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TL;DR: On sale for just $41.99, this bundle includes Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and 15 coding courses, but the 97 percent discount ends after August 16.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $41.99
$1,999.99 Save $1,958   Get Deal

Building a better coding toolkit does not have to mean buying software and training separately. For the final two days of this promotion, Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and a 15-course Learn to Code Certification Bundle are packaged together for $41.99, down from $1,999.99.

Visual Studio Professional 2026 is a 64-bit integrated development environment built to handle large solutions and demanding workflows. Developers can create .NET and C++ applications for Windows, Linux, and containers, build cross-platform apps with .NET MAUI, and design responsive web interfaces in C# using Blazor.

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Hot Reload applies code changes while an app is running, so you spend less time restarting projects after every edit. IntelliCode and built-in AI features provide context-aware completions, refactoring assistance, and code suggestions designed to reduce repetitive work and catch potential problems earlier.

CodeLens brings test status, references, authors, recent changes, and commit history directly into the editor. Live Share also lets teammates collaborate in real time without requiring everyone to clone a repository or install every dependency first. Integrations with GitHub, Azure, and other DevOps workflows help projects move from development to deployment more smoothly.

The included training bundle gives newer developers a place to begin and experienced programmers room to expand. The 15 multi-lesson courses cover OpenAI fundamentals, Python 3, C++ for beginners, practical JavaScript projects, and other useful coding topics.

This is not a stripped-down consolation package. It is a professional development environment paired with structured instruction at an unusually low one-time price.

Don’t miss getting Microsoft Visual Studio Pro 2026 + a 15-course Learn to Code Certification Bundle for just $41.99 through Aug. 16.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The new Google Pixel 11 was just unveiled this week. This usually prompts some consumers to question how Google's latest smartphone stacks up against Apple's current generation iPhone. 

However, this isn't really the most apt comparison. Because the phones run different operating systems, owners of either device may be reluctant to switch ecosystems in search of greener pastures.

The real head-to-head is between the Google Pixel 11 and its most direct Android rival: Samsung's latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26. Let's put these two Android devices head-to-head.

Google Pixel 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S26: Price

With the cost of technology rising amid global shortages of semiconductors, memory, and storage, price is likely front of mind for many consumers.

Both the Google Pixel 11 and Samsung Galaxy S26 start at $899 with 256GB and 12GB of memory.

Currently, the Google Pixel 11 is only available via pre-order and the Samsung Galaxy S26 has been out for a few months. Consumers are looking to purchase a new device immediately may therefore be able to find discounts on the Galaxy S26 right now. If they don't mind waiting, both smartphones will likely be priced similarly once the Pixel 11 is readily available in stores.

SEE ALSO: Tech editors react to the Made by Google event and new Pixel device features Google Pixel 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S26: Specs

Both the Google Pixel 11 and Samsung Galaxy S26 offer some real processing power. These are the flagship smartphones from two of the leading Android device manufacturers, after all.

The Pixel 11 is powered by Google's latest custom chipset, the Tensor G6, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, which has been optimized for Galaxy smartphones. With AI features being a major selling point for both devices, processing power is going to matter a lot.

So, which is more powerful? While the Tensor G6 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Tensor G5, experts have shared their disappointment in the chipset's capabilities. Don't get us wrong, Google has undoubtedly been able to optimize its own chipset specifically for the Pixel 11's Gemini-powered features. However, based on the performance benchmarks currently available, the Galaxy S26's Snapdragon 8 processor takes the clear lead in areas including CPU performance, gaming, and battery life.

Aside from the chipset powering each smartphone, the Pixel 11 and Galaxy S26 are quite similar specs-wise. Both devices run Android. Both have a 6.3-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate, although the Pixel 11 has an OLED display and the Galaxy S26 sports an AMOLED display. Both smartphones are quite similar in size, although the Pixel 11 is 0.1 inches taller than the Galaxy S26. 

In addition, both models offer 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

Perhaps the most noticeable differences are their batteries and weight. The Pixel 11 has a 4,985 mAh battery, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S26 has a 4,300 mAh battery. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is also nearly a full ounce lighter than the Pixel 11.

SEE ALSO: I tested iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S26 Ultra cameras Google Pixel 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S26: Cameras

Smartphone cameras are a huge selling point, and both the Pixel 11 and Galaxy S26 deliver four of them: three rear-facing cameras and one selfie camera.

The Pixel 11 has a 48MP wide-angle camera, while the Galaxy S26 has a 50MP camera. The Pixel 11's ultrawide camera is 13MP, while the Galaxy S26 sports a 12MP ultrawide camera. The Pixel 11 has a 10.8MP telephoto camera, while the Galaxy S26 has a 10MP telephoto camera. The Pixel 11 and Galaxy S26 have 10.5MP and 12MP selfie cameras, respectively.

As one can see, the camera specs on both devices are quite similar and the slight differences will be barely noticeable to most. The real comparison may come down to each phone's software features. The Pixel 11 has features such as Camera Looks and Magic Capture, while Galaxy AI offers its own photo-editing tools.

One notable difference, however, is video resolution. While the Samsung Galaxy S26 can record video in 8K, the Pixel 11 is limited to 4K recording.

Our top mobile and health tech editors from PCMag, CNET and ZDNET share their thoughts on Google's Made by Google Pixel event hosted by Trevor Noah. What were the coolest features on the new Pixel devices, and what felt like a dud? 

Another day, another tariff on tech from President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, Trump announced new tariffs specifically targeting drones made outside of the United States, as well as their components.

So, what drones are now subject to tariffs and what will the impact be?

Trump has now imposed a 100 percent "ad valorem" tariff on drones that are "particularly sensitive" to national security concerns. An ad valorem tariff basically means the the tariff is calculated as a percentage of an item’s customs value. Essentially, a 100 percent ad valorem tariff doubles the price of the drone.

SEE ALSO: Apple got a $2.2 billion tariff refund this quarter

Smaller drones that are considered to be "not particularly sensitive" to national security will face a 25 percent tariff.

Drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan will be subject to a 15 percent tariff. Drones from the United Kingdom will only face a 10 percent tariff.

The 100 percent tariff will go into effect in 21 days, while the tariffs on smaller drones will take effect in 180 days.

Based on the details and carve-outs, it seems pretty clear that these tariffs are specifically meant to target drones imported from China. Some of the biggest drone manufacturers in the world, such as DJI, have already been banned from releasing new products in the U.S. by the Trump administration. 

SEE ALSO: FCC to allow banned drones and routers to receive critical updates until 2029

These tariffs will further complicate things for those companies. These additional costs imposed on older, existing product lines that were already approved for sale in the U.S. will likely force companies to raise prices. As a result, older products could be sold to U.S. customers at higher prices than newer models cost outside the country.

Will these new drone tariffs stick? Trump has faced legal issues with his tariffs before. Recently, the Trump administration was forced to refund $100 billion in tariffs that the Supreme Court had struck down. However, those billions of dollars were refunded to the affected companies, not the consumers who had paid higher prices because of the tariffs.

So, regardless of what the future holds for Trump's drone tariffs, the biggest losers are the American people.

Spotify has spent years trying to turn its app into a place where people watch podcasts. But its latest move sends one of its own video shows somewhere else.

The Ringer, a sports and podcasting website owned by Spotify, has started live-streaming Ringer Wise Guys, the newly renamed version of The Ringer Gambling Show, on Twitch. The sports betting show aired its first episode on Amazon-owned Twitch on Monday, Aug. 10, according to The Ankler, which first reported the move.

The show features "Cousin Sal" Iacono, Joe House, Raheem Palmer, Anthony Dabbundo, and Tate Frazier. Ringer founder Bill Simmons confirmed on X that every episode will stream live on Twitch while remaining available on podcast platforms.

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

The move also revives a Ringer Twitch account that had been dormant for roughly eight years. The company briefly used the channel for staff gaming streams in 2018, before Spotify acquired The Ringer in 2020.

Importantly, Ringer Wise Guys is not abandoning YouTube. The Ringer's own show page says viewers can catch new episodes on Twitch, YouTube, and podcast feeds on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Twitch streams give the show another live distribution point rather than replacing Google's video giant.

SEE ALSO: Top Twitch streamers by follower count: See the list. Why bring a podcast to Twitch?

Twitch is not exactly overflowing with podcasts — its Talk Shows & Podcasts category currently accounts for less than 1 percent of the platform's live audience.

Still, Twitch offers a young audience and a viewing experience built around live participation. Nearly 70 percent of its viewers are between 18 and 34, making it a potentially useful match for a show centered on sports and gambling.

The format fits, too. A sports betting show can react to breaking news, debate picks, and take cues from viewers in the chat. Its four-day-a-week schedule gives The Ringer repeated opportunities to make the podcast feel like a live appointment instead of another full-length video dropped into a feed.

Noah Malale, Spotify's director of originals partnerships and new initiatives, told The Ankler that Spotify has always wanted to "meet fans where they are," adding that Simmons and The Ringer have long sought to stay at the forefront of new media.

The Ringer is not the first company to see Twitch as a home for talk programming. Twitch launched a Sports Accelerator Program in 2021 specifically for sports podcasts, talk shows, reaction streams, watch-alongs, and similar formats. Some ESPN radio affiliates also stream on the platform, actor Keke Palmer launched the live talk show Keke Live earlier this year, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani made Twitch the interactive center of his recurring Talk With the People series. Mamdani's show is simulcast across several platforms, but audience questions come through Twitch chat.

These examples show what Twitch can offer podcasters: a place to record episodes live, interact with viewers in real time, and build a community of new fans before distributing the finished show across YouTube, Spotify, and traditional podcast feeds.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Twitch has been building beyond gaming

Twitch is still best known for gaming, but its recent product changes are designed to make a wider range of live content easier to find, watch, share, and monetize.

As Mashable previously reported last year, Twitch began developing vertical and dual-format streams to improve viewing on phones. The feature rolled out more broadly in June, allowing creators to broadcast horizontal and vertical versions simultaneously. Twitch says 70 percent of new viewers now arrive on mobile, and the system also produces both formats for clips and video-on-demand uploads.

The company's redesigned mobile app opens to a personalized feed of live streams and includes a separate feed for clips. Twitch has also introduced collaborative tools such as Stream Together and Shared Chat, which allow creators to combine broadcasts and their communities. Those features could be useful for multi-host podcasts, guest interviews, and live crossover episodes.

Twitch has been broadening its business tools at the same time. It has expanded access to subscriptions and Bits, worked on matching creators with sponsors, improved its clipping tools, and tested new ad formats, including ads that appear when a viewer pauses a stream. That gives a podcast several ways to earn beyond the ads inserted into its traditional audio feed.

The strategy is not limited to Twitch. Its parent company, Amazon, restructured Wondery last year to place greater emphasis on creator-led, video-integrated podcasts such as New Heights and Armchair Expert. Amazon moved Wondery's narrative shows to Audible and put its creator-focused operation into a new services group designed to help shows earn across multiple channels, Reuters reported.

That makes Twitch both a partner and a competitor for Spotify. It offers Spotify access to a live audience while sitting inside another tech giant's expanding podcast operation.

SEE ALSO: Spotify will now tell you when an artist isn’t real Spotify's podcast strategy has changed

Spotify arrived at this moment after its own podcast reset. Beginning in 2019, it spent heavily to acquire podcast companies including Gimlet Media, Anchor, and Parcast, followed by The Ringer in 2020. It also paid for major exclusives, with The Joe Rogan Experience being a prime example.

The company later began moving away from that expensive, tightly controlled approach. In 2023, Spotify eliminated roughly 200 podcast jobs and folded Gimlet and Parcast into Spotify Studios. In its announcement about the reorganization, Spotify said it would concentrate on creator partnerships, loyal audiences, "always-on" programming, advertising, and a higher-margin podcast business.

A year later, Spotify renewed its deal with Joe Rogan but ended the show's exclusivity, allowing full episodes to return to YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other services. That was an early sign that Spotify could make money from a show without keeping every listener inside Spotify.

The Ringer has become central to the next version of that strategy. In Oct. 2025, Spotify launched its first free, ad-supported streaming television channel with Samsung TV Plus, offering Ringer video podcasts around the clock. That same month, Spotify and Netflix announced a distribution deal for shows including The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, and several of The Ringer's sports podcasts.

The Netflix arrangement limits full YouTube distribution for some participating shows, while Ringer Wise Guys is still publishing on YouTube. In other words, Spotify is not following one rule for every podcast. It is testing different combinations of reach, exclusivity, licensing, advertising, and platform fit.

At the same time, Spotify continues to invest in making its own app a video destination. The company lowered the requirements for video podcasters to join its Partner Program, built tools that let creators replace and measure sponsorships, and introduced a Distribution API that lets publishers post and monetize video on Spotify without changing hosting providers. In May, Spotify said more than 500 million users had streamed a video podcast, an increase of nearly 50 percent year over year.

Spotify has been adding video tools on the music side as well, including direct uploads, editorial pitching, and charts for music videos, part of a broader effort Mashable recently examined. The app may have started with audio, but Spotify is now competing for more of the time people spend looking at a screen.

There are more players in this game

Watching a podcast has become nearly as common as listening to one. Edison Research found that 82 percent of weekly podcast consumers watched video podcasts in the third quarter of 2025, compared with 78 percent who listened to audio-only shows.

YouTube remains the enormous obstacle facing everyone else. The platform says podcast content attracts more than 1 billion monthly active viewers. Netflix has built out a growing podcast slate, while Disney+ and Hulu recently struck their own video podcast deal with iHeartMedia. Spotify, meanwhile, has tried to improve video inside its app and distribute its shows onto some of those same services.

Twitch is nowhere near YouTube's scale in podcasting, and one Ringer show hardly constitutes a sweeping Spotify rollout. Still, the experiment crystallizes several trends reshaping the industry: video replacing audio as the default format for many major shows, tech companies favoring creator-led programming over expensive narrative productions, and podcasts migrating to whatever platform offers the right audience or format.

For Ringer Wise Guys, that now means Spotify, YouTube, podcast apps, and Twitch. The podcast wars have officially escaped the podcast app.

Wake up to a message saying your iPhone may be a target for mercenary hackers? It may not have been as noisily in your face as other emergency alerts, but you still need to take it seriously.

The direct-to-device threat notification, which appears as a banner on your iPhone's lock screen and atop the home screen, is a recent expansion of Apple's existing threat detection features, designed to alert users of mercenary spyware attacks. The banner only appears on a device if Apple detects activity "consistent with a mercenary spyware attack," the company explains.

SEE ALSO: White House signing deals with private hackers to combat cybercrime

It reads: "Apple detected a mercenary spyware attack targeted at your iPhone. There are actions you can take now to protect your data and device."

What does the spyware alert mean?

Mercenary spyware attacks are highly resourced, individualized attempts to penetrate devices in order to install surveillance programs. Often associated with state-sanctioned espionage and enabled by private tech companies, these attacks typically target individuals with political affiliations, including journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats.

Apple uses internal threat intelligence technology to detect activity associated with the intrusions.

If you get an alert, it doesn't necessarily mean spyware has successfully been installed on your device, but it does mean Apple has "high-confidence" you are a target. And that means you need to act fast to protect your information.

In a statement to TechCrunch, Apple confirmed it sent threat notifications to users in more than 110 countries late Thursday (Aug. 13) and more than 150 countries to date.

How can I verify the alert is real?

Apple's threat notifications will never include clickable links or ask users to open attachments, log into accounts, or install apps. If your alert includes any of these, it is fake.

In addition to on-screen alerts, iPhone users will receive a threat detection notification in their device's account settings, which appears under their Apple Account information. If your device is potentially being targeted, you will see a new menu option titled "Apple Threat Notifications." It should have a red notification badge next to it.

Credit: Apple Credit: Apple

Apple will also send a message with additional threat information to the email address associated with your account. If you feel like you can't trust an email, log into your account via a desktop computer or laptop. You should see an additional threat notification banner at the top of the page.

Got all three? You're the lucky spyware winner.

What do I do if I get a spyware alert?

Users should immediately take steps to lock down their accounts and protect their personally identifiable information, Apple advises. The company suggests soliciting help from experts and directs users to partner organization Access Now and its 24/7 helpline.

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

Users can also switch their devices to Lockdown Mode, which walls off specific apps, websites, and other features that are susceptible to such attacks. When an iPhone is in Lockdown Mode, users can't access message attachments, click links, or continue sharing photo albums with contacts. Users can't FaceTime contacts that haven't been called within the last 30 days. Certain web browsing features and automatic WiFi joining are disabled. And other devices are automatically disconnected from your phone.

TV is no stranger to odd-couple investigators. Scully and Mulder from The X Files. Cohle and Hart from True Detective. Any iteration of Holmes and Watson. Now, HBO's Lanterns adds its own twist to this tried-and-true formula, asking, "what if these investigators... were space cops?"

SEE ALSO: 'Lanterns' trailer: Hal Jordan and John Stewart team up for a Manhunter murder mystery

The space cops in question are Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and his trainee John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Like the rest of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps, they're able to manifest glowing green constructs with the help of a Power Ring. However, Lanterns takes a more minimalist approach to these abilities, molding the sci-fi elements of Green Lantern into an earthbound mystery with an irresistible duo at its heart.

Lanterns is a thoughtful mystery by way of DC. Aaron Pierre in "Lanterns." Credit: HBO Max

Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, Lanterns charts the growing pains in the mentor-mentee relationship between Hal and John. Smart-mouthed Hal constantly belittles John, calling him "junior" and often failing to loop him in on key Lantern information. A former Marine, John does his best to stay stoic and not snap at Hal, but by the time the show picks up, the cracks in his resolve are starting to show. Yet as his father (J. Alphonse Nicholson) reminds him over the phone in Lanterns' premiere, as a Black man, John doesn't get the luxury of acting out. He's going to have to work twice as hard to be Green Lantern, and once he has the position, he's going to be held to a different, tougher standard than his white predecessor.

Lindelof brought racism to the forefront of his 2019 "remix" of Watchmen, which centered the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, police brutality, and the pervasiveness of white supremacy today. He, Mundy, and King similarly make race a focal point in Lanterns, albeit to a far lesser extent. Here, the focus is less on America's history of racial violence and more on the impossible benchmarks John and his family know he must hit in order to succeed as a Lantern, the pressures of which Lanterns explores in its most compelling hour.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Aug. 14, 2026)

Issues of race also linger as Hal and John make their way to the small town of Rushville, Nebraska to investigate possible alien involvement in a shooting. During their snooping, they get to know local bigwig William Macon (Garret Dillahunt), whose anti-alien anxieties echo anti-immigrant talking points. Oh, and he has a personal militia, because of course he does.

Lanterns complicates our perception of Rushville and its inhabitants as its central mystery unravels. (It hits great on rewatch.) It also packs in several key Green Lantern elements, from constructs to aliens. However, the show does reshape them in order to fit its grittier, more grounded mystery tone. Aliens in Lanterns are almost always disguised as humans, while constructs are often limited to shields. While the lack of more flashy sci-fi visuals can feel a bit removed from the intergalactic shenanigans of Green Lantern, it does make the moments when the show truly lets loose feel more monumental.

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre have impeccable chemistry in Lanterns. Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in "Lanterns." Credit: John Johnson / HBO Max

Carrying us through this mystery is the dynamic duo of Chandler and Pierre, whose performances mesh perfectly, even if their characters don't.

Chandler's Hal is as grating as he is charming. He waltzes into rooms knowing he pushes everyone's buttons, and more importantly, knowing exactly which ones will get what he wants. But while his cockiness could risk being constantly infuriating, Chandler tempers it with an affable sweetness that gives Hal an endearing quality. He'll still piss you off, along with everyone in Rushville, but you'll have a fun time with it.

Where Hal is all smooth talking and impulsive schemes, Pierre's John is a brick wall of restraint. He's buttoned-up, but Pierre masterfully lets that facade of control slip to highlight John's frustration with his so-called mentor. His annoyance at Hal results in some of the show's funniest moments, yet it's all tinged with the thorny reminder of his rigorous journey to become a Green Lantern. Pierre has already proven himself to be a star, especially in 2024's Rebel Ridge, and he continues to prove that here with his commanding sense of gravitas.

Pierre and Chandler's performances are perfect foils, with each scene feeling like a sparring match, usually capped off with the verbal equivalent of a big brother noogie from Hal. Between their chemistry, an intriguing puzzle box, and its ever-relevant themes, Lanterns bursts onto the scene as a thrilling new entry to the DC Universe.

Lanterns premieres Sunday, Aug. 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

A minority investor in adult creator platform OnlyFans just said in an interview that it's "probably the least-likely platform to be disrupted by AI."

Following OnlyFans owner Leonid Radvinsky's death in March, investment firm Architect Capital bought a minority stake (16 percent) in the company in May for $535 million, Variety reported. In an interview with The Information's editor-in-chief Jessica Lessin posted this week, Architect Capital founder James Sagan said that people pay OnlyFans creators for connection, not content quality. (Lessin shared that her husband, Sam Lessin, was a co-investor alongside Sagan in the OnlyFans deal.)

SEE ALSO: OnlyFans star Sophie Rain dreams of homesteading

"People are not coming to OnlyFans for the quality of the content, which AI might be able to faithfully replicate, but in fact for human connection," Sagan said. He invoked the loneliness epidemic and said, "This is the only place on the internet where you can authentically communicate with a human. And that's why people pay for this content."

"People pay upon the dimension of authenticity." Most creator revenue comes from messages between creators and fans, not generic pictures, he said. When Mashable has viewed earnings of OnlyFans creators, messaging is typically the highest line on the invoice. But some creators' use of "chatters" to message fans has been well-documented online. In Dec. 2025, a federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit about OnlyFans chatter "scams." Subscribers filed it, claiming they'd been misled into thinking they were talking to the actual creator.

"We will never use AI in any capacity to disrupt creators," Sagan said, "and they're not disruptable anyways." He did say AI will benefit the platform only to "empower" creators, though he didn't want to get into specifics. He did mention LLMs and how they're useful in capturing personality, but when Lessin pushed him — isn't that a bot? — he said that AI would be useful tools but not to disintermediate the creators or automate chats.

Creators are already way ahead of this. Mashable reported that sex workers are "cloning" themselves with AI to make sexy chatbots in 2023, and a 2024 survey found that most adult creators were already using AI in their work.

He reiterated that OnlyFans would only build tools to "empower" creators, "to help them make more money and help them scale their authentic brand."

"In a world in which you have a lot of AI slop, in a world in which everything is AI-generated, the scarce asset is authenticity, the scarce asset is human connection, and I think that will be more and more important on a forward-looking basis," he said.

Sagan and Lessin discussed more in the wide-ranging interview. Back in Feb., when rumors swirled that Architect Capital would buy a majority stake in OnlyFans, the firm also discussed the company going public. Sagan discussed this again now, that there's a "world in which we could go public." He also discussed the destigmatization of the platform, due to cultural moments like the recent TV show Margo's Got Money Troubles.

Samsung seemed all set to bring back a cool camera feature on the Galaxy S27 line, but it seems like those plans have been scuttled.

Korean outlet ETNews (per 9to5google) reported that Samsung has opted against reintroducing variable aperture to the Galaxy S27 series, set to launch early next year. Rumors and reports had indicated that Samsung wanted to bring the tech back after it had briefly been part of the Galaxy series in the S9 and S10 days, but it sounds like that's not going to happen now because of manufacturing costs and the burden of a thicker camera bump.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 FE specs reportedly leak. What they are, how much it might cost

For those who aren't into photography, variable aperture would let the phone's camera physically change shape to bring in more or less light depending on the situation at hand, like a real camera. Samsung had included this in its phones for a couple of years starting around 2018, but opted for a software solution in more recent devices. We've been hearing that Apple is planning to add the feature to the upcoming iPhone 18, so Samsung probably wanted to add it to the S27 for competition's sake.

Unfortunately, for the time being, it seems like that won't happen.

SAVE 13% OFF: As of Aug. 14, save $4 on the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolutions Perfect Order 3-Pack. That saves you 13% off its $29.99 list price. Get three packs in one, plus a special Chikorita card.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokemon Pokemon TCG Mega Evolutions Perfect Order 3-Pack $24.95 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $5.04   Get Deal

If you're looking for value, Pokémon's Perfect Order expansion has reliably been an affordable option. That continues to be true with its multi-deck packs that even feature special promo cards. And right now, the savings are even more significant.

As of Aug. 14, get the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolutions Perfect Order 3-Pack for just $24.95. That takes $4.05 off the set's original price of $29.99 for 13% savings. Plus, with this discount, each booster pack is about $8.32 each.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The Mega Evolution Perfect Order collection features over 120 cards with new Mega Evolution Pokemon and over 25 Trainer cards. Plus, these cards feature over 30 new special illustrations. Some of the best cards inside the Perfect Order set include Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex, and Meowth ex.

Will you get lucky and pull one of these sought-after cards? Grab this three-pack now from Amazon and find out.

The best TV deals to shop this weekend: Best Hisense TV deal Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini LED 4K TV $1,099.99 (save $900) Get Deal Best LG TV deal LG 65-Inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,799.99 (save $900 + get free $149.01 Amazon credit) Get Deal Best Samsung TV deal Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,799.99 (save $900) Get Deal

It may not be the best time to buy a TV traditionally, but TVs don't tend to ask for your permission before kicking the bucket. If you need a new one, then you need a new one. Fortunately, there are still plenty of TVs from our favorite brands, like Hisense, Samsung, and LG, on sale for much less than usual this weekend.

With a new NFL season kicking off and an epic fall movie lineup coming in hot, you'll be glad you made the investment into something better. I did some digging and found a few noteworthy options to consider if you're in dire need of a TV upgrade. And if you need a few pointers for your TV-buying journey, check out our simple TV specs guide.

Best Hisense deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini LED 4K TV $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $900   Get Deal Why we like it

Our favorite budget TV of 2026, the Hisense U6 Pro, falls in the sweet spot of performance and value.

It packs an impressive full-array local dimming setup, vibrant quantum-dot color, and deep black levels, an anti-glare coating for minimal reflections, and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. Considering it's not an OLED TV, these are nice touches. It also boasts a native 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and two HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a solid choice for gamers seeking a big screen on a budget. It comes in a wide range of sizes, but the 85-inch model is currently down to a record-low $1,099.99 at Amazon. That's 45% off a TV that's been out for under six months.

Best LG TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-Inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,799.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $900.00   Get Deal Why we like it

"Budget OLED TVs aren't really a thing, but the LG C6 is the best affordable OLED TV given its competitors' prices," Mashable's TV expert Leah Stodart writes. She named it the best OLED TV for most people last month, calling out its brilliant picture, excellent contrast in dark rooms, upgraded audio over the C5, and refresh rate boost from 144Hz to 165Hz. The 65-inch model is down to just $1,799.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, from its usual $2,699.99 price. But if you choose Amazon, you'll also get a $149.01 Amazon credit with your purchase. That's 33% in savings and free money.

Best Samsung TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV $1,799.99 at Best Buy
$2,699.99 Save $900.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The S90H is the mid-range OLED from Samsung's 2026 lineup — and just a step down from our favorite OLED of the year (so far). OLED TVs are much more expensive due to their superior contrast, but like the LG TV above, you can get the 65-inch model for just $1,799.99 this weekend, down from $2,699.99. The stock at Amazon is running pretty low, but fortunately, Best Buy is offering a similar discount. Compared to last year's model, the S90H gets a brightness increase and an upgraded anti-reflection display. It supports 4K at 165Hz, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, making it another great choice for gamers.

More of the best TV deals this weekend

• LG 55-inch 75B QNED 4K TV — $379.99 $599.99 (save $220)

• Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $547.97 $999.99 (save $452.02)

• Insignia 85-inch Class F50 Series 4K Fire TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,000)

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,799.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 85-inch M80H Mini LED 4K TV — $1,299.99 $1,799.99 (save $500)

• Hisense 65-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $1,499.99 $1,999.99 (save $500)

• LG 65-Inch B6 OLED 4K TV — $1,699.99 $1,999.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 75-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,799.99 (save $800)

The best SSD deals at a glance: Best internal SSD deal Samsung 9100 Pro Internal SSD, 1 TB $249.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best external SSD deal SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, 4TB $499.99 (save $300) Get Deal Cheapest SSD Deal PNY CS900 Internal SSD, 1TB $169.99 (save $30) Get Deal

Another week of the memory chip shortage means contending with price hikes. Mashable's Haley Henschel reported this week that even outside RAMageddon, Windows laptops could face price increases due to rising Microsoft licensing fees.

But enough with all these rising prices; let's talk about price cuts, because luckily, there are some. This week has rained savings with an ultra-rare MacBook Pro deal that's still live, and as we head into the weekend, we're looking at SSD deals.

As of Aug. 14, we rounded up the best SSD deals to shop now. In previous weeks, Amazon has been the one-stop shop on SSD savings, but this week we've found major savings across retailers, including Best Buy and B&H Photo.

So if you're on the hunt for SSDs, these are the best deals to shop now:

Best internal SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 9100 Pro Internal SSD, 1TB $249.99 at Amazon
$339.99 Save $90   Get Deal

Even in the midst of RAMageddon, Samsung has managed to drop SSD prices. We're continuing to see majors savings on Samsung's internal SSDs, including its Pro line. Right now, grab the Samsung 9100 Pro Internal SSD (1TB) for just $249.99. That saves you $90 off its list price of $339.99 for 26% savings.

This SSD is built to handle big jobs, whether you're building a workstation or looking to upgrade for AI computing. Whether you're on a laptop or desktop PC, the Samsung 9100 Pro Internal SSD delivers high speeds up to 14,700/13,300 MB/s.

More internal SSD deals

• PNY CS900 Internal SSD, 1TB — $169.99 $199.99 (save $30)

• Crucial BX500 Internal SSD, 1TB — $179.99 $241.27 (save $61.28)

• Kingston NV3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD, 1TB — $183.27 $196.54 (save $13.27)

• Crucial P310 Internal SSD, 1TB — $184.99 $219 (save $34.01)

• Lexar NM790 Gen 4 Internal SSD, 1TB — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 990 Internal SSD, 1TB — $229.99 $269.99 (save $40)

• Samsung 990 Pro Internal SSD, 1TB — $239.99 $319.99 (save $80)

• Sandisk Optimus GX Pro, 1TB — $269.99 $296.99 (save $27)

• Acer Predator GM7 SSD, 2TB — $278.99 $309.99 (save $31)

Best external SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, 4TB $499.99 at B&H Photo
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal

If you're looking for external support and something to take on the go, you can't beat this deal on SanDisk's Extreme Portable SSD. With an astounding 4TB of storage, it features read and write speeds of up to 1050 and 1000 MB/s.

Its list price of $799.99 makes it quite the investment, but as of Aug. 14, buy it for nearly 50% off. At B&H Video, shop the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (4TB) for just $499.99 and save $300. That's a major steal on this durable, yet portable SSD.

More external and portable SSD deals

• SSK Portable SSD, 500GB — $86.39 $95.99 (save $9.60)

• Crucial X10 Pro External SSD, 1TB — $145.99 $161.99 (save $16)

• SSK Portable SSD, 1 TB — $152.09 $168.99 (save $16.90)

• Lexar ES3 Portable SSD, 1TB — $152.99 $169.99 (save $17)

• Sandisk 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD, 1TB — $164.99 $190.99 (save $26)

• Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB — $229.99 $274.99 (save $45)

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD, 1TB — $239.99 $287.99 (save $48)

• Sandisk Extreme Portable, 1TB — $269.99 $299.99 (save $30)

Chloe Radcliffe is a lot of things: comedian, writer, actor, are only a few of the many words that might be used to describe her. So like most up-and-coming comedians, she is hard to define. One word she has used, especially in her hit solo show, is "cheater."

To get a better idea of who Radcliffe actually is, Mashable's Executive Producer Mark Stetson sits down with the multi-hyphenate to talk about her comedy process, her famous stand-up bits, Cheat, her "solo show about how I have a history of cheating in most of my relationships." In her raw and honest show, she explores the decisions and patterns in her life and the way we as a society handle infidelity and the people who cheat.

"I don't think the way we talk about cheating helps us cheat less," she says in the interview above. "We have more sympathy for serial killers than we do for cheaters."

In the latest episode of Mashable's Say More, Chloe also breaks down how she crafts and hones a joke over time, the nuance behind discussing sensitive topics like infidelity through comedy, and hosting her web series In Tandem with Chloe Radcliffe. She also shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the Bradley Cooper-directed Is This Thing On?, including what it was like doing magic for a group of unbelievably mean 11-year-olds!

So, Chloe Radcliffe is a lot of things: hilarious, an avid cyclist, and yes, cheater. But when it comes to cheating, she might be changing the narrative.

Radcliffe is performing her solo show, Cheat, at Joe's Pub in NYC on Aug. 19 and 20.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

SAVE 15%: As of Aug. 14, you can get the Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Robot Window Cleaner for $594 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount, or $105.99 in savings.

Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Robot Window Cleaner $594 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $105.99   Get Deal at Amazon

If you have floor-to-ceiling windows, large glass sliders, or high-rise panes that feel impossible (and terrifying) to reach, you might want to invest in a robot window cleaner. (I also had no idea this was a thing!)

As of Aug. 14, you can get the Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Robot Window Cleaner for $594 at Amazon, down from $699.99. That's a 15% discount, or $105.99 in savings. This is also the lowest price we've tracked for this model.

SEE ALSO: The best Dyson vacuums actually make vacuuming fun: See my favorites for 2026

This thing works exactly how you'd expect: It uses powerful suction and smart navigation to stick directly to vertical glass and wipe away dust, fingerprints, and smudges. Thanks to its TruEdge technology and WIN-SLAM 5.0 navigation, it scrubs deep into corners at 200 RPM and maps out an efficient cleaning path. Its wide-angle triple-nozzle spray system loosens stuck-on dirt before the wet pad wipes it clean, while 12 levels of anti-fall and suction protection keep it locked onto the window.

What really sets the W3 Omni apart, though, is its self-cleaning base station. Instead of forcing you to pull off gross pads mid-job, the station automatically rinses the wiping pads in just one minute so you can keep cleaning hands-free.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 14, DJI's Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station is down to $399.98 at Amazon. The deal ends after Aug. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 $399.98 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $50.01   Get Deal

Power outages and off-grid trips just got a little less stressful. DJI's Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale for $399.98, down from $449.99. That's an 11% discount, saving you $50. But don't sit on this one — the deal ends today.

Mashable's Lauren Allain tested the DJI Power 1000 V2 and gave it a 4.4 out of 5, calling it "a great model for content creators, those who prioritize a super-quiet power station, or anyone looking for exceptional value in portable power." She was especially impressed by how quiet it runs, noting it operates at "as quiet as 26 decibels," which makes it easy to keep on overnight without the whir of a fan bothering anyone nearby.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 hits record-low price at Amazon — act fast to save $130

Allain also praised how quickly the power station charges, writing that "it takes just 56 minutes to go from dead to 100 percent battery power when recharging with standard wall power."

DJI has also built in some solid safety features that are worth knowing about. The 1,024Wh LFP battery comes with an intelligent battery management system, a flame-retardant housing, and a rated 10-year lifespan, so it's designed to hold up over years of regular use. If you're worried about outages specifically, the built-in UPS switches over in just 10 milliseconds, so your devices stay powered without so much as a flicker.

Off-grid living has never looked this quiet. Get the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station at Amazon.

SAVE $400: As of Aug. 14, the Samsung 77-inch S85H Series OLED 4K Smart TV is down to $2,397.99 from $2,797.99 at Amazon — a 14% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-Inch Class S85H Series TV $2,397.99 at Amazon
$2,797.99 Save $400   Get Deal

Amazon has marked the Samsung 77-inch S85H Series OLED 4K Smart TV down to $2,397.99. That's 14% off its $2,797.99 list price, which comes out to a $400 saving. If a massive OLED upgrade has been on your list, this is the kind of price drop you'll want to act on before it's gone.

The OLED panel delivers true blacks and bright highlights in the same scene, so nothing looks washed out. Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor analyzes what's on screen in real-time and adjusts brightness, motion, and color as it goes — useful whether you're watching a slow drama or a fast action scene.

For gaming, it supports 120Hz motion handling along with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, which keep fast-moving games smooth rather than choppy. If you're watching something that isn't native 4K, the built-in AI upscaling sharpens it so lower-res content doesn't look noticeably softer next to your 4K library.

Samsung also had its color accuracy validated by Pantone, so skin tones and colors look natural rather than oversaturated.

Grab the Samsung 77-inch S85H Series OLED 4K Smart TV at Amazon while it's $400 off.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Get Deal

Samsung and Google are still the center of attention right now. Samsung just dropped three new foldables smartphones, two smartwatches, and smart glasses. Google then came along and dropped new smartphones, smartwatches, and more. Apple fans still need to wait for news of the latest iPhones.

Can't wait? You should know that you can still secure a limited-time offer on iPhones from T-Mobile. That's great news in the face of Apple price increases due to RAMageddon.

These are the best free iPhone deals from T-Mobile this week:

• iPhone 17e — free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required

• iPhone 17 — free when signing up for 24 months of an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone

• iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these free deals, as well as a $35 device connection fee. That's a small catch, but that's how it often goes with this kind of deal.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." That's enough for us to consider upgrading.

Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free this week with T-Mobile.

Google just announced a bunch of new products at its Made by Google event, including the brand-new Pixel Watch 5. On the surface, there isn’t much to see compared with the 4, but will upgrades to Gemini Intelligence be enough to tempt you to upgrade?

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 14, the Samsung 43-inch QLED Q7F Series Smart TV is down to $297.99 from $347.99 at Amazon — a 14% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 43-Inch Class QLED Q7F Series $297.99 at Amazon
$347.99 Save $50   Get Deal

A good QLED TV for under $300 doesn't come around often, but Amazon's got you covered. The Samsung 43-inch QLED Q7F Series Smart TV is on sale for $297.99, down from $347.99. That's a 14% discount, saving you $50.

This TV upscales everything to 4K, so even older shows and lower-res content look sharp. It also automatically adjusts picture and sound settings based on what's on screen, so a loud action movie and a quiet drama don't get treated the same way.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is turning 60: Celebrate with massive weeklong deals on iPads, laptops, and TVs

Thanks to Quantum Dot technology, colors stay accurate even during your TV's brightest scenes, so you're not stuck with washed-out whites during a sunny outdoor shot. And with HDR10+ on board, blacks stay deep, and contrast stays sharp, meaning you'll actually see detail in dark scenes instead of a muddy blob.

Samsung Knox keeps an eye out for shady apps and phishing attempts, and it extends that protection to any other smart devices connected through your TV, not just the TV itself. The TV comes with access to more than 2,700 free channels, including 400-plus Samsung TV Plus channels, covering news, sports, and movies with zero subscription required.

Under $300 for a QLED TV? Don't sleep on this one. Grab the Samsung 43-inch QLED Q7F Series Smart TV at Amazon.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still a couple of years away from the next quest for Olympic medals, but that doesn't mean the best athletes are sitting back and relaxing. No, there are PBs to chase, rivals to beat, and world records to set. And some elite athletes will be targeting all of that at once in the 2026 European Athletics Championships.

The Alexander Stadium is welcoming some of track and field's biggest stars this month. The likes of Keely Hodgkinson, Mondo Duplantis, and Femke Bol will be battling it out for places on the podium. Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen has already secured a stunning victory. We're excited to see what's next.

If you want to watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What are the European Athletics Championships?

The European Athletics Championships are a biennial track and field event organized by the European Athletics Association. The championships bring together the continent’s best athletes to compete across sprint, distance, field, road, and combined events for medals.

When are the 2026 European Athletics Championships?

The 2026 European Athletics Championships take place from Aug. 10-16 at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, UK.

How to watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free

The 2026 European Athletics Championships is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can bypass these restrictions 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 unblock free live streams of the European Athletics Championships from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 European Athletics Championships by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch the 2026 European Athletics Championships 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the European Athletics Championships without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the entire event before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport for free, 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 always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 — 80% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 European Athletics Championships for free with ExpressVPN.