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Now more than ever, Spotify's newest feature will make you feel like a professional DJ.

You've already got the perfect playlist, now Spotify lets you add and customize transitions between songs. On Tuesday, Spotify launched a beta version for Premium users to add song transitions.

SEE ALSO: OMG: Spotify lossless might actually be coming soon

There's now a mix button in the playlist toolbar that lets you mix songs for a seamless transition. You can hit Auto and let Spotify do the mixing for you, or can you choose presets like Fade or Rise to apply different transition styles. If you want to get even more technical, Spotify lets you set the volume, EQ (equalizer), and effects with the waveform visual and beats information. Tapping Mix on the playlist automatically shows BPMs and keys to help you mix smooth transitions between songs.

Tap Mix to add or customize song transitions on your playlists. Credit: Spotify

This is the latest feature from Spotify that gives users more control over their listening habits. Over the past few months, Spotify has launched the ability to customize genres for their Discover Weekly playlists, and customize their queues with shuffle and sleep timer options. Spotify's AI-powered DJ also now takes song requests.

The steady drumbeat of more and more algorithmic recommendations has polarized Spotify users. Some love that the app automatically chooses music for them based on their preferences, while others feel like the recommendations are annoying and inhibit them from discovering new artists on their own.

New features geared around giving users more control, or perhaps the illusion of control, might help to balance out these frustrations that have driven users to quit the app.

Transitions are rolling out to Spotify Premium users today, so paying users can see for themselves how it feels to be the master of their song transitions.

SAVE $50: The Apple iPad 11-inch (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale at Amazon for $299, down from the list price of $349. That's a 14% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 11-inch (WiFi, 128GB) $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50 Get Deal

We're full-on into back-to-school season now, which means it's time to take stock of what items you still need to help with a successful year. For many students, regardless of age, a tablet is an awesome addition for both studying and relaxing. Even if you're not heading to the classroom this year, now is a great time to score a discount on one of Apple's best tablets.

As of Aug. 19, the Apple iPad 11-inch (WiFi, 128GB) is on sale for $299 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $349. That shaves $50 off the price thanks to the 14% discount. Plus, you can choose from blue, yellow, pink, and silver to score this sale price.

On the list of the best iPads, Mashable's top pick for a budget model is the Apple iPad 11-inch. Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino wrote, "Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro, it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop, but don't want to spend a ton of money." Mangino also highlights this is a great model for parents to snag for their kids thanks to the affordable price.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods 4 are back under $100 at Amazon — save $30 for a limited time

The iPad measures 10.9 inches which is a great middle-ground between a laptop and a cellphone. You'll be able to draw, draft, and stream shows with this size without it overtaking your bag or being so tiny that you'll need to find your reading glasses. Plus, its 500 nits of brightness make it pretty nice for using outside.

If you feel like getting fancy with the iPad, you can pair it with the Apple Pencil or the Magic Keyboard Folio to make a laptop-esque experience.

While it's still on sale for $299, snag the Apple iPad 11-inch at Amazon and watch Wednesday on a more deserving screen than your phone. Come time to study, it'll be great for reviewing lecture notes.

Colin Farrell goes all in with the trailer for Conclave director Edward Berger's upcoming film Ballad of a Small Player.

Set to premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the movie sees The Penguin star as Lord Doyle, a man who gambles every night in Macau's casinos, falling further into debt but lapping up every luxury and fistful of lobster while he can.

Fresh from The End and Problemista, Tilda Swinton is hot on Doyle's heels as private investigator Cynthia Blithe. Could a helping hand from an enigmatic casino employee Dao Ming (Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire star Fala Chen) get him out of this mess? Perhaps, if her own secrets don't catch up to her first.

With the most dramatic version of Andrea True's "More, More, More," you've ever heard, the Ballad of a Small Player trailer promises high stakes, big bets, and a hotel room-bound descent into madness.

Ballad of a Small Player will premiere at TIFF on Sept. 8, before hitting select U.S. cinemas Oct. 15 and streaming on Oct. 29.

SAVE $99.01: As of Aug. 19, get the Apple iPad (10th Gen) for $399.99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual price of $499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple iPad (10th Gen) $399.99 at Amazon
$499 Save $99.01 Get Deal

It's never a bad time to get a tablet. It's officially time to head back to school, so make sure you or your kids are equipped with a great device to kick off the year. And if you've already prepped for that, maybe just treat yourself or the family to an iPad that won't break the bank as much as some of the newer models might at present.

As of Aug. 19, get the Apple iPad (10th Gen) for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $499. That's $99.01 off and a discount of 20% on list price.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?

This isn't the latest and greatest iPad by any means, but that doesn't mean it's a slouch, not by a long shot. It's actually been discontinued, which means it's not officially listed as up for grabs via the official Apple website, but it's still obtainable through third-party retailers lke Amazon, where it frequently goes on sale.

This is a thin, lightweight, and sleek iPad design that boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It uses the A14 Bionic chip for impressive performance and multitasking that can power you through just about any use case, whether that's gaming, watching your favorite shows and movies, or getting some work done on the go.

It's perfect for hanging out in meetings and Zoom calls as well, and if you have virtual classes to attend, it can facilitate that too with its 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and 12MP back camera with 4K video support.

There's a lot to love about this older model, especially the price, so grab one while it's still in stock.

Adobe has just released a major new update for its Acrobat viewer and editor that adds 'Acrobat Studio,' a new platform that combines the PDF app with Adobe Express' creation features. It turns Acrobat into an AI-powered database and creation tool using your piles of PDF files.

We've all been there: You sent a text message that you instantly regretted, either because it was sent to the wrong person, or you had a change of heart. Now, Android users can fix their mistakes.

As initially spotted by Android Authority, the ability to unsend text messages after they've been fired off into the ether is rolling out widely to Android users. Simply highlight a text you sent, tap the trashcan icon, and you can either choose to delete the message just for yourself, or for everyone else in the chat.

SEE ALSO: Messages between Android, iPhones could get end-to-end encryption soon

Android Authority noted that this was coming all the way back in February, but it seems to be available to the general public now. For those keeping score at home, this is a very rare instance of Apple having done something in iOS before Google could do it in Android; iOS users have had the ability to edit and unsend text messages for a while now.

That said, it's not a competition, and this feature will help you avoid some very awkward conversations. As always, the best way to prevent bad situations it to not send the questionable text in the first place.

What's your most important feature or specification when buying a new phone? Chances are, it's a big screen, cameras, or storage, and you rarely think about charging speed. Most phones have some type of "fast charging" technology, and we all take it for granted, but it changed how I use my phone.

More information about the massive Allianz Life data breach has reportedly been revealed and it is decidedly not good. Like very not good.

The data breach notification site Have I Been Pwned reported that 1.1 million customers had their data stolen from Allianz Life, which is a major insurance provider. The data in question included email addresses, names, genders, dates of birth, phone numbers and physical addresses. At least some social security numbers were breached as well.

Allianz Life has not confirmed Have I been Pwned's number of customers affected by the breach, but the new info tracks with the relatively limited details shared by the company so far.

"On July 16, 2025, a malicious threat actor gained access to a third-party, cloud-based [customer relationship management] system used by Allianz Life,” Allianz Life spokesperson Brett Weinberg told TechCrunch in July. "The threat actor was able to obtain personally identifiable data related to the majority of Allianz Life’s customers, financial professionals, and select Allianz Life employees, using a social engineering technique."

It's never good when the "majority" of your customers are affected and now it seems we have a possible figure of 1.1 million.

If you're a customer of the insurance company, it feels safe to assume your info has been breached. Update your passwords accordingly.

If you’re not yet familiar with POCO smartphones, you want to be. As Xiaomi’s spinoff brand, POCO is a global go-to for sleek Android phones with top specs, standout battery life, brilliant displays, and prices that still let you indulge in your daily iced-matcha fix.

Now that POCO is getting more notice in the market, maybe it’s time you got dialed in. And there’s no better place to get in on the POCO buzz — and deals — than the brand’s virtual Carnival event, Aug. 13 – 27.

POCO’s sizzling phone lineup works with T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Tello in the US, and the brand’s ethos of “everything you need, nothing you don’t” will strike a chord with anyone who wants a solid and incredibly affordable phone for everyday use, gaming, and streaming.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the fun and deals to be had during the POCO 2025 event. 

Play interactive games and win cool prizes

POCO Carnival will offer massive price slashes on the brand’s latest and most popular smartphones — including the POCO F7*, F7 Ultra*, F7 Pro*, X7*, X7 Pro*, and new M7* — but the online celebration is also packed with immersive fan experiences and giveaways on Facebook and X you don’t want to miss. Other than the deals, POCO Carnival aims to connect its community through engaging social media challenges, interactive contests, and special rewards for loyal fans.

Credit: POCO

From Aug. 14, the Ride Bold Challenge invites fans to tackle a word puzzle packed with POCO-related keywords and a visual hunt for POCO’s virtual avatar Rydr hidden in graphic art. Starting Aug. 20, Win Loud – #MyPOCO7Years celebrates POCO’s 7th anniversary by inviting fans to share their favorite memories — from their first POCO phone to their boldest adventures — for a chance to win exclusive souvenirs.

And, of course, all of the fun is complemented by sweet deals on select POCO smartphones.

The POCO F7 Ultra is a premium device at a killer price Opens in a new window Credit: POCO F7 Ultra From $509 during POCO Carnival Get Deal

With a starting price of $509 during Carnival, the F7 Ultra is a mighty beast that’s priced right. As the first Ultra model in the flagship line, F7 Ultra's biggest flex may be its Snapdragon® 8 Elite processor, while the 5,300mAh battery, paired with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, will give you a full day of play on a single charge.

Add in the 50-megapixel triple camera and 60-millimeter floating telephoto camera and this device will do you right. The banana-yellow color is particularly grabbable.

The POCO F7 Pro is a slick gadget with a potent chipset Opens in a new window Credit: POCO F7 Pro From $379 during POCO Carnival Get Deal

If you want flagship-tier power, excellent battery life, and a gorgeous display without blowing your budget, the POCO F7 Pro delivers on all fronts. The Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 chip tackles everyday tasks with ease, and the 2K 120Hz AMOLED display is a joy to look at. The massive 6,000mAh battery is also boosted by 90W HyperCharge capabilities for fast juicing. 

Aesthetics are another perk here, as the F7 Pro’s sleek, symmetrical curves feel great in your hand. Nab one starting at just $379 during POCO Carnival. 

POCO X7 Pro slays as a phone and gaming device Opens in a new window Credit: POCO X7 Pro From $259 during POCO Carnival Get Deal

Starting at an eye-popping $259 during POCO Carnival, the POCO X7 Pro offers speedy performance, solid build quality, and a sharp screen, delivering the specs you want at a very doable price. The Dimensity 8400-Ultra chipset’s blazing-fast performance and gaming capabilities seem like they’re worth more than the sticker price alone.

The device’s sharp CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED display is capable of a 120Hz refresh rate, and ultra-slim bezels enhance your viewing pleasure even more. From pocket gaming to watching shows and scrolling cat videos, the screen’s punchy colors and pure blacks sing. 

The new POCO M7 packs a dreamy screen, starting at $129 Opens in a new window Credit: POCO M7 From $129 during POCO Carnival Get Deal

If you’re big on entertainment specs, the POCO M7 launches at Carnival this year and will be unbelievably priced at $129 for the event. Don’t let the cost fool you — the Snapdragon® 685 chip (expandable up to 16GB RAM) is ready for tasking, gaming, and streaming galore. But it’s the 6.9-inch FHD+ display with up to a 144Hz refresh rate that really wows. This is the largest wide-screen display in POCO's M-series, and a steal at this price.

Also worth noting is the 7,000mAh battery, which is the largest battery you can get in a US-compatible POCO phone. 

POCO F7: Flagship power with unstoppable stamina Opens in a new window Credit: POCO F7 From $339 during POCO Carnival Get Deal

If you want supreme performance and a display that wows, the POCO F7 delivers on all fronts. The Snapdragon® 8s Gen 4 chip handles everything effortlessly, while the 6.83" 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display with ultra-slim bezels makes every scroll and stream immersive. Snap sharper with the 50MP Sony camera with OIS and go all day with the massive 6500mAh battery boosted by 90W HyperCharge. IP68 dust and water resistance adds premium durability.

Nab one starting at $339 during POCO Carnival.

The POCO X7 combines speed, stamina, and style in one Opens in a new window Credit: POCO X7 From $209 during POCO Carnival Get Deal

Starting at $209 during POCO Carnival, the POCO X7 is a device that won’t slow you down. The Dimensity 7300-Ultra 4nm processor with 5G readiness powers through multitasking, while the CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED curved display and 50MP main camera with OIS deliver clarity at every glance. A 5110mAh battery gives up to 15 hours of continuous use, and IP68 dust and water resistance keeps it ready for any adventure.

If you’re looking for a slick flagship phone that won’t blow your budget, check out POCO Carnival, happening Aug. 13 – 27. In addition to fun games and prizes, you can get way more bang for your buck.

*Pricing is shown in USD, the currency may vary by region. Availability may vary by region. Consumers can visit mi.com with a coupon code POCO7TH or local e-commerce platforms for more details on the discounts and bundles. The discount details, such as amount, usage time, and requirements, may differ. Please check the specific Mi Store for each region.

TL;DR: Live stream Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage looms on the horizon for the remaining sides battling it out in the playoffs. Rangers have already progressed through two tough matchups against Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzeň, and it's not getting any easier. Next they face Club Brugge at Ibrox Stadium.

If you want to watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Rangers vs. Club Brugge?

Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Aug. 19. This fixture takes place at Ibrox Stadium.

How to watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge for free

Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

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

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

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

5. Watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Rangers vs. Club Brugge on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Stream Rangers vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

The internet has a bot problem, and it's had it for a long time. One solution is the "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart" or CAPTCHA. You know, those little tests you have to do sometimes to open a site or complete a transaction.

Apple has a new iOS beta for developers — iOS 26 beta 7. And if you have an Apple developer account, beta 7 is available now.

While this particular beta comes pretty late in the cycle — it's the seventh developer beta for iOS 26, launched alongside the fourth public iOS 26 beta — it still comes with a couple of notable new features.

Blood Oxygen Measurement

Perhaps most importantly, the new beta (alongside watchOS 26 beta 7), now supports (via 9to5Mac) Apple's blood oxygen measurement in the U.S., a feature that was disabled due to a years-long patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo. The feature was re-launched in iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 a few days ago, and has now been brought to the new iOS 26 betas, too.

For the feature to work, you must have a n Apple Watch Series 9 or 10, or an Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Toggle Adaptive Power Notifications

Another new feature is the ability to toggle Adaptive Power Notifications. Prior to this beta, you could only set Adaptive Power to on or off, but now you can also choose whether you want to get notified that the phone has made performance adjustments to conserve battery life.

This feature is available in Settings > Battery > Power Mode.

Filter messages by drafts

Finally, if you go to Messages and tap the three-lines icon in the upper right corner, you'll now be able to filter your Messages by Drafts.

That's pretty much it for now as far as new features go, though other undocumented new features may surface as users dig into the release.

Screenshots bug fixed

MacRumors reports that this release also fixed a bug that resulted in screenshots being too dark.

How to install the new beta

As always, keep in mind that this is a developer beta, meaning it should only be installed if you have a backup of you're phone and you're ready to encounter bugs. For instructions on how to try it out, check out Mashable's guide to iOS 26 or head to Apple's beta portal.

Nanoleaf has just announced the release of the Nanoleaf 4D V2, an upgraded version of its screen mirror and lightstrip kit. This new kit comes with a re-engineered lightstrip and camera system that gives a much better screen mirroring experience, and the size of the strip can be modified with ease.

Power banks are fine when you need to recharge some of your mobile devices on the go, but when you go completely off-grid and you have more serious power needs, you need something better. If you haven't bought yourself a power station, this Anker one can go from 0 to 100% faster than your small power bank.

Thunderbird is rolling out its v142.0 and v128.14 ESR updates starting today, with the monthly release now being the default download option for everyone. The v142 update brings a few great new features and fixes, and the ESR has some important security updates.

There’s more to animation than American cartoons and Japanese anime. Given the popularity of shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and movies like Spirited Away, it's easy to think that the medium is that binary. Some audiences may forget that incredible animated films are being made worldwide.

The first thing I remember about joining Facebook is my brother telling me it was for college students only. He had gone off to school and was annoyed to see his little brother on the newfangled social media site.

If you know anything about Facebook's history — or, hell, have even seen The Social Network — then you know it launched in 2004 as a social media site focused on connecting college students. At first, it was limited to Harvard, then it went to other colleges. It made Facebook an online Rolodex of sorts for college kids, complete with lists of interests, groups to join, and contact info.

In just a few years, however, Facebook opened up to everyone and everything changed. Now, in 2025, it seems TikTok is trying to recreate some of that '04 Facebook functionality. It announced a new feature on Tuesday morning called Campus Verification, just in time for the new school year. It makes sense, considering a 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that roughly six-in-ten teens say they use TikTok regularly.

SEE ALSO: TikTok rule changes are coming for creators and commenters

In a press release, TikTok called it "a new feature that lets students confirm their enrollment, connect with classmates, and turn TikTok into a hub for real-world connections and belonging on campus." In practice, it'll allow students to add their college to their profile, browse the school's page, filter by graduation year, and see which of their peers are most followed.

It'll be a simpler, easier way to 1.) confirm where you go to school and 2.) find others who attend the same college who may have similar interests. Here's a look at what it looks like, via TikTok.

Credit: TikTok

TikTok is rolling out the feature to 6,000 U.S. universities through a partnership with UNiDAYS, which is a student verification platform. The tool should work pretty simply: All you need to do is click "add school" on your TikTok profile and follow the steps.

Obviously, Campus Verification is not exactly like old-school Facebook, but it does provide a lot of the same utility. Everything that's old comes back around.

Sharing some of its underlying DNA with the popular RAV4, this luxury SUV takes the formula to a whole new level. From the moment you step inside, the difference is clear, plush materials, hushed cabin acoustics, and an attention to detail that elevates every drive.

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is available to purchase for $299 on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $299 at Amazon
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DJI is one of the biggest names in drones, with a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots. The DJI product range is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were surprised to see the DJI Mini 4K drone as one of the best-sellers in recent months. We knew these drones were popular, but surely not as popular as AirPods?

Then the real reason hit us like a drone to the head.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't actually order a full ban on Chinese-made drones (yet), but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been doing the rounds for a while now. That uncertainty is clearly causing an uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The good news is that you can still find the DJI Mini 4K drone on Amazon, listed for $299 right now. This popular drone is being sold by Fly Image Tech at the time of writing. We generally don't recommend third-party sellers, but they have decent reviews and times are tough right now. We'll take what we can get at this point. We're not going to quibble over the details.

The DJI Mini 4K is full of helpful features for beginners and advanced users alike. It has a one-tap takeoff function and a helpful return to home feature. But perhaps most importantly for content creators is the three-axis gimbal and 4K quality, as well as advanced wind resistance and extended battery life. It's a step up from the DJI Neo Mini 4K that we think creators will appreciate.

Get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $300 at Amazon.

Skype has been around for more than half of my life, and for a long time, to make a video call was to "Skype" someone. But now, Skype is officially dead and gone, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.