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Starlink satellites are becoming a barometer for Earth’s atmosphere
Starlink satellites are usually discussed in terms of what they’re doing to the sky. Astronomer Tony Phillips has found a way to use them to learn something about it.
Phillips, who runs SpaceWeather.com, has turned the orbital data of hundreds of Starlink satellites into a daily measure of changes in Earth’s upper atmosphere. He calls it a "planetary barometer," though it tracks air density rather than pressure. His planetary barometer relies on an ingenious observation, which Phillips explained in a blog post (as reported by The Register).
Here’s how a satellite becomes a weather instrument: Even hundreds of miles above Earth, there’s enough atmosphere to create drag. When energy from the sun heats the upper atmosphere, it expands, putting more particles in a satellite’s path. More drag means a satellite would lose altitude faster if it weren’t using its thrusters to stay in orbit.
Phillips analyzes publicly available orbital records to estimate that effect. His daily "sink rate" asks how many meters a typical Starlink satellite at about 480 kilometers (roughly 300 miles) up would lose in a day with its thrusters off. So far in 2026, that figure has ranged from 19.7 meters on a quiet day in August to 127.6 meters during a major geomagnetic storm in January. That doesn’t mean Starlink satellites actually plunged that far on either day; the number is a way to show how much the atmosphere changed.
And Phillips isn’t relying on Starlink alone. He checks the pattern against satellites from Planet Labs, Amazon’s Kuiper network, and Eutelsat OneWeb. Planet’s SuperDoves are particularly useful because they have no thrusters: Their actual descent offers a check on the Starlink estimate. The index has limits, including orbital data that can blur sudden changes over several days.
Scientists have studied atmospheric drag using Starlink data before. Phillips’s contribution is a public number updated daily, offering a running look at conditions that matter for satellite orbits. Starlink’s crowded presence overhead remains a concern for astronomers. For this one purpose, though, all those satellites make it possible to watch the atmosphere change without launching anything new.
Microsofts new Surface laptops get rid of Copilot+ PC branding
Microsoft's AI-branded Windows laptops are dead.
At Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit 2026 this week, Microsoft Surface CVP Brett Ostrum told news outlet Windows Central that it will no longer use the "Copilot+ PC" branding for its Surface PCs going forward.
As Windows Central points out, none of the Surface laptops that launched this year used the Copilot+ PC branding, and it appears none of Microsoft's upcoming products will use it either.
Copilot+ PCs were launched in mid-2024 as Microsoft went full throttle with its AI push. The Copilot+ branding was derived from its AI chatbot assistant Copilot, which the company released the previous November.
Microsoft called Copilot+ PCs "the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built" and said they were "the most significant change to the Windows platform in decades," when they were launched. These computers were basically new Surface PCs with processors specifically built for AI processes, like pre-built AI PCs.
However, it seems like Copilot+ PCs weren't as successful as Microsoft had hoped. In fact, the company has been reconfiguring its entire approach to AI more broadly, too.
Last month, Microsoft retired the animated mascot Mico that it had created to represent the Copilot brand. And now, just today, Microsoft unveiled a revamped version of the Copilot AI assistant, too.
With OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and other AI companies carving out their niche in the AI market, Microsoft is still trying to figure out theirs. One thing seems sure, though: Copilot+ PCs won't be part of Microsoft's AI plans.
Get to the task at hand faster with the SpeakON AI Communicator
Everyone is short on time these days, and typing on your phone screen isn't exactly fast. Managers, founders, product specialists, and those who need to communicate a lot throughout the day are often short on time. Stopping to switch or find the right app, or work through the process manually, can really slow things down.
I found 13 early October Prime Day earbuds deals that are worth buying from Bose, Apple, Beats, and more
It's leaf-peeping season, and that means it's time for another massive sale event at Amazon. This year, October Prime Big Deal Days is a two-day sale, spanning Oct. 6 and 7. While we're still a couple of weeks away from the sale kicking off, Amazon is already packed with great offers. That's especially true if you're in need of fresh earbuds.
Many of us depend on earbuds like we depend on water. On the checklist before walking out the front door, we need a wallet, phone, keys, and earbuds. They're with us all the time, from a morning walk with the dog to pre-bedtime YouTube streaming. If your current pair is not up for these tasks, early October Prime Day deals will come to the rescue.
SEE ALSO: 12 expert-sourced deals on headphones and earbuds ahead of October Prime Day: Shop Beats, AirPods, and SonyFrom incredibly comfortable Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) to the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special, we're seeing plenty of great early deals on earbuds, and I've rounded up the best options below. Keep an eye on Mashable's Prime Day coverage as we start to see more delas rolls in ahead of the sale.
Best Apple earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart$129.99 Save $30.99 Get Deal Why we like it
Down to the affordable price of $99, the Apple AirPods 4 are on sale at Walmart. Redesigned for comfort, the AirPods 4 come with a massive 30-hour battery life with the included charging case. And good news on that front, because Apple made the case smaller and compatible with USB-C recharging.
Keep in mind that the base model of the Apple AirPods 4 does not come with active noise cancellation. If that's a priority, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 with ANC are on sale for $199.
SEE ALSO: The 5 headphones deals we want to see on sale during October Prime Day Best Bose earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) $249.99 at Amazon$299 Save $49.01 Get Deal Why we like it
If you're looking for the most comfortable earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are a top pick. Mashable's analysis of the best earbuds notes that the Bose buds are unmatched for comfort and well worth the investment. "With spatial audio and some of the best ANC we've encountered, these earbuds deliver immersive sound that envelopes you in your music," wrote Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard.
Best open earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenDots One $139.95 at Amazon$199.95 Save $60 Get Deal Why we like it
If you'll be wearing earbuds while running or working out at the gym, open earbuds might be the best option. The design focuses on solid sound quality while also allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings. The Shokz OpenDots One are one of Mashable's favorite open earbuds models, and they're already on sale for under $140 ahead of Prime Day. Need more convincing? They're also Mashable's top choice for running earbuds.
The sale price of $139.95 is the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. Given that pricing history, you probably don't need to wait for Oct. 6 to buy this pair.
Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Soundcore Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $199.99 at Amazon$229.99 Save $30 get a free Anker Soundcore Eye Mask Get Deal Why we like it
If you struggle to sleep on account of environmental noise, sleep earbuds might be a great solution. Instead of using earbuds that hurt when sleeping on your side, sleep earbuds are specially designed for comfort, no matter which sleeping position you prefer. Mashable's favorite sleep earbuds are the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Specials, and they're already on sale for $199.99 ahead of October Prime Day.
In Mashable's review of the Sleep A30 Specials, Allard wrote, "Soundcore's quick upgrade to the recently released Sleep A30 earbuds is a welcome one, delivering a longer battery life and lower price point, making a great pair of sleep earbuds even better."
If you're searching for solutions to get better sleep, consider these sleep earbuds while they're on sale. Plus, they come with a free Anker Soundcore sleep mask.
More earbuds dealsNothing Ear (a) — $59 $79 (save $20)
Nothing Ear (Open) — $89 $99 (save $10)
Baseus Inspire XC1 — $109.94 $129.99 (save $20.05)
Bose QuietComfort — $149.99 $179 (save $29.01)
Beats Powerbeats Fit — $169.95 $199.99 (save $30.04)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds — $199 $299 (save $100)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.99 (save $50.04)
Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)
The new Microsoft Copilot talks to Office—and keeps working after you leave
Microsoft is making it easier to have AI do your drudge work — even when you're not there. The company has launched a redesigned Copilot app that finally ties into Office and streamlines the whole experience, including the do-it-while-you-sleep Autopilot feature.
3 excellent Netflix documentaries to watch this weekend (September 25-27)
Fall is officially upon us, and as September winds down and we prepare for the changing of the leaves, Netflix's flashy conveyor belt of new documentaries and series has slowed. But that's OK, a couple of great series are still going strong on the Netflix U.S. charts—Death of the Pastor's Wife and I Survived a Serial Killer—and, as we're about to get into, it's not over yet.
How to burn your own movies on Blu-ray in Windows 11
Blu-ray discs remain one of the few ways to keep high-quality home movies on physical media you control. Windows 11 barely includes basic support to make a playable one, though — which might surprise some of you, considering native burning tools for formats like DVD have been a staple on Windows for almost 20 years now. Here's the hardware and software you need, how burning works, and whether it's all worth the effort.
Our favorite early Prime Day deals on iPads: Live deals on the iPad Air and iPad Pro
Fall has just begun, and the holiday shopping season is already heating up. No longer do things kick off on Black Friday. With Amazon's annual Prime Big Deal Days running Oct. 6-7, it's your first chance to start shopping and saving this holiday season.
SEE ALSO: You can now get free Amazon Prime delivery on other websites, no Amazon login required — how it worksLeading up to Amazon's October Prime Day event, we're tracking all the early deals on the biggest brands. We've already spotted savings on Apple products, including iPads. The deals are nowhere near the best we've ever seen. There are some minor savings to enjoy ahead of the event. But considering Apple products (including iPads) have all seen price hikes in the past year, even the meager savings now are something to celebrate.
Here are the best iPad deals to shop ahead of Amazon's October Prime Day.
Best iPad Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi) $649 at Amazon$749 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it
Luckily, the best deal on iPads is on our favorite iPad. The Apple iPad Air comes with an M4 chip, making it as capable as any laptop. It has stellar performance and extensive battery life, plus with upgraded iPadOS, you can now navigate multiple windows at once.
Normally $749, the Apple iPad Air is marked down $100. That brings it down to $649, for 13% off its list price. While it's not the cheapest it's ever been, these savings bring it closer to its pre-price-hike rate.
Read our full review of the M4 Apple iPad Air.
More iPad dealsApple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $399 $449 (save $50)
Apple iPad (A16, 256GB, WiFi) — $499 $549 (save $50)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $649 $749 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) — $799 $899 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi) — $849 $949 (save $100)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi) — $1,139 $1,199 (save $60)
Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi + cellular, 256GB) — $1,616 $1,699 (save $83)
Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,299 $1,499 (save $200)
Off-brand power tool batteries are fine for homeowners—here's 4 times when they're not
I've seen plenty of posts online saying you absolutely need to buy a name brand, but they always assume you're running tools all day on a job site. If you're not, that advice doesn't apply, and following it will cost you money you don't need to spend. Off-brand power tool batteries have a bad reputation that made more sense when third-party manufacturing was less reliable than it is now. You need to consider whether your situation actually calls for a name-brand battery.
War review: HBO and Skys delicious legal drama is your next TV obsession
In HBO and Sky's new legal drama War, battles aren't fought in muddy trenches or torn-up fields. They're fought in elegant wood-paneled rooms or glassy offices perched high above London's streets. But just because these arenas are polished and proper doesn't mean the fighting is similarly clean. No, the lawyers who make up War's two rival firms of Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne are itching to get absolutely filthy.
SEE ALSO: 'War' trailer promises the high-profile divorce trial of the yearThey get their chance when they take on a high-profile divorce case, unleashing a flurry of betrayal and backstabbing that's so exquisitely ruthless, it's sure to make War your next drama obsession.
What's War about? James McArdle, Sienna Miller, and Phoebe Fox in "War." Credit: Miya Mizuno / Sky / FoxThe divorce in question is that of movie star Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) and tech magnate Morgan Henderson (Dominic West). She's a beloved actress whose fame is beginning to wane, while he's the CEO of a social media platform that keeps rising in prominence. As their fortunes diverge, Carla questions Morgan's fidelity. She even goes so far as to enlist her friend Flora (Rose Williams) to honeytrap him for proof so she can kickstart the divorce proceedings. It's the first of several underhanded — and often ill-advised — chess moves War's characters make throughout the series, as well as a tantalizingly bitter amuse-bouche for all the delicious drama to come.
Much of that drama comes from Carla and Morgan's imploding marriage, but their woes are really a gateway to War's main draw: Carla and Morgan's lawyers, who are as relentless as they are petty.
SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know aboutMorgan's team of choice is Cathcarts & Sons, a storied firm with deep roots in London's legal scene and even deeper pockets. Partners St. John Smallwood (Pip Torrens) and Beatrice Ubosi (Nina Sosanya) delight in taking down their opponents, discussing Morgan's case with the calculated relish of a predator playing with its food.
Their food, in this case, is Carla and her firm: the more recently established Taylor & Byrne. Partners in both law and marriage, Nicholas Taylor (James McArdle) and Serena Byrne (Phoebe Fox) hope this case can launch their firm to Cathcarts-level prominence. Winning it would make their name, but losing it would break them financially. With Morgan and Carla's respective firms in place, the board is set for a nasty divorce, with astronomical stakes for both lawyers and clients.
War turns divorce into an enthralling battleground. Nina Sosanya, Pip Torrens, and Dominic West in "War." Credit: Sky / HBOAs the divorce gets underway, War turns each stage of the proceedings into its own captivating battlefield. During mediation, lawyers shuttle settlement offers back and forth between teams, looking for all the world like messengers trying to negotiate a surrender before the war has even begun. During arbitration, Carla and Morgan's face-off carries all the explosiveness of a shootout. At each stage, their lawyers regroup to strategize, evaluating their status the way a military leader would evaluate their casualties.
Of course, Carla and Morgan get multiple opportunities to stop and settle, but be it because of greed or pride, they just keep pushing. The same goes for the lawyers. Why would they stop the process early on when they have so much to gain from a high-profile win? Time and again, War's character keep making the wrong choices, from Carla and Morgan down to lawyers like the ambitious Johnny Warren (Archie Renaux), caught in the crossfires between Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne. Yet each choice keeps pulling at the truth at War's core: that people will go to self-destructive lengths to get what they think they're owed.
Between Carla and Morgan's collapsing relationship and their inevitable march to the courtroom, War could easily have been played as a full-on tragedy. Instead, creator George Kay turns it into something darkly funny, full of scathing remarks and playground insults. At one point, St. John and Beatrice share a laugh over how Beatrice ignored Serena, a high school mean girl moment dressed in an expensive suit. Their arch takedowns of Serena and Nicholas turn St. John and Beatrice into the closest thing War has to outright villains, but neither side escapes the trial without blood on their hands. Kay teases out the story in such a way that viewers' allegiances may flip from Carla to Morgan over the course of an episode, creating a shifty, intoxicating viewing experience.
Because at the end of the day, War is downright fun. Its ensemble is excellent across the board, each scene crackling with incredible performances. Its episodes are among the most propulsive I've watched this year, rivaled only by Industry's astounding Season 4 run. And even though it loses some of its bite in its final episodes, its sharpness cuts deep. Do your best to pick a side, and head off to War.
War premieres Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. In the UK, War premieres Oct. 2 on Sky and NOW.
UPDATE: Sep. 25, 2026, 11:17 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with information about War's airdate on Sky and NOW.
How to watch Italy vs. Belgium online for free
TL;DR: Watch Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League for free on RaiPlay. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The UEFA Nations League is back, and for Italy, that means a chance at rebuilding its status after missing out on a string of tournaments. Belgium did qualify for this summer's World Cup, only exiting in the quarter-final stage at the hands of eventual winners Spain. They'll fancy their chances against a struggling Italy.
If you're interested in watching Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is Italy vs. Belgium?Italy vs. Belgium in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 25. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Olimpico.
How to watch Italy vs. Belgium for freeItaly vs. Belgium in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.
RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can live stream Italy vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Italy vs. Belgium for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice
Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy
Visit RaiPlay
Watch Italy vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Italy vs. Belgium without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RaiPlay, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including Italy
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.
Live stream Italy vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
One of DeWalt’s bestselling tools is just $99 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days
While you may be waiting for Amazon’s highly anticipated Big Deal Days to go live in two weeks, now may be a better time to shop, as the mega retailer just quietly slashed pricing on tons of gear, including some of its most popular power tools, like DeWalt's no. 1 bestselling 20V Max XR Oscillating Tool Kit—and right now, it's under $100.
The best early October Prime Day deals on hair tools, skincare, and red light masks
This is my fourth year covering Prime Day, so I've learned to be pretty cynical about pre-sale "discounts." But looking through the current beauty markdowns, a handful of these early prices actually match — if not beat — the deals we saw during June's Prime Day event.
Amazon's official October Prime Big Deal Days doesn't kick off until Oct. 6–7, but if you want to restock your essentials now, here are the best beauty deals you can shop today, sorted from least to most expensive in every section.
Best beauty deal Opens in a new window Credit: Drybar Drybar The Double Shot 2.4-Inch Oval Blow-Dryer Brush $131.75 at Amazon$155 Save $23.25 Get Deal Why we like it
You don't need to drop $400+ on a high-end multi-styler just to get a good blowout at home. I use this exact Drybar brush every single day, and it gets me ready in minutes. The combination of ionic airflow and tufted bristles smooths out stubborn frizz and cuts drying time in half, while the 2.4-inch oval barrel gives you real volume at the roots in a single pass — so you never have to awkwardly juggle a heavy dryer and a separate round brush.
Best early hair tool and hair care dealsTYMO Hair Straightener Brush — $42.10 $59.99 (save $17.89)
L'ANGE HAIR Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Blow Dryer Brush — $48.99 $69 (save $20.01)
Drybar The Baby Brush Crush Mini Heated Straightening Brush — $50.15 $59 (save $8.85)
TYMO 4.0 Hair Blow Dryer Brush — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)
Drybar The Roller Club Curling Hot Rollers — $109.65 $129 (save $19.35)
Dreame Pocket Cake Dual Voltage Hair Dryer with Diffuser — $119.99 $129.99 (save $10)
Dreame AirStyle Suite Pro Hair Styler & High-Speed Dryer — $179.99 $199.99 (save $20)
Shark FlexStyle Air Multi-Styler & Drying System — $199.99 $314 (save $114.01)
Dreame AirStyle Era Multi-Styler — $259.99 $349.99 (save $90)
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water For Waterproof Makeup — $8.39 $11.99 (save $3.60)
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer — $9.82 $12.99 (save $3.17)
Grace & Stella Lip Gloss Butter (Vanilla Ice Cream) — $9.95 $13.95 (save $4)
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara — $10.82 $13.99 (save $3.17)
Wavytalk Red Light Therapy Mask — $109.99 $179 (save $)
Wavytalk IPL Hair Removal — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)
Nood Flasher Pro — $299 $399 (save $100)
Anua: Get up to 47% off select gift sets and best sellers.
From Labs: Get up to 16% off best sellers.
Grace & Stella: Get 15% off when you buy any two items, and get a surprise free gift when you spend $60+. Bonus offer: Get 50% off the Eye Mask Variety Pack with code PRIMEOCT.
Joylux: Get up to 20% off select products.
Live Tinted: Save on select gift sets, including the Eye Awakening Routine gift set and Juicy Lip Gloss Duo.
Nood: Get up to 43% off select products.
Sand + Fog: Save on select scents and personal care items at Sand + Fog.
Tower 28: Save on select lip gloss gift sets, plus get a free mini pouch on your first order.
Rockstar’s massive $400 GTA 6 box comes with Oakleys, a hat, and a map of Leonida — where to preorder
TL;DR: Preorders are live for the $399.99 GTA VI: Vice City Collection. The 11-piece crate packs custom Oakley sunglasses, a New Era cap, and a physical map of Leonida — though the actual game is sold separately. Lock yours in directly at the Rockstar Store before the limited run sells out.
Opens in a new window Credit: Rockstar GTA 6 Collector's Box $399.99 at RockstarPre-order Here
Rockstar Games officially launched preorders for the Grand Theft Auto VI: The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection on its webstore, priced at $399.99. The massive 11-piece crate is themed after Macca the Gator, a hit TV show inside the fictional state of Leonida, and comes packed with high-end apparel, barware, and physical lore collectibles.
Before grabbing your wallet, you should know the major catch: the actual game is sold separately. This is strictly an elite merch drop for hardcore collectors, so you will still need to buy your copy of GTA 6 when launch day hits.
Credit: Rockstar What's inside the boxRockstar packed this 11-piece crate with apparel, barware, and lore collectibles:
Oakley Frogskins Sunglasses — Matte black frames with Prizm Sapphire lenses and a Vice City pink GTAVI logo
New Era 9FORTY Snapback Hat — A-Frame cap featuring Vice City and Leonida embroidery
Leonida Keys Crossbody Bag — Ripstop bag with black-and-pink lining and a debossed YKK zipper pull
Macca the Gator Figure — 6-inch figurine with a secret twist-open stash base
Macca the Gator Magnetic Mirror — Electroplated pink glass mirror for hanging or tray use
Chunkee the Manatee Shot Glass — Features Chunkee on the front and a laser-etched Rockstar logo
Vice City Collectible Swizzle Spoon — Decorative spoon with debossed enamel Vice City branding
Double-Sided Souvenir Poster with Map of Leonida — Macca the Gator TV show art on the front and the full physical state map on the back
Vice City Razor Blade Keychain — Metallic razor-blade-style keychain
Leonida Keys Enamel Pin Set — Nine enamel pins inside a custom metal tin
Leonida Keys Sticker Pack — Nine vinyl stickers in a stash bag
You can place a preorder directly on the official Rockstar Store. This is a limited-run release shipping out on Nov. 19, 2026. Due to the size of the box, it does not qualify for free shipping, and orders are strictly capped at one per customer. Secure your preorder while the first batch is still up before stock runs dry.
Windows might be holding your RAM hostage. Here's how to free it
You've likely noticed that your Windows computer tends to slow down after it's been running for a while. This can happen even on brand-new laptops and powerful gaming PCs, yet few people understand why this happens. The good news is that I have a solution.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on September 25, 2026
The Moon is almost completely full in the sky, so tonight, there's another chance to spot some of the features that stand out on its surface. Here's what to look for if you've got clear skies.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Friday, Sept. 25, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase, with 98% of its surface visible.
With just your naked eye, tonight you can see the Mare Crisium, Mare Fecunditatis, and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Posidonius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Frigoris. On top of this, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots, and the Schiller Crater.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.
What are Moon phases?The Moon goes through a repeating cycle as it orbits Earth, taking roughly 29.5 days to complete. During that time, the amount of its sunlit side visible from Earth changes, giving us the different lunar phases. It starts with a slim crescent, grows to a half Moon and eventually reaches the Full Moon, before beginning the cycle again. NASA explains that which phase we see depends on where the Moon is in relation to Earth and the Sun.
The eight phases are:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
Motorola's software is the best and worst things about its phones
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the iPhone Duo may be grabbing all the headlines, the Motorola Razr Fold is the sleeper hit book-style foldable of the year. This phone undercuts the alternatives on price while outperforming them in many of the areas that matter most. Yet, just like other Motorola phones, it’s the software that attracts me, and it’s the software that pushes me away.
The internet is obsessing over a Minion-shaped router: Heres where to buy yours
TL;DR: Davolink's officially licensed Minions WiFi router went viral on X, racking up over 4 million views and wiping out Amazon's inventory. You can still grab the Bob (AX1800) model via third-party Amazon sellers for $79.49.
Opens in a new window Credit: Davolink Bob (AX1800) Minion WiFi Router $79.49 at AmazonShop Now
If you thought home networking equipment was strictly limited to glowing black boxes with spider-like antennas, social media just proved otherwise.
A viral X post praising Davolink’s officially licensed Minions WiFi router racked up over 4 million views in less than 24 hours — causing Amazon's direct stock to sell out almost instantly. Underneath the denim-overalls exterior, these devices are surprisingly capable WiFi 6 and 6E routers built by an enterprise networking company.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Built as a compact upright unit, it sits easily on a desk or bookshelf like a vinyl figurine while delivering actual high-speed home networking. Performance-wise, Bob runs on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, with combined theoretical speeds up to 1.77 Gbps. It is specifically built for low-latency tasks like wireless PC VR streaming, online gaming, and 4K media streaming, where a steady connection matters. On the back, you get 1 GbE WAN and LAN ports to connect your modem, PC, or gaming console directly.
Versatility is where Bob shines. You can run it as your main home router, set it up as a standalone access point, use it as a range extender, or link it to another compatible Minions router to build a full mesh network to cover dead zones in your apartment. It also comes with standard WPA3 encryption to keep your connection secure.
Amazon still has select third-party listings for the Minions Bob router at around $79.49. You can also check eBay, where completed sales have been popping up rapidly following the social media spike. Just make sure to double-check total seller pricing and shipping costs so you don't overpay.
Grab the Davolink Minions Bob Router for $79.49 on Amazon before this third-party stock also dries up.
Pokémon 30th anniversary: 11 of the weirdest little freaks in Pokémon history
Thirty years of Pokémon means 30 years of absolutely bizarre, confounding, and totally lovable little freaks populating our screens.
To be clear, I say "little freaks" with nothing but admiration and love. The entire appeal of Pokémon, to me, is that every few years you get a couple hundred strange new creatures to look at and, eventually, learn to love. In fairness to all Pokémon, basically every single one of them is a weird little freak, but the 10 on this list go above and beyond. Lightning-powered mice are pretty weird, but not as weird as sentient ice cream cones, if you get what I'm saying.
Pokémon 30 year anniversary celebrations are in full swing everywhere. Whether you're mucking about in the cutthroat world of trading card collecting or simply obsessed with Pokémon Pokopia, we're all in the mood to celebrate three decades of greatness and, importantly, abundant little weirdos.
Appropriately, here are 11 of my favorite Pokémon, included mostly for how strange they are.
SEE ALSO: Target is hosting a huge Pokémon 30th Anniversary event: How to claim free promo cards KlefkiIntroduced in Gen VI (2013)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Some of the later generations of Pokémon (well, later by the standards of someone who started playing in the 90s) introduced a bunch of little freaks who are more or less just mundane, inanimate objects with faces. These are some of my favorite Pokémon because it feels like whoever designed them was just glancing around the room, looking for anything they could anthropomorphize.
That brings me to Klefki, which is literally a living ring of keys. Series lore suggests Klefki uses the keys as a defense mechanism by rattling them, but the keys also hold deep meaning for the creature, as it will hold onto its favorite ones for long periods. I love this little guy.
ChandelureIntroduced in Gen V (2010)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Chandelure is another "random inanimate object" Pokémon, which is best described as a ghostly chandelier. It's the final evolution of a line that also includes a ghostly candle and a ghostly lamp. One thing I love about Chandelure is that it has a Mega Evolution in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, turning it into an even more ornate chandelier. We love a Pokémon who can dress for the occasion.
GarbodorIntroduced in Gen V (2010)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Garbodor is a living, breathing pile of trash. I don't mean that in a derogatory sense; that's literally what it is. Presumably, someone saw a bunch of garbage piled up outside the Pokémon office one day and used that as a source of inspiration. I love it.
SEE ALSO: I tried to buy my son some Pokémon cards at retail price. It was almost impossible. MimikyuIntroduced in Gen VII (2016)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Mimikyu made waves online when it was first introduced 10 years ago because, frankly, it has one of the saddest backstories of any Pokémon. It's actually a tiny ghost whose true form we never really see, hidden under a shoddy, low-effort Pikachu costume. The reason it wears the costume? To make friends, of course, given Pikachu's massive popularity and the presumed ugliness of Mimikyu's true self.
Personally, I'm sure the real Mimikyu is beautiful, too, but I can't say I dislike the way it presents itself.
UnownIntroduced in Gen II (1999)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.I really cut my teeth as a Pokémon video game player in the second generation of games, otherwise known as Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Gen II had a lot of really neat stuff going on, including Unown, a new Pokémon that exists in a couple of dozen different forms that all resemble hieroglyphs or, in some cases, just regular letters. They like to hang out on the walls of ruins, but that's only when they leave the special other dimension that only they get to live in.
Unown has a place in my heart for contributing to a real sense of mystery when it first appeared, even if later Pokémon games sort of demystified it over time. It's also the only Pokémon that you can use to form sentences.
GimmighoulIntroduced in Gen IX (2022)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Gimmighoul is a strange little fella who lives in treasure chests, which is how it is encountered in the core video games in which it appears. It loves gold coins, which is key to its weirdness; it is actually possible to evolve Gimmighoul into an also-very-weird golden humanoid monster, but only if you collect literally 999 gold coins. I love Pokémon with specific, deeply involved evolution processes, and I have to applaud Gimmighoul for being as high-maintenance about evolution as it is.
LickitungIntroduced in Gen I (1996)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.So far, I've focused on weird little freaks who were introduced after Pokémon got its start in 1996. I don't want anyone to think I'm ignoring the original 151, plenty of whom are quirky and goofy in their own ways. One such weirdo is Lickitung, who just has a giant tongue that it uses to lick things. Sometimes weirdness is simple like that. Give a little guy a big tongue and make that his defining feature, and you've got yourself a 30-year-strong weird little guy.
Mr. MimeIntroduced in Gen I (1996)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Mr. Mime is a classic weird little freak. It's one of the best Pokémon ever, purely because it likes doing parlor tricks and will slap the hell out of anyone who isn't impressed by them. You have to respect Mr. Mime's hustle or suffer the consequences. I like a Pokémon who has a day job.
RotomIntroduced in Gen IV (2006)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Rotom is not, in and of itself, a living inanimate object. It's more like a living spark of electricity. It has no evolutionary tree, but it does learn to inhabit a variety of household objects, gaining different abilities. At different points in the series, Rotom has been a microwave, a washing machine, and a lawn mower, and it has even served as the basis for smartphones in modern Pokémon video games.
In other words, Rotom benefits society.
VanilluxeIntroduced in Gen V (2010)
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.There isn't much to say about Vanilluxe other than it's literally just an ice cream cone with a face. Well, two faces, technically. It looks like two ice cream cones smashed together because it's the third form of an evolutionary line, and I guess they needed to do something to differentiate it from the other two, which also just look like ice cream cones. I mostly put Vanilluxe on this list because I really like ice cream.
GengarIntroduced in Gen I (1996)
The best of the best. Credit: Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty ImagesThis choice almost feels like a cop-out in some ways because Gengar is one of the most popular Pokémon of all time. Everyone loves this guy, and he's been a favorite since the series started all those years ago.
But I can't help but include Gengar because, I mean, just look at him! No fictional character has ever been more down to party than Gengar. But, like, in a kind of insidious way. You never know how things are going to go with Gengar is around, but they're always going to be interesting, and that's one of the best qualities a person (or Pokémon) can have.
Your 75-inch TV was a mistake, and I know because I bought one too
My first "big-screen" TV was a 51-inch Samsung Plasma, which I held on to for such a long time that I made the leap from 720p straight to 4K in 2016, when I purchased a 55-inch Samsung LED LCD TV. Coming from CRTs, I already thought these TVs were enormous, but standards have changed.


