Mashable

Meta's upcoming smart glasses with a built-in display, codenamed Hypernova, could be cheaper than we initially thought.

In April, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the company is working on a new type of smart glasses, which will look a lot like a regular pair but equipped with a tiny display that can show photos and apps.

That report claimed the new smart glasses will cost upwards of $1,000 — perhaps as high as $1,300 to $1,400.

But now, Gurman has revised that price significantly, claiming that Meta's glasses, which are expected to launch in September, will be priced from $800.

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"The change stems in part from the company accepting lower margins to boost demand — a common tactic for new products," he wrote on X.

That's a pretty large difference in price, and one that will probably incite many buyers to make the leap into Meta's version of (slightly) mixed reality. For comparison, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have a built-in camera but no display, start at $299. Meta's own Quest 3 headset, which is a far bulkier mixed reality headset, starts at $499.99. And Apple's Vision Pro, which is an even bulkier, but also far more powerful, mixed reality headset, still starts at $3,499 — though Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper version.

SEE ALSO: Zuck outlines Meta's vision for AI 'personal superintelligence' in new manifesto

As for what Meta's new smart glasses will be able to do for you, they're reportedly a "deluxe" version of the regular Ray-Ban Metas, with gesture controls and the ability to take and view photos, explore maps, and read notifications from social apps on the built-in display. They're also said to come with an improved camera, a bundled wristband (for gesture controls), and a new carrying case.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 18, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 36% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you're on the hunt for a new tablet, Amazon has a great deal on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet that you won't want to miss. As of Aug. 18, it is now priced at $89.99, a saving of $50 on list price. It even made our list of the best tablets to buy in 2025.

And for such a low price, you really can't go wrong with this tablet. It has a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display screen, so it's ideal for streaming your favorite shows, reading, and searching the web. Like most Amazon devices, it comes with built-in Alexa for hands-free control and searching. It also has a 5MP front-facing camera so you can video chat, take selfies, or even film TikToks.

SEE ALSO: This portable power station is perfect for camping trips — get the Jackery Explorer 300 for its best-ever price

The battery life is great for on-the-go use too, promising to last up to 13 hours. And memory can be enhanced up to 1 TB expandable storage with a micro-SD card. So it's perfect for both work and play on the go.

It's not the latest in the Fire range, so if you want something more advanced, we recommend the Fire 11 Max. This option has even more advanced tools and features an 11-inch display, plus faster performance with 4GB of RAM.

Get this Amazon tablet deal before it runs out.

This year has seen the release of some really exciting new Lego sets for fandoms. We've seen truly great drops themed around the likes of Marvel, Star Wars, and so much more. It's not just big franchises the company is focused on, though. Musical theater fans also have fun sets to get excited about, as Lego is planning to release new Wicked sets for fans who simply can't wait for Wicked: For Good to hit theaters this November.

These new Wicked Lego sets are scheduled for release in September, so fans can pick one up and build it ahead of Wicked: For Good's release in cinemas on Nov. 21. There's a fun variety of builds to consider, whether you want to piece together a visit to Munchkinland with Glinda and Elphaba or an incredibly detailed piece of Emerald City wall art.

Below, you can find all of the new Wicked sets Lego is releasing this year ahead of Wicked: For Good.

Glinda & Elphaba Visit Munchkinland Credit: Lego

This Glinda & Elphaba Visit Munchkinland Lego set is a perfect fit for those aged nine and up. It comes with 744 pieces that fit together to build a detailed little cottage in Munchkinland and a mini yellow brick road with plenty of tulips around to complete the scene. It also comes with minidolls of Glinda (complete with her bubble as seen in the movie), Elphaba with her broom, and Boq. This set is available to preorder right now and is set to ship from Sept. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Glinda & Elphaba Visit Munchkinland $69.99 at Lego
Shop Now Emerald City Wall Art Credit: Lego

If you're looking for a bit more of a challenge, this Emerald City Wall Art Lego set will allow you to piece together a grander picture of Oz, with locations like Shiz University, Munchkinland, and the Emerald City itself. There are plenty more hidden details to discover within it as well, and it comes with seven minifigures: Elphaba, Glinda, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and even little Toto. It comes to 1,518 pieces and is recommended for ages 18 and up. It's unfortunately not up for preorder right now, but it'll be available on Sept. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Emerald City Wall Art $159.99 at Lego
Shop Now Glinda & Elphaba Bookends Credit: Lego

Also releasing on Sept. 1, this Glinda & Elphaba Bookends Lego set is a fun addition to any bookshelf. Recommended for ages 18 and up and coming with 1,327 pieces, this set features bookends in green and pink (to match Glinda and Elphaba) with plenty of details to enjoy, including models of the Emerald City and Shiz University inside, respectively. It also comes with six minifigures, including Glinda, Elphaba, The Wizard, Madame Morrible, Fiyero and Pfannee.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Glinda & Elphaba Bookends $129.99 at Lego
Shop Now Emerald City & Kiamo Ko Castle Credit: Lego

This is another set that's recommended for ages nine and up, and sees you piecing together the Emerald City and Kiamo Ko Castle for its Glinda and Elphaba minidolls to live in. It even comes with a flying monkey figure and a buildable rainbow for an added touch of detail. It comes with 860 pieces in total and is another set that's not available to buy until Sept. 1, but thankfully that's not too far away.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Emerald City & Kiamo Ko Castle $79.99 at Lego
Shop Now Elphaba & Glinda Figures Credit: Lego

These Lego BrickHeadz figures of Elphaba and Glinda, complete with a broom and wand for their respective builds, are recommended for ages 10 and up. Coming to 325 pieces to put together, these are fun figures to pick up if you're hoping to have a little Wicked-themed display of these two witches set up at home. Once again, this set will officially be available to purchase on Sept. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Elphaba & Glinda Figures $19.99 at Lego
Shop Now Elphaba's Retreat Credit: Lego

The Elphaba's Retreat Lego set is suitable for even younger fans, aged seven and up. Featuring 228 pieces, this set builds up a cozy forest hideout for Elphaba, decorated with plenty of flowers and foliage. It even comes with two adorable little rabbit figures, which makes it even cuter. And no set is complete without some minidolls, and this one comes with Elphaba and Fiyero. This set will also be available on Sept. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Elphaba's Retreat $27.99 at Lego
Shop Now Glinda's Wedding Day Credit: Lego

For ages eight and up, Glinda's Wedding Day Lego set is bursting with bright colors to celebrate the big day. Coming to 476 pieces, it features posable butterflies that can be pulled apart to reveal the wedding scene alongside smaller details like a cake, a heart-shaped invitation, and Glinda’s bouquet. It also comes with two minidolls of Glinda and Madame Morrible. Much like the others, this set is coming on Sept. 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Glinda's Wedding Day $39.99 at Lego
Shop Now

TL;DR: This lifetime BitMar deal connects you with millions of free movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs — all for a one-time payment of $14.99 with code BITMAR5.

Opens in a new window Credit: BitMar BitMar Streaming Content-Finder (Lifetime Subscription) $14.99
$150 Save $135.01 Get Deal

You know that sinking feeling when you’re paying for three different streaming subscriptions and still can’t find anything worth watching? BitMar fixes that in one clean sweep, without the monthly bill.

This AI-powered streaming content finder pulls together millions of free movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs from all over the web and organizes them in one place. Think of it like your personal search engine, but fine-tuned to skip the junk and surface the good stuff instantly.

SEE ALSO: How to watch MLB live streams online for free

You’ll get access to more free movies, shows, channels, and songs than the combined total you’d find on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Spotify — all without paying a recurring fee. BitMar tracks over 200,000 on-demand channels from local, national, and international sources. It even plays nice with the devices you already own, from smart TVs to smartphones to laptops.

And it’s not just about quantity — the experience is built to be easy and frustration-free. Search across top video and music sites at once, watch with fewer ads, and explore international content from anywhere. Since it’s all legal and DMCA-compliant, you can stream with zero guilt.

Pay once, and you’ve got unlimited access to the internet’s biggest stash of free entertainment forever. No renewals, no fine print, no “surprise” charges — just all-you-can-stream goodness for a low price.

Ditch subscription fatigue and grab a lifetime subscription to BitMar Streaming Content-Finder for $14.99 with promo code BITMAR5 by Sept. 7.

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TL;DR: Sit back, relax, and learn something new with MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service, now just $149.97 (reg. $999) for a lifetime subscription.

Opens in a new window Credit: MagellanTV MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service (Lifetime Subscription) $149.97
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Are you getting ready to start The Office again for the forty-first time? Or maybe you’re spending the length of a movie scrolling through Netflix, looking for something to watch? If you’re in the market for a new streaming service, it’s time to check out MagellanTV.

This innovative documentary streaming service serves up educational and entertaining content curated by expert filmmakers. Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription for just $149.97 (reg. $999).

Get a lifetime of educational entertainment with this streaming service

If back-to-school season has you yearning for knowledge, MagellanTV can help. This documentary streaming service lets you sit back, relax, and learn new things with over 4,000 series and films. Dive into content on a wide range of topics such as ancient history, true crime, space, and science.

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SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Aug. 15, 2025)

If you watch something interesting and want to discover even more, you can take advantage of MagellanTV’s exclusive playlists to continue learning. And you don’t ever have to worry about running out of content, as new documentaries are added every week.

Turn your downtime into a learning experience with some help from a lifetime subscription to MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service, on sale now for just $149.97 (reg. $999).

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TL;DR: Get the most out of your Mac with a lifetime subscription to MacPilot, now only $29.97 (reg. $99) with code MAC10 through Sept. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: MacPilot MacPilot (Lifetime License) $29.97
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You’re really underestimating your Mac. It’s capable of a lot more than you think, and MacPilot is ready to show you your device’s full potential.

Right now, you can tap into it all with no coding or tech whiz skills needed with this lifetime subscription to MacPilot, on sale for just $29.97 (reg. $99) with code MAC10 through Sept. 7.

Discover your Mac’s full potential without any tech skills

You don’t need to be a technology master to take advantage of everything your Mac can offer. MacPilot unlocks more than 1,200 features for you to explore, and you don’t have to use any command line tools or complicated file operations. Just open the app and start taking control of your device.

MacPilot can help you customize your dock with spacers and stacks for easier access. It also helps you display hidden files in Finder, disable startup chimes, change your screenshot file format, and even use your screensaver as your desktop background.

SEE ALSO: Score the M4 MacBook Air for its best-ever price at Amazon

If you’ve ever been curious about your device’s complete list of network ports, key combos, and error codes, MacPilot can provide all that. It also lets you access a system profile that gives you more advanced system information, optimizes and repairs your system by running maintenance scripts like cron, launch services, and prebinding.

Tech nerds will love the fact that MacPilot can let you see everything from your device’s graphics card to RAM bus speeds and system serial number. And your lifetime subscription provides all this and more, with access to all minor and major upgrades in the future.

Optimize your Apple experience with a lifetime subscription to MacPilot, now only $29.97 (reg. $99) with code MAC10 through Sept. 7.

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SAVE $40: As of Aug. 18, the Fitbit Charge 6 is on sale for $119.95 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $119.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $40.00 Get Deal

In the market for a new smartwatch? If you want something affordable, nifty on your wrist, and packed full of stats, check out the Fitbit Charge 6.

This small device is packing a whole lot of skill, including built-in GPS (so you can head out for a run, bike ride, or walk without taking your phone with you), pace, distance, and route tracking using satellite data, so you get a clear map of where you’ve been. It also logs your steps, calories burned, and Active Zone Minutes, a clever Fitbit stat that tracks how much time you spend in elevated heart rate zones.

SEE ALSO: The Fitbit Versa 4 is $50 off right now at Amazon — here’s why I love it

It also gives you advanced health stats, such as heart rate monitoring. It uses Fitbit's PurePulse 2.0 sensor, so you've got 24/7 heart rate tracking with this watch. This also means you get data on your resting heart rate, heart rate zones during workouts, and even alerts if your heart rate goes unusually high or low.

The Charge 6 also has SpO2 tracking, sleep tracking, and a whole lot of activities to track. Despite its many great offerings, the Charge 6 is lacking an altimeter, a tool used to measure elevation climbed more acurately. If this is a deal breaker, check out the Fitbit Versa 4 instead.

And as of Aug. 18, it's on sale at Amazon for $119.95, saving you $50. And with this deal, you also get a free six-month Fitbit Premium membership. This gives you access to even more in-depth stats as well as a range of workouts and exercise routines.

Grab this deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $25: As of Aug. 18, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is on sale for $64.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 28% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 $64.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $25 Get Deal

Amazon's Echo Show devices are the perfect hub for your smart home, and as of Aug. 18, you can get the Echo Show 5 for less. Right now, it is priced at $64.99, saving you $25 on list price.

The Echo Show 5 is basically a smart assistant with a screen, and a perfect all-rounder when it comes to controlling your other devices. It comes with built-in Alexa, the ability to watch Netflix shows, and it even has video chat capabilities. The design is neat and nifty, with a screen size of just 5.5 inches, so it is perfect for looking at the weather, recipes, or the time at a glance, without taking up too much space in your home.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is toying around with putting ads in Alexa+

It can stream music and has compatibility with the most popular streaming apps, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Deezer. This model even benefits from a deeper bass and clearer vocals for a more advanced listening experience.

Not to mention, the Echo Show 5 is eco-friendly, featuring fabric made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and an aluminum body crafted from 100% recycled materials.

Get it from Amazon while it's at this low price.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 18, the Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale for $149.95 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50 Get Deal

The Fitbit Versa 4 is back on sale, and this time you can save $50 on list price. The Versa 4 is one of my favorite Fitbits; it's great for sports, lifestyle, and it looks great. And as of Aug. 18, you can buy it for $149.95. This price is available in all colors so you can choose from black, pink sand, and waterfall blue.

I've spent a lot of time testing this smartwatch, and in my opinion, it's an excellent all-rounder fitness tracker. Whether you're hoping to run a 5K or want to get some insights into your sleeping habits, this watch has a bit of everything.

SEE ALSO: Take $149 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and power up your wrist

There are over 40 sports tracking modes that include running, swimming, cycling, and general workout features. However, it's worth noting that the battery life isn't as long-lasting for long-distance activities as the likes of Garmin or Coros.

Other standout features include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and built-in GPS so you can head outside for activities without your phone. And style-wise, the Versa doesn't feel like a big, ugly tracker. It has a bright AMOLED display with vibrant colors and images, and is touchscreen-controlled so it's easy to use as well as stylish on your wrist.

Get it for less at Amazon now.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, August 18, 2025:

AcrossFast-food chain that sells 50-piece nuggets

• The answer is KFC.

Circle above an angel's head

• The answer is Halo.

Queen or king

• The answer is Royal.

Separately

• The answer is Apart.

Karaoke bar accessories

• The answer is Mikes.

DownLake craft with a palindromic name

• The answer is Kayak.

Distress signal for a broken-down car

• The answer is Flare.

Indianapolis N.F.L. team

• The answer is Colts.

Indigenous people of Arizona

• The answer is Hopi.

Hard-headed animal

• The answer is Ram.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

There's only a sliver of the moon on display tonight, but there's still a chance to see some cool geological features on its surface, if we look hard enough.

The moon is looking a little darker right now due to where we are in the lunar cycle, a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So let's see what's happening with the moon tonight, Aug. 18.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Aug. 18, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is 25% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

We're on day 25 of the lunar cycle, so it's really close to the New Moon. There's not much moon on display, but there are a few things we can still look out for. With no visual aids other than your eyes, try and spot the Oceanus Procellarum and the Kepler Crater. These are positioned in the top left of the moon (bottom right, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere).

With binoculars, see even more, including the Grimaldi Basin and the Mare Humorum, and with a telescope, enjoy a glimpse of the Reiner Gamma and the Schiller Crater, too.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Sept. 7. The last full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Sky blue.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

AZURE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Insanely.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MADLY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A puppy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

WHELP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A sticky, stretchy candy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

TAFFY

Final Hurdle hint

To vomit.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

RALPH

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

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

If you're willing to spend the cash, a robot vacuum is a great investment. By which we mean an investment in putting your feet up and letting technology do the housework for you. We can't think of a better use of your hard-earned money, quite frankly.

Unless you're tech-savvy, choosing a robot vacuum cleaner to whizz around your home can be easier said that done. There are dozens of models out there, all offering variations on the same thing, but each with their own spec and features.

If the prospect of choosing a robo vac has got your head spinning, don't worry: We're here to help. We're looked around and done some research on your behalf, which means even more time to put your feet up. Here's a quick guide on robot vacuums — and our pick for the best models you can buy right now.

Are robot vacuums worth buying?

The crisp control of a regular, upright vacuum is its own particular pleasure. But if you're someone who finds cleaning stressful, a robot vacuum could cut a major chore off your to-do list. Whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can't be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robovac that acts drunk — scattering dust rather than sucking, bumping into walls, getting stuck on rugs — defies the point. Robot vacuums are made to be convenient, so get one that makes life easier.

What are the most important robot vacuum features?

Here's a rundown of essential features to consider when buying a robot vacuum:

• App control — WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling and other features. If you're used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.

• Battery life — Larger spaces require more time to clean, which means you'll want a battery that lasts. Run times for the list below range between 115 and 240 minutes.

• Docking station — Many robot vacuums have a multipurpose docking station. The robovac will return to the dock automatically and self-empty its bin while also charging the battery. The docking station may double up as a bin that can hold debris.

• Floor types & mopping — Depending on the floors you have at home, look out for models that have features for both carpet and hard floors. This may include the ability to climb up on higher pile rugs. There are also hybrid models that mop hard floors. 

• Low-profile cleaning — No one should have to be scared about what's accumulated under their sofa over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging sofas and beds.

• Navigation & mapping — Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you'll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out.

• Pet hair cleaning — Pet owners should consider a model with an anti-tangling roller brush, which will collect cat and dog hair while also preventing the robot vacuum from clogging up.

• Suction power — A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope really, well, sucks. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), usually ranging from 2,500-10,000 Pa. Stronger suction is needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris and to pull pet hair out of rugs.

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for a robot vacuum.

What is the best robot vacuum?

It's not a one-size-fits-all situation. "Best" to someone with four dogs and lots of carpeted rooms may not mean "best" to someone with a huge house filled with wooden floors. To help make sense of the options, we've highlighted a broad range.

These are the best robot vacuums in 2025.

A quirk of nature that helps magnify extremely distant cosmic objects allowed a space telescope to see a star that existed when the universe was only 900 million years old. 

NASA's Hubble observatory made the discovery in 2022, making it the farthest and earliest star ever seen. Astronomers named it Earendel, meaning "morning star" in Old English. 

A year later, scientists followed up with the James Webb Space Telescope because it has a larger mirror and collects light at longer infrared wavelengths. At that point, scientists thought they may have spotted a companion star, something they were surprised was technically possible, even with Webb's unprecedented power. 

Now, a new study suggests that the astonishingly distant starlight of Earendel may be coming from more than just a single star or close pair. The paper, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, analyzes the previous Webb telescope data with computer models and finds a compelling case that Earendel may, in fact, be a star cluster, made up of a collection of stars. 

"My secret hope is that it is an individual star," Massimo Pascale, who led the research at UC Berkeley, told Mashable. 

SEE ALSO: How AI helped astronomers uncover one truly weird supernova

Scientists are eager to find and research stars as old as Earendel because such relics may solve mysteries of the ancient universe, thought to be 13.8 billion years old.

Hubble detected Earendel through a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing — when a galaxy cluster in the foreground of a telescope's view magnifies and bends light beyond it. NASA often uses the analogy of a bowling ball placed on a trampoline to illustrate this point, with the ball representing a massive celestial object and the trampoline being the fabric of spacetime. Light that would otherwise travel straight curves gets distorted as it passes through that warped spacetime. It's like adding a more powerful lens to a telescope.

A massive galaxy cluster's magnification allowed astronomers to see Earendel with the Hubble Space Telescope. Credit: NASA / ESA / Brian Welch / Dan Coe / Alyssa Pagan

But gravitational lensing also has the potential to replicate or stretch objects, the way a funhouse mirror can create multiple irregular copies of images.

Because galaxy cluster WHL0137-08 is serving as a colossal magnifying glass in the sky, the light of Earendel's incredibly distant galaxy, the Sunrise Arc, popped into Hubble's view. Scientists could see it as it was 12.9 billion years ago. But today, because the universe has also stretched out through cosmic expansion, the Sunrise Arc is estimated to be 28 billion light-years away from Earth.

Astronomers have a lot of experience identifying the effects of gravitational lensing, but that wasn't always the case. In 1987, an enormous blue arc thought to be hundreds of trillions of miles long was at first considered one of the largest things ever detected in the cosmos. Later that year, scientists figured out they were looking at an optical illusion, a distortion caused by a galaxy cluster. The New York Times published a story about the "bizarre" implication of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, titled "Vast Cosmic Object Downgraded to a Mirage."

For Earendel, some astronomers have continued to wonder whether it is indeed a star. Pascale, now an Einstein Fellow at UCLA, and collaborators decided to reassess its size, which may have been low-balled since estimates didn't account for mini halos of dark matter, a mysterious, yet abundant substance that doesn't shine or interact with light. Such clumps of dark matter could be influencing the magnification. With these effects considered, Earendel's size could be consistent with a star cluster. 

The researchers compared Earendel to a widely acknowledged star cluster in the same galaxy, known as 1b. What they found was that Earendel and the 1b cluster have similar features: They're both already between 30 and 150 million years old in Webb's snapshot, they lack heavy elements made by "newer" stars, and they resemble nearby ancient star clusters. 

While 1b fit extremely well in star cluster models, so did Earendel, according to the study.

"In order for Earendel to be an individual star, or maybe a binary of two stars very close to each other, the chance alignment of Earendel with the foreground galaxy cluster that's causing the gravitational-lensing effect would have to be an incredible stroke of luck," Pascale told Mashable. "If it is a star cluster, that chance alignment — it doesn't have to be quite as perfect."

Though the new paper doesn't speculate on how many stars could be among such a cluster, Pascale says its mass might be equal to that of hundreds of thousands of suns — or more. 

One possible way to answer the question of whether Earendel is a lone star is to watch for flickers. Through multiple observations, scientists might be able to catch the light source suddenly and briefly getting brighter. A star cluster wouldn't show such fluctuations because all of the other stars' light would wash it out. 

Though securing the telescope time to conduct the research would be expensive, Pascale said it might be a worthwhile endeavor for the scientific community to explore.

So far, colleagues have seemed open to considering a star cluster as an explanation for Earendel, but Pascale emphasizes that the paper doesn't definitively prove that it is: The previous teams that made the discovery make a compelling case, too. He hopes the new study merely adds to the discourse.

"Maybe everybody keeps what their secret thoughts are about it a little bit more private," he said, "but most people are pretty happy to say, 'Yeah, a star cluster seems like an option.'"

TL;DR: For a limited time, Koofr’s lifetime cloud storage deal is only A$305 (reg. A$1,238).

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The long-running saga between Elon Musk and liberal watchdog group Media Matters may be winding down. On Friday, a US District Court blocked a Federal Trade Commission investigation into the outlet, which alleged Media Matters had colluded with advertisers and advocacy groups to boycott X.

The FTC inquiry began in May, but its roots go back to a 2023 Media Matters report showing ads on X appearing alongside neo-Nazi and white supremacist content. That story was one of several controversies during the chaotic early months of Musk’s takeover of Twitter, which drove advertisers away en masse. Musk later sued Media Matters, accusing the outlet of deliberately scaring off advertisers.

SEE ALSO: Apple rebukes Elon Musk’s App Store monopoly claims

In June, Media Matters hit back, suing the FTC and claiming it was being unfairly targeted for its 2023 coverage of X. At the time, the group described the inquiry as a "campaign of retribution" orchestrated on behalf of Musk and the Trump administration. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with Media Matters, calling the FTC’s sweeping probe “a retaliatory act” that violated the First Amendment. The court’s ruling effectively halts the investigation, though the FTC can still appeal.

“This case presents a straightforward First Amendment violation,” Judge Sooknanan wrote. “Media Matters engaged in quintessential First Amendment activity when it published an online article criticizing Mr. Musk and X. And the Court finds that the FTC’s expansive CID is a retaliatory act.”

As the New York Times points out, the case is part of a broader pattern: the Trump administration has repeatedly targeted left-leaning institutions, from law firms to the fundraising platform ActBlue, alleging fraud or foreign influence.

The world is a noisy place, and sometimes, it's nice to have the option for a bit of volume control.

For many people, that means turning to noise-cancelling headphones, but they're not always the best option. For starters, their ability to block out noise depends on their battery life. Wearing headphones or earbuds also means it's easier to stay plugged in to digital distractions, which isn't ideal for situations where you're looking for quiet and focus.

Enter: Loop earplugs. The colorful earplugs first hit the scene in 2016, thanks to co-founders Dimitri O and Maarten Bowdes wanting to provide a solution for people who liked enjoying live music and loud spaces, without the side helping of tinnitus.

Which Loop earplugs are right for you? Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Nearly 10 years later, the brand has expanded its earplug options to yes, give concert-goers a way to protect their ears, but also to help people stay focused, sleep better, and generally exist more peacefully in overstimulating environments. They're reusable and cleanable, so they're less wasteful than swapping out a new pair of foam earplugs.

So which are the best Loop earplugs overall? With eight different earplugs ranging from $24.95 to $59.95, it's a valid question. To find the answer, I tested out a selection of some of the most popular earplugs from the brand: I landed on the Quiet 2, Experience 2, Dream, Engage 2, and Switch 2. For now, I omitted the Plus versions (due to wanting to compare the base models head-to-head first), as well as the kids' versions (due to not being a child). I tested all of these earplugs personally, except for the Loop Experience 2, which were tested by my colleague Haley Henschel.

Are Loop earplugs worth it?

On a general level, your hearing health is something worth investing in. According to the World Health Organization, "most common causes of hearing loss in adults, such as exposure to loud sounds...are preventable." The WHO also estimates that more than a billion young adults are at risk of incurring permanent damage to their hearing from unsafe listening practices.

Obviously, that alone doesn't mean Loops are worth it — they're far from your only option when it comes to earplugs. There are the classic foam earbuds, which are ultra-affordable. However, they aren't meant to be reusable in the long term and lack the tailoring of the Loop line. And they're not the most subtle option.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for over a month: Here are the 3 I'd buy

Other reusable earplug brands are out there, like Happy Ears and CURVD come in at similar price points to Loop earplugs — all three brands are cheaper than getting custom earplugs made, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

All this to say, purely based on the market and their performance, I find Loop earplugs to be worth it, but generally encourage you to wear some form of earplugs next time you go to a loud environment.

Which Loop earplugs are best for me?

The right Loop earplug match will depend on your reasons for seeking out earplugs in the first place, whether that be better sleep, finding focus, or saving your ears at live shows. Below, I break down the differences between five different Loop earplugs, and where each shines, to help you find the ones that suit you best.

Best for concerts: Loop Experience 2 The Loops Experience 2 earplugs dampened the sound of a roaring crowd at Beyoncé's latest tour. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

My colleague Haley Henschel put these earplugs to the test in possibly the way a person could: by taking them to the Cowboy Carter tour. Her report: "I could hear Beyoncé and her band perfectly, but the din of the stadium was almost completely suppressed. Curious to hear what I was missing, I removed my right earplug at one point during the set and was shocked to hear that the crowd was close to singing over Bey. The Loops were tuning out everyone else without making her sound muffled." That level of balance is what landed the Experience 2 our pick as the best Loop earplugs for concerts, even if they are the most obvious choice.

Henschel did note that they worked so well that she missed a couple of mid-song comments from her friend, but that's to be expected with earplugs. She also remarked that she was especially impressed with the fit — while she usually needs to wear a tight beanie to keep her Apple AirPods Pro from slipping out, the smallest size of the Experience 2 stayed in without a hitch. (Though I didn't test the Experience 2 personally, I also have a hard time finding earbuds that fit, and often have to go for the XS eartips. In Loops, I typically favor the S ear tip.)

Decibels filtered: 17dB | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: Silver, black, gold, rose gold, holographic black (costs extra), holographic ruby (costs extra), Loop x Coachella (costs extra)

Loop Experience 2 $38.95 at Amazon
Shop Now Best for focus: Loop Quiet 2 The Quiet 2 earplugs are the perfect work companion. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Quiet earplugs were my introduction to Loop a couple of years ago as I was looking for a solution to deal with a noisy neighbor. Though I used the original Quiet model then, the Quiet 2 hold up. For less than $30, the Quiet 2 earplugs are amazing for blocking out sound to focus, but also for getting the best bang for your buck. If you're not necessarily looking for something to wear to live events, these may be the best Loop earplugs for you. The silicone loop is soft enough to lie on with relative comfort, so they're as great for sleep as they are for working or reading. (Not to mention, they're $25 cheaper than the Loop Dream at full price, and even cheaper on sale).

What does 24dB of blockage mean in practice? For me, it meant that I could work right next to my partner watching TV at a normal to low volume, and barely hear what he was watching. While I work in the office with my door closed, I can hear the sound of my own typing, but can only hear the murmur of my partner talking in the other room behind a closed door (where, without earbuds, I can make out his every word perfectly). Wearing these earbuds feels like turning the volume of the world around you not entirely off, but to low, making them a great option for when you need to focus or sleep, or even travel.

Decibels filtered: 24dB | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: White, violet, black, mint

Loop Quiet 2 $20.95 at Amazon
Shop Now Best for staying aware: Loop Engage 2 The Engage 2 are great for a coffee date, or a trip to the grocery store. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Loop Engage 2 earplugs are very similar to the Experience 2: both are designed to let in more sound, both cost $34.95, and both come with four sizes of silicone ear tips. Though I didn't get to personally test them head-to-head, here's where I can tease out the differences.

According to Loop, the Engage 2 block 16 decibels to the Experience 2's 17 decibels. Henschel mentioned that when wearing the Experience 2 to a concert, she missed a few comments from her friend standing right next to her. That makes sense: the Experience 2 are designed to lower the volume overall (without distorting the sound quality of the music you're listening to), while the Engage 2 are designed to lower the volume on background noise (which tends to be at a higher pitch than human voices), but keep you in tune with voices around you, so you can hold up a conversation with more ease. Wearing the Engage 2 around my apartment, while ordering coffee in a loud coffee shop, and at the grocery stores proved that they worked without issue. I did hear my voice a little louder, but not distractingly so — it was certainly less distracting than the bangers my local H-Mart likes to bump on a Tuesday night. If you find yourself often overstimulated by sound when trying to socialize or simply live your life, the Engage 2 are a great way to turn down the volume, but still stay present.

Decibels filtered: 16dB | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: Clear, dusk, green, rose

Loop Engage 2 $35.95 at Amazon
Shop Now Best for sleep: Loop Dream Prioritizing a good night's sleep? Check out the Loop Dream. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

As a disclaimer, a family member gifted these earplugs to me after I told them how much I enjoyed using the original Quiet earbuds to sleep. And though the price is surprisingly steep compared to the rest of the line, I would happily buy these with my own money, as I primarily use earplugs to help me sleep.

Why? They're restless, side sleeper-approved. Though they block just a few more decibels than the Quiet 2, I find the Loop Dream to be even more comfortable to wear at night. The ear tip is a foam interior surrounded by a silicone exterior, which provides a slightly better (and more secure) fit than I experienced with the Quiet 2. (That's not to say the Quiet 2 aren't secure, but I move a lot when I sleep, so any extra features that help these earbuds stay in place are welcome by me. If, for whatever reason, you don't vibe with the foam tips, these earbuds also come with four sizes of Dream Double tips, which are a doubled-up silicone.

SEE ALSO: Elemind is the sleep headband that cured my insomnia

The Dreams also deviate from the rest of the Loop lineup with the closed-loop silicone shape, which is genuinely softer than the Quiets (and significantly more so than the Switches), making six to 10-hour wear incredibly reasonable. I experienced a slightly higher learning curve in putting them in my ears initially, but once I found the right fit, these fell out less than the Quiet earplugs. Finally, the case of the Dreams is ever so slightly larger, with a no-slip bottom that means they're far less likely to be knocked off your nightstand. The price may be steep, but if you anticipate mostly using your earplugs for sleep, the Dreams are worth it.

Decibels filtered: 27db | Ear tips: Foam-silicone, eight different types in four sizes each (XS-L) | Available colors: Lilac, black, peach

Loop Dream $49.95 at Amazon
Shop Now Best for versatility: Loop Switch 2 The Loop Switch 2 live up to their name. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

If, after reading all of the above, you find yourself wanting the benefits for multiple pairs of Loops, the Switch 2 are your best bet. Impressively, a small switch allows you to toggle between noise blocking on 20dB, 23dB, and 26db, meaning they let enough sound through to hold up a conversation, but also can block out nearly as much as the Dreams for maximum peace. The only use case I don't see these working out great is for sleep, due to the hard plastic switch on the outer loop not being as comfortable as the Quiet 2 or Dream earplugs.

Throughout my testing period, I found myself reaching for these earplugs the most due to their flexibility. I could go from being locked in while working to having a conversation without taking them out. While by far the most expensive of all the available Loop earplugs, they're still cheaper than buying a pair of Experience and Quiet earplugs separately.

Decibels filtered: 20db, 23db, 26db | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: Emerald, black, gold, silver, McLaren papaya (costs extra)

Loop Switch 2 $59.95 at Amazon
Shop Now

Nearly any old robot vacuum can sufficiently clear tile or hardwood floors of the hair and crumbs blowing across them like tumbleweeds. But for a robot vacuum to work on carpet, suction power and time spent cleaning need to be boosted to uproot the debris embedded in any pile height.

Do robot vacuums work well on carpet?

Yes, several top robot vacuum cleaners that I've tested do a pretty phenomenal job on carpets and rugs — depending on a few factors. Suction power is, of course, the most important number in determining the best robot vacuums for carpet. Most robot vacuum brands measure suction power in Pascals, though iRobot and Shark are weird about using Pascals sometimes. When suction power in Pascals (Pa) is advertised, you'll ideally want to hit at least 8,000 Pa for sufficient carpet cleaning, and will almost definitely be underwhelmed with anything lower than 5,000 Pa. For reference, robot vacuums at the premium end of the spectrum clock between 10,000 and 22,000 Pa. The ante's about to be upped even further when the new Dreame robot vacuums come out in September — two of the flagships hit 30,000 Pa.

SEE ALSO: As an anxious cat mom, I love my robot vacuum with a livestream camera

But beefy suction power needs to be aided by competent brush roll systems — a dual brush roll design is your best chance when it comes to pet hair pickup. These are designed to dig into carpet pile and pinch hair and large chunks, while the suction power itself inhales finer debris that a weaker robot vac would pass right over. The two brush rolls get bonus points if, instead of sitting parallel to each other, they look like one big roller that's split down the middle. That opening gives long hair somewhere to go instead of spindling around the edges of a single roller brush.

If fine dust on hard floors is one of your non-negotiables when it comes to tidying, a robot vacuum that can mop should be a priority. Luckily, the most powerful robot vacuums on carpet are typically the most powerful moppers, too.

SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros Z70 review: If you think you need the robot vacuum with an arm, no you don't

Not sure which robot vacuum would work best on your carpets or rugs? I test and compare a ton of top robot vacs as they come out in my own home, narrowing down the best options and refreshing my recommendations as necessary. For this list, I kept an extra close eye on performance on a variety of carpet pile lengths, rugs, and bath mats, pet hair and debris pick up, transitions between floor types, automatic suction settings, and more. Here are my four favorites of 2025:

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck. I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but ultimately aren't a top pick for me. The Dreame X50 Ultra is one of them.

Though I had a better overall experience with the Roborock Saros 10R than the Saros 10, I want to note that the Saros 10 is also a great robot vacuum for carpets. The Saros 10 actually has slightly stronger suction power (22,000 Pa versus 20,000 Pa), but the difference is pretty negligible in the long run.

I've been using an iPhone for more than a decade. And still, it seems, every day I learn about new-to-me features that make it an even more accommodating device.

And if I wasn't aware of them as a veteran user, you might not be too. From keyboard tricks to ways to alleviate carsickness and everything in between, here's my selection of the most useful — and low-key — iPhone hacks.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26 preview: I'm using Liquid Glass and it mostly lives up to its promise Realign your iPhone keyboard Right under your nose. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Here's an iPhone trick is one that's as easy to do as it is to miss: Realigning your keyboard for one-handed typing.

Typing with one hand — especially on larger smartphones — can get, well, a little out of hand. But all you need to do to fix this is hold down on the button you would normally press to open the Emoji keyboard and click one of the three keyboard-shaped icons that pops up.

This will align the keyboard to either the left, right, or center (this is where it is by default). Putting it in either the left or right mode will not only slide it over to one side, but it'll condense the keyboard so you can easily type with just one thumb.

Judge me if you want for not knowing about this. In my defense, I usually just press the Emoji button, not hold it. It's pretty easy to not notice!

Move multiple iPhone apps at once, without putting them in a folder Who knew? Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Most iPhone owners know that you move an app around your screens by holding your finger on it for a couple of seconds. They also know you can put apps together into folders. But what if you want to move multiple completely unrelated apps simultaneously, without putting them in a folder first?

It turns out there's a simple way to do this, even if it might feel a little weird at first — because it requires multiple fingers.

Start by pressing down on an app, as you normally would to move it. Then, as the other apps onscreen begin to wobble along, keep your finger on the first app and use another finger to tap other apps.

This will temporarily group every app you've selected together for movement, without the need to put them in a folder first. Pretty nifty.

Use your iPhone in the car without motion sickness Unfortunately, you can't actually take screenshots of the dots in action, so you get this instead. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

I'm one of the lucky people who don't have issues with motion sickness in cars. But if you struggle to look at your phone while in the back of an Uber, here's something you can do to make it easier on your eyes.

Vehicle motion cues can be turned on in the Accessibility section of the Settings app, under the Motion submenu.

This adds a bunch of dots to the outer edge of the screen that will react to the movement of the vehicle you're in, in a way that is supposed to help alleviate motion sickness. Mashable tech editor Tim Werth assures me it's well worth using.

Stop accidentally turning on the iPhone flashlight Hit that minus button and be free. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Do you hate the flashlight icon on the iPhone lock screen because you constantly turn it on by accident? There's a definitive solution to this that Apple's iOS doesn't spell out in a straightforward manner.

To start, unlock your phone but do not swipe up from the lock screen. Instead, hold your finger down on the screen until you get to the lock screen/wallpaper customization menu. Hit "Customize," and then "Customize current wallpaper."

From there, you have the ability to either remove the flashlight icon entirely or replace it with something else. If you do replace it, be aware that anything else you put in that slot is probably going to get accidentally activated just as often as the flashlight was.

Schedule your iPhone messages Nifty. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Are you a night owl who doesn't want the world to know the late hour when you get your best work done? Do you want to get all your morning reminders to family members out of the way before your head hits the pillow? Then this feature is for you.

Ideally, you'd use this for something more important than "Hello." Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Apple built text scheduling into the Messages app in iOS 18. Simply write out your message and hit the plus sign to the left instead of the blue arrow to the right. From there, scroll down a bit until you see the "Send Later" button.

Once you hit that, there's a straightforward UI for scheduling your message. Pick a time, hit confirm, and rest easy knowing that your friend will have no idea you composed that message in the middle of the night for some reason.

Alas, both you and the recipient need to be on iOS for this to work. Sorry, Android users.

I've been using an iPhone for more than a decade. And still, it seems, every day I learn about new-to-me features that make it an even more accommodating device.

And if I wasn't aware of them as a veteran user, you might not be too. From keyboard tricks to ways to alleviate carsickness and everything in between, here's my selection of the most useful — and low-key — iPhone hacks.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26 preview: I'm using Liquid Glass and it mostly lives up to its promise Realign your iPhone keyboard Right under your nose. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Here's an iPhone trick is one that's as easy to do as it is to miss: Realigning your keyboard for one-handed typing.

Typing with one hand — especially on larger smartphones — can get, well, a little out of hand. But all you need to do to fix this is hold down on the button you would normally press to open the Emoji keyboard and click one of the three keyboard-shaped icons that pops up.

This will align the keyboard to either the left, right, or center (this is where it is by default). Putting it in either the left or right mode will not only slide it over to one side, but it'll condense the keyboard so you can easily type with just one thumb.

Judge me if you want for not knowing about this. In my defense, I usually just press the Emoji button, not hold it. It's pretty easy to not notice!

Move multiple iPhone apps at once, without putting them in a folder Who knew? Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Most iPhone owners know that you move an app around your screens by holding your finger on it for a couple of seconds. They also know you can put apps together into folders. But what if you want to move multiple completely unrelated apps simultaneously, without putting them in a folder first?

It turns out there's a simple way to do this, even if it might feel a little weird at first — because it requires multiple fingers.

Start by pressing down on an app, as you normally would to move it. Then, as the other apps onscreen begin to wobble along, keep your finger on the first app and use another finger to tap other apps.

This will temporarily group every app you've selected together for movement, without the need to put them in a folder first. Pretty nifty.

Use your iPhone in the car without motion sickness Unfortunately, you can't actually take screenshots of the dots in action, so you get this instead. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

I'm one of the lucky people who don't have issues with motion sickness in cars. But if you struggle to look at your phone while in the back of an Uber, here's something you can do to make it easier on your eyes.

Vehicle motion cues can be turned on in the Accessibility section of the Settings app, under the Motion submenu.

This adds a bunch of dots to the outer edge of the screen that will react to the movement of the vehicle you're in, in a way that is supposed to help alleviate motion sickness. Mashable tech editor Tim Werth assures me it's well worth using.

Stop accidentally turning on the iPhone flashlight Hit that minus button and be free. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Do you hate the flashlight icon on the iPhone lock screen because you constantly turn it on by accident? There's a definitive solution to this that Apple's iOS doesn't spell out in a straightforward manner.

To start, unlock your phone but do not swipe up from the lock screen. Instead, hold your finger down on the screen until you get to the lock screen/wallpaper customization menu. Hit "Customize," and then "Customize current wallpaper."

From there, you have the ability to either remove the flashlight icon entirely or replace it with something else. If you do replace it, be aware that anything else you put in that slot is probably going to get accidentally activated just as often as the flashlight was.

Schedule your iPhone messages Nifty. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Are you a night owl who doesn't want the world to know the late hour when you get your best work done? Do you want to get all your morning reminders to family members out of the way before your head hits the pillow? Then this feature is for you.

Ideally, you'd use this for something more important than "Hello." Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Apple built text scheduling into the Messages app in iOS 18. Simply write out your message and hit the plus sign to the left instead of the blue arrow to the right. From there, scroll down a bit until you see the "Send Later" button.

Once you hit that, there's a straightforward UI for scheduling your message. Pick a time, hit confirm, and rest easy knowing that your friend will have no idea you composed that message in the middle of the night for some reason.

Alas, both you and the recipient need to be on iOS for this to work. Sorry, Android users.