Blogroll

As the weekend approaches, it's time to take a look at another three homelab projects you should try out! This weekend, I'm focusing on building a private GPS tracking system and some simple-but-useful homelab tools you should definitely be running.

Say "goodbye" to Mico and a handful of AI tools, Microsoft Copilot users.

According to new Microsoft support documents, the tech giant is making major changes to its AI assistant, Copilot.

The biggest change to Copilot is that it will no longer exist as separate apps for consumer and business use. Microsoft will merge both the consumer Copilot app and the business-oriented Microsoft 365 Copilot app into a single application.

During this process, Microsoft is also killing off some lesser-used features, including Mico, its animated Clippy-like Copilot mascot. Mico is a blob-like animated character who currently lives in Copilot as an AI companion. 

According to Microsoft, Mico will be removed as part of a wave of Copilot updates rolling out to users throughout August. While Microsoft is killing Mico off in Copilot, the company says Mico will have a new home on a much less-used Microsoft platform, Learn Live, where the character will work as a tutor for users.

But Mico isn't the only Copilot element that Microsoft is ditching.

Microsoft is also removing Copilot's Group Chat, Podcasts, Deep Research, and experimental Copilot Labs features.

Group Chats are a Copilot feature that allows multiple users to collaborate in a single Copilot AI chat. The Podcast feature enabled users to create AI-generated podcasts based on web interests and documents. Deep Research is a feature Microsoft dubbed a personal research assistant for creating detailed reports. Copilot Labs provided Copilot users with access to early-stage features.

According to Microsoft, these four AI features will sunset on Aug. 18. All related generated content will also be removed. So, if a user has group chats or podcasts that they'd like to save, they need to export the content by that date.

Microsoft says it's making these changes to Copilot to "create a simpler, more cohesive experience for everyone."

However, a report from The Information late last year revealed more pressing problems with Microsoft's suite of AI tools. The company had significantly reduced AI-related sales targets as Copilot increasingly lost market share to AI tools from companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

The vinyl revival is still going strong, with a niche but loyal following of audiophiles and a new younger cohort that are just looking for a more meaningful, tactile alternative to a world where music is only accessed via streaming.

Siri may soon be (finally) able to tell you more about what is happening in the world right now, but Apple could have to pay publishers a lot of money to make that happen.

According to an Aug. 12 report by the Wall Street Journal, Apple has approached several news publishers in recent months about giving its forthcoming Siri AI assistant access to their content. The proposed multiyear deals would help Siri answer questions about current events and other information that changes in real time.

Apple has reportedly discussed setting aside a nine-figure budget for the partnerships. Its proposed payment structure would compensate publishers whenever their reporting is used, according to the Journal. That differs from many existing AI licensing deals, which typically pay publishers a guaranteed fee in exchange for broader access to their content.

It is unclear which publishers Apple has contacted or whether any agreements have been finalized. Apple declined to comment to the Journal.

The negotiations come as Apple prepares to roll out a significantly upgraded version of Siri. Siri AI is expected to enter beta later this year, with new capabilities that allow the assistant to understand personal context, recognize what is on a user’s screen, and complete actions across apps.

Apple already has established relationships with publishers through Apple News+, its paid news subscription service that launched in 2019. The company has also previously paid for access to content through deals that included the right to use publishers’ work for AI training, the Journal reported.

Apple has also already learned how quickly AI-generated news can go wrong. In late 2024, the company began offering AI-generated notification summaries that sometimes rewrote news alerts inaccurately. Apple eventually disabled the feature for news and entertainment apps following complaints from publishers.

The latest talks arrive as news organizations decide how, or whether, to work with the companies building AI products. Publishers, including News Corp and Axel Springer, have signed content deals with OpenAI, while The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft over the alleged unauthorized use of its reporting.

For publishers, Apple’s proposed pay-per-use system would offer another way to make money from the AI products increasingly answering questions that once sent readers directly to news websites. For Apple, it could help ensure that when users ask Siri what is happening right now, the assistant finally has a useful answer.

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.

Controversial surveillance technology company Flock Safety has unveiled sweeping new privacy "guardrails," seemingly intended to quell growing unrest over its devices' presence across the country.

Days prior, CEO Garrett Langley went on a media run to convince the public that the company was not the latest cog in a dystopian surveillance state, but rather a purveyor of public safety. "We’re not Big Brother," said CEO Garrett Langley. "We’re focused on protecting people."

SEE ALSO: This map shows how many Flock cameras are in your neighborhood

But many still wonder, if it looks like Big Brother, and it talks like Big Brother...

What is Flock's new privacy policy?

Under the new policy, Flock will be adjusting its default data retention period from a 30 days to seven. Prior to this, Flock systems were automatically set to store an individual's registration and location information for a full month, but this can still be changed to longer or shorter periods according to state and local policy. The ACLU has previously recommended that data retention defaults be set to 48 hours.

In addition, Flock will now require law enforcement agencies to use a case code that delineates a potential offense before searching the Flock database. Previously, this was an optional setting for Flock clients, and dozens of law enforcement officers have been accused of using the database to stalk and harass individuals. The company's "Audit Assistance" tool, intended to flag inappropriate uses, will become standard on all Flock packages.

Flock is also adding a new feature called "Offense filtering for sharing." The tool will let cities moderate how other agencies access their residents' data by categorizing which types of offenses are searchable.

Does this make Flock cameras safer?

All of these changes come with exceptions. "Every community will continue to choose the retention period that fits its public safety strategy," according to Flock.

The company also announced a new "Evidence Mode," which allows law enforcement to bypass retention policies and store specific ALPR data if it is deemed evidence in an active investigation. The feature could be a step in the right direction, or it could make everything worse, according to civil rights groups.

"If 'Evidence Mode' only retains hit result data that police determine may be evidence in an active investigation of a specific case, then the change may be a positive one," the ACLU wrote in an analysis of the new policy. "But if 'Evidence Mode' triggers the retention of any ALPR data that is searched, then the new mode could indefinitely retain all the ALPR data Flock collects and shares nationally."

Broadly, many of Flock's new safety features have not been proven to prevent pervasive law enforcement misuse, the ACLU argues: "Transforming an exceptionally dangerous mass surveillance system into one that is fully protective of civil rights and civil liberties is a difficult, if not impossible task."

Why are Flock cameras controversial?

In the last month, communities have rallied to "deFlock" their neighborhoods, including destroying, blocking, and even stealing Flock cameras installed there. Many city governments, and even fellow tech companies, have canceled contracts with the company, as others debate continued partnerships.

To many, the "eye-in-the-sky" Flock camera has become a looming symbol of tech-enabled state surveillance and unfettered data collection. As of June, the company operates more than 120,000 cameras in 6,000 different neighborhoods, used across a gamut of businesses, law enforcement agencies, and even homeowner associations to monitor anyone who happens to drive by.

For years, privacy experts and civil rights advocates have raised alarms over the escalation of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems across the country, as well as the covert nature of ALPR surveillance hardware in public spaces. In addition to automatically scanning passing cars to crosscheck their registration against law databases, ALPRs often store personal registration and location data for indefinite periods to later be used by national networks and law enforcement agencies — before you've even committed any crime.

In offering such services to agencies and businesses across the country, activists allege companies like Flock have enabled a mass state-accessible tracking apparatus unbeknownst to citizens. That is, until recently.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Prime Video might not have as many Emmy-winning hits as Netflix, but it still has a number of critically acclaimed shows that fans continue to revisit. One of the most successful shows in Prime Video history returns for a fourth season. It's bigger, badder, and more action-packed than ever, making it our top selection of the week.

SAVE $20.99: The Ninja Crispi glass air fryer is on sale at Amazon in select colorways for $159, down from the list price of $179.99. That's a 12% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $159 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20.99   Get Deal

Some kitchen appliances are fads that come and go. It seemed like air fryers might fall into that category until we all realized how excellent they truly were. If your old air fryer is feeling beat up, we have fresh models that offer even more convenience and bake in glass. If that's sparked an interest, check out this Amazon deal.

In select colorways, the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer is on sale at Amazon for $159, marked down from the list price of $179.99. That works out to a savings of $20.99.

When Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino set out to find the best Ninja appliances, the Crispi emerged as the best air fryer. "Air fryers are great for anyone, but the Ninja Crispi is made for meal preppers," wrote Mangino. "With its portable design, it stores nicely and can be used on the go. Plus, it actually works. The controls are simple, and the glass baskets come with storage lids for easy food storage."

SEE ALSO: The Shark NV752 TruePet vacuum is 38% off — buy now for under $250

Since the Crispi cooks in glass containers, there's no need to transfer food into a different vessel for serving or storage. Plus, Ninja included snap-lock and leak-resistant lids for the glass containers. The Crispi has convenient air fryer settings such as bake, re-crisp, and max crisp, with a temperature range up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes time to clean, both the lids and glassware are dishwasher safe. Today's Amazon deal earns you the Ninja Crispi PowerPod air fryer, a four-quart glass container, a six-quart glass container, and lids for both.

Since we're heading into back-to-school season, upgrade to the Ninja Crispi for easy dinners and meal prep. It's a Mashable favorite air fryer thanks to the glass containers.

We're living in a time when personal privacy is slowly becoming a thing of the past, or at least that's what big tech behemoths want you to believe. What's true, no matter how you look at it, is that privacy has become a sought-after commodity, and self-hosting your password manager is one way to preserve it without compromising your security. Below are three self-hosted password manager platforms you should keep an eye on in 2026.

SAVE UP TO $100: As of Aug. 13, shop Apple AirPods at Amazon and save. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are down to $189.99, while the AirPods Max 2 are $100 off.

Best Apple AirPods deals this week: Best AirPods Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $189.99 (save $59.01) Get Deal Best AirPods 4 Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal Apple AirPods Max 2 $449 (save $100) Get Deal

We have put together a plethora of guides on headphones and earbuds here at Mashable. We've tested models from every brand, including Bose, Sony, JLab, and Nothing. But here's the thing, Apple's AirPods will always be the most popular earbuds out there.

It's not unwarranted, though. Apple makes connecting AirPods to iOS devices so easy that even tech novices can use them. During big blockbuster sales like Prime Day or Black Friday, AirPods are guaranteed to go on sale, but in between? It can be really hit or miss.

So it feels like a real treat that, as of Aug. 13, every pair of AirPods is on sale at Amazon. We checked the prices across retailers, and Amazon has all the best prices right now. So if you need a new pair of AirPods, now is the time to shop.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $189.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $59.01   Get Deal

The absolute best deal on AirPods to shop now is on the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Now down to $189.99, it's just $20 away from its lowest price ever, not a bad deal considering its all-time low fell during Prime Day. Now 24% off, these AirPods offer the best savings among the deals currently available.

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's most advanced earbuds. It delivers stellar in-ear active noise cancellation. If you wear them while working out, they now even feature heart rate sensing to track your heart rate and calories burned. For those who have tried AirPods and been disappointed with the fit, the new AirPods Pro 3 have a redesigned ear tip with five sizes for the most secure fit yet.

But if you're looking for a different model, they're all on sale, so take a look through all the deals available at Amazon.

More Apple AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $449 $549 (save $100)

The big word Google has been throwing around a lot for Pixel phones this year is “intelligence.” It wants your phone to genuinely be able to take control and do stuff for you. When it comes to automation, though, Pixel phones don’t seem very smart.

Shopping for a compact luxury sedan usually means starting with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi, especially now that several alternatives are disappearing from the market. But there’s still one sedan that makes a pretty strong case for looking beyond the usual German choices.

The week before a new school year starts has a way of feeling productive without actually being productive. Setting up a few self-hosted Docker containers won't fix your study habits, but it will replace a handful of tools you're already paying for or tolerating. It’s better to learn how to use Docker containers than to use regular apps, because it keeps your work together.

SAVE $40: The Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball is Best Buy's Drop for Aug. 13. It's on sale for $159.99 (normally $199.99) in the Best Buy mobile app while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152) $159.99
$199.99 Save $40 Only available in the Best Buy mobile app. Get Deal

Lego's first-ever Pokémon sets arrived earlier this year, including one starring everyone's favorite Electric-type mouse. The 2,050-piece Pikachu and Poké Ball set retails for $199.99, making it one of the most expensive Lego Pokémon builds available. Annoyingly, it's been difficult to find on sale ever since it launched in February. But today, shoppers can score it at a lower price than ever.

The Lego Pikachu and Poké Ball set is marked down to $159.99 as Best Buy's Drop for Thursday, Aug. 13 — an unprecedented $40 savings. The deal is exclusively available in the Best Buy mobile app today while supplies last, and I wouldn't be shocked if it sells out in well under an hour.

Credit: Lego

Historical pricing data shows that this Lego set has never gone on sale on Amazon before, and it's only seen $10 to $18 markdowns at Walmart this summer. It probably won't see a discount this big until Black Friday season.

For the uninitiated, Best Buy Drops is an app-exclusive program featuring limited-time deals and restocks of viral products. (You won't find the same offers in Best Buy stores or online.) New Drops go live almost every day at 11 a.m. ET and don't get restocked once they sell out, so promptness is key.

Are you ready for this weekend's Raspberry Pi project roundup? Well, ready or not, here are three projects you can try that take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete, including building your very own photo booth.

SAVE $800: As of Aug. 13, the Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV is still in stock and on sale for $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's $800 off its list price, but we recommend acting fast, as stock is running low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,197.99 Save $800.00   Get Deal

It's no longer the newest TV in Samsung's OLED lineup, but the S85F is still a stunning contender at an excellent value. As a 2025 model, stock is drying up across retailers. If you want to bring home this budget-friendly yet brilliant TV at $800 off its retail price, now's the time to act.

As of Aug. 13, Amazon still has the Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED 4K TV in stock for just $1,397.99. That's $800 off the list price. And for what it's worth, that's also $1,000 cheaper than the 2026 upgraded model, the S85H, which is only incrementally better. It's currently sold out at Samsung, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The S85F is the entry-level OLED TV from Samsung's 2025 lineup, but it still offers great specs. Its picture quality is extremely impressive, with vivid colors and deep contrast. It features Samsung's Tizen 9.0 smart TV platform for smooth, speedy navigation; decent gaming features like a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, and FreeSync Premium; and, of course, AI tools like Click to Search, Live Translate, Adaptive Sound Pro, and Real Depth Enhancer to enhance your viewing experience.

If a big screen and a brilliant picture are what you're after, the 77-inch Samsung S85F OLED checks both of those boxes. And if you act pretty fast, you can lock it in for only $1,397.99 while it's still in stock.

Are you tired of installing the same dozen apps every time you set up a new machine? Are you wondering what everyone else is using and whether you're overlooking some hidden gems? Well, here are eight underrated free apps—some open source—that I always install on all of my PCs. They're an essential part of my workflow, and they're all cross-platform, so they work on both Windows and Linux.

SAVE $240: The 14-inch, M5 Pro-powered Apple MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,259.99 at Amazon. That's 10% off its regular price of $2,499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,259.99 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $239.01   Get Deal

Great MacBook deals are getting harder to find in the wake of Apple's price increases. It's especially important to cross-check models across retailers to make sure you've found the best price.

Take the 14-inch, M5 Pro-powered MacBook Pro. It's $200 off at Best Buy this week — not bad — but if you buy it there before shopping around, you've missed out on an even bigger discount. As of Aug. 13, I'm seeing it on sale for $240 off on Amazon. It usually retails for $2,499, but you'll pay $2,559.99. The only other retailer that's price-matching it is Costco (with no membership required).

This MacBook is one of the most powerful laptops on the market, full stop. It's not geared toward the average, everyday user, but rather toward graphic designers, video editors, and other creative professionals who run highly intensive software daily. (If you're a regular-degular person looking for the best MacBook, go with the Air instead.) In the battery life department, it's rated for up to 22 hours of use per charge.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage

Compared to the base M5 MacBook Pro, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro has three of the latest, fastest Thunderbolt 5 ports instead of Thunderbolt 4, and it can support up to three external displays instead of two. It also packs Apple's newest wireless networking chip, the N1. Combine those features with its ample RAM and storage capacities — 24GB and 1TB, respectively — and you've got a super future-proofed machine.

The M5 Pro MacBook Pro's screen is a bright, luscious, mini-LED display with a silky 120Hz refresh rate and a crispy 3K resolution. It has a 12MP Center Stage camera, and it comes in your choice of two finishes: Silver or Space Black.

For what it's worth, Apple's back-to-school promo nets you a $100 discount on this MacBook Pro and a free $150 gift card, for a total savings of $250. However, the offer is only open to college students, their parents, and school faculty.

SAVE $499: As of Aug. 13, save $499 on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone at Amazon. That brings the drone-creator combo down to $3,500.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone Creator Combo $3,500 at Amazon
$3,999 Save $499   Get Deal

iPhone photos have come a long way. The cameras capture stunning, vivid detail in a way that our old flip phones simply never could. Apple even broadcast an entire MLS game that was shot entirely on an iPhone 17 Pro. But what can't an iPhone do? Fly.

For that, you'll need a drone to take off in flight, soaring in the air, all while capturing 4K video. For truly great video quality on a drone, it'll cost you a few thousand, unless you get a great deal, like this one on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

As of Aug. 13, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone Creator Combo is just $3,500. Yes, that seems like a steep price, but it saves you $499 off the Mavic 4 Pro's list price of $3,999 for 12% savings. It's also the record-low price, according to camelcamelcamel.

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the brand's flagship triple-lens camera. It has a 28mm Hasselblad camera, a 7mm medium tele camera, and a 168mm tele camera. This model also has boosted flight time, able to run for 51 minutes, and covering up to 25.5 miles.

Shop the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone Creator Combo at Amazon now and save $499 for a limited time.

For parents, finding a first car that keeps their teenager happy without creating a financial or safety headache can be surprisingly difficult. Most affordable cars are sensible but forgettable, while the ones that look genuinely cool often come with compromises that make them poor choices for a new driver. Fortunately, there is a Japanese hatchback that manages to strike an unusually good balance, offering sleek styling, a surprisingly upscale cabin, dependable ownership, and enough driving fun to keep an enthusiast teenager interested.

SAVE $54.60: As of Aug. 13, Amazon has the ASUS ZenScreen 15-inch portable monitor on sale for just $94.40. That's a 37% discount from its usual $149 and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch Portable Monitor (MB16AHV) $94.40 at Amazon
$149 Save $54.60   Get Deal

I adore being able to work from anywhere as a writer, but I quickly found that being confined to a measly laptop screen is far from ideal. I added the ASUS ZenScreen portable monitor to my on-the-go setup a few years back, and it has dramatically improved my mobile workstation.

While it's 100% worth its $149 price tag, I encourage you to grab it while it's at its best-ever price on Amazon this week.

As of Aug. 13, the ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch portable monitor (MB16AHV) is down to just $94.40 at Amazon. That's a 37% or $54.60 discount and the lowest cost on record, according to price-tracking tool camelcamelcamel.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The ZenScreen attaches to your laptop's USB-C port with the included cable, so there's no need to find an unused outlet or worry about charging it. Just plug it into both devices, and you'll instantly double your screen real estate. This particular model has a built-in kickstand as well, so you can prop it up without any extra accessories. Although it also seamlessly attaches to a stand mount if you choose to go the extra mile.

The only real concern I've had since owning the ASUS ZenScreen is how fragile it feels. It's super slim at 10.5mm and can easily fit into a backpack, but I'd recommend grabbing a separate case or sleeve for it. I purchased a 15-inch laptop bag and slipped it inside there with its included cable for extra protection, and I've never had any issues — and this thing has traveled thousands of miles with me over the last few years.

Having dual screens while working on the go is a game-changer. And it'll only set you back less than $95 if you act fast.