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Apple likes to tout the life-saving potential of its consumer electronics, but AirTags might secretly be the MVP of its portfolio in that regard.

The Leicester Mercury reported that a UK theft victim was able to use the tracking device to find and recover a stolen motorcycle, with the help of local police. Apparently, the AirTag was hidden underneath the bike's seat, and the thief was keeping the bike in his bedroom. Police arrived, announced they were searching the premises, and found it there after it was stolen earlier this month.

SEE ALSO: Every Apple product announcement we still expect in 2025 and beyond — AirTags, Macs, and HomePod

That's stunningly bad OPSEC by the person in question, who pleaded guilty to the theft last week. Funnily enough, that's not even the only time someone recovered a stolen motorcycle using AirTags in the month of September. Two suspects were arrested in Missouri earlier this month after they also allegedly stole a motorcycle, though they at least found and discarded the AirTag shortly after the theft, according to investigators. There was also a case a few weeks ago where someone tracked down their stolen luggage and found an alleged thief wearing their clothes, again just from using AirTags.

At any rate, this is all perfect and totally accidental marketing for Apple.

The Toyota RAV4 has been unstoppable in the U.S. car market. In 2024, it even ended the Ford F-150’s 40-year reign as the nation’s top seller, and the hybrid version played a huge role in that win.

65% OFF: As of Sept. 29, Mashable readers can get 65% off the Fortect Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite, dropping its price from $169.94 to $58.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fortect Get 65% off Fortect Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization Suite $58.95 at Fortect
$169.94 Save $110.99 Shop Now

If you're frequently on your PC, whether for work or personal use, it's important to make sure it's protected. An all-in-one software solution can help cover all of your bases to make sure you're browsing safely and securely without anything slowing you down. Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite can set you up for success, and Mashable readers can enjoy a sweet discount on it right now as part of a special promotion for a limited time.

While Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite is usually available for $169.94 annually, Mashable readers can enjoy a 65% discount on it through the link above that drops it to $58.95 annually. This suite is stacked with software to help keep your favorite devices safe, too.

SEE ALSO: Best VPN 2025: Tested for performance, trustworthiness, value, and more

Fortect's Ultimate plan covers up to five devices and features Antivirus software, a cross-platform VPN, driver updater, and full PC optimization all in its app.

What's included

Here's the full breakdown, per Fortect's website, of what you'll be getting with the Ultimate plan:

• 5 Devices for Antivirus, VPN, Driver updater, Windows optimizer and browser extension

• Cross-Platform Premium Security and Privacy Suite

• 24/7 Customer Support

Antivirus:

• Real-Time Threat Protection

• Extensive Malware Protection (Ransomware, Spyware, Trojans, Virus Protection, and more)

• Automatic Malware Quarantine

• Protection for Windows, Mac, Mobile and Browser extension

VPN:

• Online & Device Security

• Safe Browsing

• Connect to 2,400+ servers worldwide.

• Access servers in 135+ countries.

• Smart server pick for speed and stability.

Cross-Platform Protection

• Stay safe on the go with Fortect Mobile Security

• Full antivirus for macOS with the Fortect Mac Suite

• Safer browsing with Fortect Browsing Protection

• One account, protection across all your devices

Driver Updater (Windows):

• Automatic scan for outdated, missing, and corrupted drivers

• One-click updates to the latest official drivers

• Improved hardware compatibility & stability

• Reduced crashes and device errors

Optimizer & Performance Suite (Windows):

• Advanced repair technology

• Disk cleanup & junk file removal

• Real-time performance monitoring and fixes

24/7 Customer Support

• Round-the-clock expert assistance

• Step-by-step help for installation, setup, and troubleshooting

Every subscription also comes with a free system scan that identifies any issues alongside a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you don't have to feel committed right away if you find this suite is not the right fit for you.

This special promotion won't last for long, so if you've been looking for an all-in-one solution to better optimize your PC and keep it running safely, don't miss out on 65% off Fortect's Ultimate: All-in-One Antivirus, VPN, Driver Updater and PC Optimization suite.

Video game developer Electronic Arts (EA) has been bought out by a group of investors in what is now the largest-ever buyout from private equity firms.

The consortium of investors, which includes Silver Lake, PIF, and Affinity Partners, will be acquiring EA for $55 billion and will be taking the company private.

Silver Lake is a well-known name in the tech sector and was most recently in the news for being one of the Trump administration-approved U.S. companies to take over TikTok. PIF is Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and has largely funded Affinity Partners, which was founded by President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

EA is one of the biggest video game developers in the world, with titles ranging from FIFA to Battlefield to The Sims franchise.

“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business" said EA Chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson in a statement. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come."

As previously reported by Mashable, Saudi Arabia has made a number of investments in the video game industry in recent years. PIF holds stake in Nintendo, Call of Duty and World of Warcraft developer Activision Blizzard, and the developer of the Grand Theft Auto franchise Take-Two Interactive. In fact, PIF already held a nearly 10 percent stake in EA at the time of the acquisition.

The PIF launched the Savvy Games Group in 2021 specifically dedicated to video game and esports-related investments. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman serves as the chairman for the Savvy Games Group.

I'll be honest with you, I've never really bothered with "real" cable management when building any of my PCs over the years. I started to care a little more when computer cases got side windows, but even then my "management" is nothing compared to the obsessive lengths some people go to.

SAVE $62.65: As of Sept. 29, the Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker is on sale for just $116.35 at Amazon. That's 35% off its usual list price of $179 and its best price since January.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker $116.35 at Amazon
$179 Save $62.65 Get Deal

As if you need another excuse to celebrate your favorite beverage, Monday, Sept. 29 is officially National Coffee Day. There are plenty of ways to snag a discounted or free cup, but if you'd rather invest in your at-home coffee experience, you can grab a Nespresso machine for 35% off at Amazon.

As of Sept. 29, the Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee and espresso maker is on sale for just $116.35. That's over $62 off its regular list price of $179 and its best price since January. The only thing better than getting your beloved caffeine fix is getting it at a discount. This deal comes just a week ahead of the formal start of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. There's a chance it could drop even further in price, but if you'd rather not gamble, we can ensure you're getting a great price if you grab it today.

Unlike most countertop espresso makers, which are total eyesores, the Vertuo Next is slim, sleek, and won't take up too much real estate on your countertop. The water tank is even removable to truly optimize your space. It heats up in just 30 seconds and lets you brew coffee in various formats at the touch of a single button. Choose from six different brew styles: 5, 8, 12 and 18-ounce coffees, as well as single and double espressos brewed hot or over ice. Just pop in a Nespresso Vertuo capsule, fill up the 37-ounce water tank, select your brew size, and you're good to go. The Vertuo machines can read the barcode on each capsule and automatically adjust the settings to brew it perfectly every time.

If you're looking to step-up your single-serve coffee brewing experience at home, the Nespresso Vertuo Next is a solid pick — especially at 35% off.

Apple has quietly slipped in a great new feature into iOS 26 that makes receiving photos in the Messages app much faster. Your recipient can now get a smaller-sized preview of an image almost instantly, well before the full-resolution file even finishes sending.

Cover screens on older Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models are finally getting access to Google Gemini.

As spotted by Android Authority, the Z Flip 5 and 6 — both of which share the same cover screen design as the newer Flip 7 lineup — have been updated to support Gemini. The feature debuted with the Flip 7 and was notably absent from earlier models.

Using Gemini on the cover screen of the Flip 5 and 6 isn’t entirely seamless, but it works. You still get core features like voice and text input, Gemini Live, and the ability to share your camera feed. Screen sharing, however, is missing. Android Authority also points out that long-pressing the power button simply prompts you to open the phone instead of launching Gemini, which adds to the inconvenience.

The update appears to be tied to Samsung’s One UI 8 rollout over the past few days. For older Z Flip owners, it’s finally a chance to tap into Gemini’s AI features — quirks and all.

Smart displays are the perfect centerpiece for anyone's smart home setup. Amazon’s Echo Hub is one of the best ones so far, and now, it's back to its lowest price.

I was recently staring at my boxes of keyboard switches and keycaps and wondered what would happen if I mixed them all on one board. With a hot-swappable keyboard, it was easy enough to try, so I went ahead and gave my Frankenstein keyboard a spin.

Android’s openness has always been its strength, but that freedom is about to face some resistance. Starting next year, unverified developers will be blocked from distributing apps even from outside the Play Store. Open-source app store F-Droid has some serious concerns about this.

Bad Bunny is headlining the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, and while many of us are thrilled about the performance, people on social media are — of course — giving some mixed responses.

Apple Music announced the Puerto Rican superstar as the halftime performer during Sunday Night Football yesterday, according to NBC News.

"What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history," Bad Bunny said in a statement released by the NFL, as reported by CNN. He also added, according to NBC News: "Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL," which roughly translates to: "Go and tell your grandma that we will be the Super Bowl Halftime Show."

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Bad Bunny, who was the third-most-played artist on Spotify in 2024, recently wrapped a 30-show, three-month residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is now gearing up for his international tour.

However, some on social media are calling his upcoming Super Bowl performance hypocritical, pointing out that he isn't playing any U.S. dates on his Debí Tirar Más Fotos tour. In an interview with Variety, he said performing in the U.S. felt "unnecessary," and later told i-D that one reason he avoided U.S. shows was a fear that ICE agents "could be outside my concert."

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That said, plenty of users on X are expressing pure joy at the idea of seeing their favorite musician headline one of the biggest cultural moments in the U.S.

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Would it really be a Super Bowl halftime show without a bit of drama surrounding the headliner? Let’s not forget the conversations sparked by Kendrick Lamar's performance last year.

Have you been patiently waiting for the big Samsung Galaxy Android 16 (One UI 8) update to hit your device? If so, we have more good news. This weekend, Samsung started rolling out the stable One UI 8 update for the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Tab S10, and more.

Linux kernel version 6.17 was released over the weekend, bringing with it several performance improvements and enhancements to benefit Linux folks. In particular, some cutting-edge GPUs and CPUs are getting support.

There are few things in the world as lovely as a cup of coffee. What could be better?

Well, maybe if it were free. Monday, Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day in the U.S. — an invented, faux holiday, sure — but it does mean lots of places are giving out free cups of joe. Here are some of our favorite deals we're seeing across the country.

Starbucks

The uber-popular coffee chain is offering 100 bonus stars in the Starbucks app for any hot or iced coffee.

Dunkin'

The popular chain is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee if you order through the app.

Wawa

The primarily mid-Atlantic chain is offering a free coffee for folks who order through the app. You should get access to a coupon you can use at checkout.

Krispy Kreme

The chain is offering both a free medium coffee and a free doughnut. It also, for whatever reason, paired-up with Joe Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers) for this promotion.

“I went and found the Krispy Kreme team and sat down with them, and I said, 'I want to make National Coffee Day history,' and that's what this is," Jonas said in a statement. OK, sure.

Einstein Bros.

Like lots of other places, the bagel chain is offering a free coffee with a purchase through its app.

Panera

The sandwich-focused chain is offering three months free of its Sip Club. That's effectively three months of free coffee.

Peets

The coffee chain is offering 25 percent off sitewide.

Burger King

Royal Perks members can get a free coffee with a $1 purchase through the app.

Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson lead Apple TV+'s new mystery crime thriller in what can only be described as the dream I had last night.

Written by Slow Horses' Morwenna Banks and based on Mick Herron's novel, Down Cemetery Road sees Thompson as hard-edged, quip-savvy private investigator Zoë Boehm, who takes on a case that'll unearth truths all the way to the top. Wilson plays Sarah Trafford, a woman obsessed with a young girl's disappearance after an explosion at her neighbours' house — so she brings in Zoë. But there's more, as in Apple's description of the show, Zoë and Sarah "find themselves in a complex conspiracy that reveals people long believed dead are still among the living, while the living are fast joining the dead."

I'm sorry, what? I'm in!

Adeel Akhtar, Tom Goodman-Hill, Fehinti Balogun, Darren Boyd, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Tom Riley, Adam Godley, Sinead Matthews, Ken Nwosu, and Aiysha Hart also star, and Bay of Fires' Natalie Bailey is the series' lead director.

Down Cemetery Road debuts on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Oct. 29 followed by new episodes Wednesdays through Dec. 10.

Google has a new look for the first time in a decade.

Almost exactly 10 years after introducing the four-color "G" logo, the company announced in a blog post today that the logo is getting updated across the entire brand. The new logo is basically the same, except the colors smoothly transition into each other with gradients instead of having hard stops between them. According to Google, this new logo will come to its bevy of apps and services "in the coming months."

Left: The old logo... Credit: Google Right: ...the new logo, in all its glory! Credit: Google SEE ALSO: Google and Qualcomm execs confirm Android for PC is coming: 'I've seen it, it is incredible'

This is obviously not a huge change, but Google's stated reasoning for it is worth a read, at any rate.

"The new 'Google G' now represents all of Google — both our brand and the company — and visually reflects our evolution in the AI era," Google's blog post said. "While staying true to Google’s iconic four colors, the brighter hues and gradient design symbolize the surge of AI-driven innovation and creative energy across our products and technology."

Well, alright then. Gradients equal AI innovation now, apparently. Good to know.

SAVE 72%: As of Sept. 29, the JBL Live 460NC wireless on-ear headphones are on sale for just $39.99 at Walmart and the JBL website. That's a 72% discount, according to the MSRP.

With Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event just around the corner, other retailers are starting to drop their own competing deals to get a piece of the action. And right now, Walmart and JBL have the JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones on sale for $39.99.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones we use and love

As of Sept. 29, you can get the JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones (black colorway) from Walmart and JBL for $39.99, down from $144.95 (Walmart’s list price is incorrect). That’s a 72% discount, a $104.96 savings, and a damn good deal to snag before Prime Big Deal Days officially kicks off on Oct. 7.

Honestly, the fact that you can get a pair of headphones with solid ANC and that signature JBL sound for just $40 is pretty wild. You'll also get up to 50 hours of playtime (with ANC off; 40 with it on), a built-in mic for hands-free calls, and multi-point connection so you can switch from your phone to your laptop in seconds.

Are you trying to become more efficient when using ChromeOS? Well, these five keyboard shortcuts are worth memorizing on your Chromebook to boost your productivity.

SAVE $350.01: The Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier is on sale at Amazon for $284.98, down from the normal price of $599.99. That's a 53% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blueair Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier (T20i) $284.98 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $315.01 Get Deal

October is just a few days away and even if it's still hot where you live, winter temps are coming. If you tend to have an air purifier running at all times, winter's chill with the fan blowing on air purifier can add an undesired breeze. Thankfully, there's a great Blueair purifier that doubles as a heater and as a huge bonus, it's on a deep discount today.

As of Sept. 29, the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier (T20i) is on sale for $284.98 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $599.99. That's a 53% discount that takes a massive $350.01 off the price. It's also the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

When I was testing units for the Mashable list of the best air purifiers, the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 blew me away in terms of performance and design. Honestly, the only negative I could come up with was that it comes with a hefty price, which is negated thanks to today's 53% discount.

For starters, the Blueair ComfortPure is designed for larger rooms that measure up to 1,689 square feet. Using it in a smaller space will simply mean you'll get more air changes per hour which just means more clean air. The air purifier uses a HEPA filter to rid your indoor space from dust, dander, pollen, and other irritants. But if we're being honest, that's something a ton of air purifiers can claim.

SEE ALSO: The Shark NeverChange Compact Pro air purifier has a long-lasting filter and is whisper quiet

The Blueair ComfortPure stands out in its ability to serve as both a fan and a heater, and both functions are super effective thanks to the overall design. There's also the remote control, so you can adjust the temperature from the couch. Or you can ditch the remote and control the purifier via your phone and the Blueair app.

Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

From the get-go, it's obvious Blueair knows how to design an air purifier that simply feels like a more luxury model. The back panel effortlessly attaches to the purifier via a magnetic closure system, it can oscillate up to 350 degrees, and the fabric carrying handle is really great.

Overall, this air purifier is really impressive in its ability to clean the air, work as a fan in warm months, and double as a space heater in the winter. I know mine will be switching to warm mode any day now.

While it's on sale a new record-low, snag the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier (T20i) is on sale for $284.98 at Amazon. Buying now will mean you can avoid the chaos that's soon to come with the October Prime Day event.