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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

There's much more to buying a new laptop than picking up a device that looks nice and shiny. A laptop is a lifestyle choice — an extension of your very self — which means you need one that suits your life and your style. Indeed, your work and leisure (like streaming Netflix and laptop gaming) will be vastly improved by the purchase of a slick, reliable, efficient laptop that's built for your needs.

It’s not a decision you should make based on simply price or looks. Like everything in life, it's what's on the inside that counts. Laptop beginners may want something user-friendly and straightforward, while frequent travellers will need something that's light and long-lasting. Designers and gamers may seek top-notch 4K graphics and quick central processors. And everybody needs something that's won't break after a year.

If you're stuck on a decision, we can help. We're done the research and compiled a list of some of the best laptops available, along with some useful info.

What are the best laptop brands?

Apple reigns supreme as the most popular laptop manufacturer and its flagship models — such as the MacBook Pro and Air — regularly top lists of the very best laptops that money can buy. But it’s far from the only option. The Microsoft Surface has impressed us since its launch, peaking — in our opinion — with the Microsoft Surface 7.

Elsewhere, HP offers a range of laptops that span price options and capabilities. Dell is another trusty and versatile manufacturer, with a laptop range including 2-in-1 models and dedicated gaming options. Lenovo and Acer are also worth your attention.

What are the best gaming laptops?

If you’re a hardcore gamer, you need a laptop that’s built for gaming. Manufacturers such as Asus, Razer, and Acer produce laptops that are dedicated to gaming and handling the latest software, combining powerful CPU, GPU, and RAM specs for smooth, uninterrupted gameplay. You'll find an Asus option below.

What are the most important laptop features?

Not every laptop will suit everyone’s needs. But there are important inner components that every laptop has and it’s important to know what they are:

• CPU — Also known as the the processor, this is the brain of the laptop. It controls and communicates with everything else. For general web-surfing, emails, and essay-writing, you won’t need an all-singing, all-dancing CPU. But if you’re a serious gamer, video editor, or graphic designer — or do anything that requires you running big-time software — look for a machine with a solid, up-to-the-minute CPU processor.

• Display — If you’re a gamer or designer, a stunning, high-resolution display is absolutely essential. We recommend a HD 1080p resolution as a base level. Some laptops also have touchscreen capabilities, doubling up as laptop-tablet combos. This is one area where size does matter. Laptops built for gaming and creative work tend to have 15-inch displays but more portable laptops may be 13 or even 11 inches.

• GPU — The graphics processing unit, otherwise known as the graphics card. This is responsible for your laptop’s visuals. Once again, the GPU will depend on your laptop activity. You might not need eye-popping graphics for answering emails or writing coursework, but for design work or — perhaps most importantly — rendering visuals in the latest games, choose a machine with the latest, supremely powerful GPU.

• RAM — This stands for random-access memory. It's for running various applications at the same time and using them as and when you need to access. (How many apps are open in your dock right now? That’s all thanks to RAM.) This basically controls the speed and dexterity of your laptop. 8GB of RAM is a good starting point if you’re a multitasker or do heavy-duty gaming and creative work.

• Storage — You’ll notice that laptops usually come with one of two types of storage space — hard-disc drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) storage. HDD is essentially a hunk of metal inside the machine that holds onto all your info. SSD stores the info on little flash-memory chips. A HDD typically holds more but it's slower than SSD. Premium and higher-ticket laptops usually come with SSD as standard. There are also cloud and external storage options, depending on your storage needs.

How much does a laptop cost?

Just as there's a laptop specification to suit everyone, there's a price point too. You get what you pay for. The laptops included here range from £315 to £2,400. But remember: A laptop is an investment in not just your work but your life too. It's worth spending a little extra to get a laptop that will perform harder, faster, and better.

What is the best laptop?

This can be overwhelming but this is exactly the kind of stuff that we enjoy researching. We've put together a definitive guide of the best laptops on the market right now. We have compared top brands that you probably have in mind already — the likes of Apple and Dell — as well as other manufacturers you may not have considered otherwise. Trust us: You're in good hands here.

These are the best laptops in 2025.

Anyone who calls IKEA "adult Legos" hasn't checked out the Lego catalog lately.

While many of us had our Lego introductions as kids, the coolest Lego sets these days range from architectural marvels to genuine works of art that anyone, kid or adult, can enjoy. In other words, "Legos for adults" are just Legos.

As someone who enjoys a good Lego build and is surrounded by friends, family, and Mashable coworkers who do too, I decided to poll the people around me about the best sets they've built, as well as those they're still coveting. Altogether, I rounded up 15 sets, with picks from under $20 all the way up to $850. (Shoutout to my brother for suggesting the two most expensive sets on this list. His Lego expertise is well earned — he owns so many sets my mom texted me ahead of his last birthday, "[He] does not need any more Legos until he has his own garage to store them in.")

Check out our favorite Lego sets for adults, kids, and everyone in between:

Lego Mario Kart It doesn't get better than IRL shell shooting. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Mario Kart is one of the most iconic IPs out there, and no game of it is complete without absolutely crushing your opponents' hopes and dreams by hitting them with a well-timed shell. So, of course, Lego made sure that these karts could actually shoot from Yoshi's bike (or Donkey Kong, if you buy the additional building kit). In our Pocketworthy series, Mashable's tech editor Timothy Beck Werth said he was just as excited as his niece and nephew when he saw this set's shell shooting abilities.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Yoshi Bike $12.99 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $2 Get Deal SEE ALSO: Review: 'Donkey Kong Bananza' is the Switch 2's first stone cold banger Lego Star Wars BrickHeadz Wouldn't want to meet these guys in a dark alley. Credit: Nick Villescas / Mashable

For any Star Wars fans who don't have $850 to drop on the Millennium Falcon (more on that below), the BrickHeadz line lets you show your love for the space opera at a much more accessible price point. My best friend's husband, Nick, exclusively owns Star Wars Lego, and has curated this collection of BrickHeadz over time. A set of two will run you $19.99, which is an excellent price for decorating your office space (as Nick so expertly demonstrates). In general, Nick appreciates that Lego's catalog is extensive enough that even if you stick to one type or IP from the brand, you still get plenty of options to choose from (and yes, this does guarantee I'll be bugging him for more Star Wars faves in the future).

Lego BrickHeadz 'Star Wars' The Mandalorian and the Child $15.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $4.00 Shop Now Lego Botanicals Happy Plants I want to befriend these planters — that's normal, right? Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

These happy plants are part of the popular Lego Botanicals series, a clear favorite of Mashable editors and readers alike, and in this case, another favorite pick from Werth. This Happy Plants set isn't one he owns just yet, but it is one that he's definitely keeping an eye on after spotting them in a Mashable cubicle and at a Lego booth during a toy expo. The mini dracaena and pilea plants are great for Lego beginners (or kids), or anyone else who might not have the bandwidth to put together 500+ pieces (if you fall into that category, beware of the last few picks on this list).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Happy Plants $22.96 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet Flower Set Who doesn't love a Lego Botanicals centerpiece? Credit: Lego

Mashable contributor Lauren Allain bought this small but adorable Botanicals set for her partner's mom — someone who'd never built a set in her life. The verdict? "She loved it," Allain told me. At 373 pieces, it's intricate enough to result in a design that could genuinely work as house decor, while still being beginner-friendly. Plus, it's a nice next step from the Happy Plants if you still want to keep things simple and affordable.

Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet Flower Set $29.97 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Botanicals Orchid The Lego Botanicals Orchid is a classic for a reason. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The Lego Orchid was one of the first from the Botanicals line to go properly viral, and it's no surprise as to why — it's gorgeous. Mashable's Haley Henschel uses it as a design piece in her home. It's as at home on a mantle as it is on a bookshelf or even a dining table. And it gets extra points for being an unkillable orchid.

Lego Botanicals Orchid $39.95 at Walmart
$49.99 Save $10.04 Shop Now Lego Icons Retro Radio A Lego radio that can actually play sound? I'm listening (literally). Credit: Lego

I knew I had to ask my friend Danica for her all-time favorites, as she is the proud owner of the first Lego set that made me audibly gasp: the Typewriter (you can actually use the keys — I know). While that set is sadly discontinued, she pointed to this Retro Radio as being another favorite, partially because she likes the vibe, partially because it can actually play audio. The sound brick in the build plays a selection of short audio settings, which is a nifty enough feature on its own for a $100 set. After completing the set, you can also open up the back and put your phone in the radio and play music off your own device — the Lego isn't technically playing it, but it's a cool feature if you want to pretend it is.

Lego Icons Retro Radio $99.95 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Ideas The Insect Collection Who wouldn't love these bugs? Credit: Lego

When I asked my Mashable colleagues for their favorite sets, Social Good Reporter Chase DiBenedetto responded with a link to this one and a simple message: "I love my bugs." Looking at the color, detail, and poses here, I can see why. With this set, you'll build a blue morpho butterfly, a Hercules beetle, and a Chinese mantis.

Lego Ideas The Insect Collection $63.99 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $16.00 Shop Now Lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin This cabin belongs in a cozy bookshelf display. Credit: Danica Villescas / Mashable

Not all Lego builds are created equally — intricate ones with more pieces on the wrong day can feel more frustrating than relaxing. Yet my friend Danica had to recommend this cabin set in addition to the Retro Radio because not only is it extremely charming (look how precious it is on her shelf), she found the build itself fun, despite being an over 2,000-piece set.

Lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin $179.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook Kit I'm sorry but all other book nooks have to pack it up, this one wins. Credit: Lego

"If I had 100 bucks to drop on this heavy metal Balrog book nook, I would," is what Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan told me in my call for favorite sets (the set goes for £100 in the UK, $129.99 in the US). Opening the link to this set was an experience — taking in the massive Balrog, the tiny Gandalf, the "you shall not pass!", and the staging of this book nook between books now has me thinking if I had $129.99 to drop on this book nook, I would, too.

Lego Icons 'The Lord of the Rings': Balrog Book Nook Kit $129.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Ideas Twilight The Cullen House If you ask me, this set should be part of the Lego Icons line. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable

Sometimes, recreating scenes from a beloved IP is just what the soul needs. Animal Crossing fans may appreciate being able to painstakingly work their way to K.K. Slider's concert in the plaza all over again, LotR fans may need an incredibly epic bookend (as seen above), and Twilight fans may need to see in Lego form where Edward Cullen told Bella, "You better hold on tight, spider monkey."

For former Mashable reporter Dylan Haas, spending time with his wife building this 2,000-plus-piece set reminded him of the importance of taking time to connect with your loved ones. He wrote, "I’m not saying that you should bury your head and ignore what’s going on in the world — actually, I advise heavily against that. But if the state of it all is getting to be overwhelming, maybe I am saying that you should pick up a Lego set and just see what happens."

Lego Ideas 'Twilight' The Cullen House $219.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Icons The Lord of The Rings: The Shire Building Set All your Middle Earth friends are here. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Werth also spotted this set at a recent toy expo, and he says he's been obsessed ever since. At $269.99, this is a Lord of the Rings set priced for more diehard fans (though come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever met a casual LotR fan). Whether you need another set to tide you over your post Balrog-book-nook-completion blues or simply love the Hobbitses and their home, this 2,017-piece set is sure to do the trick.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons 'The Lord of The Rings': The Shire Building Set $269.99 at Amazon
Shop Now Lego Super Mario The Mighty Bowser Who knew Bowser would be the perfect accent piece for a windowsill? Credit: Lego

Lego wasn't playing when it named this set the Mighty Bowser. For one, look at him. For two, it's 2,807 pieces, meaning it's built (or rather ready-to-be-built) for the fans who spent a good chunk of their childhood grinding Mario on the N64. Unsurprisingly, I sourced this selection from my friend Mitch, who is 100 percent one of those fans. When I asked him why this set stood out, he cited nostalgia, and to me, there is something beautiful about nostalgia taking the form of a giant, Lego Koopa king.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego 'Super Mario' The Mighty Bowser $269.99 at Walmart
Shop Now Lego Grand Piano Yes, actually the little Lego grand piano on top of a real one in a concert hall does make me feel weirdly emotional and ready to spend $399.99. Credit: Lego

Another Lego not yet owned is this grand piano. While I'm more of the Lego builder between my boyfriend and me, he's the musician — his instrument of choice being the piano. Knowing that one of his dreams is to one day own a grand piano, I figure this is more within my range of affordability, relatively speaking. While it's still expensive, it also has an impressive number of features and an incredible attention to detail. You can adjust the bench height, put the tiny sheet music on the stand, cover and uncover the keys, open up the side to see the inside, and of course, actually play the 25 keys, each of which is connected to its own hammer.

With the connected app, you can listen to the piano play a small selection of songs (and watch the keys move), or you can choose to play songs yourself — the song plays regardless of what keys you press, but it does play at the rate you press the keys. So yeah, this tiny Lego piano is $400, but for a piano lover, maybe it's worth the splurge.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Grand Piano $399.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego Technic McLaren P1 The Lego Technic line is the perfect intersection for car enthusiasts and people who want to try out non-traditional Lego bricks. Credit: Lego

Speaking of splurges, it's time to get into my brother's two picks. He first suggested the larger-scale items from Technic's line, saying they are "pretty cool because [they] step away from the traditional brick." He built the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which is unfortunately now a retired product (though you can hunt around on resale sites if you're so inclined). If you're not too picky about make and model, this McLaren P1 is a worthy alternative still in stock.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Technic McLaren P1 $449.99 at Lego
Shop Now Lego 'Star Wars' Millennium Falcon My family did in fact eat meals around this. Credit: Thomas Allard / Mashable

An $850 Lego set is not for the casual Lego fan, which is exactly why it's my brother's pride and joy (to be fair, he bought it at its original price of $799 — a real bargain). I'm 99 percent sure I've never seen my brother happier than when he was building this behemoth. For a long time, it lived near the entrance to my family's home (shortly after its initial residence on the kitchen table), and it was the conversation piece of every single person who visited. I've watched many a grown man drop his jaw at its presence. And they better — it is not only by far the most expensive set on this list, but one of the most expensive sets Lego has ever produced.

The interior of the ship is actually insane. Credit: Thomas Allard / Mashable

When I asked my brother if he thinks this set is worth $850, he texted back, "F-ck no! But it does look cool." Would he buy it all over again? "Yeah probably." And honestly, I get it. This set is beyond intricate, with its whopping 7,541 pieces allowing you not just to build the exterior structure of the iconic ship, but also some interior rooms, populated with characters from the original trilogy and recent sequels.

Lego 'Star Wars' Millennium Falcon $820.94 at Walmart
Shop Now

Renewing driver's licenses, obtaining marriage certificates, and conducting any government business were impossible on Monday in Nevada, following a "significant state network degradation affecting the ability to conduct normal business," according to the state attorney general's office.

Nevada closed all in-person services at state offices on Monday following the "network security incident," which was first detected early Sunday, according to a press statement from Gov. Joe Lombardo. While the in-person services were unavailable because of the outage, emergency services and 911 remained online.

SEE ALSO: Massive Allianz Life data breach details reportedly revealed

The websites of the governor, the state attorney general, and the state Department of Motor Vehicles remained unavailable as of 3 p.m. PT on Monday.

It's not clear if the network issues were malicious, but the FBI is investigating the matter, according to CNN.

Lombardo's office warned Nevadans to be wary of those who may take advantage of the shutdown and to specifically "be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts asking for personal information or payments." Lombardo's office also stated that there is no evidence yet that any Nevadans' personal data was breached.

I realized that some of the apps that I hadn’t used in a long time still had access to my Google account. I quickly revoked these apps’ access to my account, and I’ll show you how you can do that, too.

The PC hardware world always has something new and exciting cooking in the oven. If you're perpetually waiting for new CPUs, GPUs, cases, monitors, and faster RAM and storage to arrive, you'll never upgrade your current machine, or build that new PC.

Elon Musk threatened to sue Apple for favoring ChatGPT over Grok in the App Store — and now he has.

On Monday, Musk's AI company xAI officially filed a lawsuit against Apple as well as ChatGPT creator OpenAI over the two companies' business partnership.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

"This is a tale of two monopolists joining forces to ensure their continued dominance in a world rapidly driven by the most powerful technology humanity has ever created: artificial intelligence," reads the opening of xAI's lawsuit.

"Working in tandem, Defendants Apple and OpenAI have locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing," the suit continues.

xAI's issue with Apple and OpenAI

xAI's suit claims that Apple boosts ChatGPT in the Apple App Store to the detriment of competing AI apps, like xAI's Grok.

"Apple has taken further steps to protect its monopoly in smartphones and to preference OpenAI by deprioritizing the apps of competing generative AI chatbots and super apps in its App Store rankings, and it has dragged out its App Store app review processes for those competitors," the lawsuit reads.

Alleged abuses of the App Store charts are only part of the suit, however. xAI's lawsuit also claims that Apple and OpenAI are partaking in monopolistic activities more broadly.

According to xAI, Apple's partnership with OpenAI, which includes integrating ChatGPT into Mac and iOS devices to power some Apple Intelligence features, has boxed Musk's company out of the AI race.

"As a result of Apple and OpenAI’s exclusive arrangement, ChatGPT is the only generative AI chatbot that benefits from billions of user prompts originating from hundreds of millions of iPhones," reads xAI's lawsuit. "This makes it hard for competitors of ChatGPT’s generative AI chatbot and super apps powered by generative AI chatbots to scale and innovate."

Will Musk and company beat Apple and OpenAI?

Prior to the lawsuit, Musk claimed on his social media platform X that it was "impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store." 

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

However, users on Musk's platform disputed this using X's Community Notes feature. The Community Note embedded on Musk's posts provides proof that OpenAI competitors like DeepSeek and Perplexity have all reached #1 in App Store, even after the Apple and OpenAI partnership was formed.

Even so, a recent antitrust decision may work in Musk's favor. Last year Google lost an antitrust case concerning its paid partnership with Apple, which provided Google with the default search engine position on Apple's mobile devices. While there are differences between Apple's relationship with both companies, that case could become relevant here.

So, does Musk and xAI have a case here, or is he simply unhappy that his beloved Grok app hasn't taken off like its AI competitors? We'll soon find out as this plays out in court.

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.

Where to buy the Xreal One Pro AR glasses: Amazon Xreal One Pro AR Glasses $649 Shop Now Best Buy Xreal One Pro AR Glasses $649.99 Shop Now Amazon Xreal One Pro AR + Xreal Beam Pro Bundle $798 (save $50) Get Deal

One of the most exciting products from CES 2025, the Xreal One Pro AR glasses, is finally hitting mainstream store shelves. The futuristic smart glasses from Xreal are widely available at Amazon and Best Buy beginning Aug. 25.

The Xreal glasses combine cameras, audio, and a high-tech display for a true augmented reality experience that's normally only available in clunky virtual reality headsets or Apple's insanely expensive Vision Pro. While these glasses are definitely still expensive, they pack a lot of science fiction-like technology into the frames.

Credit: Xreal

Mashable got to try the One Pro glasses at CES 2025, but they've been really hard to get your hands on — until now. After fulfilling about 10,000 pre-orders in June, the glasses have since repeatedly sold out, according to a company press release. Now, you can just head to Amazon and click "Add To Cart."

Plus, a limited-time bundle lets you save $50 on the price.

Save $50 with the Xreal One Pro and Beam Pro bundle

If you weren’t able to get your hands on the Xreal One Pro AR glasses during their initial launch, you can now pick up a limited-time bundle deal that includes the Xreal One Pro AR glasses and the Xreal Beam Pro.

Through Sept. 1, you can get the glasses bundled with the Xreal Beam Pro for $798 at Amazon, a $50 savings off the usual $848 price. The glasses themselves retail for $649 in two interpupillary distance sizes. (Amazon is advertising this as a discount, but it's their true MSRP, per the Xreal website.) Meanwhile, the Beam Pro usually costs $199 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Credit: Xreal

While the glasses are pretty cool on their own, it's worth knowing exactly what you're getting with this bundle. Mashable's former Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, gave the Beam Pro a 3.3 out of 5 rating, writing that it "still needs to be refined before it's ready for primetime." Our colleagues over at Mashable's sister site, PCMag, also gave the Beam Pro a "Good" but not perfect 3.5-star review.

The main reason to get the Beam Pro is that it enables a head-tracking AR interface called NebulaOS, which PCMag's review says feels "much more natural" than standard screen mirroring because it keeps apps fixed in place as you move your head. The Beam Pro also has dual cameras that can capture 3D "spatial" photos and videos. Gedeon also noted a few "slam dunks," including the "fun 3D video capture" (which she called its "most badass feature"), a "satisfying" haptic keyboard, and a "shockingly long" battery life.

SEE ALSO: I Tried XREAL's new One Pro AR glasses at CES

Although there are some limitations with the Beam multitasking, the glasses themselves are still super impressive. If you’ve been waiting to jump on the AR bandwagon, this deal offers the complete, albeit limited, package. At just $798, it’s not a bad entry point.

The Xreal One Pro will be available in Best Buy stores later this year.

UPDATE: Aug. 25, 2025, 4:30 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with a link to Best Buy's listing.

The best Peacock deals to watch 'Love Island USA' Reunion at a glance: BEST LONG-TERM DEAL Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS Peacock Premium free for select customers Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Peacock Premium $2.99 per month for 12 months (save $8 per month) Get Deal BEST FOR FIRST RESPONDERS / Medical Professionals Peacock Premium $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal BEST FOR TEACHERS Peacock Premium $3.99 per month for 12 months (save $7 per month) Get Deal BEST FOR MILITARY Peacock Premium $3.99/month (save $7/month) Get Deal BEST WAY TO WATCH FOR FREE Instacart+ with Peacock Premium free 2-week trial, then $99.99 per year (save $109.99 per year) Get Deal Best for Mastercard holders Peacock Premium Get $3 or $5 cashback per month with World or World Elite Mastercard Get Deal

The show of the summer isn't over yet, y'all. Your favorite Islanders from Love Island USA Season 7 are returning to dish on the juicy drama inside the Villa in a new reunion special.

Catch up with the cast, relive the dumpings, and find out which couples are still together in one last drama-packed night. Here's everything you need to know to watch the reunion episode.

How can I watch the Love Island USA reunion?

The Love Island USA Season 7 reunion, which was filmed in New York City, airs Aug. 25 at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock. It's only fitting, given that all episodes of Season 7 are also available to stream on Peacock.

Who will be on the Love Island USA Season 7 reunion?

The Season 7 cast flocked to New York City for the taping of the reunion show. It will feature newly crowned winners Amaya and Bryan, as well as other fan-favorite couples and bombshells like Huda, Jeremiah, Iris, Pepe, Olandria, Nic, Chelley, and Ace for a personal look back at their experiences in the Villa. Love Island USA host Ariana Madix will take on emcee duties, alongside Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen.

Can I get Peacock for free?

Unfortunately, Peacock no longer offers a free trial of its streaming service. However, there are a couple of ways to get a subscription for free or at least at a discount. We've rounded up the best Peacock streaming deals below to help you out.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest long-term Peacock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

If Peacock isn't running any sort of special rates, the best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription deal. While a monthly subscription will cost you $10.99 per month with ads ($131.88 per year) or $16.99 per month without ads ($203.88 per year), a yearly subscription will only cost you $109.99 or $169.99. That's about 17% in savings and breaks down to about 12 months of streaming for the price of 10.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

Xfinity customers should check the eligibility details below before signing up for Peacock, as you might be able to score a subscription without paying a cent. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible to get Peacock for free through Xfinity. You can also head to Xfinity.com for more details.

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $2.99/month for one year Get Deal

If you're a current college student, you can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for only $2.99 per month for the whole year. That's a total of $96 in savings. You just have to prove your student status through SheerID and retrieve the unique promo code to secure the discount. Just note that the code can only be used once (aka, don't share it with your friends).

Best Peacock deal for first responders, medical professionals Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $3.99/month (save $7/month) Get Deal

First responders and medical professionals can score a Peacock Premium subscription at a discounted rate of $3.99 per month by verifying their professional status via SheerID. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew your subscription at the discounted rate each year — although you may have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.

Best for military personnel Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $3.99/month (save $7/month) Get Deal

Likewise, active duty U.S. military service members, Reservists, National Guard members, veterans, or U.S. military retirees can also get Peacock Premium for a discounted rate of $3.99 per month. Just prove your military status using SheerID and if you continue to meet requirements, you can revalidate your status to renew the promotion yearly.

Best for teachers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $3.99/month (save $7/month) Get Deal

Teachers looking to watch the Love Island USA reunion can score a Peacock Premium subscription for only $3.99 per month for 12 months. Just verify your educator status and use the unique promo code you receive to sign up for the discount.

Best way to watch for free Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Instacart+ with Peacock Premium free two-week trial, then $99.99 per year Get Deal

Peacock and Instacart partnered up last year to offer paid Instacart+ members free access to Peacock Premium. That's a $109.99 per year value for free. An Instacart+ account costs you $99.99 per year and includes free grocery delivery on orders over $35, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders, among other perks. Plus, the best part is that you get a two-week free trial to test things out. Grabbing this freebie will allow you to tune into the Love Island USA Reunion and more. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don't want to be charged.

Best for Mastercard holders Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Mastercard Peacock Premium Get $3 or $5 cashback per month with World or World Elite Mastercard Get Deal

Through Dec. 31, if you sign up for Peacock using an eligible World or World Elite Mastercard, you'll automatically receive a monthly statement credit of $3 for Peacock Premium or $5 for Peacock Premium Plus. That ultimately drops the price of the Premium tier back to $7.99 (its former price before the most recent price hike) and Premium Plus down to $11.99 per month. Learn more about eligibility requirements on the promotional page.

In the year 2025, it seems we're hearing frequent warnings about impending doom via artificial intelligence. And that's not without some merit: Heck, AI is causing job loss and filling our social feeds with fairly convincing slop.

But sometimes, the world sends a reminder that our AI tools are a far cry from Schwarzeneggerian domination. For instance, Google's much-maligned AI Overviews is, at times, struggling to decipher if 1995 was, in fact, 30 years ago. For the mathematically challenged, yes it was, because, well, 2025 minus 1995 equals 30. But don't go telling that to Google.

People online noticed Google's AI Overviews seemed to have trouble with this particular query. It became almost a trend of sorts to ask, "Was 1995 30 years ago?" Lots of people posted screenshots appearing to show Google answering with incorrect answers — typically speaking, AI Overviews decided 1995 was 29 years ago, for some reason.

This is real try it yourself

[image or embed]

— Alex 🏴Ⓐ🔆 (The Anarchist Turtle) (@theanarchistturtle.bsky.social) August 25, 2025 at 2:00 AM

what a relief, i was worried it was 2025 for a second

[image or embed]

— Microplastics Sommelier (@leastactionhero.bsky.social) August 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM

We tested the query at Mashable, and did — at least sometimes — replicate the results of these screenshots and get an incorrect answer from Google's AI Overviews

Here is a screenshot from a Mashable editor.

Credit: Mashable / Screenshot: Google

When I tried to recreate the results, Google, at first, correctly answered the question. But later, it answered both incorrectly and correctly. The AI Overview spat out a garbled response that said 1995 was both 29 years ago and 30 years ago. Mashable has reached out to Google for comment and will update as necessary.

Credit: Mashable / Screenshot: Google

We've covered Google's often confidently wrong AI Overviews at Mashable. There was that trend where it would invent meaning for any made-up idiom. Or when it struggled to get the year right. Or the time it got the NFL rules wrong during a high-profile game, causing a lot of confusion.

Despite these repeated issues and mistakes, Google continues to feed users more AI Overviews. Remember to double-check your sources...or maybe just break out your calculator.

It needs to be said: Danny DeVito is underrated as a comedy director. The movie star turned It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia savior is certainly best known for a long list of film and television appearances (including Taxi) that are outrageously, unforgettably funny. But he's also helmed such memorable movies as the whimsical Matilda, the twisted Strangers on a Train parody Throw Momma from the Train, the cruelly underrated Barney-inspired Death to Smoochy, and the hot comedy The War of the Roses. In fact, the shadow DeVito cast is so long that even as I discuss a remake of The War of the Roses that he has nothing to do with, I can't help but herald his contribution to comedy — in part because DeVito would never have given us The Roses. 

Look, on paper, The Roses sounds sensational. 

Adapted from the same Warren Adler novel as DeVito's 1989 The War of the Roses, this modern screenplay is written by Tony McNamara, whose scripts for The Favourite and Poor Things earned him Oscar nominations and critical acclaim. Promisingly, The Roses reunites him with Olivia Colman, the Academy Award–winning comedic dark star of The Favourite, and an actress who's been cracking this critic up since the British series Peep Show. And she's paired opposite Benedict Cumberbatch, who is less known for comedy but has been mixing it up with films like The Phoenician Scheme and The Grinch. 

Adding a generous slathering of comedy chops, the supporting cast is stacked with the likes of Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Allison Janney, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, and Zoë Chao. The Roses should be wall-to-wall laughs, ranging from giggles to guffaws to shocked gasps. 

And yet, this just isn't all that funny. I blame director Jay Roach. 

The Roses isn't funny or ferocious enough.  Credit: Jaap Buitendijk / Searchlight Pictures

DeVito's The War of the Roses is framed as a parable against divorce, told by the director himself, who plays the central couple's friend and a divorce attorney who serves as a sage narrator across the decades-long rise and fall of the Roses. From the start, McNamara's approach goes for something different by introducing a framing voiceover by the Roses themselves, Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch). In singsong voices, they reflect on how the film will end (true to the first movie), but with a surprisingly upbeat attitude. While there will be a twist on this voiceover's context, this chipper change does reflect the overall tonal shift from the biting 1989 version and the bizarrely bouncy 2025 remake. 

The general plot is the same: Theo was once the breadwinner of their household, while his wife, a baking genius who could make amazing culinary constructions modeled after landmarks, cared for their two kids — who have gotten too chubby for Theo's liking. When his career takes an unexpected downturn, hers is on the rise! And resentments grow. He takes on raising their kids, turning them away from sweets and toward sprints. She is working long hours and experiencing an adult world that feels increasingly distant from Theo. When divorce comes, it's acrimonious, and centered on who will get their dream house. 

The new twist here is that the husband is an architect who built his dream house with the profits from his wife's restaurants. So, Theo doesn't want to give up his masterpiece, and she — bitter over the split — doesn't want to give him it exactly because he wants it. (In DeVito's, the husband was a lawyer whose wife bought and led the renovations on their home, which he paid for.) An increasingly immature series of pranks becomes increasingly dangerous, and even deadly. And while some dialogue and certain ploys at revenge hit hard, many of the jokes don't land. What happened?

Jay Roach lacks the bite for The Roses.  Credit: Lara Cornell / Searchlight Pictures

To Roach's credit, he succeeds in establishing Ivy and Theo as a couple once ravenously in love. The scene of their first meeting feels exciting and hot, climaxing with the pair rushing into a restaurant's freezer for a quickie before they've even shared their names. This irreverence for common decorum surfaces throughout the film, reflecting a shared impulsiveness as they exchange barbs brutal but funny even to each other, or ditch a dull dinner party by faking an utterly bizarre emergency. 

Cumberbatch and Colman have solid chemistry in such scenes, and both have the devastating intensity to make McNamara's most stinging lines land. But the tone that Roach offers is just achingly middle-of-the-road. Punches feel pulled at nearly every turn. A mean comment is almost immediately undercut by an emotional catharsis, be it a burst of screaming or a jaunty justification. 

Roach's Roses lacks the gothic flair of DeVito's, which had its stars perform with an almost soap opera-like theatricality as they spat invectives against a rollicking musical score, which played like a storm brewing. By contrast, Roach's tone is broader, in the vein of his hits like Meet the Parents or his similarly lackluster remake Dinner for Schmucks. The flare, daffiness, and daring he brought to Austin Powers is long behind him. And The Roses is the worse for its absence. 

Not until the final act do the Roses amp up their war to the blisteringly comic levels teased in the trailer, and by then it feels too little too late in terms of verve or style. Worse still, the transition from bouncy American comedy with occasional mean jokes feels downright jarring when it comes to the point where they're actually aiming to kill each other. Rather than the inevitable path DeVito's lawyer once warned us of, this last act of The Roses just feels like we've walked into a different movie altogether. 

Kate McKinnon is woefully miscast in The Roses.  Credit: Jaap Buitendijk / Searchlight Pictures

Throughout the film. Roach seems to regret taking on a dark comedy, peppering his cast with comedians far more known for goofiness than wilting wit. Samberg is in the DeVito role of the husband's friend/lawyer, but is saddled with a barrage of cliched asides about the "inertia" of marriage. Even his signature warmth and silliness can't shake off the cobwebs of such dusty jokes. 

His partner onscreen is fellow SNL alum McKinnon, who, though she was a wondrous scene-stealer in Barbie, is actually exhausting here, beating a one-note joke into the ground. As a horny wifey, she wants to bang Cumberbatch's Theo. It's her only character trait besides being awkward. And whether it's flirtations that are vaguely threatening or done in front of her husband as brazen emasculation, they just aren't funny, even in a cringe sensibility. Yet Roach treats this thread like rich terrain, endlessly giving McKinnon screen time to flirt clumsily, but never hilariously. 

Other comedic talents are likewise misused. Sunita Mani (Death of a Unicorn) and Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) have bit parts as Ivy's loyal sous chef and head waiter, mugging possibly more often than they actually get lines. Jamie Demetriou, a master of offbeat comedy, and Zoë Chao, who shined in The Afterparty, get only a couple of scenes as an annoying couple who can't read social cues. 

The only scene where supporting players bring the heat this comedy desperately needs is when Allison Janney and Samberg face off in a scene that's very reminiscent of A Marriage Story. Samberg is the bumbling male attorney cowed by the ferocious female lawyer, who is equal amounts vicious and step-on-my-neck sexy as hell. Janney is perfectly cast and makes a meal out of every diva-like line. Joan  Crawford would be proud. 

The Roses lacks thorns and pricks. 

While Cumberbatch is committed, Colman is a heavier hitter when it comes to nasty comedy. His cutting remarks score the occasional chuckle, but hers land like you'd expect from a royal bitch (like her queen in The Favourite) — devastating and regal. In these moments, we see a glimpse of what this could have been for The Roses. But Roach seems scared of giving his audience some truly detestable characters, so at every turn their bitterness is undercut by sidekicks yukking it up or an earnest attempt to even the scales with a new emotional twist or revealed vulnerability. All this softening blunts the cutting comedy that was the dark heart of DeVito's The War of the Roses (no, I never read the book). And here, it feels less dark and more a tad saucy. 

A comedy about a couple gone so toxic that they're actively competing to murder each other over their dream house should be more dynamic, darker, and damned funny. The Roses by any other name would still be a middling comedy, but compared to the caustic and sexy '89 gem? It can't shine. 

The Roses opens in theaters Aug. 28.

SAVE $62.94: As of Aug. 25, new and returning subscribers can get six months of MUBI for just $4.50 per month. Usually $14.99 per month, that saves you 70% or $10.49 each month — a grand total of $62.94.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi MUBI $4.50/month for 6 months (save $10.49/month) Get Deal

Movie lovers, you're doing yourself a disservice if you aren't a MUBI subscriber. Unlike Netflix or Hulu, MUBI is specifically built for cinephiles. The library is brimming with hand-picked quality cinema and — for a limited time — it'll cost you less than $5 per month.

As of Aug. 25, new (and returning) subscribers can score six months of MUBI for just $4.50 per month. That's 180 days of streaming for a grand total of just $27. Usually $14.99, that saves you about 70% or $10.49 monthly. Once the six-month promotional period ends, the price will jump back up to $14.99, but you can always cancel before then to avoid the charge. Just imagine how many movies you can fit into a six-month window.

MUBI showcases an array of films from America and abroad, mainstream and independent, classics, new releases, award winners, and Mubi originals — like recent Oscar nominee The Substance. It's the streaming home of some of Mashable's favorite films of 2024, including The People's Joker and Bird, plus Sundance hit Magic Farm, Cannes Best Director winner Grand Tour, and Twin Peaks in its entirety.

While MUBI hasn't specified exactly how long this deal will be available, we recommend jumping on it ASAP. Streaming deals this good don't tend to stick around long.

Best Labor Day deals as of Aug. 25: Best Echo deal Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) $64.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, 128GB) $299 (save $50) Get Deal Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM5 $298 (save $101.99) Get Deal

Whether you're ready for the pumpkin spice onslaught or not, Labor Day is just around the corner, and the sales are already kicking off. It's easy to get sale fatigue, but Amazon's early Labor Day event is worth paying attention to. We're already seeing some items drop to prices that are even cheaper than they were during Prime Day (including tons of iPads, and headphones), making this a genuinely good time to shop.

To help you sort through the deals, we're rounding up the best ones you can get at Amazon right now.

Best Echo device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) $64.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $25 Get Deal Why we like it

The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) is a great pick if you're looking for a smart display, and it's currently on sale for $64.99. That's a $25 savings off the regular $89.99 price. While this isn't an all-time low (it dropped to $59.99 during last year's sale), it's a solid discount. The price may dip another $5 as Labor Day gets closer, but we don't expect it to get much lower.

For that price, you get a 5.5-inch display that's perfect for following recipes, making video calls, or streaming TV shows. It's Alexa-enabled for hands-free voice commands, and the built-in camera lets you check in on your home or view a compatible video doorbell feed when you're away.

More Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Auto — $19.99 $54.99 (save $12)

• Amazon Echo Buds — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Echo Pop — $27.99 $39.99 (save $12)

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $28.99 $49.99 (save $21)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $38.99 $59.99 (save $21)

• Amazon Echo Buds with ANC — $44.99 $119.99 (save $75)

• Amazon Echo Spot Alarm Clock — $64.99 $79.99 (save $15)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids — $65.99 $99.99 (save $34)

• Amazon Echo Hub — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, 128GB) $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

If you'd rather have a screen you can carry with you, the Apple iPad 11-inch (A16, 128GB) is on sale for $299, down from its regular price of $349. That's a $50 savings on a top-notch tablet. While this isn't the lowest price we've ever seen — it dropped a bit lower on Prime Day — it's still a pretty good deal.

With an A16 chip and a Liquid Retina display, this model is ideal for students or creatives on the go. It runs on iPadOS and is compatible with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Folio, so you can multitask like never before.

More iPad deals

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 256GB) — $399 $449 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $449 $599 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 256GB) — $549 $699 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) — $599 $749 (save $150)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) — $399 $499 (save $100)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 256GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 512GB) — $699 $799 (save $100)

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 $298 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

A perennial favorite, the Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are on sale for $298, down from $399.99. That's a $101.99 savings and just $2 more than their Prime Day price.

These premium headphones are a Mashable Choice Award winner, and our team was even more impressed by them than the newer XM6 model, thanks to their 30-hour battery life, comfortable design, and sound quality.

Mashable’s deputy shopping and reviews editor, Miller Kern, writes, “I was truly impressed by the sound quality and noise cancellation in the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. As someone who primarily listens to music through AirPods Pro, the noise cancellation on the Sony headphones is a game-changer. I found myself reaching for these headphones over my AirPods and Sennheiser PXC 550-IIs.”

More headphones deals

• JBL Tune 770NC — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50 + 90 days of Amazon Music)

• Anker Soundcore Space Q45 — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Marshall Major V — $99.99 $159.99 (save $60)

• Beats Studio Pro ANC Headphones — $219.99 $349.99 (save $130)

• JBL Tour One M2 — $249.95 $329.95 (save $80)

• Sonos Ace — $299 $449 (save $150)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $299.95 $449.95 (save $150)

• Dyson OnTrac — $259.99 $499 (save $239.01)

• Bowers & Wilkins Px8 — $449 $699 (save $250)

• Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $479 $549 (save $70)

It's almost September, which means it's almost new iPhone season.

Apple's annual flagship launch extravaganza is theoretically weeks away, so we should probably stop, catch our breath, and review what we know so far. As always, there have been plenty of leaks and rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 launch over the past year. Some of them will undoubtedly be true, while others seem pretty sketchy. That's just how these launches go.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Let's not waste any more time. Here is everything we know, everything we think we know, and everything we know we don't know about the iPhone 17 so far.

What iPhone 17 models will we get?

First up, let's establish exactly which iPhones we're expecting in September:

• iPhone 17

• iPhone 17 Pro

• iPhone 17 Pro Max

• iPhone 17 Air

Naturally, there will be a base iPhone 17 model. That's a given, as predictable as the sun setting at night. All indications point to the iPhone 17 getting Pro and Pro Max models, as well, which would be in line with previous Apple mobile releases from the past few years. It would be a real shock if Apple pivoted away from that.

SEE ALSO: iPhones, Macs, and iPads will get GPT-5 via Apple Intelligence. Here’s when it happens.

That said, that doesn't mean this year is bereft of surprises or big changes. Numerous leaks and rumors point to an ultra-thin model, potentially called the iPhone 17 Air. The Air could replace the Plus model that used to grace the iPhone lineup for the past few years, so instead of getting a bigger version of the base model, we'll get something that has an identity of its own.

We don't know exactly how big the Air will be, but leaks suggest it will measure in somewhere between 5 and 6mm of thickness. That would make it Apple's slimmest iPhone yet, putting it in competition with the recently released Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, a 5.8mm thick device.

iPhone 17 release date

For the past few iPhone launches, Apple has stuck with a rough "second week of September" time frame for its big, livestreamed announcement event. Thus, the week of Sept. 8 is one to watch this year, specifically Tuesday, Sept. 9. It would not be a surprise at all if Apple chose that date to give us the goods.

9to5Mac also pointed out that Apple always places the official release date of each new iPhone on the Friday of the week after the launch event, so keep an eye on Friday, Sept. 19 for the phone's official release date.

Over at Forbes, reporter David Phelan recently made two more predictions about the iPhone 17 release. He also predicts a Sept. 9 announcement, but adds that Apple will likely confirm the date on Tuesday, Aug. 26. What's more, he predicts the new iOS 26 update will officially arrive on Monday, Sept. 15 or Tuesday, Sept. 16.

iPhone 17 lineup: The specs

Obviously, we won't see the full spec sheet for these phones until the second week of September, so none of this is certain. But we have a rough idea of what to expect from these phones.

Let's start with the displays. Prolific leaker Ice Universe (via 9to5Mac) reported all the way back in July 2024 that these would be the approximate display sizes for each new iPhone:

• iPhone 17: 6.3-inch

• iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.7-inch

• iPhone 17 Air: 6.65-inch

Perhaps the most exciting rumor (at least for me, so far) that's emerged about these new phones is that both the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will reportedly feature 120Hz displays, per MacRumors. Apple has frustratingly limited high refresh rates to its Pro phones for a few years now, even as budget Android phones like the Pixel 9a have had that feature for years. This would be a massive upgrade for Apple and would make the base and Air models even more appealing.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have new A19 chips inside them. As in previous years, the base model will likely have a regular A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max models will have a more powerful A19 Pro chip powering them. Leaker Fixed focus digital on Weibo suggested the Air model will have a slightly downgraded version of the A19 Pro chip instead of a base A19, potentially giving it some additional juice over the base iPhone 17.

What about the cameras? Credit: Zain bin Awais / Mashable

Again, we won't know the full, precise camera specs for the new iPhones until September, but there are some leaks to go off of for now.

Perhaps the biggest potential development this year is a selfie cam upgrade for the new iPhones. It sounds like they'll have 24MP selfie lenses, up from 12MP on previous models. We'll have to wait and see how that actually manifests in practice, but hey, a larger number is nice.

It also sounds like the Pro models will have a trio of 48MP lenses this time. Last year, the telephoto lens was only 12MP, so that could potentially be a big step up. One last thing to note is that the Air model will supposedly only have one rear camera, similar to the old iPhone SE and iPhone 16e models. No ultra-wide or telephoto shots for Air users, unfortunately.

The iPhone 17 colors

Leaker Sonny Dixon recently posted some photos of iPhone 17 dummy models that purported to show the color options for this year's new models.

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

Perhaps the most striking one is a new orange color for the Pro models, which is definitely eye-catching, if nothing else. The Pro models also appear to have regular black, white, and dark blue options for people who want something a little less exciting.

Weirdly, the base model and Air seem to have less exciting color options this year than the Pro phones. In the photos, the base model appears in black, white, light blue, and pink. The Air, meanwhile, comes in black, white, beige, and light blue.

What about the iPhone Fold?

The as-yet-unnamed foldable iPhone, which tech reporters simply call the iPhone Fold, is rumored to be ready to enter production soon, but not for a 2025 release date. The most recent rumors point to a 2026 launch for Apple's long-awaited foldable phone, which will reportedly be made with Samsung display technology.

So, unless Apple has a huge surprise up its sleeve, we won't see a foldable iPhone until the launch of the iPhone 18 in 2026.

As for the specs, the iPhone Fold is shaping up to be exactly what you thought it'd be: An iPhone that transforms into a sort of an iPad mini. As of Aug. 25, the latest rumors say the iPhone Fold will have four cameras. In addition, leakers say it will have Touch ID instead of Face ID, and no SIM card.

Apple iOS 26: How will it change the way we use the iPhone? Apple shared this prevew of Liquid Glass earlier this year. Credit: Apple

Here's something we do know a lot about: Apple's iOS 26. It's not officially out yet for the wider public, as it's scheduled to launch alongside new iPhones in September, but we've tried and tested a number of different beta versions, both developer and public ones.

One thing is certain: Apple didn't change the naming scheme by accident. It's the nineteenth major release of Apple's mobile platform, and as it follows iOS 18, it should logically be called iOS 19. But Apple decided to switch to naming its iOS releases by year, and since this one covers a big chunk of 2026, it was thus named iOS 26.

There's more to it, though. Apple's iOS 26 brings a number of major changes to the platform, including the new, Liquid Glass design, a big overhaul of the Photos app, and various Apple Intelligence updates, including Live Translation and a smarter Siri. It's not a radical departure from the previous iOS (Apple doesn't really do radical departures), but it is a very notable upgrade.

Currently, iOS 26 is in its beta 7 iteration, meaning it's quite mature and likely very similar to what we'll see when the final version launches in September. Still, we'll be on the lookout for any new features and upgrades once that happens.

What else could we get at the Apple event in September?

In addition to the iPhone 17, we fully expect Apple to drop new versions of the AirPods Pro and Apple Watch. But there could also be some surprises in store, as Apple is reportedly working on a new HomePod and Apple TV devices for 2025 as well. Finally, expect a ton of announcements related to Apple Intelligence, the name for Apple's artificial intelligence features.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s iPhone 17 event looms: Every new product we expect to see

Save 29%: As of Aug. 25, you can pick up a four-pack of Apple AirTags for $69.99 at Amazon, saving you $29.01 on their full price of $99.

Apple AirTag (4-pack) $69.99 at Walmart
$99 Save $29.01 Get Deal

Apple might be releasing a new AirTag alongside the iPhone 17 this fall, but if you've been in the market for a Bluetooth tracker, this deal is making a solid case for anyone who doesn't want to wait.

As of Aug. 25 at Amazon, you can grab a four-pack of AirTags for just $69.99 — that's $29.01 cheaper than their $99 list price. It's not quite the lowest price we've seen this pack hit, but it is just $5.50 away from its lowest price ever, according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Even at full price, the four pack of AirTags is a better value than buying them piecemeal: you pay $24.75 per tracker, compare to $29 per tracker. With this sale price, the value gets even better, bringing the per-tracker price down to $17.50.

Apple's Bluetooth trackers use the enabled Find My devices to help track its location, meaning you're not just bound by the range to your own devices. As with most products within the Apple ecosystem, AirTags are also easy to set up. While they're not compatible with Android devices and require the purchase of a key ring or lanyard, they are a great tracker for Apple users, and at this price point, they're a great value, too.

Imagine a place where you can watch movies, buy food and drinks, and play games. It's not a movie theater, it's Netflix House.

The streaming giant is kind of reinventing the movie theater, except with Netflix "experiences." Netflix announced the upcoming opening of two Netflix Houses at popular malls: one in Philadelphia at King of Prussia on Nov. 12 and another in Dallas at the Galleria Dallas on Dec. 11. Netflix will open another brick-and-mortar site in Las Vegas in 2027.

SEE ALSO: 'KPop Demon Hunters' sing-along success: box office and streaming news

Entry to Netflix House is free and there's a combination of free and paid experiences inside. This includes immersive interactive experiences with popular Netflix shows, VR and arcade games, mini golf, and a restaurant with food and drinks inspired by various Netflix shows.

The streaming platform has created live pop-up experiences in the past for shows like Bridgerton, Money Heist, Stranger Things, and Squid Game. But these are permanent sites reminiscent of classic mall hangouts from the days of yore — with the Netflix brand. The long-awaited final season of Stranger Things debuts on Nov. 26, so it will interesting so see how the Upside Down fandom plays out in real life, with a meta callback to peak 80s mall culture.

Each Netflix House has slightly different offerings. In November, the King of Prussia Netflix house will showcase immersive Wednesday and ONE PIECE experiences, nine-hole mini golf, and a theater with special screenings. In December, the Galleria Dallas location will have immersive games for Stranger Things and Squid Game and a game room for Netflix-themed physical challenges and retro-style games. Netflix will update the various experiences based on what's debuting on the platform.

Fans can buy tickets for upcoming events starting on Oct. 17 for the Philly location and Nov. 18 for the Dallas location. Or they can sign up for the waitlist now on netflixhouse.com.

SAVE $39.01: As of Aug. 25, the Apple AirPods 4 are down to just $89.99 at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. That's 30% in savings and just 99 cents shy of their best-ever price from Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $39.01 Get Deal

Apple's fourth-generation standard AirPods haven't even been around a year, which is hard to believe considering the sheer number of times we've written about them. The buds were released last fall with a low $129 price tag. But surprisingly, they are hardly ever listed at full price. Instead, we've seen them hang out at $119 or even drop to $99 relatively often. If you've managed to make it this long without buying a pair of these affordable earbuds, they've now dropped below $90 for only the second time ever.

As of Aug. 25, the Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) are on sale for just $89.99 at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Not only is that 30% off their list price of $129, but it's just 99 cents shy of their best-ever price of $89 (from Prime Day).

A great value for the price, the AirPods 4 feature personalized spatial audio, Siri interactions, voice isolation, a snug and comfortable fit, improved bass, mids, and highs, and a more compact charging case (that's also easier to find). While they don't offer noise cancellation like their more expensive sibling, our reviewer noted that, "They sound like honey." Plus they actually stayed put when sprinting on a treadmill, which is an impressive perk. They actually last a little longer than the noise-cancelling option at about five hours per charge (30 with the charging case), making them a great daily driver.

If noise cancellation doesn't matter to you, the standard AirPods 4 sound just as good and will cost you about $50 less. That's all, folks.

With a title like Bone Lake, two possibilities come to mind. The first is tackled at the top of the latest trailer from Bleecker Street, as one of four vacationers admits he thought the name of this body of water alluded to it being a secluded place where couple could "bone." (Classy.)

The other possibility is less romantic, suggesting that beneath the surface of the picturesque lake, bodies are buried. And considering this is a horror movie, we're thinking why not both?

SEE ALSO: Red band 'Bone Lake' trailer teases a very horny, very bloody couples vacation

Sex and death seem to be at the center of Bone Lake. Written by Joshua Friedlander and directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, this original horror film begins with two couples who don't know each other, turning up at the same remote lake house one weekend. What was supposed to be a romantic getaway becomes a group hang, where sexual tension and romantic rivalries begin to flare. But the bigger issue seems to be that half of these vacationers are interested in playing a twisted game that could mean life or death.

Maddie Hasson, Alex Roe, Andra Nechita, and Marco Pigossi star.

Bone Lake opens in theaters nationwide on Oct. 3.

Save $150: How does taking 25% off an iPad sound? As of Aug. 25, you can do exactly that and grab the 11-inch Apple iPad Air for $449, instead of its $599 MSRP at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target.

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $449 at Walmart
$599 Save $150 Get Deal

With Labor Day just a week away, there's no denying it — we're in peak back to school season, and the deals are reflecting that.

One of the biggest examples: the 11-inch Apple iPad Air's return to its lowest price ever of $449 at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target (at the time of writing, you won't be able to grab the deal on the starlight colorway at Walmart). Considering it has an asking price of $599, this is an excellent deal to grab if you've been in the market for a tablet. Student or non-student, we recommend the Air as the best iPad for most people.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Air M3 review: The smallest of upgrades

Why? For starters, its a prime example of an iPad that's essentially a budget MacBook (especially with the "Windows" feature coming with the iPadOS 26 update coming this fall. The M3 chipset found in this iPad just puts it one generation of chipsets behind what's found in the current generation of MacBooks (and ahead of the chipset Apple is possibly developing in a new line of budget MacBooks). With 128GB of starting storage, you'll also have enough space for notetaking and streaming content, though things could get a little tight for downloading larger multimedia files as you might on a laptop.

The Air also has a huge advantage when it comes to portability. Though it's no longer the thinnest iPad on the market, it still clocks in at just over one pound. Plus, it has 14 hours of battery life, a landscape webcam, and a far better value than the iPad Pro, which we really only recommend for professionals who need even more juice to power them through their work.

If you'd prefer a larger display, the 13-inch Air is also on sale for $150 off.

KPop Demon Hunters is everywhere!

The Netflix animated musical has been breaking viewership records on the streaming service. The songs by fictional K-pop bands HUNTR/X and Saja Boys are tearing up the Billboard charts. The two-day theatrical release of KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event crushed (unofficially) at the box office this weekend, which was followed by news that the sing-along version will be coming soon to Netflix. And of course, social media is exploding with fan reactions, cosplays, and tutorials on how to get Rumi's iconic purple plait.

So, naturally, Google is getting in on the fun.

SEE ALSO: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom

Sometimes, Google likes to create little Easter Eggs on their search pages, like when Chappell Roan was officially listed as "your favorite artist's favorite artist" or when searching Dropout star Brennan Lee Mulligan sparked a showering of doll shoes.

Now, when you Google Kpop Demon Hunters, a specific catchphrase from the wildly popular musical scrolls across the top of the search results. It's not a lyric from the songs of either of the banging K-pop bands in the film. Instead, it's the aspirational relaxation mantra: Couch! Couch! Couch!

KPop Demon Hunters Google search results Credit: Netflix

Memorably, this is what HUNTR/X members Zoey and Mira chant after completing their latest tour and prepping to relax with lots of snacks and maybe the occasional bathhouse visit. Then, in the final scene of the film, the phrase is revisited when Zoey, Mira, and Rumi chant it together in anticipation of a much-deserved rest after saving humanity from a demon invasion. But hey, that'll come after some time with their beloved fans.

Of course, for KPop Demon Hunters fans, this mantra has its own meaning. Anytime that's "couch! couch! couch!" time is a good time to rewatch the streaming hit, sing-along version or not.

KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

20 years ago, the idea of Gears of War on PlayStation was so ludicrous that you'd never even consider it. Time makes fools of us all, though.

A newly remastered version of the original 2006 Gears game (the game that introduced the world to the chainsaw gun) called Gears of War: Reloaded is, indeed, launching on PS5 on Tuesday, Aug. 26. It's also coming to Xbox and PC, of course. This new release brings enhanced visuals with higher resolutions and frame rates than the game originally had on Xbox 360, as well as full cross-play and cross-progression for both competitive multiplayer and single-player co-op across platforms.

SEE ALSO: Sony is raising prices on PS5 consoles. You can blame tariffs.

While the Gears of War: Reloaded release date is Aug. 26, you might be wondering when exactly it'll be playable. The good news is that it's launching everywhere at the same time instead of rolling out regionally. Gears of War: Reloaded will be online and ready to go at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET) on Tuesday.

I realize a video game from 20 years ago is essentially boomer territory at this point, so a history lesson may be in order.

Gears of War was one of the first big exclusive Xbox 360 games, giving that console a premium multiplayer shooter a year before Halo 3 (which was considered the main event at the time) was ready. It was made by Epic Games, a studio that used to make things other than Fortnite, once upon a time. Gears helped usher in the era of cover-based shooters, where you could snap your character to level geometry with the press of a button, giving you the ability to face down enemies and devise a strategy without taking damage.

Of course, other developers ran with this, and it felt like every other video game was a generic brown-and-grey cover shooter for a few years in the late 2000s and early 2010s. But Gears was always a cut above the rest, especially with its excellent cooperative campaign modes. And now, it's on PlayStation. Life finds a way.

Best of all, you can purchase the remastered Gears of War: Reloaded for PS5 for only $39.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Gears of War: Reloaded' for PS5 $39 at Amazon
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