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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
Updated: 5 hours 53 min ago

Goodbye Carrie Bradshaw, our messy, relatable queen

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 17:50

The time has come to bid farewell to Carrie Bradshaw, the patron saint of looking for love in all the wrong places. The final episode of And Just Like That... brings to a close the reboot, which viewers balk at yet somehow can't look away.

Since first gracing our screens in 1998 in the very first episode of Sex and the City, Carrie's (Sarah Jessica Parker) place in popular culture has been firmly cemented as the complex, romantic, independent, vulnerable, and at times infuriating single gal about town. Despite the shortcomings of both Sex and the City and And Just Like That..., it feels emotional to be saying goodbye to Carrie (well, again). Over the years, she's been a dependable companion to us single gals, those finding themselves in the Wild West that is modern dating, the diehard romantics, the unlucky-in-loves, and people who've had their heart broken.

SEE ALSO: Why the ending of 'And Just Like That...' is a total triumph

Several generations of viewers (myself included) have looked to the four female leads of SATC as an alternative Myers-Briggs personality test — "I'm such a Carrie!" "I'm Charlotte-coded, but a Samantha at heart." 27 years since that first episode, Carrie Bradshaw's impact is still being felt. Sex and the City discourse is alive and well on TikTok, resuscitated by a new wave of Gen-Z viewers streaming the show on HBO Max. In mainstream pop culture, the SATC references have been ever-present; in the last year, Gen Z icon Olivia Rodrigo wore a bejewelled top with the words "Carrie Bradshaw AF" while performing at Madison Square Garden, and in "Nissan Altima," our Grammy-winning Swamp Princess, Doechii, rapped, "I'm like Carrie Bradshaw with a back brace on."

As Carrie's final ever on-screen appearance (until the next reboot at least) arrived, I couldn't help but wonder: What is the enduring appeal of this character?

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in 1998, the year "Sex and the City" first aired. Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

As a millennial 30-something looking for love, Carrie Bradshaw has long occupied a space in my heart. Growing up in the 2000s, I watched SATC in my bedroom on terrestrial TV (remember that?) before I'd even so much as kissed a boy for the first time. Is this how my thirties were going to be? I wondered as a teen. Not having a boyfriend had never looked so glitteringly fabulous.

As a millennial 30-something looking for love, Carrie Bradshaw has long occupied a space in my heart.

Like many women, this show continues to stay with me as I grow older. In my twenties, I visited New York and did a Sex and the City tour of Manhattan, posing for photos outside Carrie's apartment building at 245 East 73rd Street (although the actual brownstone is in the West Village), stopping for cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, and sipping a Cosmopolitan at Scout, the bar Steve (David Eigenberg) and Aidan (John Corbett) owned together. The SATC fan pilgrimage was rendered all the more poignant because I was going through a heartbreaking chapter of my own, being ghosted by a man I had feelings for, and mulling over whether or not to send the dreaded paragraph to him (I did in the end).

Featured Video For You How Bob the Drag Queen weaves hip hop and history in his new book

When I'm going through heartbreak or even just a confusing dating experience, I turn to this show for comfort, for answers, for validation. Even now in my mid-thirties, I see myself in Carrie in her refusal to settle for a relationship that's lacking in the kind of love she deserves. "I'm looking for love," Carrie declared in the final episode of Sex and the City. "Real love Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."

Let's not ignore Sex and the City's problematic moments

Despite her importance to fans, it's impossible to gloss over the fact that Carrie is a deeply flawed character. She's self-involved, lacking in accountability, selfish, and has a habit of flaking on her friends, even in their time of need. But there's a larger problem.

Like many sitcoms from the '90s and '00s, there are aspects of Sex and the City that do not hold up through a modern lens. The lack of diversity is one of the most glaring downfalls of the series. The four protagonists are white, privileged, cisgender, and their experiences (at least in the original show) are centred around dating and sleeping with men. Racist, reductive stereotypes rear their ugly head throughout the series. In a rare inclusion of Black characters, Season 3, episode 5 sees Samantha (Kim Cattrall) date record label executive Chivon (Asio Highsmith) in a portrayal that has not aged well at all. All in the space of one episode we get hypersexualised discussion of Chivon's penis, references to Black culture as "urban," and the depiction of Chivon's sister Adeena (Sundra Oakley) as a controlling "angry Black woman". It is a mess of an episode.

Again, in Season 3, episode 18, titled "Cock-a-Doodle-Do," deals with two sets of noisy neighbours for Carrie, but in doing so, appears to liken Black trans sex workers lives as akin to those of caged chickens. Throw in Carrie putting on an AAVE accent at the end of the episode, and I got to thinking: were any Black or trans writers present in the writing room? (There weren't.)

When And Just Like That... launched in 2021, viewers got the sense that those criticisms surrounding diversity had been heard. Co-creator Michael Patrick King brought in a more diverse writers room, including writers Samantha Irby, Keli Goff, and Rachna Fruchbom. Irby told Vogue in 2021, “I was a huge fan of Sex and the City back in the day. But there were some moments where I was like, If there had been a Black writer in the room, this would have probably played differently." Goff told Deadline that King was "open to really listening" to the writers.

New friends Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker), Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez), and Dr. Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) were added to the girl gang in an attempt to fill the chasm that Samantha's absence left behind. One storyline running across all three seasons is Charlotte's child Rock's (Alexa Swinton) gender identity. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) leaves Steve and begins exploring her queer identity. But, despite clear efforts to make the show more inclusive, the show overall felt jarring for many viewers who wanted more from the reboot.

Nicole Ari Parker, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarita Choudhury, Cynthia Nixon. Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images Sex and the 'complicated single girl' representation

What was it about Carrie that captured the collective attention of viewers in the late '90s and 2000s?

Over the past few decades, "single girl" representation has come a long way, bringing complex, sometimes problematic, relatable, and realistic single women to our screens. Hannah, Jessa, Marnie, and Shoshanna from Girls, Issa Dee in Insecure, Abbie and Ilana in Broad City, Mindy in The Mindy Project, to name a few.

SEE ALSO: 12 single TV characters who'll always have a place in our hearts

The "sad single girl" trope doesn't really have a place on our screens anymore, but we've also lost our cultural fixation on the need for our single girls to be likeable, palatable to male viewers, role models to women. They can just be. But it hasn't always been that way.

The New Yorker's Emily Nussbaum wrote a piece in 2013 examining the complicated legacy of Sex and the City, and highlighted the new era of complicated single woman representation that the show ushered in. Nussbaum argued that our four SATC heroines were markedly different from the "you-go-girl types" such as That Girl, Mary Tyler Moore, and Molly Dodd.

"In contrast, Carrie and her friends — Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte — were odder birds by far, jagged, aggressive, and sometimes frightening figures, like a makeup mirror lit up in neon," wrote Nussbaum.

From left to right: Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. Credit: Getty Images

"And, with the exception of Charlotte (Kristin Davis), men didn’t find them likable: there were endless cruel jokes about Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Carrie as sluts, man-haters, or gold-diggers. To me, as a single woman, it felt like a definite sign of progress: since the elemental representation of single life at the time was the comic strip “Cathy” (ack! chocolate!), better that one’s life should be viewed as glamorously threatening than as sad and lonely."

What will become of Carrie Bradshaw's legacy?

Where do we go from here? Will Carrie's legacy live on beyond the show, the movies, and the reboot? While we might not be getting any new episodes of And Just Like That..., Carrie won't be disappearing from our screens. Sex and the City and And Just Like That... are shows that viewers will return to time and time again. Diehard fans embrace the totality of her character, flaws and all — they don't embellish or pretend she's perfect.

Dylan B Jones, co-host of So I Got To Thinking podcast, tells Mashable that Carrie embodies a desire "that lurks inside all of us — the freedom to live and behave like an absolute dickhead and somehow get away with it."

"She taps cigarette ash onto pristine carpets, slops martinis onto beautiful floors, turns up late on no sleep to fashion shoots, cheats and lies her way through relationships and somehow still comes out of it beloved by all who behold her. She embodies selfish oblivion, and that, for many of us, is the unattainable 21st century dream," says Jones.

Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall on location for "Sex and the City: The Movie" in 2007. Credit: Getty Images / Brian Ach/ WireImage

Maiia Krylova, founder of @carriebradshaws_outfits, an Instagram account dedicated to Carrie's enviable wardrobe, says Carrie's legacy will endure "because she represented more than fashion, she was the voice of freedom, imperfection, and the magic of being a woman."

"She gave us permission to embrace contradictions: to be vulnerable yet strong, romantic yet independent, glamorous yet relatable. Through her, women saw that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary and that our stories, with all their flaws and detours, are worth telling," Krylova tells Mashable.

Carrie as a character will stay with us, I think, because she holds an at-times unflattering mirror up to us. When she's on good form, we gleefully declare we're "such a Carrie," but when she fucks up (which she so often does), we feel a keen disappointment. And yet, we carry on watching. She's like a friend we can't help but forgive.

As Big once said: "You're worth a million bucks, Bradshaw." It was one of the rare occasions that I actually agreed with him.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones for under $100 at Amazon

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 17:47

SAVE $100: As of Aug. 15, get the Beats Solo 4 headphones at Amazon for $99.95, down from their usual price of $199.95. That's a discount of 50%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00 Get Deal

It's that time again: back to school. If you're sending some of the family back to class, or you're heading there yourself, one useful thing to add to your shopping list is a good pair of headphones. There are tons of models to choose from, sure, but if you're looking for an over-the-ear option, a pair of Beats headphones usually means you've got an excellent pick on your hands. And you can save a significant amount of money on a pair right now.

As of Aug. 15, get the Beats Solo 4 headphones for $99.95, down from their usual price of $199.95, at Amazon. That's $100 off for a discount of 50%, and just a couple of dollars away from their lowest price ever.

SEE ALSO: I found the exact headphones Taylor Swift wore to announce her new album — and they're on sale

These headphones are perfect for long listening sessions, whether that means bopping along to your favorite tunes, podcasts, or having conversations with others. They boast a lengthy listening time of up to 50 hours, as well as high-quality sound with Personalized Spatial Audio. That means they can make you feel like you're right in the middle of the music, thanks to their head-tracking ability.

They're also built with an ultralight frame that includes super plush ear cups so they're comfortable for wearing all day or through lengthy meetings. When they're low on charge, you can also utilize their FastFuel feature to get five hours of playtime back with just 10 minutes of charging.

Now's a great time to grab a pair of these solid headphones, especially since you can save so much on them right now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get $30 off the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker at Walmart

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 17:32

SAVE 15%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker (two pints included) for $169, down from $199, at Walmart. That's a 15% discount and a $30 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja CREAMi (NC300) $169 at Walmart
$199 Save $30 Get Deal

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a frozen treat — and it's even better when you can make it fresh at home.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker for $169, down from $199, at Walmart. That's a 15% discount and a $30 savings.

SEE ALSO: The Ninja Swirl is even better and more fun than the original Creami

The Ninja CREAMi is one of Mashable’s Hype Test subjects. Our shopping reporter, Samantha Mangino, says it’s ideal for meal preppers who like to experiment with new flavor combinations and control the ingredients in their frozen desserts.

“The Ninja Creami is fun to use; I get the hype,” writes Mangino. “Rather than going on a trip to get ice cream, you're having a little adventure in your kitchen. If you're a planner and/or an ice cream fanatic, the Creami will be a delightful addition as you plan your pints of the week.”

It has five built-in programs for ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, lite ice cream, and mix-in options. Just prepare your base, freeze it overnight, and process it through the machine. The re-spin function gives you the option to make it even creamier after your first pass, and it’s also the trick for making leftover frozen treats from previous batches soft and scoopable again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurricane Erin: See spaghetti models and track the storm’s path online

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 17:26

Hurricane Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 season on Friday as it continues its journey across the Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center is currently predicting the storm to turn north and curl away from United States east coast without ever making landfall. Spaghetti models, which represent a collection of predicted paths generated by multiple computer models, currently support these predictions.

However, the NHC predicts the storm is likely to bring several inches of rain to Puerto Rico and encourages residents there to monitor Erin's progress.

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As of Friday morning, Hurricane Erin has reached 75 mph sustained maximum wind speeds. It's currently located 460 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands and is traveling west-northwest at 18 mph, according to the 11 a.m. ET Friday NHC forecast.

The latest forecasts, updated multiple times daily, can be tracked online on the National Hurricane Center website.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get Tile trackers for the whole family for under $60 at Amazon

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 17:24

SAVE $24: As of Aug. 15, you can grab a four-pack of Tile Mate trackers at Amazon for just $59.99 instead of $83.99. That's 29% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Life360 Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers (4-pack) $59.99 at Amazon
$83.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

In the chaos of back-to-school season, it's easy to misplace things. If your kids (or you) are regularly losing their backpacks, keys, water bottles, lunchboxes, musical instruments, and other essentials, Bluetooth trackers are a must-have. And for a limited time, you can grab a pack of trackers for the whole family for a steal.

As of Aug. 15, a four-pack of Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers at Amazon is on sale for only $59.99. That's nearly 30% off the usual cost of $83.99 and its lowest price on record.

One of the OGs in the Bluetooth tracker world, the Tile Mate has gone through quite a few upgrades over the years — and it's still one of our favorites. While many trackers are specific to Apple, Samsung, or Google, Tile is device agnostic and uses its own network (via the Life360 app). That makes it a great choice for households with both Android and Apple devices.

The thing is, because the Tile network is less developed than Apple's or Samsung's, the Bluetooth range is a bit smaller (only 350 feet). That doesn't mean it's not great at finding things; it just means it works better for finding household items rather than lost luggage. Attach them to things like keys, backpacks, lunchboxes, or whatever else is constantly getting misplaced. Then just press a button on your phone, and you can ring the tracker to find it. Or you can even press a button on the Tile Mate itself if your phone is the thing that's gone missing.

Got kids who walk home from school or the bus stop? The Tile Mate can also serve as a silent alarm, thanks to an SOS feature that alerts loved ones if they're in danger.

It may not be the first thing you think of on your back-to-school shopping list, but Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers can help lessen the chaos of the season. Grab a four-pack for under $60 while you can.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag our favorite ear-hook design headphones for under $100

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 17:08

SAVE 23%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear headphones for $99.98, down from $129.99, at Amazon. That's a 23% discount and a $30.01 savings.

soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear headphones $99.98 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.01 Get Deal

Tired of headphones that either cover your whole head or plug up your ears? We found a great deal on the Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker, our favorite ear-hook headphones to date.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker open-ear headphones for $99.98, down from $129.99, at Amazon. That's a 23% discount and a $30.01 savings.

The AeroFit 2 feature an open-ear design that rests comfortably on the ear without entering the ear canal. (This is a huge plus for me personally, since my AirPods almost always fall out.) The adjustable ear hooks make it easier to bring the sound closer without blocking the ear canal, and you can get a max boost of 7.5dB.

SEE ALSO: The new Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are dropping at the end of the month: What to know

They’re not noise-cancelling, but for the price, they’re still a solid choice for anyone who can’t stand traditional headphones. You’ll also get 10 hours of playtime on a single charge (which is extendable to 42 hours with the wireless charging case).

One of the coolest features of these headphones is that they have a free AI translation function that supports 100 languages with real-time response. To use it, you’ll need to download the Soundcore app to version 3.8.7 or later and make sure the earbud firmware is updated to the latest version.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Save up to 28% on Stasher reusable bags and make the swap from single-use plastics

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 16:59

SAVE UP TO 28%: As of Aug. 15, Stasher reusable food storage bags are on sale for up to 28% off at Amazon in a variety of sizes and colors — just in time for back to school season.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stasher Stasher Back-to-School Sale Up to 28% off select bags Shop Now

A new school year doesn't just bring new teachers, friends, supplies, and classes. It also brings an opportunity to make different choices. This year, you can make more environmentally-conscious decisions in your household by swapping your single-use sandwich bags for silicone ones that can go in the dishwasher.

Our favorite reusable food storage brand, Stasher, is having a back-to-school sale via Amazon. As of Aug. 15, you can save up to 28% on these sustainable bags in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Stasher is a Shark Tank-famous brand known for its colorful, yet slightly expensive, bags and bowls. You may get a bit of sticker shock at first glance. However, if you take into account how much you spend on throw-away Ziploc baggies throughout the school year, the price is more justifiable. It also helps that prices are slashed by 20% or more on several options.

The bags are made from durable platinum silicone, which is heat resistant up to 425 degrees, food-safe, and free of BPA, latex, and phthalates. Beyond keeping your kids' lunches fresh and intact, Stasher bags can be used in the freezer, microwave, boiling water, and even the oven. Then just toss them in the dishwasher after each use. It might be a bit of a lifestyle change at first, but this swap can really make a difference.

Here are some of the best Stasher bag deals at Amazon during the back-to-school sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Head back to school fully rested with 38% off this Dreamegg White Noise Machine

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 16:33

SAVE $12: As of Aug. 15, get the Dreamegg White Noise Machine for $19.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $31.99. That's a discount of 38%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dreamegg White Noise Machine $19.99 at Amazon
$31.99 Save $12 Get Deal

It's time to head back to school, and whether it's you hitting the books or your kids who will soon be roaming the halls, going back well-rested is important. What better way to lull yourself or the kids to sleep than with a white noise machine? It's a super simple way to help you drift off to dreamland or improve your sleep quality. Or, it can be used as a way to help everyone focus on their studies. If you'd like to bring home one that's affordable just in time for the new year, you can shop this Amazon deal.

As of Aug. 15, get the Dreamegg White Noise Machine for $19.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $31.99. That's $12 off and a discount of 38%.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals to shop this week feature plenty of impressive back to school savings

This ultra-portable white noise machine offers 21 different sounds, from soothing heartbeats for the little ones to ocean noises to keep you stress-free and focused. It has white noise, sure, but it also has fan sounds, thunderstorms, and even a vacuum cleaner option for variety. It'll play for hours to help you get to sleep and stay that way, thanks to its 1,800mAh battery. You can leave it on for guided study or de-stressing sessions, whatever works for you.

If you're putting the device in a bedroom, it's highly visible at night with glow in the dark buttons, simple controls, and a child lock to help keep little hands from changing the sound or timer when it's set and ready to go. Most importantly, it's so small you can take it or put it anywhere in your home since it doesn't need a power cord to run.

It's the perfect time to invest in a white noise machine, and this one is an excellent price, so make sure you grab it before the bell rings on the first day of school.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This smart bird feeder is a great Bird Buddy alternative — and its $66 off at Amazon

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 16:15

SAVE 33%: As of Aug. 15, you can get the Birdfy AI smart bird feeder for $134, down from $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount and $66 in savings.

NETVUE by Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Yellow) $134 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $65.99 Get Deal

If you’ve had your eye on the Bird Buddy, but aren’t sure about the price, we found a deal on one of its competitors that offers comparable features at a lower price.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Birdfy AI smart bird feeder for $134, down from $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount and a $66 savings. Note: This deal is only available with the on-screen coupon, so be sure to click it before adding anything to your cart. At this price, it would make a great gift for the holidays.

SEE ALSO: Bird Buddy's new pollinator cam is a Kickstarter hit: I got to see it in person

The Birdfy feeder has an 1080p HD camera and is IP65 waterproof, so you can check in on your avian visitors no matter what Mother Nature has planned. There’s even a built-in infrared night vision feature that makes it easier to see nocturnal bird activity.

With AI alerts and manual squirrel control, you can get real-time notifications sent straight to your phone whenever a squirrel appears, and you can scare it away directly from the app with flashing lights, sounds, or even your own voice through the microphone. Plus, all your adorable bird videos and photos are kept safe in NETVUE's secure cloud storage.

If you have to have a Bird Buddy, they are having a sale on their website right now where you can get up to 38% off select feeders. But, they’ll still run you more than the discounted Birdfy AI.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Warby Parker is quietly ending its free Home Try-On program

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 15:17

After 15 years, Warby Parker's signature Home Try-On program will soon be kaput. The eyewear giant is discontinuing the try-before-you-buy service that made it famous at the end of 2025 as it expands its brick-and-mortar presence and leans into virtual tools, it announced on a quarterly earnings call this month.

Since Warby Parker's inception in 2010, shoppers have been able to order up to five frames to try on at home for five days. The process, which was completely free (including shipping and returns), made it easier to buy glasses online.

In its 2021 IPO, Warby Parker said Home Try-On was "very unique to our business. It is a viral brand awareness program that pays for itself as we maintain an exceptionally high conversion rate from Home Try-On purchases."

SEE ALSO: Google's 'Try it on' AI shopping tool impressed and mortified me, and now you can try it too

Now, Warby Parker is phasing out the program in favor of in-person and digital experiences. The company cut the ribbon on its 300th store in July and plans to open "shop-in-shops" at five Target locations in the second half of 2025, with more in the works for 2026.

"The vast majority of recent home try-on customers live within 30 minutes of a Warby Parker store," said co-founder and co-CEO Neil Blumenthal on the earnings call. "As we've scaled and Home Try-On has become a less meaningful driver of our e-commerce business, and as we have seen strong growth from customers directly purchasing glasses online and in our stores, we've decided to sunset the program at the end of this year."

For customers who don't want to venture out, Warby Parker offers a Virtual Try-On feature online and recently launched an AI-powered shopping assistant called "Advisor" in its iOS app. The latter is seeing "very strong adoption in terms of engagement and sales," leading to less of a need for Home-Try On, said outgoing CFO Steve Miller on the call.

I'm a previous Warby Parker customer and Home Try-On user, and I haven't received any communication from the brand about the program ending — nor has it been posted on Warby Parker's website or social media accounts. Warby Parker's Home Try-On program was still available at the time of writing, though only 91 of its 296 styles were eligible.

Warby Parker is the second retailer to scrap a home try-on program this year. In January, Amazon ended its "Try Before You Buy" perk for Prime members, which included clothes, shoes, and accessories, citing its limited scope and a rise in shoppers' use of virtual tools.

UPDATE: Aug. 15, 2025, 9:15 a.m. EDT When reached for comment, a rep for Warby Parker referred Mashable to a transcript of its Q2 earnings call. This story has been updated with additional context from that call.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 15, 2025

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 14:00

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. 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 What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

  • Yellow: Meat options

  • Green: To cover a payment

  • Blue: Excellent

  • Purple: A common allergen

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

  • Yellow: Poultry cuts

  • Green: Handle, as a bill

  • Blue: Splendid

  • Purple: Starts of culinary nuts

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #797 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Poultry cuts: BREAST, TENDER, THIGH, WING

  • Handle, as a bill: FOOT, PAY, SETTLE, TAKE CARE OF

  • Splendid: BRILLIANT, CAPITAL, FINE, GRAND

  • Starts of culinary nuts: CASH, HAZE, MAC, PEC

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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 today's Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for August 15 2025

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 14:00

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Labor intensive

The words are work-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are household tasks

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is What a Chore.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 15
  • Vacuuming

  • Garbage

  • What a Chore

  • Laundry

  • Dishes

  • Groceries

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 today's Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 15, 2025

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 14:00

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 today'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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A criminal.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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...

FELON.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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 today's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Genndy Tartakovsky breaks down the animation of "Fixed" while drawing his iconic characters

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 14:00

Animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky is beloved by audiences of all ages, thanks to his work on Cartoon Network shows like Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, along with the Hotel Transylvania film series. However his latest project, Netflix's Fixed, is decidedly aimed at adults only.

The R-rated comedy follows the story of a mutt named Bull (voiced by Adam DeVine), who makes the horrifying discovery that he's going to be neutered in a day. That gives him one last night of debauchery with his friends — and his balls. And yes, Bull's balls are visible throughout the film. In one trippy sequence, he even hallucinates that they're talking to him!

SEE ALSO: 'Fixed' fulfills the promise of the 'Cats' butthole cut: Review

Tartakovsky stopped by Mashable's Say More to chat all things Fixed, and to draw some of his most iconic characters, including Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory. In the above clip from the full interview, he delves into the 2D animation of the film.

"[Fixed] is everything that I loved in animation, but bringing it to be modern and contemporary, and still using the same techniques that they were using in the '40s and '50s," Tartakovsky told Mashable.

Inspirations from this era included Warner Bros. cartoons, like Looney Tunes and Tex Avery cartoons, all staples of the golden age of American animation.

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

"A nerdy animation thing that I loved about those old Warner Bros. and Tex Avery cartoons is all the very specific character animation," Tartakovsky said. "Because the movement wasn't realistic, that's the thing, that's what I fell in love with. It was very specific to what the characters and what the animator could draw."

He continued: "So when I started doing animation, and when people laugh at a movement that you created from nothing, that was like, 'I'm hooked.' It's like me doing stand-up on stage, without having any of that pressure and all that stuff. I could do the stand-up through the movement that I create."

For more from Tartakovsky, including the logistics of animating dog balls, check out our Say More full interview on YouTube, where he also whips up gorgeous drawings of Samurai Jack and Bull.

Fixed is now streaming on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Robot athletes go for gold at the first ever World Humanoid Robot Games

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 13:40

Robot athletes are going for the gold in Beijing, China, as the first ever World Humanoid Robot Games kicked off on Thursday.

As reported by Reuters, the event, held within Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, involves over 500 humanoid robots across 280 teams from 16 countries including China, the U.S., Brazil, and Germany. The teams come from both global universities and private robotics companies including China's Unitree Robotics, Noetix Robotics, and Fourier Intelligence.

SEE ALSO: Humanoid robots are learning to move like real athletes

Remotely operated by their human teams, the robots will be tested for agility and skill competing in 26 events like football, martial arts, gymnastics, and track and field events like running and a 100-metre obstacle race. The robots must fit a long list of criteria including that they "must be self-developed, purchased or leased by the participating teams," they "must have a trunk, upper limbs, and two feet," and "should have their own energy sources." There are also event-specific restrictions, like robots competing in long jump or high jump events can't use elastic or take-off devices.

The games expands on multiple robot sporting events held in China this year, including the world’s first humanoid half-marathon in April and a robot kickboxing match in May.

Running... Credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images ...boxing... Credit: Han Haidan / China News Service/VCG via Getty Images ...football. Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Unitree won the first gold of the event on Friday, with one of its speedy Unitree H1 humanoid robots finishing the 1,500-metre race at 6:34.

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Various media sites are running livestreamed coverage of the World Humanoid Robot Games including Reuters and the South China Morning Post, if you want to catch up on the action. The games run until Sunday and there are tickets being sold to the public.

It's quite something, seeing human teams running alongside their robotic representatives on the track, and watching robot football players shuffle across the small field, raising their arms in victory as their stressed out human controllers buzz around laptops on the sideline. There are various falls and not a drop of sweat in sight (on the athletes, at least).

Ooft. Credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Thursday's opening ceremony is also worth a watch, robots wearing Labubu lucky charms, a full robot band, tiny robots dancing alongside human children, a robot fashion parade, and panda robots demonstrating martial arts.

Featured Video For You Humanoid Robot Boxing: Unitree G1 Battle Royale

The organisers of the World Humanoid Robot Games — the Beijing Municipal People's Government, China Central Radio and Television, the World Robotics Cooperation Organization, and the Robocup Asia-Pacific International Council — said in an online statement that the point of the event was to "build an international platform integrating technological competition, economic promotion, and international exchange."

"By establishing a competitive and showcase platform, the tournament aims to accelerate and enhance the integration of robots into human life, contribute to economic and social progress, and foster the deep integration of science, technology, sports, and culture," the statement reads.

Competitive robotics events aren't new, but it's the scale of the World Humanoid Robot Games that marks a global PR opportunity for China amid its rapid expansion of robot production to compete with the U.S.. China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced plans in March to invest ¥1 trillion ($138 billion) into robotics over the next two decades. Plus, the country increased industrial robot installation by five percent in 2024, and now owns the world's largest robot market.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Seth Meyers has a blunt response to Trump refusing to honor woke artists

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 12:36

Seth Meyers has already laid in to Donald Trump's announcement that he'll be hosting this year's Kennedy Center Honors, but on Thursday he took aim at one specific part: Trump claiming that he filtered some artists out on the basis that they were "too woke".

"I would say I was about 98 percent involved," Trump said at a press conference, discussing the selection process. "I turned down plenty: They were too woke. I had a couple of wokesters."

"I'm sorry, did he say 'wokesters'? A wokester sounds like a car your great-grandfather drove after the war. 'I had a 1939 wokester that I drove all the way to the state fair, where I sold it for a funnel cake. Ohhh, I miss my wokester,'" says Meyers in the clip above, before turning his attention to right-wing commentators who like to complain about free speech censorship.

"Shout out to the free speech warriors going radio silent while the president just fully admits he's punishing artists for their politics,' Meyers says. "You keep doing you, but only when it fits your worldview, you f***ing hypocrites."

Categories: IT General, Technology

What is Stuff Your Kindle Day? The best way to fill your e-reader with free books.

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 12:00

For my fellow avid readers — how are you finding your next read? Especially for us e-reader users, we have the freedom of getting basically any book on our device without having to lug around a physical copy. That also means e-reader and Kindle users can add to their collection without worrying about finding bookshelf space. So if you like to read — especially for free — you need to know about Stuff Your Kindle Day.

What was a once-a-year event has spun off into dozens of iterations, and puts free books in your lap while still supporting indie authors. So if you've maxed out your Libby holds and need another way to read for free, here is everything to know about Stuff Your Kindle Day.

What is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

If you're worried that these free e-book events don't support authors, don't fear. Stuff Your Kindle Days started as an author-driven event launched by author Zoe York in 2014. Through the platform Romance Bookworms, authors discounted their books to be on sale for just a few dollars, but most are totally free.

While Stuff Your Kindle Day was first hosted by Zoe York, other groups have spawned off to celebrate other genres beyond romance. You can now find events that specialize in cozy mysteries, thrillers, LGBTQ, and YA books. Even Amazon has its own storefront for Stuff Your Kindle books.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable photo composite; Julia Connors, Roger Stelljes, Lauren Biel Amazon Stuff Your Kindle books Shop Now What books are offered during Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Stuff Your Kindle Day is not necessarily going to be the best time to find the time to find new releases or bestsellers. If that's what you've got your eye on, we recommend borrowing through Libby or hunting for Kindle deals.

What Stuff Your Kindle Day events are particularly good for are genre readers. The event started as an event to celebrate indie romance authors, and you'll find that most of the events still center around different variations or tropes of the genre, like romantasy or "cinnamon roll boyfriends." Other genre writers have joined in, though, so if romance isn't up your alley, then there will be another Stuff Your Kindle event to join in on.

But regardless of genre, the main focus across all of the Stuff Your Kindle events is on indie books and indie authors, letting you discover and support lesser-known names.

Do you need a Kindle or e-reader to participate?

While Kindle is in the name of the event, it's far more expansive than that. Most books are available across platforms, including Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble Nook, so no matter which e-reader you have, there's a way to stuff your device full of cheap or free books. Technically, you don't need to have an e-reader at all, and with the Kindle app, Apple Books, and Google Play platforms, you can read books on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

However, if you are looking to join the e-reader club, it's totally worth it. We've rounded up our favorite e-readers and Kindles so you can find the right device. And if you're ready to join the Kindle ecosystem, we've tested nearly every model, including the basic Kindle, Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, and Scribe. If you're not down to go with Amazon's e-readers, we like the Kobo e-readers, including the Libra Colour or Clara Colour — in fact, we like the Clara more than the Kindle Paperwhite.

Shop e-readers Amazon Kindle $109.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kindle Colorsoft $249.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kobo Clara Colour $139.99 at Amazon Shop Now Kobo Libra Colour $229.99 at Amazon Shop Now When is the next Stuff Your Kindle Day?

With so many events to keep track of, you could miss when the next Stuff Your Kindle day will take place. The best way to monitor the event is to browse through all of the events on the Stuff Your Kindle website. Each event typically has an email list that will send out a blast leading up to the next event. We're also on top of all the latest events as deal hunters here at Mashable, so check back for our coverage during the next Stuff Your Kindle event.

But in between events, Amazon's Stuff Your Kindle storefront is the hub for free and discounted books you can get anytime.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried the Huupe mini, a pricey smart basketball hoop. Is it worth it?

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 12:00

Do you have a would-be baller in your home? Maybe your child is on the basketball team — or maybe you still have hoop dreams of your own?

If so, you're likely to be interested in this high-tech basketball hoop, from the aptly named company Huupe.

Huupe is a startup, but that doesn't mean it's not serious about smart basketball hoops. The company raised $11 million in 2023 from NBA owner- and player-backed venture capital firms. 

Huupe's first product, Huupe Pro, is billed as the "world's first smart basketball hoop." It's a regulation-sized basketball hoop, complete with in-ground pole, and the smart part — a large HD display with cameras embedded into the backboard. The cameras are used to track shots and other statistics, shown on the backboard display.

There were several catches with the Pro version. Firstly, a regulation hoop is way too big if you don't have a backyard, driveway, or gymnasium to match. Secondly, the Huupe Pro caused a bit of controversy this past summer after one was installed in an NYC park. Some users had privacy concerns about the hoop's cameras.

And thirdly, the Huupe Pro was priced at $9,995. That's a lot of scratch compared to the average basketball hoop, which can be purchased for a few hundred dollars.

Then, in summer 2025, Huupe unveiled the Huupe Mini. It's basically the Huupe Pro, shrunken down. It's an over-the-door basketball hoop with all the smart features, and with those price and privacy issues mostly addressed. Here's what we thought of it.

Credit: Mashable Huppe Mini: Cheaper but still pricey

The Huupe Mini is a lot cheaper than its predecessor. But that doesn't make it cheap: the Huupe Mini retails for $799, though it's typically discounted to $599 at the Huupe website and Amazon.

That makes it the highest-priced over-the-door basketball hoop I could find. Most non-smart mini indoor basketball hoops retail for less than $100.

But the Huupe Mini isn't for any passive shot taker. To care about the kind of data the Huupe Mini tracks, you'd have to be a fan ready to throw down $800. As a soccer coach for my elementary school-aged son's soccer team, I know many parents of kids who are serious about sports. Parents are willing to spend a pretty penny to help their kids excel at their game of choice.

Compared to the gear some other sports require, the Huupe Mini may not appear that expensive to a basketball player serious about their game.

Setting up the Huupe Mini

This device seems big for something that's called a "mini." The backboard measures 22 in. by 17 in. At just over 20 lbs, the device is much heavier than I expected, too. The backboard is basically a giant LED display, so the weight shouldn't be too surprising, yet I was taken aback by the heft of it. 

The Huupe Mini also comes with a mini ball, a remote to control the display, and a charger. The charging port is located on the bottom underside of the backboard, and the device can be charged while you play.

After quickly screwing the hoop and door hooks on the backboard, I found it easily slipped over the top of my kids' room door. I was concerned that weight would be an issue here, but the door and the Huupe Mini have been just fine so far.

Once it was set up, I had to create an account using the display. Then we were good to go.

Credit: Mashable Huupe Mini: Shockingly accurate shot tracking

The moment of truth: Can the Huupe Mini perform its main function? Can it accurately track your shots?

Well, I can confirm that the Huupe Mini is really good at what it does. Its cameras allow it to track every kind of shot. It can log swish shots, rimshots, shots that hit the backboard, airballs ... and shots so bad that calling them an "airball" would be generous.

I was actually surprised that the Huupe Mini was able to track the ball even when it didn't make contact with the net, rim, or backboard. The Huupe Mini is just that good at tracking.

The display shows your stats in real-time, tracking your shots and your percentages. It can even track the distance at which you're taking the shot, so it knows when you're dunking or shooting a layup. The Huupe Mini knows when you're scoring a two-pointer or three-pointer.

It's quite impressive to see the device accurately track these things as you're playing.

Credit: Mashable

The Huupe Mini doesn't simply track these stats for your own education. The device comes with mini-games that can be played online, letting you compete with other Huupe Mini owners. One game, Huupe City Royale, teams you up with three other players against other four-player teams in a leaderboard competition, to see which team can score the most combined points.

The Huupe Mini can even act as a mini Smart TV. Apps including YouTube and Netflix are built in, so you can watch movies or listen to music on the display while playing ball. There's also an in-game currency that can in theory be used to purchase additional mini-games, but that doesn't appear to have launched yet.

Everything that comes with the Huupe Mini now will remain included without any additional charge, the company says.

The privacy issue

So Huupe addressed the size and price issues of the Huupe Pro with the Huupe Mini. But what about the cameras?

When that Huupe Pro was installed in a New York City public park, Huupe addressed privacy concerns by assuring users that the cameras were just used to track the ball; the company insisted it was not recording or streaming video via the device.

Those assurances were not likely to quell concern when it came to an in-home device, and it appears the Huupe team realized this. The Huupe Mini does not use cameras at all for tracking: it uses sensors instead.

"With the Huupe Mini, we quickly recognized that privacy needed to be a top priority—especially for a product designed for personal spaces like bedrooms or someone’s office space," Huupe CEO Paul Anton tells Mashable. "That’s why we chose to move away from traditional cameras, and instead invested in advanced radar and lidar technology." 

The move away from a camera-based tracking system, towards a sensor-based one, added a full year in additional research and development and cost millions, according to Anton.

"This cutting-edge system allows the Huupe Mini to precisely track player movement and ball trajectory, accurately measuring distances, makes, and attempts—all while ensuring complete user privacy," Anton said. 

Credit: Mashable Final verdict

We do have a few concerns about the future of the Huupe Mini. For one thing, the introduction of a store with in-game currency means that microtransactions are on the way. Huupe may soon be nudging you to spend more than your initial $799. (We should note this product is now consistently priced at $599, which makes it a more attractive purchase.)

The battery drains pretty quickly, which may not be the biggest problem for a device that doesn't leave your home and can be charged while you play. However, the charging cable snaking up the door while plugged into the display can get in the way.

Also, the speakers on the display are not so great. They are fine for the in-game sound effects, but I wouldn't listen to the pre-installed Spotify app on there. But none of those critiques take away from the Huupe Mini's purpose, which it excels at.

Whether you should buy one Huupe Mini will basically come down to how big of a basketball fan you are. If you're just looking to throw a ball around the house or office every now and then, the Huupe Mini is likely way more than you need.

However, if you're shooting hoops on a daily basis, or your child is taking their basketball career seriously, then there's nothing else on the market like the Huupe Mini. You may even consider $599 to $799 a small price to pay for a burgeoning career as a baller.

Opens in a new window Credit: Huupe Huupe Mini $599 at Amazon
$799 Save $200 Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

When is the new Superman streaming?: How to watch James Gunns DCU relaunch at home

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 11:48
The best streaming deals to watch 'Superman' at home: WATCH NOW Rent or buy 'Superman' on Prime Video $24.99 or $29.99 Get Deal WATCH NOW Rent or buy 'Superman' on Apple TV $24.99 or $29.99 Get Deal WATCH NOW Rent or buy 'Superman' on Fandango at Home $24.99 or $29.99 Get Deal WATCH LATER HBO Max Basic (With Ads) annual subscription $99.99/year (save $19.89) Get Deal WATCH LATER HBO Max Standard annual subscription $169.99/year (save $33.89) Get Deal WATCH LATER FOR FREE HBO Max Basic With Ads for Cricket customers Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $9.99/month) Get Deal WATCH LATER FOR FREE HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for DashPass annual plan subscribers (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal WATCH LATER HBO Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal WATCH LATER Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 38%) Get Deal

Brace yourselves for a brand new era of superhero films. With Superman, we don't just get a new version of the classic superhero's journey; we get the launch of an entirely new version of the DC Comics universe. Say farewell to the DCEU and hello to the DCU.

David Corenswet stars as the titular superhero in Superman, one of the most anticipated films of the summer. It also stars Rachel Brosnahan as reporter and love interest Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as evil villain Lex Luthor, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and María Gabriela de Faría as the Engineer. Plus, there's Krypto the Superdog, who might just steal your heart.

You can still catch the Man of Steel in theaters, but if you'd rather tune in from your couch, here's everything you need to know to watch Superman at home.

What is Superman about?

James Gunn's Superman follows Clark Kent/Superman (Corenswet) as he struggles to balance his average life as reporter Clark Kent with his fight for truth, justice, and the American way as Superman. It's not an origin story re-telling, but instead focuses on Superman in his third year of protecting Metropolis. He already has an existing relationship with Lois Lane (Brosnahan), who disagrees with his actions in stopping a war. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor (Hoult) is plotting to take him down.

Check out the trailer for a sneak peek:

Is the new Superman worth watching?

There was a lot riding on Gunn's Superman, and for the most part, it delivers. Mashable's reviewer called it "big summer fun" and "a promise of something greater on the horizon." It's not perfect, but it's certainly a breath of fresh air in the superhero realm. It's drawn in a massive $583 million at the worldwide box office. That not only makes it the highest-grossing superhero movie this year, but the third-highest-grossing film of any genre domestically in 2025.

Superman is also receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews, scoring an impressive 83 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 91 percent audience score.

Mashable's own reviewer sums it up nicely: "In Superman, Gunn has created what may be the single most Silver Age comic book saga ever put to screen."

Read our full review of Superman.

How to watch Superman at home Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Superman hit theaters on July 11, 2025. If you missed out on the full theater experience or if you can't wait to watch it again, there are now a couple of different ways to watch it at home: purchasing or renting via digital video-on-demand. It will also be streaming in the near future. See all the details below.

Buy or rent Superman on digital

As of Aug. 15, the latest Superman movie is available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms like Prime Video. You can buy the movie for your digital library or rent it for 30 days. Just be aware that when you choose the rental option, you'll have 30 days to watch, but only 48 hours to finish once you begin.

You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Rent or buy 'Superman' at Prime Video $19.99 or $29.99 Get Deal Stream Superman on HBO Max (at a later date)

As a Warner Bros. Pictures film, we know that Superman will eventually make its streaming debut on HBO Max — the Warner Bros.-owned streaming service that keeps changing its name. There's no streaming date yet, but we're anticipating a September debut. We'll keep you updated when an official release date is set.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to shave a few bucks off your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.

The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max Basic annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save $19.89) Get Deal

If you choose an annual plan and pay upfront for a year of HBO Max, you can save about 16% compared to a monthly plan. The Basic plan with ads typically goes for $9.99 per month, but if you go annual, that cost drops to about $8.33 per month — a yearly total of just $99.99. We think this is the best HBO Max streaming deal for most people.

Best HBO Max deal with no ads: Save up to 16% on a Max Standard annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Standard annual subscription $169.99 per year (save $33.89) Get Deal

For those who prefer an ad-free experience, you can sign up for either the annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plan and save about 16%. The Standard tier costs either $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.16 per month), while the Premium tier costs either $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month). While both tiers offer ad-free viewing, the Premium tier goes a step further with 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Cricket HBO Max Basic (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

Looking for a way to get HBO Max for free? Switch your phone plan to Cricket's $60 per month Supreme Unlimited plan. HBO Max Basic (with ads) is included for no extra cost. When you open up the HBO Max app, you'll just select Cricket as your provider and use your credentials to log in.

Get HBO Max for free: Sign up for DashPass annual plan Opens in a new window Credit: DoorDash / Max HBO Max (with ads) Free with DashPass annual plan ($8/month) Get Deal

Another way you can get HBO Max for free in 2025 is by signing up for DoorDash's annual DashPass plan for $96 per year ($8 per month). A DashPass membership gets you $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders all year long, plus free streaming (with ads) through HBO Max. You'll just have to activate your HBO Max Basic subscription through your DoorDash account to get started. If you'd rather watch ad-free, you can upgrade for a discounted rate.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can get an entire year of HBO Max Basic (with ads) for half price. Just verify your student status with UNiDAYS and use the discount code you receive to drop the price from $9.99 to $4.99 per month. After the year is through, your subscription will go back up to full price unless you cancel.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ / Hulu / HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

Check out the Disney+ bundle deal if you want the most bang for your buck. It includes Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max for only $16.99 per month with ads. That lineup of streamers would usually cost you $25.97 per month, so you'll keep an extra $9 in your pocket monthly.

The ad-free bundle will run you $29.99 per month as opposed to $48.97. That's up to 38% in savings for access to all three streaming libraries — arguably the best streaming deal around.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The ultimate back-to-school gear guide: 45+ picks for the new semester

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 11:45

It’s that time of year again, to hunt sales, stores, and scroll for the best tech and gear for going back to school. One might say the end of summer and the start of “back to school” season is the OG source of Sunday scaries. While there’s no quick fix for the pain of saying goodbye to hot summer days, summer fun, hanging with friends, and, well, not being in school, there are tons of gadgets to pick up to make that transition a lot easier. The following best tech for back to school can help you study better, relax faster, wake up smoother, or just generally improve the overall vibes of your dorm room, classroom, or the hectic energy of school pickup and drop off. 

There are also numerous free resources available, such as Libby, an e-book and audiobook app accessible with a library card, and Notion, a fully customizable calendar and task management platform. Notion also offers paid templates, such as this excellent layout designed for people and students with ADHD. You can also utilize Text2Speech.org to hear an essay out loud for better proofreading or multitasking your study session.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best laptops for college students going back to school Bedside tech organizer Opens in a new window Credit: Zafit Bedside Storage Organizer $7.99 at Amazon
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Scrolling until the wee hours of the night just got even simpler with this bedside caddy for your phone, tablet, chapstick, and anything else you might want to easily reach for without getting up. 

Extra-long and durable charging cable Opens in a new window Credit: Native Union Native Union USB-C XL Charging Cable $24.99 at Amazon
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This 10-foot cable is perfect for hard-to-configure outlets and charging stations. Not only is this Native Union cable super long, but it also has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon with around 100 reviews, and it won’t die after three uses like so many other long cables seem to love to do. 

Electric heating pad Opens in a new window Credit: Deepsoom Deepsoon Electric Heating Pad $16.99 at Amazon
$18.86 Save $1.87 Shop Now

This heating pad could honestly cook an egg on it at its highest setting. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but this heating pad is so compact and practical— it’s the perfect thing to have stashed in your medicine kit for an injured back or cramps. 

Apple AirTag Apple AirTag $24 at Amazon
$29 Save $5 Shop Now

Nothing is worse than getting into a back-to-school routine and running around looking for things in the morning. Picking up an AirTag for your keys, wallet, or Labubu will save you some future stress. 

Portable air pump Opens in a new window Credit: AstroAI AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Pump for Car and Bike Tires $31.98
$40.49 Save $8.51 Shop Now

If you’re fretting about sending away a college student to fend for themselves, this air pump can help you sleep just a tad more easily at night. With over 100,000 reviews on Amazon, this tire pump turns a no-air situation into no problem. This pump comes in handy when you need air in your tires and beats waiting around for a tow truck. 

Label maker machine Opens in a new window Credit: Phomemo Label Maker Machine with Tape $13.28 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $6.71 Shop Now

This portable little label maker is the perfect gadget for the type A student or parent who likes to have everything labeled. This is also great for a junk journaling student wanting to get creative with their spreads, collages, and entries. 

Paperfeel screen protector Opens in a new window Credit: KCT Paperfeel Screen Protector $6.78 at Amazon
$9.98 Save $3.20 Shop Now

Who would have thought the key to test-acing notes was under $7? This paper-feel screen protector transforms iPad and tablet screens from their typical smooth glass into the texture of crisp blank notebook paper. Writing with an Apple Pencil Pro, which is also totally on this list, gets even more tactile with this satisfying scratchy texture. It makes taking digital notes so much easier and smoother, helping you retain more knowledge, which is what school is all about. 

Ban.do sticker book Opens in a new window Credit: Ban.do Ban.do Sticker Book $13.95 at Amazon
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Amidst the monotony of charging cords, cubes, converting cables, and wallet-stretching investments, a little pop of color is always fun. Sure, there are tons of sticker packs out there, but this book of stickers is annually released by Ban.do and has so many quality, pretty, creatively designed stickers on every page. Stick them on your folders, tech cases, planners, or anything else! 

Neoprene laptop sleeve Opens in a new window Credit: MOSISO MOSISO Laptop Sleeve 13.3 inch $13.99 at Amazon
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This neoprene laptop sleeve is under $25 and can totally save your laptop from scuffs, bangs, and dings that it will naturally incur from being toted around from class to class. Protecting your computer for school can save you a whole lot more than the $13.99 that this cover costs.

Single cast iron burner Opens in a new window Credit: Elite Gourmet Elite GourmetCountertop Single Cast Iron Burner $16.99 at Amazon
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Dorm life is all about optimizing how you manage your meals and snacks. When you don’t want to brave campus for a meal, this single burner can be super helpful for heating things up or cooking a full-course meal in your dorm. Though no promises on how thrilled your roommate will be about the smell of dorm-to-table carbonara. 

Anker USB-C 3-port fast compact foldable wall charger Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker USB-C Fast Charger Port $39.99
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You're trying to charge your phone, but it's taking an hour to get to 20 percent battery life, and all the while the charging brick feels like it could fry an egg. This fast-charging compact brick from Anker has multiple ports, built to handle simultaneous charging up to three devices. 

Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12 Shop Now

So maybe you can’t have real plants in your dorm, but this Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant requires no water and still looks super cool on your bookshelf. It’s on sale right now for $47.99, down from $59.99, which is an excellent steal if you’re looking for back-to-school decor or something to give the student or teacher in your life. If Super Mario isn’t your jam, Lego has a vast array of botanical sets to spark your green (Lego) thumb. 

SEE ALSO: Our 13 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans Three-speed oscillating fan with remote Opens in a new window Credit: IRIS WOOZOO 3-Speed Oscillating Fan with Remote $39.97 at Amazon
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This three-speed oscillating fan comes with a remote, a petite, portable build, and a timer. It offers a soft background noise if that’s something you like at night (without being so loud that it can disturb your roommate). It’s also the perfect size for a bedside table, bookcase, or desk. 

Insulated stainless steel water bottle Opens in a new window Credit: Owala FreeSip Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle $32.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $2 Shop Now

You might have heard about the Owala Freesip hype by now, but if you haven’t, it’s not too late to pick up one of the best water bottles on the market. Owala’s water bottles can keep their contents cool for more than 24 hours, while offering you the option of sucking through a straw or sipping through the mouthpiece. They come in a seemingly never-ending array of unique and visually appealing colors. The best part? The secure lock has never let ME down with drips, drops, or leaking in my bag.  

Charger stand Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker MagSafe Compatible MagGo Charger Stand $35 at Amazon
$53.99 Save $18.99 Shop Now

Sleep easier at night knowing all of your devices (or almost all of them) are also recharging and getting their beauty sleep in one easy-to-reach place. This Anker MagSafe charger stand can charge your phone and AirPods. It’s also super on sale right now, which is just a cherry on top.

Sunrise alarm clock Opens in a new window Credit: Dekala Dekala Sunrise Alarm Clock $30.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $9.00 Shop Now

There are many higher-priced sunrise alarm clocks on the market, but the Dekala sunrise alarm clock is an excellent budget choice for those looking for a sunrise-simulating alarm clock. It includes a dimmable display and multiple alarm sounds to choose from. Regulate your sleep, ease your wake-ups, and even use it as a reading lamp at night. 

SEE ALSO: The cult-favorite Loftie alarm helped me kick my nighttime phone habit USB-C port hub Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker 553 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) $53.99 at Anker
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This Anker 553 takes the No. 1 spot on Amazon in the computers and accessories category — and for good reason. This 8-in-1 USB-C hub is ideal for students, content creators, photographers, or anyone who frequently uses multiple devices and various memory cards. This hub allows you to plug your camera’s SD card directly into your phone, enabling you to upload photos and videos to your heart's content. 

Smart power strip Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip $25.99 at Amazon
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Want to be able to turn things on and off when you’re not home or without getting out of bed? This smart power strip allows you to turn your lights off from your phone or with a Google Home or Alexa device. A power strip is always helpful to have when setting up a new room; one with WiFi connectivity can be even more handy. 

Insulated stainless steel mug Opens in a new window Credit: Zojirushi Zojirushi Stainless Steel 16-ounce Mug $28.49 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $1.50 Shop Now

This vacuum-sealed insulated mug can keep drinks hot or cold for hours upon hours. Keep your coffee hot or your cold brew cold through hours of classes. And, when you get home, the wide mouth makes cleaning much simpler and accessible. 

Portable laptop power bank Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh Portable Charger $109.99
$134.99 Save $25.00 Shop Now

This Anker laptop power bank can be such a lifesaver when you need a quick charge and there’s no outlet in sight. The bank isn’t like your average backup portable phone charger — it can charge multiple devices all at the same time. It’s also a fast-charger with various ports for all your different devices.

SEE ALSO: Our tech reporters' favorite Anker charging accessories Digital camera Opens in a new window Credit: KODAK PIXPRO Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ45-RD 16MP Digital Camera $99.99 at Amazon
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Digital cameras are so back. This Kodak PIXPRO is a great digital camera for capturing pictures with a distinctive digital camera aesthetic. Slip it in your bag, pocket, or attach the wrist strap on your way to football games, parties, and moments you want to remember. 

Lightweight cordless hand vacuum Shark Wandvac Cordless Hand Vac $92.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $7 Shop Now

Perhaps a classroom, dorm, or car isn't the best place to pack a full-size vacuum. Crumbs, dirt, and dust accumulate fast and get so annoying. Pick up this cordless hand vac from Shark for under $100. It has a compact charging dock, while the vacuum itself weighs in at just 1.4 pounds. 

Electric gooseneck kettle Opens in a new window Credit: COSORI COSORI Electric Gooseneck Kettle $69.99 at Amazon
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Tea lovers rejoice, you can take your beloved tea ritual with you to your dorm or classroom. This gooseneck kettle from COSORI has a precision spout for coffee or tea, an LCD display for temperature control, and even a keep warm function. Plus, it will look pretty cool on your counter.

Portable espresso maker Wacaco Picopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with Protective Case $129.90 at Amazon
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This Wacaco portable espresso maker is almost too good to be true. To top it off, it isn’t even electric. Using a hand-driven piston, the device creates rich shots of espresso. Just add hot water and your favorite brand of espresso grounds. 

Inkless portable printer Opens in a new window Credit: Gloryang Gloryang Inkless Portable Printer for Travel $79.99 at Amazon
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Even though many classes are fully digital now, some folks really like to see a physical copy of their drafts, reading assignments, or notes. Edit a physical copy of your upcoming essay with this portable travel printer. It’s inkless and compact, which is great for throwing in your bag and deciding to print something on a whim. Impress the person sitting next to you who forgot to bring their copy of the reading by printing them a quick backup.

Twin XL memory foam mattress topper Opens in a new window Credit: ViscoSoft ViscoSoft 3-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL $159.94 at Amazon
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Viscosoft memory foam mattress topper is the perfect addition to your dorm room and sleep routine. Get deeper and more comfortable sleep on this soft memory foam. It has a removable and washable cover. Viscosoft also has a decent return policy if you decide the memory foam vibe isn’t for you. 

Universal wireless controller Opens in a new window Credit: 8BitDo 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller $59.99 at Amazon
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This 8bitDo Ultimate Two Wireless Controller is the perfect thing to snag for a dorm room gaming setup. This controller has a sleek charging dock that makes for compact storage. The controller works with PC, Switch, and other mobile devices. 

Google Home Opens in a new window Credit: Google Home Google Home with Sleep Sensing $99.99 at Google
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Ever feel like back-to-school season is so busy that you need an assistant? Google Home can fill that void seamlessly. This compact smart home device features a built-in camera for video calls and syncs with your music and video streaming apps. Tell it to shut off the lights, when to wake you up, and to even set pomodoro timers for studying.

Amazon Kindle Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle 16 GB $109 at Amazon
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The newest version of Kindle is just about $100 and works like a charm for reading school assignments or checking out ebooks from the library. Give your eyes a break from staring at computer screens with the Kindle’s glare-free display. This model will stay charged for weeks and take up so much less space in your bag than physical books.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Kindles to help you find the perfect e-reader Skylight Calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Skylight Skylight Digital Calender and Chore Chart $269 at Amazon
$316 Save $47 Shop Now

Back-to-school time for families is rough; it’s so hard to keep track of pickup times and drop-off times. When you add in music lessons, sports practice, and parent-teacher meetings, things can get hectic. Sure, you can have a paper planner on the wall, but a Skylight digital wall calendar and chore chart can be life-changing. This display has an always-on feature so that everyone in the house can be on the same page, which is priceless. 

Chromebook Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus 514 $279 at Best Buy
$429 Save $150 Shop Now

If you find yourself asking, “Do I really need a laptop for school?” you can always pick up this Acer Chromebook Plus. Chromebooks can be an excellent choice for students as they can accomplish most school-related tasks with ease.

Instant smartphone photo printer Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer $79.99 at Amazon
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This Kodak step instant smartphone printer can revolutionize your planner, notes, and, maybe most importantly, your junk journal. Take pictures from your smartphone and instantly print them on this compact device. The opportunities are endless: print mini stickers of all the books that you’ve read, print mini tarot cards for your journal entries, or print photo stickers of selfies with friends.

Apple Watch Apple Watch SE 2nd Generation $169 at Walmart
$343.43 Save $174.43 Shop Now

This model of the Apple Watch is the best in tech for back to school because of its price point, battery life, and size. Receive calls, texts, and notifications on your wrist while tracking your steps, fitness, heart rate, and more. 

Apple Pencil Pro Apple Pencil Pro $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Shop Now

The Apple Pencil Pro is one of those products that is so well made it almost feels analog. Take seamless digital notes on your iPad with this stylus that conveniently magnetically charges on the side of newer iPads. It’s also on sale for under $100 at the time of writing.

Open-ear Bluetooth bone conduction sport headphones SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Open-Ear Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones $124.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $35.00 Shop Now

These headphones are excellent for the jogger moving to a new campus. Stay safe from bikes, cars, and pedestrians while going for a jog in a new place with the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Open-Ear Bluetooth bone conduction headphones. 

Espresso machine and drip coffee maker Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series Espresso Machine and Drip Coffee Maker $599 at Amazon
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OK, so this Espresso Machine from Ninja is not ideal for a dorm. If you’re moving into a new apartment and want to splurge on a nice coffee setup, this machine offers so many different options. Make a latte, cortado, americano, drip coffee, cold brew, or cold foam with this machine. 

Asus ROG Ally 7 Opens in a new window Credit: Asus ROG Asus ROG Ally 7 $499 at Best Buy
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This portable Windows gaming console runs PC games super well. It has a ton of horsepower in its sleek, compact device design. This is a perfect investment for gamers who can’t have a full PC setup at school. 

Amazon Kindle Scribe Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB) $449.99 at Amazon
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If you’re an avid Kindle fan and want to take your relationship to the next level, you could consider getting an Amazon Kindle Scribe. This device is awesome for those Kindle users who have wished they could take some quick notes on that classic anti-glare surface. The stylus writes quite seamlessly, and the interface for saving your notes is intuitive and user-friendly. 

Oura Ring Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring 4 $349 at Amazon
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Going back to school is such a shift in your daily routine. There are new wake-up routines to manage, bedtime routines to get used to, and just a whole different level of demand during the day. The Oura Ring Gen 4 can track your activity, temperature, heart rate, HRV, and menstrual cycle. Get unique insights into your sleep quality, energy levels, and even alerts from their “symptom radar” that warns you to take it easy and rest.  

Switch 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $499 at Walmart
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If there’s anything to gift a student heading off to school, it might just be the Switch 2. Sure, it has very little to do with actual school, but recreation is important, too. Back-to-school season is sometimes all work and no play, but the newest portable gaming console on the market can help with that. The new Switch 2 has numerous exciting releases, including a new Mario Kart, which is always an enticing game for new friends to explore together. 

Noise-cancelling headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones $398 at Amazon
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These headphones are hands-down some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. They’re often on sale, down from their usual $399, and more affordable than the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. They’re smooth, sleek, durable, and simple to connect to your devices. The audio quality is simply excellent. 

Smart TV projector Opens in a new window Credit: XGIMI XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro $399 at Amazon
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Dorms really can’t handle a whole TV, but this projector offers built-in streaming services and a compact, sleek design that can simply slip into a drawer. Project a movie for a night in, or any number of aesthetic videos onto the ceiling for the vibes alone. 

Apple iPad mini Apple Pad mini A17 Pro chip 128GB $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100 Shop Now

An iPad mini is honestly such an excellent sidekick for students. It’s compact and capable of so much. Read and annotate class assignments with ease, take notes, add to your online calendar, all while texting, FaceTiming, or scrolling your usual apps. 

3-in-1 microwave air fryer Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Convection Microwave $499 at Best Buy
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This microwave is basically the holy grail of microwaves because it’s also a convection oven and an air fryer. Get the convenient benefits from all three in one device. An added touch that makes this such a well-made appliance is its quiet-close door and minimal sound. 

Laser projector with Google TV Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector, Upgraded with Google TV $579.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $170 Get Deal

This projector is a little bit of a higher price point, but with it, you get outdoor versatility, longer battery life, and a precise laser-quality image. It has Google TV and Netflix built in, weighing in at two pounds. This makes it a valuable addition for campus movie nights, karaoke parties, or marathon watching your favorite shows. 

Apple MacBook Air Apple M4 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop $999 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $200 Get Deal

You can’t go wrong with this Apple 2025 MacBook Air. Coming in right under $1,000, this MacBook offers excellent horsepower for anything that school assignments ask of you. It has the latest M4 chip, which offers wicked-fast performance. It has that quintessential MacBook Air sleek design and lightweight portability for accompanying you anywhere you go. 

Lightweight folding e-bike Opens in a new window Credit: Brompton Brompton C Line Explore Folding Bike Mid $1,900 at Brompton
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The Brompton C Line Explore Folding E-Bike is an investment, but also potentially a perfect transportation method for getting around campus. Save on transit or car costs without breaking a sweat when you zip around to class on this 26-pound, six-speed e-bike. Plus, this steel frame e-bike folds up nice and compact for storage at your side during class or in the corner of your room. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

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