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TL;DR: Get lifetime ReciBites Plus access for $39.99 (reg. $360) and turn recipes from social media, websites, screenshots, and cookbooks into organized collections, meal plans, nutrition insights, and smart grocery lists.

Opens in a new window Credit: ReciBites ReciBites - Recipe Organizer, AI Meal Planner & Grocery Lists: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$360 Save $320.01   Get Deal

There’s a big difference between having plenty of recipes saved and having an actual plan for dinner. Yet somehow, between screenshots, TikTok saves, Pinterest finds, and photos of cookbooks, dinner inspiration ends up everywhere except somewhere useful.

ReciBites Plus lifetime access is $39.99 (reg. $360) for a limited time, and its big selling point is turning that recipe clutter into something you might actually cook.

Recipes can be imported from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, websites, screenshots, notes, cookbook pages, and even handwritten recipe cards. Organize them into unlimited cookbooks, while duplicate detection helps prevent your collection from becoming another mess.

Then ReciBites goes beyond saving. Its AI breaks recipes down into ingredients, calories, macros, and key nutrients. Smart dietary alerts flag recipes that don’t match your preferences or goals, while personalized swaps can accommodate needs such as higher-protein, lower-sugar, halal, and allergy-free.

Once you’ve picked what sounds good, saved recipes can become automatic weekly meal plans. ReciBites creates grocery lists that merge duplicate ingredients and organize items by aisle, keeping the planning and shopping connected. You can also scale servings, convert measurements, and follow step-by-step cooking instructions.

Staring at miscellaneous leftovers instead? The AI Cooking Assistant can generate recipes using ingredients you already have.

There’s even a social side that lets you add friends and see what people you actually know are saving and cooking, rather than relying solely on strangers in a feed.

ReciBites is one organized, useful spot for all those recipes you’ve been saving — so they can finally become dinner. Get lifetime access to ReciBites Plus for just $39.99 (reg. $360) while you can.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

We all know someone who loves building a ridiculously complicated Excel formula and proudly announcing that it works. I used to be that person. I've been writing Excel formulas for decades, and I loved the satisfaction of making a single formula handle a problem that once seemed impossible. The trouble was, those formulas could become a lot less impressive when I came back to them later. Then along came the LET function.

Giving your old phone to a friend or family member is a great way to get some extra life out of a device you no longer need. But before you hand it over, consider more than deleting your photos and removing a few apps. Your phone may still contain personal information, remain connected to your accounts, or have hardware inside it that you don't want to accidentally give away.

SAVE $40: As of Sep. 15, get the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Portable Waterproof Speaker for $59.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's a discount of 40%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $59.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal

The weather's getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. That means fall is just about here. If you saved your vacation days for an autumn getaway, a portable speaker is just the thing to take with you so you can enjoy music wherever you go. And if you don't have one, now's the time to splurge with this excellent deal.

As of Sep. 15, get the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Portable Waterproof Speaker for $59.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99.99. That's $40 off, a 40% discount.

SEE ALSO: The 11 best portable Bluetooth speakers that we use and love

This portable speaker excels at projecting sound from a compact, hardy package. It's 1P67-rated for waterproofing and dustproofing, and it can even float in water should it take a tumble into the pool. It offers 360-degree audio and a rechargeable battery that gives you 14 hours of life, so you can keep the party going all day long.

This model earned its spot on Mashable's best portable speakers list as the best under $100 option, so it's an even better buy at this price. We found it to be a "powerhouse for its size and price," so rest assured you're getting a small speaker that truly bumps.

Whether you're going off-grid and need some entertainment while away or just want to take great audio with you to a party or your vacation destination, this is a deal you'll want to snag while it's still live.

Best deals from the Amazon Haul flash sale: Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale Home Deal Building Block Desktop Tape Dispenser $1.37 (Save $1.14) Get Deal Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale Beauty Deal 5-Piece Portable Travel Makeup Brush Set $0.92 (Save $1.06) Get Deal Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale Tech Deal Multi-USB Charger Adapter Kit $1.66 (Save $0.83) Get Deal Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale Kitchen Deal 7-inch Silicone Tip Kitchen Tongs $0.83 (Save $0.97) Get Deal Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale Pet Deal Silicone Pet Food Can Lid with Spoon $1.37 (Save $0.62) Get Deal

Feel like going on a shopping spree, but working with a limited budget? It's time to hit up Amazon Haul, where you can snap up a long list of items from a flash sale going on right now for just $2 and under.

If you haven't wandered over to Haul yet, it's Amazon's budget storefront, where nothing goes above $20, and you can get a wide range of goodies for under $10. It has its own cart and checkout, with a wide variety of items you didn't even know you needed. It's like a miniature store-within-a-store for Amazon junkies, akin to Shein, with tons of goodies up for grabs that won't set you back if you feel like splurging.

Shipping is free once your order reaches $25, and Amazon says most Haul orders arrive within two weeks rather than two days. And if you're ready to do a little guilt-free shopping, this flash sale is the time to do it. We've rounded up some of the best picks you'll find during the sale, plus goodies worth grabbing while they're around.

Keep reading to check out our favorite Haul flash deals and more.

Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Building Block Desktop Tape Dispenser $2.51 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

This obviously LEGO-shaped tape dispenser (though it isn't official) can add a little whimsy to your desk area, or wherever you decide to place it, and brighten up your day. If you're always misplacing your tape or just want a fun little setpiece for your home office or counter, this will do the trick nicely, and you really can't beat the price, even before the discount.

Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale beauty deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 5-Piece Portable Travel Makeup Brush Set with Mirror $0.92 at Amazon
$1.98 Save $1.06   Get Deal Why we like it

Need a touch-up on the go? This perfectly portable 5-piece travel makeup brush set includes a blush brush, an eyeshadow brush, and three smaller detail and contouring brushes, all in a mirrored compact, for under $1. You can do an entire face of makeup if you need to, and it can be tossed in a bag or purse, or into a drawer at work, for whenever you want to put together a look without dragging your full-sized brush collection everywhere.

Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Multi-USB Charger Adapter Kit $1.66 at Amazon
$2.49 Save $0.83   Get Deal Why we like it

You never know when you might need a USB adapter. Maybe you've got the wrong cable for the port you need, or maybe a friend needs a different type of USB cable. Be prepared with this set, which comes in a handy little case and includes a card-slot phone holder, so you get a 2-in-1 of tech goodies.

Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 7-inch Silicone Tip Kitchen Tongs $0.83 at Amazon
$1.80 Save $0.97   Get Deal Why we like it

Everyone can use a pair of tongs, especially if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Grab another pair for under a buck in a variety of colors, so you can toss one in the drawer, hang it on the wall, or keep it in your dish drying rack since you're just going to use it again for dinner anyway and can't be bothered to put it away. Kitchen gadgets in fun colors are always a good idea.

Best Amazon Haul Flash Sale pet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Silicone Pet Food Can Lid with Spoon $1.37 at Amazon
$1.99 Save $0.62   Get Deal Why we like it

If you serve your pet wet food from a can, you know that saving half of a meal can get messy. You could transfer half the cat food into a baggie or throw it in the fridge, but you want it to be fresh for your furry friend. Use this lid to cover an open can instead and preserve your pet's food for the best taste (and quality) possible. Plus, you get a spoon to serve it up, too.

More Amazon Haul Flash Sale deals

• V-Shaped Hook Grill Brush and Scraper — $0.67 $2.19 (save $1.52)

• Stainless Steel Julienne Peeler — $0.94 $1.92 (save $0.98)

• Rotating Swivel Hook — $1.22 $2.30 (save $1.08)

• 60-count 4-gallon Trash Bags — $1.32 $1.91 (save $1.08)

TL;DR: Get the perks of a VPN plus extra AI-powered protection with this lifetime subscription to GhostShield AI-Powered VPN Premium Plan for $49.99 (reg. $399).

Opens in a new window Credit: GhostShield VPN GhostShield AI-Powered VPN Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$399 Save $349.01   Get Deal

It’s 2026, and it’s time for your VPN to get with the times. If you’re using a basic VPN service that only offers encryption, it’s time to meet GhostShield, an AI-Powered VPN that takes that protection one step further.

GhostShield offers an AI Threat Analyzer that goes beyond simply hiding your IP address, and right now you can lock in a lifetime subscription for only $49.99.

With cybercriminals only getting more sophisticated, it’s time for your VPN to upgrade its skills as well. GhostShield AI-Powered VPN watches your internet traffic as it happens, so it’s able to determine dangerous domains and suspicious connections before you click on them.

Let GhostShield flag any risks as they arise, so you can prevent your data from being exposed. It also offers ad and tracker blocking, so you can enjoy a more peaceful browsing experience.

GhostShield encrypts every connection with ChaCha20 over WireGuard, routing it through 20 different server locations in over 16 countries. You can use the internet however you’d like — there are no bandwidth caps, and you don’t have to worry about throttling or data limits.

Unlike competitors, GhostShield will not monetize your data in the background, only protect your connection, or offer identity monitoring. There’s a strict no-logging policy, so your browsing, traffic, or connection activity is never recorded, and a kill switch cuts the internet the second the tunnel drops, preventing your IP address from ever being exposed.

You can use this Premium Plan lifetime subscription across 10 devices simultaneously — so you can protect all your devices and share with family members. There’s also a Family Mode feature that automatically blocks all gambling and adult content on devices.

Enjoy a safer internet for life with this lifetime subscription to GhostShield AI-Powered VPN Premium Plan for just $49.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Microsoft's big September 2026 Patch Tuesday update addressed a record 966 flaws, including two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities, across Microsoft products when it was released last week on Sept. 8.

However, just one week later on Sept. 14, Microsoft rolled out an emergency, out-of-band patch for the patch. The linked update, KB5129194, applies to Windows 11 version 26H1. Windows 11 users should install the latest update available for their version as soon as possible to get the security updates from Patch Tuesday and receive the fixes in the latest patch.

According to reports, while last Tuesday's update fixed a number of vulnerabilities, it caused its fair share of issues as well. Users reported that Remote Desktop Services (RDS) had become unstable, certain USB audio devices had stopped working properly, and applications using Hyper-V-based Linux virtual machines, such as Claude Cowork, were experiencing issues.

This week's patch fixes several issues introduced by the previous update and includes additional security updates. However, it does not resolve every USB audio problem. Microsoft says the update fixes failures involving multichannel audio, but some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices may still fail to start or produce sound. (The company is working on a fix for those remaining issues.)

The two zero day exploits that were addressed last week include CVE-2026-81963 and CVE-2026-85880. The former was a flaw in the Windows Update Stack and allowed an attacker to gain System privileges. The latter was a Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC) vulnerability that also allowed attacks to gain System privileges.

Both were actively exploited; however, Microsoft has not shared how these flaws were exploited in those attacks.

Cybersecurity experts previously told Mashable back in April that AI has been a factor in the discovery of bugs and exploits, for good and bad, which is why new operating system updates have had so many fixes in each new patch. At the time, Microsoft denied AI playing a role in its most recent update. In July, Microsoft said that AI-assisted vulnerability discovery would lead to more security fixes in its releases.

SEE ALSO: AI's ability to find major software bugs is growing 490% year on year

Windows users can download the new update without having to have first installing last week's Patch Tuesday update. The new update is cumulative and includes all of the updates from September.

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iOS 27 has started rolling out, bringing Siri AI, expanded Apple Intelligence, AI photo editing, and more customization options for Liquid Glass. Early reactions have been largely positive, but as with every major iOS release, some users are noticing their battery draining faster and their phone running warmer than usual in the days right after updating.

According to Apple's own support documentation, that's expected, not a sign anything's wrong. Immediately after a major software update, a device needs time to finish setting itself up in the background. That usually entails indexing files and data so that system-wide search works properly, downloading additional assets for new features, and updating apps to their latest versions.

SEE ALSO: Apple iOS 27 is here: When you can download it (updated)

All that background activity draws extra power and generates extra heat, which is why "battery life and thermal performance" can dip temporarily right after an update, according to Apple. Battery drain issues should also improve with future updates to iOS 27.

Apple also points out that new features themselves can shift how a phone uses power once setup is finished. Something like Siri AI leaning more heavily on on-device processing, or expanded Apple Intelligence features running more often, can mean the phone is simply doing more computational work day-to-day than it did before the update. Apple says it continues tuning this in follow-up updates to balance new capabilities against battery life.

This is nothing new after an iOS launch. We've covered this for the iOS 26 launch, iOS 18, and even iOS 17.

Given how consistently this happens every year, it's less "new problem with iOS 27" and more "the normal cost of updating," and it's generally not something worth panicking over.

Preorder the new Apple products

Along with iOS 27, Apple also released new AirPods, Apple Watches, and iPhones. Except for the iPhone Duo, all of these devices are available for preorder now.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro, 256GB Save up to $1,200 at T-Mobile
  See It at T-Mobile See It at AT&T Wireless See It at Walmart iPhone 18 Pro Max, 256GB Save up to $1,200 at T-Mobile
  See It at T-Mobile See It at Walmart See It at Apple.com Apple Watch Series 12 $399 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm, Black Titanium) Pre-Order at $779.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Apple AirPods 5 (wireless charging) $149 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Walmart Pre-order Here at Target

The iPhone 18 Pro is almost here. Preorders went live on Sept. 12, and the latest iPhones are available beginning Sept. 18. So if you've secured your iPhone by preorder and are just waiting for it to ship, there's still more shopping to do.

A new phone means a new case. And if you're looking for the top iPhone 18 Pro cases, there are already a ton of options available. Apple has its own batch of new cases, but Otterbox, Casetify, PopSockets, and Velvet Caviar also have new models ready to protect your new device. But the accessories don't stop there.

Ahead of the iPhone launch, we also rounded up all of the best iPhone 18 Pro accessories to add to your shopping cart, including grips, wrist straps/lanyards, power banks, and wireless chargers.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max cases to shop now

There are a ton of iPhone cases already available, and brands are meeting Apple's very fitting fall color scheme. Say goodbye to last year's cosmic orange and hello to the deep burgundy of the iPhone 18 Pro. Find a matching burgundy case or go for a chic tortoise shell look.

Opens in a new window Credit: OtterBox OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Profile Series Case $39.99 at Amazon
Let's start simple with this classic OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro Profile Series Case. It's not fancy or eye-catching, and that's exactly the point. The minimalist case is also MagSafe compatible. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify iPhone 18 Pro Max MagSafe Case $64 at Amazon
Here's another classic option, available for both the Pro and Pro Max. It's shock and drop-proof, and incldues an opening for a phone lanyard or strap. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Torras Torras Clear iPhone 18 Pro Case $11.02 at Amazon
$13.99 Save $2.97 If you like the color of your new burgundy or glacier blue iPhone 18 Pro, then don't cover it up. This affordable iPhone case protects your phone without hurting your wallet, too. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: ESR ESR Clear MagSafe Compatible iPhone 18 Pro Case $14.99 at Amazon
Looking for an affordable clear case that works with MagSafe? Try ESR's straightforward clear case, which will still protects your phone against sudden drops. ESR promises military-grade drop protection. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Low-Pro Case for iPhone 18 Pro $60 at Amazon
This 3-in-1 PopSockets product combines a MagSafe case, grip, and stand. We got the chance to demo the Low-Pro Case ahead of its release this week, and the Low-Pro Grip is ultra-thin as advertised. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Pitaka Pitaka for iPhone 18 Pro $59.99 at Amazon
Pitaka makes one of the thinnest iPhone cases around, and it comes in a dozen different designs for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify iPhone 18 Pro Max Ripple MagSafe Case $56 at Amazon
Looking for a case to match the new burgundy color? Casetify's MagSafe Ripple case provides extra protection — and extra color-matching. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Velvet Caviar Velvet Caviar Burgundy 1990 Jelly iPhone Case $40 at Velvet Caviar
Velvet Caviar's burgundy iPhone case features a semi-transparent jelly base. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Velvet Caviar Velvet Caviar Jelly Glow Aura iPhone 18 Pro Case $39.99 at Amazon
It's giving pastel, it's giving Lisa Frank, it's giving '90s tie-dye. (It's also giving drop protection and MagSafe.) Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Clear Case with MagSafe $49 at Apple
Apple's official phone cases aren't always the most affordable, but they are some of the best, for obvious reasons. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casely Casely iPhone 18 Pro Case Shell Shocked $44.95 at Amazon
If you love the look of tortoise shell accessories, which, fortunately, are not made from actual tortoises, then try this Casely case on for size. Click the link to see dozens more styles from the brand. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Casetify Casetify Dark Cherry Jelly iPhone 18 Pro Case $64 at Casetify
Here's another burgundy-themed case to match your new iPhone. The dark cherry is a near-perfect match for the new iPhone color. Shop Now Best iPhone 18 Pro grips and wrist straps

Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also showed off some new accessories. The tech giant launched two new straps — a wrist strap and a crossbody strap. They're compatible with specific Apple cases, but plenty of other brands make cute grips and lanyards for your next iPhone.

Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Low-Pro Grip for MagSafe $39.99 at Amazon
PopSockets are iconic but the brand's latest ultra-thin grip is exceptional. It is barely there when not in use but can be used as a grip, magnetic mount, and adjustable stand. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Phone Grip $9.94 at Amazon
But there's nothing wrong with the classic PopSockets grip either. The grips come with classic adhesive backing or as a MagSafe option. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Wrist Strap for iPhone $29 at Apple
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also dropped a new wrist strap to go with them. Made of 100 percent PET yarn, the straps attach to your phone case so it's always within reach. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Crossbody Strap for iPhone $59 at Apple
In addition to its Wrist Strap, Apple also launched a Crossbody Strap that attaches to select cases. The strap adjusts in length for a comfortable fit, allowing you to go hands-free with your phone. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Phone Wallet $40 at Amazon
If you want the best of both worlds — a phone grip and a phone wallet — PopSockets makes exactly that. You can buy a version that either attaches with adhesive or MagSafe, depending on what works best for your phone case. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe $59 at Apple
For an exceptionally thin phone wallet, Apple came out with the FineWoven Wallet which attaches via MagSafe. It comes in colors very fitting for fall like burgundy, olive, wildflower blue, and magenta. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Pela Pela Phone Grip $15 at Pela
For fans of Pela's non-toxic phone cases, you can also get a phone grip from the brand. It folds flat when not in use and pops up to wrap around your finger when you need a secure hold. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Octobuddy Octobuddy Suction Phone Mount $14.99 at Amazon
We can't talk about iPhone accessories without talking about the Octobuddy. It's a creator favorite that lets you prop up your phone and film nearly anywhere. Shop Now iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max power banks and wireless chargers

If you're upgrading your iPhone from an iPhone 14 or earlier, then you're going to need a new charger or power bank. Since the iPhone 15, Apple has implemented a USB-C port on all its devices, which means the iPhone 18 Pro follows suit. Don't get us wrong, the new iPhone 18 Pro has incredible battery life, but when you're on the go, a power bank or portable charger is a lifesaver, so now is a great time to upgrade.

Plus, we also rounded up some wireless chargers if you want to embrace the MagSafe lifestyle.

Opens in a new window Credit: Belkin Belkin 20W USB-C Power Bank $24.99 at Amazon
For a budget-friendly power bank, Belkin's 10K portable charger with USB-C is a reliable choice. For under $25, it quickly charges your iPhone to nearly 50 percent in just 26 minutes. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker 20,000mAh Power Bank $65.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $4 Anker makes fast and reliable chargers, so while we know the new batch of iPhones have amazing battery life, it's always good to have a backup on hand. The Anker 20,000mAh Power Bank has a built-in USB-C cable that delivers a super speedy charge. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Belkin BoostCharge Pro Power Bank 10K with Apple Watch Charger $99.95 at Apple
If you're upgrading your iPhone and Apple Watch, why not get a portable charger that can power up both. The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Power Bank 10K with Apple Watch Charger has a USB-C cord to charge your phone and a built-in wireless charger for your watch. It provides hours of charge as well as built-in loop clips to attach to bags or backpacks. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Twelve South Twelve South Power Bank and Charger $39.95 at Apple
Twelve South's power bank and charger is built for everyday use. It's lightweight and clips onto your keys and bags so you always have a charger nearby. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker MagGo Power Bank $69.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $10 If you don't want to deal with cables on the go, Anker's MagGo Power Bank attaches wirelessly via MagSafe so you can keep using your phone while it powers up. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker PowerIQ USB-C Power Bank $21.99 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $4 The Anker PowerIQ USB-C Power Bank is an ultra-slim battery pack made for travel. It holds up to two full phone charges at a time and can even power up an iPad. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MagSafe Charger (2 m) $39.99 at Amazon
$49 Save $9.01 Apple's MagSafe charger works on all MagSafe devices. It provides a faster charge than a traditional cable and comes in two lengths, either 1 meter or 2 meters. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Zolo MagSafe Wireless Charger, 2-pack $25.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $14.00 Anker offers a 2-pack of wireless chargers that are a great value. Grab the Anker Zolo MagSafe chargers for just $39.99 at full price or $25.99 when on sale. Anker's Zolo chargers come with extra-long cables and an ActiveShield system that monitors your phone's temperature while charging. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Belkin Belkin Qi2.2 25W Wireless 2-in-1 Foldable Fast Charging Station $53.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $6 Stop bringing multiple chargers on the go and instead swap them for Belkin's foldable charging station. It has a soft-touch silicone base and simultaneously charges your phone and watch or AirPods. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Qi2 MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station $67.49 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $22.50 For your at-home charging setup, get Anker's Qi2 MagSafe charger. It charges all your devices at once: your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It even props up your iPhone horizontally, basically making it a bedside clock. Get Deal

Phone and watch notifications are one of the most effective ways to share information from Home Assistant. A recent update to the Home Assistant Companion app quietly made these notifications even more powerful.

One of the best things about Waze is also one of the worst. The app lets users report hazards, which are then shared with every other Waze user on the same stretch of road. These alerts can be really useful, but they can quickly get incredibly annoying.

Once you've spent $2,000 on a new graphics card or a high-end CPU, your first instinct is probably to download a suite of benchmarking tools. You want to see the numbers, compare your score with other systems, and make sure you got what you paid for.

For TV nerds, it's the most wonderful time of the year—Fall TV season! It's the time when many of the shows you've been waiting on are finally coming back. But it also means that you've got a few weeks to get it together before your remote and your watchlists go into overdrive.

Part Steam Deck, part VR headset and, yes, it plays Half-Life Alyx. Here’s everything I’ve discovered so far.

Read more about the Valve Steam and the latest gaming news:
Xbox Game Pass imposes strict monthly hour limits on cloud gaming
Valve suffers massive 12TB leak, revealing a decade of Steam game files
Valve's Steam Machine officially has a price, and it's a doozy

Timecode chapters
00:00 Valve Steam frame
00:33 A portable Steam Deck for your face
00:57 Design
01:17 Ergonomic pack
01:47 A challenge for glasses wearers
02:19 Viewing experience
03:09 Foveated streaming
03:41 Standalone features
04:11 VR and processor
05:11 Half-Life: Alyx
05:54 Controller covered in sensors
06:43 Pass-through cameras
07:28 Modular design
08:00 Linux and customizability
08:18 Not all games will work
08:50 How is it as a Steam Deck
10:13 Early products and valve
11:00 Expect more later
11:26 The future of VR, headsets and the Steam Frame

Video credits
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video editor: Mitch Chang
Thumbnail designer: Cole Kan

College football and the NFL are finally back, and I guess Uber Eats was right: Football really is for food.

That's in reference to a trending, food-based lexicon within American football culture, where the most unserious sandwich combinations are being created to slander QBs.

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"Meatball sub" has become the new term in football at the moment to describe the QB throwing an interception. It doesn't have to be a meatball sub per se, and it's funnier the more ridiculous the combination is. As one guy in my fantasy football group chat described during a Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, "Watson with the early pastrami on pumpernickel."

The term "meatball" has been around in sports for a while, exclusively in baseball, where throwing a meatball meant the pitcher threw an easy-to-hit pitch down the middle to the batter. Because footballs are oblong-shaped, the closet term for those stealing from Baseball Twitter would be a meatball sub sandwich and thus sandwiches in general.

The idea of referring to a QB interception as a sandwich is catching on this season, but it's not necessarily new. The earliest reference I could find is this 2023 tweet: "They got Carr in 4K throwing a fully loaded shrimp poboy." Which is both delicious and clever, as Derek Carr was the QB for the New Orleans Saints that year.

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Slander in sports discourse is always evolving (re: football terrorism). These kinds of jokes and memes are usually about poor performance, i.e., playing so badly that people begin to assume you're going to be out of the league soon. For years now, in the NBA, several memes, bad photoshops, and copypastas have circulated about NBA flameouts taking their talents to "lesser leagues" like the Chinese Basketball Association. "Get ready to learn Chinese, buddy," and "welcome to the Shanghai Sharks" are perfect examples of this.

As of late, especially in football circles, since there's really no NFL equivalent outside of America, flaming out of the NFL means dusting off your resume to apply for fast food jobs. Case in point: part of the reason sandwiches are being used to refer to interceptions is Patriots QB Drake Maye.

He was already being slandered in the offseason after a poor performance against the Seahawks at the Super Bowl. Which was a great hate-watch for those who A) didn't like the Patriots being good again so soon after Tom Brady and Bill Belichick retired, and B) had mixed feelings about Maye being #2 in MVP voting in just his second season in the league.

Additionally, over the last few years, Maye has appeared at local Jersey Mike's locations in the Boston area in collaboration with a charity he's partnered with. So, when Maye faced off against the Seahawks last week in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the NFL season, he had a disastrous game with three interceptions, thus truly starting the sandwich slander on football Twitter.

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Will this trend last past Week 1 of the season? Maybe, but probably not. People are already kind of sick of it, but it will be a fun addition to those "This season was GENERATIONAL 😭🙏" comp videos that get made at the end of the season.

While the external design of the AirPods 5 hasn't changed, Apple has made some changes on the inside and lowered the price of the step-up model. CNET editor David Carnoy has the full skinny on their performance improvements.

Read more about Apple AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3: Apple AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Which should you buy?
10 settings and tools every AirPods Pro 3 user needs to know

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Price and model variations
0:52 Key upgrades and features
1:26 Fit and design
2:05 Active noise cancellation and transparency
3:13 Battery life and charging
3:51 Sound quality and audio performance
4:53 Smart features and Siri gestures
5:35 Voice call quality and mic test
6:23 Final verdict and recommendation

Video credits
Host: David Carnoy
Scripted by: David Carnoy
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video editor: JD Christison
Thumbnail designer: Tharon Green

Google is releasing its second Pixel Drop for September, and it's big news if you need to get in touch with loved ones — or just can't get enough of Hogwarts. The new update for Pixel phones delivers VIP contact updates and a set of Harry Potter themes, among other perks.

I write about Excel shortcuts a lot, and I've picked up plenty over the years. Some are useful only in very specific situations. Others become so familiar that I don't even think about pressing them anymore. Since Microsoft introduced Ctrl+Shift+V to Excel in 2022, it's become one of those shortcuts for me.

During the big Grand Theft Auto VI extended look on Netflix in August, we got a small idea of what to expect from the hotly anticipated game's soundtrack. On Tuesday, several popular artists gave us an even bigger idea.

Travis Scott, Morgan Wallen, Future, and others all took to Instagram on Tuesday to share images that appeared to be small parts of a larger piece of artwork related to Grand Theft Auto VI, per IGN. Scott's post showed a pair of high-heeled shoes on a stripper pole, Future's showed the rear end of a nice car with a Vice City license plate, and Wallen's showed part of a swimming pool drawn in Rockstar's signature style.

SEE ALSO: 'GTA 6' Ultimate Edition contents: What you get for $100

While many of these posts went without captions, Scott's caption tagged Rockstar Games, and they're all clearly related to GTA VI in one way or another. The most obvious place to go here is that all of these artists might be on the game's soundtrack. All of them would fit with the vibe Rockstar usually goes with, and they're all sufficiently popular and/or trendy enough to be on a GTA soundtrack.

Of course, there's also the possibility that some or all of them are in the game as characters or radio DJs. Rockstar has done that in the past with the likes of Dr. Dre, Phil Collins, and Axl Rose. Either way, if you like any or all of these artists, and weren't already excited for GTA VI, now you have a reason to be.