Mashable

In a world where the Samsung Galaxy XR exists, Apple suddenly has some stiff competition in the XR headset space. Is the newly upgraded Vision Pro headset enough of an improvement to justify its still-enormous $3,500 price?

Mashable has not gotten proper hands-on time with the new Vision Pro with the M5 chip and some added comfort features yet (though we have been impressed with the M5 chip so far). But early reviews are rolling in. Without wasting any more time, let's find out if these seemingly modest upgrades are enough to make the Vision Pro less of a niche product two years after its launch.

What do critics have to say about Apple's expensive new headset?

It's got better performance and battery life

First things first, the biggest update to the new Vision Pro is the addition of an M5 chip powering it. This is Apple's latest in-house silicon, and every review I read noted that performance is improved on this new device. There are also a couple of related upgrades, including new 120Hz displays with higher pixel counts (they were 100Hz before) and longer battery life.

That said, the improved performance may not necessarily wow you. CNET's Scott Stein called the improvements "subtle," but the specific ones he mentioned do sound nice, at least.

"Hand tracking in games does feel faster, by a bit. Synth Riders, the closest Vision has to musical fitness, keeps the glowing balls glued to my hands more smoothly," Stein wrote. "Maybe it's that refresh rate. Apps and games load a lot faster, and the headset starts up far quicker. It should, since the M5 is several generations past the previous M2."

As for battery, the previous model was rated for only about two hours of general use. Apple has upped that by half an hour this time, and is also promising three hours of video playback. Mark Spoonauer of Tom's Guide noted that the upgrade is real, but it's still not the most convenient thing to use because of its relatively short battery life.

"After using the Vision Pro for an hour and a half I was down to 55%, which is pretty decent," Spoonauer wrote. "If you’re sitting down and near an outlet, you can keep the battery charged as you work and play, but it’s not fun feeling like you’re tethered."

The new strap provides added comfort The new knob for adjusting the new strap. Credit: Apple

Weirdly, the new Vision Pro is actually slightly heavier than its predecessor. That sounds problematic, especially considering weight was a common complaint about the first Vision Pro. Some added context is needed here, though: The new weight comes entirely from a new Dual Knit Band that sits both on the top and around the back of your head for provided comfort and stability during long sessions.

Chance Miller of 9to5Mac talked in their review about how much more comfortable it is to wear than the previous Vision Pro, which had multiple inadequate solutions for this problem. The new band is apparently simple as can be to adjust, as well.

"In practice, the Dual Knit Band is a huge upgrade over the Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band. It’s what Apple should’ve shipped from the start," Miller wrote. "It’s more comfortable and plush, it’s more adjustable, it’s easier to put on and take off, and it looks better than the Dual Loop Band. I’ve noticed that the counterweight in particular does a good job of taking pressure off my face when wearing Vision Pro for extended periods of time."

Still, it doesn't seem like Apple has quite perfected the comfort side of Vision Pro just yet. Kyle Barr of Gizmodo wrote that the new band is an upgrade over what came before, but it's still a heavy headset that will require frequent breaks from users.

"There’s no perfect way to alleviate the pressure of such a thick and heavy headset made to rest over your eyes. Even if you can stomach the discomfort, you’ll inevitably need to take the headset off to cure any lingering eyestrain," Barr wrote. "You know what? That’s fine. It’s good to have a reason to take yourself away from the computer and touch grass, or else just get away from every screen constantly demanding your attention. Just remember to take the external battery out of your pocket when you get up, or else your $3,500 headset will go skittering across the ground."

Not much else has changed

Despite the noticeable improvements to performance, battery life, and comfort, basically every review of the Vision Pro M5 comes to the same conclusion: This product is still in its infancy, and for $3,500, it's probably not a necessity for anyone yet.

There are some reasons for this. While Apple has made a couple of other changes with the new device, such as adding support for PlayStation VR2 controllers, there's still a glaring lack of custom, spatialized apps for Vision Pro. At CNET, Stein also wrote that it doesn't always play super nice with other Apple devices. In summary, there's still a lot of work to be done, per Stein.

"The Vision Pro still feels like a first-generation product. Apple needs to figure out how to make future headsets feel lighter, more like glasses," Stein wrote. "It needs to lean on processing and battery from connected Apple products like phones and Macs and iPads. The headset should have all the tools anyone needs to create, share and connect with whatever Apple device they want to use. And its unique app offerings need to be even better, its inputs even more fluid and flexible."

At Tom's Guide, Spoonauer also summed it up nicely. Apple's XR revolution doesn't seem to have a great deal of momentum right now.

"When I reviewed the original Vision Pro, I called it a “revolution in progress.” Well, now I feel like that revolution has stalled," Spoonauer wrote. "Yes, the Vision Pro M5 offers a faster chip and a comfier strap, but I expected much more hardware and software innovation from Apple for what’s supposed to be a category-defining product."

Meta has invested heavily in artificial intelligence — from AI chatbots and companions to the infinite AI slop generator Vibes and even an AI-powered dating assistant. But that enthusiasm isn't translating to job security for everyone.

On Wednesday, Meta's Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang announced in a memo that the company is laying off approximately 600 employees within its AI unit. The news, first reported by Axios and confirmed by CNBC, affects staff working on AI infrastructure, the Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) group, and other product-related teams.

Despite the cuts, Meta says it's still hiring for its new superintelligence division, dubbed TBD Lab.

SEE ALSO: Apple's AI executives keep leaving for Meta

Impacted employees were told their last day will be Nov. 21 and are currently in a "non-working notice period." The company is offering 16 weeks of severance pay, plus two additional weeks for every year of service, and is encouraging affected employees to apply for other roles within Meta.

"By reducing the size of our team, fewer conversations will be required to make a decision, and each person will be more load-bearing and have more scope and impact," Wang wrote in the internal memo, according to TechCrunch.

The layoffs don't appear to signal a retreat from AI. Just a day earlier, Reuters reported that Meta closed a $27 billion financing deal with Blue Owl Capital to fund a massive data center expansion — a move analysts say is key to supporting its next generation of AI tools.

This also follows an aggressive AI hiring spree. In recent months, Meta has lured top talent from OpenAI, brought Wang on board, and invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI.

Last week, Xbox players finally got their hands on the long-awaited ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming console, and it's been selling out fast. Best Buy is currently showing a 30-day wait for new orders, and the Microsoft store is completely out of stock. We have an early review of the device, but on launch day, I also got to sit down with Sarah Bond, President of Xbox, at the Mashable office in New York City.

Bond talked about all things Xbox, including what the Ally X tells us about Xbox’s long-term plans (a lot, apparently). 

Bond also had some intriguing tidbits to share about the next Xbox console.

“Well, we are hard at work on our next-gen console,” Bond said. “There is a lot to come there where we're building our next-gen console, which delivers that premium experience, and that's always the center of what we do, but we want to give other people choice and options around that.” 

Hence, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X. 

I also asked Bond about the rumors that the future Xbox console will be a more high-powered device, more like a gaming PC than a traditional Xbox console. 

“Well, I can tell you you're right that the next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end, curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld. But I don't want to give it all away.”

So, what is that thinking? In our conversation, Bond said Microsoft wants to let you play games from any store, anywhere, at any time. You can read my full back-and-forth with Bond to find out more. We also discussed how the new handheld fits into Xbox's big-picture strategy, how Xbox thinks about exclusive titles (and the lack thereof), and even the recent price increases for Xbox consoles and Xbox Game Pass.

The president of Xbox — that has to be the coolest job title I can imagine. I mean, I know you have kids, they must think that's the coolest thing ever, right?

It is the coolest job title. It is also the coolest job. My kids do think it's pretty awesome, but they're always asking for stuff, of course.

Oh, yeah, I would imagine they want to play the [ROG Xbox Ally], which we'll talk about in a second, early. They want all the games early…

Everything early. And they are actually really good at giving me ideas and testing things out. 

SEE ALSO: How Xbox president Sarah Bond became a major player in gaming So, we're obviously here to talk about an exciting new device. I know we’ve been waiting years for this one. Tell me about this device.

This is the Xbox Ally. It is the first time ever that we have created an Xbox handheld. The teams worked with Asus and with Windows to create this device. It's really groundbreaking in a lot of ways. We worked on the ergonomics, we worked on the experience, everything. So now you can finally actually take Xbox with you anywhere you want to go, in your hands.

It feels like Xbox controllers in your hand, obviously a little bit heavier because there's more hardware there, but it does have that kind of familiar Xbox feeling. And then it's also a full-powered Windows gaming laptop in a way.

When you hold it and you close your eyes, it feels like an Xbox controller, and that's intentional. So, our hardware team actually worked in deep partnership with Asus on all of the aspects of the ergonomics, how it feels, the triggers, the buttons, to give you that really comfortable feeling that you could get with an Xbox controller, where you can game for hours and hours and hours on end, yeah? 

So, you can pick it up and do a short session or a long session really comfortably, but you're right, it is powered by Windows, which is a pretty cool aspect of it…But because it's Windows, any game that you have, that you've bought from a PC store that's on this device, it all shows up in one library, which is so awesome for gamers. We're having to go between all of these different stores and places. It's all sitting for you here, all in one place.

Can you kind of tell me how this fits into the Xbox big-picture strategy… So, why this? Why the handheld?

Well, we've always believed that people want to be able to play any game they want, anywhere they want, with anyone. And gaming is entertainment. You should be able to take it with you everywhere. You shouldn't be constrained to a single device. You shouldn't be locked to a single store. And this is the manifestation of it. And so we said, look, why can't we actually break some of these old barriers the way that the industry used to work and create a device that you can take with you anywhere that does have all of your games. You can play them natively. You can stream them from the cloud. You can also stream them from your console. 

So it's a great way to add to the experience that we already have in the living room, to have it be possible that you can take gaming with you on the go.

So do you imagine most people will have an Xbox console, and they'll also have the new Ally handheld? Is that kind of the big picture vision? 

You know, I think that we'll see a whole range of people using it. For some folks, this will be the device they want to game on. They want to take their games with them anywhere. They're a PC enthusiast. They want to be able to access all of their stores in one place. Or you just love to have this option, because you can also plug it into the TV and project to the TV as well. And then there's going to be other people we know that are console users, where this is a great add-on to your console experience. 

One of the cool things we did for console users in here is, in the UI, if you have a game that you started on the console, and then you stopped in that game and you grabbed your Ally…it actually knows right where you left off, and you can go right back in and play that game. And if it's installed on the device, you're playing it natively. But if, for some reason, it's not on a device, you could actually play it over the cloud.

This is actually one of my favorite scenarios. You ever been in that situation where you really, really want to play on your console, but someone else in your household is monopolizing the TV? Well, what you can do from this is you can actually pick this up and play remote play in your house, sitting in your living room, right next to someone…And that way you can do whatever you want. You can be with your partner. They could be watching their TV show. You could be playing your game. Everybody's happy. No more fighting over the TV. 

One of the coolest features I've seen so far is Copilot integration. So, I imagine AI is only going to take on a bigger and bigger role in gaming, and everything, probably. I'm playing Cyberpunk for the first time…and I was recently on a level where I had to find some clue, and I knew it was obvious, and I was just running around in circles, and I didn't want to spend 20 minutes just trying to figure it out. And I really wish I had a way to just, like, hit a button, ask a question, and say, “Hey, where's this thing I'm looking for?”

So we obviously built this for you! [Laughing.]

Is that the vision: That everyone has their own built-in AI assistant as they're playing games from now on?

Well, we just believe that anyone should be able to jump in and play a game, and we should make it easy and accessible, and it should be in a flow state with you. So, there's a ton going on in AI, right? We're just at the beginning, but we saw this opportunity to actually make AI integrated into the experience so that it was easier to play and easier to do exactly the things that you wanted to do. So yeah, the way it works is you, like, long-press this button. You could be in the middle of a game, or you could come back to it, you can't quite remember the controls. You can ask it, “Hey, can you tell me how I actually use the A, B, X, Y, or what do I do now?” Or, “Which way do I turn and what happens?” And it will help you out. And so it really opens up more games for more people. There are some games that are super intimidating. So many people were intimidated by Elden Ring, right? So people will be more likely to try more games, and people stay in games longer. So the team worked really hard to integrate it into the full experience for you, versus having to go out go ask something else. Here it is, in flow state.

I assumed it would be watching your screen, and that's how it would know, but it seems like it's also reading other data, like it knows what game you're in, or it knows, kind of, what you have in the background, what tools are available. So it's actually pulling in info from a few different places, not just what's on the screen, right?

Yeah, we wanted to build your own gaming sidekick. You should never have to game alone ever again, even if you're just holding this device. And so it does do that when you push the button, it knows where you are in the game. It also knows what game you're playing. It also knows your gamer profile, and a whole bunch of things about all of your gamer identity with Xbox, and it uses all of those to give you recommendations, to give you tips, to recommend other games for you.

To put it in Xbox terms, it kind of feels like your own personal Cortana. 

I’ve had a couple people say that!

Is that kind of the idea? It's a voice in your head that talks to you, that helps you solve problems. 

It's your friend. It helps you through your game. 

So you talked about making gaming accessible…I know this starts at $1,000, and I know we've recently seen some price increases with Xbox Game Pass, some increases on devices and consoles, and I mean that that's got to cut into accessibility a little bit. How do you think about that, as President of Xbox, in terms of making games accessible when we have all these price increases? What would you say to gamers who are [saying], “It's just getting to be a bit too much”?

Yeah, there is a lot going on. But at Xbox, what we're focused on is, how do we create options for everybody? So with this device, we have two devices. We have the Ally X. It's for a premium experience for the most demanding player. It has all the latest innovation. We also have the Xbox Ally if you're a more casual enthusiast who wants to jump in, or you're looking for something cool to buy your kid to put under the tree this Christmas. 

And then within Xbox, we also have a full suite of options. We have the Series X. We have the Series S, or across Game Pass. We built Ultimate to be a premium experience for the power user…but then we have Premium and Essential at more accessible price points. If you want to jump in, you want to play that evergreen catalog, or if you just don't have a device at all and you just want to stream it over the cloud, straight to your smart TV, yeah. So it's all about having choice and option for players in a time when there's a lot going on and there's a lot of different things that people want.

Where does Xbox fit into the console space right now?

Well, we are hard at work on our next-gen console, so there is a lot to come there. We're building our next-gen console, which delivers that premium experience, and that's always the center of what we do, but we want to give other people choice and options around that. Because sometimes, yeah, you want to be on a big screen, sitting in your living room, and then there's other times when you're actually on the go…or you might be on a business trip, and you can just get on, get on your PC and get it over the cloud. 

So it's about a whole ecosystem and a whole system where you can have every option you want depending on how you want to play.

The rumors are that the next-gen console will be almost more like a gaming PC, in a lot of ways. That it'll be super, super high powered… What can you tell us about the next-gen console?

Well, I can tell you you're right that the next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end, curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld. But I don't want to give it all away.

Okay, can you tell me anything about the timing?

Oh, no, I can't give that away either.

So, where do you want Xbox to live in people's home? Is it all of the above, or like you were saying before, is it just giving people options?

I want Xbox to act like every other form of entertainment, where you can access it wherever you want, wherever you are. Like, I love this idea that Xbox can always be with you. It can live in your living room. It can be with you on your laptop, in your bedroom. It can be with you when you're on the road. The thing about games is that it's deeply personal. People meet their spouses in games. People make friendships in games. It's about community, but it shouldn't be locked to one place or one device. You should be able to take that with you and be able to access it and jump in anywhere you want. And so that's what Xbox is all about.

We're talking a lot about the hardware. But you know, when we think about those pivotal gaming moments, like I mentioned Halo, or I remember playing Myst with my dad. But we haven't really talked a lot about games, and I know like exclusives have been less of a focus it seems with Xbox. We're getting more like cross-platform games.Where do big blockbuster exclusives fit into this, if at all, or is it kind of evolving past that place?

We're really seeing people evolve way past that. The biggest games in the world are available everywhere. You look at Call of Duty, you look at Minecraft, you look at Fortnite, you look at Roblox. That's actually what's really driving community in gaming. That's where people gather and they have experiences. And the idea of locking it to one store or one device is antiquated for most people. You want to be able to play with your friends anywhere, regardless of what they're on. And we're really leaning into that with this experience.

What’s your favorite thing about the [ROG Xbox Ally] so far? I’m putting you on the spot.

I will say it's the gaming Copilot. Obviously, I have every console that there is, and I have bought every console I think that ever was. But now when I pick up this device I actually prefer it, because I'm in the middle of the game and I know I have that Copilot there with me, and there's something so magical about that, versus having to toggle away.

I don't always have time to sit down on the couch like I'm sitting here in New York with you…But I actually have my Ally in my bag so that I can keep playing in between running around and doing different things. And so that idea, that you have the [Xbox] experience with you. I'm falling in love with that.

Tell me more about Play Anywhere. I know that's one of the big features with this device

So, one of the things that we have pioneered at Xbox, that this device lends itself to perfectly, is the idea of Xbox Play Anywhere…One thing that has been true about the industry since its inception is that [your device] was locked to a single store, and you could only play your games on that device. And Xbox Play Anywhere is about changing all of that. So, what happens is, when you buy a game that's Xbox Play Anywhere, you buy it once, you can play it on the Xbox consoles. You can play it on PCs. You can stream it over the cloud. You can play it on this handheld. You truly can play it anywhere you like, on any screen. 

On the ROG Xbox Ally X launch day last week, Mashable sat down with the President of Xbox, Sarah Bond, and she confirmed some interesting details about the next-gen Xbox console.

We asked Bond about the rumors that the future Xbox console will be a more high-powered device, more like a gaming PC than a traditional Xbox console. She said the next Xbox will definitely deliver a "premium experience" for gamers.

“Well, I can tell you you're right that the next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end, curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld. But I don't want to give it all away.”

So, what is that thinking, exactly? In our interview, Bond emphasized the ability to play games from any store or platform anywhere, at any time. She also said that the industry is moving away from blockbuster exclusives, which has traditionally been a focus around big console launches.

"We're really seeing people evolve way past [exclusives]," Bond said in her sit-down with Mashable. "The biggest games in the world are available everywhere. You look at Call of Duty, you look at Minecraft, you look at Fortnite, you look at Roblox. That's actually what's really driving community in gaming. That's where people gather and they have experiences. And the idea of locking it to one store or one device is antiquated for most people. You want to be able to play with your friends anywhere, regardless of what they're on. And we're really leaning into that with this experience."

Bond also said that gamers shouldn't be tied to a particular console or store.

"I want Xbox to act like every other form of entertainment, where you can access it wherever you want, wherever you are. Like, I love this idea that Xbox can always be with you. It can live in your living room. It can be with you on your laptop, in your bedroom. It can be with you when you're on the road. The thing about games is that it's deeply personal. People meet their spouses in games. People make friendships in games. It's about community, but it shouldn't be locked to one place or one device. You should be able to take that with you and be able to access it and jump in anywhere you want. And so that's what Xbox is all about."

In recent years, Xbox has invested heavily in cloud gaming, and its popular subscription service Xbox Game Pass has a growing number of cross-platform titles. So, while many gamers would tell you that Sony has won the latest era of the console wars thanks to flagship AAA exclusives, Bond seems to think the industry is moving in a different direction — and she may be right.

So, will the new Xbox console be more like a gaming PC or the Xbox Series X? And when exactly can we expect to see it hit store shelves?

Bond wouldn't say, but she again emphasized that Microsoft and Xbox are pursuing a "premium" console experience.

“Well, we are hard at work on our next-gen console,” Bond said. “There is a lot to come there where we're building our next-gen console, which delivers that premium experience, and that's always the center of what we do, but we want to give other people choice and options around that.” 

Other options like, say, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X. Though, you'll have to wait if you didn't secure your handheld at launch. It's currently sold out at Microsoft, and Best Buy has a 30-day wait on new orders.

A new recall affecting thousands of recently manufactured Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles is imminent, according to a report filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Elon Musk–led EV company is set to recall more than 13,000 cars built between March and August 2025 due to a battery issue that can cause a sudden loss in propulsion while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that roughly one percent of those vehicles are affected.

SEE ALSO: The 'affordable' Tesla is here. But is it a good deal?

The NHTSA report states that the problem stems from a battery pack contactor that "may suddenly open due to poor coil termination connection," cutting power unexpectedly. The NHTSA wrote that Tesla dealers were to be notified of the issue by Oct. 15.

According to the NHTSA, Tesla has identified 36 warranty claims and 26 field reports related to the issue, but says it’s not aware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities tied to the defect. While the agency recommended a recall, Tesla is not legally required to issue one — meaning this recall is entirely voluntary on the company’s part.

Frequently, Tesla resolves recalls through over-the-air software updates. This time, however, drivers will need to bring their vehicles to a service center to have the faulty contactors physically replaced. The repairs will be completed free of charge.

This marks yet another recall for a Tesla-manufactured vehicle, following a string of issues earlier this year involving the Cybertruck. The so-called "apocalypse-proof" EV has already faced several recalls — including one in which the accelerator pedal could become lodged under interior trim, and another over an exterior panel that risked detaching while driving.

The recall also follows mounting scrutiny from U.S. regulators over Tesla’s safety practices. Earlier this month, NHTSA launched a separate investigation into nearly 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving system after receiving dozens of complaints of traffic violations and crashes involving the software.

TL;DR: Live stream Real Madrid vs. Juventus in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League has already delivered some fascinating matchups this week, but Real Madrid vs. Juventus might be the biggest game of the round. Real Madrid have started their campaign with two wins from two games, whereas Juventus are still seeking their first victory.

If you want to watch Real Madrid vs. Juventus in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Real Madrid vs. Juventus?

Real Madrid vs. Juventus in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 22. This fixture takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

How to watch Real Madrid vs. Juventus for free

Real Madrid vs. Juventus is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Real Madrid vs. Juventus for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Real Madrid vs. Juventus for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Real Madrid vs. Juventus (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

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A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Real Madrid vs. Juventus in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF: For a limited time, Amazon is running a book sale where shoppers can buy one book and get another for half price, including popular BookTok books, NY Times best sellers, and new releases from popular authors.

Opens in a new window Credit: Atria Books, Montlake, Grand Central Publishing Buy One Get One 50% Off Select Books   Shop Now

While we're constantly raving about e-readers and audiobooks, there's still a special place in our hearts for physical books. Physical page turning will truly never go out of style. If you're looking for your next dopamine hit in the form of a crisp new book, Amazon's current BOGO sale could help you out.

As of Oct. 22, Amazon is running a BOGO sale on select books where you can buy one and get another for 50% off. And many of those select books are already discounted, saving you even more on your book haul. You don't even need to be a Prime member to secure the deals. Target is also running an identical BOGO book sale, but the titles may vary, and you must be a Circle member to shop the sale (although Circle membership is free).

There are tons of bestsellers, new releases, and BookTok faves included in the sale, including My Friends by Fredrik Backman, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. And as we mentioned, most eligible books are already discounted to some degree. So you could definitely do some damage while the sale is live. For instance, hardcover copies of Atmosphere and Sunrise on the Reaping would normally run you $57.99 total. But both books are currently on sale, dropping that price to only $33.27. With the BOGO deal, that price drops to only $25.03.

While there's currently no end date listed for Amazon's sale, Target's runs through Oct. 25. There's a good chance Amazon will follow a similar timeline, so we suggest snagging the books you want as soon as you can.

SAVE 38%: As of Oct. 22, the Dreame L50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $999.99, down from $1,599.99, at Amazon. That's a 38% discount and a $600 price cut. The only caveat? This is a Lightning Deal, so it won't last long.

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Robot vacuums are supposed to make life easier, but sometimes they feel like they need more help than they give. Getting stuck on rug edges, choking on pet hair, completely ignoring corners — the struggle is real. One brand that's been on our radar is Dreame, and right now, you can get one of its newest models on sale. (But you've got to be quick!)

As of Oct. 22, the Dreame L50 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale for $999.99, down from $1,599.99, at Amazon. That's a 38% discount and a $600 price cut. The only caveat? This is a Lightning Deal, so it won't last long.

SEE ALSO: I tested 25 robot vacuum and mop combos and found 5 that actually scrub

The L50 Ultra definitely feels like Dreame trying to address those common robot vac complaints. It has a "ProLeap" system with little retractable legs that lift it up to six centimeters (over two inches) to get over potentially problematic thresholds. It also uses a "HyperStream Detangling DuoBrush" designed specifically to handle hair without turning it into a tangled mess. The "Dual Flex Arm" technology extends both the side brush and the mop to get those hard-to-reach edges and get under furniture better.

On top of the smart design, it offers 19,500Pa suction. The all-in-one dock is also about as hands-off as it gets: it empties the dustbin (for up to 100 days), washes the mops with hot water, dries them, refills the water/solution tanks, and even cleans itself.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 22, get the DJI Mic 2 for $139, down from its usual price of $179 at Amazon. That's a discount of 22%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic 2 $139 at Amazon
$179 Save $40   Get Deal

DJI isn't just for drones. Sure, you might know the brand solely for its drones, but it's also become a bastion for affordable gear that can help you create great content. Its microphones have become especially popular with creators. But given the brand's potential ban just around the corner, it's been difficult to find many of DJI's products in stock. Right now, however, you can get one of the company's best and most popular mics while it's still in stock.

As of Oct. 22, get the DJI Mic 2 for $139, down from its usual price of $179 at Amazon. That's a discount of 22%.

SEE ALSO: Beat the ban: Get the DJI Mini 4K drone for its lowest-ever price at Amazon

This DJI Mic 2 bundle comes with everything you need to record great audio. That includes one transmitter, one receiver, a clip magnet, a windscreen, a carrying pouch, and more. It's meant to give you "pro-level audio," according to DJI, with 18 hours of battery life to keep you going. Plus, it's just 28 grams, so you won't get bogged down when adding it to your gear stack.

It has 8GB of internal storage, a range of 820 feet, and noise-canceling features to help make your recordings sound much less muffled, even in less-than-ideal conditions. That means even if you're dealing with wind or noise or otherwise unpleasant sound, you can still have your recording focus on your subject.

If you're planning on making content with this mic, now's the time to lock yours in, especially since it's getting harder and harder to find DJI products.

SAVE $1,159.01: The Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $839.99, down from the normal price of $1,999. That's a massive 58% discount and an all-time low price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix F2000 portable power station $839.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $1,159.01   Get Deal

Summer camping season might be over, but that doesn't mean there's no longer a use for a portable power station. In fact, the fall and winter might be an even better time to have a power station on hand for power outages. If you could use a model that packs in about 2,000Wh, check out this great deal at Amazon.

As of Oct. 22, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale for $839.99 at Amazon, marked down from the list price of $1,999. That's a massive 58% discount that shaves $1,159.01 off the price. Today's sale is an all-time low price at Amazon by a long shot.

The Anker Solix F2000 portable power station packs in 2,048Wh of capacity with 2,400W of continuous output and a surge of 2,800W. It's also expandable with one extra Solix battery that can bring it up to 4,096Wh. And since it's made with a long-lasting LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery, you'll likely be using this thing for years to come.

SEE ALSO: One of my favorite portable power stations just dipped to a record-low price at Amazon

This amount of power tends to get heavy (67.2 pounds to be exact), so Anker graced the F2000 with durable wheels and a telescoping handle for easier transport. Plus, Anker included one of the most useful features — a lightbar. With the light, you'll be able to see where the plugs are located during a power outage without needing to use your phone's flashlight.

The Solix F2000 comes with plenty of ports. There are four standard AC ports, one 30amp, three USB-C (all 100W), and two USB-A. The inclusion of the TT-30 port is perfect for RVs.

Before the storms hit or you head out on your next camping adventure, get the Anker Solix F2000 while it's down to an all-time low price at Amazon. You'll be able to save over $1,150 while gaining reassurance that you can stay powered up should the grid cut out.

SAVE $15: Amazon has the new 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale as of Oct. 22. It's usually priced at $1,599, but you'll pay $1,584.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — space black $1,584 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $15   Get Deal

Amazon is marking the release of the new Apple MacBook Pro the best way it knows how: by putting it on sale.

As of Oct. 22, the first day it's available to the general public, the space black base configuration of the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is marked down to just $1,584 on the retail giant's website. It comes with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, my recommended minimums for a reliable daily driver.

The M5 MacBook Pro normally starts at $1,599, and it's still full price at Best Buy and the Apple Store at the time of writing. In other words, Amazon is the only place where I'm seeing it on sale for $15 off. (Be sure its "Shipper / Seller" is Amazon.com: Earlier this morning, it was coming from a random third-party merchant. They're riskier to buy from than Amazon itself, so I always tell shoppers to avoid them for big-ticket purchases like this.)

In case you missed it, the M5 MacBook Pro is our latest Mashable Choice Award winner. It may not be a very exciting next-gen update — silicon aside, it's basically identical to its M4 predecessor — but it brings even more oomph to Apple's high-end laptop line without a price hike. It's not like the MacBook Pro desperately needs a huge design overhaul, anyway (though an OLED touchscreen would be fun).

SEE ALSO: Review: With the new MacBook Pro (M5), Apple is just showing off

The cheaper M4 MacBook Air is still the best MacBook for most people, in my opinion, but the M5 model is a great upgrade pick if you have the budget. It has a brighter mini-LED display with a better 120Hz refresh rate, better speakers, and a better mix of ports (including an HDMI port and an SDXC card slot).

The M5 MacBook Pro is also way better at handling heavier workloads because of its built-in fans; the Air can run hot if you stress it out. For this reason, Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth likes it for "professionals, AI enthusiasts, and creators." (Read his full review.)

If you're looking for a MacBook Pro on sale for less, I'll add that Amazon is selling the M4 version at a discount right now, too. The space black base model is listed for $1,349, or $150 off its $1,599 MSRP. That feels reasonable for a 17% dip in multitasking speeds compared to the M5 version, per our CPU benchmarking.

SAVE $1,220: As of Oct. 22, the Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV from 2022 is on sale for only $1,779 instead of $2,999 at Walmart. That's a savings of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV (2022 model) $1,779 at Walmart
$2,999 Save $1,220   Get Deal

If you're on the hunt for a new big screen TV, but don't like the look of a giant hunk of tech hanging on your wall, Samsung's The Frame TV offers the best of both worlds. It's a TV for people who don't really like TVs. And as of Oct. 22, you can pick up the 75-inch model for over $1,000 off.

Usually super pricey at $2,999, Samsung's 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV (2022 model) is on sale for $1,779 at Walmart. That's a savings of 40% or $1,220.

When I say this is a TV for people who don't really like TVs, I mean that while The Frame is elegant and certainly more pleasing to look at when it's off, it's not the best quality in terms of picture when you consider the price tag. It's still a QLED panel with HDR support, 4K resolution, and AI upscaling, so it doesn't look bad; the picture quality just isn't going to compete with the best of the best.

As our friends at PCMag (also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) wrote in their review, "The TV's excellent colors, customizable bezels, and matte finish make The Frame one of the best (but priciest) digital picture frames on the market. But, for watching videos, the TV's performance is more in line with very good budget models." In other words, it will certainly look classier and more pleasing than most TVs in terms of home decor, but if you're looking to upgrade your home theater for epic movie sessions, we suggest something more like the LG C4 OLED or Samsung S95D OLED.

We probably wouldn't recommend grabbing The Frame's 2022 model at full price in 2025, but while it's 40% off, it's a pretty solid deal for a TV that doubles as home decor.

My jaw hit the floor 10 minutes into IT: Welcome to Derry, and that's pretty much where it stayed as I kept watching the show.

The biggest reason for my shock and awe was, of course, IT: Welcome to Derry's scares. This is a Stephen King show, after all, and you're going to get the nightmares to prove it.

SEE ALSO: Is 'IT: Welcome to Derry' based on Stephen King's book?

But my continued appreciation for the series wasn't a product of frights alone. Like King's novel and the film adaptations that have followed, IT: Welcome to Derry introduces a new crew of lovable kids in peril, each of whom you'll latch onto faster than one of Pennywise's (Bill Skarsgård's) red balloons can go pop. The series also expands on Derry's history, creating a fascinating portrait of a town that has learned to live with evil, both supernatural and human in nature.

What is IT: Welcome to Derry about? Welcome (back) to Derry. Credit: HBO

Developed by Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the director and producer sibling duo behind IT and IT: Chapter Two, IT: Welcome to Derry draws inspiration from Mike Hanlon's historical interludes from King's novel. The series brings viewers back to the quaint town of Derry, Maine in 1962, 27 years before Muschietti's first film takes place. (King's novel originally took place in 1957, but the films moved the time period up several decades.) That means it's time for the horrifying entity known simply as IT to awaken once more, don a face full of clown makeup, and scare the living deadlights out of Derry's children in order to feed.

IT fans will likely see several parallels between Welcome to Derry's cast of young outcasts and IT's Losers Club. Foul-mouthed Phil (Jack Molloy Legault) reads as a predecessor to Richie Tozier, while the ostracizing "Loony" Lilly (Clara Stack) faces at school recalls the experience of Beverly Marsh. Welcome to Derry's new children also include relatives of future Losers Club members (the names Hanlon and Uris both crop up in episode 1).

SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, ranked

While the similarities between the show and the films loom large, Welcome to Derry's talented young cast — which also includes Amanda Christine, Mikkal Karim Fidler, and Miles Ekhardt — manage to make the show their own. Each Welcome to Derry kid comes with their own rich interior life, complete with anxieties about family and fitting in that feel like companions to the Losers Club's own anxieties, as opposed to total rehashes.

But it's not just kids having the fun (if you can call being chased by a killer clown "fun") in Welcome to Derry. The series also focuses on new Derry arrivals, Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon (Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige). Leroy, a Major in the U.S. Air Force, finds himself working on a top-secret military project alongside Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk). Yes, that Dick Hallorann, from The Shining. Meanwhile, Charlotte adjusts to life in Derry, where she hopes her civil rights activism from her time living in the south can make a difference.

IT: Welcome to Derry examines evil in several forms. Luke Beattie, Redden Callaghan, Tom Hulshof, and Taylour Paige in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: Brooke Palmer/HBO

Welcome to Derry's adult-focused plotlines can be hit or miss, especially when it comes to lore drops. These attempts to dive further into the origin story of IT risk falling into goofiness. However, the more grounded aspects of Leroy and Charlotte's time in Derry add meaningful layers to the show.

Both Leroy and Charlotte experience racist microaggressions while in Derry, be it lack of respect from military subordinates or disrespect from police officers. For a show that's primarily focused on the evil of IT, these moments also allow Welcome to Derry to explore how Pennywise isn't the only evil in town. That extends to the Air Force's invasive presence on Native American land, an action that reflects the US government's dismissal of Indigenous peoples.

SEE ALSO: Stephen King shares his 11-word review of 'The Running Man'

King's novel and the films emphasize that IT's presence in Derry has tainted the town. People who leave it forget about the horrors there, but people who stay seem forced into complacency or mean-spiritedness. Look no further than the unnaturally cruel bullying Welcome to Derry's kids face, or adults' dismissal of said bullying. "Boys will be boys," one shop owner tells Charlotte after they witness bullies assaulting a kid out in broad daylight. Of all the onlookers, only Charlotte, an outsider new to Derry, realizes how twisted that mentality is. That scene, Pennywise-less as it is, is among Welcome to Derry's eeriest sequences, a chilling look at the mundane evils on display in Derry.

IT: Welcome to Derry is downright terrifying. Bill Skarsgård in "IT: Welcome to Derry." Credit: HBO

But of course, there are several other chilling scenes that very much do involve Pennywise, and for the most part, they are ghastly in the best way possible. No spoilers here, but Welcome to Derry won't just ruin clowns and balloons for you — it'll also ruin pickles, car rides, and more.

The effectiveness of these scares comes from the time and care Welcome to Derry sinks into developing its new kids and adults. As in King's work, each of Pennywise's attacks plays up a specific fear or trauma of each child, lending each terrifying sequence an extra element of psychological horror. That these scenes get under the skin so quickly is a credit to the show's ability to so fully flesh out the world of Derry, instead of simply coasting on Pennywise's star power.

IT: Welcome to Derry premieres Oct. 26 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

TL;DR: Live stream Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

All eyes will be on Liverpool in the next round of Champions League fixtures. The Premier League champions are suffering an extremely poor run of form, losing their last four games. Can they turn things around against Eintracht Frankfurt?

If you want to watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool?

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Oct. 22. This fixture takes place at the Waldstadion.

How to watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool for free

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 22, get the Samsung Q-series HW-Q6CC soundbar for $279, down from its usual price of $379 at Walmart. That's a discount of 26%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Samsung Q-series HW-Q6CC soundbar $279 at Walmart
$379 Save $100   Get Deal

When it comes to great sound, sometimes your TV speakers just won't cut it. If you're tired of dealing with tinny audio and other sound issues, it might be time to upgrade to a soundbar. And if you're ready to stop searching, you can snag a great one on sale at Walmart right now.

As of Oct. 22, get the Samsung Q-series HW-Q6CC soundbar for $279, down from its usual price of $379 at Walmart. That's $100 off and a discount of 26%.

SEE ALSO: The best soundbars for upgrading your home entertainment

This Q-series soundbar uses 3.1 Ch. Dolby Atmos Sound to vastly improve your TV's audio. It's the exact thing your setup needs for better bass, treble, and other improvements in just about every conceivable way. It also provides great sound outside of the TV and movie realm with Game Mode, which offers synced directional audio that can enhance your experience in-game and make you feel like you're right there.

If you connect your soundbar via HDMI eARC, your soundbar will also offer better voice clarity and offer Tap Sound, which lets you use Bluetooth on your phone to attach to the soundbar and start using it with your mobile device. It's all very easy to set up and a reliable build, no matter what you decide to use it for, which makes it a must-buy if you want a good, affordable way to set up better audio.

Now that you can get this soundbar for $100 off, it's a good time to go ahead and lock yours in.

SAVE UP TO $20: Both sizes of the new Apple iPad Pro (M5) are on sale on Amazon as of Oct. 22, its release day.

Shop Amazon's M5 iPad Pro deals: Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — silver 984 (save $15 ) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,279 (save $20) Get Deal

Happy launch day to Apple's all-new M5 iPad Pro. In celebration, two configurations are already on sale on Amazon. Hopefully, you didn't lock in a preorder.

As of Oct. 22, the base model of the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is marked down to $984 in silver (or $15 off), and the starting configuration of the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro is listed for $1,279 in space black (or $20 off). They come with 256GB of storage and lack cellular connectivity, meaning they can only get on the internet using WiFi.

Both M5 iPad Pros were still full price at Best Buy and the Apple Store at the time of writing.

If you're familiar with the previous-gen M4 iPad Pro, you're already well-acquainted with the M5 model: They're basically identical aside from their chips. Highlights include a beautiful Tandem OLED touchscreen, a nice 12MP Center Stage front camera, and a remarkably thin design. Yes, the iPad Pro is still even thinner than the current iPad Air, our favorite tablet for artists and on-the-go multitaskers.

For its part, the new M5 iPad Pro is the model we now recommend for creative professionals and power users with the most demanding workloads. Its blazing-fast M5 chip makes it just as capable as MacBooks and some premium Windows laptops. Limiting it to basic tasks like sending emails and word processing is like putting it on a leash.

SEE ALSO: Review: The new M5 iPad Pro is a victory lap for Apple

"If you like to run AI models on your device, you're a professional illustrator or designer, or you need to deliver professional-quality video, the new iPad Pro is up for the job," writes Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable's tech editor. (Read his full review.)

One important note: For some of my colleagues, the discounted M5 iPad Pros were only available from random third-party sellers on Amazon. We recommend that shoppers avoid them when it comes to big-ticket purchases like this; buying from Amazon itself is always less risky.

To find out who's selling you the M5 iPad Pro, check who's listed as its "Shipper / Seller" (located directly below the orange "Buy Now" button on its product page). If you see something other than "Amazon.com," just hold tight. I saw the new M5 MacBook Pro on sale from a third-party seller earlier this morning, but its supplier reverted back to Amazon.com within an hour.

If you bought the cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro, you might want to be careful how you clean it — you could soon have a pink phone.

It was troubling for Apple fans when it surfaced online that folks' orange iPhones were, for some reason, reportedly turning a rosy, metallic shade of pink. A user on the iPhone subreddit posted a picture a week ago that apparently showed parts of their previously orange phone that had turned a (frankly pleasant) shade of pink. The post went viral as folks wondered how and why it happened.

Soon enough, there were posts claiming the same thing on TikTok.

So, why are cosmic orange iPhones turning pink?

In short: It's likely because of the way folks are cleaning their phone. The Apple-focused tech site 9to5Mac noted that the "iPhone 17 Pro’s chassis is constructed from anodized aluminum, which relies on an artificial oxide layer for both corrosion resistance and color uniformity." When that oxide layer interacts with a peroxide-based cleaner, the site reported, it could lead to discoloration of the metal underneath reacts to the solvent. That could explain why, in the viral posts, the glass back-panel remains orange while the metallic parts seemed to turn pink.

Users on TikTok have also suggested there could be an issue with the seal protecting the anodized aluminum.

So it may be that orange iPhones have come into contact with materials they shouldn't, like bleach or hydrogen peroxide. For reference, here's the section on Apple's support website on how to disinfect your phone.

"Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge your iPhone in any cleaning agents. After disinfecting, wipe with a soft, slightly damp (with water), lint-free cloth."

So if you've purchased a cosmic orange iPhone, certainly be careful how you clean it. Otherwise, you may risk discoloration. We've long loved the idea of pink iPhones here at Mashable, but this wasn't what we had in mind.

YouTube is using AI to help stop the improper use of AI.

Creators in YouTube's Partner Program — those with 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last year or 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last three months — are gaining access to an AI feature that's intended to stop or slow the spread of deepfakes. The likeness detection tool was originally announced at Made on YouTube in September and is meant to help identify and manage AI-generated content that features someone's likeness.

As YouTube said in a video posted Tuesday to its Creator Insider channel, it "lets you easily detect, manage, and request the removal of unauthorized videos where your facial likeness may be altered or made with AI—a critical way to safeguard your identity and ensure your audience isn't misled."

Creators first have to confirm their identity by uploading a photo ID and short selfie video. Then, they can review videos that have been flagged in the Content Detection tab on YouTube Studio. If they deem a video as AI-generated content, they can request its removal.

"Creators can already request the removal of AI fakes, including face and voice, through our existing privacy process. What this new technology does is scale that protection," Amjad Hanif, YouTube's vice president of creator products, told Axios in September.

Today, the tool became available to some creators in the YouTube Partner Program, and it will continue to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

"At YouTube, our goal is to build AI technology that empowers human creativity responsibly, and that includes protecting creators and their businesses," YouTube said in its video. "We built this tool to help you monitor how your likeness shows up—understanding if other people are generating videos using your facial likeness—to safeguard your identity."

Tinder announced today that identity verification with facial recognition will now be required for all new users in the U.S. in the coming months.

A facial scan is already required for new Tinder users in California as of July this year. New users in Colombia, Canada, Australia, India, and several countries across Southeast Asia must also complete one according to the dating app's press release. Match Group, Tinder's parent company and dating app conglomerate, confirmed to Mashable that this requirement is rolling out to the rest of the U.S.

SEE ALSO: As Tinder struggles to attract paid users, one dating app is gaining popularity

To complete the verification, called Face Check, users must take a video of themselves within the app. This is to ensure the person is real and their face matches their profile photos. It also scans whether the same face is used in multiple profiles. If verified, users receive a Photo Verified badge.

Video selfies are apparently deleted shortly after review, while one's face map and vector are encrypted and stored to verify new photos and detect fraud or multiple accounts.

Tinder has apparently seen an over 60 percent decrease in exposure to potential bad actors, including spam, scam, and fake accounts. (This figure is based on a random weighted sample of in-app profile views.) Early use of Face Check has also led to a more than 40 percent decrease in reports of bad actors.

Face Check is the next evolution of verification methods Tinder has introduced over the years, including photo verification in 2021, video verification in 2023, and ID checks last year.

Safety has been an ongoing, multi-pronged issue on dating apps. Earlier this year, an investigation into Match Group reported that it didn't take measures to properly ban harmful users nor alert law enforcement.

In September, two U.S. senators penned a letter to Tinder and Match Group's CEO, Spencer Rascoff, to urge him to take action against romance scammers on the apps.

Rascoff stated in the press release that Face Check reflects the company's "deepening commitment to responsible innovation that builds trust and supports a healthy, growing community."

"It's just the beginning of a broader effort to make Tinder the best and safest way to meet new people," Rascoff continued.

The widespread adoption of Face Check also comes months after the UK passed its age-verification law, compelling dating apps to install age checks. Age-verification laws are also sweeping the U.S., in an apparent effort to keep minors off of explicit sites. But experts predict they could fundamentally change our online lives beyond adult content. As evidenced by platforms like Spotify and YouTube, we may be required to submit more of our personal data to verify our age and use these services, despite them being "safe for work."

Match Group plans to roll this out to new Tinder users globally (where legally permitted), as well as to additional apps in 2026.

SAVE $75: Through Nov. 5, you can sign up for Hulu + Live TV for just $64.99 per month for three months. That's $25 cheaper than the typical monthly cost, which ends up saving you $75 across three months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney / ESPN Hulu + Live TV $64.99/month for three months (save $25/month) Get Deal

Choosing a cable replacement service in 2025 really comes down to just a handful of choices. We tend to recommend Fubo for sports fans and YouTube TV for everyone else because the price and channel selection make it the best value. However, Hulu + Live TV has us second-guessing everything with its latest offer.

Now through Nov. 5, new and returning subscribers (who have not been Hulu subscribers in the past month) can sign up for Hulu + Live TV for just $64.99 per month for three months. The regular price just jumped from $82.99 to $89.99 per month as of Oct. 21, so this deal now ends up saving you $25 per month or $75 across three months. We're used to seeing YouTube TV and Fubo run introductory offers like this, but it's a lot rarer for Hulu + Live TV. So we definitely recommend jumping on it sooner rather than later.

Unlike other cable replacements, Hulu + Live TV includes more than just a live channel lineup. For $64.99 per month, you'll get access to live and on-demand TV from over 95 top channels, plus full access to the Hulu and Disney+ libraries (with ads), as well as ESPN Select and Unlimited through the ESPN app. Those three streaming services typically cost about $54 total on their own.

The channel lineup itself is pretty comprehensive, with a variety of sports, news, and entertainment. You'll get your local CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates, networks like FX, Freeform, SYFY, and TNT, and even specialty sports channels like FS1, FS2, ACCN, B1G, and the Golf channel. Sports fans will be able to tune into the MLB World Series when it kicks off on Oct. 24, plus tons of NFL and college football games, and national broadcasts of NHL and NBA games.

If you haven't tried a live TV streaming service, this Hulu + Live TV deal is a great chance to dip your toes in. Just remember that after three months, the price will jump back up to full price unless you cancel.