Mashable

It's almost the New Moon and each night the moon is becoming less visible, marking the end of its current cycle before it starts to grow brighter again. This lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, moving from New Moon to Full Moon and back as the Moon orbits Earth.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Oct. 16, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 22% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's a little less visibility tonight, but there's something to see. You won't need any visual aids to see the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Binoculars will aid you in seeing the Mare Humorum, Grimaldi Basin, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With a telescope, you'll also see the Reiner Gamma, a lunar swirl on the moon's surface, as well as the Schiller Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.

The eight main moon phases are:

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. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last 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.

YouTube services are seemingly down as of Wednesday evening. Fortunately, the video streaming platform reports that it's now back up and running.

Shortly after 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, users reported encountering playback errors, according to Downdetector and Google Trends data. YouTube acknowledged the outage shortly after 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, addressing it on its official X account. The post also directed users toward its community page for ongoing updates.

"We're aware that some of you are experiencing issues watching videos on YouTube right now," wrote Google spokesperson Dwight Harvey. "We're investigating the issue and will update the thread here with the latest. Really appreciate your patience."

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

YouTube subsequently reported that the issue had been fixed around an hour and a half after it first went down.

"Confirming this is resolved across all YouTube services," wrote Harvey. "Thanks again for your patience!"

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

It's still unclear exactly what caused the outage, however both Downdetector data and YouTube's statements indicated that it impacted YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV. It's also unclear exactly how many people were affected, though people across multiple countries reported having issues according to Downdetector.

(Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable.)

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.

SAVE $35.01: As of Oct. 15, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98, down from its usual price of $349.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 10%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $314.98 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $35.01   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, you've got options. Sure, an Apple Watch might be the cream of the crop for iPhone users, but for everyone else on Android, Samsung's Galaxy Watch line is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you can get one at a discount.

As of Oct. 15, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98, down from its usual price of $349.99 at Amazon. That's $35.01 off and a discount of 10%.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best smartwatches of 2025 include some surprises

This watch, with its "squircle" screen design, comes with a wide suite of fitness-tracking features, sleep coaching, and personal assistant options. It has a thinner silhouette and build than the previous Galaxy Watch, and its overhauled design is meant to help you better interface with your day and what's happening.

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is one of our favorite smartwatches. Reviewer Adam Doud scored it a 4.6 out of 5 and gave it our Mashable Choice Award. Doud praised its "bright display, attractive build, and smart health features" in his evaluation.

"I really like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, despite the battery life," Doud reflected. "I love the classy look, the software is really tight, and the Google Gemini integration is a big perk."

Pick it up at a discount if you want a new smartwatch or an upgrade over your last Galaxy Watch.

Best Advent calendars on sale at Amazon Best Lego Advent Calendar Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $31.49 (save $13.50) Get Deal Best Pokémon Advent calendar Pocket Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Holiday Countdown Calendar $44.99 (save $5) Get Deal Best art and crafts Advent calendar Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar $16.99 (save $8) Get Deal Best Advent calendar for young kids Bluey Amazon-Exclusive Advent Calendar $21.99 (save $3) Get Deal Best Advent calendar for the tea lover Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar $21.62 (save $2.37) Get Deal

We haven't quite hit Halloween yet, but it's time to start thinking about the December holidays and, in particular, an item you should consider buying now: an Advent calendar. Each year, the best selection of these fun holiday calendars sell out, which means it's wise not to procrastinate. Plus, we've found plenty of great options that are on sale at Amazon. In stock and on sale? You know what to do. Here are some of our favorite picks.

Best Lego Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $31.49 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $13.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego Advent calendars are always a hit, and this year's Star Wars calendar is a fantastic option for fans of all ages. All of the favorite characters are here, and some have donned their best holiday outfits to celebrate 24 days of mini-builds. The possibility that the 2025 Star Wars Lego calendar will sell out is high, so snag this deal soon to make sure you're ready for the fun come Dec. 1. You can also grab it on sale at Walmart for $31.49, if Amazon is not your thing.

Best Pokémon Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Pop! Pocket Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Holiday Countdown Calendar $44.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $5   Get Deal Why we like it

From the Funko Pop! brand, the Pocket Pop! Pokémon calendar is another great option for both young and old(er) fans. Each of the 24 days features a collectible vinyl mini-figure that'll be a fun addition to your desk, the bookshelf, or your basket of Pokémon toys.

Best arts and crafts advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar $16.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $8   Get Deal Why we like it

Keep the little ones busy this holiday season with the Play-Doh Advent Calendar designed for ages three and up. Each of the 24 days features both a Play-Doh color and one tool for a daily crafting session. The stampers and cutters follow fun holiday themes so kids can whip up cookies for Santa, hot chocolate, candy canes, and plenty more.

Best Bluey Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Bluey Bluey Amazon Exclusive Advent Calendar $21.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $3   Get Deal Why we like it

Our beloved Bluey wouldn't miss out on the holiday fun, and the Amazon-exclusive Bluey Advent Calendar is a great way to kick off the season. The 24 days include items like stickers, accessories, a mini Christmas tree, and plenty more. Rewatch the Bluey Christmas episodes, which make opening these the ultimate celebration.

Best Advent calendar for the tea lover Opens in a new window Credit: Pukka Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar $21.62 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $2.37   Get Deal Why we like it

What better way to ring in the holiday season than with relaxing organic tea? The Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar is packed with 24 sachets of both black and green teas with great winter flavors like mint, ginger, and chai. There are also calming night-time teas for evenings at the fireplace.

More Advent calendars on sale at Amazon:

• Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Chocolate Candy Advent Calendar — $12.48 $14.49 (save $2.01)

• Lego Friends Advent Calendar 2025 (42668) — $25.49 $34.99 (save $9.50)

• Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar 2025 (21280) — $26.94 $44.99 (save $18.05)

• Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar — $27.88 $29.99 (save $2.11)

• Lego City Advent Calendar 2025 (60475) — $29.99 $34.99 (save $5)

• Playmobil Junior Advent Calendar: Snowy Christmas — $32.04 $34.99 (save $2.95)

• Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 (43273) — $38 $44.99 (save $6.99)

• Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 (76456) — $38.99 $44.99 (save $6)

TL;DR: Stay warm and entertained with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro — thousands of retro games, 4K streaming, and plug-and-play simplicity for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02   Get Deal

If you’re not thrilled about the cold setting in, here’s a reason to look forward to staying inside: the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is just $89.97 (MSRP $159.99) with free shipping. It’s part retro gaming console, part modern streaming device — and 100 percent nostalgia trip.

This little powerhouse comes pre-loaded with thousands of retro and 3D games, spanning consoles you grew up with and a few you probably forgot existed. Built with a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-G31MP2 GPU, it runs everything from classic pixel art titles to modern Android apps with silky-smooth performance and crisp 4K visuals.

But this isn’t just for solo gamers — grab a friend, sync up the included controllers, and make it a full-blown living-room event. The dual operating systems (Android 9.0 for streaming and EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming) mean you can switch from a round of Street Fighter II to Netflix in seconds.

What you’ll get:

• Dual systems in one console: Android 9.0 + EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming and streaming

• 60+ emulators and thousands of pre-installed games

• Expandable storage via microSD

• 4K HD output with dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity

• 2 wireless controllers, remote, and 256GB game card included

Winter entertainment problem: solved.

Get the Super Console X2 Pro while it’s on sale with free shipping for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

HUNTR/X stans, rejoice! The KPop Demon Hunters sing-along is returning to movie theaters, so you'll have a shot to watch the film somewhere other than your couch, couch, couch.

The sing-along, which slayed the box office during its original Aug. run, will be back in movie theaters from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Given its Halloween release, there's no better time to show off your HUNTR/X or Saja Boys cosplays.

SEE ALSO: 5 takeaways from 'KPop Demon Hunters' sing-along experience

Tickets for the sing-along go on sale Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. ET. The sing-along will be showing in the U.S. and Canada, along with international locations including the UK, Ireland, Korea, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.

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

The re-release of the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along is further proof of the film's dominance across pop culture this year. KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix's most streamed movie of all time, while its soundtrack soared to the top of the charts. Eternal earworm "Golden" even hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

KPop Demon Hunters' success has translated to other media as well, earning it a Fortnite collab and an entire Saturday Night Live sketch. Following the sketch, the singing voices of HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — performed "Golden" for the first time on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. (HUNTR/X's speaking voices are Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo.)

Between these appearances and the return of the sing-along, it's clear that the KPop Demon Hunters party is far from done, done, done.

KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event returns to theaters from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

Elon Musk's X dropped its legacy verification program for users back when the platform was still known as Twitter. Since then, X has been a haven for misinformation and racism.

However, according to X's new head of product, Nikita Bier, the site is planning an overhaul to profiles in an attempt to restore user trust. In a post on X, Bier explained that the platform is currently testing out a new profile display that lists what country the user is based in, when they joined the site, how the user accessed X, and how many username changes the account has undergone.

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

X users can currently list their location in their profile. However, it appears the new profile information page is not user-generated. The platform will display where the account is based out of via the location the user actually posts from.

"When you read content on X, you should be able to verify its authenticity," Bier posted on X. "This is critical to getting a pulse on important issues happening in the world."

Bier says there will be "toggles" which will allow users to make specific information private in order to protect certain users' privacy. However, Bier says any information that's configured by a user will be highlighted so other users know too. Bier also shared that they are experimenting with exactly what information to include in this section as well, so new account data may be added or removed as X tests out the feature.

The blue verification badge was once an indicator that a user was a trustworthy source on X. However, after Musk acquired the company, he removed the old verification system which required that the company itself verify noteworthy users like politicians, journalists, and celebrities. Now, any user can pay $8 per month to sign up for X Premium and receive a blue verification badge. As a result, spammers and provocateurs have weaponized their verified status in order to spread scams and misinformation on the platform.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, provides similar types of information for certain pages and profiles on their platform. For example, a user can go to the about section of any Facebook Page and see the country of origin for the users behind the page, as well as any name changes the page has gone through.

According to Bier, X will begin rolling the new policy out on a "handful" of X employees' profiles in order to get feedback.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $39.97, 81% off the $219.99 regular price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $39.97
$219.99 Save $180.02   Get Deal

If your old Windows machine is struggling to keep up with your day to day, it might be time to upgrade your productivity applications. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is feature-packed suite of applications designed to seamless keep up with all the data handling, project managing, word processing and creating you do every day, and right now you can get it for just $39.97, or 81% off the $219.99 list price.

Office Pro 2021 isn’t the most current version of Office: Microsoft’s standalone Office 2024 and subscription-based Microsoft 365 are. But while it doesn’t have some of the most recent AI features of the newest models, it does include in all the word processing and data management features for collaboration and communication you expect from Office. And unlike subscription models, that access is all yours for life, no further charges ever.

SEE ALSO: Unlock eight Adobe and Microsoft apps for just $90

With your purchase, you get a lifetime license to not just Microsoft Word and Excel, but presentation creator PowerPoint, mail manager Outlook, and OneNote, Publisher, and Access to boot. You also get the free version of communications essential Microsoft Teams. And you’re buying it from a Microsoft verified partner, so you can buy with confidence.

You’ll get instant delivery for download of Office 2021, ready for installation on one PC for home or work use. It’s good to note that your license will be connected to the device you download it on, not your Microsoft account, and that this version of Office is not compatible with MS Office on Parallels Pro or other virtual machines.

If you’ve been looking to upgrade your older version of Office, this is a great deal on a powerful productivity package.

Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $39.97 (reg. $219.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Search news articles about being "chronically online" and you’ll mostly dig up fluff pieces on celebs who spend too much time on X or TikTok (Joe Jonas just can't be without his phone!). Yet "chronically online" is also used by media outlets to describe people like Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. 

"Investigators say Robinson is what some would call chronically online — a person who spends an inordinate amount of time on messaging platforms, on social media, and playing video games,” according to NPR.

Is being chronically online simply a goofy trait or, rather, a gateway to loneliness, delusion, or even violence? The word "chronic" makes the description seem clinical, like a diagnosed disease, but chronically online is an unscientific term — and a descriptor open to much interpretation.

"I don’t think there is an agreement on how much online time is 'too much,' because it also depends on what one does on the internet," Carlos Gershenson-Garcia, an empire innovation professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, tells Mashable. "I mean, many people work only using the internet, so they use it 40+ hours a week, plus for personal time. But then, if one [spends] the same amount of time on social media, that is a different story. Or playing online games. Or doomscrolling."

SEE ALSO: New California law hopes to stop AI-assisted suicide among teens

The phrase "chronically online" became somewhat ubiquitous during COVID when there was little to do besides walking, baking bread, and staring at the internet. As CNET (a sister site to Mashable) pointed out in 2021, certain millennials and members of Gen Z loved pointing out chronically online behavior among their peers, like regularly using verbiage exclusive to the internet (e.g., IRL, OOMF) or getting involved in debates with strangers. While those examples seem relatively innocuous, chronically online people can also gravitate from offline connections toward parasocial relationships, and get overly vested in disputes involving celebrities (Nicki Minaj v. Cardi B. seems to be a prime example).

Still, needlessly getting vested in a movie star's divorce may not be the best use of someone’s time, but it’s a far cry from being radicalized on Reddit to commit violence. 

"I think the key here is ‘chronically,' which, to me, denotes a medical condition," says John Fitzgerald, PhD, an associate professor of English at Salem State University who has written about technology for publications like the New York Times. "I think it has less to do with how much time a person spends online or even what they’re looking at and more to do with their immersion in online spaces."

Utah governor Spencer Cox described Robinson’s online behavior as traversing "that deep dark internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep."

SEE ALSO: Explaining the phenomenon known as 'AI psychosis'

Not mentioned by Cox was whether or not Robinson utilized AI chatbots, which have come under scrutiny for allegedly encouraging suicidal ideation among young people. The term AI psychosis has emerged as a way to describe someone who's lost connection to reality due to their relationship with an AI chatbot — but "AI psychosis," like "chronically online," is not a clinical term. Would clarification from medical experts on when online behavior crosses from simply unhealthy to downright dangerous help people before it’s too late? Maybe, but currently there is scant information on unhealthy internet behavior on HHS.com, the website of the government's Health and Human Services department. (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration department, a division of HHS, does provide suggestions for kids and youth navigating the internet.)

Dangerous online behavior can emerge when a mix of unhealthy factors is at play, says Saed D. Hill, PhD, a psychologist and masculinity coach.

"Some signs [of dangerous online behavior] include when one's online engagement starts to really fuel social isolation, rigid belief systems, it's always us versus them, or aggression against certain groups...then it is probably shifting from basic coping and escapism to full-on radicalization or potential for violence," Hill says. "Social isolation, mixed with aggression, and having trouble with relationships is a big sign, though. This is exacerbated by things like drugs, alcohol, and access to weapons."

Hill encourages those concerned about a loved one's online behavior to join them in offline activities and simply engage with them more. Counseling and therapy are also beneficial for those struggling with online attachment; connecting with other humans to explore unmet needs is always a better solution than "turning to the digital echo chambers that tech companies profit and thrive off," says Hill. 

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Artists and creators love Pinterest for its ability to fuel creativity. It's the homepage for anyone who needs to brainstorm a theme for a party, wants to create a mood board for their upcoming year, or want to curate characteristics for a new cast in a novel they're writing. Over the past few years, though, Pinterest has become inundated with AI slop.

But this week, Pinterest gave its users the ability to filter out AI content, and fans are elated.

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

It's fairly simple to do. Not everyone has access to the setting in their mobile app, so head to the desktop Pinterest app and follow the next few steps to remove as much AI from your Pinterest account as you can.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• Pinterest account on desktop

Step 1: Click the settings gear

On your Pinterest homepage, click the settings gear in the bottom left.

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

Step 2: Refine your recommendations

In the settings dropdown menu, click "refine your recommendations."

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

Step 3: Click GenAI interests

In the small menu underneath "refine your recommendations," click "GenAI interests."

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

Step 4: Toggle off GenAI interests

As pinterest says, here you can "Choose GenAI interests you’d like to see in your recommended Pins." Toggle off all of the GenAI interests you don't want to see, and keep the interests you want to see on. When you toggle an option off, Pinterest will pop up with the notice: "Turned off! You’ll start seeing fewer GenAI ideas for [topic] soon."

Credit: Pinterest screenshot

It's important to note that even if you turn off all of the GenAI interests, you still might see some AI-generated images on your Pinterest. After all, the popup reads: "You’ll start seeing fewer GenAI ideas for [topic] soon." Key word: fewer.

Anthropic announced Claude Haiku 4.5 on Wednesday, the latest version of its compact AI model designed for speed, affordability, and safety. The company says Haiku 4.5 delivers near-frontier-level performance — matching the coding capabilities of Claude Sonnet 4 at one-third the cost and twice the speed.

It’s now available across Anthropic’s apps, Claude Code, and through Amazon Bedrock and Google Cloud Vertex AI. Pricing is set at $1 per million input tokens and $5 per million output tokens.

SEE ALSO: Say hello to Claude Sonnet 4.5, which Anthropic calls 'the best coding model in the world'

Haiku 4.5 is also Anthropic’s safest model yet, according to the company’s internal evaluations. It scored lower on misalignment behaviors than even the flagship Claude Sonnet 4.5 and carries an AI Safety Level 2 classification — a less restrictive rating than the ASL-3 label given to Anthropic’s more advanced models. The lightweight model is aimed at developers and companies building real-time AI applications like chat assistants, coding copilots, and customer service tools.

But the timing of the launch is notable. Just this week, Bloomberg reported that Anthropic has become a target for criticism from the Trump administration’s AI czar, David Sacks, who accused the company of "regulatory capture" and "fear-mongering" over its support for California’s new AI transparency law. Cofounder Jack Clark pushed back, saying the company is aligned with the White House on most issues but continues to advocate for responsible federal oversight.

Taken together, the release of Haiku 4.5 could be seen as a balancing act. One that's trying to prove that AI safety and progress don’t have to be at odds — even as the political climate around those principles grows more hostile.

Twitch might not be known for its offline prowess, but every year, streamers and their fans gather at a convention center to discuss everything from learning how to shape a stream's story to meeting their favorite creators.

Let's talk about this year's TwitchCon.

What is TwitchCon?

Launched in 2015, TwitchCon is the biggest convention for Twitch creators and streamers and their fans. It brings together creators, influencers, industry professionals, and audiences for panels, performances, meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes conversations.

A decade later, people are still showing up.

SEE ALSO: Top Twitch streamers by follower count: See the list. How much does TwitchCon 2025 cost?

To attend TwitchCon 2025, you'll have to log in and verify your Twitch account and choose which ticket makes the best sense for you.

A three-day ticket costs $249, but individual day tickets, each costing $169 or $159, depending on the day, are also available. You'll have to pay a bit more for the TwitchCon Block Party and the Family Bundle.

When is TwitchCon 2025?

This year's TwitchCon will take place Oct. 17-19 in San Diego, California. Mashable will be at the San Diego Convention Center, talking to your favorite streamers and covering all the most interesting panels.

Which creators will be at TwitchCon 2025?

Hundreds of streamers will be at TwitchCon 2025, including bbno$, Ludwig, emiru, fuslie, TheSushiDragon, Trixie Mattel, Pearl Teese, Jessu, KreekCraft, Maya, Sajam, Swagg, aldo_geo, bbnogames, Cinna, deusamir, ExtraEmily, fanfan, farrahrized, and so many more.

What kind of panels are at TwitchCon 2025?

Programs are broken down into 15 different sections: Glitch Stage, Twitch Rivals, Community MeetUp, Creator Camp, Community Session, Brand Session, Interactive Workshop, Music Session, Block Party, Expo Hall, GDQx, LAN, Meet & Greet, Tabletop, and Twitch Treats.

The panels cover everything from how to best moderate a chat to how to tell a story with your stream, securing partnerships and making money, playing games, networking, and meet-and-greets. Of course, if that's not really your vibe, there will also surely be plenty of things to do on the expo floor.

As TwitchCon said, "From showdowns and live streams to meetups, panels, and unforgettable moments — TwitchCon’s got it all."

Can I watch any of the TwitchCon panels if I'm not there?

The panels aren't livestreamed, but you can follow TwitchCon's social media accounts on Instagram and X to keep up to date on everything happening during the convention. Plus, Mashable will be there.

What has made TwitchCon controversial in the past?

TwitchCon has been under fire for safety issues time and time again. In 2024, TwitchCon was rife with harassment after Kick streamers crashed the event. In 2022, Twitch streamer Adriana Chechik broke her back after jumping into a foam pit.

According to Tubefilter, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy said: "I want to be very clear; we take security at our events, like TwitchCon, extremely seriously. Every year, we build on successful approaches to TwitchCon safety and security, particularly as we become aware of new or emerging security or safety challenges."

SAVE $200: The Acer Nitro V 16 AI is on sale for $699 at Walmart at the time of writing. That's 22% off its suggested retail price of $899.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V 16 AI (AMD Ryzen 5 240, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699 at Walmart
$899 Save $200   Get Deal

I saw newer gaming laptops with Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs get quite cheap during last week's October Prime Day sales (think $899.99 to $1,049.99 for RTX 5060 models). But as of mid-October, Walmart's managed to scrounge up an even cheaper option.

The Acer Nitro V 16 AI with a GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage is now on sale for just $699, or $200 off its usual sticker price — a 22% savings. I've never seen an RTX 50 series gaming laptop dip so low before; this pushes it into Chromebook price territory.

We tested a $999 Nitro V 15 gaming laptop with RTX 4050 graphics back in 2023 and thought it offered great performance for the price. This updated 16-inch model has a newer AMD Ryzen 5 240 processor, a better 1080p webcam, a higher-res 1920 x 1200 display with a 180Hz refresh rate, and a cleaner, more subdued look.

The Nitro V 16 AI also comes with an MUX Switch that shuts off its dedicated GPU and enables its integrated graphics, which is really nice to have if you want to use it like a normal Windows laptop for non-gaming tasks. I don't expect it to be a battery life champ, but you should get a little more juice out of it this way.

The Nitro V 16 doesn't sport any RGB lighting — just amber backlighting under its keyboard — but that's hardly surprising at this price point.

Yesterday, Kim Kardashian's clothing brand SKIMS announced its latest product on Instagram: faux hair panties. "The Ultimate Bush." Thongs that feature a patch on the front that resembles pubic hair — available in several colors!

"Your carpet can be whatever color you want," declared a model in SKIMS' Instagram video. "Match, don't match, or switch it up mid-day."

Similar to the SKIMS nipple bra that debuted two years ago, these tongue-in-cheek products seemingly highlight parts of women's bodies that are traditionally kept hidden. They also showcase the hypocrisy of Instagram's policies.

SEE ALSO: Instagram Teen Accounts are now rated PG-13 The great shadowbanning

For years, sex workers — as well as LGBTQ creators, sex educators, activists, and others — have said that their accounts have been disabled, banned, or shadowbanned (unable to be found via Search or Explore) on Instagram, despite posting content that fits within the platform's community guidelines. 

This is something a variety of creators have been battling on the platform since 2019, Dr. Carolina Are, platform governance researcher, content creator, and then innovation fellow at Northumbria University's Center for Digital Citizens, told Mashable back in 2023. 

Many of these creators have claimed that Instagram uses rules against nudity and sexual solicitation against them, even if their posts don't contain these things. 

The problem still persists. Adult performer and activist, Siri Dahl, told Mashable back in June, when discussing censorship on the internet, that she's on her eighth Instagram account and the platform is becoming more strict. It even extends to link services like Linktree (which has booted sex workers in the past) and GetAllMyLinks. Dahl claimed that links adult creators like herself have in their bio are starting to get "blacklisted" by the platform. (Instagram didn't respond to Mashable's request for comment at the time.)

Meta, Instagram's parent company, which also owns Facebook and WhatsApp, has rejected period care ads for being adult or political, Mashable reported in 2023. A Meta spokesperson told Mashable at the time that advertisers can run ads promoting sexual health, wellness, and reproductive products and services — but as a global company, it needs to account for the diverse range of people who see ads to avoid potential negative experiences. Meta's Adult Products or Services Ads Policy restricts these ads — like saying they must focus on health and medical efficacy. Ads can't promote products that focus on arousal.

Yet, SKIMS can post about its pubic hair underwear without penalty.

Ultimate Bush? Ultimate Hypocrisy 

On Tuesday, SKIMS shared three videos advertising The Ultimate Bush to its Instagram feed and stories. They were shot in vintage style, featuring 1970s game show aesthetics and hairstyles. (It's important to note that these are not sponsored posts or paid advertisements, as the ads above were. SKIMS was merely posting freely to Instagram to promote its product.)

Instagram didn't ban, restrict, or shadowban SKIMS for this, nor did it for their nipple bra posts. Instagram also hasn't done so to the Kardashians, despite what they wear in their Instagram posts.

But if a small creator — say, an OnlyFans model — posted themselves in The Ultimate Bush, there's a high chance their post would be restricted. Instagram could claim that the post counted as sexual solicitation or nudity.

Double standards in social media moderation have been studied. Back in 2023, researcher and founder of content moderation service Reliabl, Annie Brown, told Mashable that while Instagram supposedly allows for artistic representations of nudity, many users observe that larger accounts — such as those of the Kardashians — can get away with it, while non-celebrities are at risk of having their accounts hidden from non-followers.

As of this writing, every $32 pair of SKIMS' Faux Hair Micro String Thong is on backorder, suggesting that the videos were widely seen. This simply wouldn't be the case with smaller creators.

Mashable has reached out to SKIMS and Instagram for comment. 

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 15, the JBL Tune Flex 2 noise-cancelling earbuds are on sale for just $59.95 at Amazon. That's a 45% discount and their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune Flex 2 $59.95 at Amazon
$109.95 Save $50   Get Deal

The earbuds deals during Prime Big Deal Days earlier this month definitely impressed us, but if you missed out on grabbing a pair, you can still get a really good deal.

As of Oct. 15, the JBL Tune Flex 2 noise-cancelling earbuds are on sale for an all-time low price of $59.95 at Amazon. That's a 45% discount from their usual cost of $109.95.

While we haven't tested the JBL Tune Flex 2, we have tested many JBL products and have never been disappointed in the sound quality. I actually own the JBL Endurance Peak earbuds myself and love them. The Tune Flex 2 deliver up to 48 hours of "Pure Bass Sound" and "Spatial Sound," thanks to 12mm dynamic drivers. The adaptive noise cancelling feature lets you block out as much of the outside world as you prefer. Download the JBL app, and you can adjust the noise cancellation, tweak ambient sound control settings, create playlists, check your fit, and even locate your earbuds.

The JBL buds also feature multipoint connectivity, dust and water resistance, and six mics for crystal clear calls. They're not the most advanced earbuds on the market, but if you want noise cancellation without spending an arm and a leg, they won't let you down. They even come in three color options to suit your style.

SAVE $18.05: The Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $26.94, down from the normal price of $44.99. That's a 40% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar $26.94
$44.99 Save $18.05   Get Deal

You might still be prepping a Halloween costume and finding the best recipe for popcorn balls, but December holidays are rapidly approaching. If you like to celebrate the season with an Advent calendar and you or someone in your life is a Minecraft fan, check out this deal.

As of Oct. 15, the Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar is on sale for $26.94 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $44.99. That's a 40% discount that shaves $18.05 off. It's also a new record-low, beating its sale price during October Prime Day.

The best Advent calendars tend to sell out, and it seems the Lego Minecraft Advent calendar for 2025 is no different. This set is already sold out at Lego, which makes today's sale price at Amazon just that much more exciting.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away free Witch models for Halloween — here’s how to get yours on Oct. 26

Minecraft is going all out for the holidays, and even the sheep have opted for red and green dyes this year. There's also an adorable mini Christmas tree, and a lucky villager has donned a Santa suit and hat. All of the 24 mini-Lego builds go great on the included snowy Minecraft diorama. Lego suggests this Advent calendar for those aged seven and up.

Before it sells out, secure your Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar for 2025 while it's on a major 40% discount at Amazon.

SAVE $250: As of Oct. 15, get the GEEKOM Mini PC AX8 Max for $499, down from its usual price of $749. That's a discount of 33% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GEEKOM Mini PC AX8 Max $499 at Amazon
$749 Save $250   Get Deal

If you need a new computer, you might want to consider downsizing. Not in terms of ability, but physical size in general, with a mini PC. They're every bit as capable as their larger counterpart, but they take up much less real estate. If you're interested in taking the plunge, you can score a great mini PC for its lowest price yet at Amazon.

As of Oct. 15, get the GEEKOM Mini PC AX8 Max for $499, down from its usual price of $749. That's a discount of 33% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Acer Revo Build is a modular mini PC with stackable component blocks

This mini PC boasts an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Radeon 780M GPU with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, and multiple ports to make connectivity a breeze. It houses all of this in a tiny square that's just about the size of a Mac mini, so you can move it around wherever you need without having to rearrange or find a place for a huge PC tower.

It's small but mighty, with a special cooling system that keeps it able to function in such a tiny package and noise levels that are cut by up to 50% even when you're working on heavy tasks or multitasking. It also comes with Windows 11 Pro installed, so everything is already set up for you when you unbox it.

A mini PC is a great way to save money and put together a setup that's easily portable or modular if you want to move things around. If you're interested in giving it a go, now's the best time to do it, thanks to this killer deal.

A new Fortnite update can mean a few things: A brand new season, an annual event like Fortnightmares or Winterfest, or even new additions to the game's map.

Unfortunately, it could also mean new bugs or glitches.

After the latest update, I found myself experiencing a brand-new bug that made the game lag to the point where it was unplayable. It would seemingly hit at the most random times during a Battle Royale. It wasn't an internet issue as my connection was fine. It wasn't a bluetooth issue as I've been there with wireless controller bugs so I went ahead and bought a wired controller long ago and have mostly been glitch free since then.

However, this new bug which results in FPS (frames per second) dropping to ridiculously low levels at crucial points during a game, does appear to be controller-related even if you have a wired setup. It also seems that this issue may not be one of Fortnite's doing. The culprit appears to be Microsoft!

Either way, judging by some of the reactions online, this is a bug that's plaguing quite a few Fortnite players. Here's the fix.

Fix Fortnite dropped FPS issue

I discovered that quickly unplugging the controller and then plugging the USB-C cable back in would temporarily fix the issue. However, minutes later the FPS would drop again. Plus, unplugging your controller multiple times during a game isn't an ideal solution when a rival squad suddenly shows up and you're waiting for the controller to turn back on.

But, then I came across a Reddit thread from a few weeks ago with a comment from user u/0slambam0 that completely solved the problem for myself and everyone else in the thread. Choosing to delete programs sometimes carries usability risks, so people should make their own decision before trying a workaround solve. However, if you want to try it, here's how it's done.

1. First, go to your Windows Search Bar, type in "Add or remove programs," and choose that option.

2. A new window will open up with a list of programs installed on your PC under "Apps & Features." In the search bar, type in "Microsoft GameInput."

3. Some users will see one Microsoft GameInput listed. Others will see it listed two separate times. Regardless of how many you see, click them, and then click Uninstall.

4. After uninstalling Microsoft GameInput, unplug your controller and plug it back in.

5. That's it. The issue should be fixed. No more controller-related lagging issues! No more dropped frames!

It appears this may be strictly a Windows 10 issue. The latest Microsoft GameInput update that you need to uninstall to fix the issue appears to have been installed in September, so it could be a glitch related to Microsoft's push to get users to upgrade to Windows 11. 

However, with roughly half of all PC users still using Windows 10, there's likely a lot of Fortnite games dealing with this, so here's the solution until you finally give in and update your PC to the latest operating system.

SAVE 20%: As of Oct. 15, the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro has dropped to $79, its lowest price ever. That’s a 20% discount and $20 in savings.

CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been eying the Apple Watch Series 11, but just can’t stomach the price, we found a budget deal on a feature-rich alternative that’ll give you everything you need to monitor your health, track your fitness goals, and stay connected.

SEE ALSO: Get a free year of MyFitnessPal Premium when you subscribe to Calm

As of Oct. 15, the CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro has dropped to $79, its lowest price ever, according to CamelCamelCamel. That’s a 20% discount and $20 in savings.

The CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro definitely looks more expensive than it is, with a big 1.43-inch AMOLED screen and a sleek metal frame. It covers all your key health stats, including advanced tracking for heart rate, sleep, stress, and SpO2 levels. For outdoor workouts, the dual-band GPS gives you super-accurate route tracking, whether you're running or biking. Plus, with a battery that lasts up to 13 days on a single charge, you won't need to worry about it losing juice on your next run or weekend adventure.

While OpenAI's Sora 2 has been getting all the attention recently, we found in our comparison that Google Veo 3 is a more capable video generation model altogether. Now, however, it looks like Google might be widening the gap with the Wednesday launch of Google Veo 3.1.

On top of the basic Veo 3.1 model, there's also a new Veo 3.1 Fast model, which is basically a lighter weight version of Veo 3.1. They're both now available in Gemini, the Vertex AI platform, and Google Flow, the AI video editing tool that's designed around AI-generated videos and editing them together.

So what's actually new with Google Veo 3.1? As you might expect, given the name, it's not necessarily a massive upgrade over Veo 3, which has only been out for a few months now. According to Google, Veo 3.1 offers richer audio as well as better narrative comprehension, which should help ensure that videos make more sense when put in the wider scope of the video. Last but not least, Google says Veo 3.1 offers enhanced realism when it comes to true-to-life textures.

SEE ALSO: I tested OpenAI Sora 2 vs Google Veo 3 for AI video, and there’s a very clear winner

Some of the features available with Veo have been improved too, notably by adding audio capabilities. For example, Ingredients to Video is a feature that lets users upload reference images for Veo to use when creating a video. Users could upload a picture of a character and a location, and have Veo generate a video of the character in that location. This feature is available with audio in Gemini, the Vertex AI platform, and Google Flow, the video editing software that's designed around using Veoo to generate clips to use in a project.

Another feature that's been upgraded with audio is Scene Extension, which essentially allows users to extend a video clip. It's available with audio in the Gemini API, but not the Gemini app. It's also available in Flow.

SEE ALSO: 6 Google Gemini AI photo prompts to try

Another feature is First and Last Frame, which allows users to upload a static image of the first and final frame in a video and have Veo generate a transition between those two frames. It can be used in the Gemini API, Vertex AI, and Flow.

Additionally, Google is adding some precision features to Flow that could help users refine existing video clips. These include the ability to insert or remove objects in a way that looks realistic and natural, though we have yet to test it.

Veo 3.1 is now available in Google Flow, Gemini, and Vertex AI. The other features vary in how widely available they are. You'll need a Google AI Pro subscription to use the new models.