Mashable

SAVE $30: The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $99.99, down from the list price of $129.99. That's a 23% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 $99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Driving and owning a car comes with a lot of responsibility, not to mention anxiety when you have to park your car somewhere you can't see it. But thanks to today's deal on a dash cam at Amazon, you can have peace of mind at a discounted price.

As of Sept. 18, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is on sale at Amazon for $99.99, marked down from the standard price of $129.99. That's a $30 savings or a 23% discount. It also matches the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Save $30 on our favorite Roku streaming device

Measuring in at a similar size to your car keys, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is a mountable dash camera that you can discretely place behind the rearview mirror.

Not only is the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 a less obvious dash cam compared to some models, the Garmin still comes with great features. It'll automatically record and save video of incidents near the car with a 140-degree lens in 1080p resolution. Recognizing English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Swedish, you can use voice control to start/stop recording, save video, or take still photos. Your saved videos automatically upload over a WiFi connection, so you can view and share them any time you'd like.

With power and a WiFi connection, you can access the camera remotely on your smartphone to get a live view of your parked car. The Parking Guard feature also sends you an alert if it detects anything that impacts your parked car.

If you often worry about your car while it's out of sight, or you've always wanted the ability to record an incident, today is a great time to grab the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. You'll get a 23% discount and greater peace of mind.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max was like the Energizer Bunny on our battery life test. It just kept going, and going, and going.

The flagship Apple device knocked the Google Pixel 9 off its throne, the former reigning battery life champion.

The Pixel 9 lasted over 19 hours — 19 hours and 20 minutes, to be exact — on a single charge, which is impressively long. However, as it turns out, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is even more power-efficient than the Google entry-level model.

iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life

On our TikTok rundown battery test, which loops a continuous video until it dies with the display at 50% of brightness, the iPhone 16 Pro Max ran out of juice after 25 hours and 17 minutes.

iPhone 16 Pro Max Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As a seasoned tech reviewer, I've seen mobile manufacturers claim that their products have "all-day battery life," but when I test them myself, the reality is that they have half-day battery life, conking out after just a few hours.

However, Apple can actually say that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is capable of surviving for more than a day.

Based on typical usage, which includes internet surfing, streaming, and some idle time, you could probably get away with not charging the iPhone 16 Pro Max for about two days before you need to juice up again.

Curious to see the battery runtimes of other smartphones we've tested? Here's a quick list:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - 13 hours and 1 minute

• iPhone 16 - 16 hours and 20 minutes

• iPhone 16 Pro - 18 hours and 17 minutes

• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - 18 hours and 50 minutes

• iPhone 16 Plus - 18 hours and 53 minutes

• Google Pixel 9 - 19 hours and 20 minutes

• iPhone 16 Pro Max - 25 hours and 17 minutes

At the Sept. 9 "Glowtime" event, where Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16 lineup, the Cupertino-based tech giant boasted that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the "best iPhone battery life ever" — and the company was right.

The iPhone 16 Plus took third place with a runtime of 18 hours and 53 minutes, beating the Pixel 9 Pro XL by a hair (i.e., three minutes). The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is now in fourth place.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a starting price of $1,199 — and it's available for pre-order now.

UPDATE: Sep. 18, 2024, 11:29 a.m. EDT This piece was updated with the Google Pixel 9's incredible battery life score of 19 hours and 20 minutes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPhone 16 Pro Max Get Deal

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Sept. 18: OUR TOP PICK Roku Ultra $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST HOME SECURITY DEAL TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam $69.99 at Amazon (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST SMARTWATCH DEAL Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon (save $49.96) Get Deal BEST ROBOT VACUUM iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO $299.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal

We've still got a few weeks before Amazon's official October Prime Day, but that doesn't mean there aren't deals to shop. As of Sept. 18, we're seeing pretty impressive price drops on products from top brands like Roku, Beats, iRobot Roomba, Garmin, and TP-Link. And we've rounded up the best ones worth adding to your cart below.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these catch your eye, be sure to take a peek at our picks from Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Many of those are still live — including a record-low price on the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

The Roku Ultra, our favorite Roku streaming device, is the cheapest it's been all year (and just $3 away from its record-low price). The premium streaming device has a quad-core processor that offers smooth HD, 4K, and HDR streaming on a zippy interface. It's more powerful than the Roku Express 4K Plus and comes with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, a microSD slot for storing and streaming external media, an Ethernet port, and the Roku Voice Remote Pro with customizable shortcut keys. It's regularly $100, but you can grab it for only $69.99 as of Sept. 18. That's 30% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam $69.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $50.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Boost your home security without breaking the bank with the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free MagCam. It offers 2K video and a year-long battery life for only $69.99 on sale. That's 42% in savings and matches its lowest price on record — just be sure to select the on-page coupon to get the full discount. We haven't had a chance to test out this security camera ourselves, but our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) did and awarded it an outstanding rating and coveted Editor's Choice award. "It's an excellent value for a battery-powered camera that offers color night vision, built-in spotlights, local and cloud storage options, free intelligent alerts, voice control, and many other features," the review states.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2 Solar smartwatch $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

"The Instinct is ideal for serious navigators, ultra-athletes, and solo trekkers who spend a lot of time outside and in rugged conditions," Mashable's review states of the original Garmin Instinct smartwatch. The second generation of the already great watch is even more powerful. Not only does it offer detailed health monitoring and smart notifications like any good smartwatch, but it also packs a three-axis compass and barometric altimeter for highly intricate tracking and navigation, plenty of built-in sports apps, and an unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode (thanks to solar charging). As of Sept. 18, it's also back down to its record-low price of $299.99 at Amazon. That's $100 in savings and a pretty impressive deal on a smartwatch that's just as tough as you.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $99.99 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal

Want a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank? The Beats Studio Buds are back on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's 34% off their usual cost in white, black, or red. Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out in 2021, claiming they "put entry-level AirPods to shame." They're equipped with decent active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and a 24-hour battery life with the charging case. They're no longer the latest or greatest Beats buds, but they still hold up in 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

Don't have the budget to hire a professional cleaner? Start smaller by grabbing this Roomba i3+ EVO on sale for just $299.99. That's $250 cheaper than usual and on par with its lowest price to date. The i3+ EVO is our top pick for a budget Roomba (with a software upgrade), thanks to its self-emptying abilities, smart mapping, and more powerful suction power over the cheaper 600 series. You can basically set it and forget it for 60 days, as it will dump all the dirt it picks up into its base.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE $10: As of September 18, save $10 when you spend $50 on eligible Starbucks coffee at Amazon for National Coffee Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon $10 off $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee Get Deal

There's a holiday for just about everything these days, and coffee is no exception. National Coffee Day, a celebration of all things java, is September 29, and Starbucks is getting in on the fun. But instead of requiring you to go in-store to take advantage of its deals, Starbucks is serving up a special promotion at Amazon that you can take advantage of ahead of the holiday itself.

As of September 18, when you buy $50 of eligible Starbucks coffee-at-home products at Amazon, you can get $10 back. That includes Starbucks K-Cup packs, Pike Place Medium Roast ground coffee, Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia coffee packets, Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate, and several other flavors you can choose from the Starbucks Coffee At-Home Amazon page. The discount will be automatically applied at checkout as long as supplies last.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's October Prime Day sale: Official dates, the competition, and more

There's a wide variety of Starbucks coffee to choose from that's eligible for the deal. Some of Starbucks' newest fall flavors — like Pumpkin Spice, Smoked Butterscotch, and Fall Blend K-Cups — are up for grabs, as are half-caff and iced coffee blends.

It looks like certain flavors are already going out of stock, however, so you may want to go ahead and grab the ones you're interested in sipping on this fall while you still can.

GET $100 OFF: As of Sept. 18, the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer with two complimentary attachments is $299.99 on the Dyson website, $100 off the sticker price. That's 25% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer $299.99 at Dyson
$399.99 Save $100.00 Plus two complimentary attachments ($79.98 value) Get Deal

If you’ve been dying to own at least one Dyson hair care tool, now might be your chance to do it for under $300 (*gasp*).

As of Sept. 18, you can get the Dyson Supersonic Origin hair dryer (black/nickel) for $299.99 on Dyson’s website. That’s $100 off the sticker price, and it’s a pretty good deal, considering it comes with two complimentary attachments (the flyaway attachment and the gentle air attachment) worth $79.98.

SEE ALSO: Is the Dyson Supersonic still worth it?

This hair dryer is built to protect your hair from extreme heat damage while delivering a salon-worthy blowout. According to the site, you can increase smoothness by 75 percent with this thing compared to regular hair dryers. It also features three speed settings, four heat settings, and a cold air shot for locking in your 'do. This model is no longer available at Amazon or Best Buy, so your best bet is to snag it straight from Dyson before the sale ends.

If you’d rather have the Supersonic hair dryer in blue/blush (aka the pretty one), Dyson has a refurbished model for $229.99, so it's $120 off. It also comes with five attachments, including a diffuser and styling concentrator.

Not to be outdone by Huawei, Samsung is reportedly making an absurdly large smartphone with a new form factor.

According to a scoop by the Korean outlet The Elec (via Sammobile), Samsung is developing a smartphone with a rollable screen with the intent of launching in 2025. The phone would have a 12.4-inch display when unrolled, making it absolutely massive by smartphone standards, even bigger than the 10.2-inch tri-fold Huawei Mate XT that took the internet by storm recently.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: What are the differences?

Of course, while the Mate XT is a tri-fold phone that looks a little more like a traditional foldable (such as the ones Samsung makes), Samsung's rumored new device would theoretically roll and unroll like a piece of parchment. Except, you know, it's also a phone. Without seeing even renders of how the device would look, it's hard to speculate on exactly how it would work.

At least this potentially gives us something to look forward to in 2025.

Get Ninja kitchen appliances up to 35% off at Amazon as of Sept. 18. Here are some of our top choices:

Best Ninja deals at Amazon Best Ninja deal overall Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo $129.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker $79.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best air fryer for small kitchens Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quarts) $89.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal

Somehow, we're all way too busy. We tell ourselves that next week or next month will be calmer, but it never seems to pan out that way. If you find you're short on time when it comes to preparing meals, Ninja makes some great kitchen appliances that can help.

Thanks to this week's sale prices at Amazon, you can grab kitchen and cooking upgrades for up to 35% off, including air fryers, coffee makers, blenders, and more.

If you're looking for fast and easy meal prep, Ninja some great solutions — plus they make some of the most affordable and feature-laden kitchen appliances around. The brand also focuses on using dishwasher-safe materials, which can help immensely with cleaning up.

Below are the best Ninja deals at Amazon as of Sept. 18:

Best Ninja deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo $129.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With 11 cooking functions, the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo can be a massive help in the kitchen. Amazon's sale price bring the countertop appliance down to just $129.99, which is a 35% discount off the usual price of $199.99.

With the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Pressure Cooker Combo, you can pressure-cook, steam, slow cook, sear, air crisp, bake, broil, sous vide, dehydrate, keep warm, and make yogurt. Those are 11 reasons why the Ninja could make preparing meals much easier. The 6.5-quart capacity can accommodate a five-pound chicken or a six-pound roast. You'll also get a useful recipe book to use as inspiration to get started.

Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A versatile single-serve coffee maker can be perfect for busy homes where the coffee fans aren't all enjoying a cup at the same time, meaning that someone ends up drinking old, burned coffee from the pot. Instead, the single-serve Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker allows you to enjoy a single cup from either a K-Cup pod or ground coffee. There's also a built-in milk frother wand, so you can quickly whip up a latte, mocha, or cappuccino at home.

The Ninja coffee maker also allows you to choose your brew strength or select an over-ice function. The adjustable cup tray means you can brew into a mug or a travel cup, measuring up to eight inches tall.

Best air fryer for small kitchens Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4-quart) $89.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Air fryers can be a great solution if you have a smaller kitchen that's short on space. The four-quart Ninja AF101 Air Fryer measures about 11 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 8.5 inches deep, which makes it a nice size for small counter space. But the four-quart size can still cook up to two pounds of fries.

It also doesn't lack in features with options to air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. Overall, the air fryer has a temperature range between 100 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the basket and crisper plate are easy to clean in the dishwasher.

More Ninja deals at Amazon

• Ninja Blast Portable Blender — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)

• Ninja NeverStick Pro Belgian Waffle Maker — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)

• Ninja Thirsti Drink System — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Detect Power Blender Pro — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)

GET UP TO 40% OFF: As of Sept. 18, you can get up to 40% off camping gear at REI. Shop tents, outdoor stoves, and more.

Our top picks: Best outdoor stove deal Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove $74.93 at REI (save $50.02 ) Get Deal Best tent deal North Face Wawona 4 Tent $279.93 at REI (save $120.07) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch $169.99 at REI (save $30.01 ) Get Deal

Depending on where you live, you may already feel a chill in the air and have the itch to enjoy the great outdoors before it gets too cold to do so without bundling up like the Michelin Man.

Fall is on its way, and REI has just the thing to get you excited about crisp mornings, toasty campfires, and stargazing under a clear night sky — 40% off camping gear, stoves, outdoor tech, and more.

SEE ALSO: Ultimate Ears Epicboom review: Should you take this $350 speaker on your next camping trip?

Whether you’re an occasional camper looking for a quality tent to hunker down in on your next weekend getaway, or you’re a pro who’s ready for an upgrade, this sale has a little bit of something for everyone.

Here are our top picks to help you make the most of your time outdoors:

Best outdoor stove deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka Our pick: Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove $74.93 at REI
$124.95 Save $50.02 Get Deal Why we like it

Watching Outlast gave me a new appreciation for kitchen appliances. If you plan on making anything more complicated than s’mores over a campfire, you might want to consider getting an outdoor camp stove.

The Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove is 40% off and has everything you need to make a proper meal. It has 10,000 BTUs, a push-button ignition (so literally anyone can use this thing), and a stainless steel drip tray for a quick and easy cleanup. It’s also compact, portable (only 10 pounds), and durable.

Best tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: The North Face Our pick: The North Face Wawona 4 Tent $279.93 at REI
$400.00 Save $120.07 Get Deal Why we like it

Unless you have a camper or RV, a quality tent should probably be the first thing on your list when gearing up for a camping trip.

The North Face Wawona 4 Tent is spacious enough to fit four people, but compact enough to fit nicely into a stuff sack when not in use. It has two doors, a double-wall construction (which you’ll appreciate if it rains or gets windy), a large vestibule to store gear or set up a makeshift living room, and color-coded poles for easy set-up.

Best smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Our pick: Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch $169.99 at REI
$200.00 Save $30.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Camping isn’t the only way to enjoy nature. You can also go for a run or a hike and reap the same benefits. If you want to track your activity (whether for fitness or just curiosity), a smartwatch can help you do that.

The Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch isn’t the most advanced watch on the market, but it does have hundreds of reviews and a two-week battery life (without GPS mode; 20 hours with). The PacePro feature gives you real-time, adaptive pace guidance to help you hit your goals, and the heart monitor can track your training and recovery.

We ditched flip phones for sleek smart devices and swapped CRTs for crystal-clear widescreen displays a long time ago. So why are we still dealing with dust clouds and messy emptying when we vacuum? Many of us continue to lug around clunky vacuums that make a mess or kick up a coughing fit whenever we clean.

Lightweight cordless vacuum cleaners have been around for a while, and they’ve only grown more capable with time. The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty system is worth a serious look as a machine that combines powerful suction with practical features, tackling messes and keeping things orderly.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Cordless PowerDetect™ Clean & Empty Vacuum $449.99 at Shark®
Shop Now It’s powerful

If you're sick of running your old vacuum past the same spot, the first thing to know about the PowerDetect Clean & Empty is that it’s strong. Measured by universal testing standards, this happens to be Shark’s most powerful cordless suction out.

Most vacuum nozzle designs block airflow, causing them to push larger debris along their kitchen floors, chasing it around only to clean it on a forward stroke. The redesigned nozzle on this gadget features "gills" that pull in debris on hard floors, allowing it to clean in every direction — no more chasing debris around the kitchen floor.

There are brains to go with that brawn, too. Intelligent onboard tech can sense different surfaces and adjust to grab debris that often goes hidden, and a dual brush design can manage all kinds of surfaces: wood, rugs, and everything in between. No more busting out the broom when your vacuum can’t handle half your space: Floordetect can read the surface it's on and adjust power to deliver just the right amount of suction needed.

It’s practical

While strong and tech-infused is all well and good, any new cleaning regimen has to fit into your lifestyle. It’s easy to say your current vac is fine, but consider what an upgrade can do to make cleaning less laborious.

After a long cleaning session and other chores, it’s easy to forget or skip recharging and emptying your vacuum. The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect makes it easier by having a charging dock that also empties the vacuum into a 2-liter chamber. This means you're done dealing with a messy container or bag — just a vacuum ready to go.

And it's flexible, too

There’s also the MultiFLEX® technology that lets the vacuum bend without losing power. This way, suction stays steady while you maneuver around corners and underneath the furniture. That flexibility also comes in handy when the job is done — it folds up for easy storage. There’s even an odor-controlling feature on the Auto Empty dock so that no unpleasant smells can escape.

If we're being honest, nobody is in love with their vacuum. But with superior suction, self-emptying ability, floor-sensing powers, and flexibility, this new vacuum from Shark is worth a look if you’re tired of cleaning after you've cleaned.

The Shark® Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty system is available at www.SharkClean.com for $499.

Shop the latest products from Bose New earbuds Bose QuietComfort earbuds $179 at Bose Shop Now New soundbar Bose Smart Soundbar $499 at Bose Shop Now

This year, we've been tracking changes in Bose's lineup of headphones. The brand retired beloved models including the Bose QuietComfort 45 and Bose 700 headphones, in favor of the newly upgraded QuietComfort line. Bose is building on its tech that emphasizes superior comfort and audio quality with Wednesday's product drops.

Bose just launched its new QuietComfort earbuds and Smart Soundbar, available for purchase now.

What to know about the Bose QuietComfort earbuds The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are the latest in the brand's collection. Credit: Bose

We've watched the last several months as Bose has been rebuilding its line of earbuds and headphones. Bose's QuietComfort collection of headphones includes the QuietComfort and QuietComfort Ultra. The former is the entry-level over-the-ear model, while the latter brings increased comfort and personalized sound.

Currently, the earbud sector of this collection only includes the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, which Mashable's Timothy Werth Beck noted were "impressive in every way." Like the brand's done with its headphones, Bose is adding a starter model with the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

These new earbuds retail for $179, far more affordable than the Ultras' $299 price tag. Plus, they supposedly provide eight-and-a-half hours of battery life, two more hours than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. The QuietComfort earbuds come in black, white smoke, and chilled lilac and are available for purchase now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $179.00 at Bose
Shop Now What to know about the Bose Smart Soundbar The new Bose Smart Soundbar adds A.I. Dialogue Mode to its list of features. Credit: Bose

Replacing the Bose Smart Soundbar 600, is the Bose Smart Soundbar (dropping the 600 from its name.) Still in its signature small and sleek design, this upgraded soundbar delivers big audio. This revamped version is also adding AI Dialogue Mode, previously seen on the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar.

The AI Dialogue Mode feature uses machine-learning to detect speech in audio streams and make it clearer and more crisp — maybe you'll finally be able to turn of subtitles. Plus, users with the Bose Ultra Open earbuds can take advantage Personal Surround Sound, where the rear speaker on the soundbar is replaced by the earbuds to create an up close and personal sound.

The Bose Smart Soundbar costs $499 and is available online for purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Soundbar $499.00 at Bose
Shop Now

After testing a cap on unanswered messages, Hinge announces the global launch of "Your Turn Limits" today.

Your Turn Limits prevents users from matching with new people when they have eight or more unanswered messages in their queue. The name expands on "Your Turn," a feature Hinge introduced in 2017 to prompt users to either start a conversation with a match or keep it going.

SEE ALSO: When an online match wants to meet up immediately, it’s OK to say no

If a user has reached the limit, they will have to respond to someone or unmatch in order to begin "liking" again. On the app, Your Turn Limits is displayed by a banner at the top of the message queue, either "You're approaching the limit" or "You're at the limit."

"When too many people are waiting for a reply, you need to reply or end chats," the banner states. "Then you can send likes."

Credit: Hinge Credit: Hinge

If you attempt to match with someone new, a pop-up will tell you that too many people are waiting for a response — and that "research shows this leads to more dates." In 2023, Hinge matches where one person responded to the other's first message within a day were 72 percent more likely to result in a date.

Via Giphy

Your Turn Limits rolls out to everyone on Hinge today, including free and paid users. In the test phase, Your Turn Limits increased responsiveness by 20 percent, according to Hinge. Almost half (48 percent) of users with Your Turn Limits said this feature helps increases people's ability to focus on quality over quantity. Meanwhile, 45 percent said the feature helps increase focus on current matches, and the same amount said the feature helps them be more thoughtful with current matches.

In an interview with Mashable back in May about Your Turn Limits, Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod said of the feature, "I think we'll see more conversations and more dates across a broader part of the population."

McLeod also said Hinge is aware of dating app burnout that singles are feeling, and the app is responding to it with features like this — that will hopefully get people on more dates.

The iPadOS 18 rollout isn't going exactly as planned.

Apple has reportedly pulled iPadOS 18 for M4 iPad Pro devices, per MacRumors, over an update that is causing issues for some iPads.

According to reports on Reddit and Apple's official Community portal, iPadOS 18 is "bricking" select M4 iPad Pro devices (bricking is slang for rendering the device completely useless as it cannot be turned on anymore).

SEE ALSO: New iPad mini might be coming soon

"At some point during the update my iPad turned off, and would no longer turn on. I walked away during the update so I’m not sure when it broke. I tried all of the reset options but nothing worked. I just took it to the Apple Store who confirmed it’s completely bricked, but they said they had to send it out to their engineers before they can give me a replacement even though I have Apple care," wrote one Redditor.

"I updated my iPad Pro M4 to iOS 18. It did not go well, the iPad won't turn on, hard reset doesn't work and it doesn't show up on my Mac," wrote a user on Apple's forums.

The issue doesn't seem to extend to all M4 iPad Pro devices as some users have reported updating to iPadOS 18 without issue. Still, Apple has temporarily pulled the update for all M4 iPad Pros.

"We have temporarily removed the ‌iPadOS 18‌ update for M4 ‌iPad Pro‌ models as we work to resolve an issue that is impacting a small number of devices," Apple told MacRumors in a statement.

It's unclear whether the affected iPads can be fixed with a software update, or whether they have to be taken to an Apple repair centre. For now, owners of M4 iPad Pro devices will not get the option to update to iPadOS 18, which should prevent further issues until the matter is resolved.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you’re a movie fan or enjoy nothing more than binge-watching box sets, chances are you've heard of Kodi. Kodi is a free, open-source software media player app formerly known as XBMB that acts as a hub for all your music, movies, and TV content, which can be shared across all of your devices.

Benefits include being able to turn your gadgets into a part of a digital streaming hub, accessing all sorts of file formats and searching for content in one place, watching geo-blocked content, and adding lots of customisable features via add ons such as iPlayer, which are needed for streaming content. Of course, there are drawbacks too, but most of these can be circumnavigated with a VPN, which encrypts data leaving a device and makes it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading.

What is a VPN?

VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.

The act of hiding your real IP address is what can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.

Do you need a VPN for Kodi?

Having a VPN is important when using Kodi because the media player is popular and open source, so there are inevitably security flaws exploited by hackers. These are predominantly found within third party add-ons — some of which offer pirated material — rather than those found in the Official Kodi Addon Repository. VPNs assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, protecting you from security scams, viruses, and malware. For example, a VPN can stop malware infecting your home network from a Kodi box and add an extra layer of protection to your computer or laptop by securing the connection.

Using a VPN also enables a Kodi user to become anonymous, preventing hackers from gathering personal data needed for an add-on and assigning a different IP address that’s untraceable, keeping you safe and keeping your viewing habits secret. This obviously means there’s a benefit for when it comes to watching geo-unblocked and pirated content (which we obviously don't condone).

Whatever you choose to use Kodi for, a VPN will enhance its features while offering much-needed security. 

What is the best VPN for Kodi?

When assessing VPN providers, we really like NordVPN for Kodi because of its unbeatable security and no logging policy. One of the largest VPN services around, NordVPN has user-friendly apps for iOS, Android, Mac OS, and more — so all of your devices can be covered. We're also fans of ExpressVPN, which we found to be the easiest VPN to use for accessing geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Let's face it — Kodi isn't the only way you experience your entertainment and if you're going to invest in a VPN for Kodi, it makes sense that it works well with streaming services too. We're all about options.

Whether you’re looking for high speeds or an easy interface, we've lined up all of your best options.

These are the best VPNs for Kodi in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

VPNs are useful for anyone around the world, but these powerful cybersecurity services are even more important when you're travelling to a country with tight restrictions on internet usage, like China. If you're planning a trip to China or you've made the country your home, you could benefit from using a VPN.

Do you need a VPN in China?

You've probably heard and read quite a bit about China's internet censorship, but what does it actually mean for the average internet user in the country? What is understood is that the Chinese government block access to foreign websites and slows down cross-border internet traffic. The government censors content for mainly political reasons, but also to maintain its control over the population.

This system of censorship is named the 'Great Firewall' and is the largest system of its type in the world. If you’re travelling to the vast country, then your internet privileges will be severly restricted. Fortunately it's not an experience most people will be familar, but it has become the norm for Chinese citizens.

If you’re visiting the country, you can circumvent this system by using a virtual private network, or VPN. Take it from us: You don't have to get blocked in China. While using a VPN in China is technically legal, providers play a game of cat-and-mouse with the authorities, which periodically crack down and try to block servers and throttle bandwidth, much to the annoyance of internet users.

Users in China may have to swap VPNs if theirs becomes blocked, but having one is a necessity for anyone wanting unfettered access to foreign websites, from news sites to social media and Google. If you’re on holiday in China you'll need a VPN for posting snaps to Instagram and keeping in touch with friends using Whatsapp. This is because VPNs assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, enabling you to circumnavigate geo-blocking and censorship measures as if you are based somewhere without them. VPNs also encrypt data, leaving your computer or device to make it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading, which is useful in a country where surveillance is a top priority for the authorities.

What should you consider when using a VPN in China?

The first thing to consider when using a VPN in China is that while it's perfectly legal, it will be frowned on by the authorities. It's not something to be taken lightly and you should think carefully about your priorities before you take any decision. The second thing to know about VPNs in China is that it’s easier to install one before you arrive.

Server number and location (in China if possible), high speeds, and extra layers of security are all important things to look for in a VPN. Reliable customer service is also an important consideration, because if you experience technical difficulties while you’re there, the fastest service available isn’t much use to you if you can’t troubleshoot.

What is the best VPN for China?

To help you make your decision, we have lined up a selection of the best VPNs for China, including popular services like PureVPN and NordVPN. All you need to do is pick a favourite option from this list.

These are the best VPNs for China in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

There are three realisations you come to once you enter the real world as a working adult: 

1. A 9 to 5 job is rarely ever just 9 to 5.

2. Your free time is pretty limited.

3. Dating kinda sucks.

The social freedoms you enjoyed before joining the rat race take a hit once you're a working professional. Unfortunately for singles, this can be hazardous for your dating life. 

There is no need to despair though, because you can have the best of both worlds with the help of a dating site.

Should working professionals consider dating sites?

For busy professionals, the idea of "finding someone" might seem like a daunting task. With deadlines, work dinners, and meetings galore, trying to meet someone often falls to the very end of your to do list. If you're an introvert as it is, your social meter is way too drained from small talk with colleagues to even think about introducing yourself to a cute random. This is why dating apps were invented though: to make online dating way easier, enabling you to use your free time wisely. 

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

Being a single, working professional is actually kind of a weird time: Somehow, you can have the career and money part of your life so together while the love part is a flaming pile of garbage. While the gist of online dating is easy, finding someone who's also goal-oriented and will understand your lifestyle can be tricky. Not every dating app will make sense for career-focused folks, but looking at things like user base, requirements to sign up, and overall vibe of the app can up your chances of finding what you're looking for. Most dating apps have a section to write in your job or career, which makes it easier to weed out people who don't quite match your goals or lifestyle.

Do you need to pay for the best dating apps?

There are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. There are levels to this game though, and sometimes free apps just don't cut it.

This won't be a surprise to hear, but you get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap.

What is the best dating site for working professionals?

Whether it's something casual or a long-term relationship that you want, there's an app that will make your search a whole lot easier. We found that with sites like EliteSingles, eharmony, and Match, the initial output (such as the lengthy sign up and/or membership fee) is worth it for the return. After all, those who are willing to pay the price for love are clearly serious, unlike some swipe-based free apps where the likelihood of even meeting up in real life can be slim to none.

The good news is that there are plenty of other options out there for working professionals, so you should always be able to find something that ticks your boxes. We've lined up a selection of dating sites to suit every dater and budget. You just need to pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best dating sites for working professionals in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Mashable's readers (and writers) are known for being obsessive about the things we love. You may say we kind of geek out about things. Okay, fine, we are geeks. We're not bothered by this, because geeks are awesome.

Dating as a geek requires combing through normies and too much dating through the same group of locals. This is where dating sites can help.

Why do people use dating sites?

Even the most awesome geeks can use a bit of assistance in the dating department. Not because there aren't enough geeks out there, but because dating as a geek is tough. For women, it can involve a lot of creepy guys who want their manic pixie dream girl. For men, it can involve a lot of simply trying to not be that guy. If you're in the majority of geeks who are a little bit introverted, dating can be really intimidating.

News flash: Loving sci-fi and being madly in love are not mutually exclusive, and success stories from dating sites prove this. You can still find love out there in the real world, but subscribing to a dating site shortens your odds of making a connection.

Do you need to pay for the best dating apps?

The good news is that there are plenty of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are seriously popular options with huge networks of users. Most of the biggest and best dating sites also offer free versions of their services (with limitations on certain features). You can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything, but sometimes free apps simply don't cut it.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites for gamers

You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps. For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to dig a little deeper in your pockets. The best dating sites don't come cheap, and whilst you can still find a hookup with a free app, you should upgrade is you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control.

What is the best dating site for geeks?

We have compared all of the internet's top dating sites, trendy swiping apps, and geek-specific sites to find the ones where geeks can express themselves and find that special someone. Hidden in the millions of users, you could find that person who hated the Game of Thrones ending as much as you, or someone who dreams of the perfect couples cosplay. Maybe you're a geek in the streets and a freak in the sheets — there are plenty of apps where geeks can just find a hookup, too.

In terms of general dating sites, we really like Match, which has a tried-and-true algorithm and huge user base. Geek-specific dating sites that aren't totally outdated are few and far between, but we were impressed by Gamer Dating. We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a handpicked selection of the best dating options for geeks and nerds, including popular services like Match, eharmony, and AdultFriendFinder.

These are the best online dating sites for geeks and nerds in 2024.

I'm not normally a fan of idealizing the past — there are just as many horrors to be found in looking backwards as there are in looking ahead — but I can think of one good reason why life might have been a little bit better when computers were really slow and crappy.

People these days are way too comfortable walking around with dozens (if not hundreds) of browser tabs open on their phone or laptop at any given time. This has been normal for a number of years, and I'm here to argue that it shouldn't be. I understand that I can't control anyone else's behavior, and I wouldn't if I could, but hear me out. This isn't for my sake, but for yours.

Having a gargantuan number of tabs open is a decadent privilege that those of us who grew up before tabbed browsing could never imagine 20 years ago. Back before the days of smartphones, when people had one point of internet access in their homes, at most, and otherwise spent their days blissfully disconnected, computers were pretty slow. Unless you had a serious rig, you were probably dealing with a store-bought piece of crap that buckled if you opened more than five tabs at once.

This may sound like a bad thing, but in hindsight, that particular limitation helped me form some life-changing habits. I learned that if I didn't handle my business in an open tab and left it there to fester and take up valuable RAM, everything else about the computer-using experience would get worse. Clicking around on funny soundboards or watching flash videos (these are things we used to do online) became sort of a nightmare if you weren't careful.

SEE ALSO: Stop trying to work in multiple browser tabs. It's terrible for your focus.

More broadly, I learned that I need to be decisive when determining whether or not I'm really going to get back to something later. If I open an interesting-sounding article and don't read it within an hour, that tab's getting closed. The same goes for a YouTube video or anything else that comes across my feeds. If it's urgently important to me, I'll try to get to it as soon as possible. If not, then, well, sayonara. If it isn't so fascinating that I need to get to it within the hour, I can probably live without it. It's sort of applying the Marie Kondo method to your digital life: Does this tab really spark interest?

In this era of constantly being a consumer in one fashion or another, whether with your literal dollars or just with your time and energy, it's important to realize that you can't get to everything. You're not going to read every trendy personal essay that your friends are dunking on or watch every viral YouTuber apology video. You might think you will, but be realistic with yourself. The zeitgeist around that essay was four months ago; are you really going to read it now?

Open your browser, count how many open tabs you have, and really take stock for a second. When was the last time you actually got to any of that stuff? If it wasn't recently, just flush it all down the toilet. Free yourself from your burdens. If any of it actually matters to you, it'll pop up in your brain again eventually.

Stephen Colbert has responded to Elon Musk's now-deleted "joke" about Biden and Harris assassination during Tuesday's "Late Show".

A new survey found that parents significantly underestimate their teen's use of generative artificial intelligence. The technology, popularized by the conversational platform ChatGPT, allows users to ask pretty much any question of an AI bot and receive a specific and detailed original response. 

The survey, conducted this spring by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, polled 1,045 U.S. adult parents and their teens. Overall, 70 percent of the teens said they used generative AI. 

Of the teens who said they'd used at least one platform, only 37 percent of their parents were aware of their use. Almost a quarter of parents whose child had used the technology didn't know it, and nearly 40 percent of the adult respondents whose teen had experimented with the tools weren't sure about their experience doing so. 

SEE ALSO: AI apps can automate your home life, and it's more cool than scary

Teens with generative AI experience said they most commonly used platforms for homework help, to avoid being bored, and to translate something from one language to another. Many of the teens admitted to using generative AI for school assignments without the teacher's permission. Some teens created new content using someone else's voice or image, sometimes as a joke or to tease another person. While participants were asked about their experience with using AI to make explicit nonconsensual imagery, those findings will be included in a future report.

Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media, said that parents should start discussing the complexities of generative AI with their children so that they're prepared for what they might encounter. 

"You've got to talk about it because your kids are already using it, even if you don't think they are," Lenhart said. 

What your teen should know about generative AI 

While the technology may benefit teens in numerous ways, Lenhart noted that young users may not be aware of its potential for reproducing bias and sharing incorrect or misleading information, often known as hallucinations. 

Teens also might not know when using generative AI tools is tantamount to cheating; or violates another person's privacy, when it's used to create imagery without their consent; or, understand that the large language models upon which generative AI platforms are built can have different training, tuning, and guardrails.

"These tools pull from the best and the worst of the internet and the best and worst of humanity, and that means that sometimes what they share with us is both wrong and awful," Lenhart said. 

Parents may not know any of this important information if they've not read about or used generative AI, which is why it's helpful for adults to familiarize themselves with the technology as they start discussing it with their child, Lenhart added. 

She recommends that parents test out platforms that use this technology. They may even already spend time on platforms or services that incorporate generative AI, without realizing it. 

Google's Gemini search product, for example, currently produces generative responses to user inquiries. Meta's Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp communication tools have generative AI capabilities as well. Basic Meta AI prompts include "give me a personality quiz" and "how do I speed read?" 

Teens on Snap likely know its generative chatbot My AI, which adults could experiment with and then discuss with their child, Lenhart said. 

When engaging with teens about generative AI, parents can play with the technology together with or alongside their child. Lenhart cited asking it to write a silly poem, make up Halloween costume ideas, or plan a week of meals as examples. A parent could also watch their teen test a chatbot's knowledge of a topic they're passionate about and then discuss how to know whether the AI was wrong or right. 

Whatever parents choose, Lenhart says to focus on finding ways to help teens identify how AI platforms do or don't work and have that conversation together.

Generative AI at school

The survey suggests those discussions aren't happening in the classroom, which Lenhart said is consequential. 

Common Sense research shows that teens who do participate in complex conversations and lessons about the topic at school have a more nuanced understanding of generative AI's pros and cons. But the survey found that this isn't happening for over half of the young respondents. 

Lenhart said it's important for teens to be told the rules for using generative AI when completing schoolwork, which may vary from teacher to teacher. 

"Most adolescents don't want to cheat." - Amanda Lenhart, head of research for Common Sense Media

"Most adolescents don't want to cheat," Lenhart said. "They want to use it in a way that is appropriate for learning, so tell them where that is so they can walk up to that line and not cross it."

And according to the survey, suspicion of cheating may disproportionately affect Black students. In the survey, Black teens were twice as likely as White and Latino teens to say that their teachers incorrectly flagged their schoolwork as the product of generative AI when it wasn't. Lenhart said this finding mimics historic inequities in school-based discipline for Black youth.

"AI tools are not exempt from the bias you probably already experience in your school," Lenhart said.

The issue illustrates why it's so important that adults, at school and home, are aware of the challenges that teens will face in the era of generative AI.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for September 18's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 18 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Completely or entirely.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FULLY.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Wordle.