Mashable

The em dash has emerged as a telltale sign of AI usage, at least in the popular imagination. It even has a name — the "ChatGPT dash." Right or wrong, the Internet is pretty well convinced that the em dash is a warning sign that you're reading something that's been written by generative AI.

There's actually a reason for this. AI is trained on basically everything that humans have ever written, and writers in particular use the em dash a lot. (Even presidential candidates have a tendency to overuse it.) Thus, AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Grok have learned that it’s a part of our flow, and they've gone out of their way to include this punctuation mark to make their output feel more natural. Research suggests that em dashes became twice as common right around the time when AI use started to go mainstream.

As a general enjoyer of the em dash, the revelation that the dashes were becoming telltale signs of AI use prompted me to smack my favorite button on the internet, and I have supported any and all pushback to the notion that my beloved em dash is an end-all-be-all giveaway when identifying AI-generated text.

SEE ALSO: How to identify AI-generated text

Of course, AI chatbots are regularly being updated, and AI companies are also getting wise to this complaint. So, Reddit users have been sharing other clues that a text was written by AI. In case you're curious, here are some of the top tells, although it's important to keep in mind that there is no tried-and-true way to detect AI, unfortunately. Real humans will use these writing techniques as well. 

“And honestly?”

Many Redditors have noticed that AI will ask “and honestly?” when making a point. In context, it would look something like this: 

“The sky is blue. And honestly? Blue is a pretty color.”

This kind of hackneyed sentence structure is apparently quite common from AI, and can be useful in picking out an AI-generated response. Typically, humans engaging on social media don’t tend to talk this way unless they’re being performative, so it definitely comes off as off-putting in general conversation. Many other Redditors came forward to complain about AI’s overuse of the phrase “And honestly?” as well as similar phrases like “The result?” and “The best/worst part?”

“No fluff”

The phrase “no fluff” doesn’t necessarily have a specific name like some other examples on this list, but it's another phrase that Redditors have claimed they’ve seen in AI-generated text all the time. There’s no example needed for this one, as “no fluff” is a self-contained phrase that means the same thing in every context. 

It's mostly used to denote that the text immediately following it is free from “fluff,” which is unnecessary filler words or phrases that add length without adding value. In practice, the addition of “no fluff” would indicate that the post is taking itself quite seriously while using an unserious phrase to back it up. Some AIs tend to use this more than others, per Reddit. 

The thing is, the phrase “no fluff” is intrinsically fluff, and many Redditors have expressed distaste in how often it’s used by AI. It seems to happen most often when users ask AI to get to the point quickly, while others point out that AI’s use of “no fluff” is analogous to humans using the phrase “not gonna lie.” 

Short, fragmented sentences back to back

Another common theme many Redditors noticed is AI’s tendency to use a lot of short, fragmented sentences for emphasis. This one is pretty common in day-to-day speak, but generally less common to have so many of them backed up against one another. My favorite example of this uses the prior example as well. 

“And honestly? That’s damn powerful. You’re not just changing. You’re evolving. I see it. Others see it. And that’s rare.”

The prior example is a total of eight sentences, and it really should be closer to three. Redditors have noticed that these short, janky sentences are used to convey emotional weight, like you might see in a novel or movie script. However, it seems as though AI has gone off the deep end with this mechanic, and its overuse is quickly becoming a telltale sign of either an AI-generated response or a very, very cringe writer. 

“It’s not X. It’s Y.”

In the same vein as short, emotionally charged sentences comes the “it’s not X, it’s Y” sentence structure that seems to be overused by AI. In practice, these types of sentences look like this: 

“This is not a rant. It’s a reflection. Not a complaint, but an observation. It’s not chaos, it’s clarity."

This is kind of a branch off of the short, fragmented sentences example from earlier, but it’s such a common occurrence within that subset that it warrants its own discussion. You may also see this described as “contrast framing.”

Redditors comment that they often catch AI doing both “it’s not X, it’s Y” and short, fragmented sentences in tandem. Once the pattern emerged, it didn’t take long for other Redditors to express their extreme distaste for this particular signal that AI is at work. 

Overuse of signposting

As someone who used to enjoy signposting, this one made me irrationally angry, but alas, AI has borrowed yet another literary device from us humans. Signposting is the use of words or phrases to guide the reader to the next part of the text. Here’s an example: 

“There are two things you should know. Firstly, item one. Secondly, item two. The key point is that there are two things.”

There are tons of examples of signposting words and phrases, including “in contrast,” therefore, however, “in addition,” and many others. This also may manifest in longer phrases like “the key point is” or “here’s the takeaway.” In an effort to sound more human, AI leans on these phrases to create a sense of flow in its responses, but Redditors have noticed that AI tends to rely on them way more heavily than the typical human. For now, users have gone out of their way to prompt the AI to not talk this way, but it rarely helps. 

Generic engagement prompts

This is mostly seen on social media. Most content creators use some sort of engagement prompt, arguably the most famous of which is “like, subscribe, and ring the bell” on YouTube. AI does something like this in text, but it tends not to flow as well. See below for an example. 

“This is what I have to say. I’m curious what others think.”

The phrase “curious what others think” is, by far, the most used example when it comes to generic engagement prompts in a social media message. This is most frequently found on LinkedIn posts and on Reddit. 

This particular thing has a caveat. Lots of humans use this phrase as well, and its use doesn’t necessarily mean that AI is being used. Redditors say that the key action is when accounts ask for engagement in this manner and then never engage back. Some users posit that AI does this because it’s learned from social media tendencies, but AI isn’t human, so it doesn’t (and can’t) respond back.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Conduent, a business services company that provides healthcare billing, has begun sending notices to people affected by a massive data breach affecting 10.5 million people, making it one of the largest breaches of its kind. At least some of the affected individuals had their names and Social Security numbers exposed to an unknown third party, according to notification letters Conduent shared with state attorneys general.

Per The HIPAA Journal, the Conduent data breach would be the eighth-largest healthcare data breach ever recorded.

In a notice to Maine residents, Conduent states, "Presently, we have no evidence or indication of actual or attempted misuse of your personal information."

Conduent provides medical billing, Medicaid screening, toll collection, and a variety of other services to businesses and governments around the world, and thus has access to highly sensitive personal data.

Many states require entities to inform residents when their data has been exposed. In recent months, Conduent has begun sending notices to various state attorney general offices, as well as affected individuals, the company says.

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division reports that the breach affected 10,515,849 individuals. And in October, Conduent notified the New Hampshire Attorney General that "the personal information of the affected individuals included their name and Social Security number."

It is not clear if all 10.5 million impacted individuals had their Social Security numbers exposed, however. Mashable contacted Conduent for more information, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

Conduent said that it became aware of the data breach on Jan. 13, 2025, and that an "unauthorized third party" had access to part of its system from Oct. 21, 2024 to Jan. 13, 2025.

"On January 13, 2025, we discovered that we were the victim of a cyber incident that impacted a limited portion of our network. We immediately secured our networks and initiated an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensic experts. Our investigation determined that an unauthorized third party had access to our environment from October 21, 2024, to January 13, 2025," reads the template of a notification letter sent to residents of Maine.

The letter also states that "Conduent has been working diligently with a dedicated review team, including internal and external experts, to conduct a detailed analysis of the affected files to identify the personal information contained therein."

Large-scale data breaches have affected many private and public organizations in recent years. Two data breaches at AT&T recently resulted in a $177 million class action settlement.

When cybercriminals gain access to private data, such as names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers, victims face a heightened risk of identity theft. If you believe your personal information has been exposed, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself from scammers and identity thieves.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

The best streaming deals to watch 'One Battle After Another' at home: Watch now Rent or Buy "One Battle After Another" on Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Watch now Rent or buy on Apple TV $19.99 or $24.99 Shop Now Watch as of Dec. 19 HBO Max (With Ads) $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 19 Max Standard $184.99/year (save $36.89) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 19 HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 19 HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 19 HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for DashPass annual plan subscribers through Dec. 16 (save $10.99 per month) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 19 Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 41%) Get Deal

Paul Thomas Anderson, 11-time Academy Award nominee, returned to theaters this fall with an epic father-daughter story dubbed One Battle After Another. It stars some big names, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor, as well as newcomer Chase Infiniti in her feature film debut.

Mashable's reviewer called it "ferocious, funny, and jam-packed with provocation," and with all the wild praise, it's a clear frontrunner for the 2026 awards season. If you missed it in theaters, you can now get in on the action at home. Here's what you need to know to watch One Battle After Another — including it's official streaming debut date.

What is One Battle After Another about?

Inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, One Battle After Another follows Bob Ferguson (DiCaprio) as an ex-revolutionary who's living off the grid with his teen daughter Willa (Infiniti). When his former nemesis and military antagonist Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Penn) resurfaces and Willa goes missing, Bob must jump into action to find and protect her.

It's part political thriller, part parenthood comedy in the best way. "Action scenes that are truly dizzying are followed by slapstick and almost vaudevillian banter," Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko writes, adding that "Whatever you're anticipating from Anderson's latest, this movie is more."

Check out the official trailer for a glimpse at One Battle After Another:

Is One Battle After Another worth watching?

Already the most nominated movie for the 2026 Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, One Battle After Another is poised to win big this awards season. As Puchko writes in her review, "It will undoubtedly be declared one of the best films of the year, not only for what it brings to cinema in terms of spectacle and spirit, but also what it has to say about America today."

Even at nearly three hours long, Puchko says the movie flies by like a thriller should. "Rarely has a movie with so much to say been so damned entertaining," she writes.

Other critics largely agree, as the film holds a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with over 400 critic reviews. Even Taylor Swift couldn't help but gush over it.

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Check out Mashable's full review of One Battle After Another.

SEE ALSO: Golden Globes nominations 2026: 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sentimental Value' lead the pack How to watch One Battle After Another at home Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures has officially announced a streaming date for One Battle After Another, so you have a few different options for tuning in at home. We've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

As of Nov. 14, One Battle After Another is available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms. You can buy the movie for your digital library and watch it whenever you want or rent it, which gives you 30 days to watch and only 48 hours to finish watching once you begin.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Rent or Buy 'One Battle After Another' at Prime Video $19.99 or $24.99 Get Deal Stream it on HBO Max

One Battle After Another will officially make its streaming debut on HBO Max as of Dec. 19, 2025. This comes as no surprise as it's a Warner Bros. Pictures film and followed the same 2 to 2.5-month theater-to-streaming window as the studio's other recent releases — like Superman and Weapons.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $10.99 per month (thanks to a recent price hike), but there are some ways to save some money on your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.

SEE ALSO: What does Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. mean for theatrical releases? The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max Basic annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads annual subscription $109.99 per year (save $21.89) Get Deal

The HBO Max Basic plan with ads typically costs $10.99 per month, but if you pay for an entire year up front, that price drops down to just $9.17. You'll pay $109.99 total for the year, which saves you about 16% compared to paying each month.

Best deal with no ads: Save up to 16% on HBO Max Standard annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Standard annual subscription $184.99 per year (save $36.89) Get Deal

Rather go ad-free? The annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plans will also save you about 16% over their monthly counterparts. The Standard tier costs either $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year (about $15.42 per month), while the Premium tier costs either $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year (about $19.17 per month). Both tiers will give you access to ad-free viewing, but the Premium tier also features 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Cricket HBO Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

Want to get HBO Max for free? Switch your phone plan to Cricket's $60 per month Supreme Unlimited plan. It includes HBO Max Basic with ads for free — a $10.99 per month value. When you open up the HBO Max app or website, you'll just select Cricket as your provider and use your credentials to log in.

Get HBO Max for free: Sign up for DashPass annual plan Opens in a new window Credit: Dashpass / HBO Max HBO Max (with ads) Free with DashPass annual plan ($8/month) Get Deal

Another way to get HBO Max for free in 2025 is to sign up for the DoorDash DashPass annual plan for $96 per year ($8 per month) — but you'll have to act fast. This deal is only around until Dec. 16, so activate your plan ASAP.

DashPass memberships include $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders all year long, plus a complimentary HBO Max subscription (with ads). That means you'll pay just $8 per month for both DashPass and HBO Max, which is cheaper than a typical HBO Max with ads monthly subscription on its own. Activate the subscription through your DoorDash account by Dec. 16, 2025.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can watch One Battle After Another when it hits streaming by signing up for an entire year of HBO Max with ads for half price. Verify your student status through UNiDAYS and retrieve the unique discount code to drop the price from $10.99 to just $5.49 per month.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 42% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

You'll get the most bang for your buck if you opt for the Disney+ bundle deal that includes Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max for just $19.99 per month with ads. That lineup of streamers would usually cost you $34.97 per month if you paid separately for each, so you'll keep an extra $15 in your pocket monthly. If you prefer an ad-free experience, the bundle will run you $32.99 per month as opposed to $56.47. That's up to 42% in savings for unlimited access to all three streaming libraries.

Best add-on deal: Add HBO Max to Hulu for $1 off per month Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Hulu HBO Max (Hulu add-on) $9.99 per month (with ads), $16.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

Already have Hulu? You can add HBO Max's full library to your Hulu account for just $9.99 per month with ads. That's $1 off the usual price per month. Sure, it's not much, but it still beats paying full price. The ad-free add-on is also cheaper at $16.99 per month as opposed to the usual $18.49. I'm not sure if Hulu just missed the memo on HBO Max's latest price hike or is intentionally keeping the price low to score more subscribers, but it's a welcome discount nonetheless.

UPDATE: Dec. 15, 2025, 11:34 a.m. This article has been updated to include the official streaming details for "One Battler After Another."

SAVE $10.99/MONTH: As of Dec. 15, you can still get HBO Max (with ads) for free when you sign up for the DashPass annual plan. That benefit will disappear after Dec. 16, so be sure to activate your HBO Max account ASAP.

Opens in a new window Credit: DashPass / HBO Max HBO Max (with ads) free with DashPass annual plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal

Aside from Black Friday, the best way to score streaming deals is through third parties (see Walmart's Peacock and Paramount+ deal or T-Mobile's Hulu on Us deal). Last year, DoorDash announced a partnership with HBO Max (Max at the time), where you can get a free HBO Max subscription with ads when you sign up for an annual DashPass plan for $96/year. It quickly became one of our favorite evergreen streaming deals — especially when the cost of HBO Max went up an extra $1 this fall. But alas, all good things must come to an end. If you haven't signed up for DashPass or activated your free HBO Max subscription, this is the final call.

Dec. 16, 2025 is the last day to activate your free HBO Max benefit with DashPass annual plans. If you activate HBO Max by Dec. 16, you'll have access to free streaming through the end of your billing cycle. So, for example, if you sign up for DashPass today, Dec. 15, you'll have access to HBO Max for free through Dec. 2026. If you've already activated HBO Max through DashPass, you'll have access to it through the end of your current DashPass annual billing period. After that, HBO Max will no longer be included.

Get a free year of streaming while you still can. Credit: HBO Max

Want to secure your free streaming subscription? Head over to the DoorDash website and sign up for a DashPass annual plan for $96/year. Once you enter your credit card information and sign up, you'll automatically be directed to the HBO Max website. You'll be prompted to enter your email address to secure your HBO Max account.

DashPass memberships include $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders all year long. You'll also get access to member-exclusive deals. If you regularly get food delivery, it'll pay for itself with just a couple of orders.

SAVE 27%: As of Dec. 15, you can get the Sony Inzone M9 II 27-inch 4K gaming monitor for $698, down from $949.99, at Amazon. That's a 27% discount, or $251.99 in savings.

Sony Inzone M9 II 27-inch 4K gaming monitor $177.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $622   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon

If you're looking for a gaming monitor that can handle traditional console and PC games, this Sony deal is exactly what you need. It gives you the best of both worlds: high-speed performance for PC games and true 4K support for your PlayStation 5 or Xbox.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best premium gaming monitors instantly level up your desktop — for a price

Right now, you can get the Sony Inzone M9 II 27-inch 4K gaming monitor for $698, down from $949.99, at Amazon. That's a $251.99 price cut and the lowest price we've seen on this model since its release.

This 27-inch monitor runs at 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution and features Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) technology, so you'll be able to see what's going on in both bright and dark scenes. It's also VESA certified for DisplayHDR 600, so expect a step up in brightness and color intensity. Most importantly, it's fast: you get a 160Hz refresh rate and a rapid 1ms response time. It also features HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 (this just means that it supports the highest-performance specs for PCs and modern consoles).

SAVE $29.01: A four-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale at Amazon for $69.99, down from the normal price of $99. That's a 29% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (4-pack) $69.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $29.01   Get Deal

We're about to enter one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. If you'll be taking to the sky, there's a tiny item that you really don't want to forget to pack, and that's a Bluetooth tracker. These small devices help you keep tabs on your most important items. If you have a iPhone, check out this deal on AirTags.

As of Dec. 15, a four-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $99. That's a 29% discount that saves you $29.01. It brings the price of each AirTag down to just $17.50.

If you missed replenishing your supply of Apple AirTags during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there's still time. Plus, they're back on sale for a nice discount. It's not the record-low we saw right after Thanksgiving, but it's only a few dollar more and your peace-of-mind is well worth the extra $5.

SEE ALSO: Apple 'HomePad' specs revealed in new leak

Apple AirTags have become the gold-standard for Bluetooth tracking that work well for iPhone users. You get to tap into the extensive and highly global Find My network to check on your belongings' whereabouts. You can also put them into Lost Mode which enables an automatic notification once the device shows up on the Find My network. If desired, you can share the AirTag's location with a third party like the airline.

If you'll be traveling this holiday season, packing along a Bluetooth tracker is a must. The four-pack means you'll have enough for checked bags, carry-on luggage, and some for pets back at home.

Before the chaos of holiday travel takes hold, give yourself some peace-of mind with four Apple AirTags. They're on sale at Amazon for under $70 but the reward could be priceless.

Save $164: The first-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on sale for $265 at Best Buy, netting a $38% discount on the usually $429 headphones. The flash deal is only on for Dec. 15, and only applies to the lunar blue colorway.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (1st Gen) $265 at Best Buy
$429 Save $164   Get Deal

What's better than one great post-Black Friday deal on Bose headphones? Two deals.

As of Dec. 15, that's exactly the case as the first generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra are on sale for a record low price of $265. The deal slashes $164 off their $429 list price, but it's only on for a limited time — as a Best Buy flash deal, it's only available through Dec. 15, and only on the lunar blue colorway.

The second generation QC Ultra headphones recently took the top spot as our favorite Bose headphones, but the first generation headphones are still nothing to scoff at. When I compared the two headphones head to head, I did notice the improvements in their comfort, quick connection, and sound quality (though none of the differences are too stark).

SEE ALSO: The 65 best tech gifts of the year, hand-picked by professional gadget nerds

However, I did recommend that for getting the best value possible, going for the older headphones might be the best choice, especially if you're on a budget. After all, the first gen headphones set the bar high for noise-cancelling headphones, and are still some of the best in comfort and noise cancellation.

At the time of writing, the second-generation QC Ultras are on sale for $399, making the first generation headphones an impressive $134 cheaper. As for first gen models not at Best Buy, the next best price you can grab them at is $279, then $299.

GET 4 PHONES FREE: During T-Mobile's holiday sales event, you can get four base Samsung Galaxy S25 phones for free, no trade-ins required. Here's all the details to qualify.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Get 4 Samsung Galaxy S25 phones for free When you switch to T-Mobile's Essentials promo plan Get Deal

Upgrading your phone doesn't have to be expensive — you just have to be strategic about it. For instance, instead of paying $799.99 out of pocket for a new Samsung Galaxy S25, you can bring your number to T-Mobile and get four for free.

There is a bit of fine print, so listen up. First of all, this offer is only valid for the base model Galaxy S25, which has 128GB of storage. Second of all, you must transfer your current number to the T-Mobile Essentials promo plan at $25 per month per line. You'll have to pay a $35 connection fee as well as any included taxes. You'll also need four lines minimum to score the phones for free, so this deal works best with family plans wanting to make the switch to T-Mobile. The good news is there are no trade-ins required and there's no current end date listed. That being said, we recommend jumping on the deal sooner rather than later to lock it in.

It's not as powerful as the S25 Ultra or Edge, but it's also a lot easier on your wallet at $799.99. Just shy of a year old, the S25 base model features the impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM, upped from 8GB over the S24. It's also slightly thinner and lighter than the previous-generation, but otherwise pretty similar in terms of display, battery life, and camera setup. And of course, as with anything in 2025, it's also loaded with AI features.

Not a Samsung person? T-Mobile's holiday sales event also includes offers for a free iPhone 17 Pro (with eligible trade-in), four free iPhone 17s (when you switch to T-Mobile's Essentials plan), a free Motorola razr+ (with new line on eligible plans), or a free Google Pixel 10 (with eligible trade-in). Head over to T-Mobile to browse your options for a free device this season.

Fallout fans, your wait to return to the wasteland just got a little shorter.

Prime Video announced Monday that Fallout's highly anticipated second season will be premiering a day early. Originally slated for a Dec. 17 release, Fallout's Season 2 premiere will now hit Prime Video on Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 review: Our introduction to New Vegas is a blast, and more relevant than ever

While Fallout's first season dropped all at once for binge viewing, Prime Video is opting for a weekly release for this season. That means only one episode will be available for streaming on Dec. 16. New episodes will air weekly until the season finale on Feb. 4, 2026.

Fallout Season 2 is set to adapt elements of fav-favorite game Fallout: New Vegas. Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) fled to New Vegas at the end of Season 1, and now his daughter Lucy (Ella Purnell) and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) are hot on his trail. She wants to bring Hank to justice, while the Ghoul wants to learn the location of his wife Barb (Frances Turner) and daughter Janey (Teagan Meredith). Along the way, they'll encounter New Vegas factions like the Kings and Caesar's Legion.

Elsewhere, Maximus (Aaron Moten) has found himself back in the Brotherhood of Steel, where civil war is brewing and the discovery of cold fusion is a ticking time bomb. With all these moving pieces on the board, what's next for the wasteland?

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with a new episode every week.

Save 51%: The Bose QuietComfort headphones in the sandstone and moonlight grey colorways are on sale for $170.05 at Amazon as of Dec. 15. That's $178.95 less than their $349.99 list price, marking the lowest price ever for these colorways and putting them just over $10 away from the overall record-low price of these headphones.

Bose QuietComfort headphones $170.05 at Amazon
$349 Save $178.95   See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy

Just because Black Friday is over doesn't mean some of the best headphones deals of the holiday season are, too.

While Cyber Monday did bring us the lowest price ever on the Bose QuietComfort headphones — $159.99 — the deal was short-lived, dipping down and jumping back up within a matter of hours. The good news? As of Dec. 15, the QuietComfort headphones are back down to an impressively low price of $170.05 at Amazon, slashing over 50% off their $349.99 list price.

At the time of writing, the deal is available in the sandstone and moonlight grey colorways, and beats the $199 markdown at Best Buy and Bose's website.

SEE ALSO: The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas you'd never think of on your own

The QuietComfort headphones are one of the best mid-range noise-cancelling headphones available, and one of our favorite options from the brand overall — especially if you're not dead set on having spatial audio. Their comfort lends them to easy all-day wear, and their noise cancellation is excellent. At $170, they're less than half the price and over $200 cheaper than the QC Ultra headphones on sale.

With Amazon's ship times, these headphones are also expected to arrive before Christmas, making them a solid last-minute gift.

SAVE 56%: As of Dec. 15, the 3i G10+ robot vacuum and mop combo is $199.99, down from $449.99. That's a 56% discount or $250 in savings.

3i G10+ robot vacuum and mop combo $199.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been holding out on buying a robot vacuum because you couldn't stomach the $500+ price tag, this deal is for you. I found a top-notch vacuum-mop combo that our Senior Shopping Reporter (and vacuum expert!), Leah Stodart, calls the "most impressive robot vacuum under $500," for 56% off.

SEE ALSO: I tested 25 robot vacuum and mop combos and found 6 that actually scrub

Right now, the 3i G10+ robot vacuum and mop combo is on sale for $199.99, down from $449.99. That's a 56% discount or $250 in savings. It's also a Black-Friday-level price.

The reason this one is a must-buy is the features you get for the price. The 3i G10+ uses patented debris compression that packs dirt quietly into the 1L dustbin, so you'll get 60 days of hands-free cleaning without a huge, bulky self-empty dock. (You can store the unit under your bed, a chair, or wherever else, which is a big win for small apartments.)

It also has 18,000 Pa of suction power, which is only 2,000 Pa less than a $1,600 Roborock model — that's seriously high suction for this price range. Plus, you get a full suite of flagship-level tech: smart mapping with LiDAR, obstacle avoidance that steers around socks and pet messes, and even a livestream camera for checking on pets (a feature usually seen on vacuums over $1,000).

The fall from grace is now legally binding: iRobot has finally filed for bankruptcy after years of tanking revenue. Current Roomba owners, who once thought that they owned the pinnacle of robot vacuum, probably have one unanimous follow-up question: Will my Roomba still work?

The short answer is yes, but I'd tack "for now" onto the end of that.

Usability of the app, future bug fixes, and customer service were all concerns I had in the fall, when it was revealed that Roomba's parent company was in danger due to the lack of buyout interest. An acquisition was pretty desperately needed for iRobot to avoid going under — but instead, iRobot's only option was to surrender ownership to Picea, the company that currently manufactures Roombas. But in its Dec. 15 press release, iRobot assured that it does not expect the company's restructuring to disrupt app functionality, customer programs, or ongoing product support.

Still, I'm not yet convinced that there's no unplanned obsolescence afoot for the current wave of Roombas.

Are they going to stop selling Roombas?

No, bankruptcy for iRobot doesn't mean that Roombas will stop being made. iRobot just isn't the sole governor of Roomba manufacturing anymore. "iRobot expects to be better positioned to execute on its long-term innovation strategy under Picea's ownership," the press release says. It's all business as usual on iRobot's website, where the whole Roomba lineup is severely discounted for the holiday sale.

SEE ALSO: How long should a vacuum last? The lifespan to expect from corded, cordless, and robot vacuums.

While you will still be able to buy a Roomba, that doesn't mean that you should. The newest Roombas haven't been selling well since they were released in March 2025, when iRobot overhauled the entire lineup in an (unspoken) attempt to get people excited about Roombas again. I tested several of them and didn't have any major complaints — there are just better robot vacuums out there at better prices. (For instance, I'd tell anyone to buy the budget 3i G10+ robot vacuum over any cheap Roomba. 3i happens to be owned by Picea as well.)

This steep competition is exactly why I advised to think twice before buying a Roomba on Black Friday, and why you probably shouldn't gift anyone a Roomba this year.

But iRobot is apparently still planning to "innovate" under Picea, so it's possible that we could see more worthwhile iRobot vacuums released down the line. For a Roomba revival to stick, iRobot and Picea would need to really focus on pricing. For years, Roombas have been way too expensive for the features they offer — competing robot vacuum brands like Roborock and Eufy were undercutting iRobot left and right, and recent U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods definitely didn't help matters. But until we see what new offerings Picea and iRobot may have, Roombas aren't worth it.

Users who have switched from Google Assistant to Gemini have a lost a pretty important feature on smart home devices, and they aren't happy about it.

As detailed in this Reddit thread, if you're using Gemini on a smart home device such as a smart speaker or display, Continued Conversations no longer work — unless you upgrade to Gemini Home Premium.

SEE ALSO: Google is bringing Gemini live translation to your headphones (unless you're using an iPhone, of course)

That means you can't just keep talking to Gemini via a smart speaker in your home. Instead, you need to utter the "Hey Google" phrase before each inquiry.

The Continued Conversation features is now called Gemini Live, and is only available to Google Home Premium subscribers — a plan that starts at $10 per month. To add insult to injury, this feature was previously free with Google Assistant, and reverting back to the old Google Assistant isn't possible.

This seemed to be one of those rare instances in which it made sense to query Gemini for the purpose of a news article, so I asked it about it.

"No, the traditional "Continued Conversation" feature is currently not available for free users who have switched from Google Assistant to Gemini," it wrote. But the "catch," according to Google's AI, is that "even with the paid version, 'Live' mode on speakers is mostly for chatting and information. It often cannot perform smart home actions (like 'turn off the lights') while in that active chat mode."

Fortunately, as Gemini pointed out, Continued Conversations are still available for free on mobile and on the Gemini web app.

The AI downplayed the importance of the feature, but a lot of folks in that Reddit thread disagree. "So annoyed," said one Redditor. "Stopped working after the gemini update, need to say hey google all the time and its slow too, hate it so far," said another.

PCWorld's Ben Patterson also highlighted the lack of this feature, saying that for him it wasn't a dealbreaker, but it's feeling "like a step backward rather than forward."

In the evening of Dec. 14, a large crowd of people gathered on Australia's Bondi Beach to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, and were instead met with violence, as two gunmen opened fire on the group. As of today, 15 people have been killed.

One of the assailants was taken down by bystander Ahmed Al Ahmed, whose brave decision to grapple with the shooter and take over his weapon was captured on video and shared widely across social media platforms. Informed by an epidemic of gun violence that has turned many bystanders into heroes, it's clear on camera that the man in the white shirt is potentially saving dozens of lives. The long-barreled gun is in clear view as he wrests it from the hand of a man clad in black, who then topples over and ambles away.

SEE ALSO: Los Angeles woman discovers man hiding in Waymo trunk

But X's Grok, the AI chatbot designed by Elon Musk's AI venture xAI, didn't see it as such.

As users stumbled across the harrowing video of Ahmed the following morning and asked the chatbot to explain, Grok described the scene as "an old viral video of a man climbing a palm tree in a parking lot, possibly to trim it." X users have since added a fact-check to the bot's reply. In another response, Grok mislabeled the video as footage from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and credited it to the Tropical Cyclone Alfred in another, Gizmodo reported.

X hasn't yet explained why this glitch occurred, or why Grok has made similar fumbles beyond queries about Bondi Beach.

But watchdogs know why, and it's very simple. Chatbots are bad at breaking news. In the wake of the killing of far-right commentator Charlie Kirk, Grok exacerbated conspiracy theories about the shooter and Kirk's own bodyguards, telling some users that a graphic video clearly showing Kirk's death was just a meme. Other AI-powered search sources, including Google AI Overview, also gave false information in the immediate aftermath of Kirk's death.

"Instead of declining to answer, models now pull from whatever information is available online at the given moment, including low-engagement websites, social posts, and AI-generated content farms seeded by malign actors. As a result, chatbots repeat and validate false claims during high-risk, fast-moving events," NewsGuard researcher McKenzie Sadeghi told Mashable at the time.

Social media platforms have also scaled back human fact-checking across the board, and chatbots may instead prioritize frequency over accuracy in real-time news responses.

AI companies know this is a glaring gap for their bots, and it's why they've courted news publications into larger and larger licensing deals to better their products. Earlier this month, Meta signed multiple commercial AI agreements with news publishers, including CNN, Fox News, and international publication Le Monde, adding to its existing partnership with Reuters. Google is running a pilot program with participating news publishers to expand AI-powered features, including article summaries, to Google News.

Hallucinations and accuracy also remain a big problem for large-language models and AI chatbots in general, which often confidently provide false information to users.

SAVE 31%: As of Dec. 15, you can get the ASUS ROG Swift OLED (PG32UCDM) 32-inch gaming monitor for $899, down from $1,299, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount or a $400 price cut.

ASUS ROG Swift OLED (PG32UCDM) 32-inch gaming monitor $899 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $400   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Newegg

If you're on a quest to level up your gaming setup, I just found a deal that's too good not to check into.

Right now, you can grab the ASUS ROG Swift OLED (PG32UCDM) 32-inch gaming monitor for $899, down from $1,299, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount or a $400 price cut (it's also the lowest price we've ever tracked for this model), but you'll need to hurry. Amazon's got this one listed as "selling fast."

SEE ALSO: Asus ROG Ally X review: 3 ways it beats the Steam Deck

This monitor runs at 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) with a 32-inch QD-OLED panel. It also has a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time. ASUS was smart about this build, too. It uses a custom heatsink and graphene film to manage heat, reduce the risk of burn-in, and improve the panel's longevity. You can even charge your gaming laptop directly using the USB-C port, which provides 90W Power Delivery. Plus, the ergonomic stand is specially designed to tilt, swivel, and adjust in height so you can see the game from every angle.

Sometimes you encounter a technical issue on an iPhone that makes you chuckle more than anything else.

That's what's currently happening to some photos in the iOS Photos app, per 9to5mac. Various reports on places like Reddit have confirmed that some photos originally snapped on Android phones are showing up with a horrifying red filter applied to them when you look at them in the Photos app. You won't see the filter until you tap on the image, for some reason, so you can't tell that something is wrong from the thumbnail.

SEE ALSO: Android now lets you share live video on emergency calls

It's seemingly not yet known how this is happening, but the good news is that there's an easy fix. According to 9to5mac, just open an affected photo, hit the Edit button, and then hit Revert. That should remove the red filter. Again, this apparently only applies to photos taken on Android phones and saved to iPhones for whatever reason, so you may not even have any of these in your library. I certainly couldn't find any in mine.

At any rate, this is more goofy than problematic. Just make sure you fix any affected photos before sharing them with someone else.

The UK government wants tech giants like Apple and Google to block nude photographs if there is no age verification from the user.

The Financial Times reported (via 9to5 Mac) on the new policy from the British government, which will reportedly ask both Google and Apple to block users on iOS and Android devices from both sharing and accessing nude photos sans age verification.

Age verification is a major issue in the tech world right now, and tech giants like Meta are actively lobbying for regulations that require Google and Apple to take responsibility for this process.

Wrote the Financial Times:

"Ministers want the likes of Apple and Google to incorporate nudity-detection algorithms into their device operating systems to prevent users taking photos or sharing images of genitalia unless they are verified as adults […]

[Additionally,] the Home Office wants to see operating systems that prevent any nudity being displayed on screen unless the user has verified they are an adult through methods such as biometric checks or official ID."

The UK government, at least for the time being, will not require this of devices sold in Britain but rather encourage it of the tech companies, noted Apple-focused site MacRumors.

Mashable has regularly covered the rapid spread of age-verification laws. While these policies may stem from the desire to protect kids, experts say they often prove ineffective while raising serious privacy concerns. Though, as Mashable's Anna Iovine reported, device-level filters might be the most ethical and effective way of enforcing age restrictions.

There is something beautifully ironic about creating an AI companion that looks almost identical to a Tribble.

The iconic alien from Star Trek made its television debut in the 1967 episode "The Trouble with Tribbles," in which these tiny, fluffy balls quickly turned from "adorable alien that purrs" into "really annoying invasive nuisance."

Nearly six decades later, enter: the Fuzozo. This AI emotional companion that looks remarkably similar to the Star Trek alien is debuting at CES 2026. The Fuzozo recognizes its owner and responds when the owner talks to it. It purrs when you pet it, moves closer to you when you're sitting on the couch, and waits for you by the door when you're gone. One review of the previous model says it "feels alive."

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According to Forbes, agentic and physical AI, like the Fuzozo, is a potential multi-trillion-dollar industry, so it's no surprise that the emotional companion is going to be a highly anticipated drop at the upcoming CES. Oftentimes, AI companions are stuck in a users' home, because without WiFi, they're effectively useless.

"True companionship should follow you everywhere," reads a press release from Tuya Smart, which launched the companion along with Robopoet. "The golden era of AI companions will arrive when they become as always connected and mobile as your smartphone."

The Fuzozo isn't the only, or first, AI companion to pull from mobile connections. The much-disputed AI companion and wearable called "Friend" also works off of an internet connection via your phone's WiFi or cellular data to function. This seems to me like a combination of the Friend and a Labubu.

"We chose to partner with Tuya Smart on the cellular edition of Fuzozo because of Tuya's robust global cloud service capabilities, which ensure stable, seamless emotional companionship," Joe Sun, the CEO of Robopoet, said in the press release. "This partnership enables us to concentrate on advancing core innovations in emotional interaction and delivering distinctive AI companion experience to users around the world."

An image in the press release shows a partial look at the new generation of Fuzozo AI companions.

Credit: Tuya Smart / Robopoet

SAVE $61.99: As of Dec. 15, the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones are down to just $398 at Amazon. That's a 13% drop from their usual list price and matches their Black Friday price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal

When Sony dropped its newest WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones earlier this year, we were a little disappointed in the price increase over their predecessor. Though Mashable's tech editor Timothy Beck Werth believes the steep cost is mostly justified by their robust specs, we definitely appreciate a solid discount.

As of Dec. 15, the Sony WH-1000XM6s are back down to just $398 instead of their usual list price of $459.99. That's $61.99 or 13% in savings and matches the record-low Black Friday deal we saw on the headphones.

Sure, that's still a lot of dough to drop on a pair of headphones, but they are wildly impressive. They're our top pick for sound quality amongst all brands of headphones, and our reviewer says they "elevate wireless audio to heights that no other rival has yet to match." Our shopping team has tested a ton of headphones and found that the XM6s sound great right out of the box, though with fine-tuning on the equalizer they somehow sound even better.

Beyond sound quality, they also offer phenomenal noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a travel-friendly folding design (unlike the XM5s). The battery life is the same as their predecessor, but that's not a bad thing necessarily. 30 hours is pretty dang solid. If you need some influencing, check out our full review of the 2025 Sony flagship headphones.

The XM6s are in a league of their own, but if you can't fathom spending that much on a pair of headphones — even when they're on sale — the XM5s are still a great option as well.

SAVE $92.89: The Meta Quest 3 (512GB) is on sale at Amazon for $407.10, down from the usual price of $499.99. That's 19% discount and it comes with a free $100 digital credit with code QUEST30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3 (512GB) $407.10 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $92.89 use code QUEST30 at checkout to get a free $100 digital credit Get Deal

Tis the season to go big. Whether you're shopping for the ultimate holiday gift or looking for an end-of-the-year present for yourself, there are some great deals out there. Some of these extend to items that might ordinarily be out of price range but have become much more reasonable thanks to a special sale. If you've always wanted to dive into the world of virtual reality, this could be your shot.

As of Dec. 15, the Meta Quest 3 (512GB) is on sale at Amazon for $407.10, marked down from the usual price of $499.99. That works out to a savings of $92.89 from a 19% discount. But even more exciting is that you can enter code QUEST30 at checkout to get a free $100 digital Amazon credit.

Maybe you were holding out with early models, but the Meta Quest 3 is said to have a 30% sharper resolution. Pair this with the ample 512GB of storage and 8GB RAM, and we're in line for epic gaming. The VR headset also comes with free access to Meta Horizon+ for three months which gives access to over 40 games with new drops each month.

SEE ALSO: Get the Bose Ultra open-ear earbuds for under $200 at Best Buy

The Meta Quest 3 is designed with a lightweight and slim design and it has bragging rights of using two RGB cameras which helps virtual objects blend into your physical space. In Kimberly Gedeon's Mashable review of the Meta Quest 3, battery life came up as one of the only negatives. In testing, it only stayed powered up for about an hour and 20 minutes. While that's not super impressive, maybe it's a nice time limit on a gaming session.

If you've been on the fence about investing in the Meta Quest 3, the nearly $100 discount could be your sign. On top of this, checkout code QUEST30 earns you a free $100 Amazon digital credit. Since Amazon is noting this is a limited-time deal, it's best to jump on this one quickly.