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TL;DR: Learn something new in 15 minutes with nonfiction book summaries from this lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, now just $47.99 (reg. $299.95) — the best price online — with code READ20 through Sept. 7 during this limited-time price drop.

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Wish you could read that buzzy new book everyone’s talking about, but can’t find the time? That’s where Headway Premium comes in, offering an easy way to keep up with nonfiction best sellers with easily digestible 15-minute summaries that can fit into any busy schedule.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for the best price online at just $47.99 (reg. $299.95) with code READ20 — but you need to act fast. This deal only runs through Sept. 7.

Get the key concepts from bestselling books in just 15 minutes

While we wish we had time to curl up with a good book, life can get pretty busy. Headway Premium gives you an excellent solution — serving up 15-minute summaries of some of the world’s best nonfiction books that you can devour in line at the grocery store, on your morning commute, or while you do the dishes.

Headway’s summaries fit your busy schedule. You can listen via the professionally narrated audio summaries or read the written summaries at your leisure. They also offer gamified learning that lets you track progress, earn achievements, and master new skills to keep you coming back to work on your self-growth.

SEE ALSO: Act fast! The Kindle has dropped to under $90 for a limited time — save $20 at Amazon.

There are over 1,500 summaries already available to dig into, and more are added every month. Learn more about personal development, health and wellness, or business strategies instead of playing games or wasting time on social media. There’s an offline option, too, if you want to master new concepts while traveling or going off the grid.

Though these summaries give you the key ideas, concepts, and principles from the book, they still can’t top reading the whole thing from front to back. Headway is a great way to find topics you want to dive deeper into, while fitting easily into your daily routine.

Get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just $47.99 (reg. $299.95) with code READ20 now through Sept. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If you’re a fan of Prime Video, here’s some good news: September is going to be a killer month full of great movies and TV shows. Those who enjoy the rough and rowdy world of The Boys will be pleased to know that Season 2 of Gen V (the spinoff that takes this quirky comic franchise back to school) is releasing on September 17. Fan hopes are high, especially among those of us who felt the last season of The Boys failed to make the grade.

Just about everything is wireless these days, and that includes the charging system of many smartphones. It's convenient for sure, but will wireless charging ever become the default way to charge or power our devices? I think the odds are pretty much zero.

Summer is winding down, but it's not over yet. That's why Samsung just launched several summer deals that'll help you save big on its best phones, foldables, earbuds, and more. You can get $300 off the all-new Galaxy Z Fold 7, and even more with a trade-in, or grab the fancy Galaxy S25 Edge at a discounted price.

Shop new PopSockets Kindle cases PopSockets PopSockets Kindle 12th Generation Case $40 Shop Now PopSockets PopSockets Kindle 11th Generation Case $40 Shop Now PopSockets PopSockets Bookish Besties MagSafe Grip $30 Shop Now

BookTok has undeniable power. It has sent books to the top of bestseller lists and even helped revive book sales. Now it's helped to create a popular Kindle and e-reader accessory. PopSockets just launched the brand's first-ever Kindle case that comes with a built-in MagSafe ring — finally answering TikTok's call.

In the marketing for PopSockets' new Kindle case, the brand states, "You asked, we answered," referring to the existing popularity of using a PopSockets grip with an e-reader. BookTok is flooded with users posting ideas on how to trick out your Kindle for a more practical hold while also making it a bit more stylish. In the past year, the Ganinno R MagSafe Stand has gone particularly viral for its ability to detach from the Kindle if you want it to be able to lie flat. But now PopSockets is taking matters into its own hands and coming out with its own flagship case.

The PopSockets grip is perfectly placed on the bottom for an ergonomic grip. Credit: PopSockets

The PopSockets Kindle case fits 11th and 12th-generation models of Amazon's e-readers. If you use a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, or Kindle Colorsoft, you'll find a case to fit your e-reader. Unfortunately, PopSockets does not have a case available for the basic Kindle or Kindle Scribe.

The new PopSockets Kindle cases have built-in MagSafe rings. The cases are certified with a 10-foot drop protection and have raised edges to guard against screen damage. They come in several different colors and prints, including a fun gingham or bookshelf design. PopSockets also delivered a clear case, a favorite option among Kindle users who like to customize their e-reader with personalized stickers.

Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Kindle 12th Generation Case $40 at PopSockets
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Kindle 11th Generation Case $40 at PopSockets
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These Kindle cases are made to be compatible with PopSockets' MagSafe grips, and the brand released a line of bookish options to match the new line of cases. All cases and grips are now available for purchase on PopSockets' website. Plus, all MagSafe grips are 30% off with the purchase of a new Kindle Case.

Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Bookish Besties MagSafe Grip $30 at PopSockets
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The internet and the web are changing in ways that can be hard to follow. The short version is that using web search is no longer the best way to get the content you actually want.

Apple made a lot of fuss about its Liquid Glass design overhaul at WWDC 2025, with the new visual style set to debut on all of its operating systems in the fall. One thing that’s striking about the upcoming macOS release is how different the OS can look from Apple’s past releases with the right settings.

Google's annual refresh of its Pixel line is always a treat. The Pixel hardware is lovely, and the visor on the back is quickly becoming an iconic look. (For Star Trek fans, it's giving major Geordi LaForge vibes.) The software offers one of my favorite user interfaces in the Android world, and it comes with a ton of goodies to play with besides. Anecdotally, I have seen more and more Pixel phones out "in the wild" in 2025, and not just among my fellow tech-nerd friends. The market share isn't there yet, but it's certainly climbing.

This year's Pixel 10 Pro refresh doesn't have as much new as previous years, and not all of the new features are necessarily welcome. Google made some choices with this phone that aren't landing for me, and that is not a reference to having Jimmy Fallon host the Made by Google event.

Overall, this has been a really fun phone to play with, largely because of the aforementioned camera bump on the back. Google promised the new flagship Pixel would land with the world's best-ever phone camera, and so far, it's living up to the hype. I've been using the Pixel 10 Pro for just under a week, and these are my initial thoughts. There's a lot to love in this phone (and the closely related Pixel 10 Pro XL), so let's get to it.

Pixel 10 Pro specs and design: Same old, same old Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

First, let's take a peek under the hood:

• Processor: Google Tensor G5 chipset

• Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto

• Front camera: 48MP

• Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED display (1280x2856 resolution)

• Refresh rate: 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Brightness: 3,300 nits peak brightness

• RAM: 16GB RAM

• Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage

• Battery: 4,870mAh battery

In terms of its aesthetics, Google clearly didn't want to alter the instantly recognizable look of the Pixel line. The phone has the exact dimensions as its predecessor. On top of that, the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro are so similar looking that I accidentally grabbed the Pixel 10 on my way to do some camera testing, and didn't notice until I'd been driving for 30 minutes.

I get it — that's a me problem.

The Google-engineered Tensor G5 processor, built on a 3nm process, brings the Pixel in line with other modern flagships. The phone has a plentiful 16GB of RAM, but Google sent me the 128GB version, which is already 56 percent used up — not great! We're well past the time when 256GB should be the standard, especially on a flagship. At least Google makes it easy to upload to its cloud storage.

The battery is up just a hair over last year's Pro model by 3 percent. But the biggest upgrade to the battery has little to do with the actual battery. All phones in the Pixel 10 series now come with wireless Qi2 charging enabled — magnets and all. That's right, MagSafe Pixelsnap charging accessories are here. This is great news for me — I am a MagSafe addict. 

This is arguably the first mainstream phone with built-in magnet support. Frankly, it's about time.

I love Pixel software, but some AI features feel undercooked Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

For Android-heads, the Pixel software is among the best, if not the best. It's clean and has fun interactions throughout the operating system. Two new AI features that Google is touting are the Daily Hub and Magic Cue, though they represent both good news and bad news. Both are driven by Google's onboard AI.

The good news is the daily hub, which gives you a sort of summary of your upcoming day at the top of your Google Discover feed. Tap on it, and you get a summary of what's going on based on your calendar, email, and other tastes. The top gives you upcoming events and reminders, while the bottom feeds you YouTube recommendations, because of course it does. How good they'll be probably depends on how much you use the platform.

Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

Meanwhile, on the other side, Magic Cue — in theory — can help you manage information from various sources, so when you need to recall that information, it'll serve it up to you. The most common way this can happen will be in the Messages app. Someone asks you for someone else's phone number, and Magic Cue will grab the contact information and feed you an autocompleted field with that info — at least, in theory.

Magic Cue is based on several apps all working together to give you this info, and on my review unit, I didn't have all the necessary software I needed. After working with Google for a bit, I got part of the way there.

In the scenario I described above — asking for someone's number — Magic Cue worked. It gave me an autocomplete suggestion with the person's phone number. Super! When I was asked what time my flight was, Magic Cue opened a button to jump to my calendar, which is also nice, but the whole point of Magic Cue was to give you the information without jumping between apps. Finally, I was asked what my Global Entry number is, which is a pinned note in Google Keep (which is supposed to be a supported app), and I wasn't given any information at all.

I also tried calling United Airlines, and I was served up a travel voucher that United Airlines sent me from my last flight. It's nice that it connected those dots, but honestly, if I'm calling United Airlines, and I'm flying tonight on United Airlines, wouldn't my itinerary be more helpful?

So, Magic Cue seems to be halfway there, which is arguably better than a certain other company's track record rolling out AI features, but that's a different matter entirely. It's also fair to mention that Magic Cue can take some time to curate the proper information, so I think the fairest criticism I can make is that it's not quite done cooking, but as with any software, that can change fast.

Performance and battery Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

Historically speaking, Google Tensor processors have not been the best on the market. Like Samsung Exynos processors (Google collaborated with Samsung on Tensor processors from the beginning), they suffered in comparison to Apple and Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. I also noted the performance gap between Exynos and Snapdragon processors when I reviewed the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 a few weeks ago. That being said, while the processor isn't the fastest out there, it's plenty fast to open apps, switch between them, and power onboard AI features like live language translation.

I played a few games on the Pixel 10 Pro, the heaviest of which was Asphalt Legends. After a 20-minute gaming session, the phone showed no lag, nor did it heat up too much. That's an improvement over past Pixels I've reviewed, and I'm happy about it.

Anecdotally, I can say that the battery life seems to be fine. (As a smartphone reviewer, my usage isn't exactly typical.) Beyond the times when I was testing the cameras to their limits, I still had 30-40 percent left in the tank at the end of the day. Bottom line, unless you're a heavy gamer or taking high-def videos, you should be fine.

Pixel 10 Pro cameras: A case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

I already tested the camera set extensively when I compared it with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here's the headline: The Pixel 10 Pro main camera lives up to the hype, and Google set the hype bar extra high this year. On balance, the Pixel 10 Pro beats out the S25 Ultra.

The 100x Super Res zoom in particular is eye-popping. Other aspects, like portrait mode, are a bit clunky, but overall, you'll struggle to take a bad photo during the day with this smartphone.

Left: The 100x zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro (left) Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: The 100x zoom on the Galaxy S25 Ultra (right) Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

At night, it's a different story. The main camera is OK, taking very acceptable photos at night with some amount of grain in the darker areas and blown-out highlights from light sources, but if you stray from that main camera to the ultrawide or telephoto lenses, or if your subjects are living (and therefore moving, even minimally), your photos fall apart quickly.

Video is a similar story, unfortunately. The exception to that rule comes from the Night Sight video mode. This is not a new concept this year — Night Sight Video Boost, which launched on the Pixel Pro 8, can do a lot of heavy lifting to clean things up in such a situation. There's still a good bit of grain, but the shudder and shake from footsteps is cleaned up considerably. I still wouldn't shoot — to imagine a completely random scenario not at all based on real events — a music video with it, but a fun night out with friends could work.

This is pretty disappointing, to be perfectly frank. Considering how good the cameras are during the day, to see this much drop off by night is surprising. Google has built its Pixel brand on being great at photos, and this isn't it.

The Pixel 10 Pro captures a lot of detail even in a busy, fast-moving scene. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashabl;e The ultra-wide lens compares favorably to other flagships. Faces blurred for privacy. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable The Pixel 10 Pro has a new AI photography tool called Camera Coach. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable The photo I took with Camera Coach's help. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable A photo taken with 5x zoom. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Pixel 10 Pro: My final verdict

Overall, this is an excellent phone with a few notable flaws. I haven't even addressed the fact that Pixels went to eSIM only in this review, which is at best inconvenient (as evidenced by the 30-minute hold required with T-Mobile's customer service to activate it), and at worst, consumer-hostile. eSIMs won't adversely affect the average consumer's life, but they're heckin' annoying for phone reviewers and anyone else who switches phones more than once per year.

Nighttime photography is also very disappointing, though daytime performance (and Super Res Zoom) almost entirely makes up for it. Beyond those two drawbacks, though, this phone is quite good and a worthy upgrade.

The hardware is on point, though the color selection could be better and brighter. The software is great as is, and if Magic Cue can start to deliver what it promises, that could range from neat to game-changing. Right now, it's more toward the "neat" side. The only thing stopping me from using this phone full-time is the fact that it doesn't fold, but that will change in October when the Pixel 10 Pro Fold lands, and I am here for it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 10 Pro with $200 Amazon Gift Card $999 at Amazon
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TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Bellucci in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The fourth and final Grand Slam of the season presents an opportunity for superstar Carlos Alcaraz to end the year on a high. Alcaraz won this competition back in 2022, but has since failed to make it past the semi-final stage. Can he go all the way this year and forget all about his dramatic Wimbledon final defeat? Next up he faces Bellucci.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Bellucci in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Bellucci for free

Alcaraz vs. Bellucci in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Bellucci for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Social Security Administration's Chief Data Officer is blowing the whistle on President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE.

According to the Government Accountability Project, which is representing whistleblower Charles Borges, DOGE officials have risked the security of more than 300 million Americans by creating a "live copy of the country's Social Security information in a cloud environment that circumvents oversight."

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's xAI sues Apple and OpenAI over App Store drama

Borges says that he became aware of "serious data security lapses, evidently orchestrated by DOGE officials, currently employed as SSA employees" in recent weeks, as the Social Security database was copied to an insecure live cloud system.

What did DOGE do with Social Security data?

The Government Accountability Project sent a letter detailing Borges' account of DOGE's actions to members of Congress and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel on Tuesday. The letter claims that DOGE "violated laws, rules, and regulations," as well as partook in "abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, and creation of a substantial and specific threat to public health and safety."

"This vulnerable cloud environment is effectively a live copy of the entire country's Social Security information from the Numerical Identification System (NUMIDENT) database, that apparently lacks any security oversight from SSA or tracking to determine who is accessing or has accessed the copy of this data," the letter says.

"NUMIDENT contains all data submitted in an application for a United States Social Security card — including the name of the applicant, place and date of birth, citizenship, race and ethnicity, parents' names and social security numbers, phone number, address, and other personal information. Should bad actors gain access to this cloud environment, Americans may be susceptible to widespread identity theft, may lose vital healthcare and food benefits, and the government may be responsible for re-issuing every American a new Social Security Number at great cost."

The letter also includes an email from July 15 from the DOGE-embedded SSA Chief Information Officer (CIO) Aram Moghaddassi signing off on the project.

Moghaddassi is quoted in the email as saying, "I have determined the business need is higher than the security risk associated with this implementation and I accept all risks associated with this implementation and operation."

As Ars Technica points out, Moghaddassi previously worked at Elon Musk's social media platform X and Musk's brain chip company Neuralink. Moghaddassi was onboarded into a government role through DOGE, originally embedded at the Department of Labor before becoming the CIO and the SSA around two months ago.

The Trump Administration created DOGE along with Elon Musk after Trump won the 2024 presidential election in a stated effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the government.

However, DOGE quickly became embroiled in controversy. It accessed sensitive data without going through the proper security channels, cut lifesaving programs through the dismantling of USAID, and misinformed the public about its findings of so-called waste, fraud, and abuse.

DOGE's access to Social Security data has been known, and its handling of this data has been criticized. But this new revelation from whistleblower Borges that DOGE has created a live copy of the database has not been previously disclosed.

In their letter, Borges and the Government Accountability Project are urging Congress to investigate the matter.

Switching from Windows to ChromeOS might feel like a big change, but there’s no need to worry. ChromeOS is simpler and easier to use than Windows. However, to switch without hiccups, you have to get familiar with ChromeOS basics and take care of a few things beforehand.

Autosave has been a thing with Microsoft 365 apps for a while, but unless you're really into OneDrive, chances are you rarely use it. Now, though, it's actually useful for a change, even if you don't use OneDrive.

Notorious and controversial imageboards 4chan and Kiwi Farms are taking the UK government to task in U.S. federal court, filing suit against the country’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) over the controversial Online Safety Act (OSA).

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, August 27, follows earlier threats made by the site’s legal counsel, Preston Byrne. Byrne warned that the platforms would challenge Ofcom’s attempts to levy fines and penalties under the OSA. Their goal is clear: to have U.S. courts recognize the UK’s sweeping internet law as unenforceable on American companies that operate entirely outside the UK.

SEE ALSO: YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week

Since taking effect on July 25, the OSA has introduced broad age verification requirements that force UK citizens to provide proof of age to access even mainstream platforms like YouTube and Spotify. The law, billed as protecting children from "harmful" content like pornography, has instead drawn fire from critics who argue it undermines privacy, restricts access, and effectively walls off parts of the internet.

Noncompliant sites like 4chan and Kiwi Farms have faced threats of fines and outright blocking in the UK. Both platforms argue that Ofcom has no jurisdiction over them since their servers and operations are based in the United States. The lawsuit marks the most significant legal challenge yet to the OSA, which has already proven to be one of the most controversial internet laws in recent memory.

In a statement to Mashable, a spokesperson with Ofcom stated the following:

“We are aware of this lawsuit. Under the Online Safety Act, any service that has links with the UK now has duties to protect UK users, no matter where in the world it is based. The Act does not, however, require them to protect users based anywhere else in the world.”

According to the lawsuit, 4chan alleges that Ofcom has threatened to slap the site with an £18 million ($24 million) fine and warned that site operators could even face prison time if they refused to comply with the Online Safety Act.

"American citizens do not surrender our constitutional rights just because Ofcom sends us an e-mail," Byrne said in a statement on X. "If foreign countries feel like bullying Americans, that is their prerogative. The First Amendment bar is prepared to hale any foreign censor into federal court at any time to defend any American."

UPDATE: Aug. 27, 2025, 3:15 p.m. EDT This article was updated to add a statement posted on X from 4chan and Kiwi Farms' legal counsel.

TL;DR: Live stream Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United in the EFL Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The pick of the games in the second round of the EFL Cup has to be Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United.

The Mariners are unbeaten in the league this season, but they'll face their toughest test against Manchester United, still seeking their first win of the year. Rubem Amorim's side will obviously be favorites to progress, but you never know in the cup.

If you want to watch Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United in the EFL Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United?

Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United in the EFL Cup starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Aug. 27. This fixture takes place at Blundell Park.

How to watch Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United for free

Grimsby Town vs. Manchester Unitedl in the EFL Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

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

Live stream Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world

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

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Grimsby Town vs. Manchester United in the EFL Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Microsoft is constantly making changes to Windows 11, and this past week is no exception. Here’s everything Microsoft started testing in Windows this week.

Starting today, Xbox Insiders who have an Xbox Game Pass Core or Standard subscription will get access to cloud gaming in a new beta test. Before this, the ability to stream games was exclusive to the more expensive Game Pass Ultimate tier.

2025 is the year AI is used for just about everything: making music, editing videos, doing classwork, booking reservations, coding, and even bringing people back from the dead. Well, their likeness, at least. These digital resurrections have been used to fight for tougher gun laws, address their own killers at court, and, eventually, to sell you stuff.

NPR reported on the rise of AI deadbots, which are AI avatars of deceased people. As Mashable wrote in May, digital resurrection projects have been in use for a few years, but it's advanced alongside generative AI.

Mashable reported in May on Stacey Wales, who used AI to create a video of her late brother to address the courtroom at the sentencing for the man who killed him in a road rage incident, leading the judge to hand down the maximum sentence. In February 2024, as Mashable also reported, March For Our Lives and Change the Ref created a new campaign called The Shotline that allows gun reform supporters to contact their representatives with automated voicemails featuring the reanimated voices of people killed by gun violence.

Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, a research fellow who studies how AI bots are reshaping our understanding of death, loss and grief at the Leverhulme Center for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, told Scientific American in April that generative AI combines "huge amount of personal data and AI" to create what is essentially "digital immortality," or the ability to create a "virtual representation of yourself that can be used long after your biological death."

And this new technology is changing how we experience loss.

"Experts agree on that we need much more discussion on this and we need much more ethical guardrails and framework that will help us to make sense of this new phenomenon, that we need much more [well-thought-out] regulations and responsible design," Nowaczyk-Basińska told the outlet. And as the documentary Eternal You reveals, using people's grief for financial gain is something AI companies aren't shying away from.

Beyond the very real ethical questions that arise from this kind of work is an economic one: Someone, and likely many someones, are going to make a lot of money from this grief.

According to NPR, the "digital afterlife industry" is "expected to quadruple in size to nearly $80 billion over the next decade," including everything from the creation of AI deadbots to posthumous communication services like scheduled texts from deceased people. And as the industry grows, the technology could even be used for advertisements. Imagine a deceased celebrity whose likeness is repurposed to sell soda. One AI researcher, James Hutson from Lindenwood University, told NPR that "of course it will be monetized."

It's clear: AI deadbots aren't going away, and they represent one more ethical issue in the fast-growing generative AI field.

SAVE UP TO $100: Select yard decorations from the Home Depot's 2025 Halloween collection are up to half off during its Labor Day sale. That includes the new 15-foot Worricrow and Galli-Crow, now both $100 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot The Home Depot Labor Day sale Save up to 50% on select Halloween decorations Shop Now

Historically, the Home Depot's Halloween props have been scarily popular — so much so that finding them on sale means playing a game of chance. They're sometimes discounted in late October, right before Halloween, if (big if) they've stayed in stock for that long.

This year, it's a different story. A huge batch of animatronics and inflatables from the home improvement retailer's 2025 Halloween collection is already on sale online during its Labor Day savings event (live now through Sept. 3), with discounts as high as 50% off. Rejoice, early birds and planner-aheaders: You won't have to save your festive decorating until the very last minute.

Credit: The Home Depot

The sale's lineup sadly doesn't include "Skelly," the Home Depot's iconic 12-foot skeleton, nor its app-controlled cousin or any of its pets. (Skelly got a new five-foot cat and dog this year.) But it does cover some other giants, including the all-new "Worricrow" and "Galli-Crow," which both stand 15 feet tall, as well as last year's 12-foot animated Levitating Reaper. The 3.5-foot animated Chucky doll, another 2024 release that made a return appearance, is also much cheaper than usual.

Credit: The Home Depot Credit: The Home Depot

In total, there are nearly 20 Home Depot Halloween props up for grabs at a discount this Labor Day. Check out the full list below:

• 15 ft. Gruesome Grounds Giant-Sized Animated LED Worricrow — $299 $399 (save $100)

• 15 ft. Grave & Bones Giant-Sized Animated LED Gally-Crow — $299 $399 (save $100)

• 12 ft. Grave & Bones Giant-Sized Color Changing Animated LED Levitating Reaper — $249 $299 (save $50)

• 6 ft. Deluxe Life-Size Animated Sally — $199 $259 (save $60)

• 6.5 ft. Deluxe Life-Size Animated Jack Skellington — $199 $259 (save $60)

• 6.5 ft. Halloween Classics Animated LED Soul Slasher — $99 $129 (save $30)

• 5.5 ft. Halloween Classics Animated LED Sitter of Souls — $99 $129 (save $30)

• 7 ft. Gruesome Grounds Animated LED Spellcasting Witch — $99 $129 (save $30)

• 3.5 ft. Animated Chucky Doll — $179 $229 (save $50)

• 6.5 ft. Grave & Bones Animated LED Jack of Spades — $149 $199 (save $50)

• 18 in. Buggy the Animated Groundbreaker Clown — $29 $49 (save $20)

• 5 ft. Emma the Animated Zombie Housemaid Holding a Tray — $39 $79 (save $40)

• 10 ft. Tall Pre-Lit Inflatable Black Cat Arch — $69.99 $139.99 (save $70)

• 65 in. Battery Operated Poseable Standing Clown with Red LED Eyes — $45.99 $59.99 (save $14)

• 10 ft. Boo Sign Halloween Inflatable with Lights — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

• 65 in. Battery Operated Poseable Animatronic Skeleton Groom with Red LED Eyes — $38.99 $49.99 (save $11)

• 10.5 in. Touch Activated Animatronic Doll — $31.99 $49.99 (save $18)

• 8 ft. Pre-Lit Inflatable Grim Reaper Tombstone Arch — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)

• 4.9 ft. Inflatable Pre-Lit Grim Reaper — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

If you needed yet another reminder that summer is basically over, I found a bittersweet notification in my inbox from Lovehoney announcing its 2025 lineup of advent calendars. And this year, the company has really gone for it by expanding its collection to include a range of options.

SEE ALSO: Tariffs are coming for your sex toys

From a beginner-friendly (and affordable!) set to a premium, 24-day calendar packed with luxe toys from brands like Womanizer and We-Vibe, I’m genuinely impressed. (Last year, the pickings were pretty slim.)

Sex toy advent calendars make great gifts, but most people I know buy them for themselves because the savings are just that good. Here’s a rundown of Lovehoney’s 2025 advent calendars so you can strategically plan your purchase.

Lovehoney Enjoy 24-Day Advent Calendar, $109 Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Enjoy Advent Calendar 2025 (24 Days) $109 at Lovehoney
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First up is the Lovehoney Enjoy 24-Day Advent Calendar. It’s priced at $109 and includes $260.76 worth of pleasure products inside (that’s a savings of $151.76, according to the Lovehoney site). You’ll also get free shipping, which is nice.

This calendar is Lovehoney’s beginner-friendly option. Although I don’t know exactly what’s inside (where would the fun be in that?), the press rep says that it includes the Womanizer Mini 2 (worth $29.99 alone), a battery-replaceable bullet vibrator, and other mix-and-match play things for a total of 24 items. This is a pretty good deal for anyone who wants to try sex toys but isn’t sure where to start — you won’t be able to get 24 pleasure products for this price point anywhere else.

And, if you’re extra skeptical, you can check out the reviews (there are spoilers!). Some people have already purchased and enjoyed every box this advent calendar has to offer.

Lovehoney X We-Vibe Romance 12-Day Advent Calendar, $129 Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney X We-Vibe Romance 12-Day Advent Calendar $129 at Lovehoney
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If you’re shopping for you and your partner, the Lovehoney X We-Vibe Romance 12-Day Advent Calendar might be a better option. It’s $129 and contains 12 items worth a total of $321.88 (a savings of $192.88). Again, you’ll get free shipping or expedited shipping for just $5 more.

This collection is curated for couples. The front of the box reads “Discover Romance,” and from the product photo, it looks like the company had massage (of all kinds) in mind when they put this one together. While you’re only getting 12 items with this calendar, there are a few more “premium” products included, like the app-controlled We-Vibe Jive 2 (worth $129 alone), a rabbit vibrator, cock ring, and some bondage accessories.

There are a few reviews already up for this one, too. Just remember that reviews could ruin the “surprise,” but if you don’t care about that and just want to know what you’re getting, it’s worth a look.

SEE ALSO: Are vibrating sex toys on the way out? Lovehoney Indulge 12-Day Advent Calendar, $129 Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Indulge 12-Day Advent Calendar $129 at Lovehoney
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The Lovehoney Indulge 12-Day Advent Calendar was created specifically for people with vulvas. It’s also $129, but contains items totaling $277.87 (saving you $148.87). Free shipping or expedited shipping for $5 more are a given.

This calendar already has 10 reviews, with almost everyone saying they were “impressed.” It includes 12 items designed for female pleasure, like the super-cute, clam-shaped Venus Glow clitoral stimulator ($59.99 alone), a G-spot dildo, and a rabbit vibrator.

Lovehoney X Womanizer X We-Vibe Couple's 24-Day Advent Calendar, $219 Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney X Womanizer X We-Vibe Couple's 24-Day Advent Calendar $219 at Lovehoney
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If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Lovehoney X Womanizer X We-Vibe Couple's 24-Day Advent Calendar is $219 — but it’s worth $617.77 (that’s $398.77 in savings!).

This premium advent calendar includes 24 high-end items, like the Womanizer Classic 2 ($129 on its own) and the We-Vibe Sync Lite ($99 on its own). You’ll also find a cock ring, rabbit vibrator, and more luxe goodies. So far, it’s racked up 11 reviews (in August; this still blows my mind). One of the best comments said that they were “thrilled and totally filled (in more ways than one)” after unboxing this monster of a calendar.

Womanizer X We-Vibe X Arcwave Luxury 24-Day Advent Calendar, $369 Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Womanizer X We-Vibe X Arcwave Luxury 24-Day Advent Calendar $369 at Lovehoney
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I saved the most expensive for last. The Womanizer X We-Vibe X Arcwave Luxury 24-Day Advent Calendar is $396 (and “selling fast,” according to the Lovehoney site). This may seem like a lot, but the value is $911.75, saving you $542.75. If you buy sex toys a lot, this might be a worthwhile investment.

The Womanizer X We-Vibe X Arcwave Luxury 24-Day Advent Calendar is the most luxe of the advent calendars and features premium items from Womanizer, We-Vibe, and Arcwave, including the Womanizer Next, We-Vibe Sync 2, and the Arcwave Pow (together worth over $467).

Unsurprisingly, no one has left a review for this calendar just yet. Whether that’s because they can’t get away from the bedroom long enough to write one or because no one’s willing to shell out nearly $400 for a mystery box of sex toys is up for debate. Nevertheless, I think this box offers more than enough for its price (for couples), especially if you’re into BDSM.

At the recent Made by Google event, Google made a bold promise: the new flagship Pixel 10 Pro has the best phone camera in the world.

Now that the phone is in my hands, I wanted to put that "world's best" promise to the test by comparing it to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the previous title holder. In terms of megapixels, Samsung's flagship has a giant head start with a 200MP main camera, while the Pixel 10 Pro has a 50MP main camera that's more in line with the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 48MP camera.

But camera quality isn't all about the megapixel count. Google said the Pixel 10 Pro would also have a 100x zoom, superior nighttime photography, and an AI "Camera Coach" feature, for training the boyfriends of the world to take a good couple's photo (Google's words, not mine).

I wanted to put the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra cameras head-to-head to see which one came out on top. You can judge the results for yourself with samples from the more than 500 photos and videos I shot with the two phones.

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SEE ALSO: I tested the best phone cameras of 2025 — which took the best pictures? Pixel 10 Pro vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra cameras: Comparing the hardware Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

Both phones bring similar hardware to the mix, but there are a few notable differences.

The Pixel 10 Pro has:

• 50MP main lens

• 48MP 5x telephoto lens

• 48MP ultrawide lens

• 42MP selfie camera

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has:

• 200 MP main lens

• 10MP 3x telephoto lens

• 50MP 5x telephoto lens

• 50MP ultrawide lens

On paper, it would seem like the Samsung phone has the Pixel beaten hands down, but that's not what the results say. 

I need to mention one pretty huge caveat: a true comparison is only possible because I'm looking at the photos on a Monoprice 32-inch monitor at 100% zoom. On a phone screen or Instagram feed, the photos from both phones look amazing. It's only when you really dig in that you start to see little differences.

Comparing the main cameras

Both phones have really great main cameras with excellent color reproduction and clarity. I think the 200-megapixel lens on the Samsung S25 Ultra does a better job of capturing the whole scene with clarity in the foreground and the background. The Pixel 10 Pro captures the texture of the trees better but loses a bit of clarity on the roller coaster in the background. Meanwhile, the Pixel captures the stars on the flag more distinctly — they are stars, while the Samsung loses some detail and makes them look more like circles. However, overall, Samsung captured the waving flags just a bit sharper than Google's phone.

For all these comparisons, I've put the Pixel 10 Pro photos on the left and the S25 Ultra photos on the right.

Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Ultrawide cameras

The ultrawide cameras on both phones lose a lot of detail, but that's normal for an ultrawide camera. Textures get mutilated and grain starts to seep in. I've never seen an ultrawide camera that didn't do that. The ultrawide camera of the Pixel 10 Pro captures a bit more of the scene, which is what an ultrawide is supposed to do after all, so I have to give it the nod.

Left: Pixel 10 Pro / Faces blurred to protect privacy Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 ultra / Faces blurred to protect privacy Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Telephoto 5x

Both phones come equipped with a 5x periscope telephoto lens. Both of these cameras are excellent at capturing images at 5x optical zoom, which, as a father, I value far more than ultrawide. Overall, I think Samsung's photo was more color realistic, while Google's seemed to punch up the bright colors to make them pop more. It's a matter of taste, but given the two, I'd probably prefer the pop of the Pixel 10 Pro, and not just for the alliteration. Both lenses caught really great detail, as this floral background could be challenging for a lesser lens.

Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Testing the 100x zoom

Now we get to the big kahuna. Samsung has been bragging about its 100x zoom for years now, while Google only recently got into that game.

Famously, Samsung Galaxy S Ultra phones are known for their photos of the moon. Unfortunately, during my testing period, the moon stayed below the horizon for the most part. So, I had to stick with terrestrial objects. First, I grabbed a photo from a sign for a ride from about 150 feet away.

You can see how far away I was in the first photo. Then just to be sure, I walked over and took a photo of the actual sign to show you what it should look like up close:

Left: Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

From there, I zoomed in and let the phones do their work. You can see the results for yourself:

Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

It's widely known by now that super zoom smartphone photos depend on AI technology to enhance photos and fill in gaps. And neither of these photos is very good. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's photo is very blurry and blotchy, while the Pixel photo looks more like a painting or crayon drawing. Neither captures the sign perfectly, but if you made me choose, I'd go with the Pixel 10 Pro's rendition over Samsung's, though Samsung got closer to the actual colors of the sign.

The next one I tried was of a pair of insects, let's say, hugging, on a flower about 10 feet away. In this case, the Pixel beat out the Samsung, and it's not even close. While the Samsung photo looks OK on the phone screen, it doesn't survive a closer inspection on a 32-inch screen. The Pixel's photo is a lot sharper with more detail.

Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

In short, if you're looking for the smartphone with the best 100x zoom, it's now the Pixel 10 Pro.

What about portrait mode?

Portrait mode is especially tough on a phone because it tries to replicate a phenomenon that comes naturally to a larger lens — bokeh. It's the blurring of a background while the subject of a photo remains tack sharp and clear. For this one, I borrowed my wife because she's cute and I can afford her modeling rates. 

Left: Pixel 10 Pro Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Right: Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

Portrait mode is especially tough when there are stray hairs around a subject's head, and while my wife's perfectly coiffed hairdo is beyond reproach, there are still a few hairs that escaped her attention. Samsung handled these with much more aplomb than the Pixel. The Pixel makes it look like my wife was photoshopped into the photo — it's good, but it's almost too good. There are a few identifiable stray hairs, but they are cropped and blurred with the background.

On a phone screen, it looks fine, but blow up the photo and you'll see the truth. The way Samsung worked with those hairs is much closer to the physics that guide a camera lens.

Camera coach

The Pixel 10 Pro has one last trick up its sleeve — a new AI tool called Camera Coach. This photography feature (which works in the cloud, not on device) can instruct you on how to take a great photo based on what your camera sees.

When you aim your camera, there's a camera with a star icon in the upper right corner. Tap that, and the camera will take in the scene. From there, it will suggest a few shots you can take. Once you select one, it will generate steps to help you capture the shot, such as "Step closer to the subject" or "Try increasing the exposure on the shot."

Here is a shot I took of a big checkerboard at a nearby restaurant (my wife's "fee" for helping). 

The image I took with Camera Coach. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

There are two things to know about this procedure. First, it takes a bit of time. It'll take about 15 seconds or so to generate the shot previews and then another few seconds to generate the steps. That's a long time to keep a living subject standing there and smiling, as my family will attest to.

The second caveat: the camera never actually tells you when you've completed a step. Intuitively, you would expect a camera to see that you've moved closer and then move to the next step. That's not what happens here. In fact, you can advance steps without following the directions. It's more like a camera suggestion-giver than a camera coach, but a software update could fix this.

Camera Coach's instructions. Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

For now, the Pixel 10 Pro has the edge.

Overall, the Pixel 10 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra both have ridiculously impressive camera arrays. In general, I preferred the output of the Pixel 10 Pro, but most of what I preferred was software and post-processing-related, so it's subjective, and it's entirely fixable "in post," as the pros say.

Overall, I'm impressed with what's possible with 100x zoom, but you'll get mixed results. Fortunately, the hits are much more frequent than the misses, and that's exciting. I'm all about that zoom. I'm not saying this tech is ready to capture your kids' recitals from the back of the room — you still need to depend on a proper camera for that, but as they say, the best camera is the one you have on you, and these cameras impressed me in every way.

How I tested these phone cameras

Summer is lovely, and one of my favorite things to do during the summer (even its waning days) is to head to my local amusement park, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Home to a number of huge and amazing roller coasters, it's a great place to just strap yourself to a chair and get thrown off a cliff.

It's also a great place to check out cameras. Great America is full of lovely scenery and bright colors, great for testing out all aspects of a great smartphone camera. But any camera can be great when the lighting is good, so after the sun went down, I typically test things out at Streamwood's village hall, which has a number of lovely low-light testing scenarios I can take advantage of.

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