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Apple AirTag rivals from Motorola, Xiaomi expected soon
Apple's AirTags might be synonymous with GPS tracking devices, but there's about to be some new competition in town.
Specifically, Motorola and the Chinese tech giant Xiaomi are said to be working on new location trackers to compete with AirTags. This information comes from a pair of different reports. For Xiaomi, all we know right now is the name "Xiaomi Tag," which comes from a Weibo post courtesy of tech leaker Repeater 002. There is, unfortunately, no other information in the post, but this would be Xiaomi's first location tracking device.
SEE ALSO: Four Apple product launches to expect in the near futureAs for Motorola, that company already has something called the Moto Tag. However, Android Headlines got the first marketing image of an unannounced Moto Tag 2, with a similar circular design to the first one and two new colors: orange and beige. Android Headlines said to expect a more precise tracker, probably with better battery life than the original.
It's not yet known when either of these devices will launch, but it sure seems like they're both happening.
Amazons $9.99 Fire TV Stick 4K Select deal from Black Friday is back again
SAVE $30: As of Dec. 9, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to its $9.99 Black Friday price when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 at Amazon$39.99 Save $30 with coupon code HOLFTV4K Get Deal
If you missed out on the best streaming device deal from Black Friday, it's back, baby.
As of Dec. 9, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to just $9.99 when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price. We saw this deal pop up a few times during Cyber Week and disappear just as fast, but it still managed to become one of Mashable readers' top buys on Black Friday. If there's a streaming stick on your shopping list, we suggest grabbing it ASAP as the code is fleeting.
The newest streaming stick in the Fire TV lineup and also the most affordable 4K option, the 4K Select offers vibrant 4K quality with HDR10+ support and an ultra-responsive and fast new operating system called Vega. We haven't tested it yet ourselves, but we weren't thrilled with the old operating system, so we're totally on board with the upgrade. The plug-and-play design mirrors all other Fire TV Sticks and it will instantly put all of your favorite apps in one place — with Prime Video at the forefront, of course. It offers support for Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, NordVPN, and IPVanish, and Alexa+ and Amazon Kids+ are also coming soon.
It doesn't offer Dolby Atmos or Vision and it can't turn your TV into an art TV like the 4K Max, but for everyday streaming, it's a pretty hard deal to beat for 10 bucks.
I coded my own Spotify wrapped with Python, here’s how
With Spotify’s API, you can get hold of the core “Wrapped” data and use it however you want. A library simplifies the process, and a basic HTML version of Spotify Wrapped can be yours in 100 lines of code.
The adorable Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle is $50 off at Amazon
SAVE $49.99: The Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle is on sale at Amazon for $119.99, down from the list price of $169.98. That's a 29% discount and a record-low at Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Toniebox Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle $119.99 at Amazon$169.98 Save $49.99 Get Deal
Searching for a great gift for a great kid in your life? The Toniebox collection has been a hit with little ones, and it's something that can kids can enjoy for years to come. If you've been struggling to find a meaningful present that won't end up in the donate pile in a few months, check out this Amazon lightning deal.
As of Dec. 9, the Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle is on sale at Amazon for $119.99, marked down from the standard price of $169.98. That's a new record-low price at Amazon, shaving $49.99 off the price thanks to the 29% discount. But keep in mind lightning deals can sell out in no time, so act quickly.
The Toniebox 2 makes for a wonderful gift for toddlers and kids, offering a screen-free playtime experience. Kids get to listen to stories, songs, and play games with the Toniebox characters. This bundle is designed for kids between one and nine years old, and it comes with three soft and squishable characters: a cow, horse, and a pig.
SEE ALSO: The 71 absolute best stocking stuffers for 2025Kids place a Tonie on top of the box to take off on a playtime and learning adventure, and the brand releases new Tonie characters each month for new experiences. There's also a sleep timer with light and a sunrise alarm clock to help teach older kids about independent routines. As reassurance for parents, the Toniebox doesn't have ads.
Before this lightning deals sells out, grab the Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle for under $120. It's a gift kids can enjoy for years to come and it might just earn you the honor of being this holiday season's best gift-giver.
Thank your Amazon driver with a free $5 tip with a single click
FREE $5 TIP: For a limited time, thank your Amazon delivery driver with a free $5 tip. This offer is available for the driver of your most recent delivery within 14 days.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Tip your Amazon driver Learn MoreDelivery drivers are often underappreciated for the amount of work they put in during the holiday season. That includes Amazon's staff, who often bring you all your gifts and goodies even in inclement weather overnight, and in many cases, the same day. This year, show them how grateful you are that they get the job done with a $5 tip courtesy of Amazon.
For a limited time, Amazon will send out a $5 tip as a "thank you" to your most recent delivery driver within the last 14 days. All you need to do is click a button or have your Alexa device initiate the action. It's super simple to do, and it costs nothing to you. Your delivery driver will see you appreciate their service, and you can feel good about sharing some love this holiday season.
SEE ALSO: The 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 128GB, WiFi) has dropped below $500 at AmazonTo send a $5 tip, go to this page and click the "Thank my driver" button. Or, use any Alexa-enabled device to say "Alexa, thank my driver," and you can complete the action there.
While you can't send multiple tips per order and you're limited to one per delivery driver, this is a small but very simple way to be kind to your fellow humans without it costing you a dime. The next time you need something from Amazon fast, it can at least help you remember the humans working behind the scenes to make the season (and the rest of the year) bright.
7 Raspberry Pi mistakes you should avoid making
Single-board computers from companies like Raspberry Pi are perfect for homelab projects, retro gaming, or even use as a lightweight desktop PC replacement. But it’s also easy to get carried away and make mistakes that can lead to instability, data loss, and damage.
Pebble's next product is a smart ring that remembers things for you
If you’re anything like me, you know how important it is to get ideas and to-dos out of your brain so you actually remember them later. After bringing the iconic smartwatch back this year, Pebble is hoping its next product will help in these situations. It’s a smart ring called the Index 01.
Pornhub’s 2025 trends: the internet’s secret viewing habits explained
Pornhub's annual Year in Review — aka its trends roundup — is here, and it's especially interesting in a year of censorship of both pornographic and LGBTQ content.
LGBTQ content is thriving on Pornhub"Lesbian" was the most-viewed video category on Pornhub in 2025, which isn't too surprising, as viewers, especially women, often search for lesbian porn. Terms like "lesbian scissoring," "lesbian MILF," and "lesbian strapon" grew considerably in 2025.
But LGBTQ content across the board grew on Pornhub this year, too. The "transgender" video category was the second-most viewed, up five spots from last year. "Queer" searches increased 132 percent, "bisexual" 88 percent, and "trans threesome" 67 percent.
This spike is notable, considering the actions the Trump administration has taken against LGBTQ (especially trans) rights this year. Shortly after Trump's inauguration in January, the White House deleted LGBTQ pages on its website, while the Stonewall Monument site erased "transgender" and "queer." A Trump executive order declared to "restore biological truth" to the federal government. Some tech giants were noticeably quiet during Pride Month this year, signaling their compliance with the current administration's views on LGBTQ people.
SEE ALSO: Pornhub asked tech platforms to enable device-level age verificationYet, LGBTQ videos are booming on Pornhub.
"What's happening in 2025 is more than just an increase in views; it's a cultural shift," said trans Pornhub brand ambassador, Natassia Dreams, in a blog post shared with Mashable. "This growth shows trans creators are finally being seen and celebrated on our own terms. Audiences and the industry are evolving together."
Considering the popularity of transgender content among boomers in Pornhub's 2023 Year in Review, there might be something about the increased "taboo" of such topics.
The term "femboy" (describing a feminine man) was also searched more often on the straight side of Pornhub this year, too. It reached the top 10 of the most searched-for terms in 2025 worldwide. Meanwhile, it's number one on Pornhub Gay, up three spots from last year.
U.S. still dominates in trafficDespite Pornhub being blocked in nearly half of U.S. states (due to age-verification laws, which require inputting personal data to access explicit sites), the United States has far and away the top source of traffic to the tube site.
Credit: PornhubAnd while Pornhub is now blocked in France, it's still in the top 10 countries by traffic even with it being accessible only part of 2025.
Pornhub's most-searched terms of 2025Like last year, "hentai" (anime porn) is the most-searched term globally, followed by "MILF," "pinay" (a woman of Filipino descent), "lesbian," and "anal," rounding out the top five. None of these terms changed positions from 2024.
Top Pornhub trends of 2025"Diverse desires" — aka the LGBTQ content discussed above.
MILFs: In addition to MILF being the second most-searched term globally, "mature" was the fifth most-viewed category and third among men. "GILF" searches increased 129 percent this year, while terms "cougar" grew 83 percent and "50 plus" grew 105 percent.
Roleplay fantasies increased in 2025 as well. The "role play" category as a whole rose by 98 percent, and searches for everyday jobs also increased, such as for "driver" (144 percent), "plumber" (67 percent), and "chef" (39 percent).
Cheating and affair videos were of interest this year, as searches for "cheating" grew 94 percent and "cuckold" up 73 percent. Another adult site, Clips4Sale, named the latter one of the fastest-growing fetishes of the year, so clearly there's something there. And the Coldplay Kiss Cam fiasco might have contributed to a 210 percent spike in "office affair" searches and a 388 percent increase for "CEO."
Femboys are gaining traction on Pornhub's main website.
"SFW" content is, somehow, increasing on the very much NSFW Pornhub. "SFW ASMR" is up 56 percent, for example. Meanwhile, the "podcast" category has soared 327 percent, "gaming" by 283 percent, and "music" by 62 percent.
You can peruse Pornhub's Year in Review in full on its insights blog.
Waymo recalls robotaxi software due to school bus incidents
Waymo is issuing a software recall for its robotaxis following reports of the autonomous cars illegally passing school buses in Austin.
This is not going to be one of those recalls in which the vehicles are actually pulled from the road. Instead, Waymo will simply update its ride-hailing cars' software.
The recall comes following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into at least 19 security incidents in which Waymo robotaxis have illegally passed school buses in the Texas capital. The NHTSA kicked off the probe after receiving a video of a Waymo car passing a school bus with an extended stop sign and flashing lights on.
SEE ALSO: Feds investigate Waymo robotaxis for reportedly passing school buses in AustinWaymo initially said it had released a software fix on Nov. 17, though there were reports of incidents after that date. It's unclear whether the new fix is different from the old one.
Following the incidents, Austin Independent School District requested that Waymo should temporarily stop operating in Austin when children are loading and unloading on school buses until it can guarantee their safety. Waymo hasn't indicated it plans to comply with that request.
Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?Waymo currently operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, and plans to expand to a number of new U.S. cities soon, including Miami, Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, as well as international cities like London.
Google Pixel phones: The Android devices that improve over time
Nobody wants to believe their new phone is the best it will ever be on the day they bought it, but that’s the reality for many Android owners. However, if you use a Google Pixel, there’s a solid argument to be made that it gets better with time.
Firefox is getting a long-awaited display upgrade on Linux PCs
Firefox 146 is rolling out, bringing a major, long-awaited display improvement for users running Linux with the Wayland compositor. The newest build now natively supports fractional scaling on Linux, which should make the rendering experience much better and snappier.
Mozilla Thunderbird 146 is rolling out: Here's what's new
Thunderbird, the desktop mail client developed by Mozilla, just released two new updates. Thunderbird 146 is rolling out today in the stable channel, and for those of you who need stability above all else, Thunderbird ESR just got an update to version 140.6.
Adult sites fetish of 2026 is a 180 from last year
While chastity reigned as 2025's fetish of the year, the explicit site Clips4Sale has a new frontrunner — and it's practically the opposite: gooning. It's the act of edging for hours or even days while watching porn, so much so that participants enter a hypnotic state (aptly called the "goon state").
Sales of gooning videos have spiked 151 percent since November 2023 on Clips4Sale, according to a blog post shared with Mashable — and 49 percent in the past six months alone. It's the fastest-growing fetish on the site.
SEE ALSO: 10 fastest-growing fetishes of 2025 so far Credit: Clips4SaleThe phenomenon has entered our cultural lexicon in recent years, as seen by a similar trajectory on Google Search. "Gooning" accounted for nearly one million searches in the past month, and since 2023, it has soared in search rankings.
Credit: Glimpse / Google Trends"Gooning isn't JUST about masturbation! It involves overstimulation of the senses, bright color, exposure to stimuli (porn) at an excessive amount and exaggeration in visuals, demands, etc," performer Master Celestress, who's been creating gooning content since 2019, stated in a press release shared with Mashable.
"There's a psychological aspect to gooning that I feel is overlooked. It became a buzzword where jerking off equals gooning and nope, it's not!" she continued. "Gooning is more of a state of mind than anything else!"
The rise of gooning has occurred at the same time as an increased scrutiny of the porn industry and online speech. Age-verification laws, which typically require personal data like a government ID or a facial scan to view such content, have been enacted in half of U.S. states and other countries like the UK and France. And in the U.S., several bills have been introduced this year to ban porn (though none have been passed). Despite widespread disapproval of porn, gooning — which takes porn viewing and masturbation to another level — has prevailed.
"Gooning is the perfect fetish for our sex-and-tech obsessed culture," Clips4Sale spokesperson Avery Martin said in the press release. "It's an embrace of radical pleasure at a time of reactionary sexual politics. In the midst of moral panics about porn and technology, gooners have reclaimed both to turn the narrative on its head, embracing an almost religious pursuit of pleasure. In the past year, creators have seized on the moment and are creating incredible, and incredibly creative, content to feed this large and voracious audience."
Meanwhile, giantess, which was Clips4Sale's 2024 fetish of the year, was the most searched for fetish in the U.S. in 2025. Wrestling, tickling, vore, and ballbusting followed it in the top five.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There are a number of really interesting matchups in the latest round of Champions League fixtures, including Bayern Munich vs. Sporting. Only separated by two points, this is a difficult game to predict. Sure, the German champions are favorites. But Sporting possess the quality to give Vincent Kompany's side some problems.
If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Bayern Munich vs. Sporting?Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Dec. 9. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting for freeBayern Munich vs. Sporting is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
How to stay online during an internet outage
A few weeks ago, my internet went down. Thankfully, my mobile internet was still working, so I was able to use my phone as a hotspot. Looking online, however, I found that many people who used the same provider for both their broadband and mobile internet had lost access to both and could not get online at all. There's always a risk that this could happen, but the good news is that an internet outage doesn't have to leave you offline.
Don't buy a new CPU cooler until you try these 3 things
Cooling power is the lifeblood of your PC. No matter how good any of your other components are, if things get too hot in there, your PC will struggle a lot. If you're struggling with cooling your CPU, you don't have to upgrade to a better cooler: you should try these less costly options first.
4 tips to make sure Home Assistant's voice assistant understands you
Home Assistant has its own built-in voice assistant called Assist. I use Home Assistant Cloud to handle the natural language processing, and Assist can work well for controlling devices, querying the state of entities, or playing media. It's far from perfect, but there are some things you can do to improve how well Assist understands what you're asking.
TikTok is blissing out on the dancefloor with Jon Hamm
If you've noticed Jon Hamm perpetually blissing out on a blue-hued dancefloor on your FYP, join the club.
The latest TikTok meme is seeing quietly victorious creators stitching a scene featuring the actor's performance in Apple TV series Your Friends and Neighbors, a series released back in April this year.
SEE ALSO: Ariana Grande's viral 6-7 moment in her Adam Sandler conversation shows, yes, she's onlineCreators are using the stitch to describe the sudden euphoria that comes with specifically glorious situations, such as "when you're petting a dog and someone says 'wow he usually doesn't like anyone!'" or when someone says "hey let's watch Lord of the Rings, I've never seen it," or the absolutely unrivalled "hey can I be mean for a second?" The stitch has evolved into reactions of cats being happily scritched, with Hamm's vibing demeanour matching that of a well-patted feline.
And they're all set to Danish DJ Kato's 2010 track "Turn The Lights Off" feat. Jon, making for one niche online coalescence of ecstasy — and one that joins the ranks of TikTok forever changing music discovery for older tracks.
The spliced scene, from Your Friends and Neighbors Season 1, episode 8, titled "When Did We Become These People?" captures not euphoria per se, but a pure moment of unbridled escapism in Hamm's character, Andrew Cooper, a disgraced, desperate financier who begins stealing from his neighbours. In the scene, Coop has hit a bit of a rock bottom and counters it with a night out, eventually finding himself on a dancefloor in a trance to Joseph William Morgan's "Sentient System" (the TikTok memes don't use this song).
Essentially, this TikTok meme isn't that deep, it's just vibes. Like those cockatiels a while back.
Featured Video For You How TikTok is Changing the Music IndustryThe hidden costs of using a Chromebook as your only computer
Chromebooks have come a long, long way since I first used one. It helps that so much of what we do every day happens in a browser, so, in a way, we've met Chromebooks halfway. Either way, it's entirely possible to use a Chromebook as your only computer. The question is, what are you giving up by doing so?
The best HBO Max deals and bundles in December 2025
HBO MAX BUNDLES: HBO Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its library without making a massive dent in your wallet.
The best HBO Max deals and bundles in December 2025: Best Disney+ Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99/month Get Deal Best Student Deal HBO Max Student Save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get DealIt's happened: Max has rebranded back to its old name of HBO Max. Forget the name change, though, because the service still has plenty of exciting films and shows to watch. From IT: Welcome to Derry, to Materialists, to the upcoming Game of Thrones series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there's plenty to keep you busy over the winter months.
The good news is that HBO Max has a couple of different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including a big bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while getting access to your favorite services.
SEE ALSO: Netflix to buy Warner Bros.: 5 properties Netflix would own under dealAlongside bundles, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're just interested in its service on its own.
Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like itThe HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)
If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $11.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $9.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $16.99 per month.
Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $9.99 per month
It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off its $10.99 monthly price. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.
HBO Max Student Discount — $5.49 per month (save 50%)
HBO Max offers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $10.99 per month or the annual plan runs for $109.99 per year. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.
Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per HBO Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.
Basic With Ads — $10.99 per month, $109.99 per year
Stream on two devices at once
Full HD 1080p resolution
Standard (Ad-free) — $18.49 per month, $184.99 per year
Stream on two devices at once
Full HD 1080p resolution
30 downloads to watch on the go
Premium (Ad-free) — $22.99 per month, $229.99 per year
Stream on four devices at once
4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)
Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)
100 downloads to watch on the go
If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.


