Mashable

TL;DR: The Financial Freedom Bundle pairs lifetime access to Sterling Stock Picker with the PRO$PER financial education platform for $69.99 (reg. $598).

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The Financial Freedom Bundle ft. Sterling Stock Picker $69.99
$598 Save $528.01   Get Deal

Learning to invest usually means picking up a tool, a course, or both, separately. This bundle covers both sides at once: a stock research app and a financial education platform, for $69.99 together instead of $598.

Sterling Stock Picker runs financial, technical, and risk analysis on individual stocks and returns a buy, sell, hold, or avoid call, so you’re not stuck parsing an earnings report yourself. A five-minute risk-tolerance quiz feeds a portfolio builder that can assemble a diversified mix based on your goals, and an AI assistant named Finley answers portfolio questions in plain language with real-time market data. It works through a browser or the iOS and Android apps, with no recurring fees once you’ve bought in.

SEE ALSO: 15 early October Prime Day tech deals, hand-picked by our gadget experts

The second half of the bundle, PRO$PER, focuses on education: more than 12 courses and 150 lessons on budgeting, debt, investing, and retirement planning, taught by financial educator Jaden Sterling. It includes its own dashboard for tracking goals and progress, plus the same Finley AI coach for questions as they come up.

Together, the idea is to give new and experienced investors both the research tool and the background to understand what it’s telling them, rather than one without the other. Both pieces come with lifetime access and unlimited future updates, and the bundle is open to new users only, with codes redeemable within 30 days of purchase.

Get the Financial Freedom Bundle for $69.99, an 88% savings off the $598 list price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

You're scrolling through your TikTok For You page, watching videos, when suddenly a pop-up appears on your smartphone screen.

"Congratulations! You have been selected for our Screentime To Cash program," reads the prompt, which looks a lot like a TikTok notification.

These types of ads suggest that TikTok users can get paid to watch videos; however, even though it looks like an official TikTok message, it's not.

There is no legitimate TikTok program called "Screentime to Cash" — or anything similar — the company confirmed in a statement to Mashable. TikTok does have an official monetization program for eligible creators who upload content and meet certain requirements. But TikTok definitely does not have a program that pays viewers to watch videos or scroll through the app.

Screentime to Cash pop-up Credit: Mashable screenshot

A TikTok spokesperson also told Mashable that they have since removed the ads and connected accounts.

"We've removed content and accounts for violating our policies against deceptive practices and misleading content," TikTok told us. "TikTok prohibits fraudulent activity in both advertising and user-generated content, and we continuously remove such content and accounts as they're detected or reported."

So, why is this message on your screen then?

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Behind the TikTok "Screentime to Cash" pop-up messages

Third-party entities are running ads on TikTok that are designed to look like official messaging from the platform, according to a Mashable investigation. Typically, these ads promote Get-Paid-To apps, or GPT apps.

These apps advertise themselves as ways that users can make money by playing games, watching videos, or filling out forms and surveys. The Get-Paid-To app-makers may act as affiliates for other third-party companies, which pay the app maker for signups or downloads of their product. In turn, these GPT app companies share their affiliate earnings with their users as they complete qualifying tasks. These types of apps may also share user data with third parties, a common app monetization strategy. When a user completes a certain number of tasks, such as taking surveys or downloading games, and reaches a payment threshold, they can request their payout.

Mashable found numerous TikTok users posting screenshots of the "Screentime to Cash" advertisements on social media platforms like Reddit; users said those ads directed them to third-party apps such as Playful Rewards or QuickRewardz.

Mashable reached out to both Playful Rewards and QuickRewardz, and a Playful Rewards spokesperson told Mashable that the ads "are not being run directly by Playful Rewards and may be coming from a third-party advertising source."

As for QuickRewardz, it appears the app has since been removed from the Google Play store, although it's unclear when the app was taken down. It's also unclear if the app was pulled by Google or the developer. Mashable reached out to the company behind the app, Team Rewardz, and we'll update this piece if we hear back.

These types of apps and advertisements make up a vast web of affiliate networks and third parties. This can make it difficult for social media platforms to crack down on misleading ads, leaving them playing whack-a-mole as new accounts and ads pop up, literally, as detailed in a 2024 Forrester research report.

Do get-paid-to apps actually pay?

There are some legitimate companies that pay small amounts of money for completing marketing surveys or other tasks. However, on sites such as Trustpilot, some frustrated reviewers describe GPT apps as scams. Many of these users report that after qualifying for a cash payout, their account was mysteriously suspended, typically for some type of alleged policy violation, and so they were never able to claim the promised rewards.

On the TrustPilot page for Playful Rewards, one reviewer wrote: "They're a scam. I recently accumulated enough coins to cash out $60, and then promptly got my account permanently locked. When I asked their customer support, they claimed it was because I progressed too fast on a game."

Always remember the golden rule when evaluating programs like this: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Likewise, just because you see an ad on a social media site like TikTok, YouTube, or Facebook, that does not mean the company behind the ad is legit. Internal Meta documents reviewed by Reuters stated that Facebook showed users 15 billion scam ads every day, and Mashable has reported on sketchy YouTube ads using AI and celebrity deepfakes.

TikTok users should also be skeptical of apps that use misleading advertisements that imply they have a formal relationship with TikTok or other companies. Always proceed with caution when you are asked to hand over any private personal information during the signup process. You should also check the fine print, as these app-based rewards programs may contain terms that allow the company to resell your information or place you on robocall lists, according to a 2023 suit by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

The bottom line: TikTok says these "screentime to cash" programs are in no way endorsed by TikTok.

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National Cheeseburger Day was huge. We got participation of huge names like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Smashburger. We really didn't think anything could top the deals offered on this date, but National Coffee Day is generating a real buzz.

National Coffee Day takes place on Sept. 28, and you can celebrate by visiting popular spots like Starbucks, Dunkin', and Krispy Kreme to score free giveaways, limited-edition products, new releases, and so much more. We've scanned the market for all the National Coffee Day deals to line up a selection of standout offers.

These are our favorite National Coffee Day deals:

7 Brew

Score free State License Plate Stickers with any drink purchase on Sept. 29th.

Aroma Joe’s

Head to Aroma Joe’s to score a free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee. There is a limit of one per customer, and the offer is valid in-store only.

Atlas Coffee

Through Oct. 5th, Atlas Coffee is offering a 12-ounce bag/box of coffee for $5 plus shipping.

Biggby Coffee

On Sept. 29, Biggby Coffee is offering a 16-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee for $0.99 or a 16-ounce hot or iced Mocha Mocha Latte for $1.99.

Brooklyn Water Bagel

Rewards members can get a free 16-ounce hot coffee or 24-ounce Cubsta in-store or in-app on Sept. 29th. No purchase is required to qualify.

Caribou Coffee

Purchase any beverage at Caribou Coffee on Sept. 29 to score a free medium hot or cold brew.

Circle K

Get a free medium coffee — hot or iced — at any of the 7,000 Circle K locations. This offer is redeemable through the Circle K app. 

Dairy Queen

Get a small DQ Coffee Cooler for just $3 at participating U.S. locations through Nov. 1.

Dunkin’

Get a free medium iced or hot coffee with any purchase on Sept. 29

DoorDash

Get a free medium hot or iced coffee with a $15+ Dunkin’ order through DoorDash.

Dutch Bros

On Sept. 29, customers who purchase any two drinks at participating locations can receive a set of two mystery straw toppers.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

Get a free iced coffee with any purchase at Einstein Bros. Bagels on National Coffee Day. You must mention the offer in-store to redeem it.  

Frutta Bowls

Frutta Bowls is offering free 16-ounce cold brew with any online or in-app purchase of $9.99 or more. To qualify, use promo code JAVA9 during checkout on Sept. 29.

Gregorys Coffee

Rewards members will earn 400 Gs with purchases on Sept. 29. That's enough to redeem for a free drip coffee on a future visit.

Jeff’s Bagel Run

Get a free hot or iced coffee all day at Jeff’s Bagel Run on National Coffee Day with no purchase necessary.

Klatch Coffee

Get free Competition Cappuccinos when you use an in-app promo code.

Krispy Kreme

Available through Sept. 29, Krispy Kreme has dropped a new Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnut for National Coffee Day.

Original ChopShop

Score a 16-ounce Vanilla Iced Latte or Golden Iced Latte for just $4.75 at Original ChopShop on National Coffee Day.

Paris Baguette

PB Members can score a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase on National Coffee Day.

Parlor Doughnuts

Purchases of at $25+ will get $5 off on National Coffee Day. Redeem in store or enter promo code SAVE5 at checkout.

Peet’s Coffee

Peetnik Rewards members can pay just $0.25 for a medium-sized coffee and get a Cold Brew Pass for $30 through Sept. 30. With the pass, you get one free medium cold brew every day for 30 days from your purchase.

Pilot

Get free hot coffee of any size on Sept. 29, no purchase necessary. Customers can score this deal by opening the Pilot app and redeeming at checkout.

Pinkbox Doughnuts

Pinkbox Doughnuts Loyalty members can get a free 16-oz drip coffee with no purchase required, plus 50% off one specialty coffee drink.

PJ’s Coffee

Get a free 12-ounce hot or 16-ounce cold brew with any in-store food purchase.

Playa Bowls

On Sept. 29, rewards members can enjoy an exclusive buy one, get one deal on 20-ounce cold brews.

RaceTrac

Every day through Sept. 30, you can grab a small hot coffee at RaceTrac for only $1. No rewards membership is required to claim.

Sheetz

Score free self-serve coffee with any purchase through Oct. 1. Customers must be My Sheetz Rewardz members to redeem this offer.

Starbucks

From Sept. 29, Starbucks is offering a new iced espresso beverage called the Aerocano and three new Mini Pies: Apple Crumble Mini Pie, Pecan Mini Pie, and Pumpkin Mini Pie.

Stop & Shop

Until Oct. 1, rewards members can get a free 48-ounce bottle of Stop & Shop ready-to-drink cold brew coffee. Scan your GO Rewards account at the Savings Station kiosk to receive the digital coupon, with no purchase required.

Sunny Street Cafe

On Sept. 29, save $2 on any Sunny Street Cafe cold brew at all locations.

Shipley Do-nuts

Shipley Do-nuts is offering bonus loyalty points on every purchase until Oct. 18.

Tim Hortons

On Sept. 29, get a free coffee of any size with no purchase necessary. To qualify, customers must activate the offer in the Tim Hortons app.

Verena Street Coffee

Verena Street Coffee is offering bagged coffee for up to 25% off in September.

Whataburger

Get a free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee on National Coffee Day, with no purchase necessary.

Ziggi's Coffee

Ziggi's Rewards members can score a free small Daily Brew, Cold Brew, or Iced Coffee with the purchase of another menu item through Oct. 5.

AdultFriendFinder has been in the hookup game for literally decades. Launching online in 1996 — truly the dark ages of the internet — AFF soon established itself as the No. 1 adult dating site. In other words, AFF has been hooking people up for 30 years, making it the go-to platform for singles, casual flings, and kink-based fun.

AFF has also stayed strong through major changes in the dating game and online culture. It's survived the emergence of dating apps like Tinder, which have otherwise taken over the dating game, while maintaining its original identity. The result is that it still stands out from the crowd. Which is no mean feat. The world of online dating is hugely competitive, with all kinds of apps drawing daters' attentions in various alternative directions.

If you're looking to let your freak flag fly loud and proud — and why not? Just go for it, we say — AFF offers you the best variety of ways to explore and indulge in kink-based fun. To help get you started, here's a round-up of six great features on AdultFriendFinder — features you won't find on any other dating sites.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Naked content

The first thing to notice when you register for an AFF account (and you could hardly miss it) is that the site doesn't exactly shy away from nudity. You'll find it in every corner of AFF and all over its interface. Indeed, it's very common for users' profile photos to contain genitalia close-ups or full-frontal nudity rather than the usual headshot you get on more typical dating sites. What better way to set out your stall on the world's spiciest hookup site?

You can also post videos on your profile, including explicit videos, and there are webcam feeds live at any given time with amateur and professional models in various states of undress and pleasure. 

If you find yourself distracted by all of the nudity or just want to browse the site in public without having NSFW imagery all over your screen, you can turn on the adult content filter by navigating to your profile settings in the top right of the screen, then scrolling down to Content Filter and selecting either No Nudity, Some Nudity, or Everything (the default setting, naturally). Be warned, the default setting is to have all that nudity front and center. And it's best to avoid checking AFF while you're public, no matter what filters you have in place.

Live webcam feeds

We know that webcam sites are rife — there's no shortage of places to find cam-based naughtiness — but it's rare to find an actual dating site that hosts live webcam action. With AFF, you'll get both professional models and regular users on webcam feeds.

All you need to do is go to the Live Action menu at the top of your AFF window and click either Member Webcams or Pro Models. Once you've selected your preference, there are even more specific search filters, including gender (Men, Women, or Trans), Nude or Non-Nude, and even by proximity to your location.

SEE ALSO: The Looksmaxxing Glossary: Every term you need to understand the internet's most unhinged subculture

One thing to note, however: while free members can view webcam feeds, only Gold members and above can actually chat with models. Gold members can also watch multiple webcam feeds at the same time.

Discussion forums, blogs, and group chats

Unlike traditional dating sites, which focus solely on one-on-one matches, AdultFriendFinder encourages group dynamics, especially in its Community section. Here you'll find personal blog posts by AFF users who share their experiences, tell stories, and post questions. You'll also find group discussion boards organized around literally hundreds of interesting topics. Many of these are sexual in nature (there's a polyamory group, for example, and a "women who like older men" group), but many are based on regular interests and hobbies, including politics, tech, travel, movies, and music. 

Best of all, you can participate in these communal discussions without subscribing to AFF's Gold membership, which helps keep these spaces livelier than they would otherwise be if only paying members could access them. 

Erotic stories

Fun fact: Erotic fiction now accounts for approximately 25 percent of all fiction sold in the United States, so it's hardly surprising that erotic writing ("literotica" for those in the know) would be a major draw. What is surprising, however, is how few online dating sites take advantage of it.

AdultFriendFinder members who wish to read or write sexy stories, real or imagined, can navigate to the Community menu and select Stories, which unlocks a near-unlimited array of stories, novels, fan fiction, and erotic poetry. 

SEE ALSO: The 10 best free dating apps to find your spring fling

If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore the stories at random, but AFF also deploys a clever tagging system that allows you to search by topic, with popular options including First Time, Sci-Fi, TSTV (trans and transvestite), and Voyeur. 

Popular stories achieve higher ratings and greater on-site visibility, and popular authors can actually build a large following on the site, so whether you're eager to read more erotic fiction or aspire to write some, AFF has you covered. 

Contests

One of the more fun aspects of AdultFriendFinder is that it genuinely seeks to cultivate a sense of community and actively encourages its users to spend more time on the site, especially in the public-facing sections. Their on-site contests are a fantastic example of this in action. 

About once per month, the site hosts a themed photo contest, asking members to submit photos and then allowing the rest of the site to vote on which submissions best reflect or embody the contest caption. 

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

One recent photo contest theme was "Velvet Secrets: Valentine's Masquerade," while prior contests included "Naughty & Nice" for the holidays and "Midnight Mischief." Winners get a special badge they can display on their profile, plus tons more profile visibility, so there's a strong incentive to participate. 

To enter, scroll to the Community menu and then find Contests at the very bottom of the options list. If there's an active contest and you are logged in to your account, you'll be given the option of participating.

Kink-based profile search

Every online dating site or app has a profile section, where you can fill out pertinent personal information such as your sexual orientation, level of education, and whatever hobbies, interests, or special skills you have that might make you stand out from the crowd, but AdultFriendFinder takes things a step further by offering members the opportunity to list their kinks.

If you navigate to your profile name in the top right of your AFF screen and then select Dating Profile and Edit Profile, you'll find your My Kinks section. Popular options here include BDSM, voyeurism, and cross-dressing, but the full list is far more extensive. Nothing (that's legal, of course) is off limits. AFF is a place to not only indulge in your kinks and fantasies but to also to discover some you never knew you had.

SEE ALSO: How to use the internet to figure out what you’re into in bed

If you have a premium account, you can actually search out other members by their chosen kinks, allowing you to find users in your area who like exhibitionism or have a foot fetish, for example. In other words, you can find your kink-minded people.

There's no shortage of online dating sites, and even no shortage of hookup-first sites, but when it comes to adult dating, AFF clearly separates itself from the competition with its wide array of kink-friendly features and accommodations. 

What I look for in the best MacBook alternatives

I've used a MacBook as my daily driver for 15 years now, so I have a pretty good handle on Apple's laptop hardware and software. (Shoutout to my fellow butterfly keyboard survivors.) IMO, a Windows PC or Chromebook is doing a great MacBook impression if it has above-average performance, decently long battery life, and a sleek, polished design — basically, if it's a superb Windows laptop or Chromebook. I'll add some extra qualifiers depending on the exact Mac model:

• MacBook Air alternatives should be super lightweight and portable

• MacBook Neo alternatives should cost well under $1,000 and have premium build quality

• MacBook Pro alternatives should have a crisp, rich 120Hz display and enough power for intensive tasks like video editing

Other Mashable staffers and I have tested nearly 100 laptops in the past two years (and counting). After combing through our database, I've landed on eight worthy MacBook alternatives for 2026 buyers — including seven PCs from Acer, Asus, Dell, and HP, plus one very nice Acer Chromebook. I've also lined up a fallback option for those who want to stay within the Apple ecosystem.

Which Windows laptops and Chromebooks can beat Apple?

As part of our review process, we quantify laptops' performance using Primate Labs' Geekbench CPU benchmark and measure their battery life with a video rundown test. All of the picks on this list beat MacBooks in one or both of those tests.

In the performance department, the M5 MacBook Air and M5 MacBook Pro earned the top single-core scores. (That tells us how snappy a laptop feels when you're just using it for basic things like sending emails and web browsing.) However, the Asus Zenbook A14, Asus Zenbook A16, Dell XPS 14, HP OmniBook Ultra 14, Acer Swift X 14, and Asus Expertbook Ultra all outpace one or both of them in heavier multi-core tasks like video editing.

When it comes to stamina, the Dell XPS 13 and Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 both outlast the MacBook Neo by at least three and a half hours. The OmniBook Ultra 14 and the Expertbook Ultra beat the MacBook Air on battery life by smaller margins, while the Zenbook A14 surpasses both the MacBook Air and Pro by up to nearly 10 hours. With 27 hours and 36 minutes of battery life, it's the longest-lasting MacBook alternative I recommend.

What's new

In September 2026, I added the Dell XPS 13 as the best MacBook Neo alternative after a new round of testing. (The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 Spin is now the best Neo rival for those who prefer ChromeOS.) I also checked all of our existing picks for pricing and availability changes. The Asus Zenbook A16 has gotten $300 more expensive since I last updated this guide over the summer, but I don't think its new price of $1,999 is outrageous in the current market, given its 48GB RAM capacity. Therefore, it retains its spot on this list.

Back in July, I added the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 and Asus ExpertBook Ultra as new picks.

Other contenders to consider Not giving the ProArt GoPro Edition a 120Hz display was an odd choice on Asus' part. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The special-edition Asus ProArt GoPro Edition bundles MacBook Pro-rivaling multi-core performance and 128GB of RAM in a rugged convertible design. It's expensive at $2,999.99, but fairly priced for how much memory it has. (An identically configured MacBook Pro costs $6,699.) Still, I can't recommend it as a MacBook Pro alternative because it has a blurrier 60Hz display. That feels like a glaring omission on a premium creator laptop.

The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI is a shockingly thin-and-light ultraportable with a 2.8K OLED touchscreen. It only costs $1,499.99 with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It would make a very good MacBook Air alternative if it weren't such a mediocre performer: It's 48 percent slower than the latest MacBook Air in single-core scenarios and 33 percent slower in multi-core tasks. It's a closer rival to the M2 MacBook Air from 2022 when it comes to processing power. I would only pick it over the Zenbook A14 if you can't use an ARM-based laptop (see below).

We haven't tested them yet — stay tuned — but the Acer Swift Air 14 looks like another very promising MacBook Neo alternative, and the Framework Laptop 13 Pro seems like a neat repairable MacBook Pro alternative.

A note about ARM-based Windows laptops

The Asus Zenbook A14, Zenbook A16, and HP OmniBook Ultra 14 run on Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 series chips. These are ARM-based chips, which are built differently from traditional x86-based Intel and AMD chips. As such, they're not compatible with as many video games and certain specialty software. This isn't an issue for most general users, but if you do a lot of PC gaming or you're a college student, you should avoid them. You can read more about this in my dedicated guide to the best Windows laptops.

SAVE $402: As of Sept. 29, the Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series is on sale for $597.97 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series $597.97 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $402.02   Get Deal

Amazon's next installment of Prime Day officially kicks off next week, but we've been tracking early deals popping up throughout September. There are deals of all kinds to be found, from robot vacuums to our tech favorites.

If it's a new TV you've been looking to buy, there are many impressive deals already live, including this latest discount on the Hisense 65-inch E7 Cinema Series. Normally $999.99, this TV is now $597.99, saving you over $400.

As the name suggests, this TV delivers cinema-quality viewing in the comfort of your home. It benefits from Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, which deliver HDR picture quality and immersive sound, and supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG.

It also offers various AI features to enhance your viewing experience. These include picture processing, which helps adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and color based on the content you're watching. An AI light sensor can even adapt the backlight to the room's ambient lighting. Plus, there's also an AI Sports Mode that automatically adjusts the picture and sound for live sports.

And if you're a movie fanatic, you'll love Filmmaker Mode. This feature preserves the original picture and sound settings of compatible films, so you can watch them the way directors intended.

You can find this early Prime Day TV deal at Amazon right now.

We're now a few days past the Harvest Moon, this month's Full Moon, so it'll now begin to wane each night until we reach the New Moon. This process is called the lunar cycle, and takes around 29.5 days in total.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 92% of its surface visible.

While the Moon's visibility is decreasing, there is still so much to see tonight, including the Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, and the Tycho Crater which can be spotted without the use of any visual aids. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Clavius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Alps Mountains. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, plus the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, and as it moves through this cycle, we see different amounts of its sunlit side from here. That's what creates the Moon's different phases, from a thin crescent through to a half Moon and, eventually, the Full Moon. Once it reaches the Full Moon, the cycle starts over again. NASA explains that the phase we see depends on the Moon's position in relation to Earth and the Sun.

The eight 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.

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 29, the Ninja Creami is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami $169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50   Get Deal

If you've spent any time scrolling TikTok, you've more than likely seen the Ninja Creami in action. The viral ice cream maker has become a firm favorite online for making homemade frozen treats of all kinds. We're talking everything from coffee ice cream to protein powder ice cream. And if you've been hoping to make your own creations, it's currently on sale at Amazon.

Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day) kicks off next week, but early discounts have already started trickling in. For example, the Ninja Creami is now down to $169.99. According to camelcamelcamel, this is the best price in six months.

So, what exactly does it do? The Ninja Creami essentially lets you make seven different types of frozen treats at the touch of a button. These include ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, Lite Ice Cream, and Mix-In. Its Creamify Technology finely shaves through a frozen pint to create smooth, creamy desserts in minutes, and the Re-spin function lets you process it again for an even softer texture.

And the world is your oyster when it comes to creations. You can make treats with the ingredients you choose. Plus, the Mix-In program also lets you add chocolate chips, nuts, fruit, cookies, etc., distributing them throughout your dessert.

Head to Amazon now to grab this Ninja deal.

TL;DR: Through Sept. 29, Krispy Kreme is celebrating National Coffee Day with a new limited-edition Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnut. Plus, you can score a dozen Original Glazed or Coffee Flavored doughnuts for just $5 when you buy any regular-priced dozen, stacked with a free coffee offer on Sept. 29.

National Coffee Day is here, and Krispy Kreme is combining two morning staples into a single limited-edition treat. Through Sept. 29, the chain is rolling out the new Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnut.

This limited-time menu addition takes Krispy Kreme’s iconic melt-in-your-mouth glazed doughnut and infuses it with a smooth, subtly bold coffee flavor. To mark the launch and the holiday, Krispy Kreme is running two stacked promotions across participating locations.

How to get a $5 dozens

If you are picking up doughnuts for the office or family, you can grab a second dozen for a steep discount. When you buy any full-priced dozen on Sept. 29, you can add a second dozen of either the new Original Glazed Coffee Flavored Doughnuts or classic Original Glazed Doughnuts for just $5.

• In-shop and drive-thru — You can redeem up to two $5 dozens per guest at participating locations.

• Online and app orders — Use the promo code COFFEE at checkout when ordering for pickup or delivery through the Krispy Kreme app or website (limit one $5 dozen per online order while supplies last).

Free coffee on National Coffee Day

If you visit a participating Krispy Kreme shop on Tuesday, Sept. 29, you can score a free small or medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase. This offer is limited to one free drink per guest in-store or through the drive-thru.

Head over to your local Krispy Kreme or open the mobile app and use code COFFEE to grab your $5 dozen before the deal ends on Sept. 29.

The TikTok Creators Summit, held on Thursday in Hollywood, had the feel of an intimate awards show mashed with a retro-style work convention, complete with lanyards and name tags.

Platform creators sipped coffee and snapped photos before being led into a cavernous room with hundreds of seats and a brightly lit stage. Hosts Eric Sedeño (@ricotaquito) and Yasmine Sahid (@ladyyasmina1) admirably kept the energy up throughout the 90-minute-long proceedings, even with some cringey jokes piped into their teleprompter.

No trophies were handed out at the summit; instead, TikTok leadership, along with creators and advertisers, cheerfully shared guidance on how TikTok talent could turn their passion for videos into a legitimate career that pays the rent (and everything else). With approximately 2 billion monthly active users, there is a lot of money on the table.

TikTok bosses like Keiko Mori, head of Creative Product Marketing and Commercial Partnerships - North America, emphasized to the young, rapt assemblage that advertisers seek creators with a clear niche and those who consistently post, engage with their audience, and have a track record of successful brand partnerships.

Selling TikTok One to creators

Part of TikTok's strategy to enrich its creators is to get them on TikTok One, a platform that directly connects creators with advertisers. Any creator with 10,000 followers can join One, which allows them to create ads for brands to push as they please, rather than post sponsored content on their profiles, and to monetize existing (and applicable) videos by letting TikTok promote them as ads.

While TikTok One has been around for a while, TikTok announced new perks at the summit. These included One Pay, a feature which allows creators to get paid from brand deals directly through the app, rather than through the advertisers. While this sounds like adding a middleman and giving him a cut of the profits (akin to Airbnb’s model), TikTok says it collects no fees or commissions on its end of the transaction. It also addresses a big issue for many creators: chasing down payments from brand deals.

SEE ALSO: This TikTok trend has users 'blockin' the street'

"Payment lands in under 30 days after a video posts, which is quicker than the traditional terms common in the industry," according to a statement from TikTok.

Another new One perk is TikTok One Plus, an invite-only opportunity for adult U.S. and Mexican creators with at least 100,000 followers. "High-quality content creators" are chosen for Plus, according to TikTok, opening up new exclusive brand opportunities for them. Companies that advertise on TikTok can easily find OnePlus creators via AI or analog searches, quickly identifying an account that aligns with their marketing campaign.

"When I first started and got my first big brand deal. I was so excited," Vanessa Louise Miller, aka DeliciousNess Bakery, told Mashable. "They did reach out to me directly. But looking back now, I feel like I waited way too long for that moment. You don’t need to have millions of followers to have a great brand deal. You can reach out to companies directly. TikTok One has been incredible for that, it connects me with a brand in the same ecosphere — and you never know what brand you’ll find on there."

8 ways to get paid on TikTok

TikTok execs at the summit emphasized the myriad revenue streams available to creators — specifically, eight of them:

• Creator Rewards Program: A performance-based model that pays creators according to individual video performance. The program rewards users for their creativity, according to TikTok, which usually means longer videos with more production value (effective lighting, professional-looking editing, etc.).

• Specialized Rewards Program: This invite-only monetization program sounds like the aforementioned TikTok One Plus, but it isn't directly connected to advertising or brand marketing. Eligible creators can produce "high-quality content within specialized categories like film/TV, sports and learning" to unlock more bucks. Creators must be in the site's Creator Rewards Program to join.

• Brand Deals: Sponsored content and brand partnerships are the bread and butter of making money on TikTok.

• LIVE: At the summit, TikTok execs were encouraging live sessions for users, especially since their followers can gift them cash rewards during the vids.

• TikTok Shop: TikTok's e-commerce platform lets shoppers buy products featured in videos and live streams, with users (and TikTok) taking a cut of the proceeds.

• TikTok GO: Similar to TikTok Shop, creators can promote hotels, attractions, and local services to their followers and get a cut of the bookings.

• Post Contests: Again, TikTok wants "high-quality content" for this opportunity, which seeks videos about specific subjects or those related to a campaign hashtag. The nice thing about these contests: no minimum follower count required.

• Subscriptions: Unknown to many is the ability to charge followers a subscription, ostensibly for exclusive content like special videos or behind-the-scenes clips.

TL;DR: Watch Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly for free on Network 10. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Nations League action continues this week with a number of interesting fixtures, but there's another high-profile fixture taking place on the other side of the world. Australia are facing off against Brazil for the second time in a week, just days after they drew 1-1 at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Brazil?

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly kicks off at 6 a.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Suncorp Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Brazil for free

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Network 10.

Network 10 is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit Network 10

5. Watch Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Australia vs. Brazil without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Network 10?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Network 10, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Best early Prime Day iPhone deals: Best iPhone deal overall iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) $0 (save $1,199.99) Get Deal Best iPhone 17 Pro deal iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) $0 (save $1,299.99) Get Deal Best unlocked iPhone deal iPhone 16e (128GB) $539.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best refurbished iPhone deal Refurbished iPhone 14 (128 GB) $419.99 (save $110.99) Get Deal

Amazon hasn't released its latest early Prime Day iPhone deals page yet. (Right now, it's just filled with iPhone 16s that aren't on sale.) We don't usually see iPhone deals worth buying on Amazon unless they're "renewed," so if you're hoping to find a discount on a brand-new, unlocked iPhone from Bezos, you probably won't.

But that doesn't mean you can't find a good deal during the sale — it just won't be on Amazon. Right now, T-Mobile is offering new and existing customers a chance to get the iPhone 18 Pro for free (if you don't mind signing a contract). If you'd rather not be tied to a carrier, Best Buy and Amazon offer discounts on unlocked "refurbished" and "renewed" models.

SEE ALSO: The best iPhones to buy in 2026: Our top pick might surprise you

Now that you've heard my spiel, here are the best early Prime Day iPhone deals you can shop right now, and you can check out our Apple guide for discounts on AirPods and MacBooks.

Best iPhone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) $0 at T-Mobile
$1,199.99 Save $1,199.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Getting a $1,200 phone for nothing is a hard deal to pass up. Right now, T-Mobile is covering the full cost of the iPhone 18 Pro through 36 monthly bill credits. To get this deal, you'll need to either switch to an Experience Beyond 2.0 plan or trade in a relatively recent device, like an iPhone 16 or 15 Pro, on an eligible plan.

While T-Mobile says it accepts trade-ins in any condition, older phones like the iPhone 14 or 13 will bump you down to the $930 or $500 credit tiers. You'll also still have to pay the local sales tax on the full pre-credit retail price upfront, along with a $35 device connection fee. But if you're already planning to stick with T-Mobile for the next three years, it's an easy way to upgrade without paying full price.

Read our review of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Best iPhone 17 Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) $0 at T-Mobile
$1,299.99 Save $1,299.99   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not worried about having the latest and greatest, T-Mobile is giving away the iPhone 17 Pro using that exact same 36-month bill credit promo. You just need to switch to an Experience Beyond 2.0 plan or trade in an older phone.

The best part? Since last year's Pro model costs less upfront, trading in an older device like an iPhone 14 or 15 nearly covers the entire cost.

Read our review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Best unlocked iPhone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) $539.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

Best Buy has the unlocked iPhone 16e marked down to $539.99 — a $60 discount. It comes with 128GB of storage and Apple Intelligence built right in. It's not a flagship Pro model, but it is one of the only brand-new, unlocked iPhones seeing an outright cash discount ahead of October's sale events.

Best refurbished iPhone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished iPhone 14 (128 GB) $309 at Best Buy
$419.99 Save $110.99   Get Deal Why we like it

If you just want a reliable smartphone on a budget, go with a refurbished model. Best Buy has the unlocked 128GB iPhone 14 in "Refurbished Excellent" condition marked down to $309. That's a $110 price cut.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League for free on RTVE. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spain kicked off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a victory over England. The World Cup winners now face Croatia at home. It's going to be another challenging fixture for Luis de la Fuente's side.

If you're interested in watching Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Croatia?

Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

How to watch Spain vs. Croatia for free

Spain vs. Croatia in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can live stream Spain vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Spain vs. Croatia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit RTVE

5. Watch Spain vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Spain vs. Croatia without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Spain

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Spain vs. Croatia for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Another Amazon sale is upon us. ICYMI: Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day, returns Oct. 6 through Oct. 7 for 2026.

With deals dropping constantly throughout the event, shopping can get pretty overwhelming. We know all too well that it's easy to get caught up in the sales, indulge in some impulse purchasing, and experience a little buyer's remorse. No judgment.

As with every major Amazon sale, deals started popping off ahead of the official event kickoff, and there are lots more to come. If you run into some questions or concerns during your shopping journey — from classic cases of buyer's remorse to damaged packages to Prime membership questions — just know that you can always reach out to customer service.

SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership

Since contacting Amazon can be tricky at times, here are all the ways you can get in touch with customer service for a smoother online shopping experience before, during, and after the October Prime Day event. And yes, you can actually talk to a real person.

Amazon customer service help page

This is probably the most common and easiest way to find answers to common queries, such as Amazon’s return policies or international shipping information. The page contains a whole library of questions that users can get answers to, including how to track packages, cancel orders, or start a return. Your most recent purchases will pop up at the top of the page for easy navigation.

To access Amazon’s Customer Service Help Page, go to the website landing page and click on "Customer Service" in the top left of the screen. 

Amazon customer service email

Sometimes customer queries need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and the answers on the official website need to be more specific to better help shoppers. In these cases, users can email cs-reply@amazon.com and explain their issues. Remember that contacting Amazon’s customer service via email might not be the best option if you have an urgent question about your purchases, since customers are unlikely to receive a prompt response.

Amazon customer service phone number

Need a quicker reply? Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331. When customers call this number, a bot answers and eventually connects them to Amazon staff, depending on the type of query. It’s important to note that customers should have a cell phone number connected to their Amazon account. Customers must enter verification codes sent to their linked contact information before using this service. In other words, things can get a bit tricky if you're sharing an account with someone else.

Amazon online chat service

Real-time chatting with Amazon representatives is the most convenient way to get all your questions answered. To use the live chat feature, return to the Customer Service help page and click on "Help with something else." When the list pops up underneath, choose "something else" once again. Another page opens with a list of more help options. Select "I need help with something else."

Now you've officially entered the chat. Type "Talk to associate" in the chat box. Amazon's messaging assistant might prompt you to give more info on your issue, which you can, but if you'd rather get to a real person ASAP, you can select "I need more help" from the pre-written responses.

From there, you can choose if you’d prefer to talk via chat or call. If you're looking for immediate help with a Prime Day purchase — be it due to buyer's remorse, a damaged package, an address change, etc. — this is your best bet to get your needs met.

For simple questions, Amazon's AI chat feature (launched in 2024) called "Rufus" can help customers solve some problems and make more informed purchase decisions.

Contact Amazon via social media

If your questions aren’t that urgent, you can contact Amazon Customer Service at @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon on Facebook.

TL;DR: Watch Czechia vs. England in the Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League continues this week with the second round of fixtures, including Czechia vs. England. Both sides are looking to bounce back after losing their opening fixtures. England will be the favorites to win this matchup, but there are no easy fixtures in this competition.

If you're interested in watching Czechia vs. England in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Czechia vs. England?

Czechia vs. England in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 29. This fixture takes place at the Fortuna Arena.

How to watch Czechia vs. England for free

Czechia vs. England in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Czechia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Czechia vs. England for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Czechia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Czechia vs. England without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Czechia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The retro aesthetic audio brand Nothing released its first pair of over-ear headphones just over a year ago, and already, they're back with improvements.

The brand announced its latest flagship product, the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro, on Sept. 28. This will be the second over-ear headphones release from Nothing this year, following March's budget-friendly Nothing Headphone (a), which I found to be a more well-rounded and better value pair of headphones than the initial launch.

The Headphone (1) Pro, though, show some serious potential. Though I've only spent a few days with the headphones so far, I have some initial thoughts, alongside everything else to know about Nothing's newest release.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: Price and specs

The Nothing Headphone (1) Pro cost $399, putting them $100 over the asking price of the Headphone (1) upon launch. The specs are as follows:

• Drivers: Bass dynamic driver, precision dynamic driver, and xMEMS driver

• Active noise cancellation: Adaptive, powered by 10 microphones

• Battery life: 30 hours with ANC on, 68 hours with ANC off

• Quick charge: Two hours of listening from a five-minute charge

• Spatial audio: Yes, five modes of dynamic spatial audio (standard, Studio B by Metropolis Studios, live house, club, concert hall)

• IP rating: IP52

• Multipoint: Yes

• Connection: Bluetooth 6.1, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair

• Colors: Black and white

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro vs. Nothing Headphone (1)

While the Nothing Headphone (1) Pro retain the same distinctive retro-rectangular look of the Headphone (1), the brand brought some updates that separate the newer model as the premium one. For instance, the transparent part of the ear cup is made of shatter- and scratch-resistant glass, while a combination of titanium and aluminum provides for a lighter overall product.

Last year's Nothing Headphone (1) are similar in appearances, but the brand made key changes for the update model. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Nothing also claims to have upped the noise cancellation power by 40 percent, thanks to the 10-microphone system with more optimally placed mics. Unlike the older headphones, all the microphones are placed inward on the ear cup, meaning less interference from wind and airflow.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend

The headline with these headphones, however, likely lies with the broad listening experience. The triple driver architecture isn't one too common on headphones, but it's designed to provide the most robust listening experience. In the companion app, you have the option in the equalizer to tune the main drivers or the precision driver specifically.

In addition to the drivers, Nothing included five different modes of dynamic spatial audio, optimized for different genres of music.

If you're into audio editing, music mixing, or any aspect of audio production, Nothing also included a Flat EQ mode, which is designed to provide the most faithful reproduction of the original audio as possible. The headphones also feature an on-ear switch for this mode on the interior of the left ear cup.

Speaking of on-ear switches, it's worth noting that something that hasn't really changed between the two headphones is the excellent on-ear controls.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: First impressions The improved comfort on this design is a huge plus. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Though I haven't had much time with these headphones so far, immediately I could tell they were more comfortable than the Headphone (1), which I could not wear comfortably for more than an hour. Nothing claims the Pro headphones have 50 percent softer ear cushions and an overall lighter frame, both of which feel accurate and make the experience of using these headphones significantly more pleasant.

I've yet to put them through the wringer on the ANC front, but claims of improvements there also feel accurate so far — even the standard sounds of my apartment, like my own typing and the AC running, are basically impossible to hear when I'm streaming audio with the ANC on.

What I'm really looking forward to testing extensively is the robust sound profile. These headphones offer an impressive amount of customization, from the custom equalizer, presets, spatial audio options, and flat EQ mode. As a freelance podcast producer and editor, I'm particularly interested in trying out that last mode against my usual editing headphones.

Ultimately, I'm struggling to come up with critiques in my first days of testing, which I didn't experience with the Headphone (1) — we'll see how that develops over the rest of my testing period.

Nothing Headphone (1) Pro: Where to buy

The Nothing Headphone (1) will be available to purchase for $399 at Nothing's website, Amazon, and Best Buy on Sept. 29. We'll update this post as links go live.

TL;DR: Join Costco as a new Gold Star Member for $65 per year and enroll in auto-renewal to receive a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card by email.

Opens in a new window Credit: Costco Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + $20 Digital Costco Shop Card $65
  Get Deal

If you’ve been thinking about joining Costco, a promotion with StackSocial adds a little extra to your first year. Sign up for a one-year Costco Gold Star Membership ($65), enroll in auto-renewal, and receive a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card to put toward your first warehouse run.

A Gold Star Membership gets you into more than 500 Costco warehouses across the U.S., where you can stock up on bulk groceries, household basics, and Kirkland Signature products. Members can also fill up at the Costco Gas Station and have tires installed at the Costco Tire Center while they shop. If you want to stretch your grocery and gas budget further, that access may help reduce regular household costs. Each membership also includes one Household Card for an individual age 18 or older living at your address.

Here’s how to sign up:

1. Buy the one-year Costco Gold Star Membership voucher from StackSocial.

2. Follow the instructions in your confirmation email to activate your membership online. Use a valid email address and enroll in auto-renewal.

3. Pick up your membership card at your local Costco warehouse, and bring a valid photo identification.

Your Digital Costco Shop Card should arrive by email within two weeks of successful sign-up and auto-renewal enrollment. Use it at the warehouse on groceries and household items you already planned to buy. Just note that the Costco Food Court doesn’t accept it.

Join Costco as a new Gold Star Member for $65 and receive a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If you want to catch every Avengers: Doomsday teaser in Avengers: Endgame Encore, be warned. Not every theater is showing all four extra scenes.

SEE ALSO: 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' sets up 'Doomsday' with 4 new scenes. Here's what happens.

Instead, only IMAX screenings of Avengers: Endgame Encore are showing all of the extra scenes, along with Infinity Vision theaters. Infinity Vision is not a new film format, but rather a certification program created by Disney to tell audiences which Premium Large Format theaters have met their criteria for an "exceptional" moviegoing experience.

Audiences were disappointed by the fact that IMAX and Infinity Vision screenings of Avengers: Endgame Encore got exclusive content, especially since the missing scene amounts to a good chunk of the extra four minutes tacked on to Avengers: Endgame. In an Aug. 25 press release, Disney did make note of the difference between screenings, writing, "An additional sneak peek at [Avengers: Doomsday] will also be available to audiences who see Avengers: Endgame Encore on IMAX and Infinity Vision-certified screens."

What happens in the exclusive Avengers: Endgame Encore scene?

The exclusive Avengers: Endgame Encore scene takes place in the headquarters of the Time Variance Authority (TVA), first introduced in Season 1 of Loki. There, the TVA's Mobius (Owen Wilson), Ouroboros (Ke Huy Quan), and Casey (Eugene Cordero) observe a troubling incursion. Two alternate Earths are about to collide, and they're firing missiles at one another.

From there, the number of incursions multiples. It's not long before thousands of universes are colliding, and the TVA is out of its depth.

"The multiverse is collapsing," Ouroboros says.

It's a foreboding set up for Avengers: Doomsday, one that could explain how the main MCU crosses over with the Fantastic Four's universe and the universe containing Fox's X-Men.

Avengers: Endgame Encore is now in theaters. Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters Dec. 18.

After two years, it appears we're getting a new Kindle. The news comes from leaked photos posted by Roland Quandt on WinFuture, showcasing 25 new photos of a new Kindle. In the photos, there appears to be a redesigned 12th generation of Kindle, an update to its 2024 predecessor.

From the photos, it appears the new Kindle e-reader will come in three different shades: black, light blue, and purple. It also appears that the device received an overall redesign. The most exciting change is something I'd hoped would come to a new batch of Kindles — a redesigned power button.

Here's your first look at the 12th Gen #Amazon #Kindle (s?). New colors, new design, Power button is now on the side. I know there are visual differences in the pics re the display and it's rounded corners. So this might be more than one new device. Official pics: winfuture.de/news,161586....

[image or embed]

— Roland Quandt (@rquandt.bsky.social) September 28, 2026 at 8:24 AM

In the leaked photos, the power button appears to be on the right side of the device, moved from its former position at the bottom. In my review of the 11th generation Kindle, one of my biggest complaints was its power button design, so a change is greatly appreciated. The 12th generation of Kindle also seems to have a more recessed screen that's flush to the edge, now more closely resembling the Kindle Paperwhite.

In addition to the 12th generation Kindle, we also appear to be getting a new Kindle Kids. While it looks like a standard Kindle, it includes a case and an extended warranty.

All the information we have about the new Kindles is inferred from the leaked photos, as there's been no other information provided with them. We're still waiting to learn more about the device's size, front light, storage space, and waterproof rating, or if any other Kindle devices are getting an update. At this time, we also have no details on the timeline and release of this device.

We suspect the new Kindle will cost $149.99, the recently raised price of the 11th generation of Kindle, but are waiting for Amazon to confirm.

Shop current Kindle models Amazon Kindle $149.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Paperwhite $199.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $199.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Colorsoft $289.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Scribe $549.99 at Amazon Shop Now

TL;DR: Encrypt and privately share Windows files with an EncryptPro Personal Plan lifetime subscription for $39.99 (reg. $139).

Opens in a new window Credit: EncyptPro EncryptPro Personal Plan for Windows: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$139 Save $99.01   Get Deal

Most file encryption tools make you build a locked vault, then wait while large files are decrypted before you can open them. EncryptPro encrypts files right on your PC and shares them through private PGP connections, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $39.99 (reg. $139).

EncryptPro works fast and reliably to keep your files private. In testing on a standard machine, EncryptPro encrypted a 10.6GB file in just 35 seconds. Streaming decryption opens large files in seconds, so a 10GB video starts playing right away instead of waiting for the whole file to unlock. Every file and folder gets AES-256 encryption, and the app overwrites each original with zeros and then random data across multiple passes, so no readable copy gets left behind in the Recycle Bin.

SEE ALSO: 15 early October Prime Day tech deals, hand-picked by our gadget experts

Unlike other security software, you don’t need to open a separate window to use EncryptPro. Right-click any file or folder in Windows Explorer to lock or unlock it. Then just double-click an encrypted file to open it in its usual app. Encrypted folders are still browsable, and custom icons show each file’s group and lock state even when EncryptPro isn’t running.

EncryptPro uses a zero-knowledge setup, so the company can’t access your files, and you can verify that yourself with tools like Wireshark and Glasswire. Nothing gets uploaded or synced to a cloud server. Your encrypted files work from USB drives and external drives, and you can open them offline on any PC.

The Personal Plan adds PGP file sharing with no passwords to email, 5 password-protected Security Groups, and up to 10 one-to-one connections with 2 members each. Upgrade Lock rotates a connection’s keys whenever you want, cutting off anyone who doesn’t get the new password. One master password opens any group, so a forgotten group password won’t lock you out.

Your license works on three devices at once running 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, and future updates are included.

StackSocial prices subject to change.