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Microsoft says the WiFi at your hotel might be compromised.

In a post on its Threat Intelligence website (via ABC News), Microsoft warned of a new hacking operation called "CaptiveCrunch," which the company claimed had some ties to Russia.

Starting in May, Microsoft said it had observed a "widespread compromise of Wi-Fi networks at hospitality-related organizations," including WiFi networks at hotels.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Teams users will lose Calendar access in weeks unless they update

The hacking operation works by tricking users to download malicious files via pop-ups that appear when connecting to a hotel WiFi network. Those who are doing this are able to get screenshots and keystrokes, and can even remotely hijack devices if necessary. There are also fake login screens that could give the hackers access to a user's personal email address.

According to Microsoft, the best way to avoid this is to use something more private when traveling, like a mobile hotspot. If that's not an option and you must use hotel WiFi, be on the lookout for any kind of pop-up window that appears after logging into the network. These can appear as Windows Update pop-ups or other kinds of update windows you might normally see on your device, but if they appear right as you've logged into hotel WiFi, they might be up to something.

In other words, if you aren't expecting any kind of update pop-up, maybe avoid any of them that appear.

A quick look at the best back-to-school sales Target Save on backpacks and lunchboxes, school supplies Shop Now Owala Save 20% sitewide Shop Now Best Buy Save up to 50% on Chromebooks and Windows laptops, dorm TVs, headphones, and more Shop Now Pottery Barn Teen Save up to 60% on bedding, organizers and shower caddies, decor, and more Shop Now

Back-to-school season is one of the calendar year's most reliable jump scares. While we grapple with how fast summer went by, back-to-school sales are here to get us excited about the fall.

These deals on school stuff don't just have to be for students heading back to class. Anyone can take advantage of pens and pencils, cute notebooks, nice water bottles, and laptops on sale for a productivity boost heading into the new season.

SEE ALSO: Tech keeps getting more expensive. That's why these 4 cheap laptops are so special.

We're tracking the best back-to-school sales in 2026 below. More retailers are sure to kick off their sales as we wade through August, so be sure to pop back to this list closer to your start date.

School supplies

• Amazon — save up to 50% on mechanical pencils, folders, Sharpies, glue, and more

• Staples — save up to 70% on pens and pencils, notebooks, erasers, pouches, and more, plus 25% off backpacks

• Target — save up to 60% on pencils, notebooks, folders, art supplies, and more

Water bottles and lunch supplies

• Owala — save 20% sitewide

• Target — save 20% on select lunch kits and water bottles

Laptops, tablets, and more tech

• Back Market — save an extra $50 on refurbished tech with code BACK2COOL

• Best Buy — save up to 50% on Chromebooks and Windows laptops, MacBooks, Galaxy tablets, AirPods, monitors, and more

• Lenovo — save up to 34% on laptops like the Yoga 7 or Chromebook Duet, plus up to 51% on wireless mice and keyboards

Dorm gear and organization tools

• Best Buy — save up to $500 on Windows PCs, Roku TVs, compact refrigerators, headphones, and more

• Buffy — save 20% on eco-friendly cooling comforters and sheet sets

• Pottery Barn Teen — save up to 60% on bedding, organizers and shower caddies, decor, and more

• Rugs Direct — save up to 70% sitewide, including washable area rugs

• Skylight — save $100 on the Skylight Calendar

• Target — save up to 40% on storage and organization bins

• Urban Outfitters — save 30% on comforters, decor, lamps, and more dorm essentials

• Walmart — save on small TVs, Keurigs, vacuums, and more

Clothes

• Adidas — save up to 40% on select sneakers and backpacks

• Nike — save 25% on select styles with code DAYONE

• Old Navy — save on all jeans plus get an extra 30% off your purchase with code EXTRA

SAVE $802: The 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV is on sale at Amazon for $1,697.99, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 32% discount that matches the best price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV $1,697.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $802.00   Get Deal

It feels like a sauna outside, and some of the country is dealing with wildfire smoke. If you're sitting indoors dreaming of the fall chill that we'll experience in a few months, you're in good company. Along with crisp fall temperatures comes new fall shows. If you've been disappointed with your TVs current display, it might be time for an upgrade, and this 85-inch model is on a steep discount.

As of Aug. 4, the 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV is on sale at Amazon for $1,697.99, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 32% discount for a major savings of $802. This sale price also matches the best deal we've seen at Amazon.

TCL makes some of the best budget-friendly TVs and today's sale price on an 85-inch QLED with impressive specs follows suit. This 2026 model has an mini LED display that focuses on vivid colors and deep blacks. Plus, the thin and bezel-free design give this TV a modern look.

SEE ALSO: Want a bigger TV? Amazon's Ember 75-inch QLED model is $150 off if you act fast.

TCL equipped this model with Google TV and a TSR AI processor for quick loading. Plus, the built-in speaker is designed by Bang & Olufsen. You're also in great shape if you hope to game on the massive 85-inch TV. It comes with 144Hz refresh rate and an auto game mode that gives the lowest input lag possible.

Before fall 2026 shows release, upgraded to the 85-inch TCL Class QM7L QLED TV. When you're not watching new shows or movies, it's great for gaming.

I love Jellyfin. Being able to watch my movie collection on any device in my home is great, but I usually end up watching on the main TV for the best experience. I was happy watching Jellyfin this way until a chance purchase made my setup so much better.

The biggest perk of owning a proper Wear OS smartwatch is access to the Google Play Store. Now, as a Samsung Galaxy Watch user, you've probably already installed the usual suspects—Spotify, Google Keep, Google Maps, and the like. However, that's just scratching the surface—there are plenty of great apps waiting to be discovered. Here are four apps that rarely get talked about but are so good that I always install them on my Samsung Galaxy Watch.

TL;DR: Blvck Paris and Pringles have teamed up on a limited-edition, all-black collection featuring hoodies, a baseball jacket, a "break-glass" collectible Pringles can display, and a charm. It's priced $35 to $275, launching Aug. 6 exclusively at Blvck — with the first 2,000 U.S. orders getting a free limited-edition Blvck x Pringles can.

Blvck Paris and Pringles are teaming up for a collab that sounds like it shouldn't work on paper — a minimalist, all-black luxury label and a snack brand known for being loud, colorful, and instantly recognizable. But contrast is exactly what makes it work.

Pringles is a snack you eat when you're not even hungry. It's the "I'll just have a few" that turns into an empty can in 10 minutes. Pairing that energy with Blvck's all-black aesthetic is half the fun of this collab. The limited-edition collection launches Aug. 6 exclusively at Blvck, priced from $35 to $275 and available in sizes XS to 2XL.

Credit: Blvck Paris

The lineup includes the following:

• Teddy Hoodie & Teddy Tee — feature Blvck's signature teddy character surrounded by scattered Pringles chips and co-branded artwork.

• Teddy Baseball Jacket — features an oversized embroidered back graphic that blends Blvck Paris iconography with Pringles-inspired visuals.

• "In Case of Emergency" Plexiglass Collectible — a display piece styled like an emergency break-glass box, enclosing a matte black Pringles can.

• Teddy Charm — a collectible charm reworking Blvck's teddy mascot through a Pringles-inspired design.

Here's the best part: the first 2,000 orders placed during the launch period will receive a free limited-edition matte-black Blvck x Pringles can, loaded with Barbecue-flavored chips, exclusively for U.S. customers, while supplies last.

Credit: Blvck Paris

Get your hands on the Blvck Paris Pringles collection soon so you score the free matte black Pringles before supplies run out.

Apple's new device-leasing program has a strange (on the surface) rule attached to it.

Last week, Apple launched Apple Upgrade, a new Klarna-backed program that allows customers to lease new iPhones, MacBooks, and other devices for a small-ish monthly payment, rather than spending more than $1,000 up front. However, folks quickly noticed something in the fine print: You'll need an account with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile to lease an iPhone.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

So, while the phones are technically unlocked, you can only activate them with one of the big three mobile carriers.

Cybersecurity analyst John Gruber looked into this and, on his website, Daring Fireball, gave a couple of big reasons as to why that might be the case.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI takes Apple lawsuit to court of public opinion, posts texts

For starters, it's a way to prevent fraud. According to Gruber, the three big carriers do enough risk assessment before letting anyone open an account that Apple can be fairly sure you're not leasing an iPhone for nefarious purposes. Beyond that, though, a former Apple employee wrote into Gruber's site to explain that Apple signs big-money deals with the carriers for prominent placement and other things like this rule. We can't verify the former employee's claims, but the report is interesting.

"Every year, the Carrier Teams at Apple negotiate a deal/program (hundreds of millions of dollars) with each of those Big 3," the reader wrote. "In return for those dollars, Apple will make concessions exactly like this (or similar.)"

Regardless, if you want to lease an iPhone through the Apple Upgrade program, you can't do it with an account on a smaller carrier.

SAVE $200: As of August 4, get the Segway SuperScooter GT3 for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's a discount of 12%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Segway SuperScooter GT3 $1,499.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $200   Get Deal

Looking for a quick and easy way to get around? Cars are expensive, so zoom around your neighborhood and beyond with an electric scooter. Thanks to this deal at Amazon, you can get one for a great price right now without breaking the bank. And you'll also get a fun and easy way to get around that others just might be jealous of.

As of August 4, get the Segway SuperScooter GT3 for $1,499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's $200 off and discount of 12%.

SEE ALSO: The best electric scooters to buy

This scooter gets you up to 45 miles of distance per charge, with SegRange technology that helps boost its efficiency by 20%. That means you can have longer rides without having to worry about interruptions. It's also built for more unforgiving conditions, so you can head out in more harsh areas without having to worry about the scooter getting damaged or degrading over time due to the conditions you ride it in.

It uses the SegRide Stability Enhancement System for a smoother, more ordered ride no matter what kind of skill level you are. It also has 11-inch self-sealing tires, dual hydraulic suspension with front double shock absorbers and a real trailing arm for better control over your ride. When it's depleted, it can be charged all the way back up in just under 6 hours, with a 1-hour charge giving you nearly 13 miles of range.

This is a great scooter for someone needing a fast and easy way to get around the neighborhood or on campus, or even a good choice for an older kid to get their start with scooters. Whatever the case may be, it's a great deal either way.

SAVE $335.99: The EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $664, down from the normal price of $999.99. That's a 34% discount that matches the lowest we've spotted at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: zEcoVacs EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower $664 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $335.99   Get Deal

The world has become a better place lately if you don't enjoy mowing the lawn. In the same way we have robot vacuums to clean up messes inside, a robot lawn mower is at-the-ready to keep the grass well manicured. If you're interested but have been turned off by the prices that often go over four figures, check out this deal.

As of Aug. 4, the EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower is on sale at Amazon for $664, down from the normal price of $999.99. That's a 34% discount that saves yard owners $335.99. The sale price matches the lowest we've spotted at Amazon.

You're in luck if you have a yard that measures about a quarter of an acre or you only want to mow that size per session. The EcoVacs Goat 01000 can handle mowing the lawn at a height between 1.2 and 3.2 inches. It can also navigate on hills that have a 45% slope. Plus, it has an IPX6 waterproof rating, so it'll be just fine sitting outside in the rain.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum is down to its lowest-ever price — save $210 at Amazon

The EcoVacs Goat 01000 has a narrow body, making it possible to mow in spaces that are as tight as 2.3 feet wide. Its 3D obstacle avoidance technology works all day, even in dark conditions, making it no issue to send the mower out at dusk.

From the EcoVacs app, you'll be able to set the desired height, mowing areas, and mowing schedule. In addition to the convenience, EcoVacs mentions the Goat 01000 only reaches 57 decibels, compared to 65 to 100 from a standard push mower.

If you've been seeing robot lawn mowers in the neighborhood but decided they were too spendy, consider today's deal on the EcoVacs Goat 01000 robot lawn mower. The 34% discount at Amazon brings this model down to $664. Since this matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon, today is a great time to make the upgrade.

For years, the default storage recommendation has been to buy a NAS. Run out of space? Buy a NAS. Want better backups? Buy a NAS. Thinking about organizing your photos? Buy a NAS! Somewhere along the way, the idea that everyone needs a miniature storage server became accepted wisdom.

In July, Apple filed a blockbuster lawsuit against OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, accusing the company of hiring former Apple employees and improperly gaining confidential information.

Now, OpenAI is striking back against Apple, but not just in court. On Aug. 3, OpenAI posted a public blog post denying many of Apple's claims. The post also includes recreations of texts and copies of emails that OpenAI says directly contradict some of the facts presented in the lawsuit.

In effect, OpenAI is moving this fight into the court of public opinion — and bringing receipts.

As a result, this complex legal drama is now playing out in the open, giving the public an inside look at how lawsuits like this are handled behind the scenes.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

OpenAI's blog post, "Apple is getting this wrong," contains some not-so-subtle digs at Apple's legal counsel, which OpenAI says initially contacted the wrong person at OpenAI and misrepresented their conversations in legal filings.

Apple had claimed that they contacted OpenAI in February and that we didn’t respond. They now admit that their outside lawyers emailed the wrong person after confusing two Asian last names—only after we brought this to their attention. Apple also claimed they had a discussion with our General Counsel, which they now concede never happened. But they again hide the fact that they never raised the specific allegations in this lawsuit at that time, and that they in fact told us that they were “resolving any issues.

That email is included in Apple's legal filings. Now, OpenAI has posted a back-and-forth with Apple's outside legal counsel, detailing the confusion.

The blog post also states, somewhat passive-aggressively, "We wish Apple had raised these issues with us before they filed their lawsuit and would have been happy to clarify all of this with them. We have taken the allegations in the lawsuit seriously and offered to work with Apple to resolve this. Instead, they’re trying to change their narrative, including by making vague accusations about other former employees, and will likely keep repeating this tactic."

The background on Apple Inc. v. Liu

Apple filed its lawsuit, Apple Inc. v. Liu, on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Apple's lawsuit named both OpenAI’s commercial and nonprofit entities, as well as its hardware company io Products, former iPhone engineer, Chang Liu, and OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan, who worked at Apple for 24 years before joining OpenAI.

“This case is about Apple’s former employees stealing Apple’s trade secrets for the benefit of OpenAI,” Apple said in the complaint.

In the ongoing AI arms race, Big Tech companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic have spent tens of billions of dollars poaching talent from each other. Last year, Meta was reportedly offering signing bonuses of up to $100 million.

Because employees typically sign ironclad non-disclosure agreements when starting a role, they are forbidden from sharing a company's trade secrets after moving to a rival company.

In its lawsuit, Apple accuses OpenAI of conspiring with former Apple employees to benefit from its trade secrets. However, OpenAI denies these claims, and the new blog post includes numerous exchanges between Apple employees and Chang Liu that the AI company says directly contradict Apple's suit.

"Apple accuses Chang Liu of accessing Apple confidential information after leaving the company, but only now admits that Apple employees reached out to him and asked for his help to locate this information (you can read the messages here⁠)."

It's hard to imagine Apple, a famously tight-lipped company, posting a public blog post about the lawsuit the way OpenAI has. That ability to speak directly to users, and not solely relying on lawyers, could give OpenAI an edge in the battle of public opinion, even if the suit is ultimately decided in court or in a settlement.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

SAVE $750: As of August 4, get the AIPER Scuba X1 pool robot for $749.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1499.99. That's a discount of 50%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon AIPER Scuba X1 pool robot $749.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $750   Get Deal

If you have a pool, you already know that its upkeep can be time-consuming and pricey. Why not have at least one of the pool-cleaning steps you've got to handle outsourced to a friendly robot? You can do just that while saving some serious cash thanks to this Amazon deal, which ensures you don't have to worry about cleaning out your pool ever again.

As of August 4, get the AIPER Scuba X1 pool robot for $749.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1499.99. That's $750 off and a discount of 50%.

SEE ALSO: The FCC bans all robot vacuums made outside the U.S.

This pool robot is all about making your life easier. It uses powerful 6,600 GPH suction and dual jets, so as soon as you power it on, it's collecting sand, pebbles, and algae from your pool thanks to its effortless cleaning system. It also uses advanced multi-layer filtration to capture the tiniest of debris, so no matter what you've got lurking in your pool water, this pool robot can filter it out with an ultra-fine filter.

It uses WaveLine 2.0 technology to reach 2 inches above your pool's waterline and offers 60 sections of horizontal cleaning with each wave. And it stays up to date with over the air enhancements that are done automatically. That means all you really have to worry about is keeping it charged with its wireless charging dock and deploying it when you're ready to have a sparkling pool. It can handle the rest.

If you're ready to have a cleaner pool, now's the time to invest in one of these robots before summer starts to slip away.

TL;DR: Marshall's Stockwell III portable Bluetooth speaker has officially launched, priced at $249.99. It offers 40+ hours of playtime, true 360-degree Marshall sound, IP55 dust and water resistance, and doubles as a charging bank for other devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: Marshall Marshall Stockwell III $249.99 at Marshall
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Marshall's Stockwell III officially launches on Aug. 4.

We first wrote about the announcement back in June, when Marshall confirmed it would keep the price at $249.99 despite adding solid upgrades over the previous generation. Now it's finally available at Marshall and Costco.

The main upgrade here is that the battery life has doubled — Marshall bumped it from 20 hours to 40+ hours, and it charges over USB-C, with a 30W PD charger getting you a full recharge in under 3 hours (or 7 hours of playtime from just a 20-minute quick charge). Water and dust resistance also improves, going from IPX4 on the previous model to IP55, so it can handle much more than the occasional splash.

SEE ALSO: Marshall’s new Billie Joe Armstrong amp is built for Green Day nostalgia: Price, release date, and more

Sound-wise, it keeps Marshall's True Stereophonic 360-degree audio, powered by a 3-inch woofer and two 1.75-inch wide-band drivers, and backed by a 65W amp for the woofer.

Bethany Allard, who covered the announcement back in June, pointed out that the previous Stockwell II earned praise from PCMag for its "rich bass and bright highs" — so the sound quality here was already solid, even before this upgrade.

Another cool detail: the battery is swappable — instead of tossing the speaker once the battery wears down, you can replace it yourself, along with the front and back grilles, silicone sleeve, and carrying strap. That's not something you see often with Bluetooth speakers, most of which are basically disposable once a part fails.

Credit: Marshall

It's got tactile, amp-inspired controls on top, including a new M-button for jumping straight to your saved presets, plus Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast support and multipoint connectivity for pairing with more than one device.

It's available now for $249.99 on Marshall and Costco.

To those still burning off calories from National Ice Cream Day — bad news, or possibly great news depending on how you look at it: it's National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, and the free food streak isn't slowing down. Between this, French Fry Day, Hot Dog Day, and Ice Cream Day, it's like the calendar took one look at 2026 and decided everyone deserves free snacks — and who are we to argue?

The chocolate chips are calling, and DoubleTree, Insomnia Cookies, Crumbl, and a long list of others are already rolling out free cookies and steep discounts to celebrate. Clear some room on the counter — today's all about warm cookies.

These are our favorite National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day deals in 2026.

Chick-fil-A

Richmond-area guests can sign into the Chick-fil-A app to claim a free Chocolate Chunk Cookie reward.

Chip City

Make any regular cookie purchase of $5.50 at Chip City and get a free Chocolate Chip Chewie.

Chips Ahoy!

Enter the Mystery Cookie Sweepstakes daily by guessing the flavor of Chips Ahoy!'s new limited-edition cookie for a shot at $25,000, with 50 runners-up scoring cookies and branded merch.

Cookie Plug

Get 50% off a cookie at Cookie Plug when you buy any other item and enter promo code OG at checkout.

Crumbl Cookies

Head to Crumbl Cookies, download the app, and claim a voucher for a free Dirty Soda.

Dirty Dough

Rewards members get a free chocolate chip cookie with any purchase at Dirty Dough.

DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton's U.S. hotels are giving away a complimentary warm chocolate chip cookie (or the allergy-friendly version) to anyone who stops by.

Edible

Get a free Signature Chocolate Chip Cookie in stores at Edible, no purchase necessary.

Gopuff

Save 20% when you buy two packs of Crave Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough at Gopuff.

Gregorys Coffee

Rewards members get a free chocolate chip cookie with any purchase.

Happy Joe's

Add a giant chocolate chip cookie to any regularly priced large pizza for $5.99 at participating Happy Joe's locations.

Insomnia Cookies

Buy one warm chocolate chunk cookie and get a second of equal or lesser value free at Insomnia Cookies, in-store or online.

Jacques Torres Chocolate

Save 25% on chocolate chip cookies, cookie mixes, and chocolate discs on Aug. 4.

Joy Supply

Save 20% on cookies with code TODAY20.

Maman

Enjoy buy-one-get-one-free classic cookies on weekdays from 2–6 p.m. through Sept. 2. Plus, get BOGO cookie boxes online with code DOUBLEDOUGH through Aug. 5.

Mightylicious

Save 15% on cookies throughout August with code CHOCOLATECHIP15.

My Better Batch

Get a free cookie mix with any $25 purchase using code COOKIECLASSIC.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Rewards members earn 100 points when they buy a Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bundtlet at Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Papa Murphy's

Mix and match desserts, including chocolate chip cookies, for $6.99.

PJ's Coffee

Get a $1 cookie with any beverage purchase today.

Stater Bros. Markets

Mini chocolate chip cookies are 2 for $3 today.

Sweet Loren's

Get 20% off all cookie dough purchases online at Sweet Loren's with code SWEET20.

Tate's Bake Shop

Get 40% off all chocolate chip products at Tate's Bake Shop.

The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company

The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company is selling chocolate chip cookies for just $1, with 100% of proceeds going to charity.

Tiff's Treats

Sample four chocolate chip cookie flavors at Tiff's Treats and get a free cookie — plus vote for your favorite for a shot at free cookies for a year.

Toll House

Enter a social media giveaway by following @nestletollhouse on Instagram and commenting with #nestletollhouse and #sweepstakes for a shot at free cookie dough and morsels.

Wildgrain

Get $30 off site-wide orders, including chocolate chip cookies, with code TODAY30 — plus free croissants with every order.

While viewers will indeed have a handful of new offerings to explore this month, August is heaviest on returning fan-favorite shows with new seasons across Netflix, Paramount+, HBO Max, and more.

The Hatch Restore 3 smart alarm clock helped Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart regulate her bedtime routine. And as of Aug. 4, the brand has dropped a new device to improve sleep. The Hatch Sleep Clock isn't just another smart alarm clock; it's a contactless sleep tracker.

At launch, the Hatch Sleep Clock is exclusively available at hatch.co for $249.99, and will be available from other retailers, including Amazon, later this year.

Getting to know the Hatch Sleep Clock

Unlike a Whoop or Oura tracker, the Hatch Sleep Clock is obviously not a wearable. It sits on your nightstand and uses ultra-low-power radio signals to detect breathing and movement (no microphone required). It can track when you go to bed, fall asleep, and wake up throughout the night. According to a study, the tech behind the Sleep Clock is 97 percent accurate at sleep detection.

The Hatch Sleep Clock tracks sleep from your bedside table. Credit: Hatch

The Hatch Sleep Clock combines sleep insights with the other tech Hatch is known for: immersive light, sleep audio, and personalized routines. "We didn't set out to build another sleep tracker. We set out to help people sleep better," said Ann Crady Weiss, Co-Founder and CEO of Hatch, in a press release. "Rather than simply reporting what happened last night, Hatch Sleep Clock gets you to bed tonight."

Hatch Sleep Clock in action

I personally have a bedtime routine of realizing it's 10:30 p.m., thinking I should start getting ready, not actually getting ready for bed until 11ish, and then scrolling on my phone until midnight. I could definitely use some improvement.

With the Hatch Sleep Clock, you pick your ideal unwinding time, and the device gradually fills your room with calming light and ambient sound to ease you into a natural progression toward sleep. You can choose from Hatch's library of experiences, whether you want meditation, sleep stories, ASMR, or other sleep sounds. And you can pair those with lighting designed to help you fall and stay asleep.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for months: Here are the 3 I'd buy, and the one I'd skip

When it's time to get up for the day, the Hatch Sleep Clock gradually brightens your room with light and sound for a more natural wakeup. You can ditch the blaring iPhone alarm sounds.

Rather than giving you a sleep score, Hatch provides actionable data, with suggestions like reducing screentime before bed or getting more natural sunlight in the morning. Sure, you'll get to see how long you spent in each sleep stage, but you'll also get insights to improve your sleep each night going forward.

In the Hatch app, you'll see how you slept, receive insights for improving your sleep, and access sleep routines. Credit: Hatch

The Sleep Clock comes loaded with sleep routines and experiences, but you can also add a Hatch+ subscription to access the full library for $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hatch Hatch Sleep Clock $249.99 at Hatch
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Cordless power tools are pretty expensive, especially from big-name brands like Milwaukee. But with retail prices steadily rising and premium job-site power tool lines (like Milwaukee's M18 FUEL series) increasing in cost, more people are looking for solid alternatives.

Chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude get all the attention when it comes to the current generation of AI technology, but there are so many other genuinely useful applications of AI that involve more than telling a computer about how your day's been going.

SSDs are great for a lot of things, but long-term cold storage is not one of them, and while many never fail, some do—taking some data with them.

Everything is better without ads ruining the vibe, and your perfect playlist deserves to play on uninterrupted. Don't believe us? As of August 2026, Spotify had 300 million Premium subscribers enjoying ad-free songs, podcasts, and audiobooks.

Here's how each of the platform's Premium plans break down.

What do I get with a free Spotify account?

You'll have access to Spotify's music library, but you'll have to listen to ads and won't be able to download music to your phone for times when you don't have W-Fi access (like on planes).

What do I get with a Spotify Premium plan?

If you want an ad-free and offline listening experience, Premium is the way to go. You'll get ad-free access to Spotify's entire music library, 15 hours of audiobook listening time, and the ability to download music and podcasts to your device. Plus, you'll get access to lossless audio, be able to play songs in any order, and listening queue options, none of which are available on Spotify's free plan.

In recent years, Spotify has added a huge amount of extra features to tempt free users to pay for Premium, including Page Match (to move between physical books and audiobooks), Running Mode, concert tickets sales, as well as an AI chatbot to unpack your music and listening history.

SEE ALSO: Spotify hits 300 million Premium subscribers What are Spotify's Premium plan options?

• Premium Individual ($12.99/month): This plan is for one person and includes all the Premium features.

• Premium Student ($6.99/month): Students at an accredited higher education institution can get 50 percent off all Premium features for up to four years, in addition to access to Hulu's ad-supported plan at no extra cost (a $1.99/ month value for students).

• Premium Duo ($18.99/month): Two people can each get their own Premium account with Premium Duo. Spotify stipulates that these two people must be living together, but since there's no way for them to know that, you could probably split this plan with a bestie or sibling. You'll also get 15 hours of audiobook listening time per month, but only the "plan manager" (whoever set up the account) can use them.

• Premium Family ($21.99/month): This plan offers a discounted rate for families of up to six, and each member gets their own account. One family member, the plan manager, pays for the plan, manages members, and can set explicit content filters for members.

  This plan is great for parents who want to ensure that their little ones aren't listening to explicit material, or parents who want to give their child their own account in the Spotify Kids app. On the Premium Family plan, only the plan managers get 15 hours of audiobook listening time per month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify Spotify Premium $12.99
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