Mashable

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from the UK with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The world of porn has been rocked by age-verification laws, requiring individuals to provide proof of age in order to access adult content.

Earlier in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub responded by blocking users from those locations, and now the same situation is taking place in France.

The same situation is not taking place in the UK, but it's no less frustrating. The UK's age-verification law came into effect on July 25, but in this case, Pornhub is complying with the UK's law. It's nice that there's no total ban, but these age-verification laws still raise serious privacy concerns. The prospect of handing over information to third-party systems and not knowing how these companies are handling or storing that data is naturally concerning to potential users. For these individuals, there is a workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from the UK, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in the UK

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Adelaide vs. Collingwood in the 2025 AFL for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first qualifying final in the 2025 AFL season is here, and it's an absolute beauty. Collingwood are set to take on the Adelaide Crows on Sept. 4 at the Adelaide Oval. The fourth placed Magpies face a tough test getting anything out of table-topping Adelaide, but anything can happen at this late stage of the season.

If you want to watch Adelaide vs. Collingwood in 2025 AFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Adelaide vs. Collingwood for free

Adelaide vs. Collingwood in 2025 AFL finals is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the AFL from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2025 NRL online for free

Live stream the 2025 AFL from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit 7plus

5. Live stream Adelaide vs. Collingwood for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2025 AFL without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Adelaide vs. Collingwood (plus every game in the Finals Series including the AFL Grand Final) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Adelaide vs. Collingwood in the 2025 AFL finals for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A sick person.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

LEPER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To taint.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STAIN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To grab something.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CATCH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A raccoon-like mammal.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

COATI

Final Hurdle hint

Scuba ___.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

DIVER

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The popular artificial intelligence companion platform Character.AI is not safe for teens, according to new research conducted by online safety experts.

A report detailing the safety concerns, published by ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative, includes numerous troubling exchanges between AI chatbots and adult testers posing as teens younger than 18.

The testers held conversations with chatbots that engaged in what the researchers described as sexual exploitation and emotional manipulation. The chatbots also gave the supposed minors harmful advice, such as offering drugs and recommending armed robbery. Some of the user-created chatbots had fake celebrity personas, like Timothée Chalamet and Chappell Roan, both of whom discussed romantic or sexual behavior with the testers.

The chatbot fashioned after Roan, who is 27, told an account registered as a 14-year-old user, "Age is just a number. It's not gonna stop me from loving you or wanting to be with you."

SEE ALSO: I 'dated' Character.AI's popular boyfriends, and parents should be worried

Character.AI confirmed to the Washington Post that the Chalamet and Roan chatbots were created by users and have been removed by the company.

ParentsTogether Action, a nonprofit advocacy group, had adult online safety experts conduct the testing, which yielded 50 hours of conversation with Character.AI companions. The researchers created minor accounts with matching personas. Character.AI allows users as young as 13 to use the platform, and doesn't require age or identity verification.

The Heat Initiative, an advocacy group focused on online safety and corporate accountability, partnered with ParentsTogether Action to produce the research and the report documenting the testers' exchanges with various chatbots.

They found that adult-aged chatbots simulated sexual acts with child accounts, told minors to hide relationships from parents, and "exhibited classic grooming behaviors."

"Character.ai is not a safe platform for children — period." - Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative

"Character.ai is not a safe platform for children — period," Sarah Gardner, CEO of Heat Initiative, said in a statement.

Last October, a bereaved mother filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, seeking to hold the company responsible for the death of her son, Sewell Setzer. She alleged that its product was designed to "manipulate Sewell – and millions of other young customers – into conflating reality and fiction," among other dangerous defects. Setzer died by suicide following heavy engagement with a Character.AI companion.

Character.AI is separately being sued by parents who claim their children experienced severe harm by engaging with the company's chatbots. Earlier this year, the advocacy and research organization Common Sense Media declared AI companions unsafe for minors.

Jerry Ruoti, head of trust and safety at Character.AI, said in a statement shared with Mashable that the company was not consulted about the report's findings prior to their publication, and thus couldn't comment directly on how the tests were designed.

"We have invested a tremendous amount of resources in Trust and Safety, especially for a startup, and we are always looking to improve," Ruoti said. "We are reviewing the report now and we will take action to adjust our controls if that's appropriate based on what the report found."

A Character.AI spokesperson also told Mashable that labeling certain sexual interactions with chatbots as "grooming" was a "harmful misnomer," because these exchanges don't occur between two human beings.

Character.AI does have parental controls and safety measures in place for users younger than 18. Ruoti said that among its various guardrails, the platform limits under-18 users to a narrower collection of chatbots, and that filters work to remove those related to sensitive or mature topics.

Ruoti also said that the report ignored the fact that the platform's chatbots are meant for entertainment, including "creative fan fiction and fictional roleplay."

Dr. Jenny Radesky, a developmental behavioral pediatrician and media researcher at the University of Michigan Medical School, reviewed the conversation material and expressed deep concern over the findings: "When an AI companion is instantly accessible, with no boundaries or morals, we get the types of user-indulgent interactions captured in this report: AI companions who are always available (even needy), always on the user's side, not pushing back when the user says something hateful, while undermining other relationships by encouraging behaviors like lying to parents."

The Federal Trade Commission and Utah ordered Pornhub to pay $5 million penalty to the state for allegedly "deceiving" users about its efforts to restrict child sex abuse material (CSAM) and non-consensual material (NCM) from its site, the FTC announced today.

In a press release, the FTC and Utah claimed that Pornhub and its parent company, Aylo (formerly MindGeek), didn't do enough to remove the illegal content from its website.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub copies TikTok with a feature fit for goonscrolling

In December 2020, Pornhub banned downloads and unverified uploads in the aftermath of a New York Times op-ed about CSAM and NCM posted to the popular porn tube site. The complaint alleges, among other complaints, that Aylo didn't conduct audits of CSAM and NCM until that same year, when credit card processors threatened to cut off their services (some later did after the Times piece). According to internal documents from the company reviewed by the New York Times, Pornhub didn't remove content flagged by users until it reached 16 flags, and didn't ban individuals who uploaded illegal content.

The FTC and Utah also allege that Aylo didn't protect models' privacy and security. Anyone who now appears in a video uploaded to Pornhub must be verified, and to do so, you need to upload personal information like government IDs to a third-party vendor. The complaint claims that Aylo didn't disclose that this personal data would be obtained from the vendor and retained.

In addition to the fine, the FTC and Utah are requiring Aylo to implement a program to "prevent the publication or dissemination of CSAM and NCM content." Aylo is also required to remove content uploaded prior to this program until Aylo verifies performers' ages. Pornhub previously deleted all unverified videos after the Times op-ed in December 2020. Additionally, they're requiring Aylo to implement a system to verify those who appear in videos and provide consent; this system already exists.

Aylo must post a notice on Pornhub informing users about the complaint's allegations and implement a comprehensive privacy and security program.

"Pornhub's operators turned a blind eye to the proliferation of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children on its sites so it could profit off this exploitation," said director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, Christopher Mufarrige, in the press release. "Under the order we're announcing today, Pornhub's operators will be required to take concrete steps to block this harmful content and ensure that those who appear in videos on their sites are consenting adults."

According to 404 Media, the complaint against Pornhub focuses mostly on pre-2020 content. An Aylo representative reiterated this in a statement to Mashable, and said that it has taken "proactive measures to protect its users and platforms and to prevent the publication of illegal material on Aylo sites," including mandatory verification and proof of consent.

"The resolution reached involved enhancements to existing measures but did not introduce any new substantive requirements that were not either already in place or in progress. This settlement resolves the investigation and underscores Aylo's commitment to robust safety protocols that should be applied broadly across all websites publishing user generated content," Aylo stated.

"Aylo supports vigorous enforcement against CSAM and NCM, and encourages the FTC and Utah DCP [Division of Consumer Protection] to extend their initiative to protect the public across the broader internet, adult and mainstream, fostering a safer online environment for everyone. Throughout the investigation, Aylo worked to cooperatively resolve the concerns raised by the FTC and Utah DCP."

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access help online 24/7 by visiting RAINN online.

Polar started teasing its Polar Loop wearable back in June. Like the similar-looking Whoop fitness tracker, the idea was simple: a fitness tracker you can wear 24/7 but without the constant distractions of various buzzes, beeps, and notifications. After all, who needs another screen?

Now, the brand has formally announced the Polar Loop, which differs from the Whoop in one critical way — it doesn't require a monthly subscription.

Unlike the Oura ring, Whoop, and other fitness trackers, the Polar Loop promises to deliver health, fitness, and sleep monitoring without any annoying monthly fees.

Credit: Polar Credit: Polar SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs. Whoop: A fight of the best fitness trackers

Polar says that its new tracker can keep tabs on your heart rate, sleep, and daily activity while remaining incognito on your wrist. You can instead check your stats from the smartphone app. Of course, the list of available features is less than you’d find in a subscription-based fitness tracker system, but some folks like it simple. 

This is a relatively new product category with a few competitors, but not many. Amazefit came out with its Helio Strap, and of course, there are the Whoop bands that have swiftly popularized the trend of screen-less fitness trackers. Smart rings have also stepped into this space of having your stats tracked in the background while you focus on other things. Garmin has also dipped its toes into the mix with the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, which does the sleep part but not the fitness stuff.

The Loop comes in three colors, including Night Black, Greige Sand (beige), and Brown Cooper. It is available for pre-order on Polar’s website for $199.99. The company is also offering replaceable wristbands for $29.99 that come in the aforementioned colors, along with Ocean Blue as a fourth color option.

Opens in a new window Credit: Polar Polar Loop $199.99 at Polar
Pre-order Here

SAVE $20: As of Sept. 3, get the Google TV Streamer 4K for $79.99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual price of $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google TV Streamer 4K $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If you're planning on spending some quality time in front of the TV this fall, you should make sure you've got all the tools you need to make it a fun and cozy experience. That includes ensuring you have a simple and easy way to stream all your favorite shows and movies, and that includes a streaming device that can help you do that. One great option is the Google TV Streamer 4K, on sale for a great price right now at Amazon.

As of Sept. 3, get the Google TV Streamer 4K for $79.99, down from its usual price of $99.99 at Amazon. That's $20 off and a discount of 20% on list price.

SEE ALSO: Score a streaming upgrade with the Fire TV Cube — now $40 off at Amazon

This is one of Google's most attractive streaming devices, with a sleek design that can fit into any decor situation. It also works well alongside the rest of the Google ecosystem, if you have any of the company's other smart devices like smart home hubs and speakers.

It has 32GB of storage and is 22% faster than the previous Google streaming devices, and comes with a voice remote so you can simply speak aloud what you'd like to do or watch, including altering your TV's volume or changing channels. Beyond that, it can essentially turn any TV into a streaming hub, where you can choose from a variety of built-in apps, watch live TV, and check out over 800 free streaming channels.

With Dolby Atmos compatibility, great sound, and ease of use that only devices like Google or Roku streamers can provide, this streaming device is well worth the price, especially on sale. Grab it while it's still down to this discounted price.

SAVE OVER $800: As of Sept. 3, the Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,697.99 at Amazon. This is 32% off its list price of $2,499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 100-Inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K UHD TV (2025) $1,697.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $802.00 Get Deal

If you've been hoping to invest in a massive new TV for your home, there are thankfully still some excellent deals available after Labor Day. Amazon has been offering quite a few deals that are worth a look, including this stellar discount on the Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV.

Its back to its best-ever price right now, so why not upgrade ahead of NFL kickoff?

The Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV is usually listed for $2,499.99, you can score a whopping $802 off right now. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price, but who knows how much longer this deal will last past Labor Day. Get the Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV for $1697.99 at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: TCL's version of The Frame is 50% off for Labor Day — get the 65-inch NXTVISION TV for under $1,000

The 100-inch size of this Hisense TV is sure to make your movie nights or TV show marathons feel like they're happening in a movie theater. They'll be made even better thanks to this TV's impressive picture quality, too. Featuring 4K resolution and QLED Color, every detail on screen will come across crisp, clear, and colorful. This is further bolstered with Dolby Vision HDR imaging on top of Dolby Atmos sound, which will truly immerse you in whatever you're watching. If you're a gamer, the Native 144Hz Panel will also provide you with a smooth experience as you play through your favorite games at high frame rates.

If this has caught your eye, now is the time to grab the Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV back at its lowest-ever price. And if you're looking for more TV deals post-Labor Day, or maybe a slightly smaller TV, you can still save on the Samsung 55-Inch QLED Q8F 4K TV right now at Amazon.

TL;DR: Unlock over 1,200 hidden Mac features with a lifetime subscription to MacPilot, on sale for $29.97 with code MAC10 until Sept. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: MacPilot MacPilot: Lifetime License $29.97
$99 Save $69.03 Get Deal

Are you tired of having to purchase the latest MacBook to enjoy new features? What if there was a way to tap into a world of untapped Mac power? MacPilot can unlock over 1,200 features and customization options all in one simple app. No coding or Reddit research required. For a limited time, you can grab a lifetime license to MacPilot for only $29.97 with code MAC10. 

With MacPilot, advanced customization options are only one app away. Utilizing Apple’s familiar Macintosh user interface, you can display hidden files, mute that loud startup chime, change screenshot file formats, and add spacers or stacks to the Dock. 

SEE ALSO: The best Labor Day Apple deals: Best-ever prices on iPads, MacBooks, and AirPods

Whatever you dream up, MacPilot can turn it into reality — within reason, of course. This software makes customizing your laptop accessible. No command line tools, complicated file operations, or computer science degrees necessary. 

If you’re interested in more of that tech jargon, use this software to run deep system maintenance tools and receive a thorough system profile that tells you everything you need to know about your Mac, from RAM speed to your serial number. 

With a lifetime subscription, you’ll receive all future updates on up to three Mac devices, so you can continue to enjoy modern features without the hefty price tag. You can save your latest MacBook from trade-in just a little longer.

If you’re ready to tailor your digital workspace into something that’s designed for you, now’s the time to make a move.

This MacPilot Lifetime Subscription is on sale for a limited time for only $29.97 (reg. $99) with code MAC10 until Sept. 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

On Wednesday, Garmin announced its new flagship smartwatch, the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, which arrives with some groundbreaking features, including a first-of-its-kind microLED display. Conveniently announced just days before Apple’s launch event, Garmin's latest wearable is designed for hardcore outdoor athletes, and it comes with a hardcore price tag. 

The Fenix 8 Pro comes in two models. The first features an AMOLED display and comes in 47mm and 51mm sizes, priced at $1,199.99 and $1,299.99, respectively. Opt for the model with the microLED display (which comes in 51mm only) and the price goes up to $1,999.99.

The new Garmin smartwatches have 24/7 health and fitness tracking. Credit: Garmin The Fenix 8 Pro comes with features designed for serious outdoor athletes. Credit: Garmin

Garmin makes some of the most rugged smartwatches on the market, including some of our favorite fitness trackers, and the Fenix 8 Pro seems ready-made to compete with the soon-to-be-released Apple Watch Ultra 3. (Apple's new Ultra wearable is also rumored to have a microLED display.)

The Garmin's microLED display is pretty impressive. It’s comprised of more than 400,000 LEDs, which gives it a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits. That makes it the brightest smartwatch display on the market by a fairly wide margin. For reference, the Apple Watch Series 10 features a 2,000 nit display, and the Galaxy Watch 8 sports a 3,000 nit display. Like other Garmin smartwatches, it also sports an LED flashlight, also handy for hikers and outdoor athletes.

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro has an on-board flashlight. Credit: Garmin

Among other things, the biggest draw for the Fenix 8 Pro is its connectivity. Per Garmin, the smartwatches will feature a mix of satellite and cellular connectivity. That, combined with Garmin’s inReach technology, will allow watch owners to summon emergency services, communicate via Garmin’s Messenger app, and even send their location to other Garmin inReach users. Voice calls are also possible, although the other person has to be using a Garmin inReach-compatible device as well. 

This brings smartwatch owners another step closer to being able to leave the smartphone at home while hiking. The cellular connectivity isn’t quite as good as the latest offerings from Samsung and Apple, but the inclusion of satellite connection definitely helps when out in the wilderness, where cell towers are much less abundant. 

The sensors on the Fenix 8 Pro. Credit: Garmin The Fenix 8 Pro has satellite and cellular connectivity. Credit: Garmin

For emergencies, the watch sends a signal to Garmin’s Response Center, which will then assist in rescue efforts. The inReach system is a subscription service that starts at $7.99 per month. The new Fenix 8 Pro watches are available on Garmin’s website and will be available starting Sept. 8, just one day before Apple’s launch event. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, 47mm, AMOLED $1,199.99 at Garmin
Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, 51mm, microLED $1,999.99 at Garmin
Learn More

Celebrate this coming Valentine's Day with Emerald Fennell's steamy adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.

SEE ALSO: 'Saltburn's most WTF moments: From the bathtub to the grave to 'Murder on the Dancefloor'

For her third feature, the Academy Award–winning Saltburn and Promising Young Woman writer-director joins forces with two of the most buzzworthy stars in Hollywood: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. They play Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, the passionate couple at the heart of Brontë's classic. And from the looks of the film's teaser trailer, Fennell is more than ready to embrace that passion, perhaps even upping the ante on the onscreen desire that shocked, awed, and sometimes even disgusted Saltburn viewers.

That passion is on display in a wide array of sensual imagery throughout the teaser: Cathy fixates on a shirtless Heathcliff and sticks her fingers in his mouth. Heathcliff cuts Cathy's dress off and confesses, "I can follow you like a dog to the end of the world." Plus, there's more bread kneading and runny egg yolk fondling than a horny chef TikTok. (Viewers of an early test screening described the film as "aggressively provocative," World of Reel reported. Bring it on.)

Of course, there's a darker undertone to this passion, with the film's taglines "Drive Me Mad" and "Come Undone" hinting at the tragedy to come.

The entire teaser is soundtracked by Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek's "Everything is romantic" remix from Brat and it's completely different but also still brat. The song choice hints at Charli XCX's larger involvement in Wuthering Heights, as she's written original songs for the film.

Wuthering Heights also stars Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, and Ewan Mitchell.

Wuthering Heights hits theaters Feb. 14.

SAVE 21%: As of Sept. 3, you can get the 16-inch Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Copilot+ (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDS) for $1,349.99, down from $1,699.99. That's a 21% discount and a $350 saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Copilot+ $1,349.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $350 Get Deal

The school year has started, and for many, that means upgrading outdated tech to fit the demands of whatever new academic (and creative) challenges the semester has in store. Luckily, most of Amazon’s Labor Day discounts are still available, so you can snag a new laptop, headphones, and other tech essentials at a fraction of the list price.

If you're looking for a deal on a powerful 2-in-1 laptop, this one's for you. As of Sept. 3, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Copilot+ (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDS) for $1,349.99, down from $1,699.99. That's a 21% discount and a $350 saving. It's also the lowest price we've tracked on this model to date.

SEE ALSO: The 6 best laptops under $500: Back-to-school edition

This AI-powered laptop is built for performance. It's stacked with a next-gen Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor, an Intel Arc GPU, and a dedicated NPU that chew through demanding tasks without a problem. Everything pops on the Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, thanks to its wide color gamut and super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It also includes the S Pen, giving you the precision to sketch out your next big idea.

Save over $300 on the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Copilot at Amazon.

We're not far away from the Full Moon, which is the next phase of the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Sept. 3.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Sept. 3, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, and 80% will be lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Tonight, even without any visual aids, you can spot the Mare Imbrium, Kepler Crater, and Mare Vaporum. With binoculars, try to catch the Clavius and Gassendi craters, along with the Mare Frigoris. If you have a telescope, you’ll be able to glimpse features like the Apollo 12 and Apollo 15 landing sites, as well as Gruithuisen Domes, two large volcanic peaks that NASA has called a "geologic mystery".

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Instagram has, mercifully, made an iPad app some 15 years after both the tablet and social media site launched.

You can download the app now, and there are some significant differences between the iPhone and iPad experience. Most notably, the iPad app takes users directly to Reels. It makes some sense, considering you might prefer to watch video content on a bigger screen.

Other features will feel more familiar, like Stories appearing atop your screen. There's also a following tab that'll let you peruse through posts from the folks who matter most. In our initial scrolling, the app works best in a portrait orientation, as that's how Instagram content is meant to be viewed.

The new Instagram iPad app opens directly on Reels. Credit: Screenshot: Timothy Beck Werth / Instagram The Following tab. Credit: Screenshot: Timothy Beck Werth / Instagram

Instagram wrote in a press release that it also optimized the iPad experience by keeping the bigger screen in mind.

It wrote:

"When designing Instagram for iPad, we wanted to take advantage of the bigger screen to give people more features with fewer taps, while keeping it simple. We’ve made it easier to catch up on your messages and notifications with layouts that display both tabs. When you watch reels, you can expand the comments while the reel stays at full size, making it easy to catch up on the best reactions without missing a moment."

Credit: Meta

Instagram finally launching an iPad app is a big change-in-tune. CEO Adam Mosseri wrote on X in 2022 that an iPad app was "not a big enough group of people to be a priority" and that the company was "hoping to get to it at some point."

With more than 1.6 billion global visits across its 80 domain names over the last year, Streameast was easily the world's most popular illegal sports streaming platform.

On Wednesday, however — just in time for the NFL season — Streameast suddenly shut down, just as the anti-piracy group Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) announced that Streameast was no more.

“Today, ACE scored a resounding victory in its fight to detect, deter, and dismantle criminal perpetrators of digital piracy: by taking down the largest illegal live sports platform anywhere,” ACE Chairman Charles Rivki said in a statement. “With this landmark action, we have put more points on the board for sports leagues, entertainment companies, and fans worldwide—and our global alliance will stay on the field as long as it takes to identify and target the biggest piracy rings across the globe.”

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According to ACE, the group worked in tandem with Egyptian authorities to take down the piracy network. Two men were linked to more than $6 million in illicit revenue from the illegal pirating and were arrested on related copyright infringement charges.

Streameast was a popular sports streaming network of sites that provided visitors with free streaming access to live games, which are often paywalled behind a legal subscription service. The piracy network was an especially popular destination for professional soccer matches around the world, ranging from Europe’s biggest leagues, like England’s Premier League and Spain’s La Liga, to FIFA World Cup qualifiers and UEFA club competitions.

Streameast also provided streams to popular U.S. sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and more. Pay-per-views events like boxing and MMA events were also streamed on the platform.

While Streameast is no longer running on its main domain names, mirror websites and copycats were quickly deployed, and the sports piracy network appears to be running on alternative domains for the time being.

However, Mashable readers can find out how to watch sports online (including college football and out-of-market NFL games) on legal services like ESPN and Fox One.

Meanwhile, sports fans who were counting on Streameast to stream their favorite teams' games this fall are in mourning.

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Apple fans only have a few more days to wait for the Apple Event 2025, aka the official launch of the iPhone 17, which is slated for Sept. 9. Typically, Apple also uses this event to launch other products as well. For instance, last year’s event featured the iPhone 16, the Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more. That will likely remain true this year as well, but not everything in Apple’s rumored pipeline is set to make its debut next week. 

Before we get started, let’s recap the stuff we expect to see at Apple’s release event this year. That includes the iPhone 17, the Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and likely the AirPods Pro 3. For these Apple September launch events, the company typically sticks to the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, but there are a few other products expected in 2025 that could sneak their way into the event. 

However, there are even more new Apple products we’re not expecting to see at the event, either because Apple will have a separate event for them later in 2025 or because they won’t be available until 2026.

The next iPhone ‘e’ model

Apple replaced the iPhone SE with the iPhone ‘e’ model phones starting with the iPhone 16e. While it is nice to see Apple treating its affordable iPhone with the same deference as the main models, we don't think Apple will launch the next ‘e’ iPhone alongside the iPhone 17. There are several reasons for this, but in short, the next affordable iPhone will almost certainly be in absentia come Sept. 9. 

The main reason for this is that Apple typically saves those releases for spring, and this dates back to the iPhone SE models. Apple’s first SE model was launched in March 2016, and the second and third generations were launched in April 2020 and March 2022, respectively. Apple continued this trend with the iPhone 16e, which was launched in February 2025. It seems likely that an iPhone 17e is coming next year, per Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. 

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

Apple is reportedly working on several new Mac products, including an M4 Mac Pro and, of course, Mac computers with the upcoming M5 chip that Apple is no doubt working on. Generally speaking, Apple saves its Mac announcements for a separate event that usually takes place in either October or May, depending on the product and the launch. So, if you need a new MacBook laptop, you still have some time to wait. 

Those announcements may even have to wait until 2026. The upcoming MacBook Pro with an M5 chip is rumored to be delayed until 2026, along with several other products. Thus, in short, we won’t see any new Mac products at the iPhone launch next week, and we may not see some of them until 2026 at all. The M4 Mac Pro might still come out before the end of 2026, though. 

New iPads

Much like the Mac products, Apple generally saves new iPad announcements for other events, usually alongside the Mac products. In the recent past, Apple has saved iPad announcements for springtime, and we have no reason to believe Apple will stray from tradition and announce any early with the iPhone 17. 

Per Gurman, Apple is definitely saving its iPad announcements for early 2026. The products may include a new low-end iPad, new iPads with M4 chips, and the aforementioned iPhone 17e as part of a “flurry of new products” landing in the first half of next year. In any case, don’t expect any iPads at the September Apple Event 2025.

New AirPods Max

The AirPods Pro 3 are on the docket for an announcement (we think), but the AirPods Max aren’t. The first generation is already pretty old, at around five years, and it seems the next generation of the AirPods Max is still pretty far out. Apple is keeping the next generation under wraps until 2027, per MacRumors, which is very, very far away from next week. 

The update will be a welcome one. Rumor suggests that the next generation will be lighter, introduce new technology like heart rate monitoring, and updated internals. Apple did refresh the AirPods Max last year, but the refresh only added new color options and a USB-C port, so they’re still widely considered a first-generation product. 

Any HomePod products

Apple has a couple of these in the works, including a HomePad smart home hub and the HomePod mini 2. It’s improbable that we’ll see either at the September Apple event, although not impossible. Apple is expected to release the HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K device by the end of 2025, and they’re small enough products that they may sneak into the iPhone event. However, it’s more likely that Apple will announce these at a separate event along with the new Macs. 

The HomePod smart home hub may have to wait even longer for a launch date. Reports claim that Apple has delayed its Google Nest Hub competitor until 2026. Initially, the launch was pushed back to the end of 2025, but more recent reports indicate that Apple wants to wait until 2026 to better prepare Apple Intelligence. So, it’s unlikely that we’ll see any HomePod products on September 9.

The next Apple Vision Pro

Rumors about the Apple Vision Pro have been ramping up in recent months as Apple aims to release a refreshed model of the Vision Pro before the end of 2025. This refresh will include the M5 chip and improved comfort. That coincides with the upcoming VisionOS 26 update, which should be released in autumn 2025. Apple is reportedly also working on the Vision Air, but we don't think that's coming until 2027 at the earliest. 

It is highly unlikely that this piece of tech will launch with the iPhone lineup. Since the refresh is coming with an M5 chip, it’s much more likely that it’ll launch with the rest of the M5 products that Apple has coming down the pipeline. Since those aren’t launching with the iPhone, we’ll likely see the refreshed Vision Pro later in 2025. 

Still, if we're lucky, Apple may tease some of these products next week.

The launch event is mostly about the mobile stuff

Apple usually keeps its products grouped up, and as we said earlier, the iPhone event usually only includes the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods products (and this year, probably the AirTag 2). So, if it’s not in the mobile product category, chances are that you won’t see it launch next week.

Frankly, the Nintendo 64's Goldeneye: 007 has spent the last three decades running cover for a long line of middling-to-bad James Bond video games.

Whether in mediocre pseudo-sequels that bore the Goldeneye name or other half-hearted offshoots, the world's favorite British special operative has starred in far more bad video games than good ones. Everything or Nothing from 2004 gets a pass because it's a pretty fun third-person action game where Willem Dafoe plays the bad guy, but that's the only exception to the rule.

Anyway, I say all of that because 007: First Light from IO Interactive (makers of Hitman) looks like the most compelling virtual vision of the famed MI6 agent since Goldeneye. I got to see about half an hour's worth of hands-off demo footage last week and came away a lot more excited about the game than I was after the initial trailer, which didn't feature nearly enough espionage for my taste.

007: First Light looks like Hitman but with sweet car chases

When IO announced it was making a Bond game a few years ago, the consensus reaction from basically everyone I associate with was, "Oh, hell yeah, that's perfect." That's because the Hitman series plays to Bond's strengths better than almost any other, giving players a huge amount of freedom to sneak around big, detailed levels full of NPCs whose AI you can manipulate in fun ways.

The only difference (and it's a big one) is that Hitman is about stone-cold slapstick murder, while Bond kills dudes in far more pragmatic and less Bugs Bunny-esque ways. That's why the first gameplay trailer didn't quite land with me; it just kinda looked like British Uncharted, with lots of setpieces and third-person shooting.

I'm pleased to say that the extended demo I saw (but sadly didn't play) made it clear that this is definitely a game by the people who made Hitman. The demo featured Bond sneaking into a high-class fancy-guys-in-suits party at some scenic villa (a likely place for Bond to be) using a variety of creative methods to get past guards. Bond can't don disguises with the same level of freedom as Agent 47, so instead, distraction appears to be key to success. At one point, Bond turned on a garden hose so a guard would leave his post to turn it off, picked up a lighter, and lit some hay on fire so another guard nearby would leave his post, all so Bond could climb into a window.

IO is promising a good mix of these kinds of sprawling, open-ended Hitman-esque levels interspersed with exciting Bond action stuff, which made up the other chunk of the demo. Car chases and cover-based third-person shooting seem like pretty standard fare here (though it looked like a lot of fun), but there was also a part where Bond used his fancy gadget watch to hack into a cargo plane he infiltrated mid-takeoff. At that point, Bond could actually steer the plane left or right while engaging in a shootout in the cargo hold, sending crates and enemy combatants careening around the place in a really goofy manner.

If 007: First Light actually manages to combine that Hitman freeform stealth goodness with awesome setpiece moments without either side of the game getting old, it could very well be the best Bond game in decades. The competition isn't stiff, of course, but you can only play the opponent in front of you, as they say in sports. There are other elements of the game I'm not sure about, such as the James Bond origin story premise featuring an original, younger version of the agent. It also remains to be seen if the actual driving and shooting mechanics are any good, as engaging in gunfights in Hitman was never especially fun.

But, if we have to live in a world where Amazon owns James Bond, a world that will probably include a lot of mediocre Bond movies full of ads for Prime Air, I'll take what I can get.

At the time of writing, Apple’s big iPhone event is just around the corner — a week away, give or take, depending on when you’re reading this. And while most of the hype is centered on the iPhone 17 and the new Liquid Glass UI coming with iOS 26, the Apple Watch will also be a supporting player during the big show.

In fact, we're expecting to see three new smartwatches make their debut at the Apple event on Sept. 9 — the Apple Watch Series 11, the Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Not to sound like a broken record, but as with the iPhone 17 (and the Series 11), we're expecting incremental upgrades, not a drastic redesign. That’s not to say we won't see anything new, but temper your expectations for the $800 smartwatch. Here’s everything we know so far, and everything we think we know.

SEE ALSO: 3 features we hope Apple brings to the iPhone 17 Apple Watch Ultra 3: Price

Let's start with the good news: As hinted above, the Ultra 3 is expected to stick to last year’s $799 starting price. That's still a steep buy-in, even for Apple’s top-tier wearable, but in the tariffs era, a lot of products are getting more expensive.

Like the Series 11 and iPhone 17, we think the Ultra 3 will be announced on Sept. 9, with preorders likely kicking off around Sept. 12. Early adopters can have it on their wrists as early as Sept. 19.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Design and Display

According to MacRumors, the Ultra 3 is expected to sport a larger display — roughly 10 percent bigger than the Ultra 2. Measuring in at 2.12 inches, the new screen may also mark a shift away from OLED, with Apple reportedly testing more energy-efficient options like microLED or wide-angle LTPO panels.

There are also rumblings of an onboard camera, a feature that popped up in our Series 11 rumor roundup as well. If it makes the cut this year, the camera would sit on the side of the case near the digital crown. Don’t expect it to replace your iPhone, though. As Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman notes, the feature would likely serve more for AI-driven visual analysis than snapping Instagram-ready photos.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Hardware

A new Ultra also means a new chip. After two years, the Ultra 3 will finally get an upgrade with Apple’s latest S11 processor. The Ultra 2 ran on the S9, while the Series 10 jumped to an S10, but this year Apple is aligning the lineup — the Series 11, Ultra 3, and the rumored SE 3 are all rumored to ship with the updated S11.

That said, don’t get your hopes up too high. While it’s technically a new processor, MacRumors reports that leaks suggest the S11 shares much of the same internal architecture as the S9 and S10. It’s still a solid chip for a smartwatch, but in terms of real-world performance, the gains are expected to be modest at best.

The Ultra 3 is also expected to feature a larger charging coil, which should help extend battery life. Combined with the new energy-efficient display, CNET reports that the watch could last up to 72 hours in low power mode — a major boost for adventurers and endurance users.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: New watchOS 26 features

One of the standout upgrades, according to Mark Gurman, will be satellite messaging. The Ultra 3 is tipped to be the first Apple wearable capable of dispatching emergency texts via the Globalstar satellite network. That means even if you’re completely off the grid without cell service, you could still get a lifeline out. (Garmin recently announced its own flagship smartwatch with satellite connectivity, set to be released Sept. 8, the day before the Apple event.)

There are also rumors of built-in blood pressure monitoring, a feature that could provide early warnings for users at risk of hypertension. Beyond that, expect the Ultra 3 to carry over much of what the Ultra 2 already offered — with the notable addition of 5G connectivity baked directly into the watch.

As many people know, screen time can happen in the unlikeliest of places — including the bathroom. But a new study suggests there's more risk involved in scrolling there than just a filthier phone.

The research, published Wednesday in PLOS One, found an association between smartphone use on the toilet and a higher risk of hemorrhoids. (If you're currently reading this while relieving yourself, we won't be offended if you set your device aside until you're done.)

Prior to conducting the study, the researchers had anecdotal observations that toilet scrolling might contribute to hemorrhoids but no evidence linking the two.

SEE ALSO: Stop scrolling so much. Try these rituals instead.

To address the question, the researchers designed a cross-sectional survey of 125 adult colonoscopy patients ages 45 and older. More than 40 percent of those patients had hemorrhoids, according to imaging reviewed as part of their colonoscopy results. Among all the respondents, more than two-thirds used a smartphone while on the toilet.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the people who scrolled in the bathroom reported spending significantly more time there than those who didn't — more than five minutes per visit.

When the researchers controlled for different factors that could affect the development of hemorrhoids, like age, sex, exercise, fiber intake, and straining, they found that smartphone use on the toilet was associated with a 46 percent increased risk of experiencing the painful condition.

While the study didn't establish a direct cause and effect between toilet scrolling and hemorrhoids, co-author Dr. Trisha Pasricha told Mashable that it should draw more attention to an understudied possibility. According to Pasricha, who is a physician and director of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Institute for Gut-Brain Research, this study is the first to examine the question.

Pasricha noted that just as experts increasingly tell people not to bring their smartphone to their bedside when they're trying to sleep because it can interfere with their well-being, the same could be done for toilet scrolling.

"I think we should start pushing more strongly to say, 'Leave your smartphone outside the bathroom.'"

Why people scroll on the toilet — and how to stop

More than half of study participants said their most common scrolling activity was reading the news. Forty-four percent said they were viewing social media.

Pasricha, who treats patients with hemorrhoids, said she understands why people pick up their phones on the toilet. The habit can relax some individuals, which helps them have a bowel movement.

Reading analog texts like newspapers and books has long been a bathroom pastime, for example. But Pasricha said smartphones facilitate endless scrolling, which can lead to trouble.

"The smartphone is not the answer, because that's kind of designed to make you lose all track of time and lose focus," Pasricha said.

She added that when the body's pelvic floor is sitting over a bowl, without support for an extended period of time, it could potentially accelerate weakening of the connective tissue around the veins in the rectum. When those veins bulge, they can subsequently become hemorrhoids.

If reading in the bathroom relaxes you enough to have a bowel movement, Pasricha recommends going "old school" with paper-based reading materials, like a newspaper, magazine, or comic book.

She also urges people who think they have hemorrhoids to see a medical professional sooner than later. The condition needs to be evaluated by a physician to ensure that it's indeed a hemorrhoid, and not a skin tag or cancerous growth.

"People do suffer in silence, because it's embarrassing, there's some stigma to it," Pasricha said. "I think it's often a big shame when it's something we can treat so easily."

Walmart is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Walmart+ membership program with a new perk for subscribers called "Video Streaming Choice." Starting Sept. 15, Walmart+ members will get nonconcurrent access to ad-supported Paramount+ and Peacock plans for free.

The new benefit positions Walmart+ as a stronger alternative to Amazon Prime, which includes access to the retail giant's Prime Video streaming platform on top of free delivery. (A Walmart+ membership costs $98 per year after its free 30-day trial, while Prime is $139 per year after a monthlong trial.) Amazon also offers add-on subscriptions to services like Apple TV+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and, most recently, Peacock Premium Plus via Prime Video.

Walmart's announcement comes as Amazon moves to restrict Prime's free two-day shipping perk.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ $98/year Learn More

The big-box store originally introduced complimentary Paramount+ Essential plans (normally $59.99 per year) as a member benefit around its two-year anniversary in September 2022. With annual Peacock Premium subscriptions valued at $109.99 per year, its annual membership fee can now pay for itself and then some.

“The additional option of Peacock Premium adds even more value and more choice to our membership, without raising the price,” said Deepak Maini, senior vice president of Walmart+, in a press release.

Walmart+ members are only allowed to use one of the two streaming services at any given time, but can switch every 90 days if they tire of one library's offerings.

In addition to those free streaming offerings, a Walmart+ membership unlocks additional benefits like free shipping (with no order minimums), fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's Black Friday sale, among other major savings events throughout the year. If you can wait a couple of weeks, Walmart+ memberships are usually 50% off during the holidays.