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SAVE $540: As of Sep. 1, get the DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station for $759.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's a discount of 41%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station $759.99 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $539.01   Get Deal

The hotter days may be behind us, but fall can still bring several severe storms that could knock your power out. Not to mention cold weather is on the horizon, which can also put you in an electricity-related bind if you happen to be in the path of a blizzard or other snowstorm. Be ready for all of these situations and more with a portable power station. You can grab one right now on sale at Amazon for an excellent price.

As of Sep. 1, get the DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station for $759.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. That's $540 off and a discount of 41%.

SEE ALSO: The 6 best power stations for camping keep you both online and off-grid

The DJI Power 2000 has a 2,048Wh capacity and manages to remain quiet while in operation. It weighs under 50 poiunds and is compatible with up to 10 DJI Expansion Battery 2000s, which can juice your portable power station up to 22,000Wh. That means your entire house could be powered in a pinch should you need it.

It also comes with plentiful ports: three standard AC options, four USB-A ports, four USB-C ports, and two SDC ports so you can recharge drones in an expedient manner. It also has a 30-amp plug. It's equipped and ready to make sure you have enough power to handle whatever emergency comes your way, so if you're looking for a way to stay afloat when nasty weather approaches or just need an easy way to stay in touch while off-grid, this is a great option.

I have both an Android phone and a relatively modern car with a touchscreen, yet I still don't use Android Auto — and it's not because I don't know what I'm missing. I just like my Kia's built-in software more.

Best Labor Day appliance deals at a glance: Best fridge deal Hisense 18.1 ft Counter-Depth Refrigerator $499 (save $250) Get Deal Best washer deal GE 4.5-cu ft Top Load Washer $599 (save $250) Get Deal Best washer-dryer combo deal LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center $1,899 (save $800) Get Deal

Labor Day is basically the awkward cousin of shopping holidays. You're not exactly thrilled it's here (RIP, summer), and it definitely lacks the pizzazz of Black Friday. But it does come with one perk: It's undeniably the best time of year to score a deal on those more expensive home essentials, like mattresses and major household appliances (e.g., washers and dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers).

SEE ALSO: Shop the REI Labor Day sale: We found late summer outdoor and camping deals

This year, big-box retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, and even Amazon are rolling out their holiday savings events. Right now, most appliance markdowns are about $15 to $20 shy of their all-time-low Black Friday prices. Frankly, paying an extra twenty bucks is well worth it if your washing machine has gone kaput, but I expect even bigger discounts as we get closer to the holiday weekend.

Whether your fridge is on its last leg or you've finally decided to upgrade the laundry room (honestly, good for you), I've scoured through the deals to help you find the best bang for your buck.

Here are the best Labor Day appliance deals you can shop right now.

Best major kitchen appliance deals Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 18.1 ft Counter-Depth Refrigerator $499 at Lowe's
$749 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 24-cu ft Top-Mount Refrigerator $879 at Home Depot
$1,199 Save $320   Get Deal Why we like it

The Hisense 18.1 ft Counter-Depth Refrigerator ($499 at Lowe's, down from $749) is an unbeatable deal. It sits flush with your counters so it shouldn't stick out; it's garage-ready, and comes with a two-year warranty — which is double what most appliance brands give you.

If you need more storage space, you'll want the LG 24-cu ft Top-Mount Refrigerator, marked down to $879 (saving you $320) at Home Depot. At 24 cubic feet, it's about as roomy as a top-freezer fridge gets.

Shop deals on fridges, dishwashers, and more

• Frigidaire 24" Front Control Built-In Dishwasher — $299.99 $377.99 (save $78)

• GE 30 in. 4.8 cu. ft. Freestanding Gas Range — $699 $799 (save $100)

• LG FlushFit 24" Top Control Smart Built-In Dishwasher — $599.99 $1,049.99 (save $450)

• LG 36 in. 28 cu. ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator — $1,799 $3,099 (save $1,300)

• Samsung Bespoke 36 in. 29 cu. ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator — $1,799 $3,199 (save $1,400)

Best laundry appliance deals Opens in a new window Credit: GE GE 4.5-cu ft Top Load Washer $599 at Home Depot
$849 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center $1,899 at Lowe's
$2,699 Save $800   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a no-frills machine that won't cost you a fortune, the GE 4.5-cu ft Top Load Washer ($599, down from $849) is a great buy. It features a classic dual-action agitator, a large 4.5-cu ft. capacity, and a Boost setting that adds an extra 15 minutes of soaking to get out tough stains.

For those of you who want something a little bougier, the LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center is down to $1,899 (saving you $800). It gives you full-sized capacity in half the floor space (perfect for smaller apartments!), features moisture sensors, and a steam cycle that's claimed to pull out over 95 percent of pet dander.

Shop deals on washers and dryers

• Whirlpool 7-cu ft Vented Electric Dryer — $499 $719 (save $220)

• LG WashTower Stacked SMART Laundry Center — $1,899 $2,699 (save $800)

• LG 4.5-cu ft Stackable SMART Front Load Washer — $929 $1,199 (save $270)

• GE Profile UltraFast Ventless All-In-One Washer Dryer Combo — $2,199 $2,999 (save $800)

Best Labor Day appliance deals at a glance: Best fridge deal Hisense 18.1 ft Counter-Depth Refrigerator $499 (save $250) Get Deal Best washer deal GE 4.5-cu ft Top Load Washer $599 (save $250) Get Deal Best washer-dryer combo deal LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center $1,899 (save $800) Get Deal

Labor Day is basically the awkward cousin of shopping holidays. You're not exactly thrilled it's here (RIP, summer), and it definitely lacks the pizzazz of Black Friday. But it does come with one perk: It's undeniably the best time of year to score a deal on those more expensive home essentials, like mattresses and major household appliances (e.g., washers and dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers).

SEE ALSO: Shop the REI Labor Day sale: We found late summer outdoor and camping deals

This year, big-box retailers like Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, and even Amazon are rolling out their holiday savings events. Right now, most appliance markdowns are about $15 to $20 shy of their all-time-low Black Friday prices. Frankly, paying an extra twenty bucks is well worth it if your washing machine has gone kaput, but I expect even bigger discounts as we get closer to the holiday weekend.

Whether your fridge is on its last leg or you've finally decided to upgrade the laundry room (honestly, good for you), I've scoured through the deals to help you find the best bang for your buck.

Here are the best Labor Day appliance deals you can shop right now.

Best major kitchen appliance deals Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 18.1 ft Counter-Depth Refrigerator $499 at Lowe's
$749 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 24-cu ft Top-Mount Refrigerator $879 at Home Depot
$1,199 Save $320   Get Deal Why we like it

The Hisense 18.1 ft Counter-Depth Refrigerator ($499 at Lowe's, down from $749) is an unbeatable deal. It sits flush with your counters so it shouldn't stick out; it's garage-ready, and comes with a two-year warranty — which is double what most appliance brands give you.

If you need more storage space, you'll want the LG 24-cu ft Top-Mount Refrigerator, marked down to $879 (saving you $320) at Home Depot. At 24 cubic feet, it's about as roomy as a top-freezer fridge gets.

Shop deals on fridges, dishwashers, and more

• Frigidaire 24" Front Control Built-In Dishwasher — $299.99 $377.99 (save $78)

• GE 30 in. 4.8 cu. ft. Freestanding Gas Range — $699 $799 (save $100)

• LG FlushFit 24" Top Control Smart Built-In Dishwasher — $599.99 $1,049.99 (save $450)

• LG 36 in. 28 cu. ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator — $1,799 $3,099 (save $1,300)

• Samsung Bespoke 36 in. 29 cu. ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator — $1,799 $3,199 (save $1,400)

Best laundry appliance deals Opens in a new window Credit: GE GE 4.5-cu ft Top Load Washer $599 at Home Depot
$849 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center $1,899 at Lowe's
$2,699 Save $800   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a no-frills machine that won't cost you a fortune, the GE 4.5-cu ft Top Load Washer ($599, down from $849) is a great buy. It features a classic dual-action agitator, a large 4.5-cu ft. capacity, and a Boost setting that adds an extra 15 minutes of soaking to get out tough stains.

For those of you who want something a little bougier, the LG WashTower Stacked Laundry Center is down to $1,899 (saving you $800). It gives you full-sized capacity in half the floor space (perfect for smaller apartments!), features moisture sensors, and a steam cycle that's claimed to pull out over 95 percent of pet dander.

Shop deals on washers and dryers

• Whirlpool 7-cu ft Vented Electric Dryer — $499 $719 (save $220)

• LG WashTower Stacked SMART Laundry Center — $1,899 $2,699 (save $800)

• LG 4.5-cu ft Stackable SMART Front Load Washer — $929 $1,199 (save $270)

• GE Profile UltraFast Ventless All-In-One Washer Dryer Combo — $2,199 $2,999 (save $800)

John Ternus spent his first day as Apple's chief executive doing what most office workers do: sending out emails.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who obtained the note, Ternus sent a staff-wide memo to preview what he called a standout showing at next week's iPhone event and to publicly thank Tim Cook, who spent 15 years at Apple's helm.

Ternus, who previously ran Apple's hardware engineering organization, told staff he's looking forward to what comes after the September 9 launch just as much as the event itself. Gurman reported that Ternus called the coming iPhone reveal "phenomenal" in the memo, a preview that lines up with Apple's plans to introduce its first foldable iPhone and push further into smart home hardware, according to Bloomberg's reporting.

The memo also included a tribute to Cook, who is staying on at Apple as executive chairman rather than leaving the company outright. Ternus credited his predecessor with sharing his knowledge throughout the transition and framed Cook's tenure as one defined by strong values, according to Bloomberg. Tuesday also marked Ternus's debut on X, where he joins Cook and marketing chief Greg Joswiak as the company's most visible executives on the platform.

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

Per Gurman's reporting, Joswiak indicated that Ternus will have more to share when he takes the stage at next week's "Surprise and Shine" event.

Cook, for his part, sent his own farewell note to staff a day earlier, telling employees he'll miss the daily work but is confident in the direction Ternus will take the company.

Ternus's promotion caps a long climb inside Apple. As we've detailed in an explainer of the incoming CEO, Ternus joined Apple in 2001 after a brief stint as a mechanical engineer, working his way from the product design team to VP of hardware engineering in 2013 and senior VP in 2021.

Apple has credited him with hardware wins, including the iPhone Air and the MacBook Neo, as well as a pivotal role in the company's shift to using in-house Apple silicon. Ternus, at 50, is stepping into the CEO role at the same age Cook was when he succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, and people close to the company see him bringing a more product-first, Jobs-like sensibility to the job than his predecessor.

With AI widely seen as Apple's biggest competitive gap, Ternus's handling of the newly overhauled Siri is likely to be one of the first major tests of his leadership. For now, though, all eyes are on next week's keynote, the first major product event of the Ternus era.

Top Apple Deals we found this week:

• Apple AirTag 2 (4-Pack) — $79.99 $99 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) — $649 $749 (save $100)

• Apple iPhone Air (256GB, unlocked) — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Shop all the best Apple Labor Day deals

John Ternus spent his first day as Apple's chief executive doing what most office workers do: sending out emails.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who obtained the note, Ternus sent a staff-wide memo to preview what he called a standout showing at next week's iPhone event and to publicly thank Tim Cook, who spent 15 years at Apple's helm.

Ternus, who previously ran Apple's hardware engineering organization, told staff he's looking forward to what comes after the September 9 launch just as much as the event itself. Gurman reported that Ternus called the coming iPhone reveal "phenomenal" in the memo, a preview that lines up with Apple's plans to introduce its first foldable iPhone and push further into smart home hardware, according to Bloomberg's reporting.

The memo also included a tribute to Cook, who is staying on at Apple as executive chairman rather than leaving the company outright. Ternus credited his predecessor with sharing his knowledge throughout the transition and framed Cook's tenure as one defined by strong values, according to Bloomberg. Tuesday also marked Ternus's debut on X, where he joins Cook and marketing chief Greg Joswiak as the company's most visible executives on the platform.

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

Per Gurman's reporting, Joswiak indicated that Ternus will have more to share when he takes the stage at next week's "Surprise and Shine" event.

Cook, for his part, sent his own farewell note to staff a day earlier, telling employees he'll miss the daily work but is confident in the direction Ternus will take the company.

Ternus's promotion caps a long climb inside Apple. As we've detailed in an explainer of the incoming CEO, Ternus joined Apple in 2001 after a brief stint as a mechanical engineer, working his way from the product design team to VP of hardware engineering in 2013 and senior VP in 2021.

Apple has credited him with hardware wins, including the iPhone Air and the MacBook Neo, as well as a pivotal role in the company's shift to using in-house Apple silicon. Ternus, at 50, is stepping into the CEO role at the same age Cook was when he succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, and people close to the company see him bringing a more product-first, Jobs-like sensibility to the job than his predecessor.

With AI widely seen as Apple's biggest competitive gap, Ternus's handling of the newly overhauled Siri is likely to be one of the first major tests of his leadership. For now, though, all eyes are on next week's keynote, the first major product event of the Ternus era.

Top Apple Deals we found this week:

• Apple AirTag 2 (4-Pack) — $79.99 $99 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) — $649 $749 (save $100)

• Apple iPhone Air (256GB, unlocked) — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Shop all the best Apple Labor Day deals

As the creator economy becomes increasingly crowded, individuals may be looking for new ways to get seen. According to a new report from Giggster, having an OnlyFans link in your Linktree is apparently the way to obtain search visibility.

SEE ALSO: How many OnlyFans millionaires are there? New report reveals the hard numbers.

In an analysis of nearly 5,000 verified, person-led Linktree profiles in the U.S., those with OnlyFans links were a major driver of creator search visibility, Giggster reported. Fifty-five percent of profiles analyzed had OnlyFans links, yet they accounted for 76.4 percent of the share of Ahrefs Traffic Value. (Ahrefs Traffic Value is an estimate of the monthly cost of a page's organic traffic if it were purchased through pay-per-click advertising.)

The median traffic value of an OnlyFans-linked profile was around 8.2 times higher than that of one without an OnlyFans link.

This is antithetical to what adult creators discuss in terms of visibility on social media. Last year, for a story on age-verification laws, porn performer Siri Dahl told Mashable that Instagram has become strict with the links allowed in people's bios, and that Linktrees were starting to get "blacklisted" due to their association with OnlyFans creators. (Neither Instagram nor Linktree responded to Mashable's request for comment at the time.)

In May, creator platform ONA published an article about Instagram reach dropping after adding a Linktree or OnlyFans link, as well.

Giggster's report also found that the top creators overall hold a majority of the search value. In Washington, for instance, the top 10 percent of creators generate nearly all (96.3 percent) of the state's creator search value. California has the lowest concentration of the 10 states Giggster named, but the top 10 percent still generate 81.6 percent of its search value.

As the creator economy becomes increasingly crowded, individuals may be looking for new ways to get seen. According to a new report from Giggster, having an OnlyFans link in your Linktree is apparently the way to obtain search visibility.

SEE ALSO: How many OnlyFans millionaires are there? New report reveals the hard numbers.

In an analysis of nearly 5,000 verified, person-led Linktree profiles in the U.S., those with OnlyFans links were a major driver of creator search visibility, Giggster reported. Fifty-five percent of profiles analyzed had OnlyFans links, yet they accounted for 76.4 percent of the share of Ahrefs Traffic Value. (Ahrefs Traffic Value is an estimate of the monthly cost of a page's organic traffic if it were purchased through pay-per-click advertising.)

The median traffic value of an OnlyFans-linked profile was around 8.2 times higher than that of one without an OnlyFans link.

This is antithetical to what adult creators discuss in terms of visibility on social media. Last year, for a story on age-verification laws, porn performer Siri Dahl told Mashable that Instagram has become strict with the links allowed in people's bios, and that Linktrees were starting to get "blacklisted" due to their association with OnlyFans creators. (Neither Instagram nor Linktree responded to Mashable's request for comment at the time.)

In May, creator platform ONA published an article about Instagram reach dropping after adding a Linktree or OnlyFans link, as well.

Giggster's report also found that the top creators overall hold a majority of the search value. In Washington, for instance, the top 10 percent of creators generate nearly all (96.3 percent) of the state's creator search value. California has the lowest concentration of the 10 states Giggster named, but the top 10 percent still generate 81.6 percent of its search value.

After years of jumping between Google Pay and Google Wallet, the company finally settled on Google Wallet as its one-stop destination for everything from contactless payments to digital IDs. Here are some of its helpful features to make your life easier.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on Nov. 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. As far as anyone knows, it could be years before there's a PC version of the hotly anticipated open-world crime game (fortunately, we don't think it will take that long). But if you want to play the game right away, then it's time for you to figure out which version to buy.

After pre-orders opened, IGN reported that PS5 versions of the game were outselling Xbox at an eight-to-one ratio. Microsoft denied these numbers, of course, but if IGN's readers are representative of gamers as a whole, then players are certainly leaning in a very clear direction.

So, should you play GTA 6 on PS5 or Xbox? There are a lot of variables that make this a difficult question to answer. That said, we're going to do our best. Here is everything you need to know before buying GTA VI on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X

SEE ALSO: Could GTA 6 teach Gen Z how to be in a relationship? Grand Theft Auto VI: PS5 or Series X?

The first thing to note here is that the only official gameplay footage we've seen of GTA 6 comes from a 26-minute extended look released on Netflix in late August. It lived up to the hype, but less than half an hour of carefully curated footage is not a great way to determine the technical ins and outs of a video game.

It's also worth pointing out, though, that the Netflix footage was captured on PlayStation 5. Sony has even said in its marketing that the game "plays best on PS5."

"Thanks to the close partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto VI will play best on PS5 by taking advantage of PS5’s immersive features to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience when it launches on November 19," a Sony blog post reads.

The company hasn't divulged any real details as to how or why it's best on PS5, though. Until the game is in our hands, we can't know for sure, though.

One thing we do know is that GTA VI is a graphical powerhouse. Digital Foundry, an outlet known for technical breakdowns of video game visuals, called it arguably "the most impressive example of real-time game rendering" they've seen yet. The power differential between the PS5 and Series X is not particularly significant, so based on what we saw on Netflix, there's every reason to expect that the Xbox Series X version will be comparable, at least.

Just be warned that, according to Digital Foundry (and also according to what little I know about video game rendering), the game will almost certainly not ship with a 60 frames per second mode, and it may not ever get one on these consoles. But 30 FPS is fine; you'll get used to it.

What about Xbox Series S?

One major question a lot of folks will have is whether GTA 6 will still look good and play well on an Xbox Series S. Both Xbox and PlayStation consoles are prohibitively expensive right now due to RAMageddon, so the cheaper Series S represents the best value of the bunch at $500. It's cheaper because it's a weaker device, though. It's compatible with the same games as the Series X, but many of those games are compromised in some way.

We don't know anything about the Series S version of GTA VI right now. But if I had to guess, I would assume it runs at a lower resolution and has some other settings turned down, at the very least. I would be stunned if Rockstar released it in an unplayable state, but weirder things have happened.

More information about GTA VI's tech specs on these platforms is sure to come out before Nov. 19, and we'll keep you updated as it comes in.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at GameStop 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Ultimate Edition: PS5 or Xbox $99.99 at PlayStation Store
  Pre-order Here at PlayStation Store Pre-order Here at Xbox Pre-order Here at Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on Nov. 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. As far as anyone knows, it could be years before there's a PC version of the hotly anticipated open-world crime game (fortunately, we don't think it will take that long). But if you want to play the game right away, then it's time for you to figure out which version to buy.

After pre-orders opened, IGN reported that PS5 versions of the game were outselling Xbox at an eight-to-one ratio. Microsoft denied these numbers, of course, but if IGN's readers are representative of gamers as a whole, then players are certainly leaning in a very clear direction.

So, should you play GTA 6 on PS5 or Xbox? There are a lot of variables that make this a difficult question to answer. That said, we're going to do our best. Here is everything you need to know before buying GTA VI on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X

SEE ALSO: Could GTA 6 teach Gen Z how to be in a relationship? Grand Theft Auto VI: PS5 or Series X?

The first thing to note here is that the only official gameplay footage we've seen of GTA 6 comes from a 26-minute extended look released on Netflix in late August. It lived up to the hype, but less than half an hour of carefully curated footage is not a great way to determine the technical ins and outs of a video game.

It's also worth pointing out, though, that the Netflix footage was captured on PlayStation 5. Sony has even said in its marketing that the game "plays best on PS5."

"Thanks to the close partnership between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto VI will play best on PS5 by taking advantage of PS5’s immersive features to deliver a deeply engaging single-player experience when it launches on November 19," a Sony blog post reads.

The company hasn't divulged any real details as to how or why it's best on PS5, though. Until the game is in our hands, we can't know for sure, though.

One thing we do know is that GTA VI is a graphical powerhouse. Digital Foundry, an outlet known for technical breakdowns of video game visuals, called it arguably "the most impressive example of real-time game rendering" they've seen yet. The power differential between the PS5 and Series X is not particularly significant, so based on what we saw on Netflix, there's every reason to expect that the Xbox Series X version will be comparable, at least.

Just be warned that, according to Digital Foundry (and also according to what little I know about video game rendering), the game will almost certainly not ship with a 60 frames per second mode, and it may not ever get one on these consoles. But 30 FPS is fine; you'll get used to it.

What about Xbox Series S?

One major question a lot of folks will have is whether GTA 6 will still look good and play well on an Xbox Series S. Both Xbox and PlayStation consoles are prohibitively expensive right now due to RAMageddon, so the cheaper Series S represents the best value of the bunch at $500. It's cheaper because it's a weaker device, though. It's compatible with the same games as the Series X, but many of those games are compromised in some way.

We don't know anything about the Series S version of GTA VI right now. But if I had to guess, I would assume it runs at a lower resolution and has some other settings turned down, at the very least. I would be stunned if Rockstar released it in an unplayable state, but weirder things have happened.

More information about GTA VI's tech specs on these platforms is sure to come out before Nov. 19, and we'll keep you updated as it comes in.

'Grand Theft Auto VI' for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X $79.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at GameStop 'Grand Theft Auto VI' Ultimate Edition: PS5 or Xbox $99.99 at PlayStation Store
  Pre-order Here at PlayStation Store Pre-order Here at Xbox Pre-order Here at Rockstar Games

Just as BookTok goes through phases with its favorite books, it channels the same attitude toward e-readers. While Kindles are undoubtedly the e-reader to reign supreme, plenty of competitors come in swinging to dethrone it. The latest is Boox.

In between users touting their Kobo Clara and Kindle Paperwhite on BookTok, you'll also find a passionate, dedicated group of people discussing their Boox e-reader. The Palma Pro 2, in particular, has caught the interest of plenty of folks who want an e-reader even smaller than what Kindle can offer. Having tested several Boox e-readers myself, I was admittedly surprised by the device's popularity because these aren't your regular old e-readers but are instead e-ink tablets.

Unlike Kindles or Kobos, Boox e-readers let you access any app in the Google Play Store, so your books from any app (excluding Apple Books) are all available on one device. Ever dreamed of being able to update your Storygraph or GoodReads right on your e-reader? Well, you can download those to your Boox, too.

So here's what to know about Boox, the e-readers that BookTok can't get enough of.

What is Boox? Boox e-readers may be rising in popularity but they've been around for almost two decades. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Boox e-readers are manufactured by Onyx International, a Chinese-based technology company. Onyx created Boox e-readers as an alternative to traditional smartphones and tablets, which have bright screens that cause eye fatigue and strain. The e-ink tablets have softer interfaces so you can read for hours at a time without bright, glossy blue light.

SEE ALSO: How to turn a tablet into an e-reader: The best settings and accessories

Onyx e-readers were also among the first to use Android 10, a departure from traditional e-readers like the Amazon Kindle or Rakuten Kobo, which run on independent operating systems.

Are Boox e-readers or tablets?

But are Boox e-readers actually e-readers? Because Boox runs on an Android operating system, any Android app can be downloaded to the device.

This is very different from Kindle or Kobo, which both run Linux-based operating systems. These unique OSes usually allow you to download and read books and explore new titles. However, there's no option to download other apps and access a home page as you'd expect on a smartphone or tablet.

Read books on nearly any app on a Boox e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Boox e-readers do have a library built into their OS, but they also have a standard home screen with access to the Google Play Store. That means any app in the Google Play Store can be downloaded onto the device. Technically, this makes them e-ink tablets, meaning they're like traditional tablets but with a matte e-ink display.

The perk of traditional e-readers is their distraction-free UX, so even though they're still digital devices, they're limited in their capabilities. But a Boox exposes you to more distractions. Luckily, they aren't that powerful and don't have nearly as much computing power as even a smartphone. So even though you have access to a world of apps and the internet, it doesn't mean you have the processing power to fully enjoy them.

What models of Boox are available? There are eight available Boox e-reader and e-ink tablets including the Palma 2 Pro and Go 6 (Gen 2). Credit: Boox / Mashable

Boox has lots of models, including past generations of current models, but not all of them are available. Here are the current tablets and e-readers available from Boox.

E-ink tablets

• Tab X C

• Note Max

• Note Air5 C

E-readers

• Go 10.3 (Gen 2)

• Go 7

• Go Color 7 (Gen 2)

• Go 6 (Gen 2)

• Palma 2 Pro

We're in the midst of testing Boox's e-readers with reviews of the Go 10.3 (Gen 2) and Go 6 (Gen 2) coming soon. For notes on our favorite e-readers, check out our guide to the best e-readers.

Are there privacy and security concerns with Boox e-readers?

When covering Boox's devices, there's some concern about Boox's privacy and security. This stems from Boox e-readers being designed and manufactured in China, and some users are concerned that the devices "phone home," meaning they send data back to servers in China. To be fair, on a Kindle, Amazon also takes your data, following nearly every book you read, including your bookmarks and annotations.

There are no known security threats associated with using a Boox e-reader; however, if you'd prefer to be in control of your data, you can download an app like NetGuard to your Boox e-reader via the Google Play Store. NetGuard is a cybersecurity app that lets you block WiFi usage for certain apps, allowing only the apps you want to operate over your network. Since Kindle runs on a closed system, you can't install NetGuard on your device. If you want more control over your data, a Boox e-reader might be a better option.

SAVE $600.99: As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro Robot Lawn Mower $1,399 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $600.99   Get Deal

Fall may be here, but that isn't stopping high temperatures from putting a damper on our outdoor fun. It's still sticky and sweaty outside for many, and mowing the grass doesn't sound like a great idea. You don't have to deal with it yourself. In fact, you can get a robot lawn mower to handle the job for you in this day and age, and you totally should. Today, you can snatch up a great model on Amazon for an even better price.

As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's $600.99 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: Best-ever deal: The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is $311 off at Amazon

This robot lawn mower can handle lawns up to 0.5 acres, and it can navigate all on its own. It uses dual LiDAR to map out your yard as well as AIVI 3D obstacle avoidance so it doesn't run into fencing or other items in your yard. That means you don't have to manually map things out and help it avoid any fenced areas, trees, or rocks that may be in the way.

In addition to navigational help, it has its own built-in edge trimmers and options to set your cutting length. Then, once your lawn mower has completed a cycle in your yard, it'll need to recharge. It can do so in under an hour at 50 minutes. That means you won't be left waiting for it to juice back up, and it can handle a backyard after the front yard.

If you're ready to ditch the to-do list task of mowing your yard, it's high time you went ahead and invested in a robot to hire for the job. Now's a good time to do so with this discount.

SAVE $600.99: As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro Robot Lawn Mower $1,399 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $600.99   Get Deal

Fall may be here, but that isn't stopping high temperatures from putting a damper on our outdoor fun. It's still sticky and sweaty outside for many, and mowing the grass doesn't sound like a great idea. You don't have to deal with it yourself. In fact, you can get a robot lawn mower to handle the job for you in this day and age, and you totally should. Today, you can snatch up a great model on Amazon for an even better price.

As of Sep. 2, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 LiDAR Pro robot lawn mower for $1,399 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's $600.99 off and a discount of 30%.

SEE ALSO: Best-ever deal: The Segway Navimow i110N robot lawn mower is $311 off at Amazon

This robot lawn mower can handle lawns up to 0.5 acres, and it can navigate all on its own. It uses dual LiDAR to map out your yard as well as AIVI 3D obstacle avoidance so it doesn't run into fencing or other items in your yard. That means you don't have to manually map things out and help it avoid any fenced areas, trees, or rocks that may be in the way.

In addition to navigational help, it has its own built-in edge trimmers and options to set your cutting length. Then, once your lawn mower has completed a cycle in your yard, it'll need to recharge. It can do so in under an hour at 50 minutes. That means you won't be left waiting for it to juice back up, and it can handle a backyard after the front yard.

If you're ready to ditch the to-do list task of mowing your yard, it's high time you went ahead and invested in a robot to hire for the job. Now's a good time to do so with this discount.

Did you suddenly get locked out of your Samsung account without an explanation? Don't worry. You're not the only one.

According to user reports across social media and official support forums, some Samsung smartphone users have found that their Samsung accounts have been randomly deactivated, locking them out of some central features on their devices.

Reddit

"Can't sign in," the prompt reads when a user attempts to sign in to their account. "Account deactivated for security reasons."

Without the ability to login to their Samsung account, users cannot access Samsung apps such as Wallet, SmartThings, and Find.

Affected Samsung users have reported the issue on Samsung's official support forums and on social media platforms such as Reddit. Some say they have successfully complained to Samsung support to get their account unlocked. Samsung customer service reportedly told users who reached out that it's a known issue and that they are working on fixing.

While it's unclear exactly what's going on, some users have speculated on Reddit that the account deactivation issue only affects Samsung accounts that use a Gmail alias, which uses the "+" sign in their email address. In a Reddit comment thread, most users confirmed that their deactivated Samsung accounts used a Gmail alias.

Mashable has reached out to Samsung for more information and will update this piece if we receive more information.

A lot of gamers are understandably concerned when they first boot up their new gaming PC and discover that their expensive graphics card is hitting temperatures north of 80°C.

The best Labor Day TV deals at a glance: Best QLED TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 (save $1,102) Get Deal Best RGB TV deal Samsung 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best OLED TV deal LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 (save $1,200) Get Deal

Labor Day isn't just the unofficial kick off of fall and football season, it's also a great time to score tech at cheaper prices. TV deals are particularly impressive this week, with some of our favorite models of 2026 down to record lows. If you've been putting off upgrading your TV, now's a great time to take the leap.

More deals will likely pop up leading into the weekend, but with some of these models at their best prices ever, there's really no need to wait. I've rounded up the best Labor Day TV deals worth adding to your cart below.

Best QLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,102.00   Get Deal Why we like it

TCL's QM8L SQD-Mini-LED TV is our favorite QLED TV for most people. Mashable's TV expert shouts out its "superb peak brightness, detailed picture quality, and fantastic glare handling" in her review. She also dubs it one of the brightest TVs you can buy, period, which is largely due to its "super quantum dot mini LEDs" (the SQD in its name). It clocks in at $2,499.99 for the 65-inch model on a normal day, but for Labor Day, it's down to a best-ever $1,397.99 at Amazon. That's 44% in savings.

Best OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV $1,499.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The LG C6 is what we'd call the "best affordable OLED TV," compared to competitors' prices, and the best OLED TV for most people. With a $1,200 discount, the 65-inch model is the same price as the 55-inch option on a normal day. It also happens to be its best price on record. The C6 features inky black levels, stark contrast, improved audio, peak brightness, and refresh rate over its predecessor, and a generally impeccable picture quality.

Best RGB TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,099.99 Save $600.00   Get Deal Why we like it

RGB TVs were easily the biggest TV trend at CES 2026 and Samsung's R95H is easily the best RGB TV of the year. However, it's pretty dang expensive, even on sale ($2,799 for the 65-inch option). On the other hand, its more affordable sibling, the R85H, is down to a much more palatable $1,499.99 for the 65-inch version. Like the R95H, it uses individual red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver better color accuracy than non-RGB TVs. It's almost too vivid. If you're curious about RGB TVs, it's a solid entry-level option that won't require emptying your wallet.

More Labor Day TV deals50 to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 LED 4K TV — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV — $259.99 $469.99 (save $210)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,299.99 (save $600)

• Hisense 55-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,499.99 (save $600)

65-inch TV deals

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,799.99 (save $900)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,002)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,298 $1,598 (save $300)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $1,999.99 (save $602)

• LG 65-Inch B6 OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $1,999.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,697.99 (save $1,100)

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD QLED 4K TV — $2,498 $3,299.99 (save $801.99)

• Samsung 65-inch S95H OLED 4K TV — $2,799.99 $3,399.99 (save $600)

75-inch TV deals

• Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,399.99 (save $602)

• Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

• Samsung 75-inch R85H Micro RGB 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,799.99 (save $800)

• Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 II RGB 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro QLED 4K TV — $2,397.99 $2,797.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch R95H RGB 4K TV — $3,799.99 $4,499.99 (save $700)

80 to 85-inch TV deals

• Insignia 85-inch Class F50 Series 4K Fire TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini-LED 4K TV — $1097.99 $1,999.99 (save $902)

• Samsung 85-inch M80H Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Hisense 85-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,102)

• Hisense 85-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $2,199.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,300)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch U6 Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,000)

• TCL 98-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

• Hisense 100-inch UR8 RGB Mini LED 4K TV — $3,499.99 $5,999.99 (save $2,500)

Most of us sit on our couches to watch movies or shows, just to get out of our routine lives bound by work, household chores, tasks, and duties. And what better way to do it than watching a thriller that keeps us hooked until the end? I love the genre, especially the thrillers that play with my mind.

While the internet is salivating in wait for Apple's big iPhone 18 launch event later this month, one prominent Apple reporter just gave us some hard info about the rumored iPhone Ultra.

In a video interview published on the Tom's Guide YouTube channel, Bloomberg reporter and Apple prognosticator Mark Gurman shared some of what he's heard about the foldable iPhone Ultra. Apple has not yet officially announced the device, but it's been part of the rumor mill for years, and it's widely expected to make its debut at Apple's big "Surprise and Shine" event on Sept. 9.

SEE ALSO: The Galaxy S27 Ultra might look like an Apple iPhone

First, the most important details: Gurman said he expects the phone to launch at the same time as or a little bit later than the iPhone 18 Pro. In other words, it'll come out within a few weeks of the event, possibly as soon as Sept. 19. He also said the phone will cost at least $2,000, which is not terribly surprising.

Gurman also laid out some specs and software details for the device. It will reportedly have a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner display, which matches up with previous reporting . Gurman also said it will have MagSafe support, which was a major question about the device leading up to its announcement. On top of that, the phone will contain, per Gurman, the "latest Apple Pro chip and latest Apple modem."

Beyond those basic details, Gurman spoke of the crease, saying it's not entirely invisible but is comparable to the one found on recent Samsung foldables. (That makes sense, as Apple tapped Samsung to make the flexible display for the device.) He also claimed the phone is meant to be as durable as any other iPhone. So far, only Google and Honor have offered foldables with an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating, so it will be interesting to see if Apple can match or exceed that protection.

Lastly, Gurman said that iOS 27 will have support for multi-tasking and split-screen app views. You'll be able to drag and drop elements from one app to another, similar to how other foldables have worked for years.

It's only a matter of days before all of this is proven right or wrong.

Top Apple Deals we found this week:

• Apple AirTag 2 (4-Pack) — $79.99 $99 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4) — $649 $749 (save $100)

• Apple iPhone Air (256GB, unlocked) — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,849 $1,999 (save $150)

• Shop all the best Apple Labor Day deals

The memory shortage wages on while as we adapt to new prices for the tech we've come to depend on. Finding a suitable laptop with ample memory for your needs can feel like a struggle these days. Apple raised prices recently and now even the most affordable MacBook, the MacBook Neo, comes with a list price of $699.

That makes shopping sales feel all the more important these days. With Labor Day quickly approaching, we're seeing some decent deals on laptops. Are these as good as those we saw about a month ago during back-to-school shopping? Not really. But plenty are still well worth considering. If you're hobbling along with a slow laptop, check out these deals.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 M5 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,849.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $149.01   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're an artist, create content, or like to game in your free time, the M5 MacBook Pro is a great model. The excellent battery life paired with solid mix of ports makes this a great model for taking along on a day of content creation or a work trip.

This model saw a $300 price hike thanks to RAMageddon, so seeing it at $150 off helps ease the pain a bit.

Best 2-in-1 laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 2K Touchscreen Laptop (Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $749.99 at Best Buy
$1,199.99 Save $450   Get Deal Why we like it

Like the name hints at, the Lenovo Yoga is a versatile laptop that can sit in a standard position, fold flat for use like a tablet, or get propped up for watching your favorite shows. The $749.99 sale model comes with the Intel Core 7 256v processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB SSD. The 16-inch display size is nice for not feeling like you're sacrificing on size but also not hauling around a chunk of a machine.

Best travel laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo (Intel Core Ultra 9, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,199.99 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $299.01   Get Deal Why we like it

With two OLED displays, the Asus Zenbook Duo has some unique features going for it that could be perfect for you. There's standard laptop mode, dual screen mode, desktop mode which moves the two monitors in a side-by-side position, and sharing mode which allows both screens to be in clear view.

If you're like me and travel with a laptop in addition to a portable monitor, the Asus Zenbook Duo combines the two into one convenient machine with extras. Not to mention the OLED displays make for great viewing.