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After setting up a NAS, it is easy to assume that your data is protected because the storage pool has redundancy, snapshots are enabled, or another NAS is receiving copies of your files. Those features can protect against particular failures, but they do not prove that your backup can be restored when you need it.

TL;DR: Backbone is celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary with a limited-edition Backbone Pro controller, available in three heritage-inspired colorways — crystal clear, iconic blue, and bold orange — sold as a blind box, so buyers won't know which color they're getting until they open it. It ships Oct. 20 for $159.99 and is available for preorder through Backbone and Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Backbone Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition $159.99 at Backbone
  Pre-order Here

Backbone's marking Xbox's 25th birthday with a controller that comes down to pure luck — you won't know which color you're getting until you open the box. The Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition is a limited-run mobile controller built around Xbox's design history.

The anniversary edition comes in three heritage-inspired colorways: crystal clear, iconic blue, and bold orange, each referencing the early era of Xbox hardware, back when consoles and controllers felt like things worth collecting and showing off. You can't choose your colorway in advance, and it's only available while supplies last.

Credit: Backbone

The controller's built to work well beyond your console. It supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, so you can stream games from anywhere, and it comes with one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for eligible new subscribers, unlocking access to hundreds of titles right out of the box. If you'd rather stick to your existing console library, Xbox Remote Play lets you stream your own games directly from your Xbox instead. Either way, you're set up to play games like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 6, and Minecraft from day one.

Underneath the nostalgic packaging, this is still a Backbone Pro controller, so you're getting the same premium build the line's known for. That includes full-size ALPS joysticks, re-mappable rear buttons, and laser-etched grips built for comfort and precision. You can connect via USB-C for low-latency, wired play, or go wireless over Bluetooth to use it with tablets, laptops, VR headsets, or smart TVs, with up to 40 hours of battery life on a charge.

The Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition starts shipping Oct. 20 for $159.99. It'll be sold in limited quantities through preorders from Backbone and Best Buy, with availability limited to the regions Backbone normally ships to.

The end of Google Assistant is in sight. Starting on September 3, 2026, Google Assistant will be discontinued on some devices. While the rollout will happen over several weeks, if you use Google Assistant, there are some things you should do before Google Assistant completely disappears.

Are electric dirt bikes finally ready to replace traditional gas-powered machines? We explore the rapid rise of e-motos and compare them with gas dirt bikes. Featuring the Segway Xaber 300 and real-world racing insights from events like the Red Bull Erzberg Rocket Ride, we cover both the game-changing advantages and current limitations, like range and charging infrastructure. Are you sticking with gas forever, or are you ready to make the switch to electric?

Pocket eReaders (aka a "purse Kindle") like the Xteink X4 have gone viral for good reason: there's an allure to having your favorite eBooks on hand in an extremely easy-to-carry form. To me, however, Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the ideal pocket eReader.

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.

So, 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 holds an annual September iPhone launch event, and we fully expect the iPhone Ultra to be announced at this upcoming event.

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. However, while Apple traditionally releases all of its new iPhones in September, the Ultra might not be ready right away.

A tech analyst named Tim Long recently claimed that shipments of the iPhone Ultra will begin in December of this year, not September, though 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.

Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone Ultra might follow the trajectory of the iPhone X, which was announced in September 2017 but took about a month and a half to actually hit the market.

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And most recently, a report out of Australia (via the Chinese supply chain) claimed that the iPhone Ultra will be available right after launch in the U.S., but might get rolled out to other markets a bit later.

Given the ongoing global memory shortage, last-minute delays are always possible, so we'll have to wait and see.

What's the iOS 27 beta telling 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 now, with the first iOS 27 developer beta, we have 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 iPhone Ultra specs look like? What would you want to see in a foldable iPhone design? Let us know in the comments. Credit: Zain bin Awais / Mashable

The iPhone Ultra remains a mystery to some extent, of course, but we do have a very rough idea of what it could offer. Based on all the rumors and leaks, the iPhone Ultra will have a wider design than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the impressive Motorola Fold.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman predicts that 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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In fact, 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.

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

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 without a visible crease. 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. We heard another rumor in September 2025, which claimed the iPhone Ultra would look like two iPhone Airs put together, with a similar thickness of 5.6mm. Why the discrepancy between the two reports? It could be the difference between the device's thickness when folded and unfolded.

There's also talk about Apple using innovative tech to make the iPhone Ultra lighter and more durable than most foldables. These rumors include a report that the company 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 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.

With reports piling in, and most of them pointing to the "Ultra" name, we're going to use that until Apple officially tells us what the phone is called.

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. That's in line with expectations in a new report from International Data Corporation (IDC). 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.

Despite the sizable cost (the flagship Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is priced at $1,999.99), sales expectations remain high. The IDC report estimated Apple would siphon one-third of the spending in the foldable market in 2026.

"But the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400,” read the report.

In March, Mark Gurman claimed that Apple could classify the iPhone Ultra as an "Ultra" product (no surprise there), putting it in a higher price tier than other devices in its portfolio alongside other high-end machines like the Apple Watch Ultra. If the phone ends up costing at least $2,000 as expected, this would make sense.

The latest iPhone Ultra leaks

In December 2025, we saw lots of alleged iPhone Ultra renders circulating on social media, which all share a similar design. We'd take these with a grain of salt, of course.

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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 line up with earlier reports of the overall look of the phone.

More recently, Apple leaker Sonny Dickson 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 a dummy unit.

What about the cameras and battery?

Instant Digital makes some interesting claims. Most notably, the report says 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.)

"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."

The post 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 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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The Moon is so close to its full phase, so on a clear night, visibility should be very good. Keep reading to find out what you might be able see on its surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase, with 92% of its surface visible.

Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Mares Vaporum and Tranquillitatis, and Fecunditatis. Binoculars will help you see these, plus the the Clavius Crater, the Mare Frigoris and the Mare Nectaris. Plus, if you have a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 11, 14 and 17 landing spots.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month as it moves through its different phases. It takes roughly 29.5 days for the Moon to complete one full cycle as it orbits Earth, according to NASA. The phase we see depends on the Moon's position relative to the Sun and Earth, which determines how much of its sunlit side is visible to us. Over the course of the cycle, the Moon changes from a slim crescent to a half Moon and eventually a Full Moon, before beginning the process again.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Windows 11 does most of what I need it to do, but I've never been completely happy with some of its interface decisions. The taskbar feels too big and prominent, the Start menu shows me things I don't want, and I've grown tired of Windows putting familiar controls behind extra clicks.

SAVE $70: As of Aug. 25, the Govee Torchiere Floor Lamp is down to $79.99 at Amazon. That's 47% off its $149.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee Torchiere Floor Lamp $79.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $70.00   Get Deal

The Govee Torchiere Floor Lamp is down to its best-ever price: $79.99 at Amazon. That's a 47% discount, saving you $70.

What makes this lamp stand out is the way it splits the light into zones you can control separately. The head tilts and rotates (330° side to side, 60° up and down), so you can bounce light off the ceiling for a soft glow across the whole room, or aim it more directly for task lighting.

For mood-lighting, there are 77 preset scenes to choose from, so you're not stuck manually picking colors every time you want something different. There are also six modes built specifically for syncing with music, making it a solid pick if you want your lighting to react to whatever you're playing at a party or during a movie night.

SEE ALSO: New Apple HomePods with AI are coming. Everything we know.

It works with every smart home setup since it's Matter-certified, meaning it integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit without extra gear. You can also link it up with other Govee lights, up to five of them within about 100 feet, so they can all sync colors and effects together across a room.

Setup is simple, too. The wires run through the poles, so you're just snapping pieces together, no tools needed. And the base is weighted, so it won't tip over even if you've got it sitting on carpet.

Get the Govee Torchiere Floor Lamp now for $79.99 at Amazon.

SAVE $50: As of Aug. 25, the Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit & Heater is down to $404.99 with the on-page coupon at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Fireside360 $404.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $95   Get Deal

The Ninja Fireside360 Fire Pit and Heater is down to its best-ever price: $404.99 at Amazon, thanks to an on-page coupon.

The fire pit delivers up to 80,000 BTUs of heat and offers three ways to use it — flame, heat, or both at once — while keeping smoke out of your eyes thanks to its smokeless design. Because it runs on propane instead of wood, there's no ash to clean up afterward and no smoke getting in your eyes or clinging to your clothes. It's built to be safe on grass, stone, or wood decking, so you don't have to stress about where you set it up.

Starting the Fireside360 is just a dial: turn it to ignite, adjust the flame height or heat level, and shut it off when you're done — instant on, instant off.

It's also built to handle sitting outside in all four seasons, and it comes with everything you need to get going out of the box: ceramic rocks for an authentic look, a quick start guide, and a battery, so there's no last-minute run to the store before your first fire.

Grab the Ninja Fireside360 for $404.99 at Amazon by selecting the on-page coupon.

The billions of music enjoyers around the world are flush with streaming options thanks to platforms like Apple Music, YouTube Music, and the green monarch that rules above them all: Spotify. The streaming giant used to be my app of choice for all my music needs, too, but I happily abandoned Spotify years ago in favor of Tidal, another strong contender in the space.

TL;DR: Cadence just launched limited-edition Cosmo Capsules — a sparkling pink take on its refillable storage system — in small ($15), medium ($24), and large ($38) sizes, starting Aug. 25.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cadence Cadence Cosmo Capsules   Shop Now

Cadence just gave its cult-favorite Capsule System a cocktail-inspired makeover.

Starting Aug. 25, the brand is launching limited-edition Cosmo Capsules — a sparkling pink colorway inspired by the Cosmopolitan cocktail and, as Cadence puts it, the people who made the drink a symbol of confidence, independence, and having a little fun. The capsules are available now in small ($15), medium ($24), and large ($38) sizes at Cadence online.

Credit: Cadence

If you're new to Cadence's Capsule System, it's a set of refillable containers for your everyday stuff — shampoo, skincare, pills, jewelry, whatever you need to keep organized. Each capsule snaps together magnetically in a hexagon shape, so you can build your own little grid at home or pack it up for travel. You can also add labeled magnetic tiles so you always know what's in each one.

The Cosmo Capsules keep everything people already love about the system. They're TSA-compliant, so airport security won't give you any trouble, and they've got a patented seal that keeps them leakproof no matter what's inside. They can survive a rough drop in your luggage, and when they need a wash, just toss them on the top rack of your dishwasher.

SEE ALSO: Cadence's 'World Cup' travel pods show team spirit without being cringe — on sale now

They're also BPA-free and leach-free, and made with 20% ocean-bound plastic and 30% reprocessed scrap material, so there's some sustainability built into the sparkly pink finish. Since they magnetize on all six sides, you can stack them, line them up side by side, or arrange them however works best for your space.

Cosmo purist or not, this limited-edition pink drop is a cute one to snag before it's gone.

TL;DR: Starbucks' iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) officially returns on Tuesday, Aug. 25, along with an expanded lineup of new drinks like the Iced Banana Bread Latte and Chaider.

If you've been in any department store lately, you've probably noticed pumpkins, faux leaves, and Halloween decorations are already stocked on the shelves.

Now, Starbucks is joining the madness. The coffee giant just announced that it's bringing its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) back to the menu on Aug. 25, along with an expanded lineup of brand-new seasonal drinks. (I could honestly go the rest of my life without tasting another pumpkin spice anything, but to each their own.) Of course, if you can't wait until late August, the pumpkin creamers are already in grocery aisles at Target and other retailers.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks is bringing back the Unicorn Frappuccino (but only for one weekend)

Here's what you can expect to see on Starbucks' 2026 fall menu:

• Pumpkin faves: You can get the PSL hot, iced, or blended, or order one of Starbucks' other pumpkin-inspired drinks like the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, or the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. New additions to its pumpkin lineup include the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Pumpkin Spice Chai, and the Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha.

• Pecan is back: Returning favorites include the Pecan Cortado, Iced Pecan Crunch Latte, and the Pecan Crunch Latte.

• Banana bread is making a cameo: Starbucks is introducing the Iced Banana Bread Latte and Iced Banana Bread Chai to its menu.

• Chaider is the new cider: The Chaider is a cider-inspired twist on chai. It's supposed to taste like autumn in a cup.

• Food and sweet treats: The food menu will also include a Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket, Hedgehog Cake Pop, and, of course, the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin.

According to new data compiled by Yelp, PSL season has kicked off earlier than ever this year. Apparently, internet searches for "pumpkin spice latte" and "pumpkin latte" increased by 301 percent and 256 percent, respectively, in July. July! (I credit all the Gilmore girlies and my sister for these stats.)

This is ridiculous. I wrote about this in 2016 — premature pumpkin spicing should be a crime. But now we've got silly little "pre" holidays like "Summerween" and "Augtober." Call me old-fashioned, but I cannot stand it when marketing teams try to rush my seasons through. I like to enjoy each season as the universe intended: late August is for squeezing out the last drops of summer, not sweating into a wool sweater while sipping liquid nutmeg.

PowerToys 0.101 is officially here, and it brings the most meaningful set of new additions to the toolkit in a while. The utility suite has received incremental improvements and stability fixes since the April 2026 update. With the newest update, six tools across PowerToys get notable changes spanning window management, display control, clipboard AI, and more.

As part of Gamescom 2026, ASUS has finally announced the release date, pricing, and preorder availability for the special edition ROG XBOX Ally X20 gaming handheld, and there's some good news alongside the expected pain point. Yes, the ultimate handheld celebrating 20 years of Republic of Gamers and 25 years of XBOX is just as expensive as we knew it would be, but ASUS is no longer forcing us to pay even more for bundled AR glasses many people won't want.

Ikea has embraced smart home tech—so much so that it is becoming one of the more interesting tech companies. I've bought quite a few IKEA gadgets over the past year, and now that I have firsthand experience, let me tell you which ones I would buy again.

Asus revealed pricing for the standalone version of its ROG Xbox Ally X20 today at Gamescom, Europe's biggest video game expo. The special-edition OLED gaming handheld will cost $1,299.99, or $300 more than last year's original Xbox Ally X.

Shoppers can also purchase the Xbox Ally X20 as part of a $2,499.99 AR glasses bundle. Asus was initially only planning on selling the Xbox Ally X20 in this bundle form, but changed its mind over the summer.

Preorders for the standalone and bundled Xbox Ally X20 are now live at Best Buy and on Asus' website, with a launch date for both set for Oct. 15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 $1,299.99 at Best Buy
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle $2,499.99 at Best Buy
  Pre-order Here Xbox Ally X20 specs: What's new and improved

Asus took the wraps off of the Xbox Ally X20 in June in honor of the 20th anniversary of ROG ("Republic of Gamers"), its PC gaming brand. It upgrades the $999.99 Xbox Ally X handheld with a slightly bigger, much brighter 7.4-inch OLED screen and a see-through black chassis that shows off some gold internal hardware.

Pair the ROG Xbox Ally X20 with AR glasses for a massive playing screen. Credit: Asus

Asus has reworked the Xbox Ally X20's thermal system to support that new screen. As the company noted in its June announcement, "OLED panels are more sensitive to heat than traditional LCD displays."

Additionally, the Xbox Ally X20 has flatter face buttons, rubberized handgrips, premium TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) joysticks, and a "transforming" D-pad that can switch between four- and eight-way controls.

Left: The front of the ROG Xbox Ally X20. Credit: Asus Right: The back of the ROG Xbox Ally X20. Credit: Asus

The new handheld runs on the same chip as the standard Ally X version, and it's equipped with the same amount of memory and SSD storage (24GB and 1TB, respectively). Like its predecessor, it also supports Windows 11's Auto Super Resolution AI upscaling tech. The feature is currently available in preview to members of the Xbox Insider Program, which is free to join.

What comes in the Xbox Ally X20 bundle? Buy the ROG Xbox Ally X20 on its own or bundle it with accessories. Credit: Asus

The splurgy Xbox Ally X20 bundle includes a pair of Asus' impressive ROG XREAL R1 AR glasses, which produce a colorful 240Hz virtual screen. (They retail for $849 on their own.) They plug right into the handheld via USB-C port. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth got to try them at CES earlier this year and said they "made me feel like I'm living in the future."

Asus also throws in an adapter and two matching custom cases for the Xbox Ally X20. One is a dbrand Killswitch case with a build-in kickstand; the other is a rugged Pelican Protector Case that can hold the handheld and any accessories you might use with it.

Ninja created a whole new type of blender with its BlendBoss, a single-serve blender that blends directly into a tumbler cup. But now it's bringing the tumbler design to its kitchen systems. Meet the CrushBoss, a new Ninja kitchen system that combines a traditional pitcher blender, single-serve blender, and food processor in one. But rather than the traditional single-serve cups, you get a 26-ounce tumbler. AKA, one less dish to clean after your morning smoothie.

The CrushBoss kitchen system from Ninja comes with three different attachments. Credit: Ninja / Mashable

The CrushBoss comes with Ninja's Detect technology. So rather than the classic settings of a blender or food processor, it auto-detects how long and how much power is needed, taking a little bit of guesswork out of the kitchen. The whole system comes with a 72 oz. pitcher, an 8-cup food processor, and a 26-ounce tumbler.

The food processor is going to do more than puree or chop. In addition to its dough mixing attachments, it now offers precision dicing and slicing, cutting multiple vegetables in less than a minute.

Ahead of the CrushBoss's launch, we got to give Ninja's new kitchen system a try to see if it's worth its $319 price tag.

Ninja CrushBoss first impressions Putting the CrushBoss to the test by making a refreshing smoothie. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I got to give the Ninja CrushBoss a whirl before its launch, trying out its chopping and blending skills.

A kitchen system is my ideal blender set-up as it's essentially multiple kitchen appliances in one, which, as a small space dweller, makes all the difference. Not to mention, you can easily spend $319 on a quality blender, personal blender, or food processor, so to get all three in one is major added value.

The prompt before you attach a vessel to the CrushBoss. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I first tried out the food processor on the CrushBoss to make a batch of pesto. The machine automatically detects which vessel is placed on the motor base, meaning you don't need to manually change any of the settings. I started using the smart sensing feature, but giving up control isn't always a good thing, especially when you're making something that requires ingredients to be added at different times. However, using the controls was a breeze with the responsive touchscreen.

Choose between Smooth Sense or custom settings when running the CrushBoss. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

My only complaint when using the manual settings is that you have to scroll through the different options rather than seeing them all laid out. Other than that, though, it helped me make a divine summer pesto.

Finally, I got around to using the star of the show — the 26-ounce blender that Ninja is making a signature part of their blenders. While it looks totally ridiculous when flipped upside down and blending, it makes a great smoothie.

Ninja is really onto something with the tumbler design. There's nothing worse than making too much smoothie for your cup. So filling up the tumbler with exactly the right amount of ingredients makes sure nothing goes to waste.

Using the Smooth Sense take, I let the blender decide how long and how much power to use on my smoothie. I was surprise how long it ran for, certainly longer than I would have run it for. No complaints here though, as it turned out a perfectly creamy smoothie.

The Smooth Sense setting turned out a seriously creamy smoothie — no weird chunks in sight. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Included with the CrushBoss is a tumbler lid and straw, and although I just enjoyed the smoothie at my desk, it would have been great if I were headed out on my morning commute.

The best part of the CrushBoss is that all of the components are dishwasher safe, so I didn't have to spend time delicately cleaning the blade attachments.

The Ninja CrushBoss makes a great first impression, with noticeably powerful performance and strong overall value.

SAVE $140: As of Aug. 25, the Viture Beast XR/AR Glasses are down to $548.98 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount off their $689 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Viture Viture Beast XR glasses $548.98 at Amazon
$689 Save $140.02   Get Deal

The Viture Beast XR/AR Glasses are down to their best-ever price of $548.98 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount off their $689 list price, saving you $140.02.

The glasses pack a 174-inch virtual display powered by Sony Micro-OLED panels, 1200p resolution, 1250-nit peak brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate, all wrapped into a pair of AR/XR glasses you can plug into your iPhone, Android, Mac, or PC.

Everything is built into the hardware, and you can pin the screen in place, resize it, or spread it out into an ultra-wide setup. A sensor keeps the image locked in place even if you move your head, so it doesn't drift. There's also a dimming feature with nine levels, so you can go from a fully see-through look to a total blackout for movie-watching, and it'll auto-adjust based on how bright the room is.

SEE ALSO: How to process grief — in interactive virtual reality

Mashable's Tech Editor Timothy Werth recommends these glasses to gamers: "I've tested a lot of smart glasses, and the Beast Viture are easily the best ones for gaming. They have the best touch controls of all of the glasses I've tested, and they let you disappear into a game no matter where you are. If you like to game on the go with a handheld, these glasses can drastically improve the experience by giving you a huge display, which is also great for watching movies on planes."

Mashable's Tech Editor Timothy Werth repping the Viture Beast XR/AR Glasses. Credit: Viture

Sound comes from Harman, so you're getting real bass and clarity instead of the thin, hollow audio a lot of glasses like this get stuck with. And there's also a feature that converts regular 2D video and games into 3D on the fly.

Grab the Viture Beast XR/AR Glasses for their best-ever price at Amazon.

Vehicles used to be finished the day they left the assembly line. Whatever the powertrain output, whatever the infotainment system menus, and whatever extra options and packages there were, they all stayed the same for as long as the buyer owned that vehicle. If they traded it in or sold it later, the second owner had all the same "fixed" features.