Blogroll

Visual Studio Code just got a new coat of paint and a smarter terminal

How-To Geek - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:54

Visual Studio Code version 1.106 has officially released. This version comes with a focus on AI integration, a significant refresh of the user interface, and making the integrated terminal smarter than ever before, so it's a pretty thick update for everyone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI violated copyright law, German court rules

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:51

ChatGPT creator OpenAI violated Germany's national copyright laws, according to a court in Munich.

GEMA, a German music rights group, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI last November claiming that the AI company illegally trained its AI models on popular music without consent from the rights holders.

This week a German court ruled in favor of GEMA and ordered OpenAI to pay an undisclosed sum in damages.

“We disagree with the ruling and are considering next steps,” OpenAI said in a statement, signaling that they may appeal the ruling. “The decision is for a limited set of lyrics and does not impact the millions of people, businesses and developers in Germany that use our technology every day.”

Regardless of OpenAI's statement, it is clear that the AI company along with many of its competitors, have an ongoing issue related to AI training and copyright infringement. The New York Times, The Intercept, and Mashable's parent company Ziff Davis are all currently suing OpenAI, for example, alleging that the ChatGPT creator trained its AI models on their respective content without permission.

Anthropic, the company behind AI chatbot Claude, agreed to pay a massive $1.5 billion settlement in September as the result of a class action lawsuit filed by authors who allege that its AI models were trained on pirated books.

GEMA hailed its win as “the first landmark AI ruling in Europe.”

“The internet is not a self-service store and human creative achievements are not free templates,” said GEMA chief executive Tobias Holzmüller in a statement. “Today, we have set a precedent that protects and clarifies the rights of authors: even operators of AI tools such as ChatGPT must comply with copyright law. Today, we have successfully defended the livelihoods of music creators.”

Categories: IT General, Technology

Uber, Lyft face lawsuits from male drivers, claiming discrimination

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:50

Ride share giants Uber and Lyft are facing a handful of gender discrimination lawsuits, filed by a group of male drivers who claim that recent driver preference policies have negatively impacted their opportunities for rides and revenue.

In July, Uber announced gender-based preferences for women riders allowing them to request and reserve rides with only women drivers or set an app-wide preference for non-male drivers. Lyft has had a similar opt-in feature in place since 2023, known as Women+ Connect, which connects women and nonbinary riders with only non-male drivers.

SEE ALSO: New AI assistant helps refugees new to the U.S.

The lawsuits — filed in a on behalf of four plaintiffs — ask for $4,000 in damages per male driver to make up for the perceived loss in revenue allegedly caused by the gender preference features. It claims the companies, which are headquartered in California, violated the state's Unruh Act, a Civil Rights law that "prohibits sex discrimination by business enterprises." They suggest hundreds of thousands of male drivers would be eligible to receive money in a class action suit.

Conservative organizations and alt-right figures have vocally denounced the safety features, too. The Heritage Foundation, authors of the Trump administration's Project 2025, said Uber's policy constituted a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

Both Uber and Lyft have been sued multiple times, including class action lawsuits, for failing to address safety concerns among women riders, some of whom suffered from sexual misconduct and sexual assaults. A recent investigation by the New York Times found that Uber has a "pervasive" problem with sexual misconduct, with more than 400,000 trips reported between 2017 and 2022. Court records suggest those numbers have risen since the company stopped disclosing the data in the years since. In addition to women riders who say they have often feared for their safety when using ride shares, women drivers have additionally accused the companies of sexist workplace policies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon is packed with early Black Friday deals from tech to toys

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:50
A glance at the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon Best Apple deal Apple AirPods 4 $84.99 (save $44.01) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Christmas Tree $26.99 (save $18) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $397.99 (save $401.01) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Deep Plum or Lunar Blue) $299 (save $130) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $199.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $159 (save $60.99) Get Deal Best beauty tech deal Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex $179.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal

Black Friday falls on Nov. 28 this year, but that doesn't mean you need to wait until after pumpkin pie to shop. Amazon's official Black Friday sale launches on Thursday, Nov. 20, but we're already seeing a bunch of epic deals. Some of our favorite products from Bose, Apple, Anker, and Lego are already on sale. Shopping early means you get to relax during the hustle of the holiday shopping season. Plus, buying in mid-November likely means everything will arrive with plenty of time to get wrapped.

Amazon has dropped prices on many seasonal must-haves, including some of our favorite gifts for 2025. Some are even back down at all-time low prices that match what we saw during October Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: The 40+ best early Black Friday deals: We found record prices on Apple gadgets, headphones, TVs, and robot vacuums

It's likely that not everything you want is on sale yet. We're yet to see deals on some Amazon devices like new Kindles, but you can buy a refurbished model on a great discount. We also haven't seen the entire Echo lineup drop in price yet aside from a few deals, like $30 off the new Echo Studio.

Check back here as we continue to update this page with new sale info and fresh product drops. It's also worth checking out early Black Friday sales at competing retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Best early Black Friday Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $84.99 at Amazon
$129 Save $44.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Long before we make it to the official Black Friday date, Apple deals are going hard. The Apple AirPods 4 are already sitting at a record-low price at Amazon of $84.99. These are the fan-favorite entry-level AirPods that earned a coveted Mashable Choice Award. They come with great active noise cancellation, a snug but comfortable fit, and a great price.

More early Black Friday Apple dealsBest Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Christmas Tree $26.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego makes for some of the most wonderful gifts, and it's also a great activity for quality time with friends or family. Fitting for the season, the Lego Christmas Tree is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $26.99, marked down from $44.99. This Lego set could make for a great gift or a fun way for kids to have their own tree this year.

More early Black Friday Lego dealsBest portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $397.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $401.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The new Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is one of my favorite portable power stations to hit the market this year. Anker's new Gen 2 models focus on portability and the C1000 Gen 2 is shockingly easy to carry around at 25 pounds. It's a great model for taking to the campground or keeping the garage in case of power outages.

More early Black Friday portable power station dealsBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Deep Plum or Lunar Blue) $299
$429 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for the most comfortable noise-cancelling headphones on the market, you want the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. As long as you're cool with blue or a nice plum color, they're already on sale for $299. Since we spend plenty of the day listening to music, podcasts, or streaming YouTube, there's good reason to invest in a super comfortable pair. Of course, they'll make for a special gift this holiday season, or consider it a gift of self-care to get yourself through holiday travel.

More early Black Friday headphones dealsBest smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $199.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $49.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE 3 earns the top spot on Mashable's list of the best smartwatches. The SE 3 is the first SE model to come with an always-on display. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth wrote, "In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you're looking for in a smartwatch." All of that now comes in at under $200 thanks to this early Black Friday sale at Amazon.

More early Black Friday smartwatch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop 35+ of the best early Black Friday deals on outdoor gear

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:24
The best early Black Friday outdoor deals at a glance: Best portable power station deal Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $699 (save $800) Get Deal Best outdoor speaker deal JBL Charge 6 $129.95 (save $70) Get Deal Best cooler deal Yeti Tundra 35 $220 (save $55) Get Deal Best hydration deal Yeti Rambler travel mug (30-ounce) $33.60 (save $8.40) Get Deal

Black Friday proper doesn't actually occur until Nov. 28 this year, but as in years past, plenty of deals started rolling in in early November. You may not think of the Black Friday season as a time to grab outdoor gear, but you'd be surprised how many big price drops we're already seeing on everything from portable power stations and outdoor speakers to coolers and hydration essentials.

Whether you want to gear up for cold weather adventures, stock up for next spring, or grab some holiday gifts for great prices, 'tis the season to score outdoor deals. We'll be tracking all of the best outdoor deals below as we get closer to Black Friday and update the list with any new price drops. We're still waiting to see some popular items get the real deal treatment — like LifeStraw personal water filters, Coleman tents and camping gear, and action cameras from DJI and GoPro. So be sure to check back as we get deeper into the holiday season and follow along with Mashable's coverage of every category in our Black Friday hub.

Best early Black Friday outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $699 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $800   Get Deal Why we like it

A solid mid-range power station, the small and mighty Explorer 2000 v2 is lightweight enough (under 40 pounds) to carry with you on camping trips, boating, tailgating, and other outdoor adventures. It's also equipped with 2,042Wh capacity, which makes it powerful enough to serve as a home battery backup in emergencies as well. That's enough power to keep your fridge running for over a day, heat up a meal in the microwave, and brew plenty of cups of coffee. It packs three AC outlets, one USB-A port, and two USB-C ports, as well as a built-in light and super-charge emergency mode on board for a variety of needs. With $800 off, it's down to its best price on record ahead of Black Friday.

Best outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal Why we like it

A quality Bluetooth speaker makes a great companion in the great outdoors and the JBL Charge 6 is our favorite. It's powerful enough to be used for an outdoor party, but still lightweight enough at just 2 pounds to tote around. It even comes with a handy removable strap for ultra portability. Plus, as its name suggests, it can charge other devices via USB-C. We don't love that it's $20 more than its predecessor at $199.95, but this early Black Friday deal drops it to a more palatable $129.95 at both Amazon and Best Buy.

Early Black Friday portable power station dealsEarly Black Friday cooler dealsEarly Black Friday hydration dealsEarly Black Friday outdoor speaker dealsMore early Black Friday outdoor deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Stay prepared with the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 for the lowest price weve seen

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:20

SAVE $800: As of Nov. 13, get the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 for $699, down from its usual price of $1,499 at Amazon. That's a discount of 53% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $699 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $800   Get Deal

If you're planning on going camping anytime soon or just like to be prepared in the event of an emergency, a portable power station is a smart buy. It can juice up your phone, run certain appliances, and get you back up and running if you lose all your electricity. And if you're in the market for one right now, you won't want to miss this Amazon deal.

As of Nov. 13, get the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 for $699, down from its usual price of $1,499 at Amazon. That's a discount of 53% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best power stations for camping keep you both online and off-grid

This power station can deliver a total of 2,200W and uses three AC portsto do so. It also features a 30W USB-C port, a 100W USB-C port, and an 18W USB-A port. At 39.5lbs, it's small enough to tote around in your car and unobtrusive enough to keep somwhere in your home for an emergency.

You can charge it up from 0 to 80% in just over an hour (66 minutes) or charge it in full in 102 minutes. It's compatible with solar charging to the tune of 6 hours to completion with 400W panels as well. Plus, it has a silent charging mode that gives you a full charge in 5 hours at 30dB so you can get some shuteye.

The generator itself runs silently to not disturb you, and it's got an uninterruptible power supply that will keep all your goodies up and running even through storms and other unfortunate situations. Suffice it to say, you'll be prepared no matter what.

Grab yours now before the price rises again, as this is the best you'll get it for currently.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Keeper review: Osgood Perkins and Tatiana Maslany deliver a scorching horror thats uniquely feminine

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 18:00

There's a certain madness to being a woman in a patriarchal society that rigorously chips aways at our boundaries daily. Keeper is about that madness, which creeps in slowly and steadily, making us doubt ourselves, our surroundings, and our own minds. "Gaslighting" has become a buzzword often misused. But when it comes to Keeper, filmmakers Osgood Perkins and Nick Lepard hone in on its true horror to spin a yarn that's gnarly, scary, and remarkable. 

Perkins has been on a hot streak. After building a reputation with cryptic horror films like The Blackcoat's Daughter, I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives in The House, and Gretel & Hansel, Perkins delivered a shocking box office hit with 2024's Longlegs. The serial killer drama dug into folk horror and psychological thrills, bolstered by a riveting and bizarre turn from Nicolas Cage. Then, in early 2025, Perkins dropped The Monkey, which was a complete 180 from Longlegs. Adapted from a Stephen King short story, this was a splatterfest of gore and dark comedy, centered around an evil toy and the twin brothers traumatized by its theatrical slaughters. 

With Keeper, Perkins keeps his fans and critics guessing by delivering a film that hints at Midsommar and Gothic horror. Starring Tatiana Maslany as a woman brought into a maddening scenario, it's a frightening film that's sure to scare and enthrall in equal measure. 

What's Keeper about?  Tatiana Maslany as Liz and Rossif Sutherland as Malcolm in Osgood Perkins' "Keeper." Credit: NEON

Keeper centers on a couple who are going on a weekend getaway to a rural cabin. Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) and Liz (Tatiana Maslany) are headed to his family's vacation house upstate, which gives his girlfriend a mix of excitement and anxiety.

Liz is worried something is off about Malcolm. She suspects he is hiding something. Perhaps a wife and kids? The dialogue Lepard writes hints at this uncertainty, as it plays like two people always talking around something. There's an alertness but also a distance in every exchange. Sure, Malcolm seems besotted by Liz, pouring praise over how "special" she is and happily buying up her paintings because he loves her work. But early on, there's signs Malcolm doesn't really get Liz. 

She favors bright colors, like red, in her wardrobe. Yet he gifts her a dowdy pearl-beaded cardigan in beige. To this, her friend snarks, "I don't think I've ever even heard you say 'beige'!" It's an early red flag (not a beige flag!) that Malcolm's idea of Liz doesn't align with who she really is. So, what will this mean for their planned weekend? Well, first off, there'll be some unexpected visitors: Malcolm's obnoxious cousin, Darin (Birkett Turton), and his party girl date, Minka (Eden Weiss). But then there's the mysterious caretaker, who leaves behind a strange cake and seems to be creeping about upstairs. Because what else could those sounds be? 

As the weekend wears on, Liz becomes increasingly convinced that she is in danger. But placid Malcolm is full of placations. Liz fears she's either going mad or going to die. But is there any way to escape either fate?

Keeper weaves an emotionally intelligent and joltingly scary portrait of gaslighting.  Tatiana Maslany as Liz in Osgood Perkins' "Keeper." Credit: NEON

Perkins has frequently centered his horror films on women. With Liz, he hones in on the horror of being a woman bullied by coercion. Liz is not a frail virgin or a wilting blossom. She is a snarky, smart, metropolitan artist. She has a keen sense of danger, quick to notice oddities that emerge around the cabin. But combating these virtues are Malcolm and Darin, who at every turn have an excuse or a coercive request. At first, it's subtle, expressed in pleas for politeness and civility. It's polite to let Darin crash their romantic dinner. It's expected that Liz try the chocolate cake left by the housekeeper or have a scotch with the intrusive cousin. That Liz wants none of it is besides the point. 

Soon, however, she catches Malcolm in lies and finds strange things and even stranger visitors around the house. What it means might be impossible to predict, but these reveals are smartly plotted by Lepard, who also penned the shrewd and scary screenplay for Dangerous Animals, which premiered to critical praise earlier this year. 

Both films explore how predatory men use a facade of decency and charm to lay a trap. Dangerous Animals takes that setup into a bonkers tale of shark-focused vengeance. Keeper goes more into folk horror territory. Like Dani in Midsommar, Liz is an educated and passionate woman taken to a rural place outside of her comfort zone, and forced to make sense of a culture that's coming at her fast and furious. But it's not a cult that surrounds Liz. Like a gothic horror straight out of Old Hollywood, she's lost and alone in a strange home with dark secrets. What she's witnessing is senseless, perhaps supernatural. Like so many horror heroines before her, these surreal circumstances push her to a precipice of madness, where she must reject or accept the world beyond her understanding — and suffer the consequences in any case. Yet how Perkins, Lepard, and Maslany conclude their tale is distinctly modern and exhilarating. And I wouldn't dare spoil it.

Keeper has a wicked sense of humor and ruthless tension.  Tatiana Maslany as Liz in Osgood Perkins' "Keeper." Credit: NEON

Perkins knows, perhaps better than most of us, that we all go a little mad sometimes. With Keeper, he explores mind-bending isolation through Liz's emotional breakdown. Little moments where Liz is certain she's seen something horrid — like a decapitated head crying out from a bag of trash — hit as a terrific jump scare. You may well giggle at the grisly spectacle of such surprises, but Perkins plays with suspense smartly. 

As the secret residents of the house come creeping from their hidden corners, some are more sly than others. One of the most frightening scenes in Keeper features a mysterious figure creeping up on Liz, stretching over her in a pose that is both eerie and enigmatic. But the release of a completed scare won't come. Perkins cuts away, the tension of this moment still festering in his audience's chest. This leaves our fear for Liz to linger, even into scenes of seeming peace, because we are seeing things she has not. And yet are we any closer to solving the mystery of this place and this man? No. Oh, the delicious hell of not knowing!

As Perkins made clear with The Monkey, horror can be a great place for raucous comedic release. The surprising gore of a weirdly grisly kill pushes us not only to excited surprise, but also to confront the absurdity and inevitability of death. One moment you're here, being a person doing whatever thing big or small. The next, you're a dead thing, a lump in a trash bag, a smear of blood on a polished floor. Thus, some of the deaths in Keeper are horrid, while others are humorous. The sound effects of the film are a rich mix of wet squelching, the kind of sound that might cause giggles or groans from an audience. And walking this fine line of twisted humor and turgid tension is Maslany, with all the skill of a tightrope walker. 

Facing moments of vexation common and then deeply strange, she carries Keeper on her petite shoulders with the strength of a mammoth. Liz's wavering certainty flickers in Maslany's dark eyes. Her ferocity flashes with bared teeth, sometimes in a smile, sometimes as a threat. How her physicality shifts from breezy ease, to rigid tension, to something more feral, is electrifying and terrific visual storytelling. In The Monkey, she was a sensational supporting player for Perkins, as the twins' death-defying mom. Here, she is the heart of a wild and awesome beast of a film. 

In the end, Keeper is a surreal and sensational thriller. Perkins walks us into a nightmare, baking tension and unhinged treats with sickening sound effects, spectacular creature design, and a smartly savage script. Maslany is our guide, trusted and terrific, radiating strength and vulnerability in a rapturous performance. In a year of killer horror like Sinners and 28 Years Later, Perkins has made his mark with this sly, sickening, and sophisticated thriller. 

Keeper opens in theaters on Nov. 14. 

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nintendo Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale: Dates, deals, and in-store events happening this holiday season

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:41

According to the calendar, Black Friday is on Nov. 28 this year, but that date is pretty unimportant these days. Almost every major retailer is dropping Black Friday sales much earlier this year, including Nintendo.

Freshly announced this week, the Nintendo Black Friday and Cyber Monday events will begin on Nov. 20 this year and run through through Dec. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. If you're on the search for Nintendo deals, you'll be able to shop online at the Nintendo eShop and the Nintendo flagship stores in San Francisco and New York. Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart are all hosting special events with game demos in-store on select dates between Nov. 15 and Dec. 13.

SEE ALSO: 100+ of the best early Black Friday gaming deals — epic deals on consoles, games, accessories, and more

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been one of the hottest items of 2025, so these sales could be a great time to stock up on new games and accessories or find the perfect gift for Nintendo fans.

What will be on sale at Nintendo for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Nintendo doesn't specifically mention any console deals that'll take place during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, but the gaming giant mentions games and accessories will see a discount. Keep in mind we might see console sales online from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, but we'll have to wait to find out. These are the deals Nintendo mentions in the sale announcement:

In-store events throughout the holidays

In addition to shopping deals, Nintendo announced a small handful of in-store events that begin on Nov. 15. You'll be able to try out games at these free events, and Nintendo says everyone in attendance will have the chance to win Nintendo-themed giveaways while supplies last. Here are some events to check out this season:

  • Best Buy: On Nov. 15 and Dec. 13, select locations will host demos of games including Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and more.

  • GameStop: On Dec. 6, stop by a local store to check out demos of games that include Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, and more.

  • Walmart: At select stores between Nov. 15 and Dec. 13, check out the GameTruck + Walmart Holiday Tour to play Mario Kart World between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time. The event will have free snacks, drinks, and giveaways.

Categories: IT General, Technology

DJI launches Neo 2 mini drone ahead of potential U.S. ban (updated)

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:28

UPDATE: Nov. 13, 2025, 6:21 p.m. EST DJI provided a statement to Mashable about the availability of the Neo 2. The article below has been updated to include this comment.

Following an earlier launch in China, DJI launched a new follow-me style mini drone, the Neo 2, in other markets around the world. The new drone is a follow-up to the popular Neo drone, and it offers 4K video recording at up to 100 frames per second, 19 minutes of flight time, and 49GB internal storage.

In a press release, DJI wrote, "Easy to fly for beginners, Neo 2 is ideal for family outings, outdoor sports, travel and FPV experience, always capturing best moments as a personal follow-me camera drone."

We're breaking down everything we know about the new DJI drone, including whether it will be available for American flyers.

DJI Neo 2: When will it be available?

If you live pretty much anywhere but the United States, the DJI Neo 2 is available now. It's available for sale on Amazon Canada for $309.

However, if U.S. shoppers go to Amazon or DJI's online store, the Neo 2 is nowhere to be found, and there's a reason for that. While it's not yet official, DJI faces an impending ban on its drone products here in the United States, and the company has said it's having trouble importing its other products. So, while you can find some DJI products for sale from third-party sellers at sites like Amazon, the company's products are getting increasingly hard to find for U.S. shoppers.

A DJI spokesperson provided this statement to Mashable about the Neo 2's availability: "The DJI Neo 2 will not be officially available in the US market through official websites following the global launch on November 13. DJI remains committed to the U.S. market and is optimizing our strategy to best serve our customers amidst evolving local conditions."

At its official website, virtually the entire DJI product line is listed as out of stock for U.S. visitors. Likewise, a page for the Neo 2 on the DJI website returns a 404 error, though just for U.S. shoppers.

Unfortunately, this drone may never be available in the United States, unless there's a sudden reversal in U.S. policy toward the Chinese company. As Mashable has reported before, all drones manufactured in China must undergo a national security risk assessment by Dec. 23. In its last official update in July, DJI said there was no indication this assessment had begun.

For hobbyists and professionals alike, DJI is pretty much the only name in drones. While the company is best known for drones like the Neo, Mini, and Mavic 3, the New York Times reported that many U.S. farmers actually depend on DJI's commercial drones for pest management and other purposes. Yet a ban is looking increasingly likely.

DJI Neo 2: Specs Credit: DJI Credit: DJI

Many DJI products are still available through unofficial channels and in most international markets. So if you're interested in the new flying machine, check out its specs:

  • Level 5 wind resistance

  • Up to 19 minutes of flight time

  • 49GB internal storage (save up to 105 minutes of 4K/60fps video)

  • Record 4K video at 100fps

  • 12MP, 1/2-inch CMOS sensor

  • f/2.2 aperture

  • 151 grams

This follow-me style drone can take off from your palm, and it has a lightweight, portable design, although it is about 20 grams heavier than the original Neo. It offers a number of “intelligent shooting modes,” including dolly zoom and slow motion. The SelfieShot mode lets you capture still photographs or 4K video.

Overall, it’s designed with beginners in mind, making it a smart pick-up as an entry-level drone — if you can get your hands on it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Kickstart your fitness routine with the Garmin Fenix 8 for its lowest price yet

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:20

SAVE $250: As of Nov. 13, get the Garmin Fenix 8 for $849.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099.99. That's a discount of 23% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Garmin Fenix 8 $849.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $250   Get Deal

Are you a hardcore fitness enthusiast? Or maybe you're serious about keeping track of your workouts, sleep, body readiness, and more. You need more than a run of the mill fitness tracker. You need something like the Garmin Fenix 8, which you can snag at a significant discount now that it's dropped to its lowest price ever at Amazon.

As of Nov. 13, get the Garmin Fenix 8 for $849.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,099.99. That's $250 off and a discount of 23%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: I tested the top fitness trackers for running a marathon (by running the NYC marathon)

The Garmin Fenix 8 has just about every feature you could ask for and then some. It boasts a bright 1.4-inch AMOLED screen, GPS functionality, a built-in LED flashlight, and features a carbon gray titanium watch face with a pebble gray band. Its scratch-resistant sapphire lens makes it great for rugged outings, and its battery can last up to 16 days in smartwatch mode with 47 hours in GPS mode.

It offers a wide variety of fitness tracking features, including sensors that track your performance, endurance, and resistance to injury. It can provide strength training plans, offer real-time stamina tracking, take inventory of all your workouts, and connect with sports apps to help further fine-tune your regimen.

It also offers a training readiness score based on your sleep quality, training load, and other factors that your watch keeps an eye on for you. But it also has phone-centric features that let you make and take calls, as well as a voice assistant to facilitate all of this. It's got a little bit of everything and more, and it's targeted at hardcore users.

If you're ready to take your training to the next level, grab yours while it's still on sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon is blocking illegal Fire Stick sports streaming

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:16

Folks streaming sports illegally on their Amazon Fire Sticks could be in for a rude awakening. The tech giant aims to crack down on folks using Fire Sticks for that purpose.

The Athletic, which is a part of the New York Times, reported on the news as a part of a podcast on illegal streaming. The Athletic worked with YouGov Sport and found that approximately 4.7 million adults watched illegal streams in the UK alone, and that Fire Sticks were a common tool in that endeavor. Previous versions of the Fire Stick employed open developer software, meaning users could side-load illegal streaming platforms and play those streams on their television.

Amazon told The Athletic that its latest version of the Fire Stick will crack down on piracy via a new operating system and an inability to load apps not in Amazon's store.

Why is this a big deal? Because sports streaming involves big, big money. In an era where our attention is as divided as ever, sports remain the closest thing we have to monoculture. Take the NFL in the U.S., for instance. Of the top 10 most-watched broadcasts last year, every single one was an NFL game. And NFL games accounted for 32 of the top 50.

So, as we covered in depth at Mashable, broadcasters trip over themselves to pay billions of dollars to buy a piece of the NFL's broadcast offerings. It's so bifurcated that it'd cost a user at least $810.86 to watch every single game. Illegal streams, at least in theory, would devalue that very expensive product. But now accessing those illegal streams just got more difficult.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The landline phone is making a comeback and your brain will thank you

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:16

There's so much nostalgia for '90s and early 2000s culture right now. Part of that is because of the novelty of analogue forms of communication. After all, keeping up with your WhatsApp group chat, scrolling for the appropriate emoji just doesn't feel as chic as calling up your friend on a landline, twirling the cord around your finger à la Carrie Bradshaw. But the idea of relying on a plug-in telephone to communicate with anyone outside your home feels practically ancient. After all, the landline is completely unnecessary in the age of the smartphone. At least, it was. Now, young people are turning to it as a way to cure their smartphone obsessions.

15 years ago, 62 percent of Americans said the landline was a necessity of life, according to a study by Pew Research Center. However, with the advent of smartphones, landline usage quickly plummeted. By the end of 2022, 72.6 percent of adults and 81.9 percent of children lived in households without a landline, according to the National Health Interview Survey.

The new-wave landline

But just as the landline becomes endangered, a wave of young people have discovered it could be the easiest way to cure their brain rot, as young people are increasingly worried about the effects their screen time has on their mental health, attention span, and capacity for critical thinking. There are calls to bring back traditional landlines, but there's also a new approach to the analogue device. Catherine Goetze is an AI educator and online creator (she's better known online as @askcatgpt). Goetze has designed a landline phone called Physical Phone that connects to your smartphone, so you can take calls via your device without picking it up. The video she posted on Instagram sharing the concept has over 2 million views and even though the phone hasn't launched yet, the brand's Instagram account has over 38,000 followers.

SEE ALSO: The Brick taught me how to be bored again

The idea of the Physical Phone is to prevent doomscrolling and reduce your screen time. Think about it – the reason you tend to pick up your phone is probably a matter of practicality. Maybe you go to text your friend to make sure they're still on for plans or you realise you forgot to call your mum, only to find yourself in a doomscrolling hole 30 minutes later. The landline negates this – it still allows that communication without the temptation to dive head first into your For You Page.

Other people are finding new ways to embrace the idea of a landline. Erin Wakeland (@erinwakeland.studio) shared a TikTok video that now has over 50,000 views about her very literal approach to the landline. Wakeland's method involves attaching her smartphone to a chain on her wall, creating a literal landline. This means that any time she wants to use her phone she has to sit on a chair in one spot. "It's a physical boundary that helps my digital boundaries," she said in the video. "I've tried Opal, I've tried using screen limits, I've thought about buying a Brick," Wakeland told Mashable. But so far, nothing she's tried has curbed her screen time. "The nature of my work as an artist, I have to be online, I have to post online and there's a lot of enjoyable things about it, so that's why I like this way of monitoring and using my usage patterns," Wakeland says.

29-year-old Kassadi is another creator who went viral for sharing her take on the landline, which involves putting her iPhone in "landline mode", which means she only gets call and text notifications. "On days that I do landline mode, there's a couple of hours difference in my screen time," Kassadi told Mashable. She claims in the viral video that she got her screen time down to 29 minutes per day, significantly lower than the UK average of five hours and six minutes. "More than that, it's [given me an] awareness of how often I'm using my phone," she adds.

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Kassadi has two young children and she says that they play a big part in why she's trying to stay off her phone. "I don’t want my kids to constantly see me on my phone and I want to model healthy relationships to technology," she says. And she isn't the only parent worried about screen time. In fact, research suggests that there has been a 52 percent increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022, and that nearly 25 percent of children and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction. With that in mind, 83 percent of parents believe it's important to limit their children's screen time.

Chet Kittleston is a father of three and he started thinking about children's relationships with social media when his 10-year-old daughter asked him for a smartphone. "I really didn't want to give her a cell phone. I didn't think it was right for my kids to have that in their pocket at all times, and be constantly on alert," he tells Mashable. He looked back to his childhood and how he communicated with his friends and he realised the landline was the first social network between his group of friends. Why couldn't the same be true for his children? With that idea, Kittleston launched Tin Can, a landline phone specifically designed for kids. It works similarly to a traditional landline, but it connects to an app, so parents can control who their kids can make and receive calls to and from, and set do not disturb hours. "We've spent so many years rushing toward what we considered forward progress, and I think we're all now scratching our heads wondering, were all these steps forward, or were some of them backwards?" Kittleston says.

According to Dr. Ysabel Gerrard, a senior lecturer in digital communication at the University of Sheffield, it's predictable that people are looking to the past to find solutions for modern problems. "Nostalgia often operates in 20 to 30 year cycles, so it's really normal that people are going back to things like landlines or other wired technologies," Gerrard explains. Nostalgia is key to both Tin Can and Physical Phone's marketing, with both companies offering phones that look like retro landlines. "The nostalgic angle is a physical reminder of what it was like when we were just more connected and more offline," Kittleston says. And according to recent research by broadband comparison site Uswitch, 21 percent of Gen-Z use a landline phone for decoration. 

SEE ALSO: A lifetime of guilt-free screen games for the littlest minds is on sale for $60 The age of smartphone-phobia

This yearning for analogue forms of communication is largely down to the current moral panic around smartphones. 41 percent of people living in the UK say that they use their phone too much and 31 percent of people are taking steps to try and use their phone less. But according to Gerrard, this anxiety around phone usage might be misplaced. "Young people are turning to forms of analogue communication because they are told that the tech they are using is bad for them, not because they even necessarily believe themselves that it is," she says. The digital culture expert adds that it's too simplistic to conclude that smartphones are bad and landlines are good and this approach might not be helpful. "[Smartphones provide] so many more ways of communicating and what we have a tendency to do is that when we experience nostalgia, we over-romanticise the past and assume that what came before was better innately," she explains. In fact, when landlines were popularised in the late 20th century, similar conversations were happening around how they would affect young people. LIFE magazine shared a photo story from 1956 about "phone-obsessed teens", in which they're using the same retro landlines that are now posed as a solution to brain rot caused by excessive screen time. 

Dr. Briony Hannell is a lecturer in sociology at the University of Manchester and an ambassador for Rehabs UK and she says that transforming your relationship with your smartphone and decreasing your screen time isn't necessarily as simple as switching to a landline. "It's not coincidental that the term "doomscrolling" entered the cultural lexicon during the pandemic - a pandemic that, in the UK and much of Western Europe, came at the end of a decade of austerity measures and declining standards of living," she says, adding: "The term 'doomscrolling' emerged at a time when almost everyone was housebound and unable to access many of the routine parts of their lives."

But that's not the only reason quitting scrolling can be so tough. 71 percent of 16 to 24 year olds get their news through social media and with so much political turmoil, from the climate crisis to the war in Gaza, Hannell says that: "Doomscrolling news about this can feel like a moral obligation to bear witness." This makes the decision to switch to a landline a lot more complicated, and she adds that: "This takes place on platforms designed to incentivise and maximise engagement."

SEE ALSO: Samsung reveals key features of upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphones

Despite this, finding small ways to reduce your screen time is something that might make a lot of people feel better and more in control of their phones. Gerrard says that while this is sure to be helpful for a lot of people, completely abandoning modern technology might not be the answer. "If young people stopped using smartphones and started using landlines, they would experience their relationships and identity differently," she says. "But that doesn't mean your life would be any better or worse. A lot of the time people find solace in online spaces because they offer them identities and cultures and communities that they don't otherwise have access to." But Kittleston says Tin Can users are finding that sense of togetherness with their new landlines: "What I think is lasting is this desire for people to connect more, more intimately and personally with their family and their friends and their partners," he says. 

We're all craving a greater sense of community right now. Maybe you'll find it chatting to grandparents on a rotary dial-up, or perhaps it is in obscure corners of Reddit.  Maybe a phone isn't involved at all, but, at this point, that seems unlikely.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Spotify adds Audiobook Recaps to get you up to speed

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:08

Spotify has added a tool for audiobook listeners who have a habit of forgetting what they've just heard.

Currently in beta, Audiobook Recaps is the streaming platform's latest feature, one that sounds a lot like Amazon's recently added Recaps for Kindle. Announced in a blog post on Thursday, Spotify's new tool is "designed to help listeners jump back into stories they’ve put down" by providing a short refresher on the narrative thus far.

Recaps are AI-generated, but according to Spotify, "the work of authors and narrators stays protected," adding, "We are not using audiobook content for LLM training purposes or voice generation, and Recaps do not replicate narration or replace the original audiobook in any way."

SEE ALSO: Spotify Wrapped 2025 date: When it releases, how to view it

So, how do Recaps work? When you fire up an audiobook you've already been listening to, a Recap button will now appear on the page that you can tap to hear the summary. According to the company, Recaps only activate after you've listened to the first 15-20 minutes of a book, and will constantly update as you listen. Importantly, Recaps will come without spoilers for anything up ahead.

So far, Recaps are only available in Spotify's iOS apps on mobile and desktop with a selection of English language books — so if you don't see a Recap on your book, it's probably not in this range. And notably, audiobooks are currently available only to Spotify Premium subscribers in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.

Featured Video For You How to make your favorite songs sound better on Spotify

In its post, Spotify said it had developed audiobook recaps with its publishing partners. Paul Bennett, a research director at Spotify, wrote in a separate post, "From the start, we worked closely with industry partners to make sure Recaps respected their creative contributions. Many of our partners told us they were interested in and excited by the concept of Recaps but not comfortable with a model that stored the book’s data in the model’s weights. We honored that request. Our system does not train on any book’s content, and it does not imitate narrators’ voices. We created a neutral voice that feels comfortable to hear and distinct from the performance of the book itself."

Since launching audiobooks in 2022 (after acquiring audiobook platform Findaway in 2021), Spotify has inked multiple publishing deals with major and independent publishers including Bloomsbury, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Blackstone Publishing, Crooked Lane, Alcove Press, and many, many more. As of 2025, Spotify has more than 500,000 English-language books in its library, triple the number it had at launch, and reported that half of Premium users have listened to at least one.

In 2024, Spotify said it has "paid hundreds of millions of dollars to publishers on an annualized basis," though the payout reportedly varies according to individual deals, as outlets like Bloomberg, Guardian, and The Bookseller, as well as the Authors Guild, have dug further into.

Overall, in its Q3 2025 earnings report, Spotify said subscribers had climbed 12 percent to a total of 281 million.

Meanwhile, the company has been adding new features like the wind of late, with Spotify adding regular Wrapped-style listening stats, managed accounts for kids, search and play abilities for free accounts, custom transitions in playlists, and finally launching that long-awaited lossless audio. But the company is also under quite a bit of heat from artists.

UPDATE: Nov. 14, 2025, 11:02 a.m. UTC Added context from Spotify's Paul Bennett and quote from Spotify clarifying protection for authors.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Cameroon vs. DR Congo online for free

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 17:00

TL;DR: Live stream Cameroon vs. DR Congo in World Cup qualifiers for free on FIFA+. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's crunch time for the remaining African sides still seeking qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. After finishing as the four best second-placed finishers across the nine World Cup qualifying groups, Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo are competing in the playoffs. A place in the final is up for grabs as Cameroon take on DR Congo in Morocco.

If you want to watch Cameroon vs. DR Congo in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Cameroon vs. DR Congo?

Cameroon vs. DR Congo in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Nov. 13. This fixture takes place at the Al Barid Stadium.

How to watch Cameroon vs. DR Congo for free

Cameroon vs. DR Congo in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on FIFA+.

FIFA+ is geo-restricted to these locations, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams on FIFA+ from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Cameroon vs. DR Congo for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in another location

  4. Visit FIFA+

  5. Stream Cameroon vs. DR Congo for free from anywhere in the world

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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 Cameroon vs. DR Congo in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for FIFA+?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • 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 just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Cameroon vs. DR Congo in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Valve announces new Steam Machine console: Price, specs, release date

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 16:40

A few years after successfully expanding the handheld gaming market with the Steam Deck, Valve is trying its hand at a console-like experience again.

Valve announced several new hardware products yesterday, one of which is simply called the Steam Machine. It's actually Valve's second attempt at such an idea (the first being about a decade ago), but the conditions feel a bit more right this time around, especially with the future of Xbox being a bit uncertain. The Steam Machine is, essentially, a console version of a Steam Deck: It runs the same software, SteamOS, and will play games from your Steam library while plugged into a TV, like a console.

There is some bad news, though: We don't have a price or release date for it yet. Stay tuned for that.

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The main difference between this and a Deck, of course, is that the Steam Machine will be far more powerful. According to Valve, it's six times more powerful than the Steam Deck. Here are the specs Valve released for the Steam Machine:

  • CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T

  • GPU: Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs, 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP

  • 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM

  • Two storage options: 512GB SSD and 2TB SSD

  • 2x USB-A ports on the front

  • 2x USB-A ports on the back

  • 1x USB-C port on the back

Valve is promising visuals and performance in the neighborhood of 4K and 60 frames per second with this device. It's hard to say yet how it will compare to the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X in terms of power, but it will almost certainly be at least in the same ballpark, given that those devices launched five years ago. Of course, it also has the advantage of being able to play a massive library of PC games spanning multiple decades.

It might be a while before it's out, but there are plenty of reasons to get excited now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Fallout Season 2 trailer gives us our best look at New Vegas yet

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 16:39

Fallout fans, we're heading back to the wasteland! And not just any part of the wasteland: New Vegas.

The setting of the fan-favorite game Fallout: New Vegas takes center stage in Fallout Season 2, after Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) fled there in the Season 1 finale. Now, his daughter Lucy (Ella Purnell) and her traveling companion the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) are hot on his trail. She hopes to bring her father to justice, while he seeks out his family, including his wife Barb (Frances Turner), who played a key role in Vault-Tec's plan to kickstart the nuclear apocalypse.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 teaser is all about New Vegas and Mr. House

Lucy and the Ghoul's journey will bring them right into the heart of New Vegas, where they'll encounter dangerous monsters and rival factions. Among them are the Kings, a group of Elvis impersonators who, in a departure from the game, are now Ghouls. Also in play is Mr. House (Justin Theroux), the ruler of New Vegas.

While Lucy and the Ghoul take on New Vegas, Maximus (Aaron Moten) and the Brotherhood of Steel prepare for an oncoming civil war. New cast member Kumail Nanjiani enters the fray here as a Brotherhood of Steel pilot looking to get in on the action.

Joining Najiani as a new member of the Fallout cast is Macaulay Culkin, who pops up ever so briefly in the trailer as a member of Caesar's Legion. Between them, the Brotherhood, and Mr. House, it looks like our heroes sure have their hands full.

For more wasteland chaos, check out the full trailer above.

Fallout Season 2 premieres Dec. 17 on Prime Video, with a new episode every week.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How TikTok is rewriting the soundtrack of music discovery

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 16:21

More than six decades after its release, "Pretty Little Baby" by the late Connie Francis found new life on TikTok this year, even landing at No. 5 on the platform’s global Song of the Summer list.

The easy-going song, which sounds like an ode to the devotion of a really sweet pet, was never released as a single. Yet, 63 years later, it became a viral sensation, with creators using it to soundtrack at least 2.4 million mostly wholesome videos featuring babies, kids, pets, and their carefully styled outfits.

At its peak over the summer, "Pretty Little Baby" averaged more than 600,000 daily videos on TikTok, including posts from Kim Kardashian and North West, Kylie Jenner, Brook Monk, Jarred Jermaine, Abbie Herbert, Ariana Greenblatt, Mistermainer, and Samara. In the U.S., the song hit No. 1 on both TikTok’s Viral 50 and Top 50 charts and No.  67 on Spotify’s Global Top 100, where it has generated over 120 million Spotify streams, making it her most-streamed song to date. Before her passing in July, Francis said her newfound TikTok fame gave her a “new lease on life,” and she joined the platform herself at the age of 87.

TikTok has influenced music discovery since its inception as Musical.ly in 2014. But over the past decade, its impact on the music industry has become indisputable. TikTok's algorithm has a unique ability to make the old feel new again, reshaping the way artists and the music business connect with fans.

"For a lot of younger users on our platform, this is the first time they’re discovering these songs," Clive Rozario, the global music program manager at TikTok, told Mashable. "You have users rediscovering these songs, and you have those users who it’s the first time. And that’s amazing to see, particularly when older, iconic bands and artists reach a new fan base through TikTok."

The renewed popularity of "Pretty Little Baby" — both on the charts and in the cultural conversation — is just one example of TikTok’s power to reanimate catalog music. Similar revivals have occurred with songs like "Rock That Body" by the Black Eyed Peas, "Let Down" by Radiohead, "Breakin' Dishes" by Rihanna, "Headlock" by Imogen Heap, "Champagne Coast" by Blood Orange, "Forever Young" by Alphaville, "So Far So Fake" by Pierce the Veil, "Covet" by Basement, "Safe in Your Skin" by Title Fight, and "Youngest Daughter" by Superheaven. A February Luminate and TikTok Music Impact Report found that "84 percent of songs that entered the Billboard Global 200 in 2024 went viral on TikTok first."

SEE ALSO: Meet Caroline Timoney, the TikTokker whose joke ended up in a Taylor Swift song

"Artists like Imogen Heap, Blood Orange, and Pierce the Veil have had some of their biggest moments off the back of these huge trends and virality driven by our community," Rozario said. "Pierce the Veil got their highest Billboard Hot 100 entry off the back of [one of these trends]."

As record labels try to adapt, playlist curators hold new power. Songs recorded decades ago are rising on the charts; musicians are testing hooks in front of millions before ever uploading a single; and yes, that hardcore track from 2010 is now soundtracking TikTok fit checks.

When old songs become new again

When I was 14, I discovered nearly every new-to-me song through Grey’s Anatomy. It's how I first heard "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol and "Portion for Foxes" by Rilo Kiley, and how Tegan and Sara broke through with "Where Does the Good Go." Imagine that same influence — but with the instant feedback and reach of TikTok, where TV, culture, comedy, and everyday life are all soundtracked in real-time.

Consider "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. Recorded in 1985, it originally peaked at No.  30 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was then featured in Stranger Things Season 4, nearly four decades later, and began trending on TikTok. Soon after, it reentered the charts, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2022 and surpassing one billion streams on Spotify in 2023.

"If something's gonna go viral on TikTok, it's usually connected to something," Damian Keyes, a music industry educator with more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, told Mashable. "We saw [that with] Stranger Things and Kate Bush. If you get your music [in] a film or a Netflix series that hits No. 1, there's a good chance that [it] will probably go viral.”

That virality, Keyes notes, also drives value in the catalog market. "What they’re doing is banking on more platforms like TikTok to help them make that money back."

TikTok’s rediscovery effect has even reignited the careers of touring artists. When "Youngest Daughter" went viral two years ago, a post appeared on the Hardcore subreddit noting how "kids are making remixes of 'Youngest Daughter' on TikTok with a bunch of memes… but at the same time, a Lo-Fi rap remix of Superheaven kinda demolishes the whole vibe of the song." The band had stopped touring in 2016, playing only a show a year, but the renewed attention to the 2013 track from Jar sparked new momentum. On Feb. 18, 2025, Superheaven announced a 16-stop North American tour — their first in nearly a decade.

Whether it was made 50 years ago or today, great music is going to cut through the noise of any algorithm and rise to the top. - Ari Elkins

It may seem counterintuitive that a youth-driven platform would spark a catalog revival, but the explanation is simple. As Ari Elkins, a playlist curator with 2.2 million followers on TikTok, told Mashable, "A good song is a good song."

"Whether it was made 50 years ago or today, great music is going to cut through the noise of any algorithm and rise to the top."

SEE ALSO: On TikTok, viral songs from 2020 elicit mixed emotions and nostalgia The DIY era of music discovery

If catalog artists are finding renewed life, emerging artists are using TikTok to build their careers from the ground up. 

Many newer artists use TikTok to cultivate a fan base before releasing their music, including Lil Nas X with "Old Town Road," Erica Banks with "Buss It," Tommy Richman with "Million Dollar Baby," Dasha with "Austin," and Gabriella Rose with "Doublewide." Artists like Lola Young, Ravyn Lenae, CMAT, and Doechii made their mark on TikTok (and in Doechii’s case, also YouTube). According to the Luminate and TikTok Music Impact Report from February 2025, “84 percent of songs that entered the Billboard Global 200 in 2024 went viral on TikTok first."

That same system of rediscovery now doubles as a tool for creation. While catalog success often depends on luck — a sync in a hit show, for instance — newer artists can engineer their growth. "If you want to build an audience, you can do it step by step, stage by stage. And that’s the magic of TikTok — you don’t have to rely on luck," Keyes said.

Clive echoed this, describing TikTok as a testing ground for new material. "TikTok is a place where lots of artists preview their music and tease their music, and often you’ll see it go viral even before it comes out. It can be a never-released piece of music that goes viral…[and] as a result of the traction on TikTok, an official version gets released and becomes a global hit." Think: "Anxiety" by Doechii.

Unlike the industry’s past gatekeepers, TikTok enables direct artist–fan relationships. "If real people genuinely care, not just discovered me because I did something crazy on a TikTok, that's where you can house them. You can literally house an audience in a place where you can talk to them, communicate, sell to them, tell them where you’re performing, or push them to Spotify," Keyes said.

SEE ALSO: How 'Group 7' became TikTok’s biggest inside joke

However, success on TikTok requires both artistry and digital fluency — knowing not only who you are, but how to present it within seconds, multiple times a day, every day. "This is where art and science combine… The art is who you are, what you stand for… The science is how you wrap this up in a way that people will understand context," Keyes said. "As an artist, your job is to do that in literally seconds."

Even TikTok Live has become a discovery engine. "I’ve got a couple of artists that make $10,000 a month from going live on TikTok every night," Keyes said.

The rise of both old and new artists on the platform isn’t a zero-sum game. "It’s happening simultaneously," Elkins said. "We’re seeing a resurgence of past artists like No Doubt, while also the introduction of new artists like Somber and Alex Warren."

Rozario says this dual rise of both old and new artists helps democratize music. And that very well might be true. The charts are significantly more diverse by both artist ethnicity and age today than they were in 2003, well before TikTok existed, according to an analysis of the charts published in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science.

But algorithmic listening has drawbacks. Filter bubbles can narrow musical taste and homogenize culture — and, some argue, can weaken the strength of our connection with music altogether.

Looking past the artists themselves and into the audience, it becomes a bit easier to understand why artists might want to adapt their music to fit the form. On TikTok, it's essential to capture viewers' attention within the first three seconds of a video — often, songs go viral because of a dance, a popular lyric, or something else not necessarily tied to musicality as a whole. That leads to discovery.

"Music is integral to the whole experience on TikTok," Rozario said. "Users use music to soundtrack their creations, often very personal creations. It's very creative. We are a creation-first platform."

The future of music is algorithmic

TikTok’s ecosystem continues to evolve. Its "Add to Music App" feature has already been used to save more than three billion tracks to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and SoundCloud, driving billions more streams. TikTok offers programs like "New Music," "On Tour," and TikTok for Artists, which provide real-time insights and data to help artists optimize their platform usage.

It doesn't seem that TikTok is interested in keeping its users passively listening on its platform — it's content to be the discovery tool and let another platform take the streams. "Fans discover music on TikTok and then consume elsewhere," Clive said. 

But whether discovery happens on TikTok, Spotify, or Apple Music, it’s still driven by algorithms, and that reliance on technology is here to stay.

Elkins remains hopeful about that future. He said he’s "discovering music in so many different ways: on TikTok, curated playlists on Spotify, algorithmic playlists like [Spotify’s] Discover Weekly. Sometimes I find my favorite music just by talking to friends and sharing tracks."

In the end, TikTok has redefined discovery, blurring the lines between old and new, fame and fandom, algorithm and artistry. And I, for one, could not be more excited for Olivia Dean.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Nigeria vs. Gabon online for free

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 16:14

TL;DR: Live stream Nigeria vs. Gabon in World Cup qualifiers for free on FIFA+. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

World Cup qualifiers are moving to the next phase for African sides that didn't top their groups. Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo will compete in African playoffs for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after finishing as the four best second-placed finishers across the nine World Cup qualifying groups. The first matchup sees Nigeria take on Gabon for a place in the playoff final.

If you want to watch Nigeria vs. Gabon in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Nigeria vs. Gabon?

Nigeria vs. Gabon in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Nov. 13. This fixture takes place at the Moulay Hassan Stadium.

How to watch Nigeria vs. Gabon for free

Nigeria vs. Gabon in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on FIFA+.

FIFA+ is geo-restricted to these locations, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams on FIFA+ from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Nigeria vs. Gabon for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in another location

  4. Visit FIFA+

  5. Stream Nigeria vs. Gabon for free from anywhere in the world

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 Nigeria vs. Gabon in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for FIFA+?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries

  • 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 just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Nigeria vs. Gabon in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Taylor Swifts "The End of an Era" trailer takes us behind the scenes of the Eras Tour

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 16:11

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was a cultural phenomenon, becoming the highest-grossing tour of all time and spawning a smash hit concert film. But Swift, fresh off the press cycle for her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, isn't done with the Eras Tour quite yet.

This December, Swift is releasing The End of an Era, a Disney+ docuseries that gives viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the record-breaking tour. Based on the trailer, it's going to be a real treat for Swifties who want a glimpse at the life of a showgirl on tour.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the new Taylor Swift 'Eras Tour' docuseries: When is it streaming?

In the trailer, Swift talks about the initial conception for the Eras Tour, which came two years before she began touring.

"I wanted to overserve the fans in terms of the amount of songs they were going to hear, and how far I was going to push myself," she says in the trailer. Cue the footage of moments that captured millions of Swifties' attention, like Swift's cleaning cart entrance or her stage dive transition.

The End of an Era also features a litany of cameos from Swift's fellow performers, from openers to surprise guests. Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Ed Sheeran, and Florence Welch are all slated to appear in the series, along with Swift's family, crew, band, and dancers.

And of course, The End of an Era dives into the Travis Kelce of it all, going from the early stages of their relationship to the moment Kelce joined Swift onstage in London.

The first two episodes of The End of an Era premiere Dec. 12 on Disney+, with two new episodes weekly.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This incredibly festive Lego Christmas Table Decoration is on sale for close to its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Mashable - Thu, 11/13/2025 - 16:10

SAVE OVER $5: As of Nov. 13, the Lego Christmas Table Decoration (40743) is on sale for $33.49 at Amazon. That's over $5 off the list price ahead of Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Christmas Table Decoration (40743) $33.49 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $6.50   Get Deal

Lego deals are picking up the pace as we approach Black Friday. What started as a gentle trickle has become a steady stream. We're not experiencing a deluge just yet, but that time will come.

We're keeping close tabs on everything that is dropping in price right now. We already made some noise about the Lego Christmas Tree that went on sale this week, and now we've got another festive treat to consider. As of Nov. 13, the Lego Christmas Table Decoration (40743) is on sale for $33.49 at Amazon. That's over $5 off the list price ahead of Black Friday.

This is not the cheapest this set has ever been, but we're talking about a few cents here. Come on. Cut us some slack.

SEE ALSO: 10+ best Advent calendars that are on sale right now at Amazon

This 433-piece set makes the perfect centerpiece for any Christmas display. Looking for a unique gift for the Lego lover in your life? This is it. Seeking something that can bring the family together over the festive period? This set has you covered. It just screams Christmas. Not literally. Nobody wants a Lego set that yells. Even if it is festive yelling.

Score over $5 off the Lego Christmas Table Decoration (40743) at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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