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Samsung spent over a decade building a smartwatch platform on Tizen, then walked away from it in under two years. Now open-source developers are racing to keep thousands of orphaned watches functional before batteries outlast the software.

Watched South Korean thriller Mousetrap on Netflix? We need to talk about that ending.

Based on the 2017 Kakao Webtoon Field Mouse by Ludovico, directed by Kim Hong-sun (Project Wolf Hunting), and written by Lee Jae-gon (A Model Family), the series takes the chilling concept of "identity laundering" and turns it into a 10-episode cat-and-mouse game. But who is the series' core mystery figure known as The Rat and what's his motive?

Let's break it all down — and suffice to say, spoilers ahead.

SEE ALSO: Need a new Netflix mystery? Korean thriller 'Mousetrap' will ensnare you. What is Mousetrap about? Ryu Jun-yeol as Je Moon-jae in "Mousetrap." Credit: Yoo Eun-mi / Netflix

Reclusive novelist Je Moon-jae (Reply 1988's Ryu Jun-yeol) finds his identity completely stolen by a mysterious figure known as "The Rat," who looks exactly like him. He takes his moniker from the Korean folktale that warns children against leaving their fingernail clippings lying around — if a mouse eats them it can transform into that person's likeness.

Moon-jae has been a total recluse since his parents' tragic death, and thanks to his literary success, his hideaway is a luxurious apartment in Seoul, where his only real connection to the outside world is his friend, accountant Son Su-hyeon (Moo Jin-sung). Suddenly, Moon-jae can't access his bank account or his phone, quickly realising his identity has been hijacked, the cops are on his trail, and a loan shark called No-ja (Sul Kyung-gu) is his only ally.

Meanwhile, hardened detective Park Sun-yong (Lee Kyu-hyung) receives an anonymous tip about a body found in the Han River, one that points the finger at No-ja, who is, in turn, pursued by identity fraud ring boss Park Seung-gyu (Kim Sung-oh). Thus, the chase is on.

Who is The Rat? Ryu Jun-yeol plays both Je Moon-jae and Seo Yu-min. Credit: Yoo Eun-mi / Netflix

By the finale, we learn that the Rat is a man called Seo Yu-min, whom Moon-jae met an intercollegiate literary club. But the real Rat, thematically, ends up being Moon-jae himself, an unreliable narrator who has forgotten his actions due to taking his late mother's medication.

Moon-jae joined the literary club by faking being a university student, to "become a better version of myself, like my mom always told me." Moon-jae and Yu-min became close, both crushing over their friend So Min-yeong (Song Sui). Notably, Yu-Min let Moon-jae read his story, "The Rat That Ate Fingernails," and read his notebooks, which Moon-jae later stole and submitted for the club's anthology as his own work. To hammer it home, there's a scene early in the series where Moon-jae is seen sitting at his computer unable to type anything. Though he's surrounded by notes, he stares at a blank page, a blinking cursor. "None of it was ever mine to begin with," he realises in the finale.

Is Moon-jae actually Moon-jae? Detective Park Sun-yong (Lee Kyu-hyung) was once called Je Moon-jae. Credit: Yoo Eun-mi / Netflix

Yes and no. It's complicated.

Throughout the series, we learn that Sun-yong was actually adopted by Moon-jae's parents when he was five years old, as the detective remembers why the name "Je Moon-jae" felt so familiar to him. It's the name he was given when he was adopted, and one he remembers being called by Moon-jae's uncle Han Hui-su in a flashback to a theme park. Essentially, Sun-yong has been unknowingly hunting his own brother for the whole series — a fact Yu-Min definitely knew, hence why he tipped off the detective personally.

Sun-yong (then Moon-jae) was sent back to the orphanage when his adopted parents bore a son, and because they apparently really liked the name (or wanted to conceal their actions), called their biological child Moon-jae. When Moon-jae visits No-ja in the finale, he recalls a time he started a fire at a school, where he'd registered under a different name, Park Chan-u. Why? "It doesn't feel like my name," he felt at the time, despite not knowing it was first his brother's.

Featured Video For You 'No Other Choice' skewers the job market. Here's why Park Chan-wook made it. What happened to Min-yeong? Ryu Jun-yeol as Moon-jae. Credit: Yoo Eun-mi / Netflix

In probably the saddest tale of Mousetrap, Min-yeong's death is framed as directly caused by Moon-jae's actions.

Back in their university days, Moon-jae, Yu-min, and Min-yeong went on a summer trip to Jeju, a picturesque island off the south coast of the Korean Peninsula. During the trip, Moon-jae became jealous of the other two spending time together, and in a drunken state, asked to speak to Min-yeong alone to declare his feelings. Refusing, she revealed that she and Yu-min had always been a secret couple, before Moon-jae met them. Moon-jae lost control and attacked Yu-min.

Later, in an envious rage, Moon-jae wrote a post in an online forum fabricating sexual details of Min-yeong and Yu-min's relationship, after which she was shamed at grad school by her peers. Socially ostracised, she dropped out and cut ties with her family, with Yu-min desperately trying to prove to the police that Moon-jae wrote it.

"You must have been one hell of a writer. Even the cops had nothing on you," Yu-Min says in the finale.

"I was high on drugs. Who'd read that bullshit? I just wrote it like a novel," Moon-jae says.

Emotionally and financially supporting Min-yeong, Yu-Min sends his unpublished novel "The Rat That Ate Fingernails," to a publisher hoping for a runaway success — only to find that his work had already been published as Interview by Sung Hag-Yun, which won Moon-jae a prestigious Best New Writer award and launched his career. Sadly, Min-yeong dies by suicide, and in a state of despair, Yu-min reads Interview by her side, only to find the story resembles that of their lives, with Moon-jae changing the details to his own perspective.

"You were so jealous of me that, in your novel, you subtly made yourself me and me you," Yu-Min says. "So I decided. I'll get my revenge. I'll become you too and take back everything you took from me. I'll rip that mask off your face, strip you of everything, and throw you out."

What's the Rat's plan? Ryu Jun-yeol as Yu-Min. Credit: Yoo Eun-mi / Netflix

After Min-yeong's death, Yu-min goes to vengeful extremes. He gets plastic surgery to look like Moon-jae and learns how to speak using his voice.

To steal Moon-jae's identity, Yu-Min found his way into Seung-gyu's identity fraud ring, selling his own identity. However, Yu-Min faked his own death before his identity could be laundered. He also sold Min-yeong's identity to Seung-gyu, murdered a random woman, replicated Min-yeong's tattoo on her body, then tipped off the cops to frame Moon-jae for murder and implicate Seung-gyu.

Yu-Min then forced Sun-yong to help him steal Moon-jae's life (cloning his phone, blocking access to his money etc.), as the Rat kidnapped his daughter. Su-hyeon dies by suicide before Moon-jae can get more answers. By the finale, we know Yu-Min is the one who sent the tip about No-ja to Detective Park, as he wanted Sun-yong to be the lead detective on the case that would frame Moon-jae for murder (Detective Park was once adopted by Moon-jae's parents.)

When Detective Park checks the university records, there's no record of Min-yeong (because Yu-Min sold her identity to frame Moon-jae) or Moon-jae (because he wasn't a student), but there is one for Yu-Min.

Are both Moon-jae and Yu-Min alive at the end of Mousetrap? Everything goes down in the Queen Caligo. Credit: Yoo Eun-mi / Netflix

In the finale, Moon-jae tracks Yu-Min down to the Queen Caligo, the ship bound for Jeju, where it all began.

In their final confrontation in the ship's cabin (the same cabin the trio stayed in that fateful summer), Moon-jae learns the truth, ultimately fighting with Yu-Min and throwing him from the window into the sea. In this scene, Moon-jae finally finds his motivation: "I don't think I wanted to be you. I think I wanted to be myself. A better version of myself."

The one really holding the cards here is publishing house editor-in-chief Han Ji-hye (The Call's Lee El), the only person who talked to Moon-jae in the last three years, and who quickly works out the difference between the two by simply being observant. After Yu-Min tells her the truth, she gives Moon-jae the unpublished manuscript of The Rat Vol. 2, in which Yu-Min exposes what Moon-jae did, telling the world the story we just watched in Mousetrap. "This should never get out," a panicked Moon-jae says in voice over.

In the final scene, however, when Seung-gyu finds Moon-jae's apartment and bangs on the door, we see Yu-Min in the square. It's not clear whether Yu-Min is actually alive or whether Moon-jae's guilt is making him experience a vision of him. But it's clear Moon-jae's attempt to outrun his past has failed.

Mousetrap is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is on sale for $40.49 at Amazon, down from its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $40.69 at Amazon
$60.19 Save $19.50   Get Deal

Chaos Rising Booster Bundles have been gradually getting cheaper throughout the summer, but Amazon has now pushed the six-pack Pokémon TCG box closer to the $40 mark once again. 

As of Sept. 4, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is available for $40.49 at Amazon, knocking $19.50 off its $59.99 list price for a 33% discount. Keep in mind that this particular listing, sold and shipped by third-party seller Core TCG, adds an extra 20-cent delivery charge — for a total of $40.69

That said, it still undercuts the $41.95 Amazon low we covered in August.

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Inside the Booster Bundle are six packs from the Mega Evolution set’s Chaos Rising expansion, with each pack containing 10 trading cards and one Basic Energy.

You can save even more at TCGplayer, which has listings going as low as $37.86 in total, only slightly above its $36.26 market price. If those run out of stock, Walmart is still lower than Amazon at $38.95 with free shipping through marketplace seller Realgoodeal. 

The top valuable chase cards you can pull from Chaos Rising include the $180 SIR Mega Greninja ex, the MHR Mega Greninja ex for just over $173, and the $55.72 SIR Cinccino ex — though you can also buy any single card from TCGplayer.

Keeping your eyes on the road sounds simple, but it isn’t. Notifications, checking directions, incoming calls, and daydreaming can turn into a distraction at the worst possible moment. That's the reason I turned to Android Auto's automations, which make it easier to access the things I need while driving, whether I’m making a call, controlling my music, or following directions.

SAVE $30: As of Sept. 4, the Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus $39.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

If you'd been eyeing up an Amazon Fire TV Stick for your streaming upgrade but the recent price hike put you off, the latest discount might just tempt you back.

As of Sept. 4, Amazon has dropped the price of the Fire Stick 4K Plus from the new high of $69.99 to $39.99. That's $10 below the old list price of $49.99. The Fire Stick 4K Plus is the new name for the original Fire Stick 4K. It has all the same features we knew and loved, but packaged under a new name.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Sept. 4, 2026)

This Fire TV Stick recently received an upgrade, so it now runs the latest Fire TV experience, which includes a redesigned interface and more personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Plus, the Alexa+ voice remote lets you search for what to watch using just your voice, so you can launch apps and control your TV much more easily. You can also use it to control compatible smart home devices such as robot vacuums and lights.

You'll have easy access to all the major streaming platforms, including Netflix and Prime Video, as well as support for Xbox Game Pass for cloud gaming.

Get this Fire TV Stick deal from Amazon now.

The best Labor Day SSD deals: Best overall SSD deal Samsung Internal SSD 990 2TB $389.99 (save $190) Get Deal Best external SSD deal Sandisk 8TB Extreme Portable SSD $839.99 (save $785) Get Deal

Labor Day weekend is a good excuse to upgrade your tech. The sales span everything from laptops and household essentials to storage upgrades for your existing devices. Whether your laptop is running low on space or you want a faster SSD for gaming, there are plenty of great deals already live right now.

We've rounded up the best Labor Day SSD deals from retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, with savings across external and internal options.

Best Labor Day SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Internal SSD 990 2TB $339.99 at Amazon
$529.99 Save $190   Get Deal Why we like it

This Samsung SSD offers fast read and write speeds, making it suited to everything from gaming and transferring large files to more demanding creative work. It comes with up to 2TB of storage, so there's plenty of room for games, 4K footage, and other large files. And it's currently $190 off in Amazon's Labor Day sale.

Best Labor Day internal SSD deals

• PNY CS900 500GB Internal SSD SATA — $99.99 $119.99 (save $20)

• Lexar 1TB NQ780 Internal NVMe SSD — $179.99 $239.99 (save $60)

• Samsung Internal SSD 990 1TB — $199.99 $229.99 (save $30)

• Lexar 2TB NM790 M.2 2280 PCle Gen4 NVMe SSD — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB — $389.99 $639.99 (save $250)

• SANDISK Optimus 7100 2TB NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive — $399.99 $589 (save $190)

Best Labor Day external SSD deals

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB— $239.99 $287.99 (save $48)

• Sandisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD— $257.44 $299.99 (save $42.55)

• Samsung T7 Shield 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable External SSD — $424.99 $499.99 (save $75)

• Sandisk 8TB Extreme Portable SSD — $839.99 $1,624.99 (save $785)

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD 4TB — $999.99 $1,144.99 (save $145)

Trump has issued an executive order changing the name of "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America", combining the announcement with a social media clip of him changing the name on the map himself with a sharpie — and nobody is less impressed than Seth Meyers.

"My least favorite thing about the name change of Lake Ontario? Can I tell you my least favorite thing? Is when he took out the map to change it in sharpie and he crossed out the "Lake" to write "Lake" above it," says Meyers in the Late Night clip above. "Like why not just cross out Ontario and write America? But he crossed out both. Like the lake's there. The lake didn't change."

Meyers' conclusion? "This is some real dork sh*t," he says. "They're just such dorks. And you know what again, it's a real reminder that they can't actually accomplish anything."

SAVE $170: As of Sept. 4, the Skyrover X1 drone is on sale for $449 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skyrover Skyrover X1 $449 at Amazon
$619 Save $170   Get Deal

Looking for a new drone without spending a fortune? The Skyrover X1 is currently on sale, bringing this compact 4K drone down to just $449 from $619. Not only is that a $170 discount, but it's also the lowest-ever price for this model.

The drone comes as part of a combo deal: you'll also get a remote controller, gimbal protector, shoulder bag, three pairs of propellers, three smart flight batteries, 18 propeller screws, and a screwdriver.

This is an incredibly compact drone, weighing under 249 grams. It has a 1/1.32-inch CMOS sensor and f/1.7 aperture for capturing 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR video, so while it's compact, it still produces high-quality shots.

It comes with features to make flying easier, too. These include a 3-axis gimbal, which helps keep footage smooth and steady, and AI Night Mode, which is designed to improve detail in dusk and nighttime scenes. During flight, 360° obstacle sensing and Smart Return to Home provide extra support.

It even has creative modes, such as AI Auto Track, Smart Spotlight, Dual Tracking, and vertical shooting, plus 4K/100fps video for slow-motion footage and timelapse modes.

Get this drone deal at Amazon now.

Sony has officially unveiled two limited-edition DualSense controllers for Grand Theft Auto VI, giving the PS5 gamepads matching Vice City-inspired makeovers ahead of Rockstar's long-awaited sequel.

Both the black and white limited-edition GTA 6 controllers are priced at $84.99 and are set for release on Nov. 19 — the same day as GTA VI. 

Both controllers borrow heavily from Vice City's unmistakable aesthetic in different eye-catching ways. Both shells pack shimmering, color-shifting finishes that mix sunset hues with neon blues, plus custom palm tree details molded directly into the plastic and official Grand Theft Auto VI branding. If you’re a longtime GTA fan, the oversized ‘VI’ that’s taking over the touchpad will make this a must-buy.

Credit: Sony

The white model is taking cues from Vice City's beaches, pastel skies, and sunny day-glamor. 

Meanwhile, the black edition is all about channeling the gaming city's nightlife. It's still got the same Florida-style palm trees, but in a more classically chic PlayStation black.

Credit: Sony

The announcement on the PlayStation Blog does state that both will be available at "participating retailers," but for now, the only way to preorder the GTA VI DualSense controllers is through PlayStation Direct — starting on Sept. 10 at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET. Eligible orders placed directly through PlayStation will also get free launch-day delivery.

Stock will be available in limited quantities and will sell out fast. We’d advise bookmarking this article as a reminder and quickly jumping to the link above.

Beyond their new looks, they're still standard DualSense controllers, so they include haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. You'll get what you need as you play through Jason and Lucia’s story, but you won’t have any added features beyond the new, stylish aesthetics.

Keep in mind that although both GTA 6 controllers officially launch on Nov. 19, exact availability will vary by country and region.

At this point, the foldable iPhone is the biggest open secret in Silicon Valley. Apple kept a tight lid on its first-ever foldable phone right up until dropping the iOS 27 developer beta, which includes some direct and indirect references to the iPhone Ultra (also rumored to be called the iPhone Fold, iPhone Ultra Fold, or something else entirely).

Early adopters already love foldables — and they have plenty of options — but Apple's been notably absent from the genre. However, don't count Apple out. The company has a history of showing up late to the party and then absolutely cornering the market, as it did with AirPods and iPhones.

As we await official details, here's everything we know about the first foldable iPhone, including the latest rumors, specifications, release date, and pricing.

When will the iPhone Ultra be released?

Apple has officially confirmed an event for Sept. 9, where we're almost certain the iPhone 18 lineup will be unveiled. It's at this event where most expect the iPhone Ultra to make its real debut.

We think the iPhone Ultra will arrive on store shelves in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Numerous rumors pointed to this over the last year. Our best guess? We expect the iPhone Ultra to be released around Sept. 19; that's when the iPhone 17 launched last year.

Previous rumors suggested a delayed release schedule. Tech analyst named Tim Long claimed that shipments of the iPhone Ultra wouldn't begin until December, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman threw cold water on this rumor. And Gurman seems to have a crystal ball looking right into Apple headquarters these days.

A recent report out of Australia (via the Chinese supply chain) also claimed that the iPhone Ultra will be available right after launch in the U.S., though it might get rolled out to other markets a bit later.

What will the iPhone Ultra look like?

We've seen a lot of iPhone Ultra leaks over the past year, but the most recent leak comes courtesy of YouTuber Unbox Therapy, which claims to have received dummy units from China. These leaks line up perfectly with the latest iPhone Ultra rumors and previous leaks.

The iPhone Ultra will have an aspect ratio and shape very similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but with more rounded corners. The rear of the device looks more like a Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, however. We believe the passport-shaped phone will have an external 5.5-inch OLED display and an internal 7.8-inch display. Leaks show two cameras on the rear of the device.

In addition to the Unboxed Therapy leak, the casemaker Benks has already posted product listings for iPhone Ultra phone cases.

Credit: Benks

Finally, leaker Instant Digital reported earlier this year that the Ultra will have volume buttons on the top of the device rather than the side. "The volume buttons are not on the left side," reads a translation of the post. "Instead, they are placed directly on the top of the right-side frame (similar to the volume button layout on the top of the iPad mini). This may take some getting used to for users’ typical phone habits."

How much will the iPhone Ultra cost, and will people buy it?

The iPhone Ultra is likely to be expensive. An early estimate from research analyst Arthur Liao suggested the price tag for the Ultra — gulp — could come in around $2,399. Last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone Ultra is likely to retail between $2,000 and $2,500; recently, Kuo narrowed that down to $2,300 — $2,500. Finally, the International Data Corporation recently reported that the iPhone Ultra will have an average price of $2,550.

Despite the sizable cost (the flagship Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is priced at $1,899.99), sales expectations remain high. The IDC report estimated Apple would siphon 40 percent of the spending in the foldable market in 2026 and ship 17 million Ultras by the end of 2027.

"Apple’s entry into the foldable market has done more than reignite growth in a category that was losing momentum," wrote Nabila Popal, an IDC Senior Research Director, in a recent report. "With an average selling price exceeding $2,550, Apple is expected to generate more than $45.7 billion in value and account for over half of the category’s total value. Perhaps most notably, Apple is positioned to challenge Huawei and Samsung for leadership in markets where they have long dominated, an extraordinary outcome for a product expected to be less than two years into its lifecycle."

As of early September, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is predicting a price tag of at least $2,000.

The iPhone Ultra's potential specs What would you want to see in a foldable iPhone design? Let us know in the comments. Credit: Zain bin Awais / Mashable

Based on all the available leaks, the iPhone Ultra specs could look something like this:

• Displays: 7.8-inch inner OLED display, 5.5-inch outer OLED display

• Thickness: 9.5mm unfolded, 4.5mm when folded

• Security: Touch ID

• Processor: A20 processor

• Cameras: Dual rear cameras (48MP), dual inner/outer front cameras

• Price: $2,399

• Battery: At least 5,088 mAh

The foldable iPhone will be a book-style foldable with four cameras — two on the back, one on the inside, and one front selfie camera. Gurman also predicted it would use Touch ID like the iPad Air and Pro, even though iPhones typically use Face ID. All the recent leaks back up Gurman's reporting.

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The smartphone market is already adapting to the expected size of the iPhone Ultra. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, which launched in July, is exactly that: A wider-than-usual foldable that looks like a proper tablet when unfolded. Huawei was the first to market with a wide foldable, though the Pura X Max is only available overseas.

We've seen several reports claiming that Apple has invested heavily in the iPhone Ultra's display and hinge. It should be very durable, thin, and with a barely visible crease, similar to the recent Samsung Galaxy Z Fold devices. Samsung Display is reportedly producing the OLED displays for the iPhone Ultra, as Samsung's got the best flexible display tech in the game. There's a reason Samsung released the Galaxy TriFold while the world is still waiting on the first foldable iPhone.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported earlier this year that the iPhone Ultra would have a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, and measure in at just 9 to 9.5mm of thickness. Mark Gurman backed up these exact specs in September, just days before the big event. Rumors also indicate that Apple is using liquid metal for the phone's hinge, which should improve durability.

In a recent update, Gurman claimed that some early testers were pleased with how the Ultra performed, in particular with its look and feel, as well as the quality of its hinge. The camera, which doesn't have a telephoto unit, left something to be desired, the report said. Gurman's report confirms a lot of these rumored specs, and he reports that early testers also liked the more iPad-like UX and homescreen layout on the Ultra.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Foldable iPhone Ultra testers love the device except for these two things, report says What about the cameras and battery?

Leaker Instant Digital has made some interesting claims. Most notably, Instant Digital has said the iPhone Ultra will have the largest-ever iPhone battery. (For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is estimated to have a roughly 5,088 mAh battery.)

Instant Digital's also stated, "The rear dual camera + right-side microphone + flash are arranged horizontally. The camera module appears to be fully black and does not match the body color. Currently, the only confirmed color is white, but it is expected that Apple will launch two color options."

Other sources have confirmed the iPhone Ultra's dual-camera configuration, consisting of a regular and an ultra-wide camera.

What does the iOS 27 beta tell us about the iPhone Ultra?

The iPhone Ultra isn't (yet) an official device. We do know a lot about it, but mostly via rumors, whispers, and reports coming out of Apple's supply chain.

But with the first iOS 27 developer beta, we finally learned some actual clues about the iPhone Ultra's existence. Software researcher M1Astra dug through the code (via Bloomberg) and found code that determines whether a device is folded or unfolded. Strings like “mechanicalAngleDegrees” and “angleDegrees" point to Apple fine-tuning the experience depending on how widely a foldable device is open. Researcher Sam Henri Gold found similar clues in the code.

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That's not all. Certain widgets, such as Music, News, and Weather, can now be configured to take up the majority of the iPhone's display. That split-view doesn't make a ton of sense on a regular iPhone (you'd probably just want to have one app open instead), but on an iPhone Ultra, such a widget could occupy one side of the display while you do something else on the other.

Apple seems to be preparing developers to handle a larger variety of form factors. Credit: Apple

Then, at WWDC 2026, Apple's Senior VP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, pointed out a developer-specific feature called the Device Hub, which allows developers to simulate their apps in different screen configurations.

Finally, Macworld found references in the code suggesting a device that has both the Dynamic Island and a Touch ID; such a device does not exist today, but the iPhone Ultra is rumored to have both.

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. SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Fold is on track, but it might be pricier than we thought What will the foldable iPhone be called?

Up until recently, most of the tech world has simply called the unannounced device the "iPhone Fold" or "iPhone Ultra." However, since it's not a confirmed product yet, it's very possible that the phone will have a different name at launch.

Most tech reporters have settled on the name iPhone Ultra, and that's what we're using until Apple tells us different.

All the iPhone Ultra leaks we've seen so far

In December 2025, we saw lots of alleged iPhone Ultra renders circulating on social media, which all share a similar design.

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In February, a leaker known as Instant Digital posted some alleged renders of the iPhone to the Chinese social media site Weibo. Like most leaks, especially the ones pertaining to Apple, we can't confirm their authenticity. However, they align with earlier reports of the phone's overall look.

Apple leaker Sonny Dickson also shared another potential iPhone Ultra render in March 2026.

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Dickson shared more purported dummy units of the iPhone Ultra in April, giving those renders a bit more physicality than they had before.

April was fairly bounteous in terms of iPhone Ultra leaks. Aside from Dickson's dummy units, YouTuber Vincent Zhong got his hands on the newly released (in Asia) Huawei Pura X Max Wide. This Chinese phone was one of the first real "wide foldables" to hit the market. It matches the overall design of iPhone Ultra leaks, and its screen dimensions are almost exactly the same as the alleged dimensions of the Ultra.

While the iPhone Ultra will almost certainly look different from Huawei's device, Zhong's hands-on video gives us a decent idea of what to expect from the iPhone Ultra as a physical object in your hands.

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We've also gotten some interesting dummy photos from tech leaker Majin Bu on X. In these photos, the dummy units look very similar to what we've seen in other recent leaks. In other words, it looks like a shorter, more book-style foldable than previous foldables. It looks like it'll also support MagSafe cases.

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In June, a leaker on Weibo known as Ice Universe claimed to have the ultimate prize, a photo of the actual iPhone Ultra in white, though we believe the device in the photo is merely another dummy unit.

What else do we know about the iPhone Ultra?

Beyond physical design, another recent report suggested you'll be able to run multiple apps side-by-side when the phone is unfolded, sort of like multitasking on iPadOS 26. However, by all accounts, this device will run iOS, not iPadOS, so you won't exactly get a full iPad experience from the iPhone Ultra. (Apps that are designed to run natively in iPadOS, for example, would not be compatible.)

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold vs Apple foldable iPhone: Specs and rumors

Finally, even though the iPhone Ultra is still in the realm of fantasy, there are already rumors about a follow-up, clamshell-style foldable from Apple, potentially called the iPhone Flip. That one probably isn't coming until next year at the earliest, though.

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TL;DR: Alienware is launching two new OLED gaming monitors. The Alienware 32 4K OLED brings four-stack RGB stripe tandem OLED tech down from its 39-inch flagship into a 32-inch 4K panel. The Alienware 25 560Hz QD-OLED, co-developed with Team Liquid, is Alienware's fastest monitor ever — 560Hz, 0.03ms response time, DP2.1 with no DSC — arriving early Q1 2027 with pricing TBA.

Alienware isn't picking a lane this fall — it's building two roads that go in opposite directions, and both are paved with OLED.

Unveiled at IFA in Berlin, the Alienware 32 4K OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3226Q) and the Alienware 25 560Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW2527HX) split the difference between the two things gamers argue about at 2 a.m. on Discord: do you want the best-looking screen on your desk, or do you want to see the guy peeking the corner before he sees you? Alienware's answer is "why not both, just not on the same panel."

Alienware 32 4K OLED Credit: Alienware Credit: Alienware

Alienware's 32-inch 4K OLED isn't a new idea for the brand — it's a trickle-down idea.

RGB Stripe Tandem OLED, minus the fringing

Most OLED monitors use a four-subpixel layout, with an extra white subpixel added for brightness. Alienware ditched the white subpixel for a true RGB stripe arrangement instead, which means richer color volume since nothing's getting diluted, cleaner fringe-free text, and a polarizing layer that keeps blacks deep even with the lights on. Stack four emissive layers behind all that, and brightness climbs to 1,000 nits peak with an infinite (1.5 million:1) contrast ratio.

Flat, traditional design

The design leans traditional on purpose — flat panel, 16:9, four-sided narrow bezels, wrapped in Alienware's Nova Black colorway as part of its "AW30" design language. If you're running a multi-monitor setup or just don't prefer curved screens, this design is built for you.

Specs

You get ultra-vivid 99% DCI-P3 color with factory calibration precise enough to skip tweaking the settings, paired with a blazing-fast 4K 165Hz display and a 0.03ms response time for buttery-smooth action. Universal adaptive sync support keeps screen tearing at bay, no matter your graphics card, while dual HDMI 2.1 ports ensure current-gen consoles hit full resolution and frame rates, alongside DisplayPort and USB hub options.

Alienware 25 560Hz QD-OLED Credit: Alienware Credit: Alienware

If the 32-inch is Alienware's answer to "make it beautiful," the 25-inch is Alienware's answer to "make it disappear." This is a monitor for people who consider 1080p a feature, not a limitation — because at 560Hz, resolution isn't the bottleneck, your reaction time is.

That 560Hz number is Alienware's fastest ever, paired with QD-OLED's 0.03ms gray-to-gray response time and a DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR13.5) connection running at full bandwidth with zero DSC — nothing standing between your click and the pixel changing color.

Alienware calls it a generational leap over the TN panels that have dominated esports desks for years, backed by zero backlight bleed and 1,500-nit peak brightness.

Built with Team Liquid, not just for them

Pro players from Team Liquid had direct input throughout development, and it shows in details that read like a wishlist from people who've actually LAN'd for a living.

The telescopic stand gets a 155mm adjustment range — with height and rotation markers so players can replicate their exact setup at any venue or LAN party. The base is small and rotatable, freeing up desk space for a keyboard angled diagonally underneath instead of squared off.

There's a dedicated esports button to instantly swap between 4:3 and 3:2 aspect ratios mid-session, plus a rear-flip headset hanger to keep peripherals off the desk entirely. Even the tilt range got the competitive treatment, with a generous 45-degree rear tilt for whatever posture gets you locked in.

Designed to survive the long haul

Speed and image quality don't mean much if the panel degrades one season in, so burn-in protection gets the same longevity treatment as its sibling monitor. A graphite sheet disperses heat across the panel, an AI algorithm mitigates burn-in pixel-by-pixel, and pixel shift plus pixel refresh round out the defenses — all backed by the same 3-year warranty with OLED burn-in coverage.

Specs

The Alienware 25 560Hz boasts an insanely fast 560Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, paired with DisplayPort 2.1 to drive full uncompressed bandwidth without needing Display Stream Compression. The matte anti-glare coating keeps reflections at bay under harsh tournament lights, while the OLED panel delivers standard-setting visual punch with infinite contrast.

Both monitors are VESA-certified for deep, true blacks and striking HDR contrast: the 25-inch 560Hz QD-OLED hits DisplayHDR True Black 600 for punchier peak highlights, while the 32-inch 4K model pairs DisplayHDR True Black 400 with Dolby Vision for dynamic, scene-by-scene precision.

Pricing and availability

The Alienware 32 4K OLED arrives first, priced at $699.99, with global availability this fall. The Alienware 25 560Hz QD-OLED follows in early Q1 2027, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.

Two monitors, two totally different bets — one on eye candy, one on nanoseconds. Alienware's making the case that you shouldn't have to choose an OLED that's either gorgeous or fast. Just maybe not on the same desk.

Can the dentist be a pleasant experience? Are normal shower heads better than waterfall ones? Was Robin Hood real?

These are the questions Jodie Comer is confronted with in the BBC Radio 1 clip above. Sitting down opposite host Greg James, The Death of Robin Hood star plays Unpopular Opinion, speaking with a series of callers who share their own strongly held, if widely maligned, views.

We can get behind the shower one, but we're not sure about the dentist.

PlayStation's September State of Play dropped a very fun, retro surprise for Lego fans: the original PlayStation console and controller are getting a 1,911-piece brick-built makeover, and the set is releasing this October (see it here at the Lego Store).

Priced at $179.99, this brand-new set is unfortunately not available to preorder at the time of writing, but don't fret. It will be available very soon. If you're a Lego Insider — and if not, it's free to sign up — the set will be available to buy from Oct. 1. For everyone else, it will be available to buy from Oct. 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego PlayStation (72306) $179.99 at Lego
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According to the PlayStation blog, this set is a "near 1:1 scale" of the original console, and measures over 2.5 inches (6 cm) high, 10.5 inches (26 cm) wide, and 7.5 inches (19 cm) deep. The hardware has plenty of fun details: The console features functional open and power buttons you can press, and the controller can even be plugged in. There are some excellent easter eggs for longtime fans to enjoy, too.

Credit: Lego

Open up the console, and you'll find two mini brick dioramas inside, depicting the classic games Gran Turismo and Ape Escape. The former diorama features tiny cars on a race track, while the latter features an island setting and a swappable blue or red light for the monkey’s helmet.

Credit: Lego

It's important to keep in mind that this set is part of Lego's line of adult builds, for those aged 18 and over. Considering the dioramas and functional elements of the build, along with a higher piece count, this makes sense. Though keep in mind that kids can still tackle it if they want to. As always, just make sure they have an adult nearby who can assist with the more complicated elements of its assembly.

Credit: Lego

It's not long now until we can get our hands on Lego's sweet new PlayStation set. Make sure to mark your calendar for Oct. 4 (or Oct. 1, if you're an Insider) and keep an eye on Lego's Store page for when it goes live.

Lenovo took us through its IFA offerings, and they are hot stuff. Plus: a 2-in-1 RTX Spark machine, and a welcome reboot of the fan-favorite ThinkBook 14x.

Read more about Windows laptops and RTX-powered PCs: RAMageddon is making it harder to find the best Windows laptops. These 10 are actually worth it.
Microsoft Surface Ultra is a portable AI supercomputer powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark chip

Timecode chapters
00:00 Introduction to Lenovo’s IFA lineup
00:07 ThinkBook 14x Gen 2: sleek business ultraportable
03:05 IdeaPad vibe: Colorful MacBook neo competitor
05:19 16-inch RTX spark two-in-one: built for content creators
08:17 Project AeroBlade: The Lunar Lake fanless concept
13:25 Project Swan: The wild horizontal rollable screen prototype
18:01 Conclusion and wrap up

Video credits
Host: Matthew Buzzi & John Burek
Producer: Matthew Buzzi
Camera: Iyaz Akhtar
Video editor: Jon Gomez
Thumbnail designer: Zain bin Awais

Boox e-readers are causing quite the buzz on BookTok. As Amazon raises prices on its e-readers and discontinues support for older models, plenty of users are seeking alternatives. The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is a particularly appealing option when hunting for an e-reader. It's like a combination of the basic Amazon Kindle and the Paperwhite. It comes with 32GB of storage and runs an open Android system, giving you access to all your favorite reading apps. That means no matter what system you're switching over from — Kindle or Kobo — you can access your library on the Boox Go 6 (Gen II).

At $199.99, it's the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite, but the Boox Go 6 promises a lot more. But all those extra features can weigh on such a small device. So, to see if it's worth the price and a worthy alternative to an Amazon Kindle, I used the Boox Go 6 (Gen II) for weeks to see if it could replace my Paperwhite.

Boox Go 6 (Gen II) at a glance Have you used Kobo, Libby, and Kindle? Access all of your libraries on the Boox Go 6 (Gen II). Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is the brand's answer to Amazon's Kindle. With a 6-inch screen, it fits comfortably in your hand for hours of reading. With an open Android system, you can download any app in the Google Play Store, so you can access any book across any app, including Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, and Libby. However, it suffers from significant lag and screen response issues that make it frustrating to use.

Perfect size and shape

If the Boox Go 6 (Gen II) looks familiar, that's not surprising. It looks like a cross between an Amazon Kindle (or Kobo Clara) meshed with the Kindle Paperwhite. The screen of Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is flush to its border. When I added a PopSockets to its MagSafe case (sold separately), my hand perfectly cradled the side. The power button is on the top of the device, which I love compared to Kindles, which have the power button on the bottom.

The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) comes in shell (pictured), stone, custard, and plum. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

It also features writing capabilities, making it a digital notebook on top of a library. That gives it a big boost over other e-readers of that size, which don't typically come with stylus compatibility.

SEE ALSO: Kindle Scribe Colorsoft: Amazon added color and finally got this e-reader right

While the Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is not a revolutionary design, it is well done and hyper-portable.

The Boox interface has a bit of a learning curve Like a Kindle or smart phone, the Boox Go 6 (Gen II) has a pull down menu to quickly adjust settings. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Boox e-readers are nowhere near as straightforward as Kindle or Kobo. The first time I set up a Boox e-reader, I needed to do some research via YouTube and TikTok tutorials. You'll need to set up a Boox account and use a Google account to access the Google Play Store.

Take the time to play around with display settings to customize your Boox experience. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

It takes some time to play around with the settings and get a sense of how you want your Boox set up. I prefer to use the navigation bar rather than gestures to switch between apps and the library. Other settings to adjust include auto-sleep, front light, and display darkness.

But if you're looking for an e-reader that you can start reading with right out of the box, the Boox won't be it.

Every reading app on one device

If you have books across many different digital apps, a Kindle or Kobo won't cut it since they can only handle books made for those devices or DRM-free/EPUB files. However, you can access all of those digital libraries on the Boox Go 6. Like the Durobo Krono e-reader we previously tested, the Boox Go 6 has the Google Play Store pre-installed, so any app available in the store can be installed on your Boox. That means you have access to all the reading apps, including Kindle, Kobo, Libby, Audible, and more. The only app not available is Apple Books since it is an Android device.

The only reading app not on the Boox Go 6 (Gen II) is Apple Books. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Having tested many e-readers means my digital libraries are spread across different devices and platforms. I'm used to having to switch between my Kindle Paperwhite for one book and a Kobo Libra for another, but having all those libraries on one device is really the dream. Using it is like getting the best of both worlds: It's as flexible as my iPad, but so much easier on my eyes, like a classic e-reader.

The downsides: A sometimes unresponsive screen and freezing

Boox asks a lot of its e-readers without giving them much computing power. I ran a Geekbench 7 test on it, as I would with a tablet or laptop. It scores very low, lower than any tablet I tested, so its performance isn't going to be at lightning speeds; in fact, it'll be a little slow.

The Boox Go 6 runs more slowly than other similar e-readers we've tested, like the Amazon Kindle and Kobo Clara. It can lag between taps, and I do worry about its screen response time. The screen can be finicky and often doesn't register when I'm trying to turn the page. When quickly tapping through pages, the Kindle app stalls on the Boox Go 6, making it unresponsive and requiring a refresh.

So, although it can do much more than a Kindle or Kobo, it is slower than both.

Is the Boox Go 6 (Gen 2) worth it? Switching over from a Kindle? The Boox Go 6 (Gen II) could be for you. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best part of the newest Boox, the Go 6 (Gen II), is its price. At $199.99, it's the same price as the Kindle Paperwhite (which recently saw a price increase) but comes with twice the storage and access to many more apps. The only thing that dampens its value is its performance issues. It's not quite as speedy as competitors, and it needs to refresh more often than we'd like. However, these issues do not affect the Boox Go 6's usability.

But before you commit to buying, know that it will take a little bit of commitment to adjust the Boox's settings to your liking. If that works for you, the Boox is a fantastic alternative to other e-readers. If you want a more straightforward device, go with an Amazon Kindle or Kobo Clara.

It won't shock you that there's a superabundance of interview podcasts and internet series out there. You're probably subscribed to a bunch of content creators (perhaps those who made this year's Mashable 101) or maybe you depend on your feed to hand-deliver the most viral clips. But your time is precious, so we've rounded up the best on the internet this week.

Whether you're into deadpan showdowns, niche hot takes, or simply wholesome interviews between creative minds, here's what we reckon is worth your time (and of course, we'd never leave out Mashable's own Say More, what are you, nuts?).

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators defining the internet in 2026 1. Baby, This is Keke Palmer: Laverne Cox

Emmy-winning actor, producer, podcaster, and author Laverne Cox joined Keke Palmer's podcast this week for a must-watch interview with range. Having released her memoir Transcendent in June, Cox had plenty to talk about from dating her MAGA ex to her two years of celibacy and her constant fight for trans visibility and rights. In one of the most vulnerable conversations in the podcast, Cox reflects on healing from childhood trauma and abuse. It's a powerful, honest must-watch, and a testament to both interviewer and interviewee.

How to watch/listen: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok

2. Gaydar: Anania x MUNA

Are MUNA members Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson "gay, straight, or homophobes"? The Dancing on the Wall artists were put to the test by Gaydar's Anania this week, naming as many trans artists as possible in 10 seconds, unpacking lesbian national anthems and gender dysphoria, and ranking their tattoos. A truly excellent time.

How to watch: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram

3. Say More: Mark Stetson x Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor

Want to watch John Cena take "Choose Your Squad" extremely seriously? Coyote vs. Acme stars Will Forte, John Cena, and Lana Condor joined Mashable executive producer Mark Stetson for the ultimate Looney Tunes showdown on this week's Say More. It's hilariously no-nonsense stuff watching Cena see his top picks (Pepé Le Pew and Granny) swiped by his co-stars. The vengeance is real.

Where to watch: Mashable, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok

4. Royal Court: Brittany Broski x Adam Scott

Brittany Broski and Adam Scott, what an unexpected dream team! In the latest episode of the creator and podcaster's Royal Court, the pair unpack Hokum and being literally shit-scared during horror films, watching Fast Times at Ridgemont High too young, serving up openfaced sandwiches during Party Down, discovering The Twilight Zone as a kid, and more.

How to watch: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok

5. Solid Air: Derrick Gee x Wednesday

Artists nerding out over their favourite tracks with one of the internet's go-to music commentators? Always in. On this week's Solid Air, Derrick Gee sat down at home with Wednesday to dig into the music the North Carolina band loves, from The Seraphims to Vatos Tristes. It's pure music appreciation.

How to watch: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram

6. Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Kenan Thompson

Amy Poehler and Kenan Thompson have walked a similar comedy path, as the latest episode of Good Hang will attest. The Saturday Night Live stars reconnected for Poehler's podcast released Tuesday, with Thompson being the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history — over 22 seasons and counting.

The longtime friends unpacked the art of timing in comedy and life, Thompson's pre-SNL career (including the Mighty Ducks franchise), auditioning for SNL at 23, getting his own writing on SNL with the recurring "Scared Straight" sketch, ice skating on the Rink at Rockefeller Center at 1 a.m. after filming SNL Christmas specials, fanning out over American figure skater Alysa Liu, and more.

And as always, there's a special guest question from Thompson and Poehler's fellow SNL star Maya Rudolph.*

How to watch/listen: YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, sign up for our Trending Now and Top Stories newsletters or get Mashable push alerts to discover the internet's most exciting voices. 

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior Mashable article.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free: Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is unlike any other. Every season of F1 has a number of fascinating storylines to follow, but due to a major set of regulation changes, there's so much uncertainty right now. And uncertainty can lead to exciting racing.

Mercedes looked totally dominant in the early stages of the season, but now McLaren seems to have the edge.

If you are interested in watching F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international open-wheel single-seater racing. A season consists of a series of races held in multiple countries and on multiple continents, either on purpose-built circuits or on closed public roads.

Lando Norris is the defending champion. McLaren won the Constructors Championship in 2025.

When is F1 in 2026?

The 2026 F1 season is the 77th edition of the championship. This year's championship features 24 Grands Prix events held all over the world between March and December:

1. Australian Grand Prix — March 8

2. Chinese Grand Prix — March 15

3. Japanese Grand Prix — March 29

4. Miami Grand Prix — May 3

5. Canadian Grand Prix — May 24

6. Monaco Grand Prix — June 7

7. Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — June 14

8. Austrian Grand Prix — June 28

9. British Grand Prix — July 5

10. Belgian Grand Prix — July 19

11. Hungarian Grand Prix — July 26

12. Dutch Grand Prix — Aug. 23

13. Italian Grand Prix — Sept. 6

14. Spanish Grand Prix — Sept. 13

15. Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Sept. 26

16. Singapore Grand Prix — Oct. 11

17. United States Grand Prix — Oct. 25

18. Mexico City Grand Prix — Nov. 1

19. São Paulo Grand Prix — Nov. 8

20. Las Vegas Grand Prix — Nov. 21

21. Qatar Grand Prix — Nov. 29

22. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Dec. 6

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore GPs will host a sprint race.

How to watch F1 for free

For the first time, Apple TV has made an entire F1 race weekend available for free to viewers in the U.S., with live coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix from June 26–28. Fans can watch every session live on Apple TV — including practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix — with no subscription required.

In the U.S., F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV. If you want access to the whole season, an Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year.

Apple TV Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (7-day free trial) Apple TV comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. This is a sneaky trick, but you could sign up to watch the next F1 race and then cancel your subscription before you need to spend anything. This obviously isn't a long-term fix, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream select F1 race weekends for free. Shop Now Apple TV Prime Video Channel Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel (7-day free trial) Already an Amazon Prime member? You're in luck. You can sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. This lets you watch select F1 races live with the Prime Video app. The subscription typically costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch select races without actually spending anything. Shop Now Apple One Opens in a new window Credit: Apple One Apple One (30-day free trial) Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial. Time it right and this trial could provide access to up to four race weekends for free. You do need to be a new or returning subscriber to each of the included services to get the free trial. Shop Now

It's worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs. This special offer goes live for 90 days after the new device is activated — that's a good chunk of the season.

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Italian GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Italian GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

In the early stages of this F1 season, it looked like Mercedes were going to race away from the competition. Ferrari briefly showed signs of pace, but McLaren has now emerged as the real rival. Norris and Piastri have been climbing the standings in recent weeks, and they'll expect to be fighting for spots on the podium at Monza this weekend.

Kimi Antonelli still tops the standings, but he'll be well aware that Norris is on the verge of winning his third straight GP. Can anyone stop the defending champion?

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Italian GP?

The Italian GP is the 13th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Autodromo Nazionale Monza:

• Practice 1 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 4

• Practice 2 — 10-11 a.m. ET on Sept. 4

• Practice 3 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 5

• Qualifying — 10-11 a.m. ET on Sept. 5

• Race — 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 6

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Italian GP for free

Amazon Prime delivers fast shipping, Prime Day discounts, and access to the Prime Video library. For F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video comes in clutch this season. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you full access to select races for free, including this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. The subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after 7 days, but you can disable automatic renewal in your settings and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

Of course, if you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is questionable. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you're truly spending nothing to stream this weekend's race.

If you've already made use of this hack, you still have a few workarounds:

• Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

• Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

• Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

Naomi Osaka was about to serve at deuce in the second set of her opening-round U.S. Open match, but chair umpire Kader Nouni was looking somewhere else: a luxury suite where a group of attendees appeared to be staging a content shoot.

"Guys, please, in the suite behind me," he said into his microphone. "Thank you guys, please take your seat."

The interruption was brief, and Osaka went on to defeat Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets. Online, however, the moment's momentum was just getting started. The footage circulated alongside other videos and images of creators taking selfies in the stands, drawing a variety of comments calling the spectacle "a South Park episode," declaring that "social media was a mistake," and observing that "The fatigue is real."

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But given how major live events are marketed these days, was any of this really a surprise?

"The worst crowd experience I’ve ever had." This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Creators have been on the U.S. Open’s invite list for years, documenting its fashion, food, celebrity sightings, and courtside culture for audiences who might otherwise have little interest in tennis. In 2025, the United States Tennis Association formalized that relationship by issuing media credentials to 54 creators. This year, it approved around 100, including 20 focused on food and beverages. That does not include creators invited separately by sponsors hosting parties, campaigns, and luxury suites.

USTA CEO Craig Tiley has said he wants the tournament to become "tennis Disneyland." You can see how influencers fit into that vision. An all-day entertainment destination needs people to show off everything there is to do, wear, eat, and drink.

The hope is that someone who comes for the outfit videos and aesthetically pleasing Honey Deuces might stay for the tennis. Players understand the potential. Aryna Sabalenka told Front Office Sports that she loves creators bringing "fresh eyes" to the sport, while Daniil Medvedev said its growing visibility has "a lot more upside than downside." Jessica Pegula has similarly credited influencers with helping tennis experience a "crossover Hollywood moment."

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The tournament’s audience has grown alongside that strategy. The 2025 U.S. Open drew a record 1.14 million attendees, while the USTA said interactions across its social accounts increased from 2.3 billion in 2024 to 3.1 billion in 2025. Those figures do not tell us how much of that growth creators drove, but they help explain why organizers want to keep expanding their reach.

The awkward part comes when the content production starts interfering with the event everyone is supposedly there to promote.

In his SportsVerse newsletter, journalist Daniel-Yaw Miller wrote that he and a friend "could barely focus on the action amid a sea of influencers posing around us for endless fit pics and filming TikToks mid-point." He had encountered a similarly creator-filled suite at a France-Sweden World Cup match earlier that summer.

Another spectator who posted footage under the TikTok handle @katticuspfinch told Inc. that photo shoots were happening around the stadium, including during active play. Having attended the tournament for more than a decade, she described this year’s crowd as "the worst crowd experience I’ve ever had."

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The experiences reflects a broader shift in live sports. The NBA brought more than 200 creators to its 2026 All-Star festivities, while YouTube and FIFA offered behind-the-scenes access at this summer’s World Cup and organized the first YouTube FIFA Creator Cup. Just before the U.S. Open, the ATP held its first Talent Summit, bringing together creators nominated by major social platforms to discuss fandom and sports engagement.

There is plenty of money encouraging those relationships. According to the a 2025 creator economy report, U.S. spending on creator advertising is projected to reach $44 billion in 2026, up from $29.5 billion in 2024. Nearly half of the ad buyers surveyed consider creators a "must buy," behind only social media and paid search.

For brands, the appeal is clear: access to established communities through people those communities already watch. For everyone forced to share both physical and digital space with the resulting campaign, the benefits can be harder to identify.

"My favorite thing about this sport was the silence."

All summer long, I’ve been writing about influencer invasions. In the Hamptons, practically every desirable location seemed to become the site of another sponsored experience. A creator could begin the morning at a branded workout, attend a product launch in the afternoon, and end the night at a yacht party, producing several pieces of aspirational content along the way.

By July, businesses were protesting: A Nantucket shop hung a"No influencers" sign, prompting a heated debate over whether creators bring small businesses valuable attention or make those spaces less enjoyable by treating them like unrestricted sets.

Similar complaints have surfaced around filming in cafes and fitness studios, where other customers may find themselves maneuvering around equipment or appearing in footage they never agreed to be part of.

By the time the U.S. Open began, the brightly lit selfies were arriving in front of an audience already primed to be annoyed. The footage brought several grievances into one frame: conspicuous perks, disruptive behavior, and the feeling that something people cared about had become someone else’s backdrop.

For tennis fans, the interruption also touched a particular nerve. Silence during play is part of the experience. "I’m so overstimulated. Irritated. But mostly sad at what this tournament has become. My favorite thing about this sport was the silence."

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One attendee described a couple arriving after Ben Shelton’s match had begun, photographing their Honey Deuces, looking at their phones, ordering a car back to Manhattan, and leaving before the match ended.

“Why even come and waste the seats, space, tickets, air, if you are showing up for one hour for a photo?!” she asked.

"The influencers are just doing their job"

Faulting (pun-intended) the people holding the phones leaves out everyone who invited them.

"Lowkey blame the brands though, the influencers are just doing their job," one commenter wrote.

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There's some merit to that argument. Creators may be the ones holding the phones, but they're working within a system built by brands and event organizers. Sponsors including Moët & Chandon, Ralph Lauren, Maestro Dobel Tequila, and Grey Goose host guests in elaborate hospitality suites designed to generate attention beyond the court.

Still, the people in those booths should be able to maintain decorum — or at least be briefed on content creation rules before they start filming. As Osaka said in a press conference, “If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport. I feel like it’s common courtesy to read up on the sport. Especially the etiquette."

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Josephine Wong, general manager of creator commerce platform POP.STORE, agrees with Osaka. "Credentialing needs to come with guidelines: what to film, when it’s appropriate, and what level of access actually makes sense for the assignment," Wong said. "The same way any newsroom would brief a reporter."

"Nobody had defined what that suite full of people was supposed to be doing there, so they did the only thing they had a plan for, which was content about themselves," she added.

Morgan Riddle, a fashion and lifestyle creator who built her following by documenting life around professional tennis with her now-ex-boyfriend Taylor Fritz, argued that the behavior is neither unique to the U.S. Open nor limited to professional influencers.

"Every single person who goes to the Open is going to take photos and take content, except maybe the older, die-hard, OG tennis fans," she told Us Weekly.

Riddle described that impulse as part of "the state of the world," pointing out that people increasingly document everything from sporting events to engagements and weddings with an online audience in mind, whether or not they are professional influencers.

In fact, one of the women swept into the U.S. Open backlash was not even there for work. As The Cut reported, one attendee who went viral for the timing of her selfie, Mriganka Chawla, was not in a brand suite and rather attended the match with her fiancé.

Regardless of whether every person swept into the backlash was actually an influencer, the U.S. Open recognized that the underlying behavior was a problem. After the incident, a prominent digital board instructed attendees to "refrain from the use of flash photography or other lighting." The USTA also said it was reminding ticket holders and suite guests through emails, notifications, and signs around the grounds to avoid activities that interfere with play.

Credit: Screenshot: Threads, @patkiernan

Those are sensible steps, but ideally, guests should be properly briefed by brands inviting them before anyone switches on a light during play.

Wong does not believe bringing creators to the tournament was inherently a mistake. "The USTA credentialing close to 100 creators wasn’t the wrong call," Wong told Mashable. "Every major sports property is fighting for attention from audiences who no longer discover events through traditional broadcast."

For Wong, the problem is not whether the person holding the phone is a sports creator or a lifestyle influencer. What matters is whether the creator has something to offer beyond proof that they received an invitation.

"The ring-light disruption during Osaka’s match wasn’t really a creator problem, it was an access-without-purpose problem," Wong said.

That's why the guest list matters. Some of the most notable events in the industry right now are also the most targeted — at an Aug. 26 Hard Court party hosted by newsletter writer Jessica Schiffer, guests included former NCAA tennis champion and creator Ayan Broomfield, Hard Hitting writer Mel Kenny, The Sweat Lookbook writer Lee Glandorf, and other "sports x fashion" writers who gathered to discuss this growing intersection (as per Daniel-Yaw Miller of SportsVerse).

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Many tennis fans (and casual watchers) questioned whether the U.S. Open needs influencers at all when interest is already surging. ESPN’s 2025 coverage was the tournament’s most watched since 2022, with the men’s final audience jumping 82 percent and the women’s rising 50 percent from the previous year. The momentum continued in 2026, when every signature ticketed Fan Week event sold out and registrations for free Fan Access Passes climbed 66 percent.

That question feels even more urgent now that attending the tournament has become so expensive that even hard-core tennis fans can’t afford it. Grounds passes originally priced at $65 were reselling for more than $300 during the tournament’s first week, putting the experience out of reach for many fans.

"It’s maybe not the greatest thing for the real tennis fan because they’ve started getting priced out of the market," former player Patrick McEnroe told Front Office Sports about the surge of influencers at matches. With demand already high and tickets increasingly unaffordable, it’s easy to understand why fans question who receives those coveted seats.

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Of course, I’m a digital culture editor — I know better than anyone how important influencer culture is to brands and the broader social media ecosystem we live in (whether we like it or not). At the U.S. Open, a good post can introduce someone to a lesser-known player, explain a confusing term, or convince them to try a Honey Deuce.

But there’s a difference between inviting people into tennis and turning tennis into a backdrop. Judging by this year’s overwhelming backlash, the U.S. Open may have discovered where that line is.

The release of Grand Theft Auto VI is still months away, but every piece of news about it is revving up the internet. The latest TikTok discourse is whether playing GTA 6 is considered "cheating" if you're in a relationship.

The debate began when it came to light that the game has an optional system that lets players maintain a romantic relationship between the main characters, Jason and Lucia. Beyond completing missions together, players can also text, plan activities, hold hands, and (gasp!) kiss.

SEE ALSO: Could GTA 6 teach Gen Z how to be in a relationship?

The fact that developing Jason and Lucia's relationship is optional didn't stop enraged TikTokkers from taking to the platform to express their discontent about this, and accuse men of cheating on their partners if they play.

"In absolutely no human way is my fiancé playing GTA 6," TikTok user @diaryofasalesgirl posted, and also told other women not to let their partners play, either. "It's cheating btw if he has a girlfriend in GTA 6," another user, @ahhnuska, posted. A third TikTok user, @natalitovarr, even called the game "interactive porn." (None of these creators responded to Mashable's request for comment.)

Mashable spoke to Los Angeles-based sex and couples therapist, Ilana Grines, for the answer, and it's not as simple as these videos make it seem.

What even is cheating, anyway?

There's no one definition of cheating or infidelity. Grines told Mashable over the phone that it's nuanced, and it's actually up to each couple to come up with their own definition. 

"In my clinical definition, infidelity isn't just the presence of romance or sexual content," she explained. "It's much more about what the couple has agreed to, and whether this is something that's being hidden or spoken about," be it anything from flirting to pornography.

It's important to bring it back to the specific couple: Have they talked about it? Have they agreed to specific limits and agreements, whether about the game or otherwise?

But here's the thing: It's not about what cheating means. Couples often get stuck here about what constitutes cheating instead of talking about the behavior underneath it, Grines said. What about the behavior — in this case, going on dates and texting a fictional character — bothers you?

Dig into what specifically feels like cheating, be it emotional time, nudity, sexual interaction, fantasy, or something else. "Once you identify that part that actually hurts, let's negotiate some parameters around that for our relationship," she said.

What the 'GTA 6' debate says about modern relationships

On the GTA 6 matter, Grines said, first and foremost, that she believes the argument is "TikTok bait." (That would make sense, as the most viral videos calling it cheating have been counterbalanced with other enraged people explaining why it's absolutely not cheating.)

But even beyond the virality, the thought that it's cheating says something about modern relationships. 

We're going into unknown territory, Grines said, not just with video games, but with technology like AI chatbots. Sex and couples therapy in the age of AI is a big topic of conversation for her right now, and while GTA 6 is very different from interacting with a bot that can respond directly to you, the throughline is that couples are engaging in things we don't have relational scripts for. 

"We are trying to catch up to a world that's rapidly changing, and it's really important to have conversations about it, not only with ourselves but with our partners," she said. 

Because we're in relationships alongside the emergence of new technology, it brings about feelings we may not have the language to talk about. We might jump to saying something is cheating when, really, we're talking about something else.

If your boyfriend, as Jason, has to text Lucia back, and he does, and that bothers you because your boyfriend doesn't text you back, are you really talking about the game? "Or are we talking about our own pain points, our own injuries that are not about a fictional romance, rather our own romance," Grines said. 

Talking about the game may be easier than talking about your relationship. After falling down the "is GTA 6 cheating" TikTok rabbit hole, Grines's understanding is that the people calling the game "cheating" were really picking up their own sources of hurt and translating them through the game, and not having the ability to say what they want to work on in the relationship. 

Grines's advice for those people is to talk about the game before it comes out and to recognize that their feelings aren't ridiculous. But if you're not able to have a conversation before the game releases, she does think it could create relationship problems. 

So…is 'GTA 6' cheating?

On the direct question of whether GTA 6 is cheating, Grines wouldn't inherently consider it that way. Though again, it depends on what each couple agrees to.

But, also, a growing trend over the last few years (in my opinion, not Grines's), is that cheating has become the ultimate crime. It seems that every few months, the internet comes out with its pitchforks (fingers) to vilify people who appear to be committing infidelity, as in the 2025 Coldplay concert scandal and the more recent viral kiss between lawyers in Central Park.

Cheating is typically considered wrong in monogamous couples (and even non-monogamous people can cheat, depending on the relationship's agreement), but the way social media goes after people whom the majority believes are cheating has become absurd. They try — and often succeed — in getting them fired from their jobs. They might get their homes doxxed online. They and their families are harassed.

The internet has done similar to those for actions that are not acts of betrayal, like cheating, but the mob mentality continues to confound. And cheating isn't illegal! Maybe it's increased moralization. Maybe it's schadenfreude. Maybe it's boredom. Whatever it is, this frenzy over whether texting a pixelated woman is cheating might stem from this pattern.

On the increased moralization of cheating, Grines said, we have a need to "insert ourselves into other people's relationships and cast judgment when we have no knowledge of them."

"We live in a generation where things that feel really big are not spoken about in a way of recovery, [but] rather in a way of shame," she continued, "and shame doesn't allow for us to actually make changes."

So, is GTA 6 cheating? Neither Grines nor I think so. But the debate itself is masking something a lot deeper.