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I'm a Windows user, and I'm no stranger to dual-booting. It was actually my first real introduction to Linux. Like a lot of people, I carved out a partition, installed a second OS, and got that satisfying moment of choosing which OS to boot into at startup. At the time, it felt like the right way to do it if you wanted the full experience.

Imagine waking up one day to discover that decades of your digital history have been erased. For one Twitch streamer, Joshua Khane, that nightmare scenario became a reality. His long-standing Microsoft account, which held thousands of dollars in Xbox games, along with Outlook emails and his son's baby photos, was unceremoniously deleted by Microsoft after a hacker gained access and changed the recovery email and phone number.

LEGO is about to retire a large number of sets, which means you have limited time to grab them before they’re gone for good. This includes some of the company’s biggest tie-ins, long-running fan favorites, and some of the more obscure sets.

New parenthood becomes a nightmare right out of Finnish folklore in Hanna Bergholm's Nightborn.

The Hatching director once again pulls us into a disturbing, visceral tale of maternity, leaning on lore to explore, as Bergholm says in the film's press notes, "the messy, difficult, and sometimes 'ugly' side of parental love." Compartment No. 6's Seidi Haarla and Harry Potter star Rupert Grint are pushed to the limit in this body horror, with a word of caution, perhaps, for viewers who've recently become parents.

But what about that wild ending? What does it all mean? If you haven't watched the Shudder film, beware the spoilers ahead — and really, go and watch it. It'll mess you up.

SEE ALSO: Horrific 'Nightborn' trailer looks like one for new parents to avoid What is Nightborn about? Seidi Haarla and Rupert Grint in "Nightborn." Credit: Pietari Peltola

Saga (Haarla) and Jon (Grint) are deliriously happy newlyweds, who have moved from London to start a family in Saga's childhood home. Set deep in the Finnish woods, the house is more than a fixer-upper, with the floorboards rotting, wallpaper peeling, and actual trees growing through its crumbling structure.

Not wasting any time, Saga and Jon get right to conceiving a child, deciding the best place for it is in a grove of twisted trees that appear rather... person-like. Twiggy hands reach out for them, deep moans echo through the trunks, and it's clear the woods have a vested interest in making sure life, uh, finds a way.

When their child Kuura (a Finnish name meaning "frost" Saga hears from the forest) is born, strange things begin. Saga knows there's something inhuman about her gremlin-like baby (and it's not just the full body of hair and tiny tail sprout). Kuura burns in sunlight, hates clothes, and only wants to drink blood, and more than a few relatives suffer violent attacks from the increasingly creepy youngster. Saga refuses to call Kuura "him," instead leaning into "it," "that thing," or "little monster," and finding herself driven to primal outbursts.

Saga and Jon's opinions about what's "best" for their child begin to wildly differ — and things get out of hand.

What happens at the end of Nightborn? Seidi Haarla as Saga. Credit: Pietari Peltola

After a stream of disturbing events, Nightborn reaches a moment of pure chaos as Saga and Jon wrestle viciously with each other over Kuura. Jon intends to take the child from Saga, brutally declaring her "unfit" to be his mother, as they try to tear each other apart. If we didn't think Kuura possessed otherworldly powers before, we get to see them in furious action here, as the child calls to the forest to stop this madness. Unfortunately for Jon, he's impaled by one of the assisting trees.

Did Kuura mean to skewer his father, to avoid his insistence on table manners? Probably, as Kuura then feasts on his father, joined by Saga, who wrenches out Jon's heart and shares it with her son in a quiet little banquet.

As the sun rises, Saga stumbles out of her now Evil Dead-looking house, to see Kuura waddling unclothed toward the woods. Then, we see the trees come to life, confirming those face-like forms as magical beings, and they beckon to the child in a welcoming gesture. Saga and Kuura share a moment of acknowledgment before she sends him off into the woods with a weary smile.

What does it all mean? Trolls run these woods. Credit: Pietari Peltola

Essentially, trolls are afoot — mythological beings of Nordic folklore. The beings that welcome Kuura at the end of the film are trolls, confirmed through their listing in the credits as such. And it's clear Saga's family has been connected to the trolls surrounding their home for generations.

"In the Nordic countries, there’s a longstanding mythology of trolls living in the forests. In ancient times, people truly believed that trolls inhabited the woods and had a kind of control over nature. And in Nightborn, the forest reflects Saga's emotions and the animalistic, primitive physical side of humankind," says Bergholm in the film's press notes.

"But I also wanted to create my own interpretation of this mythology. In this film’s logic some humans and trolls have interacted for generations, so perhaps all of us carry a bit of troll's blood. That troll's blood might make some of us feel different, awkward in social situations, or out of step with social norms."

Jon's mother (Rebecca Lacey), earlier in the film, tells Saga she "read local tales here say that if you don't bless a child the trolls will take them," and speaks of "some families [that] still have troll blood running through their veins." It's clear Saga does, as she physically takes on the same hairy attributes as Kuura, finds her pregnant belly replicating a troll-like tree trunk, and joins Kuura in a diet of raw meat. By conceiving Kuura among them in the trolls' woods, Saga reconnects with their magic and gives birth to a little baby troll that can't be "raised."

Featured Video For You Is This The End of Hollywood's ‘Bad Moms’?

It's also clear Saga's grandmother had experiences with the trolls. Saga tells Jon she was forbidden by to visit the forest as a child, though she used to sneak out there. Saga's mother (Pirkko Saisio) says her grandmother "believed there were some... whatever," during a phone call, and her sister Taru (Pamela Tola) says their she'd filled the yard with cold iron junk to "keep them away." When Kuura is burned by the cold iron of a gift from Jon's father (John Thomson), Saga bursts into laughter, later saying aloud to her son, "I know what you are."

Saga's own history, whether physically or metaphorically, as a "troll" is also recalled by her mother and Taru. Saga's mother not-so-subtly tells her she was a "terrible child" and that "Saga always liked more trees than people." Taru lambasts her sister for being "shitty" to grow up with, and the actual "monster" in the room.

Ultimately, Bergholm uses these mythological creatures as a means to explore the animalistic, brutal side of motherhood, with Saga struggling with her little troll before she embraces her inner ferality.

"The story really grew out of my own feelings and experiences as a mother: those complex, sometimes difficult emotions, and how challenging love for your child can be," the director said in the film's press notes. "Parenting is not always easy, and when a child isn’t quite what you expected — a happy, easy-going baby — you begin to question how to be a parent to them."

We also don't see Kuura's face until the final frame, a decision that keeps us wondering whether the child has fangs or the like. Bergholm deliberately kept the child's face offscreen, saying in press notes, "I really wanted to keep the mystery regarding the baby's face. This way, the viewer shares the feeling the protagonist has all the way through: There is something very wrong with the child, but it is impossible to say what."

Essentially, trolls!

Nightborn is now streaming on Shudder.

Former chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci's diary from the time of Covid has been made available to the press, and Daily Show host Desi Lydic is just as outraged by his entries as the people on Fox News.

"This guy is completely obsessed with himself," Lydic says. "I bet he'd put his name on random buildings if you let him. I mean, who writes a diary about themselves? What a lunatic."

Lydic goes on to play clips of various Fox News hosts contradicting each other over why exactly they're so angry with Fauci.

"It couldn't be clearer," says Lydic. "Covid killed a million Americans and also wasn't really that deadly, so we shouldn't have shut down. Remember, Fauci made this fatal virus in a lab, but he did a bad job because the virus wasn't even that fatal. Fauci's real crime is being a shitty deadly virus maker."

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When it comes to Bluetooth audio, your headphones are only half of the equation. Even if your phones support the latest and greatest technology, if your Windows computer's Bluetooth doesn't match those specifications, you're only going to get the lowest common denominator between the two.

All four BLACKPINK members have now taken on the Hot Ones challenge, with Lisa, Rosé, Jennie, and now Jisoo appearing on First We Feast's iconic web series. (Jennie made a direct plea for Jisoo to tackle the wings when she appeared on the show.)

The pop icon and actor joined host Sean Evans to eat increasingly spicy hot wings, and she's outstandingly tough. As the hot sauce levels increase, Jisoo handles that heat with ease, discussing how spiciness in Korean dishes is both stress relief and good for singing, the horror movie that actually scared her (Orphan), and playing Resident Evil Requiem.

And yes, she keeps the BLACKPINK/Hot Ones tradition alive with a final sketch. Honestly, she barely breaks a sweat. Go Jisoo.

Want more of the latest entertainment news, reviews, trailers, and interviews? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 31, the Life360 Tile Starter Pack is on sale for $32.99 at Amazon. That's $17 off its list price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Life360 Life360 Tile Starter Pack $32.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $17   Get Deal

When it comes to keeping a close eye on important items in your life, like your keys, wallet, or bags, Bluetooth trackers are mighty helpful investments. Tile trackers are some of our favorites, and if you're looking to buy, Amazon is offering the Life360 Tile Starter Pack at a discount right now.

As of July 31, this two-pack of a Tile Mate and Slim has dropped to $32.99 at Amazon. Compared to its full price of $49.99, you save $17, but it's a deal that won't last long. The "limited time deal" tag on its store page means the countdown timer has started, so be quick to scoop it up while it's still on sale.

SEE ALSO: Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 from Amazon and get a free $100 gift card

The Tile Mate and Slim can help track a wide variety of items around your home, with the Mate able to hook onto a keychain and the Slim able to slide into a bag or wallet. If you've misplaced one, you can easily find it in the free app, which also includes helpful features like an SOS alert. This helps notify your friends or family if you need help.

If Bluetooth trackers have been on your radar, don't miss out on this great deal on the Life360 Tile Starter Pack at Amazon.

Looking for more great tracker deals? You can also score a deal on AirTags right now if you're an Apple user.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $80: As of July 31, the Skyrover S1 Mini Drone Combo is on sale for $319 at Amazon. That's an 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skyrover Skyrover S1 Mini Drone Combo $319 at Amazon
$399 Save $80   Get Deal

If you’ve been tempted to add a drone to your tech setup, there's a new deal on the Skyrover S1 Mini Drone Combo worth checking out. As of July 31, this model is down from $399 to $319, marking its best-ever price at Amazon.

This mini drone features a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor for capturing 4K/60 fps video and 8K/48 MP photos, making it ideal for recording travel footage, vlogs, and other kinds of content. And if you're a beginner to drone flying, this one includes beginner-friendly flight features such as forward obstacle avoidance, one-tap takeoff and landing, and Smart Return-to-Home functionality. Plus, it weighs under 249 grams, so it's compact enough to travel with and it's FAA-friendly for recreational flying.

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The Skyrover S1 Mini Drone Combo bundle includes the Skyrover S1 Gimbal Lock, Basic Remote Controller, three Smart Flight Batteries (each providing up to 40 minutes of flight time), a Battery Hub Charger, three pairs of propellers, a shoulder carrying bag, and a quick guide with USB-C, Lightning and Type-C cable adapters.

The bundle provides up to 120 minutes of total flight time and gives you all the accessories you need to start flying straight away.

Get this drone deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $110: As of July 31, the Skullcandy Crusher are on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's a 52% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skullcandy Skullcandy Crusher $99.99 at Amazon
$209.99 Save $110.00   Get Deal

If you're shopping around for a premium pair of headphones, be sure to check out this latest Amazon deal on the Skullcandy Crusher. As of July 31, these headphones are $110 off, now down to $99.99 from $209.99. According to camelcamelcamel, this is their best-ever price.

These are a great choice for audiophiles thanks to their patented Multi-Sensory Crusher Bass technology. This works by combining two 40mm full-range audio drivers with dual bass drivers to deliver a much more immersive sound experience.

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They're impressive for battery life too, offering up to 40 hours of listening time. They also have a Rapid Charge feature that gives you up to four hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. The headphones also include built-in controls for calls, volume and track selection, so you don't need to pull out your phone constantly. And they're great for traveling too, thanks to their flat-folding, collapsible design.

Audio can even be personalized. Download the Skullcandy app to complete a hearing analysis, which will then allow you to make a personalized sound profile with adjusted audio levels to suit your needs.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

LinkedIn will soon enable users to flag posts which appear to be "AI slop." However, the career-focused social media platform won't be using this data to remove or even discourage AI-generated posts. Rather, it appears the company will use the feedback to train its own algorithms. 

The upcoming update was announced on Thursday, with LinkedIn's chief product officer Hari Srinivasan stating that AI slop is a "top priority" for the company.

SEE ALSO: Substack adds tool that detects AI-generated content

"We are ramping [up] the ability for members to tell us if they believe a post or comment seems like AI slop," Srinivasan wrote in a post on the platform. "Slop is hard to define and the definition changes; this lets us tune our models and make better feeds."

It's unclear exactly what he means by making LinkedIn's feeds "better," but it's unlikely that it involves the complete absence of generative AI. Srinivasan went on to express the belief that AI-generated posts and AI slop are not synonymous, arguing that people use AI to "refine their thoughts."

As such, flagging AI-generated posts on LinkedIn could potentially deprioritise such content. Srinivasan further stated that LinkedIn is adding new classifiers to help identify AI slop and will reduce the amount shown in suggested content. However, it seems likely that the data will also help train LinkedIn's generative AI, so that its AI-generated content is less detectable.

Featured Video For You AI slop is killing the internet

LinkedIn previously offered a relatively unpopular "AI-powered writing tool" that allowed users to generate posts for the platform. This feature was removed alongside Thursday's announcement, with Srinivasan stating that it will be replaced with a proofreading tool. 

Even so, it's probable that the upcoming feature will also use generative AI, with Srinivasan specifically noting that it will not change the users' voice. The platform also still offers AI-generated suggestions for users updating their profiles or company pages.

LinkedIn's AI slop report feature doesn't just have the potential to help the platform refine its own algorithms either. Srinivasan noted that users who publish AI-generated content on LinkedIn will also be informed when others tag their posts as AI slop, offering the feedback so they can work on making their AI-generated content sound more "authentic."

"For anyone who shares content, we will test a way to privately flag, in your analytics dashboard, when members feel your post may have come off as inauthentic or heavy use of AI," wrote Srinivasan. ""[W]e believe [AI users] want to know when they sound inauthentic…. [W]e want members to get feedback from real humans on what sounds authentic — not just have an AI detector review it and get it wrong."

Earlier this month, AI detection tool Pangram published a study that found over 40 percent of longform posts on LinkedIn were completely AI-generated.

SAVE $190.99: As of July 31, the Ecovacs Deebot T90 is on sale for $509 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot T90 $509 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $190.99   Get Deal

It's official, the FCC has announced it will ban new foreign-made mobile robots from entering the U.S. market. This includes Ecovacs robot vacuums, among other popular brands. The good news for shoppers is that the ban won't affect previously approved devices, so existing robot vacuum stock will remain available to purchase. But if you've been hoping to get an Ecovacs model, act fast before stock drops.

It's not all bad news: if you've been eyeing the Ecovacs Deebot T90, it's currently on sale for $509 at Amazon.

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This model isn't just a robot vacuum; it also has a built-in mop. It has a 30,000Pa BLAST suction to remove dirt, while the OZMO Roller 3.0 mop system uses a 10.6-inch self-washing roller with pressurized scrubbing to tackle spills and dried stains. The roller is cleaned with fresh water during use to help reduce streaks and residue, and TruEdge 3.0 extends the mop beyond the robot’s body so it can reach along awkward edges and corners.

Plus, when it's done, the OMNI docking station will automatically wash the mop roller with adjustable hot water up to 167°F, dry it with hot air, and clean the dirty water system to reduce maintenance.

This robot vacuum deal is available at Amazon right now.

SAVE $72: As of July 31, this like-new Kindle Scribe is on sale for $287.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe (Like-New) $287.99 at Amazon
$359.99 Save $72   Get Deal

Kindle is arguably the most recognizable e-reader on the market. Amazon has been producing the devices for years, and there are now models to suit every type of reader.

Whether you prefer the basic Kindle that offers reading alone or a pop of color with the Colorsoft, there's so much to choose from. And for the notetakers, there's the Kindle Scribe, an e-reader and digital notebook in one. As of July 31, you can find a great deal on a refurbished model at Amazon, now down to just $287.99.

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This price is for the black colored 16GB model. It comes with the Premium Pen stylus too, to make note-taking feel more natural. And if you're wary about a refurbished device, don't be. Amazon says it is "refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and comes with the same limited warranty as a new device."

This Kindle also has built-in AI tools that can make note-taking even easier. Whether it's summarizing notes, adjusting their length and tone, and refining your writing, there's so much it can do. Plus, this device is designed specifically for reading, writing and annotating documents, so there won't be tempting distractions from social media or streaming apps.

You can find this Kindle deal at Amazon now.

Home Depot's Christmas in July Collection lineup: 8.5-foot Giant-Sized LED Towering Santa $299 at Home Depot Shop Now 8.5-foot Giant-Sized LED Towering Reindeer $299 at Home Depot Shop Now 8-foot Long Giant-Sized Santa's Sleigh $349 at Home Depot Shop Now 7.5-foot Animated Chewbacca $349 at Home Depot Shop Now 9-foot Smart Grand Duchess Twinkling Tree $449 at Home Depot Shop Now

It's 90 degrees out, but Home Depot wants you thinking about snow. The retailer's Christmas in July Collection has dropped, and yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. We know it feels ridiculously early, but there's an upside to shopping now instead of waiting until the usual holiday scramble in November.

Leading the drop is the return of the viral 9-foot Grand Duchess tree, and this year, it's had a real upgrade: it's now Hubspace app-enabled, meaning you can control and customize your holiday display straight from your phone instead of fumbling with a remote or manual settings. The fan-favorite 8.5-foot Giant-Sized Towering Santa is also back, and it's even bigger than last year's version.

Pieces like the Grand Duchess tree tend to sell out well before Christmas actually rolls around, so grabbing it now, in the middle of summer, is the smarter move if you don't want to be stuck with the leftovers.

8.5-foot Giant-Sized LED Towering Santa Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 8.5-foot Giant-Sized LED Towering Santa $299 at The Home Depot
  Shop Now

The 8.5-foot Towering Santa has a lantern with a flickering flame effect that makes it feel warm and inviting, not just lit up. It works indoors or outdoors, and since it runs on three AA batteries rather than a cord, you can place it anywhere in your yard without worrying about extension cords or finding a nearby outlet. There's even a built-in timer, so it turns on and off automatically every night (six hours on, 18 hours off) without you having to remember to flip a switch.

8-foot Long Giant-Sized Santa's Sleigh Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 8-foot Long Giant-Sized Santa's Sleigh $349 at The Home Depot
Currently sold out, but you can sign up to get notified for restocks. Shop Now

If you're going for a full North Pole setup, the 8-foot Giant-Sized Santa's Sleigh is a nice piece to add in. It's got an illuminated lantern with a flickering flame effect, and it's rated for both indoor and outdoor use, so it works wherever you're setting up your display. It takes two people about 45 minutes to put together, so this isn't a quick solo unboxing situation.

But if you're already planning on the Towering Santa and Towering Reindeer, this sleigh is designed to pair with both, so together they make for one solid, complete holiday scene.

9-foot Smart Grand Duchess Twinkling Tree Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot 9-foot Smart Grand Duchess Twinkling Tree $449 at The Home Depot
  Shop Now

The 9-foot SMART Grand Duchess connects to the Hubspace app for scheduling, brightness control, and voice control via Alexa. It's got 3,343 branch tips for a full, realistic look, plus 2,000 color-changing micro fairy lights. Setup is easy, too, with Quick Set technology built into the trunk, memory-wire branches for easy fluffing, and everything included — timer, foot pedal, remote, and stand.

Here's the rest of Home Depot's Christmas in July lineup — because apparently the holiday hype doesn't stop at just one tree and a giant Santa:

• 9-foot Grand Duchess Fir Garland — $49.98

• 12-foot Grand Duchess Balsam Fir Garland — $79.98

• 4-foot Potted Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir LED Pre-Lit Tree — $99

• 3-foot Grand Duchess Balsam Fir LED Pre-Lit Trees, Set of 2 — $99

• 7.5-foot SMART Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir LED Slim Pre-Lit Tree — $249

• 3.5-foot Animated LED R2-D2 — $299

• 7.5-foot SMART Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir LED Pre-Lit Tree — $349

• 7.5-foot SMART Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir Flocked LED Pre-Lit Tree — $399

• 9-foot SMART Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir LED Pre-Lit Tree — $549

• 9-foot SMART Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir Flocked LED Pre-Lit Tree — $599

• 12-foot SMART Grand Duchess Twinkling Balsam Fir LED Pre-Lit Tree — $899

This lineup's already thinning out fast — grab yours at Home Depot before it's gone for good.

On any given day, poking around for TVs on sale is all but guaranteed to turn up at least some decent steals. But of course, retailers don't casually offer their absolute best TV prices year-round. So, when is the best time to buy a TV?

The answer is more than just Black Friday and Prime Day. There are a few other good times to find a TV on sale throughout the year, like during football season or in the spring when the new TVs of the year are finally hitting shelves. It's kind of like a "once per season" thing.

SEE ALSO: What is camelcamelcamel? Just our secret weapon for finding the lowest prices on Amazon.

In general, just remember that TV pricing follows a yearly cycle of sorts: Whichever main sale window is coming up next will match or beat most of the best deals seen during the sale window that came right before it. For example, Prime Day 2026 just outpriced most of the best TV deals we saw during football season in February. But many of those Prime Day prices will probably be outpriced by October Prime Day and Black Friday.

Being the big investment that they are, understanding the peaks of the TV calendar is a crucial chapter in the unofficial TV buyer's guide. Let's break down the best months of the year to find TV deals — and if you could use a breakdown of TV specs before you make your purchase, my TV specs explainer lays it all out.

The No. 1 best time to buy a TV: Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Months: Late October, November, and early to mid-December

People may not be ready to throw hands in a Best Buy parking lot at 4 a.m., but Black Friday TV deals are still unmatched — they just don't require you to leave the house at the crack of dawn.

Black Friday is trending toward a month-long affair at this point, with retailers shifting into Black Friday mode online as early as October. The extended time frame raises the question of whether TV sale prices will drop even further closer to Black Friday. Thankfully, most of the big retailers are up front about early deals. Best Buy and Samsung will straight-up tag a certain deal as a Black Friday deal if they drop it ahead of time, confirming to buyers that there's no need to hold out until the week of Thanksgiving.

This is an especially auspicious time for budget shoppers looking for the cheapest possible version of a 4K TV at a certain size. During Black Friday, basic budget-friendly 4K TVs are typically the doorbusters that sell out soon after they drop — and are much less likely to return in the next few months.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

In-store or not, Best Buy TV deals during Black Friday include elite prices on TVs 65 inches or larger. You can save hundreds on high-end QLEDs, OLEDs, and big-screen cheap QLEDs at shockingly low prices. Budget-friendly TVs get even more. Walmart also stays in the mix with a handful of wild doorbuster deals on the best cheap TVs. Amazon mostly caters to the affordable TV crowd, focusing most on its own Fire TVs and Fire TVs from brands like Hisense and TCL.

Post-holiday sales and New Year sales are absolutely a thing, but you can be confident that most TV prices are generally better before Christmas than after. We've seen firsthand how sale prices on TVs quietly go up by $100 or two during post-holiday sales. However, if you miss the Black Friday-Cyber Monday season, another chance to save on TVs is around the corner.

The second-best time to find TV deals: NFL playoff season

Months: Mid-January to early February

Waiting for the festive hustle and bustle to pass is definitely a strategy to save in some categories. So, are TVs cheaper after the holidays?

The answer is technically yes, but not in the "after-Christmas sales" way that you're thinking. By "after the holidays," we mean the last few weeks of football season. Football-fueled TV deals kick off near the start of the NFL playoffs (sometime in mid to late January) and last until the big game (some in early to mid-February).

It makes sense that TV deals are pushed so hard during the lead-up to the most-watched sporting event in the U.S. Perhaps you're hosting a watch party as an excuse to upgrade to a bigger screen. Or perhaps the past 18 weeks of the regular season have brought you to your breaking point with your current TV. The field is always washed out, small details like the score bug are pixelated, the glare from your windows makes afternoon games unbearable — whatever the issue, TV brands aren't about to let this opportunity pass.

SEE ALSO: Best 65-inch+ TVs for watching in dark and bright rooms

Football playoff deals tend to spotlight TVs that are good for watching sports: i.e., big-screen QLED TVs, plus some of the brighter OLED TVs of the year. The vibrant lighting supplied by a QLED panel is ideal for following small details like a ball or tiny score box, as well as the brightness of the team's colors and the field to make your experience feel as live and in-person as possible. It's not uncommon for most of these deals to be identical to what we saw during Black Friday, or in some cases, drop even lower in price due to proximity to CES. (Read more about that below.)

The third-best time to find TV deals: Spring

Months: March and April

The annual TV release cycle mostly revolves around CES: a Las Vegas-based tech trade show where the latest and greatest consumer tech is unveiled to gadget enthusiasts. This is where brands like Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense show off their new TV designs for the year. Sony doesn't always participate in CES, but its TV announcement and release cycle still has similar timing.

While these fresh new TVs aren't the ones getting major discounts, their existence does trigger major price cuts on the previous year's flagship TVs. These deals pop up not when the TVs are announced at the event in January, but once they start being officially released to the public in the spring.

Surprisingly, it's not that uncommon to see small discounts on the brand-new models in their first few months on the market.

The fourth-best time to find TV deals: Prime Day

Month: June or July

Amazon stands out as a TV destination during the shopping holidays it made up for itself: Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days (basically a second Prime Day). The summer sale was consistently held in July until 2026, when Amazon bumped Prime Day to June.

Naturally, Fire TVs are the focal point during Prime events — we've seen a 43-inch Amazon Omni 4K Fire TV drop below $100 during Prime Big Deal Days. Prime Day is packed with unbelievably cheap QLED TVs (in price, not quantity) from Hisense or TCL, even in the big sizes.

SEE ALSO: Camelcamelcamel just launched Camelmart, a Walmart version of our favorite Amazon price tracker

But many of the best Prime Day TV deals aren't actually at Amazon. They're at Best Buy, which loves to hold a mega sale conveniently during the same week that Prime Day is taking place. Best Buy is the best place to shop for a TV if you're looking for a more high-end model from Samsung, LG, or Sony, like a flagship OLED or an RGB TV.

Does a TV deal seem too good to be true? Check its price history.

Pro Amazon tip: Any time you spot a seemingly good discount, you can confirm that you're actually getting a good deal by checking its price history with Camelcamelcamel, a free Amazon price tracking site. Just copy and paste the URL to get a graph depicting that TV's price fluctuations throughout the past year or so, plus confirmation of its lowest sale price ever at Amazon. If the deal you're currently eyeing doesn't match that, it's probably best to wait — that record-low price is sure to pop up during one of the peak sale times we just discussed.

There's also a Walmart price tracker now: Camelmart, obviously. Hopefully, Best Buy's is next.

SEE ALSO: Comparing the best art TVs: How to decide between The Frame and its growing list of competitors Recent TV news: TCL and Sony are going halvesies now

Sony has long been revered as one of the best TV brands, and its Bravia TVs have been no strangers to lists of the best TVs across the internet. But Sony as a TV brand is about to look a lot different. As of January 2026, TCL is in charge of Sony's home entertainment business, which spans TVs and home audio. The "Bravia" family of TVs isn't going anywhere, at least as far as branding and picture processing — but TCL will be behind much of the manufacturing and pricing. Sony TVs often toe the line of being so premium that they're too expensive for the average person to consider. But paired with TCL's budget-friendly expertise, they could make a wicked pairing come 2027.

At a glance:

• Release date: We're expecting the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to arrive in fall 2026, but rumor has it the iPhone 18 may not arrive until early 2027.

• Colors: Possible leaks point to four main color options this year for the Pro models: light blue, silver, dark gray, and dark cherry.

• Key upgrades: Besides iOS 27 and the Siri AI beta, we're expecting bigger batteries, camera improvements (including variable aperture for the main camera), and possibly a smaller Dynamic Island.

• Pricing: Most new phones are arriving with price increases, and we think a starting price increase is very likely for the new iPhone 18 lineup, sadly.

Apple's flagship smartphone hasn't taken a year off from its updates since 2007, and barring a massive surprise, 2026 won't be different — but there will be a twist. The Cupertino-based tech giant is widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable. The regular iPhone 18, the 18e, and the new iPhone Air are likely to arrive early next year.

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

As we await the iPhone 18 — and its updated operating system, iOS 27 — rumors continue to trickle out. The pace of leaks on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in particular is likely to increase after a massive hack exposed thousands of Apple's internal documents, reportedly including iPhone 18 Pro suppliers and tests.

We won't see any of the new Apple phones in the wild for a couple more months, but we can bring you all of the latest iPhone 18 rumors and the most likely updates in one place.

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly working on anti-phone snatching security feature iPhone 18 lineup pricing

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, you should circle September in your calendar. That's when Apple typically holds its big iPhone showcase, and there's no reason to believe Apple will change that for the iPhone 18. Expect to see new Apple CEO John Ternus take the stage, as his term of office officially begins Sept. 1.

What he'll be introducing, alas, may put more of a dent in your wallet. Thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the AI industry (also known as RAMageddon), tons of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles are seeing huge price hikes. Experts who've spoken to Mashable say that trend isn't going to stop anytime soon.

As the world's number one smartphone maker, Apple has some advantages over its rivals, but a price increase is very likely. Apple recently raised prices on a variety of its products, and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook even took the unusual step of preparing us for a pricier iPhone. "Price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal in a June interview. The Journal quoted an analysis showing that the memory chip components in the iPhone 18 Pro will cost Apple $150 more than those in the iPhone 17 Pro.

So should you expect the phones to cost just $150 more than their predecessors (check the iPhone 17 prices for reference)? You wish. There's the pesky fact that Apple is a for-profit company, and the iPhone is the #1 smartphone in the world for a reason, even though it's already pricier than Samsung's.

How much of an increase will Apple fans bear? We may be about to find out, but the Journal estimated $1,299 for the iPhone 18 Pro ($200 more than last year).

iPhone 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Ultra launch dates The iPhone 18 Pro Max smartphones at last year's iPhone launch event. Credit: CNET

Barring a huge turn under Ternus, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra in early September. Obviously, Apple's first foldable iPhone is the biggest headline here, but the Pro models will bring numerous improvements too.

The iPhone 18, however, alongside the cheaper iPhone 18e, and the next-gen iPhone Air, are rumored to come next year, likely in March 2027.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro design

Again, Apple has not released any official teasers or other imagery for the iPhone 18 lineup yet, so anything reported to date could be wrong. Still, from the sum total of all reports, it sounds like Apple isn't really reinventing the wheel, design-wise. But Ternus, a hardware guy, is reportedly bringing the company's industrial design group into the center of the Apple fold.

Looking further into the future, the iPhone 20 is said to bring big changes, including a curved waterfall display.

Per our friends at CNET (Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis), the display sizes will be roughly the same as last year:

• iPhone 18: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

However, the display quality might be a little different this year. Prominent leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social media that Apple's brightness demands are unusually high this year, so it would be reasonable to expect much brighter displays than in previous years.

Some iPhone 18 models could also have a smaller camera bump compared to previous models. There are reports of a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island on the screen itself, with the pill-shaped notification hub potentially being made smaller in the iPhone 18 Pro models. One alleged leaked image purports to show an iPhone 18 Pro with a downsized Dynamic Island cutout.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. iPhone 18: rumored hardware features

So we know the software the iPhone 18 will run: iOS 27, introduced at WWDC 2026. Time to start talking about some of the internal hardware changes Apple is reportedly making to the iPhone 18 lineup.

For starters, it sounds like the lineup will have a standardized 12GB RAM count across the board. In previous years, the Pro models had 12GB of RAM, while the base model had only 8GB. According to Korean outlet The Bell, Apple will be upgrading the base model so that it matches the Pro models in that regard. It's also widely expected that Apple will adopt new A20 and A20 Pro chips for the base and Pro models, respectively.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have a new C2 modem for improved cellular connectivity, and they may also have 5G satellite support. Also reported: a new N2 chip for better WiFi performance.

As for the battery, leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo reported that the batteries will finally be upgraded to 5,000mAh, which would be a big improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro. This year, 5,000mAh has become the new standard for flagship phones, including in Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Instant Digital posted in a separate Weibo leak that the back glass of the iPhone 18 Pro has been altered, resulting in a new unified look, as opposed to the two-tone look of the iPhone 17 Pro. Whether that change will affect durability (or if it's just an aesthetic difference) remains to be seen. Other possible upgrades include an improved LTPO+ display, Apple's new C2 modem, 5G via satellite connectivity, and the improved N2 chip, which should improve hotspot and AirDrop reliability.

The most colorful iPhone 18 Pro rumors

Courtesy of leakers, we may already know the iPhone 18 Pro colors. If that's the case, the must-see equivalent of the iPhone 17's unforgettable "cosmic orange" shade is said to be a wine-like "dark cherry," which we'd expect to sell like hot... cherry pies?

Based on numerous leaks, the most likely color lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro will be silver, dark gray, light blue, and the aforementioned "dark cherry."

Sadly, we think fans of black iPhones are out of luck, though the rumored dark gray color looks black in supposed dummy units shared by leakers like Sonny Dickson.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What about the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Several reports out of China say that because the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a much larger battery, it may be a bit of a chunky boy as a result.

We're not talking about a huge increase in weight and width: a quarter of a millimeter in thickness and 7 grams more, respectively. Still, every gram counts on the heftiest iPhone model you can get — so iPhone 17 Pro Max upgraders may want to check that their pocket linings can bear the bulk of a larger iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Pro has helped Apple break sales records in 2026. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable iPhone 18 camera rumors

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a source of many spot-on iPhone reports, says the iPhone 18 Pro, in particular, will have "some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the lineup's history."

Why? First, the telephoto camera has a larger aperture. But more important is the variable aperture.

First reported by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, variable aperture is a huge deal. It would let the iPhone 18 Pro camera capture different amounts of light for different situations — potentially leading to a huge leap in photo quality, if you know what you're doing.

For instance, the bokeh effect famously associated with portrait mode on iPhones would be possible in-camera rather than through software processing, resulting in more natural and generally better-looking shots.

What about Siri AI?

Of course, one of the first things many users will want to know about the iPhone 18 when they get their hands on one: what is the new, revamped, AI-upgraded Siri experience like?

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try it yourself by installing the iOS 27 beta.

The new features include Siri becoming an actual chatbot with its own app. It's also able to understand what's on your screen, and it can help you write, create images, and edit photos.

For an overview, check out our guides to iOS 27 and Siri AI's top features.

SAVE UP TO $20: Through Sept. 21, you can secure a year of streaming on NFL+ and NFL+ Premium for 20% off, knocking the costs down to just $39.99 (reg. $49.99) or $79.99 (reg. $99.99) for the season.

Opens in a new window Credit: NFL+ NFL+ $39.99
$49.99 Save $10 *for your first year* Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: NFL+ NFL+ Premium $79.99
$99.99 Save $20 *for your first year* Get Deal

We're on the brink of a new NFL season, y'all, which means it's time to get your streaming lineup in order. NFL+, the league's own streaming service, is running a limited-time promo to help you out. While it won't cover every game you want to watch this season, it will get you started on the right foot.

Through Sept. 21, you can lock in a full year of streaming on NFL+ and NFL+ Premium for 20% off. That drops the price of the basic NFL+ package down to just $39.99 for your first year (reg. $49.99) and the price of NFL+ Premium down to just $79.99 for your first year (reg. $99.99). That's a lot of content for as low as $3.33 per month.

The NFL's official subscription service offers two tiers: NFL+ and NFL+ Premium. The basic tier unlocks access to live out-of-market preseason games, live national broadcasts, in-market regular-season games, and NFL Network. For $40 more, NFL+ Premium also unlocks NFL RedZone and game replays (full, condensed, and all-22 coaches film). It's a pretty solid deal for a specific type of football fan, but there are some caveats to consider.

First, neither option includes out-of-market regular-season games. If you want access to those, you'll need NFL Sunday Ticket. That's a story for a different day. Second, NFL+ (both tiers) only grants you access to live games on your phone or tablet. I have no idea why, but it's been this way since its inception. I'm sure there are ways to cast your phone or tablet to your TV, but it's not the most streamlined way to watch your favorite team.

Who is NFL+ for? Dedicated football fans who can't watch every game from the comfort of their home. If you're constantly on the go, but want to be able to catch your local team live, NFL+ is for you. Or, if you want to catch the most important plays of every game on Sundays or analyze every play after the fact, NFL+ Premium is a great way to do so for a whole lot less than a live TV streaming service.

SAVE 23%: The Etenwolf Air 3 mini air pump is $22.99 at Amazon, down from $29.99. It inflates a standard air mattress in about a minute and includes a built-in 600-lumen camping light.

Opens in a new window Credit: Etenwolf Etenwolf Air 3 $22.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $7   Shop Now

Anyone who's ever tried to blow up an air mattress at 11 p.m., halfway through setting up a campsite, knows exactly how miserable that process is. You get five breaths in, your head's spinning, and the mattress is still somehow only a fraction full. The Etenwolf Air 3 mini air pump exists to make that whole ordeal a thing of the past.

It's absurdly small for what it does

At just 145 grams, the Air 3 is roughly the size of a large egg, which honestly feels like it shouldn't be possible for something with a motor inside. It comes with a hook so you can clip it straight onto a backpack, or you can just toss it in a jacket pocket and forget it's there until you need it.

Speed is the whole point

This is really where the Air 3 makes its case. It runs on a 13 CFM motor at 0.65 PSI, enough to fully inflate a standard air mattress in about a minute and deflate it in about 40 seconds. No cord, no outlet, and no fumbling around in the dark trying to find a plug.

Battery life that actually lasts

It's got a 2,600mAh battery, and Etenwolf says a full charge powers up to 16 sleeping pads or four pool floats. That's enough to get through a whole weekend trip or a pool day without needing to recharge mid-use. It also charges over USB-C, so no hunting for some odd proprietary cable.

A surprisingly useful bonus: the flashlight

The Etenwolf doubles as a 600-lumen camping light, with three separate brightness settings: a soft 60-lumen mode, a 200-lumen reading light, and the full 600-lumen outdoor setting. Super handy if you're setting up a tent after dark, need a hands-free light for a late-night bathroom run, or just want one less thing to pack.

It's not built for everything, though

With five nozzles included, it handles most inflatables you'd want to fill — pool floats, vacuum storage bags, sleeping pads, swim rings, inflatable furniture, not just air mattresses. That's a big part of what makes it useful beyond just camping trips.

However, it's not built for SUP boards, balloons, sports balls, car tires, or bicycles, so don't expect it to pull double duty as a bike pump.

On top of all that, it's currently 23% off too — grab the Etenwolf Air 3 mini air pump at Amazon for $22.99.

The biggest question surrounding Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a simple one: Who is Sadie Sink playing?

SEE ALSO: Spider-Man: Brand New Day' review: More like 'Déjà Vu'?

Ever since Sink's casting was announced in 2025, fans have clamored to know what role she'd have in the MCU. Was she Gwen Stacy? Jean Grey? Rachel Summers? Marvel certainly wasn't telling. Trailers revealed precious little of Sink's performance, while Sink herself deftly parried any questions about her character throughout the film's press run. Truly, all we know from Marvel is that Sink's character "sits on a bench." That's it!

Now, though, the film is out, and we can finally dig into Sink's role. Spoilers ahead, so this is your last chance to turn back if you want to experience the reveal in theaters.

Who is Sadie Sink in Spider-Man: Brand New Day?

To whoever guessed that Sink would be playing Jean Grey, congratulations! You were right on the money. Sink plays the beloved Marvel mutant, who is also Spider-Man: Brand New Day's primary antagonist.

In the X-Men comics and prior film adaptations, Jean is a powerful mutant gifted with telepathy and telekinesis. She's also the host for the cosmic Phoenix Force, which, when corrupted, turns her into the Dark Phoenix. Versions of the Dark Phoenix saga have come to the big screen twice before, in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, with Famke Janssen in the role of Jean, and in 2019's Dark Phoenix, with Sophie Turner in the role of Jean. (Between Turner and Sink, Marvel seems to love nothing more than casting stars of blockbuster shows with reviled final seasons as Jean.)

However, the Jean we meet in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is different from prior onscreen iterations. At the beginning of the film, she's solely a telepath, one who's able to hop through people's minds and control their bodies. Her telepathic "jumps" have a distance limit, but over the course of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, she levels up severely, getting closer to the Jean power set people are more familiar with.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day leaves Jean's future in the MCU open-ended. Notably, she's not a member of the X-Men yet, because the X-Men don't exist yet in the MCU's prime universe. However, they do exist in the multiverse, and several of its members from the first set of Fox films will be making an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Alan Cumming, and Rebecca Romijn all set to reprise their roles. Sink is not confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, but with so many X-Men in the mix, it can't be long before the MCU tries its own hand at adapting the Dark Phoenix saga, right?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now in theaters.