Mashable

Syndicate content
Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
URL: https://mashable.com
Updated: 5 hours 33 min ago

Apple shelves cheaper Vision Pro to focus on smart glasses, report says

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 20:12

We all know the problem with the Apple Vision Pro: It's too expensive. Now, Apple is deprioritizing a more affordable follow-up to the futuristic VR headset to focus on Meta Ray-Ban-style smart glasses, a new report says.

According to Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple has apparently moved employees off its Vision Pro redo in order to focus its teams on producing a competitor to Meta's smart glasses.

The cheaper Vision Pro was penciled in for a 2027 launch, and is not to be confused with the Apple Vision Pro 2, which is a separate, slightly upgraded version of the existing Vision Pro headset. The Vision Pro 2 is still on track for launch next year, we think.

However, Apple had also reportedly been working on the more affordable and lightweight version of the Apple Vision Pro after sales of its $3,499 AR/VR headset plummeted following its launch early last year.

While a major change to the company's Vision Pro plans shouldn't be too shocking, Apple's shift to focus on smart glasses is certainly a noteworthy development. Currently, Samsung, Google, Meta, Amazon, and a host of ambitious startups are racing to release new smart glasses, and we've known for awhile now that Apple is working on its own smart glasses, too.

SEE ALSO: Apple has an incredibly ambitious roadmap for smart glasses and headsets, report claims

Gurman reports that Apple has two separate smart glasses products in the works, one with a display integrated in the device and another without a display that pairs with a user's iPhone.

Apple is aiming to launch its display-less smart glasses model, internally known as N50, as soon as next year, Gurman predicts. This model was originally slated for a 2027 release before Apple's shift. Apple was looking at 2028 release for the smart glass model with a display but that targeted release period may move up too, Gurman's reprort says.

Apple's smart glasses would heavily feature AI and voice interaction. The company is currently rebuilding Siri to be more of an AI-powered voice assistant in-line with similar products like ChatGPT from OpenAI. Apple's smart glasses will also come with various styling options and include built-in speakers and cameras. The device will also run off of a brand new chip from Apple. The company is expected to continue to integrate its health-tracking technologies within the smart glasses too.

Meta has found some success with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, so Apple is playing catchup with some of its rivals. However, Apple has been in this position before with countless other products. Just look at the iPhone, which debuted in 2007, long after other mobile phone companies had become giants in the space.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What is pudding mit gabel? German pudding with fork trend is inspiring IRL meetups

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 19:44

Somehow, my TikTok FYP has been overtaken by German young people, seemingly hundreds at a time, eating pudding with a fork in public spaces. Welcome to the new trend: pudding mit gabel, which translates into English as, you guessed it, "pudding with a fork."

Mind you, I am neither German nor am I particularly fond of pudding. My knowledge of the German language stops at "guten tag." And yet, all over my timeline, there are people speaking German and eating pudding. (To be fair, I liked a single video — mostly in a WTF way — which likely sparked the shift in my algorithm.)

SEE ALSO: Geese are taking over TikTok (the band, not the birds)

But the thing is, this is not niche content. There are scores of videos from these meetups, some of which have racked up millions of likes on TikTok. And these meetups tend to attract a lot of people. Here, take a look:

Strange, right? But kind of weirdly sweet, too? It's cool to see people doing anything together with such joy in 2025.

But there's still a lot that's left to explain about how and why this has happened.

What is the "pudding mit gabel" or "pudding with a fork" trend? And how did it start?

Again, overall, this trend doesn't involve much more than eating pudding with a fork with a bunch of other people. That's the trend. That's it. From what the videos show, there is typically a large group of people, all armed with a single-serve pudding and a fork. There is often a countdown, followed by some rhythmic, celebratory tapping of fork-to-lid — and then people eat. It's a strange, fun trend that's mostly lived on the German side of the internet.

There are certainly lots of articles about it in German-language outlets. It's spread to different German and Austrian cities like Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, and Vienna.

So...who started the "pudding mit gabel" trend? In short: It's completely unclear. It's more of a movement than a single person's work. AI translations of German articles suggested it started in the German town of Karlsruher, spurred on by specific meme pages for each city as it spread. That's often the case with trends; they sort of just appear, and the momentum takes on a life of its own.

View this post on Instagram

It's more interesting to consider why this is a trend. Absurd times birth absurd trends, and things are pretty strange out there right now.

At the risk of sounding like an Old Man, we live in a disconnected time. German meme pages spark an absurd trend — eating decadent, spoonable food with a fork in parks with friends — because we're all craving connection.

It's hard to get folks together to just sit in a park. But make it something strange, make it a trend, and people will show up just to be there. Remember the time a Philly mab ate a rotisserie chicken and went super viral, with crowds packing in to watch the feat? Or the time people mobbed New York City streets for a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest? Or how about all the Instagrammable foods that inspire massive IRL lines? The internet loves taking weird online stuff into the real world.

It just so happens that young German people, somehow, decided on pudding with a fork. And, yes, if you were wondering, it seems the trend could be coming stateside. A person posted about an NYC pudding-with-a-fork meetup in Central Park, and it racked up hundreds of thousands of views. There appears to be interest in organizing U.S. meetups on Reddit pages, too.

So yes, "pudding mit gabel" is a distinctly German trend, but it could be international very soon. And you know what: Sure, why not?

Categories: IT General, Technology

We tracked down 11 of the best iPad deals live ahead of October Prime Day

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 19:18
Best iPad deals ahead of October Prime Day Best iPad deal Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $319 (save $30) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $537 $599 (save $62) $537 (save $62) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) $899 (save $100) Get Deal

Whether you're an artist in search of a multi-tasking tablet or an avid reader who wants more functionality than your standard e-reader might offer, iPads can serve a multitude of functions.

They are, however, not the cheapest tablets on the market, which is why waiting for a sale like next week's Prime Big Deal Days (otherwise known as October Prime Day) has a certain strategic appeal. However, if you don't want to wait for the two-day sale's official Oct. 7 kick-off, checking out early deals is always an option.

As of Oct. 2, iPad deals are just OK — while just last week, plenty of the Apple tablets were down to record-low prices, most have jumped back up to more modest discounts. With that in mind, we've gathered up the best deals so far, but if you were hoping for steeper price cuts, we recommend checking back — we'll be updating this list up to and through Prime Big Deal Days.

Best iPad deal Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $299 at Walmart
$349 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

When it comes to iPads, there are plenty of options to choose from, but sometimes sticking to the basics makes the most sense. The A16 iPad is nothing flashy, but it's an excellent budget option that still has enough juice to power you through taking notes, watching your favorite shows, and reading books and articles. While we don't necessarily recommend it for anyone who wants their tablet to double up as a laptop, it'll more than do the job for most tablet-oriented everyday tasks.

While this isn't the best discount we've seen on this model, it's comparatively better than the other iPad deals available, helped out by its lower full price.

iPad dealsiPad Air dealsiPad Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ of the best Samsung deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 18:30
The best October Prime Day Samsung deals at a glance: Best phone deal Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (256GB, Unlocked) $949.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, WiFi) $429.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best monitor deal Samsung 49-inch G93SC Odyssey OLED curved gaming monitor $879.99 (save $720) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 65-Inch LS01D The Serif QLED 4K TV $1,333.16 (save $571.36 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day — formally known as Prime Big Deal Days — kicks off next week, but Samsung deals are getting a head start. This is hardly surprising, as Samsung is one of the brands we regularly see big discounts on during major shopping events.

So far, we're mainly seeing deals on Samsung Galaxy phones, Galaxy tablets, gaming monitors, and TVs, but stay tuned as the Prime shopping extravaganza grows near. We're sure to see price cuts on even more Samsung gadgets in the coming days. We'll particularly be keeping an eye out for discounts on the Z Fold7 and Galaxy Ring.

Check out the best Samsung deals live ahead of the official October Prime Day event below — and check back for more when the event begins on Oct. 7.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best early October Prime Day Samsung deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (256GB, unlocked) $949.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $150 Get Deal Why we like it

Anyone looking to upgrade their phone this fall is in luck: the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, the smaller of Samsung's latest foldables, is $150 off at Amazon. While the phone could drop even more in price, we think this early discount is already worth grabbing. It features a new cover display that goes edge-to-edge at 4.1 inches — the largest external display on a flip-style phone to date — plus a new 120Hz refresh rate, the ability to interact with AI features without opening the phone, and the ability to use the camera to show things to the onboard AI. "The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the flex you think it is," Mashable's reviewer writes.

Check out our full review of the Galaxy Z Flip7.

More Prime Big Deal Days Samsung deals Samsung Galaxy phone dealsSamsung Galaxy tablet dealsSamsung monitor dealsSamsung TV dealsMore Samsung deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Report: Samsungs Project Moohan headset will launch very soon

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 18:28

Samsung's next big product launch could be very soon.

A new report from Korean outlet ChosunBiz (via TechAdvisor) indicates that Samsung's upcoming Project Moohan XR headset will begin pre-order registrations on Oct. 15, with its official launch occurring a week later on Oct. 22. Per TechAdvisor, the device could retail for anywhere between $1,800 and $2,900 in the U.S., so don't expect it to be an entry-level XR device for people who are merely curious about the concept. It seems like it will very much be an enthusiast device for early adopters (and an alternative to the Apple Vision Pro).

We do have some insight into the potential specs thanks to leaks from outlets like Upload VR and Android Headlines. Rumors point to a headset with 1.3-inch Micro-OLED panels boasting 3552×3840 resolution, or the equivalent of 13.64 million pixels per eye — nearly two million more than the Vision Pro and leagues ahead of the Quest 3’s 4.56 million.

SEE ALSO: Swollen Samsung Galaxy Ring battery reportedly leads to hospital visit

There is some potentially bad news for anyone who counts themselves among that crowd. Namely, there's no guarantee at this time that the device launches globally this month, and previous rumors indicated it would land in Korea first. We don't know this one way or another yet, but it's very possible that Samsung launches it in Korea and other parts of Asia first, and in the West later. We'll likely find out in the coming weeks.

Samsung first teased Project Moohan back in January, and there have been other reports of the headset potentially launching in October. Brace yourself, folks.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everything you need to know about Threads new communities feature

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 18:00

Threads just introduced a new feature that makes watching live events feel way more connected.

Communities on Threads are "public, casual spaces where you can exchange unique perspectives and join conversations about topics like basketball, TV, and more," the social media site wrote in a blog post on Thursday.

Right now, the company is testing threads globally with the most active interests on Threads, including the NBA, the WNBA, TV Threads, and KPOP Threads. To join a community, simply search for it in the top right corner. If the category is a community, it will allow you to join by clicking "Join" in the top right corner — an easy tell is if there's a three-dot icon on a topic tag. To find your joined communities, click the hamburger menu in the top left of the app and it'll be added to your feeds.

SEE ALSO: Who is actually using Threads? Threads introduces communities Credit: Meta Threads

Each community gets its own custom Like emoji, which are, admittedly, cute. When you like a post on the Book Threads community, for instance, you'll see a stack of books; WNBA Threads is a basketball; AI is a lightbulb; KPop is a hand heart emoji. For now, it looks like you have to join the Threads community in order to see the custom emoji.

Not every interest has a community just yet, but Threads said there are "already over 100 to explore, with more coming soon." Threads said in their blog post that standout community contributors — users who "are among the most active and engaged users on the app and have helped establish communities around the most popular discussion topics" will receive special badges. Plus, the site said it is "working on ranking within communities and the For You feed so that you see the most relevant posts first."

View on Threads

This update shouldn't come as a complete shock. A few days ago, Social Media Today reported that some Threads users were invited to use the feature in beta before it launched, including As @rayofsuunshine and David Rushing, aka @yorush. In a post on Threads, Rushing said he's "really digging Communities on Threads" because "posts in the community feed stay on topic" which "makes it way easier to find relevant posts during live events — like primetime NBA games."

In response to Rushing's post, Adam Mosseri, the "head of Instagram and supporter of Threads," posted that while there is "still a lot of work to do" he's "really excited about communities on Threads."

Personally, I just wish we had communities when Liberty played the Mercury last month.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best early Prime Day board game deals are here to spice up game nights

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 17:23
The best Prime Day board game deals Best board game deal Scrabble $8.69 (Save $13.30) Get Deal Best kids' board game deal Don't Break the Ice $9.99 (Save $7) Get Deal Best family board game deal Ticket to Ride $49.99 (Save $5) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day event is right around the corner, taking place on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. You'll be able to save big across categories that span the entire site, with discounts available on both days that you won't want to miss. But if you're looking to score some deals now, you don't have to wait, especially when it comes to board games.

There are a slew of early Prime Day deals on board games you can pick up right now, so if you've been looking for ways to level up your family game night or feel like getting into the hobby without putting up too much cash, now's a great time to do it and save on games like Scrabble, Twister, and much more.

We're tracking some of the best Prime Day board game deals below, so be sure to check back as we update the list with the newest sale prices that drop as Prime Day arrives.

Best Prime Day board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Scrabble $8.69 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $13.30 Get Deal Why we like it

Scrabble is one of the most popular word games on the market, and for good reason. It's easy to learn but difficult to master, even if you have a large vocabulary. The classic crossword game gives you seven letter tiles randomly drawn at the beginning of the game that you use to place on the board to build words. Once the first word is down, players continue to build on those in place, using certain letter tiles that offer higher scores to see who can achieve the highest-scoring words. It's a race to see who can use up all of their tiles and score high, but also a challenge for even the most talented wordsmiths due to letter availability. Anyone can play, and getting Scrabble for less than $10 is a steal.

More board game deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Some of the Home Depots giant Halloween decorations are on sale — including Skellys new pets

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 16:18

SAVE UP TO $100: Several items from the Home Depot's 2025 Halloween collection are on sale for up to 25% off as of Oct. 2.

Quick links: 5 ft. Long Grave & Bones LED Skelly's Cat $149 (save $50) Get Deal 5 ft. Grave & Bones Skelly's Sitting Dog with LifeEyes $199 (save $50) Get Deal 15 ft. Gruesome Grounds Giant-Sized Animated LED Worricrow $299 (save $100) Get Deal 15 ft. Grave & Bones Giant-Sized Animated LED Gally-Crow $299 (save $100) Get Deal 8 ft. Wide Gruesome Grounds Giant-Sized Color Changing Animated LED Wyvern $299 (save $100) Get Deal 3.5 ft. Animated LED Scarred Chucky Doll $199 ($30) Get Deal

Waiting for the Home Depot's halloween decorations to go on sale is a risky game. The home improvement retailer's spooky-season props are so popular that they often sell out well before October. (In 2024, I watched four of them sell out online within an hour and a half of their July launch. Now that's scary.)

This year, patient shoppers have been rewarded. As of Oct. 2, several marquee items from the Home Depot's 2025 Halloween collection are on sale for up to 25% off.

That includes the five-foot Skelly's Cat and Skelly's Sitting Dog, two new pets designed to sit alongside the Home Depot's iconic 12-foot skeleton ("Skelly"), which are both $50 off. A couple other giants, the 15-foot Worricrow and Gallicrow — creepier versions of a classic scarecrow — are both $100 off. That's a match of their Labor Day discounts, for reference.

An eight-foot Animated Wyvern with motion activation and color-changing lights is also enjoying a $100 markdown. Rounding out the roster is a 3.5-foot Scarred Chucky Doll that's $30 off.

SEE ALSO: Is the Home Depot's viral 12-foot skeleton a victim of President Trump's tariffs?

With 414 units still available for delivery at the time of writing, the Worricrow is the most at risk of selling out online. There were 562 Skelly's Cats, 561 Skelly's Dogs, 737 Galli-Crows, 716 Wyverns, and 711 Scarred Chucky Dolls left around 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 2.

Skelly itself isn't on sale, but it was still in stock at the time of writing... barely. Only 20 units were available for delivery the last time I checked. If it sells out online, you might be able to find it available at a Home Depot store near you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Uber is showing its showgirl spirit with special deals for Swifties

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 16:04

SAVE 12%: To celebrate Taylor Swift's twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl dropping on Oct. 3, Uber is offering 12% off orange-colored items through Uber Eats and $12 off Uber Comfort rides with the code SHOWBIZ. The promo is valid through Oct. 5.

Opens in a new window Credit: Uber Uber Eats Save 12% on orange items Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Uber Uber Comfort Save 12% on rides using code SHOWBIZ Get Deal

We're mere hours away from Taylor Swift's twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl release and Uber is getting into the showgirl spirit with a few promotions for Swifties. While the album drops on Oct. 3, these promos run through the weekend, so listen up ladies and gents.

Save 12% on orange-colored items on Uber Eats

First up, Uber Eats has curated a collection of goodies in the quintessential showgirl orange. Users can save 12% on these goodies through Sunday, Oct. 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Items include everything from snacks to beauty products to pet accessories. The orange era collection will vary by location, but just to give you an idea, items available near me include orange Poppi, Lay's cheddar and sour cream potato chips, orange Nike running shoes, orange crafting beads for friendship bracelets, peach OPI nail polish, orange pet collars and leashes, orange Owala reusable cups, and more.

Save $12 on Uber Comfort rides

Whether you're hitting up an album release party at a local record shop or dive bar, heading to the movie theater for a screening, or just celebrating the album with some friends, you can ride in luxury with up to $12 off Uber Comfort rides. Uber Comfort offers newer vehicles to riders with roomier interiors, because as the company wrote in its press release, "showgirls deserve extra room and a flawless arrival.” User the code SHOWBIZ to knock up to $12 off your ride. This promotion is valid from Thursday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. ET through Sunday, Oct. 5 at 12:01 a.m. ET, so you're covered if you don't plan on celebrating until later in the weekend. The code is only valid for one ride per user on Uber Comfort and Uber Comfort Electric.

Stay tuned for more showgirl surprises

Uber is truly dedicated to the showgirl spirit this week and plans to drop more festive promos, in-app surprises, and even a chance to adopt a "showcat" in select cities. The company encourages Swifties to keep an eye on their Uber and Uber Eats apps all week for more ways to celebrate.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Game Pass Ultimate price hike more than you want to pay? How to cancel or downgrade

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:52

If you're unhappy with Microsoft, you're not the only one.

The company behind the Xbox brand has raised a lot of ire in recent months for a lot of different reasons. It's a priority target for the BDS movement, there have been mass layoffs, and Xbox in general has had a hard time actually releasing new games that people want to play amidst all of that. And now, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $30/mo, a 50 percent price increase from what it used to be.

If you want to cancel or downgrade your subscription for any of the reasons above, here's how.

SEE ALSO: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is about to cost more — here's how to lock in a better price Xbox Game Pass price hike: How to cancel or downgrade your subscription

Helpfully, Microsoft has support pages on its website for all of this. You can cancel or downgrade your Game Pass subscription from either an Xbox console or a web browser. Here's how you do it on a console:

  1. Press the Xbox button

  2. Go to Profile & System

  3. Go to Settings

  4. Go to Account

  5. Go to Subscription

  6. Select "Cancel Subscription" or "Change Subscription"

If you want to do it on a web browser instead, here's how:

  1. Go to Microsoft's Subscriptions website and log in

  2. Find your subscription and select "Manage"

  3. Select either "Cancel Subscription" if you want to cancel, or "Turn off recurring billing" if you want to downgrade

If you're trying to downgrade, after you turn off recurring billing, you should see a section that gives you other, cheaper subscription options. Pick the one that's best for you and go with God, as they say.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save over $30 on the Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter set at Amazon before October Prime Day

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:36

SAVE OVER $30: As of Oct. 2, the Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter set is on sale at Amazon for $133.99. This is $31 (19%) off its list price of $164.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter $133.99 at Amazon
$164.99 Save $31 Get Deal

Ahead of its next big sale event, Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon has quite a selection of early Lego deals to look through. If you're a fan, it's a great time to shop for sets. One of our favorite deals to cross our radar before the October Prime Day sale is on the Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter set, which is over $30 off at the moment.

More specifically, the Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter set has received a $31 discount that's dropped it's price from $164.99 to $133.99. This price is also very close to its lowest-ever price of $131.95, so if you've been waiting for a good time to get it now is as good a time as any.

SEE ALSO: Target announced dates for its fall Target Circle Week. Duh, it's during Prime Day.

The Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter set is a great pick-up for Dune fans. Its 1,369 pieces come together to create a Lego version of the Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter, complete with wings that fold out and flap and landing gear that can be deployed. It even comes with eight minifigures: Paul Atreides, Lady Jessica, Gurney Halleck, Chani, Leto Atreides, Liet Kynes, Duncan Idaho, and Baron Harkonnen.

This set is also recommended for those aged 18 and up, but if you know a younger fan who really wants to build it, just give them a hand in the process. Who knows how much longer it'll stay down at this price, so be quick to grab the Lego Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter set for $133.99 at Amazon.

Alongside Lego sets being discounted, there are plenty more early deals to check out right now at Amazon. Have a look at our breakdown of 30+ early deals to shop now to see what else is available at the moment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet just got an early Prime Day deal - get it for its lowest price this year

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:33

SAVE $45: As of Oct. 2, the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet is on sale for $54.99 at Amazon. That's a 45% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

If you're impatiently waiting for a Prime Day bargain, wait no more. While the official event doesn't kick off until Oct. 7, you can grab a whole range of early Prime Day deals right now. Everything from fitness trackers to TVs and Fire tablets have already been reduced, and this new price on the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet is hard to beat.

As of Oct. 2, this tablet is now at its lowest price all year. With $45 off the list price, you can now take it home for just $54.99. This price is for the 32GB model, and you can choose between black, emerald, or hibiscus colors.

This tablet is a great option, especially for the new low price. It has an 8-inch HD display that's perfect for watching movies, scrolling social media, and gaming. It even has a 5MP rear camera, so it's good for snapping pictures too.

The battery life promises to last up to 13 hours, so it's ideal for all-day use. It also comes with three handy smart tools to help you perfect your emails, summarize webpages, or even create custom wallpapers. Alexa is built in too, so you can ask it to play music, check the weather, manage your shopping list, or even control your smart home devices like a robot vacuum or light bulbs.

Get this tablet deal from the Amazon website.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get salon-perfect hair with the Shark FlexStyle at its lowest price yet

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:24

SAVE $120: As of Oct. 2, get the Shark FlexStyle for $279.99, down from its usual price of $399.99. That's a discount of 30% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark FlexStyle $279.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $120 Get Deal

Looking for a quick and easy way to get salon-quality hair at home? You don't have to go all-out on something from Dyson or buy all the latest and greatest shampoos and conditioners. There's a more affordable option from Shark, which you can get ahead of Prime Day at a great price right now.

As of Sep. 25, get the Shark FlexStyle for $279.99, down from its usual price of $399.99. That's $120 off and a discount of 30%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Skip the salon with the Shark FlexStyle for its lowest price yet

This multi-styling tool comes packed with multiple different attachments that let you work with any type of hair. Whether you've got curly, straight, or wavy hair, it can help you volumize, smooth, dry, and style your hair no matter your needs. It's compact, light, and can provide low-heat styling while regulating temperatures 1,000x per second.

Mashable's Bethany Allard was impressed with the FlexStyle after reviewing it, praising it as"100 percent worth it": "Admittedly, I am someone who would much rather put more effort into their makeup than hair, but I found myself wanting to style my hair more often with the FlexStyle," she wrote.

There's no reason you have to stick to paying for expensive hair appointments every time you want a fresh blowout. Grab this Shark FlexStyle while it's on sale and have a good hair day every day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why Pornhub wont be blocked in Ohio

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:23

Ohio's age-verification laws went into effect on September 30. But despite what you might read on Reddit, Pornhub is staying put in the Buckeye State.

Age-verification laws vary across states but typically require a visitor to a site that hosts explicit content to verify their age, beyond simply checking a box indicating they're over 18. In Ohio's in particular, any site that contains "any material or performance that is obscene or harmful to juveniles" must verify visitors' ages using one's photo ID or public or private data — like mortgage, educational, and employment records.

SEE ALSO: Porn censorship is going to destroy the entire internet

In many states where age-verification laws have been enacted, the tube site Pornhub has blocked itself due to the burden of complying with these laws. But Pornhub isn't blocked in Ohio, its owner Aylo told Mashable, nor has it enabled age verification measures.

Unlike other state laws in places where Pornhub removed itself, Ohio's law states that establishing age verification methods doesn't apply to a provider of an interactive computer service (under section 1349.10).

"As a provider of an 'interactive computer service' as defined under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, it is our understanding that we are not subject to the obligations under section 1349.10 of the Ohio Revised Code regarding mandated age verification for the 'interactive computer services' we provide, such as Pornhub," Aylo told Mashable in a statement.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 states that platforms aren't liable for content that users upload onto them.

Aylo goes on to state that it has publicly supported age verification for users for years. "However, we believe that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults."

"Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and failing to meet these basic requirements," it goes on. It then advocates, as it has for years, for device-level filters in order to stop minors from accessing explicit content.

This summer, Pornhub announced that it will comply with the UK's Online Safety Act, its own version of age verification. Such laws have swept the U.S. and abroad (despite experts telling Mashable they don't work and will result in broader censorship), with Pornhub blocking itself in France due to its law as well.

While Pornhub is blocked from many states, Ohioans will be able to access it for the foreseeable future.

Categories: IT General, Technology

YouTuber takes blowtorch to iPhone Air

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:13

YouTuber JerryRigEverything dubbed the iPhone Air a "ridiculously strong phone" — so much so that he needed a blowtorch to finish a disassembly.

JerryRigEverything famously breaks electronic devices to show viewers the guts of their favorite phones. His most recent video focuses on the Air, and if you've never seen a phone get blowtorched, well, I recommend it. It's pretty neat and a necessary step for removing a titanium exterior strip from the interior parts of the phone.

SEE ALSO: Review: The new iPhone Air is the sexiest iPhone I've ever tested

It's nearly hypnotizing to see the titanium turn bright orange as the torch keeps piling on the heat.

Breaking a phone by accident is never fun. But watching somebody do it on purpose? That's a great time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Drive will now detect ransomware with help from AI

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 15:10

Unfortunately, ransomware has become more and more prevalent in recent years. According to cybersecurity firm Mandiant, ransomware accounted for 21 percent of the intrusion incidents last year. The fact that it's been a growing issue means that it's been working out for hackers and other bad actors. They've been making millions off of ransomware.

But, Google's newest feature is hoping to deal with the ransomware problem by helping users stop its spread and detect it before the problem gets worse. The search giant has announced that it has begun rolling out an AI-powered feature for Google Drive for desktop that detects ransomware, stops the affected files from syncing, and allows the user to easily restore any altered files.

Google Drive for desktop is available for both Windows and Mac and the tool is available for both versions of the app. A commercial Google Workspace subscription is required for the ransomware detection tool. 

Credit: Google

Ransomware works by locking computer files, usually through encryption, from the infected user. The bad actors then extort money out of the victim in exchange for unlocking the files.

In a post, Google explains how ransomware has mostly been dealt as an antivirus issue. While it's obviously important to stop ransomware before the initial infection takes place, Google came up with a solution for when that first layer of protection has been breached.

According to Google, the company has trained AI on millions of ransomware attack samples to notice identifiers that a file is being altered maliciously. The new AI-powered tool is able to then detect a ransomware's attempt to encrypt or corrupt files and intervenes by pausing the files from syncing. As Google describes it, the tool puts a "protective bubble around a user's files." 

The ransomware detection tool in Google Drive for desktop works automatically. Once ransomware is detected, the tool will also automatically pause the syncing of affected files. Users will then receive a desktop and email notification informing them of the ransomware and guide them through the steps to take to restore their affected files.

The role of Google Drive for desktop's tool is to stop the spread of the affected files to other users and devices within an organization. The purpose of ransomware is for bad actors to extort users for monetary gain in exchange for access to their files. If the Google Drive for desktop tool enables users to restore the affected files to their previous state, then the bad actors have failed, even if the ransomware infects a device.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on October 2

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 14:44

We're nearly at the full moon, which means it's getting bigger each night.

The lunar cycle is a 29.5-day cycle of eight distinct phases of the moon. According to NASA, these phases happen as the Sun lights up different portions of the moon while it orbits Earth.

Keep reading to find out what you can spot in the night sky tonight, October 2.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Oct. 2, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, and according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 75% of its surface is illuminated tonight.

There's more than half of the moon illuminated tonight, with lots to see. With your naked eye, you'll be able to see the Mare Imbrium, the Mare Serenitatis, and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars, you can also see the Archimedes Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Alps Mountains. Grab a telescope to see even more, with the Apollo 14 and Apollo 11 landing spots also in view.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the moon’s phases are part of its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. As the moon moves, the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth shift, creating the changing phases we see. From our perspective, the moon sometimes appears full, sometimes seems to vanish completely, but we always see the same side. What changes is how much sunlight is reflected off its surface, depending on its position in 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Boses new QuietComfort Ultra headphones are available now: Heres what we think of them so far

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 14:30

Bose did something right when it named its QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

The first generation of the premium over-ear headphones have held the title of Mashable's favorite noise-cancelling headphones basically since their release, and for good reason — they're ultra comfortable and great at keeping the surrounding environment quiet. See? Aptly named.

As one of Mashable's headphones reviewers, I was naturally very curious when the second generation of the QuietComfort Ultra headphones was announced. Though I've only had the chance to use them for about a day and a half, in honor of their launch day this Oct. 2, I wanted to share my initial thoughts on trying these headphones out.

(As always, a disclaimer that my opinion is subject to change as I spend more time with the headphones.)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen) $449 at Amazon
Shop Now Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) design upgrades

Though my testing period is relatively limited, I can't help but feel like I know what to expect from these headphones, likely because they don't feel that different from the previous generation.

SEE ALSO: Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn

Design-wise, they're basically identical, with the same on-ear controls and placement, folding ear cups, and plush padding on the ears that makes them feel comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time — even as I wore earrings and glasses. The main design difference is in the available colors: while there are fewer options upon launch, the midnight violet and driftwood sand colorways feel unique compared to Bose's extensive colorways and options from other brands.

How the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones sound

Sound and noise cancellation-wise, I haven't had the chance to test them side by side with the first-gen headphones just yet (but will provide an update as soon as I do).

That said, these headphones definitely perform on the high end of the spectrum in both categories. Bose's companion app equalizer is a little more simplistic than Sony's, providing fewer presets and options for playing around with specific settings, but it's still serviceable. Plus, the out-of-the-box sound delivers, both with and without spatial audio.

Yes, they still sound great. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

As for their noise cancellation, Bose headphones have long provided some of the best ANC, and while I haven't put these headphones through the wringer yet, I'm feeling confident about their initial showing. Even with the best ANC headphones, you can typically detect some degree of white noise when you're not playing any audio, even if it's minimal. With these Bose headphones, I could barely tell the noise-cancelling was on in the best way possible — the world just felt quieter, without the assistance of a hiss.

The surprisingly big upgrades

While Bose does note that the adaptive ANC has improved on these headphones, so far, I find myself feeling possibly more excited about the wired playback options and improved battery life.

One of my bigger gripes with the first gen of these headphones was that their comfort, great ANC, and foldable ear cups made them a great option for travel. However, their so-so battery life and lack of passive playback (the ability to use the aux cord and play lossless audio without the headphones powered on) felt like oversights, so I'm pleased to see that rectified with the second generation.

Passive playback finally arrives to the QC Ultras. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

In addition to passive playback, the new QC Ultras also offer USB-C headphones (though I've found the headphones do have to be powered on for it to work). The battery life is undeniably better, with an increase from 24 to 30 hours (putting them on par with the Sony WH-1000XM6 and XM5 headphones).

Overall, they feel like much improved headphones for travel over their previous gen, thanks to the adjustable noise cancellation, improved battery life, passive playback capability, and USB-C playback.

Is there room for improvement?

Bose headphones can have some issues with multipoint pairing — on several occasions, when testing them with more than one device paired, the audio stream will cut in and out. For $449, I expect way more out of my headphones. So far, I haven't had that experience with these headphones, which is encouraging, but it'll be something I look out for as I continue to test them.

I do wish the equalizer and sound profile in general had received a bigger upgrade — though both were already great, a new generation of headphones should sound noticeably improved. Still, I'm hesitant to knock Bose too much here — it's not as if it's the only brand keeping things relatively consistent from generation to generation.

Are the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones worth it?

If you already own the first-gen Ultras, I feel pretty comfortable already saying that these aren't so different as to be a must-upgrade.

At $449, these headphones aren't cheap, so really deliberating whether or not to invest makes sense, especially with more and more worthwhile mid-range and budget models on the market. Still, for premium headphones, their pricing is on par with the competition — the Sony XM6 headphones are $449, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones are $449, and the Apple AirPods Max are $549.

Plus, the comfort of these headphones, combined with the spatial audio features, adjustable ANC, and overall experience, does feel like it firmly belongs in the premium price tier. So far, they seem like a promising option.

Where to buy the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones

If you're ready to check out the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, you can find them available as of Oct. 2 at the following retailers:

Where to buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen) Amazon Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen) $449 Shop Now Best Buy Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen) $449 Shop Now Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen) $449 Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

Early Nintendo Switch deals worth grabbing ahead of October Prime Day

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 14:25

October Prime Day (also known as Prime Big Deal Days) is nearly here, starting on Oct. 7 and 8, but that doesn’t mean you need to wait for the official sale to bag a Nintendo Switch bargain. 

As with most big sales, the retailer has already rolled out a batch of early Prime Day deals on Amazon, and Nintendo Switch fans in particular have plenty to get excited about.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

From discounts on must-play titles, old and new, to deals on consoles and accessories that can make gaming on the go a little easier, there’s already a healthy selection available. So, whether you’re hoping to top up your game library, pick up a spare controller, or even grab a Switch console itself, now’s a great time to take a look.

We’ve pulled together some of the standout Nintendo Switch deals live at Amazon right now, all ahead of October Prime Day. More discounts are sure to follow once the sale event officially gets underway, and we’ll keep updating this list as fresh offers appear.

Best Nintendo Switch deal Opens in a new window Credit: SEGA Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut - Nintendo Switch 2 $37.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $12 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to dive into Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on the Nintendo Switch 2, this price cut is exactly that. Marked down to $37 from $49.99, it’s the cheapest we’ve seen it so far, making it one of the best-value third-party titles currently on the system.

It’s also a surprisingly sharp price drop, considering this new Switch 2 version of Yakuza 0 only launched in early June.

As a prequel to the long-running series, Yakuza 0 plunges you into the seedy underworld of late-’80s Japan, switching between the perspectives of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in a crime drama that’s as stylish as it is brutal. Already a fantastically fun game to begin with, the Director’s Cut layers in new cutscenes and expanded story details, offering fresh insight into its central characters, while combat gives you three unique fighting styles to swap between on the fly.

There’s even a new online mode, Red Light Raid, which lets you join forces with friends to take on wave-based enemy encounters. 

The only real caveat is that the physical version uses Nintendo’s Game-Key Card system, meaning you’ll be downloading rather than slotting in a full cartridge. Still, at this discount,

More Nintendo Switch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

These 11 early Prime Day gaming deals are wild and available now

Thu, 10/02/2025 - 14:05

Prime Big Deal Days, the new October Amazon Prime Day sale event arriving on Oct. 7 and 8, is already building momentum with some sweet gaming deals that players can grab right now. 

While there are some great early deals at Amazon across all categories, games across PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S platforms have scored fantastic bargains to stock up your backlog with. 

Among a mix of very recent releases and those that have come out over the last few years, you’ll either find modern gems that have rarely gone down in price, fun adventures that have had so much taken off that they’re at an all-time low, or RPGs that will give you hundreds of hours of content for the time you’ve put in.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

Ahead of Amazon Prime Day starting on Oct. 7, we’ve assembled the top 10 gaming deals across all three major console platforms so far. If the main event adds in some offers that are even better, we’ll immediately be updating this list accordingly. 

In the meantime, our best gaming deals so far before Prime Day is an RPG with so much money taken off, it feels ridiculous.

Best gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: SEGA Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 $20 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $49.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re catching up on long RPGs that have come out over the years, being able to grab the amazing Persona 3 Reload for only $20 — 71% off its launch price — is the best gaming deal Amazon has going right now, ahead of the Prime Day sale. 

Launched in February 2024, this fantastic remake of the already great Persona 3 from 2006 has been a must-buy for fans of the long-running franchise and RPG fans alike. With its upgraded visuals and music remade from the ground up, enhanced turn-based & social-sim mechanics, and new voice-acting performed by a stellar cast, the original’s incredible story — about a group of high schoolers wielding titular Personas to battle Shadows and solve the mysterious Dark Hour — plays better than ever. 

Thankfully, I’m not alone in my praise, as Mashable eventually declared Persona 3 Reload as one of the best games of 2024 at the time. 

Persona games are especially known for their longer lengths amongst role-playing games, and P3R is no different, with a 70-hour minimum playtime to beat the campaign, with at least 100 hours required for completionists. For only $20 to buy the game physically on PS5, that’s at most 28 cents per hour for an incredible game. 

As shown through its pricing history on price tracker CamelCamelCamel, this particular game will likely go back to its higher price of $69.99 once stock allocation for the $20 sale price runs out. 

Persona 3 Reload is also available on Xbox Series X for $35.16, and its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 port is available to pre-order for $59.99, making this sale on the PS5 version the best cost-effective way to play it if you own all consoles. 

More gaming deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker