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Windows users should think about reinforcing their antivirus software. And while Microsoft Defender should provide a line of defense against ransomware, a new report claims that hackers have found a way to get around the ransomware tool to infect PCs with ransomware.

A GuidePoint Security report (via BleepingComputer) found that hackers are using Akira ransomware to exploit a legitimate PC driver to load a second, malicious driver that shuts off Windows Defender, allowing for all sorts of monkey business.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft is pushing Copilot on Bing users, report says

The good driver that's being exploited here is called "rwdrv.sys,' which is used for tuning software for Intel CPUs. Hackers abuse it to install "hlpdrv.sys," another driver that they then use to get around Defender — and start doing whatever it is they want to do.

GuidePoint reported seeing this type of attack starting in the middle of July. It doesn't seem like the loophole has been patched yet, but the more people know about it, the less likely it is for the exploit to work against them, at least in theory.

In the meantime, allow our colleagues at PCMag to recommend some fine third-party antivirus software to you for your Windows PC. For more information on the latest Akira ransomware attacks — including possible defenses — head to GuidePoint Security.

GPT-5 is out, the early reviews are in, and they're not great.

Many ChatGPT fans have taken to Reddit and other social media platforms to express their frustration and disappointment with OpenAI's newest foundation model, released on Thursday.

A quick glimpse of the ChatGPT subreddit (which is not affiliated with OpenAI) shows scathing reviews of GPT-5. Since the model began rolling out, the subreddit has filled with posts calling GPT-5 a "disaster," "horrible," and the "biggest piece of garbage even as a paid user."

Awkwardly, Altman and other members of the OpenAI team had a preplanned Reddit AMA to answer questions about GPT-5. In the hours ahead of the AMA, questions piled up in anticipation, with many users demanding that OpenAI bring back GPT-4o as an alternative to GPT-5.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI says GPT-5 hallucinates less — what does the data say? What Redditors are saying about GPT-5

Many of the negative first impressions say GPT-5 lacks the "personality" of GPT-4o, citing colder, shorter replies. "GPT-4o had this… warmth. It was witty, creative, and surprisingly personal, like talking to someone who got you. It didn’t just spit out answers; it felt like it listened," said one redditor. "Now? Everything’s so… sterile."

Reddit

Another said, "GPT-5 lacks the essence and soul that separated Chatgpt (sic) from other AI bots. I sincerely wish they bring back 4o as a legacy model or something like that."

Several redditors also criticized the fact that OpenAI did away with the option to choose different models, prompting some users to say they're canceling their subscriptions. "I woke up this morning to find that OpenAI deleted 8 models overnight. No warning. No choice. No "legacy option," posted one redditor who said they deleted their ChatGPT Plus account. Another user posted that they canceled their account for the same reason.

As Mashable reported yesterday, GPT-5 integrates various OpenAI models into one platform, and ChatGPT will now choose the appropriate model based on the user's prompt. Clearly, some users miss the old system and models.

Reddit

Ironically, OpenAI has also drawn criticism for having too many model options; GPT-5 was supposed to resolve this confusion by streamlining the previous models under GPT-5.

Sam Altman responds to the criticisms

When Altman and the team logged onto the AMA, they faced a barrage of demands to bring back GPT-4o.

"Ok, we hear you all on 4o," said Altman during the AMA. "Thanks for the time to give us the feedback (and the passion!). We are going to bring it back for Plus users, and will watch usage to determine how long to support it."

Reddit

Altman also addressed feedback that GPT-5 seemed dumber than it should have been, explaining that the "autoswitcher" that determines which version of GPT-5 to use wasn't working. "GPT-5 will seem smarter starting today," he said. Altman also added that the chatbot will make it clearer which model is answering a user's prompt. OpenAI will double rate limits for ChatGPT Plus users once the rollout is finished.

“As we mentioned, we expected some bumpiness as we roll out so many things at once. But it was a little more bumpy than we hoped for!” Altman said in the AMA.

GPT-5 is an improvement, but not an exponential one

Expectations for GPT-5 could not have been higher — and that may be the real problem with GPT-5.

Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist and author known for his research on neuroscience and artificial intelligence — and a well-known skeptic of the AI hype machine — wrote on his Substack that GPT-5 makes “Good progress on many fronts” but disappoints in others. Marcus noted that even after multi-billion-dollar investments, “GPT-5 is not the huge leap forward people long expected.”

The last time OpenAI released a frontier model was over two years ago with GPT-4. Since then, several competitors like Google Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, xAI's Grok, Meta's Llama, and DeepSeek R1 have caught up to OpenAI on benchmarks, similar agentic features, and user loyalty. For many, GPT-5 had the power to reinforce or topple OpenAI's reign as the AI leader.

With this in mind, it's inevitable that some users would be disappointed, and many ChatGPT users have shared positive reviews of GPT-5 as well. Time may blunt these criticisms as OpenAI makes improvements and tweaks to GPT-5. The company has also historically been responsive to user feedback, with Altman being very active on X.

"We currently believe the best way to successfully navigate AI deployment challenges is with a tight feedback loop of rapid learning and careful iteration," the company's mission statement avows.

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

UPDATE: Aug. 8, 2025, 3:20 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with Sam Altman's responses from the Reddit AMA.

YouTube is officially rolling out its AI-assisted age verification next week to catch users who lie about their age.

YouTube announced in late July that it would start using artificial intelligence for age verification. And this week, 9to5Google reported that the new system will go into effect on Aug. 13.

The new system will "help provide the best and most age-appropriate experiences and protections," according to YouTube.

"Over the next few weeks, we’ll begin to roll out machine learning to a small set of users in the US to estimate their age, so that teens are treated as teens and adults as adults," wrote James Beser, Director of Product Management with YouTube Youth, in a blog post. "We’ll closely monitor this before we roll it out more widely. This technology will allow us to infer a user’s age and then use that signal, regardless of the birthday in the account, to deliver our age-appropriate product experiences and protections."

SEE ALSO: YouTube is using AI to verify user age by browsing activity

"We’ve used this approach in other markets for some time, where it is working well," Beser added.

The AI interprets a "variety of signals" to determine a user's age, including "the types of videos a user is searching for, the categories of videos they have watched, or the longevity of the account." If the system determines that a user is a teen, it will automatically apply age-appropriate experiences and protections. If the system incorrectly determines a user's age, the user will have to verify that they're over 18 with a government ID or credit card.

This comes at a time in which age verification efforts are ramping up across the world — and not without controversy. As Wired reported, when the UK began requiring residents to verify their ages before watching porn as part of the Online Safety Act, users immediately started using VPNs to get around the law.

Some platforms use face scanning or IDs, which can be easily faked. As generative AI gets more sophisticated, so will the ability to work around age verification tools. And, as Mashable previously reported, users are reasonably wary of giving too much of their private information to companies because of security breaches, as in the recent Tea app leak.

In theory, as Wired also reported, "age verification serves to keep kids safer." But, in reality, "the systems being put into place are flawed ones, both from a privacy and protection standpoint."

Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology, told the Associated Press that age verification requirements "raise serious privacy and free expression concerns," including the "potential to upend access to First Amendment-protected speech on the internet for everyone, children and adults alike."

"If states are to go forward with these burdensome laws, age verification tools must be accurate and limit collection, sharing, and retention of personal information, particularly sensitive information like birthdate and biometric data," Jain told the news outlet.

SAVE $60: As of Aug. 8, get the Twelve South Butterfly SE 2-in-1 Foldable Charger for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Twelve South Butterfly SE 2-in-1 Foldable Charger $39.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $60.00 Get Deal

When it's time to charge all of your Apple devices, do you have a dedicated cable and charger for each one? Your Apple Watch and MacBook necessitate different chargers, for example, so you probably have at least two if you're using multiple devices. But what if we told you that didn't have to be your reality, three or four cables tangled up on your nightstand? Thanks to combo chargers that have multiple applications, you can keep this from happening or at least simplify things a bit, especially with this Amazon deal.

As of Aug. 8, get the Twelve South Butterfly SE 2-in-1 Foldable Charger for $39.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's $60 off and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Save over 60% on this handy Apple MagSafe wireless charger

This attractive MagSafe-compatible charger can charge two iPhones, Apple Watches, or AirPods Pro at once. It's a small, compact puck that can fold down to 2.25 x 1 inches, which is about the size of an AirPods Pro case, so not only does it take up very little space, but it's perfect for taking with you on the go.

If you prefer you can use it as a display stand for your iPhone in Standby Mode, or an Apple Watch stand in Nightstand Mode so you can access both devices in a much simpler way than if they were just lying down. AirPods and AirPods Pro charge fast via USB-C and MagSafe, and you can use wireless charging for your iPhone at the same time.

You'll need at least a 20W USB-C power adapter to juice up this charging stand, so make sure you have one before you set this charger up. But when it's all ready to go, you'll wonder how you lived so long without one.

SAVE $50: As of August 8, get the Apple iPad 11th gen with A16 chip and 128 GB of storage for just $299. That saves you $50 for 14% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16 chip, 128 GB, WiFi) $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50 Get Deal

If you're shopping for an iPad, this is the week to do so. Amazon has been dropping the price on various Apple tablets left and right. We've already spotted deals on the iPad 11th generation with 256 GB, the iPad Mini, and iPad Air. But to wrap up a busy week of deals, there's one more deal coming in hot.

As of August 8, get the Apple iPad with A16 chip and 128 GB of storage for $299, bringing it under $300. That knocks $50 off the price tag for 14% off. It's not the lowest price ever on the iPad 11th generation — that would be $279 — but it's only $20 off from those sweet savings.

The latest iPad debuted in March of 2025, upgrading the device to the A16 chip. It remains the most affordable tablet in Apple's line-up, even with the storage upgrade. Models used to start with 64 GB of storage but base models now have 128 GB. It's a do-it-all device fit for both work an play. You can stream on the vivid 11-inch retina display and take notes with the help of an Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard Folio.

Shop the Apple iPad with A16 chip and 128 GB of storage for $299 at Amazon now.

Instagram's newest feature, Map, is making waves — and not in the way the platform intended. The opt-in feature, which allows users to share their location in real-time with their followers or Close Friends list, is being widely criticized by creators and everyday users who fear the feature could compromise their safety.

On social media, confusion has morphed into panic. Users are flooding Instagram, Threads, and X with warnings to "turn off" Instagram Map, believing the app is broadcasting their live location to followers, or worse, strangers.

SEE ALSO: How to turn your Instagram location on or off

So, is Instagram sharing your location without your consent? According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, the answer is no. He says it's all just a misunderstanding.

"Best we can tell, most of what's happening is people are tagging stories and posts with location," Mosseri wrote on Threads on Friday, responding to the growing backlash since Wednesday's launch. "Then when they – or their followers – see those stories and posts on the map, they assume the author is sharing their live location, which is not the case. We can, and will, make it easier to understand exactly what's happening."

Instagram Map should only share your location-tagged content — like Stories or posts with a geotag — not a user's live location. And it’s completely opt-in. You can choose to share that content publicly, with followers, or with a select group of Close Friends. Still, the rollout of the feature and Instagram's lack of upfront clarity around it have left many feeling unsettled.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. View on Threads View on Threads View on Threads This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. View on Threads

Critics also point out that creators, particularly women and marginalized users, already navigate a delicate balance when it comes to personal safety and online visibility. The fear isn't just about misunderstanding the feature; it’s about the broader implications of being locatable in any capacity.

View on Threads

But the moment of panic has also sparked a wider reckoning with geotagging itself. While users have long added location tags to their posts and Stories without much thought, Instagram Map visualizes that behavior in a way that suddenly feels more tangible and more dangerous. Seeing your content plotted on a map forces users to confront just how much of their daily routines they've already been broadcasting.

View on Threads View on Threads View on Threads

Mosseri has promised Instagram will make the feature more transparent in the immediate future, but for many users, the damage to trust has already been done.

As concerns about digital safety continue to grow, Instagram's communication misstep serves as yet another reminder that when it comes to location data, even the perception of exposure can feel like a threat.

$300 CASH-BACK DEAL: Get $300 in the form of a virtual prepaid Mastercard when you sign up for T-Mobile's All-In 5G home internet plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Get Deal

If you’re unhappy with your internet provider (I’m using a hotspot right now because my home internet just stopped working), T-Mobile is offering a $300 cash-back deal to new and existing customers who sign up for their All-In 5G home internet plan ($55/month).

You’ll also get 400Mbps download speed, a five-year price lock guarantee, an extra discount for opting into AutoPay, and Hulu and Paramount+ for free (a $17.98/month savings) as long as you keep your account in good standing.

SEE ALSO: The best mesh WiFi router for gamers

To get the deal, you’ll need to check your address to make sure T-Mobile 5G home internet is available in your area. (You can enter your address on the T-Mobile website.) If you’re already a T-Mobile customer, you can sign up for the All-In plan and still get the $300.

With the AutoPay discount and the streaming deals, this is a pretty solid offer and definitely worth considering if you’re already paying them separately in addition to your existing internet bill. What's more? T-Mobile will pay off up to $750 in early termination fees via a virtual prepaid card, so there's really no reason not to take advantage of this deal.

If you decide T-Mobile isn’t for you, you’ll have 15 days to cancel and get your money back.

Bad news for HBO Max fans — and their younger siblings, friends, and roommates. Starting in September, the streaming platform will start an "aggressive" crackdown on password sharing.

This comes from Warner Bros. Discovery's head of streaming JB Perrette. During the company's Q2 earnings call, Perrette said they now have enough data to put the "net in the right place" and catch people watching HBO Max outside of paying households (per Mashable's sibling site PCMag). Instead of the current gentle nudge to pay for their own subscription, the users piggybacking on paying accounts will soon be forced to pay up.

"We feel great about where we are," said Perrette. "Starting in September, you’ll actually start to see the messaging — which right now has been a fairly soft cancelable messaging — start to get more fixed and steps that people have to take action, as opposed to having it be a voluntary process."

Of course, password-sharing has been around since the advent of streaming platforms. It used to be that anyone with a paid account could generously share their login credentials with others — which is how countless ex-boyfriends and former roommates benefited from relationships long after they were over. But the good times couldn't last forever. Streaming platforms quickly realized they were losing out on lucrative new subscriber revenue and began to crack down on password sharing.

Now, many streamers strictly limit the number of devices per account and restrict accounts to users living under the same roof.

Netflix was the first to go after freeloaders, and other platforms swiftly followed. In April, HBO Max introduced the Extra Member Add-On, which allowed users to share their account with someone else — for the monthly price of $7.99.

What can you do to avoid this streaming tragedy?

If you've been the lucky benefactor of someone else's HBO Max login, this looks like the end of the password-sharing road. Based on Perrette's comments, users outside of the designated household restrictions will have to create a new account. That is, unless the account holder is willing to fork over an extra $7.99 a month for you to keep watching your favorite HBO Max shows. Perhaps the unconditional love of a parent will move them to take pity on you.

You could always keep tabs on what's coming to HBO Max and see what's worth paying for. And Just Like That... is coming to an end, so fans of the Sex and the City reboot might also consider the season finale their HBO Max swan song.

And then there's the radically old-school solution of paying for cable. At the rate streaming platforms are hiking up prices and showing yet more ads, paying for cable might be the most economical solution based on your watching habits.

I have a horror story for you, so I hope you're ready. You open Instagram and slide over to Reels, swiping through the vertical videos and commenting on or liking the videos that speak to you in some way — a video of a kitten on the subway, a recipe, some workout tips, a hot person on vacation. You think these interactions are private to you, but you find out through an embarrassing screenshot or text from your friend that the interactions are actually public to all of your mutuals.

This horror story is true. But you can fix it.

Meta began playing around with Friends, a tab in Reels, a few weeks ago. This week, Instagram officially launched the tab, "where you can see public content your friends have interacted with or recommendations from Blends you’ve started and easily start conversations about them," Instagram wrote in a blog post.

SEE ALSO: How to turn your Instagram location on or off

"Friends will help you see which Reels the people you care about most are creating and are engaging with," Instagram wrote.

But if you'd rather keep your liking and commenting habits private, there's a way to ensure no one knows your true digital inner life. Here's how to stop Instagram from sharing your likes and comments in the Friends tab on Reels.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• iPhone
• Instagram app

Step 1: Navigate to your "Settings and activity" page

The first step to stopping Instagram from sharing your likes in the Friends tab is to navigate to your "Settings and activity" page. Simply head to your profile and click the gear icon in the top right corner.

Credit: Instagram screenshot

Step 2: Navigate to your "Activity in Friends tab" page

To stop Instagram from sharing your likes in the Friends tab, scroll down in the "Settings and activity" page and click ""Activity in Friends tab"

Credit: Instagram screenshot

Step 3: Choose who can see your likes and comments on Reels

After clicking the "Activity in Friends tab," you'll see a page that allows you to choose if you'd like your followers who follow you back to view your likes and comments on Reels in the Friends tab, or if you'd like to keep that private. Toggle between the two to choose your response.

Credit: Screenshot Instagram

Just because you disable who can see your interactions doesn't mean you can't snoop on your friends' public interactions, though. To do just that and access your Friends tab, tap the "Friends" tab at the top of Reels.

TL;DR: Live stream Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free on Channel 5. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Fresh from winning the Club World Cup, Chelsea are looking to build some momentum before the start of the new Premier League season. Before their opening game against Crystal Palace, Chelsea face off against Bayern Leverkusen and AC Milan.

If you want to watch Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen?

Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen kicks off at 7 p.m. BST on Aug. 8. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.

How to watch Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free

Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 5 from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 5

5. Live stream Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 5?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 5, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free with ExpressVPN.

GPT-5 is coming to an Apple Device near you in the near future.

GPT-5 is the newest foundational model for OpenAI's widely used ChatGPT. The popular AI chatbot will reportedly integrate directly with Apple Intelligence and Siri with the release of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26, according to a report from 9to5Mac. That means the new GPT-5 model will power many of Apple's AI tools, though users can also download the ChatGPT iOS app, as per usual.

We don't have exact release dates for those OS updates just yet, but typically, they roll out around September or October of every year. (The beta versions are available now.) The new iOS, in particular, should launch around the same time as the iPhone 17 in September. And when the new iPadOS and macOS go live, GPT-5 will also be available through Apple Intelligence and Siri on MacBooks and iPads.

Though, we should note, some older Apple devices don't support Apple Intelligence.

Got one of these? You should be fine. Credit: Apple SEE ALSO: OpenAI says ChatGPT-5 is a fast, 'active thought partner' for health issues

As for device compatibility, Apple hasn't specified exactly which products can use GPT-5 yet, but it might be safe to assume that anything that can currently use Apple Intelligence will be just fine. For iPhones, that means you need at least an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Mac computers should be OK as long as they have an M1 chip (or newer) inside, while the same goes for iPads. The only exception is the iPad Air, which uses a mobile chipset; you need one with an A17 Pro chip to use Apple Intelligence there.

It's also not entirely apparent yet how the addition of GPT-5 to Apple Intelligence will work on a day-to-day basis. Right now, Apple Intelligence will kick Siri requests over to ChatGPT if the latter is better-suited to answer the inquiry than the former. Writing Tools are also enhanced by ChatGPT, as is the visual intelligence feature that tells you about things that appear in your camera viewfinder. It seems likely that GPT-5 will, to some extent, enhance all of these features, but just how much remains to be seen.

ChatGPT also powers Microsoft's Copilot suite of AI features, and OpenAI has direct integration with both Apple and Windows.

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

SAVE $1,1199.99 + FREE SMART MONITOR: As of Aug. 8, get the 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark gaming monitor for $1,799.99, down from its usual price of $2,999.98 at Samsung. That's a discount of 40%. Plus, get a free 32-inch M50D smart monitor for free with your purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey Ark gaming monitor $1,799.99 at Samsung
$2,999.98 Save $1,199.99 Free Samsung M50D smart monitor with purchase Get Deal

When it comes to gaming monitors, the massive 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark is a behemoth that's well worth investing in, especially if you're able to get it for a great price. That goes double if you can get a freebie with it as well. Samsung is offering a fantastic deal on this larger-than-life display as well as a BOGO offer you'll want to take advantage of before it runs out, all at the official Samsung storefront.

As of Aug. 8, get the 55-inch Samsung Odyssey Ark gaming monitor for $1,799.99, down from its usual price of $2,999.98 at Samsung. That's $1,1199.99 off and a discount of 40%. Plus, get a free 32-inch M50D smart monitor for free with your purchase.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

To claim this deal, just head to the Samsung storefront and add the Odyssey Ark to your cart. The discount will automatically be applied, so you're covered there. You'll have to select the M50D smart monitor to make sure it's added to your purchase, however. Scroll down to the "Enhance your experience" section on the screen and make sure the smart monitor is selected and outlined in blue before you check out. The deal is set to end on August 10, but given that this is a significant discount, it's best to grab it sooner than later as it's likely to sell out.

This 55-inch monitor boasts eye-popping colors and satisfying contrast, with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time that's perfect for conquering your favorite games. It features AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR tech as well as a fantastic-looking 4K resolution that results in smoother motion and more crisp movies and TV if you decide to stream with it.

The smart monitor is no slouch itself, as it comes with built-in support for your favorite streaming apps. You can stream or use it as a vanilla monitor or TV depending on your use case, though it's also useful as a gaming hub or second monitor for your regular setup.

Now's the best time to snag this deal before it's gone. You just can't beat two monitors for the price of one.

Yes, you can buy the new Nintendo Switch 2 console at Amazon, though it's not as easy as hitting "Add to Cart."

Since its launch on June 5, the Nintendo Switch 2 has fluctuated in stock, and for months it was hard to get your hands on. Luckily, now that we're two months into the console's release, the situation has calmed down, making the Nintendo Switch 2 much easier to find. But one retailer in particular was noticeably missing from our ongoing Switch 2 stock tracker — Amazon.

As reported by The Verge, Nintendo pulled listing from Amazon last year over a pricing dispute. Since then, any Nintendo console listings on Amazon were usually from suspicious third-party retailers. However, Amazon seems to have restored its relationship with Nintendo, and the Switch 2 is now available to purchase at Amazon — if you're deemed worthy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Amazon
Learn More Amazon sells Switch 2 consoles by invitation only

All of the Nintendo Switch 2 listings at Amazon are shipped and sold by Amazon, not sketchy third-party sellers. However, all Nintendo Switch 2 consoles (including the Mario Kart World Switch 2 Bundle) are available by request only. What does that mean?

Instead of 'Add to Cart' or "Buy Now with 1 Click" buttons, you'll see a 'request invite' option. If chosen, you'll be emailed a link to purchase the unit that will expire 22 hours after receipt. You need an Amazon account to request an invite.

Amazon does this to discourage bots and price gougers from snatching up their entire supply of the coveted console, which is much appreciated. A message on the Switch 2 product page reads, "To ensure that as many genuine customers as possible can buy this high-demand item, we sell it by invitation. If invited to purchase, you’ll get an email when the item is available. Not all requests will be granted."

After you click the button, you should see this message: "Invitation requested, thanks! If invited to purchase, you'll get an email with a link that's valid for 22 hours. We won’t be able to grant all requests."

Nintendo has a similar invite-only system to discourage price gouging with the Switch 2, which has already smashed Nintendo sales records.

In addition to the console itself, Amazon also sells the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle for $499. While it's not technically on sale, it is a small chance to save. The console usually runs for $449.99 and Mario Kart World (which we highly recommend) costs $79.99, but when bundled together you can buy both for $499, saving $30.98.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle $499 at Amazon
Learn More

IN STOCK ALERT: The DJI Neo is in stock at Amazon for $199.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo $199 at Amazon
Shop Now

There’s a drone ban looming over the U.S. right now, due to growing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, along with security concerns surrounding Chinese-made drones.

Some reports say that by Dec. 23, all drones manufactured in China will require a formal security review. Those who don’t make the deadline will be added to the FCC’s “covered list,” which means they won’t be able to be sold in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: DJI is bringing its e-bikes to the U.S. market with a jaw-dropping price tag

As of Aug. 9, no audit has been scheduled. And DJI’s even called on the government to do its worst as they have “nothing to hide.” Even so, the company said it’s been struggling to import its drones into the U.S., and retailer supply is starting to dry up.

If you want to get a DJI drone, or one of the many others that could be blocked in the U.S., now’s the time to head to Amazon and make your purchase. The DJI Neo is currently $199, in stock, and ready to ship, but there’s no telling how much longer that will be the case. It’s sold out on the DJI website and Best Buy already.

This is a mini drone with level-4 wind resistance and 4K UHD video. (So, you should be able to get stable footage on a moderately windy day.) It has multiple control options, including a voice control mode, and can stay airborne for up to 18 minutes. Its smaller size, beginner-friendly controls, and 4K video make it a great option for travelers, creators on a budget, or anyone looking for a high-end drone without the high price tag.

While we wouldn’t usually recommend buying anything from a third-party seller, AeroTech Hubs has a 98 percent positive rating with a substantial transaction history.

SAVE $151.99: As of Aug. 8, the Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones are back down to just $198 at Amazon — that's a savings of 43% and just a few bucks shy of their best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones $198 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $151.99 Get Deal

The Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones originally launched in 2020 and have long been replaced with the WH-1000XM5s, and more recently the WH-1000XM6s. But honestly, the upgrades have been pretty minor each generation. If you don't mind not having the latest and greatest model, you could keep a whole lot of cash in your pocket.

As of Aug. 8, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are down to only $198 at Amazon. That's a savings of 43% or $151.99 and only a few bucks shy of the lowest price on record. That's also about $130 cheaper than the XM5s and $230 cheaper than the XM6s.

Our pals at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) gave the XM4s the Best of the Year badge of honor in 2020, as well as an Editor's Choice award. They're still a pretty solid purchase in 2025. They offer top-notch noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, customizable EQ, a comfy fit, and foldable cups that make them great for travel.

Sure, the XM5 and XM6 models have sound and noise-cancellation improvements, but are those improvements worth another couple hundred bucks? We'll leave that up to you. We think the 43% off Sony WH-1000XM4 deal is pretty great, though.

Tony Hale is a master of comedy, awing critics and cracking up audiences with his hilarious performances in sitcoms like Arrested Development and Veep, the saucy mini-series The Decameron, and in kids' movies like Toy Story 4 and Hocus Pocus 2. But for his latest, Sketch, Hale shows his more serious side, acting opposite grieving kids and doodled monsters.

SEE ALSO: 'Sketch' review: Tony Hale and D'Arcy Carden get silly in terrific, kid-friendly adventure

The feature directorial debut of Seth Worley, Sketch centers on a family that's mourning the loss of their mother. Hale plays the father of two young kids who are handling the loss in very different ways. While his son is trying to smile and carry on, 11-year-old Amber (Bianca Belle) channels her rage into a sketchbook, where she draws wrathful monsters. So, when a twist of fate (and a bit of magic) makes these pages come alive, the family has to band together and face their shared pain to save the day — and survive!

SEE ALSO: Tony Hale is hot, and 4 other reasons to watch 'The Decameron'

To celebrate both Sketch and Hale, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko invited the heralded comedic actor to play "Say Action!" This improvisational game presents one famous movie quote — in this case mostly from monster movies — and one direction. For instance, "Life finds a way," from Jurassic Park, but with an LA accent.

Hale crushed the game, giving hilarious and heartfelt reads. So which one was you favorite? And would you want to give this game a go?

SEE ALSO: 'Hocus Pocus 2' owed a happy ending to one crucial character

For more fun with celebrity games and interviews, check out Mashable's Say More series.

Sketch is now in theaters.

After pledging an additional $100 billion to domestic manufacturing in the U.S. following threats from Donald Trump to implement tariffs on the company, Apple CEO Tim Cook had the dubious honor of attending a press event in the White House alongside the president himself — during which he presented Trump with a custom glass plaque on a 24-carat gold stand.

"Not only is it embarrassing for Cook, but I guarantee Trump won't remember what that is or who gave it to him," says Seth Meyers in the Late Night clip above. "Within a week he's going to turn that thing onto its side and use it as a plate for one of his Big Macs."

The strained meeting was capped off by Trump giving Cook a complement that abruptly turned into an insult. "I want to thank Tim Cook, he's a great, great man, a visionary, a businessman, just about every quality you can have...other than athleticism," he said to reporters.

"You're making fun of his physical appearance?" says Meyers. "Did you also put a 'kick me' sign on his back?"

SAVE OVER $100: As of Aug. 8, the Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) is down to $379 at Amazon. That's the best-ever price on this iPad.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) $379 at Amazon
$499 Save $120 Get Deal

We made some noise about the fact that the Apple iPad mini was down to under $400 at Amazon, and we were right to do so. This was a great deal on a popular iPad, and we weren't expecting anything better to drop. On that front, we were very wrong.

As of Aug. 8, the Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) is down to $379 at Amazon. That's the best-ever price according to camelcamelcamel, so if you've been waiting for the right time to pick up this model at a low price, this is it. Seriously, what are you waiting for?

SEE ALSO: Shop Apple's most affordable iPad for its lowest price yet

The iPad mini packs a lot of power thanks to the A17 Pro chip, a boost in RAM, Apple Intelligence compatibility, and a starting storage of 128GB. It's a great choice for streaming, reading, and casual scrolling on the go. Mashable's reviewer Stan Schroeder writes, "If you're new to the iPad, and you want the most compact one around (or any compact tablet), the new iPad mini 7 is the best choice."

Get the Apple iPad mini for $379 on Amazon.

Whether the week has flown by or it went at a snail's pace, you can now relax knowing it's the weekend. To help keep you entertained over the next couple of days, I've rounded up some amazing Netflix shows that are worthy of binging.

There are many things to love about the Alien series besides the drooling "perfect organism" at its center — the tenacious female heroines, the fascinating relationship between humans and the robots they create in their image, and the depiction of capitalism as its own bloodthirsty monster.

Also appreciated by many fans is the future tech cooked up by the franchise's many screenwriters — imagine living in a gravity-infused luxury space liner like the Prometheus or recovering from decades of hibernation in Aliens' floating space city. The creative inventions of the Alien universe are a small antidote to the relentless nihilism that seeps out of every pore of its imagined world like toxic black goo. Putting aside that existential dread for a moment, here is the Alien tech that makes us excited for the future — and what to expect in the upcoming TV series, Alien: Earth.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Earth' review: Xenomorphs get upstaged in this sci-fi treat Alien (1979): Cryopods Sigourney Weaver in "Alien." Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

One of the first images of Ridley Scott's seminal film, Alien, is Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley and her fellow USCSS Nostromo space truckers rubbing their eyes in their sleep cocoons. Used in nearly every film in the series, as well as in Alien: Earth, these cryopods allow humans to travel millions of miles by placing them in stasis and slowing down the aging process. Sleeping in suspended animation for decades like this is probably a long way off. NASA is actually studying torpor, which is like shorter-period hibernation. The space agency believes torpor may allow longer space travel for astronauts and cut down on needed supplies — so Scott and Alien screenwriter Dan O'Bannon weren't so far off when they imagined these sleepy-time machines.

Aliens (1986): Power loader Sigourney Weaver in "Aliens." Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

This giant mech suit is introduced in James Cameron's follow-up to Alien, with Ripley and others climbing inside to move heavy material while on the Gateway space station. The power loader is a wonder to behold at first sight, with Cameron deftly utilizing it in the movie's climax as Ripley dons the giant suit in a battle with the hulking Alien Queen, finally leveling the playing field. Forty years after Aliens, the practicality of a power loader now seems questionable. It looks cool, but wouldn't a cherry picker accomplish the same thing?

Prometheus (2012): Medpod A medpod from "Prometheus." Credit: Scott Free Prod / 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

The spaceship that brings scientists to a distant moon to uncover the origins of humanity — and inadvertently exposes a pathogen key to the Xenomorphs' existence — is a top-of-the-line, trillion-dollar-plus vessel. Mission director Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) resides in a luxe, detachable apartment aboard the Prometheus, which comes equipped with a medpod, or an automated surgery room. Programmed to only be used by men, or more specifically by Vickers' father, Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce), the medpod is commandeered by archeologist Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) to remove an alien embryo growing inside her. The AI-operated mini-hospital successfully excises a screeching squid-like creature from Shaw, stitching her up so quickly she's able to escape from the evil spawn.

While medpods cannot be found in hospitals of the 2020s, AI and machine learning are becoming more and more ingrained into healthcare, especially within diagnostics and drug development.

Featured Video For You 'Alien' was my gateway to horror. Now I'm obsessed with the franchise. Prometheus (2012): Mapping drones Michael Fassbender in "Prometheus." Credit: Scott Free Prod / 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

While exploring a mysterious structure on a moon known as LV-223, the Prometheus crew deploys floating orbs that scan the serpentine-like corridors and create a digital map via an eye-catching red light. The drones eventually reveal that the crew is not just spelunking in a cave or bunker, but wandering through an enormous warship built by ancient creatures known as "Engineers" — a ship that looks identical to the one that the crew of Nostromo stumbles upon in the first Alien film, set a few decades later.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the entire 'Alien' franchise — from the 1979 classic to the new 'Alien: Earth' series Alien: Romulus (2024): X-ray torch Cailee Spaeny in "Alien: Romulus." Credit: 20th Century Studios

Set between the events of Alien (2122) and Aliens (2179), Alien: Romulus involves Weyland-Yutani contract workers (aka slaves) attempting to escape from their barren, sun-starved colony. Attempting to steal cryopods aboard a derelict space station, they instead encounter a research facility teaming with Facehuggers, Xenomorphs, and the horrific gooey pathogen introduced in Prometheus.

While scavenging the space station, the character of Navarro (Aileen Wu) finds an X-ray torch, marveling at its ability to illuminate the bones underneath her flesh. The torch will come in handy later, when Navarro uses it to expose the chestburster headbutting its way out of her ribcage. While you can't pick up an X-ray torch at your local Home Depot or medical supply store, NASA is helping develop a flashlight with X-ray capabilities for lunar exploration.

Alien: Earth (2025): Hybrids Sydney Chandler in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

The synthetics of the Alien series — like Ash (Ian Holm), Bishop (Lance Henriksen), Call (Winona Ryder), David (Michael Fassbender), and Andy (David Jonsson) — are definitely wonders of ingenuity and, sometimes, evil. But the idea of lifelike robots running daily life is, well, part of daily life. AI writes our emails, drives our cars, and human-sized versions dance for our amusement. So, it's the idea of hybrids — robots uploaded with human consciousness — from the new series Alien: Earth that feels so fresh.

On the show, Weyland-Yutani's corporate rival, Prodigy, furtively yanks the minds of dying children and implants them in super-strong synths. Is this a shortcut to immortality or a new way for humanity to play God (and suffer for it)? We shall see.

Honorable mention: MU/TH/UR 6000 Babou Ceesay in "Alien: Earth." Credit: Patrick Brown / FX

The artificial intelligence that operates certain Weyland-Yutani vessels, like the Nostromo and the USCSS Covenant, is quite the operating system. Called "Mother" by the crew, the OS is seemingly protective of her "children," but is shown to be ultimately loyal to her corporation, willing to sacrifice people to preserve aliens. While Mother cannot be trusted, she is impressive in her abilities — automatically piloting city-sized ships and alerting her crew to threats, like when she warns Capt. Daniels (Katherine Waterston) there's an unknown life form, aka a Xenomorph, aboard the Covenant.

Alien: Earth premieres Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX with two episodes, with new episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays.