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As the creator economy becomes increasingly crowded, individuals may be looking for new ways to get seen. According to a new report from Giggster, having an OnlyFans link in your Linktree is apparently the way to obtain search visibility.

SEE ALSO: How many OnlyFans millionaires are there? New report reveals the hard numbers.

In an analysis of nearly 5,000 verified, person-led Linktree profiles in the U.S., those with OnlyFans links were a major driver of creator search visibility, Giggster reported. Fifty-five percent of profiles analyzed had OnlyFans links, yet they accounted for 76.4 percent of the share of Ahrefs Traffic Value. (Ahrefs Traffic Value is an estimate of the monthly cost of a page's organic traffic if it were purchased through pay-per-click advertising.)

The median traffic value of an OnlyFans-linked profile was around 8.2 times higher than that of one without an OnlyFans link.

This is antithetical to what adult creators discuss in terms of visibility on social media. Last year, for a story on age-verification laws, porn performer Siri Dahl told Mashable that Instagram has become strict with the links allowed in people's bios, and that Linktrees were starting to get "blacklisted" due to their association with OnlyFans creators. (Neither Instagram nor Linktree responded to Mashable's request for comment at the time.)

In May, creator platform ONA published an article about Instagram reach dropping after adding a Linktree or OnlyFans link, as well.

Giggster's report also found that the top creators overall hold a majority of the search value. In Washington, for instance, the top 10 percent of creators generate nearly all (96.3 percent) of the state's creator search value. California has the lowest concentration of the 10 states Giggster named, but the top 10 percent still generate 81.6 percent of its search value.

After years of jumping between Google Pay and Google Wallet, the company finally settled on Google Wallet as its one-stop destination for everything from contactless payments to digital IDs. Here are some of its helpful features to make your life easier.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on Nov. 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. As far as anyone knows, it could be years before there's a PC version of the hotly anticipated open-world crime game (fortunately, we don't think it will take that long). But if you want to play the game right away, then it's time for you to figure out which version to buy.

After pre-orders opened, IGN reported that PS5 versions of the game were outselling Xbox at an eight-to-one ratio. Microsoft denied these numbers, of course, but if IGN's readers are representative of gamers as a whole, then players are certainly leaning in a very clear direction.

So, should you play GTA 6 on PS5 or Xbox? There are a lot of variables that make this a difficult question to answer. That said, we're going to do our best. Here is everything you need to know before buying GTA VI on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X

SEE ALSO: Could GTA 6 teach Gen Z how to be in a relationship? Grand Theft Auto VI: PS5 or Series X?

The first thing to note here is that the only official gameplay footage we've seen of GTA 6 comes from a 26-minute extended look released on Netflix in late August. It lived up to the hype, but less than half an hour of carefully curated footage is not a great way to determine the technical ins and outs of a video game.

It's also worth pointing out, though, that the Netflix footage was captured on PlayStation 5. Sony has even said in its marketing that the game "plays best on PS5."

"Thanks to the close partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto VI will play best on PS5 by taking advantage of PS5’s immersive features to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience when it launches on November 19," a Sony blog post reads.

The company hasn't divulged any real details as to how or why it's best on PS5, though. Until the game is in our hands, we can't know for sure, though.

One thing we do know is that GTA VI is a graphical powerhouse. Digital Foundry, an outlet known for technical breakdowns of video game visuals, called it arguably "the most impressive example of real-time game rendering" they've seen yet. The power differential between the PS5 and Series X is not particularly significant, so based on what we saw on Netflix, there's every reason to expect that the Xbox Series X version will be comparable, at least.

Just be warned that, according to Digital Foundry (and also according to what little I know about video game rendering), the game will almost certainly not ship with a 60 frames per second mode, and it may not ever get one on these consoles. But 30 FPS is fine; you'll get used to it.

What about Xbox Series S?

One major question a lot of folks will have is whether GTA 6 will still look good and play well on an Xbox Series S. Both Xbox and PlayStation consoles are prohibitively expensive right now due to RAMageddon, so the cheaper Series S represents the best value of the bunch at $500. It's cheaper because it's a weaker device, though. It's compatible with the same games as the Series X, but many of those games are compromised in some way.

We don't know anything about the Series S version of GTA VI right now. But if I had to guess, I would assume it runs at a lower resolution and has some other settings turned down, at the very least. I would be stunned if Rockstar released it in an unplayable state, but weirder things have happened.

More information about GTA VI's tech specs on these platforms is sure to come out before Nov. 19, and we'll keep you updated as it comes in.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at GameStop 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Ultimate Edition: PS5 or Xbox $99.99 at PlayStation Store
  Pre-order Here at PlayStation Store Pre-order Here at Xbox Pre-order Here at Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on Nov. 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. As far as anyone knows, it could be years before there's a PC version of the hotly anticipated open-world crime game (fortunately, we don't think it will take that long). But if you want to play the game right away, then it's time for you to figure out which version to buy.

After pre-orders opened, IGN reported that PS5 versions of the game were outselling Xbox at an eight-to-one ratio. Microsoft denied these numbers, of course, but if IGN's readers are representative of gamers as a whole, then players are certainly leaning in a very clear direction.

So, should you play GTA 6 on PS5 or Xbox? There are a lot of variables that make this a difficult question to answer. That said, we're going to do our best. Here is everything you need to know before buying GTA VI on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X

SEE ALSO: Could GTA 6 teach Gen Z how to be in a relationship? Grand Theft Auto VI: PS5 or Series X?

The first thing to note here is that the only official gameplay footage we've seen of GTA 6 comes from a 26-minute extended look released on Netflix in late August. It lived up to the hype, but less than half an hour of carefully curated footage is not a great way to determine the technical ins and outs of a video game.

It's also worth pointing out, though, that the Netflix footage was captured on PlayStation 5. Sony has even said in its marketing that the game "plays best on PS5."

"Thanks to the close partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto VI will play best on PS5 by taking advantage of PS5’s immersive features to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience when it launches on November 19," a Sony blog post reads.

The company hasn't divulged any real details as to how or why it's best on PS5, though. Until the game is in our hands, we can't know for sure, though.

One thing we do know is that GTA VI is a graphical powerhouse. Digital Foundry, an outlet known for technical breakdowns of video game visuals, called it arguably "the most impressive example of real-time game rendering" they've seen yet. The power differential between the PS5 and Series X is not particularly significant, so based on what we saw on Netflix, there's every reason to expect that the Xbox Series X version will be comparable, at least.

Just be warned that, according to Digital Foundry (and also according to what little I know about video game rendering), the game will almost certainly not ship with a 60 frames per second mode, and it may not ever get one on these consoles. But 30 FPS is fine; you'll get used to it.

What about Xbox Series S?

One major question a lot of folks will have is whether GTA 6 will still look good and play well on an Xbox Series S. Both Xbox and PlayStation consoles are prohibitively expensive right now due to RAMageddon, so the cheaper Series S represents the best value of the bunch at $500. It's cheaper because it's a weaker device, though. It's compatible with the same games as the Series X, but many of those games are compromised in some way.

We don't know anything about the Series S version of GTA VI right now. But if I had to guess, I would assume it runs at a lower resolution and has some other settings turned down, at the very least. I would be stunned if Rockstar released it in an unplayable state, but weirder things have happened.

More information about GTA VI's tech specs on these platforms is sure to come out before Nov. 19, and we'll keep you updated as it comes in.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at GameStop 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Ultimate Edition: PS5 or Xbox $99.99 at PlayStation Store
  Pre-order Here at PlayStation Store Pre-order Here at Xbox Pre-order Here at Rockstar Games

Just as BookTok goes through phases with its favorite books, it channels the same attitude toward e-readers. While Kindles are undoubtedly the e-reader to reign supreme, plenty of competitors come in swinging to dethrone it. The latest is Boox.

In between users touting their Kobo Clara and Kindle Paperwhite on BookTok, you'll also find a passionate, dedicated group of people discussing their Boox e-reader. The Palma Pro 2, in particular, has caught the interest of plenty of folks who want an e-reader even smaller than what Kindle can offer. Having tested several Boox e-readers myself, I was admittedly surprised by the device's popularity because these aren't your regular old e-readers but are instead e-ink tablets.

Unlike Kindles or Kobos, Boox e-readers let you access any app in the Google Play Store, so your books from any app (excluding Apple Books) are all available on one device. Ever dreamed of being able to update your Storygraph or GoodReads right on your e-reader? Well, you can download those to your Boox, too.

So here's what to know about Boox, the e-readers that BookTok can't get enough of.

What is Boox? Boox e-readers may be rising in popularity but they've been around for almost two decades. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Boox e-readers are manufactured by Onyx International, a Chinese-based technology company. Onyx created Boox e-readers as an alternative to traditional smartphones and tablets, which have bright screens that cause eye fatigue and strain. The e-ink tablets have softer interfaces so you can read for hours at a time without bright, glossy blue light.

SEE ALSO: How to turn a tablet into an e-reader: The best settings and accessories

Onyx e-readers were also among the first to use Android 10, a departure from traditional e-readers like the Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo, which run on independent operating systems.

Are Boox e-readers or tablets?

But are Boox e-readers actually e-readers? Because Boox runs on an Android operating system, any Android app can be downloaded to the device.

This is very different from Kindle or Kobo, which both run Linux-based operating systems. These unique OSes usually allow you to download and read books and explore new titles. However, there's no option to download other apps and access a home page as you'd expect on a smartphone or tablet.

Read books on nearly any app on a Boox e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Boox e-readers do have a library built into their OS, but they also have a standard home screen with access to the Google Play Store. That means any app in the Google Play Store can be downloaded onto the device. Technically, this makes them e-ink tablets, meaning they're like traditional tablets but with a matte e-ink display.

The perk of traditional e-readers is their distraction-free UX, so even though they're still digital devices, they're limited in their capabilities. But a Boox exposes you to more distractions. Luckily, they aren't that powerful and don't have nearly as much computing power as even a smartphone. So even though you have access to a world of apps and the internet, it doesn't mean you have the processing power to fully enjoy them.

What models of Boox are available? There are eight available Boox e-reader and e-ink tablets including the Palma 2 Pro and Go 6 (Gen 2). Credit: Boox / Mashable

Boox has lots of models, including past generations of current models, but not all of them are available. Here are the current tablets and e-readers available from Boox.

E-ink tablets

• Tab X C

• Note Max

• Note Air5 C

E-readers

• Go 10.3 (Gen 2)

• Go 7

• Go Color 7 (Gen 2)

• Go 6 (Gen 2)

• Palma 2 Pro

We're in the midst of testing Boox's e-readers with reviews of the Go 10.3 (Gen 2) and Go 6 (Gen 2) coming soon. For notes on our favorite e-readers, check out our guide to the best e-readers.

Are there privacy and security concerns with Boox e-readers?

When covering Boox's devices, there's some concern about Boox's privacy and security. This stems from Boox e-readers being designed and manufactured in China, and some users are concerned that the devices "phone home," meaning they send data back to servers in China. To be fair, on a Kindle, Amazon also takes your data, following nearly every book you read, including your bookmarks and annotations.

There are no known security threats associated with using a Boox e-reader; however, if you'd prefer to be in control of your data, you can download an app like NetGuard to your Boox e-reader via the Google Play Store. NetGuard is a cybersecurity app that lets you block WiFi usage for certain apps, allowing only the apps you want to operate over your network. Since Kindle runs on a closed system, you can't install NetGuard on your device. If you want more control over your data, a Boox e-reader might be a better option.

SAVE $600.99: As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro Robot Lawn Mower $1,399 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $600.99   Get Deal

Fall may be here, but that isn't stopping high temperatures from putting a damper on our outdoor fun. It's still sticky and sweaty outside for many, and mowing the grass doesn't sound like a great idea. You don't have to deal with it yourself. In fact, you can get a robot lawn mower to handle the job for you in this day and age, and you totally should. Today, you can snatch up a great model on Amazon for an even better price.

As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's $600.99 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: Best-ever deal: The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is $311 off at Amazon

This robot lawn mower can handle lawns up to 0.5 acres, and it can navigate all on its own. It uses dual LiDAR to map out your yard as well as AIVI 3D obstacle avoidance so it doesn't run into fencing or other items in your yard. That means you don't have to manually map things out and help it avoid any fenced areas, trees, or rocks that may be in the way.

In addition to navigational help, it has its own built-in edge trimmers and options to set your cutting length. Then, once your lawn mower has completed a cycle in your yard, it'll need to recharge. It can do so in under an hour at 50 minutes. That means you won't be left waiting for it to juice back up, and it can handle a backyard after the front yard.

If you're ready to ditch the to-do list task of mowing your yard, it's high time you went ahead and invested in a robot to hire for the job. Now's a good time to do so with this discount.

SAVE $600.99: As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro Robot Lawn Mower $1,399 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $600.99   Get Deal

Fall may be here, but that isn't stopping high temperatures from putting a damper on our outdoor fun. It's still sticky and sweaty outside for many, and mowing the grass doesn't sound like a great idea. You don't have to deal with it yourself. In fact, you can get a robot lawn mower to handle the job for you in this day and age, and you totally should. Today, you can snatch up a great model on Amazon for an even better price.

As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's $600.99 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: Best-ever deal: The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is $311 off at Amazon

This robot lawn mower can handle lawns up to 0.5 acres, and it can navigate all on its own. It uses dual LiDAR to map out your yard as well as AIVI 3D obstacle avoidance so it doesn't run into fencing or other items in your yard. That means you don't have to manually map things out and help it avoid any fenced areas, trees, or rocks that may be in the way.

In addition to navigational help, it has its own built-in edge trimmers and options to set your cutting length. Then, once your lawn mower has completed a cycle in your yard, it'll need to recharge. It can do so in under an hour at 50 minutes. That means you won't be left waiting for it to juice back up, and it can handle a backyard after the front yard.

If you're ready to ditch the to-do list task of mowing your yard, it's high time you went ahead and invested in a robot to hire for the job. Now's a good time to do so with this discount.

Did you suddenly get locked out of your Samsung account without an explanation? Don't worry. You're not the only one.

According to user reports across social media and official support forums, some Samsung smartphone users have found that their Samsung accounts have been randomly deactivated, locking them out of some central features on their devices.

Reddit

"Can't sign in," the prompt reads when a user attempts to sign in to their account. "Account deactivated for security reasons."

Without the ability to login to their Samsung account, users cannot access Samsung apps such as Wallet, SmartThings, and Find.

Affected Samsung users have reported the issue on Samsung's official support forums and on social media platforms such as Reddit. Some say they have successfully complained to Samsung support to get their account unlocked. Samsung customer service reportedly told users who reached out that it's a known issue and that they are working on fixing.

While it's unclear exactly what's going on, some users have speculated on Reddit that the account deactivation issue only affects Samsung accounts that use a Gmail alias, which uses the "+" sign in their email address. In a Reddit comment thread, most users confirmed that their deactivated Samsung accounts used a Gmail alias.

Mashable has reached out to Samsung for more information and will update this piece if we receive more information.

A lot of gamers are understandably concerned when they first boot up their new gaming PC and discover that their expensive graphics card is hitting temperatures north of 80°C.

The best Labor Day TV deals at a glance: Best QLED TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 (save $1,102) Get Deal Best RGB TV deal Samsung 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best OLED TV deal LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $1,200) Get Deal

Labor Day isn't just the unofficial kick off of fall and football season, it's also a great time to score tech at cheaper prices. TV deals are particularly impressive this week, with some of our favorite models of 2026 down to record lows. If you've been putting off upgrading your TV, now's a great time to take the leap.

More deals will likely pop up leading into the weekend, but with some of these models at their best prices ever, there's really no need to wait. I've rounded up the best Labor Day TV deals worth adding to your cart below.

Best QLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,102.00   Get Deal Why we like it

TCL's QM8L SQD-Mini-LED TV is our favorite QLED TV for most people. Mashable's TV expert shouts out its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling" in her review. She also dubs it one of the brightest TVs you can buy, period, which is largely due to its "super quantum dot mini LEDs" (the SQD in its name). It clocks in at $2,499.99 for the 65-inch model on a normal day, but for Labor Day, it's down to a best-ever $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's 44% in savings.

Best OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The LG C6 is what we'd call the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices, and the best OLED TV for most people. With a $1,200 discount, the 65-inch model is the same price as the 55-inch option on a normal day. It also happens to be its best price on record. The C6 features inky black levels, stark contrast, improved audio, peak brightness, and refresh rate over its predecessor, and a generally impeccable picture quality.

Best RGB TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,099.99 Save $600.00   Get Deal Why we like it

RGB TVs were easily the biggest TV trend at CES 2026 and Samsung's R95H is easily the best RGB TV of the year. However, it's pretty dang expensive, even on sale ($2,799 for the 65-inch option). On the other hand, its more affordable sibling, the R85H, is down to a much more palatable $1,499.99 for the 65-inch version. Like the R95H, it uses individual red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver better color accuracy than non-RGB TVs. It's almost too vivid. If you're curious about RGB TVs, it's a solid entry-level option that won't require emptying your wallet.

More Labor Day TV deals50 to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 LED 4K TV — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV — $259.99 $469.99 (save $210)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,299.99 (save $600)

• Hisense 55-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,499.99 (save $600)

65-inch TV deals

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,799.99 (save $900)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,002)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,298 $1,598 (save $300)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $1,999.99 (save $602)

• LG 65-Inch B6 OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $1,999.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,697.99 (save $1,100)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD QLED 4K TV — $2,498 $3,299.99 (save $801.99)

• Samsung 65-inch S95H OLED 4K TV — $2,799.99 $3,399.99 (save $600)

75-inch TV deals

• Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,399.99 (save $602)

• Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

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

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II RGB 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro QLED 4K TV — $2,397.99 $2,797.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch R95H RGB 4K TV — $3,799.99 $4,499.99 (save $700)

80 to 85-inch TV deals

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

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini-LED 4K TV — $1097.99 $1,999.99 (save $902)

• Samsung 85-inch M80H Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Hisense 85-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,102)

• Hisense 85-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $2,199.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,300)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch U6 Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,000)

• TCL 98-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

• Hisense 100-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $3,499.99 $5,999.99 (save $2,500)

The best Labor Day TV deals at a glance: Best QLED TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 (save $1,102) Get Deal Best RGB TV deal Samsung 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best OLED TV deal LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $1,200) Get Deal

Labor Day isn't just the unofficial kick off of fall and football season, it's also a great time to score tech at cheaper prices. TV deals are particularly impressive this week, with some of our favorite models of 2026 down to record lows. If you've been putting off upgrading your TV, now's a great time to take the leap.

More deals will likely pop up leading into the weekend, but with some of these models at their best prices ever, there's really no need to wait. I've rounded up the best Labor Day TV deals worth adding to your cart below.

Best QLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,102.00   Get Deal Why we like it

TCL's QM8L SQD-Mini-LED TV is our favorite QLED TV for most people. Mashable's TV expert shouts out its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling" in her review. She also dubs it one of the brightest TVs you can buy, period, which is largely due to its "super quantum dot mini LEDs" (the SQD in its name). It clocks in at $2,499.99 for the 65-inch model on a normal day, but for Labor Day, it's down to a best-ever $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's 44% in savings.

Best OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The LG C6 is what we'd call the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices, and the best OLED TV for most people. With a $1,200 discount, the 65-inch model is the same price as the 55-inch option on a normal day. It also happens to be its best price on record. The C6 features inky black levels, stark contrast, improved audio, peak brightness, and refresh rate over its predecessor, and a generally impeccable picture quality.

Best RGB TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,099.99 Save $600.00   Get Deal Why we like it

RGB TVs were easily the biggest TV trend at CES 2026 and Samsung's R95H is easily the best RGB TV of the year. However, it's pretty dang expensive, even on sale ($2,799 for the 65-inch option). On the other hand, its more affordable sibling, the R85H, is down to a much more palatable $1,499.99 for the 65-inch version. Like the R95H, it uses individual red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver better color accuracy than non-RGB TVs. It's almost too vivid. If you're curious about RGB TVs, it's a solid entry-level option that won't require emptying your wallet.

More Labor Day TV deals50 to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 LED 4K TV — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV — $259.99 $469.99 (save $210)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,299.99 (save $600)

• Hisense 55-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,499.99 (save $600)

65-inch TV deals

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,799.99 (save $900)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,002)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,298 $1,598 (save $300)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $1,999.99 (save $602)

• LG 65-Inch B6 OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $1,999.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,697.99 (save $1,100)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD QLED 4K TV — $2,498 $3,299.99 (save $801.99)

• Samsung 65-inch S95H OLED 4K TV — $2,799.99 $3,399.99 (save $600)

75-inch TV deals

• Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,399.99 (save $602)

• Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

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

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II RGB 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro QLED 4K TV — $2,397.99 $2,797.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch R95H RGB 4K TV — $3,799.99 $4,499.99 (save $700)

80 to 85-inch TV deals

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Most of us sit on our couches to watch movies or shows, just to get out of our routine lives bound by work, household chores, tasks, and duties. And what better way to do it than watching a thriller that keeps us hooked until the end? I love the genre, especially the thrillers that play with my mind.

While the internet is salivating in wait for Apple's big iPhone 18 launch event later this month, one prominent Apple reporter just gave us some hard info about the rumored iPhone Ultra.

In a video interview published on the Tom's Guide YouTube channel, Bloomberg reporter and Apple prognosticator Mark Gurman shared some of what he's heard about the foldable iPhone Ultra. Apple has not yet officially announced the device, but it's been part of the rumor mill for years, and it's widely expected to make its debut at Apple's big "Surprise and Shine" event on Sept. 9.

SEE ALSO: The Galaxy S27 Ultra might look like an Apple iPhone

First, the most important details: Gurman said he expects the phone to launch at the same time as or a little bit later than the iPhone 18 Pro. In other words, it'll come out within a few weeks of the event, possibly as soon as Sept. 19. He also said the phone will cost at least $2,000, which is not terribly surprising.

Gurman also laid out some specs and software details for the device. It will reportedly have a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner display, which matches up with previous reporting . Gurman also said it will have MagSafe support, which was a major question about the device leading up to its announcement. On top of that, the phone will contain, per Gurman, the "latest Apple Pro chip and latest Apple modem."

Beyond those basic details, Gurman spoke of the crease, saying it's not entirely invisible but is comparable to the one found on recent Samsung foldables. (That makes sense, as Apple tapped Samsung to make the flexible display for the device.) He also claimed the phone is meant to be as durable as any other iPhone. So far, only Google and Honor have offered foldables with an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating, so it will be interesting to see if Apple can match or exceed that protection.

Lastly, Gurman said that iOS 27 will have support for multi-tasking and split-screen app views. You'll be able to drag and drop elements from one app to another, similar to how other foldables have worked for years.

It's only a matter of days before all of this is proven right or wrong.

Top Apple Deals we found this week:

• Apple AirTag 2 (4-Pack) — $79.99 $99 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) — $649 $749 (save $100)

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• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Shop all the best Apple Labor Day deals

The memory shortage wages on while as we adapt to new prices for the tech we've come to depend on. Finding a suitable laptop with ample memory for your needs can feel like a struggle these days. Apple raised prices recently and now even the most affordable MacBook, the MacBook Neo, comes with a list price of $699.

That makes shopping sales feel all the more important these days. With Labor Day quickly approaching, we're seeing some decent deals on laptops. Are these as good as those we saw about a month ago during back-to-school shopping? Not really. But plenty are still well worth considering. If you're hobbling along with a slow laptop, check out these deals.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 M5 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,849.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $149.01   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're an artist, create content, or like to game in your free time, the M5 MacBook Pro is a great model. The excellent battery life paired with solid mix of ports makes this a great model for taking along on a day of content creation or a work trip.

This model saw a $300 price hike thanks to RAMageddon, so seeing it at $150 off helps ease the pain a bit.

Best 2-in-1 laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 2K Touchscreen Laptop (Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $749.99 at Best Buy
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Like the name hints at, the Lenovo Yoga is a versatile laptop that can sit in a standard position, fold flat for use like a tablet, or get propped up for watching your favorite shows. The $749.99 sale model comes with the Intel Core 7 256v processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB SSD. The 16-inch display size is nice for not feeling like you're sacrificing on size but also not hauling around a chunk of a machine.

Best travel laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 9, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,199.99 at Amazon
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With two OLED displays, the Asus Zenbook Duo has some unique features going for it that could be perfect for you. There's standard laptop mode, dual screen mode, desktop mode which moves the two monitors in a side-by-side position, and sharing mode which allows both screens to be in clear view.

If you're like me and travel with a laptop in addition to a portable monitor, the Asus Zenbook Duo combines the two into one convenient machine with extras. Not to mention the OLED displays make for great viewing.

TL;DR: MoMA and Baggu launched a 13-piece collection featuring works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Ruth Asawa, Piet Mondrian, and Alma Woodsey Thomas across bags and accessories. Prices start at $18, and the collection is available through Oct. 25.

Baggu and MoMA just teamed up on a new collection that puts some very recognizable works of art on some of Baggu’s most popular bags and accessories. The collection includes 13 styles featuring work from Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Ruth Asawa, Piet Mondrian, and Alma Woodsey Thomas.

The collection launched today and brings artwork from MoMA’s collection into everyday bags, totes, charms, and accessories. Prices start at $18, so you don't need to drop a fortune to get in on the collab.

The two brands are bringing five artists from MoMA's collection to Baggu's everyday designs. The collection brings several familiar works from MoMA’s collection to Baggu’s everyday bags.

Van Gogh, Monet, and Mondrian are all here

The MoMA Baggu Standard Baggu ($18) is available with artwork by:

• Vincent van Gogh: The Starry Night (1889)

• Claude Monet: Agapanthus (1914–26)

• Ruth Asawa: Poppy (1965)

• Piet Mondrian: Broadway Boogie Woogie (1942–43)

• Alma Woodsey Thomas: Untitled (c. 1968)

So yes, you can now take The Starry Night to the grocery store.

Explore artwork across different Baggu offerings. Credit: MoMA / Baggu There’s more than just the classic Baggu tote

The collection also brings MoMA artwork to some of Baggu’s other popular silhouettes and accessories.

• MoMA Baggu Tote Charm ($24) — A miniature tote bag charm inspired by Baggu’s bestselling canvas totes, featuring the MoMA logo and a tiny version of the bag to add to your actual bag.

• MoMA Baggu Duck Bag ($46–$48) — The MoMA Baggu Duck Bag comes in two designs: Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Piet Mondrian’s Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow.

• MoMA Baggu Medium Nylon Reversible Tote ($62) — The MoMA Baggu Medium Nylon Reversible Tote costs $62 and features Ruth Asawa’s Nasturtiums. The artwork is printed on one side, while the reverse is a rich brown.

• MoMA Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket ($74) — The MoMA Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket features Claude Monet’s Agapanthus. It’s made from recycled nylon sourced from pre-consumer waste and lets you take the artwork outside the museum, or just to your next picnic.

MoMA and Baggu have been working together since 2009, when MoMA Design Store first began exploring Baggu’s designs. The partnership later produced MoMA-exclusive pieces, including a 2011 collaboration that adapted Milton Glaser’s I LOVE NY graphic.

This latest collection takes that relationship a step further by bringing works directly from MoMA’s collection to Baggu’s everyday bags and accessories.

Where to shop the MoMA x Baggu collection

The collection is available starting today at MoMA Design Store, including the SoHo location, and online at MoMA. The collection is available through Oct. 25, while select styles will also be sold at Baggu stores and at Baggu online.

Florence Pugh steps into the shoes of one of literature's great villains in East of Eden, an upcoming limited series from Netflix.

SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about

Based on John Steinbeck's magnum opus, East of Eden is written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks, The Big Sick). Notably, her grandfather Elia Kazan directed the 1955 East of Eden movie starring James Dean. However, while that film only adapted the final section of the novel, Zoe Kazan's series looks to adapt more of Steinbeck's multigenerational epic, with an extra focus on Cathy Ames (Pugh).

Characterized as pure evil and a monster with a "malformed soul," Cathy is East of Eden's primary antagonist. She and her husband Adam Trask (Christopher Abbott) settle in the Salinas Valley, where she gives birth to twins Cal (Joseph Zada) and Aron (Joe Anders). What follows is a sprawling riff on the Cain and Abel story from Genesis.

East of Eden's first full-length trailer introduces the key players from each generation, including Adam and his half-brother Charles (Mike Faist), Trask family servant Lee (Hoon Lee), and Cal and Aron. At the center of it all is Pugh's commanding take on Cathy. Jo Van Fleet won an Academy Award for her role as Cathy in the 1955 East of Eden. Could Pugh be in for similar acclaim?

East of Eden premieres Oct. 1 on Netflix.

SAVE UP TO $150: As of Sep. 1, save up to $150 on Alienware gaming monitors at Amazon. Get the Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor for $289.99, down from its usual price of $349.99, which is 17% off. Alternatively, choose the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor for $649.99, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of 19%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor $289.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $60   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor $649.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $150   Get Deal

A great display can make or break a good gaming session. If you're going to invest in one for your gaming setup, a gaming monitor is the way to go. Alienware is already a respected name in the space, and right now you can save big on a pair of monitors from the brand by way of these Amazon sales. We've selected two that you can pick up right now while saving a significant amount of cash on both.

As of Sep. 1, save up to $150 on Alienware gaming monitors at Amazon. Get the Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor for $289.99, down from its usual price of $349.99, which is a discount of $60 and 17% off. Alternatively, choose the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor for $649.99, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of $150 and 19% off.

SEE ALSO: Samsung just announced a 1,100Hz gaming monitor (yes, I'm serious)

The Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor offers a 34-inch ultrawide panel with WQHD resolution and a 1500R curve. Paired with a 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, it's a great yet affordable option that boasts DCI-P3 95% color coverage as well as AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA Adaptive Sync so you can get the best picture possible while staying in your budget range.

The Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor is a pricier option with all the bells and whistles you need to immerse yourself in all your favorite game worlds. It offers WQHD quality with QD-OLED color range and clarity with an 1800R curve, 0.03ms response time, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, VESA Adaptive Sync, and DisplayHDR True Black 400 all with a 240Hz refresh rate.

If you're ready for a big monitor upgrade, now's the time to grab one of these models and get set up. There's a huge game getting ready to drop in November if you haven't heard.

Running out of storage usually means one thing—hovering over the downloads folder with increasingly desperate intent and looking for anything you can move to an external drive. But unless you’ve genuinely run out of files to delete, the problem likely isn’t what you have; it’s how much space Windows is quietly using behind the scenes. It turns out that a surprising amount of storage is tied to temporary files, recovery data, old updates, and system clutter. The good thing is that you don’t need another PC cleaner because Windows already has a capable cleanup kit built-in.

LED strip lighting is all the rage, and for good reason. It’s cheap, versatile, easily integrates with smart home platforms, and it’s easier than ever to make your own.

Jeremiah Brown didn't leave Love Island USA with a master plan to become a full-time creator. In fact, before entering the villa, his social media presence was relatively sparse: a few book reviews, some funny videos, and an Instagram account that functioned mostly as a modeling portfolio.

But when Brown returned to the real world, he quickly realized just how many people were paying attention. Rather than simply ride the post-reality-TV wave, he and his older sister sat down and created a seven-page strategy for what came next. The pillars were simple — books and mental health, fitness and travel, and the lifestyle content that already reflected his interests.

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators defining the internet in 2026

That strategy has since turned Brown into something of an unexpected BookTok favorite. He runs a book club, hosts IRL reading meetups, streams on Twitch, and recently attended Kai Cenat's Streamer University, where he spent five days broadcasting what he calls the "unfiltered, unedited version of Jeremiah Brown."

Mashable spoke with Brown about turning reality-TV attention into a sustainable creator career, why comments matter more to him than views, embracing his reputation as a "performative male" who drinks matcha and reads, and the advice he'd give anyone trying to build an audience online.

Jeremiah Brown is beating the performative male allegations one book at a time. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images/Entangled Publishing/HarperCollins/Twitch//Streamer University

Mashable: You recently attended Kai Cenat's Streamer University. What was that experience like?

Jeremiah Brown: One of one. I’m not gonna lie, it’s probably a top-five experience I've ever had in my life. It's just so unique in the way that, one, it’s a thing to get a bunch of content creators and streamers together because the energy is just palpable in every room you’re in. And two, everyone was so nice and welcoming.

Usually, I feel like, especially in LA, it can be very — not cliquey, but, you know, very transactional. But at Streamer University, everyone was in everyone's TikToks, everyone's livestreams, nothing but love. And the thing that really caught me off guard was the welcoming and acceptance of everyone's communities. Every TikTok I was in, every livestream I popped up in, and vice versa, it was like, "My two worlds are colliding. I have no one to tell about this." It was just such positive feedback from every community, which was really refreshing.

Because I'm not gonna lie, with Love Island, when you cross over, it can get very territorial, like, "Why is he there? He's clout chasing." But this was content creators coming together to make amazing content, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

What was the biggest lesson you took away from it?

Don’t be scared to ask people. Because I had the benefit and the blessing of coming in with a little bit of a platform, so it was kind of easier for me to walk up to people and be like, "Let's do this, let's do that."

But it was a blessing just to learn from the smaller and the bigger content creators. If somebody had 100 viewers, I was popping in like, “Let's go get food." And then learning from Agent and Ludwig's classes, because I actually went to class most of the time. They had amazing classes. I learned a lot about actually creating content, whether it’s hooks or longevity.

When I was tuning into some of the streams, it felt very much like a reality show. And you obviously have a reality show background. So was the transition from reality TV to streaming that big of a jump for you?

No, honestly, that’s a beautiful question. Because I was on stream the other day, telling my chat the difference between reality TV and livestreaming. How do I say this in the nicest way possible? When you do a reality television show, you kind of give them your life. In the sense that, obviously, I'm very blessed to do it and all the nice things, but at the end of the day, whatever they want the world to see, they choose.

And so why I feel like Streamer University was so important for me is, you know, on reality shows, I haven’t always gotten the best edit. So being live for five days straight, it's really the unfiltered, unedited version of Jeremiah Brown that you get to learn and see, love or hate.

So it’s kind of like, this is who I actually am, not the edit I got however long ago. This is who I actually am as a person. Take it or leave it. This is me tired, angry, happy, joyous, exhausted, full of energy — every single emotion. We streamed like 120 hours in five days. So it was beautiful to just show the world, like, "This is who I am." This is not whatever narrative they want to say. This is who I am. This is my personality.

Walk with me, or you don't. Honestly, that was the biggest blessing because I got to show people who I am without any editors or storylines or narratives.

Featured Video For You Jeremiah Brown is building a post-'Love Island' creator career one book at a time

You mentioned spending time with a bunch of creators from different spectrums of the internet, which I think is the really cool part about Streamer University. Did it change the way that you thought about your own content at all?

Yes and no, because I’m always gonna go back to things I love, like books, sports, fitness, mental health, things like that. But at the same time, it let me just enjoy whatever. Because I can’t dance, for example. I can’t dance, and this is very silly, but I was doing dancing TikToks with everyone just because if they’re posting it, it's OK, you know? And then I’ll just repost it.

So it was fun to get out of my comfort zone and be the goofier version of myself because I feel like it's not that I can't always show that in my content, but it was awesome to just pull up and livestream and be like, this is me when I don’t make sense, this is me when I do make sense, you know?

Did you get much reading done while you were there?

Yeah. I brought Binding 13 and Fourth Wing. For Fourth Wing, I ran a challenge where I had content creators read a paragraph, and if they didn’t stutter or mess up, I’d gift them subs on Twitch.

And then, Binding 13 was a book I was doing for my book club. I just finished it, actually, like, a week ago. I read that on the plane and on the bus, but not when I was streaming. It was wake up, stream, sleep. Wake up, stream. We never turned off.

Did you meet anyone there who surprised you or inspired you?

Honestly, low-key almost everyone. Because I was like, damn, there's this whole world. The world I'm in with content is usually fellow Islanders, like 80 percent of them. It’s just my fellow Islanders because they’re my friends. They’re my friends now.

And this, I got to meet the world of Benji, Crystal, Davis, Alyssa, Agent, and all the AMP guys again. So yeah, honestly, it was just crazy. I was like, everyone's so funny and so cool. And there was very, very little ego or, "I'm not gonna do this because you’re a brand-new streamer." I didn’t get a sense of that, at least. Even when they were around a small streamer and a bigger streamer, they would do segments together. So yeah, it was really just beautiful, honestly.

What about from your roommate Davis? Did you learn anything from him?

I met Davis randomly in San Antonio last year. He reached out, and I was in town for an appearance a year ago. And I got to meet Kai because of him, and Duke, and got back involved in streaming because of him.

And then a year later, I’m now his roommate. We got super close. That’s my bro now. We FaceTime, we play Black Ops together. Him, Alyssa, and I just did a 24-hour handcuff stream a couple of days ago. And so yeah, now we have a trio, and it's a thing on the internet. It's been a blessing.

It seems like a lot of what you’ve done actually fits really well with what you're doing now as a content creator. Obviously, you started as a model, and I feel like modeling is all about getting comfortable in front of a camera, having people looking at you, and personal branding is really important as a model. You were on Love Island USA, and that, too, is about getting comfortable with people’s perceptions of you and with being watched by cameras. Do you feel like the things that you’ve done have better prepared you for this career?

A thousand percent. Because, funny enough, I never wanted to be a content creator. I had like 10 videos up, I think, before I went on Love Island. Like five book reviews and three funny ones. And yeah, I posted on Instagram once a month to show people I was working as a model, more like a portfolio, because they’d always want to see your Instagram.

I've been a model since 2018. So that was seven years before Love Island. Always being in front of the camera prepared me for photo shoots and interviews.

And then just reading books too, like How to Win Friends and Influence People, books like that on how to just talk to people and genuinely form connections, so things are just easier to do. I think a thousand percent.

Because if you've never been in front of a camera and then all of a sudden you’re in front of 55, doing interviews every single day or appearances, obviously, there was still a lot I had to adapt to in terms of the face-to-face, taking pictures and stuff like that. But long story short, being a model for so long definitely helped.

It's always interesting to watch the careers of the Islanders when they leave the villa, or really any major reality show, right? Because you get all of this attention, you get a huge boost across your socials, and your numbers are way up. Can you tell me what the first few weeks out of the villa were like when you had all of this attention on you? What was your thought process? Were you immediately like, "How do I turn this into something bigger?" Or were you just trying to get your bearings?

A mix of both. Because there’s one side of it, like, I need to get grounded, I need to see my family, I need to talk to my therapist, I need to get back to my books.

And then the other side is like, OK, now that I do have this, because I didn't expect it. One, I didn't know the power of the show because I wasn’t too familiar with the world, and I wasn't on TikTok. And then two, I was only there for half the time. No final four, no couple. So I’m like, OK, I was there for a little bit, had my thing, and then I was like, people really resonate with me and my content or my previous content, my book reviews.

And so it was a mix. Like, OK, I’m gonna go get grounded. And then luckily, I have the best big sister in the world. I went to her crib and just made a brand pillar and really did all the steps, like a seven-page document on how to maximize and capitalize on this opportunity I’ve been given.

Wow, shout-out to your big sister. What were some of the things that were in this document, if you don’t mind sharing?

Basically, it was like, what am I? What do the next steps look like? What are my pillars? So books slash mental health, fitness slash travel, and then just overall lifestyle, family content, and mukbangs.

And it’s kind of like, OK, these are things that are not easy for me to do, but it’s what I genuinely love. So I won’t — obviously, you can get burnout — but if I’m doing something, if I talk about books, I’ll never shut up, you know? So it’s always something I can go back to that I’m passionate about. Or anime, for example.

It’s basically just the best way for me to produce content that doesn’t end in burnout, and it’s most genuine because I’ve read, you know, hundreds of books. So it’s just stuff like that.

It sounds like books have really inspired you over the years. Obviously, they’re a huge foundation of your content. Do you remember the book that got you into reading?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is one of my favorites from, I think, middle school or high school. But honestly, it was my uncle’s comic book shop when I was a kid, in elementary school. We’d drive down to Portland, Oregon. I think it’s still there, but he doesn’t own it anymore. I read all the time from that.

And then, in middle or high school, there was AR reading. So you’d read and take quizzes to get pizza and candy. So that’s why I started it. And then I stopped because of college. Like, I’m not gonna read for school and for fun.

But then COVID hit, and the first book that really got me on my mental health journey was Mindset by Carol Dweck. And then I went to Ryan Holiday and Stoicism. I think Ryan Holiday and his Stoicism books, like Ego Is the Enemy, The Obstacle Is the Way, and Stillness Is the Key, really made that shift where I just dove into all things self-mastery. And I was like, how do I become the best version of myself?

Backing up a little bit, when you would read comic books in your uncle’s store, were you a DC guy or a Marvel guy? I just need to know.

Punisher was my favorite, so Marvel. But I loved them all. Punisher was my favorite graphic for sure.

Got it. OK. I’m a DC girl, so it’s OK.

DC’s fire. And like Ponyo, Totoro — he put me onto all that. Yeah, he’s the best.

I love that for you. Love the Ghibli journey. So you established reading and mental health as pillars. Where did you go from there? How did you go from making this document to actually executing on it?

It was really just what works and the feedback. People would come up to me at the airport, anywhere I’d go, and say, "I love your book reviews." And I’m like, that has to mean something. So then I started a book club, and that’s been doing really well. People are part of that.

So it’s really a mix of what’s working and a mix of what I love to do. Because at the end of the day, I have to post it for myself. Because if I only post for other people, that’s how you get burnout and start chasing trends. Although I do the trends. I can’t say I’m not a trend guy. I do all the trends too.

So it’s really just branching out to whatever is popular at the time — the Finals, the World Cup — and then always coming back to what people know me as and what I love to produce. So I’ll do a bunch of sports videos, a mukbang, and then boom, here’s a book review. Just things like that.

Really, the execution was just making sure I’m staying true to my values and who I am, and then trying to show that through my content.

As we said, when you leave a reality show, you get a lot of eyes on you, a lot of attention. But for some Islanders, some reality TV stars, it fades pretty fast, right? They have a finite window to capitalize on. But with you, it has seemed to really stick. Do you feel like that intentionality is what separates you from some of the others?

Yes and no. I remember the first six months out of the villa, every day I thought, "When is this gonna stop? When is this gonna stop?" I was scared all the time. But then Jalen Brown from the show just said, "One day at a time." So I just try to live by that.

In the sense where it’s like, I'm just gonna keep doing — obviously I'm gonna evolve and do better content. I’m doing a produced book series now, a book review series, things like that. So I’m gonna keep evolving my content.

But yeah, at the end of the day, you kind of just find ways to keep going because short-form is amazing, but you have to build a brand in the sense of, why would people still watch, whether it’s streaming or long-form or hosting or a TV show again?

But yeah, to answer your question, I have no idea. TikTok can get banned. You really just don’t know. So I kind of just enjoy it every day and make content I love to make.

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Your new series, Matcha to Read...I love the title. But I do have to say, men who drink matcha and read in public are often called performative males. So how do you feel about that?

It's hilarious because I filmed my first Matcha to Read before Streamer University, and I posted it after because they were editing it. And all my new supporters — or some of them are trolling, of course — were like, "Performative king," blah, blah, blah.

And it’s like, OK, I get it. I feel like, as a male, especially a young Black man, people aren’t known for going on reality TV and then popping out with, "By the way, guys, I love books, anime, mental health." They’re kind of like, well, most people do fitness, which there’s nothing wrong with. I'm saying usually it’s like Love Island and fitness, which is awesome. I work out, of course, it’s just not my main type of content.

And so I say that to say I get the comments, but it’s like, if you look at my history, I've had matcha videos. I have three sisters, so I’ve been put onto matcha my whole life. I’ve tried all the Frappuccinos. I remember there’s a video where my sister made me say "pinkity drinkity" as a prank on her phone when we went to get coffee.

So I've tried all the matchas for years and years and have read all the books since I was a kid. And so I can only laugh. But the reason why I can laugh is that I have a digital footprint where there’s proof. If I didn’t have proof, I’d be like, “Oh my God, no guys, I promise.” But it’s like, I’ve been doing it, so it’s OK.

You're like, "I'm about that life."

Yeah. People have even seen my crib and are like, "You actually read?" I’m like, "Yeah." People ask in chat all the time, "You actually read?" Like, yes, bro. Yeah. People don't get the power of books. People don't get it.

They really don’t. There’s an entire subreddit dedicated to women, or people, who will take photos of the person they’re dating’s bookshelves and post them on the subreddit and be like, “OK, should I be concerned?” Or, “What are your thoughts about my date’s bookshelf?” So if people saw your bookshelf, what do you think they would think?

Honestly, they’d love it because I have ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, The Housemaid, I have all the popular books, and then I have all the self-mastery books. So I have every single category. I have Circe, The Song of Achilles. I have all the classics. The Great Gatsby. Like, yeah, everything.

I’m really happy that you read The Song of Achilles for your book club.

Yeah, that was the first one. It was the first one. It was beautiful.

How do you decide what you’re gonna read for content versus what you’re gonna read just for yourself?

Great question. I used to be able to do two books at once, but sometimes the schedule can get tough. At the beginning of the book club, it was a bit themed. So we did fantasy first, then a horror one for October, and then POC for February. And the last few months, like, I read Fourth Wing, and I just had them vote. So now I just — and then for classics we did a list of classics, and in my reading room they’d vote. So, the last six months, it’s really just been a voting system.

Once I read Fourth Wing, I was like, OK, you guys aren’t steering me wrong. And then I read Binding 13, and I was like, OK, I'm gonna trust you guys because there’s literally like a one-percent chance I would have ever read any of these books without my book club. It would have been straight self-mastery.

People have even seen my crib and are like, 'You actually read?' I’m like, 'Yeah.' People ask in chat all the time, 'You actually read?' Like, yes, bro. Yeah. People don't get the power of books. People don't get it.

So even though it's for content, I fall in love with the books. Binding 13, bro, it made me cry probably like six times. It’s such a powerful book. And then now we’re reading Keeping 13. And then I have a book called A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

I'll read that when I can, but I'm gonna focus on Keeping 13 because, one, I need to finish it for my book club, and two, it’s like a 600-page book. So yeah, I try to balance reading the main one first and, if I have extra time, going to the personal book.

Got it. That makes sense. Because how do you read Fourth Wing and then not immediately go to the next book?

I started Iron Flame. I forgot, yeah, I went from Fourth Wing to ACOTAR, which is kind of — actually, I should've done it the other way because Fourth Wing was popping off immediately. People are getting thrown off the parapet immediately.

And then ACOTAR was so slow. It was a good book, but the first one is so slow because it’s a buildup for the second one. I get that. People were telling me, “Yo, give it time.” But then I’m like 150 pages into Iron Flame, or 200, but I just kept having to stop to read ACOTAR. So it’s a balance to be had.

Yeah, that first ACOTAR book, when you read the whole series, you’re like, OK, that’s actually maybe the slowest of the books. You’ve also hosted IRL book club meet-and-greets, which I love. What has it been like to see your fans or followers in person and interact with them?

It was crazy. We did a pop-up one in Seattle, maybe in May. It had to be in May, yeah. And I had less than 24 hours to promote it, and I think we had like 70 people there.

So it was really sick just to talk about books with people who support me. We just yapped and someone brought me a matcha, ironically enough. And yeah, it’s just beautiful to see the power of books.

Because I was not on TikTok, I had no idea about BookTok or anything. I had no idea people still read or loved books. And then all of a sudden, I’m posting about it, and there are 500 comments saying, “This is my Roman Empire series,” and I’m like, I didn’t even know what that meant. I had to Google what “Roman Empire series” meant.

So it’s honestly just been a beautiful thing that they welcomed me into the BookTok space.

We are in a bit of a reading crisis, so to have somebody like you really promote books and reading is wonderful. But at what point did you decide, OK, I like reading, or you built this deck with your sister, you’re kind of doing it day by day — at what point did you decide, “OK, this is a business now,” or, “This is how I’m gonna make my money”?

Honestly, immediately, because I was a full-time model before. So my brand, aka Instagram, social media, who I am as a person, my haircuts, my skin — it's all my business. Because literally, if I didn’t show up as my best self to an audition, a self-tape, a casting, I was not gonna be able to pay rent at one point in my life, right?

So it was immediate, because I’ve always been, since 2023, well, 2018 technically, my brand. That’s why I read so many books: to get better at auditions and castings and to make sure I talk to every single person in the room, remember their names, et cetera. So yeah, honestly, immediately.

What metrics actually matter to you now? Because I’ve talked to a lot of creators where they’re like, you know, it’s not so much about the views anymore. It’s really about the comments, the engagement. So what are you looking at?

Yeah, that’s a great question because it’s easy to get caught up. Honestly, how my brain thinks, I’ll post one thing, and it doesn’t hit, and I'm like, “OK, it’s over. GGs. We fell off, it's wrapping up.” And then I’ll post something the next day, and it'll go crazy, and I’m like, “OK, I’m good.”

So I kind of took away from the likes and the views because I’m an overthinker sometimes. It’ll stop me in the way of, like, I want to post this, but it might not hit. And when I get in that mindset, I have to post it.

Because, for example, I had no idea the Spurs content would be among my best-performing content. I had no idea, because I'm like, my demographic really hasn’t shown any love for sports. And then the World Cup and Spurs content went insane. I was like, that’s so dope that I can share another part of my life with people.

But to answer your question, comments for sure. I love the comments because it shows that people care. I kind of care, and it's cool just to talk to them and like the comment. Everything else comes and goes, so yeah, I kind of just focus on the feedback I get.

What is something that, if someone was gonna start creating content tomorrow, you would advise them to do?

Choose pieces to make content about that you can do a lot with, in the sense of...don’t do what's popular right off the bat. Yeah, doing the trends is fun, and it’s awesome. People love seeing their favorite creators do trends. But you need to have specific things. Not even necessarily a niche, but just a few things that you can make content about where you don’t get tired.

If you don’t like something but you make content about it, you’re gonna get exhausted. If I hated books and I had to do a book review, I’d be sick to my core. So, as cliché as it sounds, I would genuinely make content about things that you love.

And finally, I know mental health and your journey have been a really big part of your content, like you said. That’s a level of vulnerability that some creators don’t cross. So why did you decide that you were going to be open about reading the self-improvement books, things like that, your mental health? You even mentioned going to therapy right after leaving the villa, which is so important, by the way, and not a lot of people talk about it. Why was that something that you wanted to share?

That’s a great question. I think at first it was because I got so many questions about, "How did you handle yourself in the villa so well?” Or, “How did you not crash out?” And it was really because I’ve been in therapy for three years in October, and then reading self-mastery books since 2020.

So I just shared because people expect you to be the nonchalant, good-looking guy. It's just like, bro, I am who I am. And you have to be genuine in this world, or people will — I just feel like it’s so weird to pretend to be something you’re not or be fake or put on the mask.

This is me. Yes, obviously not everything should be shared, but people are asking me, "How did you not crash out?" It’s like, no, I love therapy. My hot take on every single questionnaire I get is that everyone should be in therapy and read books.

Because I promise, if someone reads three self-mastery books, like The Four Agreements, When Things Fall Apart, and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, they would be unrecognizable. You’d actually be unrecognizable in three months.

And so I think I’m just so passionate about it because it changed my life and it gave me a second life, so to speak. Genuinely, it gave me another life.

And now I get to do this, and I’m so blessed. So why would I ever want to gatekeep that? And I think it’s so cool to be vulnerable and show, especially young guys — obviously I love my audience, but young guys — like, yo, it’s OK to cry, it’s OK to be vulnerable, it’s OK to be called soft. Because it’s like, bro, it just is.