent some time with the new Acer Plus Spin 514 and wrote, "Based on my few hours with the Spin 514 so far, I think it's a great pick for early AI adopters, but also just anyone who wants a solid budget 2-in-1 laptop with a premium design and good amount of power for the price."

A nice budget option, with the addition of fancy AI features. Credit: Haley Henschel

Sure, it has tons of AI features, but Henschel noted it's simply a nice budget 2-in-1 laptop that could work great for a wide range of laptop users. The price points land on the higher end for a Chromebook, but it comes with a premium feel, according to Henschel. It can also move into a tent mode or lie flat in tablet mode. While we haven't tested the battery life yet, Acer's press release says it can get up to 17 hours of web browsing on a single charge, which would put it well above the minimum Mashable likes to see in Chromebooks.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (CP514-1HN-K6DY) $699.99 at Best Buy
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SAVE 35%: As of Sept. 5, you can get the Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine by DeLonghi for $129.99, down from $199.99, at Target. That's a 35% discount and a $70 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine by DeLonghi $129.99 at Target
$199.99 Save $70 Get Deal

I love Target just as much as the next iced coffee toting shopper, but I have to admit that finding a genuinely good deal there can be a challenge. They do offer small gift card incentives when you spend a certain amount on specific items, but true price drops that rival Amazon or Walmart are few and far between.

SEE ALSO: Target is ending its price match policy as of July 28

That’s why I was so shocked to find this deal. As of Sept. 5, you can get the Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine by DeLonghi for $129.99, down from $199.99, at Target. That's a 35% discount and a $70 savings. You can’t find it for this price anywhere else, including Amazon. Plus, you’ll get a free starter set of Nespresso capsules with your purchase.

This particular machine can brew both coffee and espresso, a feature not all Nespresso machines offer. You can brew coffee in five- and eight-ounce sizes, as well as single and double espresso shots. It's also fast (heats up in 15 seconds) and has a huge 60-ounce water tank so you're not constantly refilling it.

The most impressive feature of this Nespresso VertuoPlus machine is its barcode scanning technology, which automatically adjusts brewing parameters for each capsule, ensuring you get the perfect cup every time. (Pop in the pod, press the button, and the machine does the rest.) The pods are also fully recyclable; you can order a (free) recycling bag directly from Nespresso and mail them back at no charge.