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I recently started using my phone without a case, and it's amazing, but I never realized how hot my Samsung Galaxy gets while charging. Every time I plug it in, things start to get toasty, so I rarely let it go to 100%. Surprisingly, switching to a better and newer USB-C cable completely fixed the problem, and I also turned off the fastest charging mode.

It happened again. And again. And again, apparently.

After OpenAI's experimental AI agents escaped an internal sandbox, went "rogue," and attacked the Hugging Face platform over the summer, the ChatGPT-maker is sharing details of new instances of its AI agents getting out of line.

This time, OpenAI shared six previously undisclosed examples.

OpenAI refers to this behavior as model misalignment. All of the instances describe actions taken by the AI model that don't follow the human user's instructions. While none of these instances rise to the severity of the Hugging Face incident, they show a clear pattern of AI agents taking an any means necessary approach to completing a task assigned by its user.

In one example, an unreleased OpenAI research model hid "jailbreak" instructions into summaries that told future versions of the model to "disregard its normal constraints."

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Something similar occurred when OpenAI was training GPT‑5.6 Sol. OpenAI says that some model instances proceeded to add instructions to their summaries in an effort to hide mistakes or "misaligned behavior" from the user. OpenAI says in certain instances, the model invented historical data without disclosing that it did so when it couldn't find the relevant information based on a request.

In another case of misalignment, an unreleased model was asked to list the names of lakes larger than 5,000,000 square meters and cite its sources. While the agent found the information, it uploaded its own file to the internet to use as the source, without informing the user.

Agents were also caught in a separate instance uploading files to the internet without authorization so that they could collaborate on local files.

When asked a question about earnings figures in a California county, one model found and used an exposed API key. When it didn't find the information there, it made up the data and provided it to the user. The model also told the user that it took the fabricated data from the source that the user requested, even though it did not. 

In the final detailed instance, agents utilized an internal repository as a message board to share information to other agents in a scenario similar to the Hugging Face incident. According to OpenAI, models exchanged requests across separate training samples to find missing input files.

OpenAI shared these six instances while providing a framework for reporting misalignment incidents going forward. Reports for these six instances can be read at the OpenAI website.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Many Linux commands we still use every day originated with Version 1 Unix, all the way back in 1971. Some still outperform their modern equivalents, either in pure processing speed or in other measures like availability and flexibility.

For years, Lofi Girl has been doing her homework.

The animated girl with the headphones has spent countless hours hunched over her desk, scribbling in a notebook while an endless stream of mellow beats plays in the background. Since launching on YouTube, Lofi Girl's 24/7 "lofi hip hop radio 📚 beats to relax/study to" has become one of the internet's most recognizable destinations for studying, working, and generally trying to get something done.

But eventually, even Lofi Girl has to close the laptop.

On Sept. 17, the team behind Lofi Girl is launching Lofi House, a new permanent 24/7 radio station built not for the hours spent working, but for everything that comes afterward. Think evenings at home, weekends, records spinning, and hanging out with friends. And this time, Lofi Girl isn't the one behind the desk.

Meet the Lofi Teacher

The launch introduces Julien Maison, aka Lofi Teacher, a 30-year-old high school biology teacher who spends his days in the classroom and his evenings making and listening to music. Julien also happens to be Lofi Girl's teacher, which answers an important question: Yes, she does actually go to school.

An original animation follows Julien as he leaves school and returns home. His apartment certainly looks the part. Bathed in golden-hour light, it's lined with shelves of vinyl, leafy monstera plants, and the kind of carefully curated objects that suggest someone has finally graduated from decorating a dorm room. Though a stuffed, suspiciously hipster-looking penguin keeps things from feeling too grown-up.

Julien pulls a record fittingly titled good time inc. from the crate, drops it on the turntable, and starts mixing. Soon, he's surrounded by friends — a decidedly different vibe from the solitary studying that has defined Lofi Girl for years.

Meet Lofi Teacher, a new character in the Lofi Girl universe. Credit: Lofi Girl

"For years, Lofi Girl has been there for people's focus, with music to go with it," the Lofi Girl team told Mashable. "We are proud of that, because it is how millions of people met us. But our community doesn't only exist at their desk."

Instead, the team wanted to explore the parts of people's lives that happen when the work is finished.

"Everyone has passions, interests, friends, a more intimate, more personal side they nurture outside of work or study," they said. "When the day ends, and you can finally let go, on your own or with friends, that's a good moment too that deserves its own music as well."

That's where Julien comes in. He's essentially the embodiment of logging off. "Someone who, like everyone, has a structured day and another life once class ends," the team said. "He's exactly what Lofi House is about."

Lofi Girl is building a bigger universe

Naturally, Julien's arrival began with a little Lofi Girl lore.

On Sept. 16, Jade — the character better known as Lofi Girl — disappeared from her usual study stream, leaving viewers to wonder where she'd gone. At the same time, a mysterious new livestream appeared, featuring a countdown and a slow approach toward a school's façade.

Where did Lofi Girl go? Credit: Lofi Girl A countdown appears. Credit: Lofi Girl

Today, Sept. 17, the countdown ends, and viewers can finally meet Julien.

It's another expansion of something that began much more simply. Lofi Girl dates back to 2015, when its founder, a French student named Dim, created a YouTube channel streaming instrumental hip-hop he could listen to while gaming. The stream went 24/7 in 2017, and within six months the channel grew from 100,000 subscribers to more than 1 million. The community eventually gave the studying girl at its center her name.

Today, Lofi Girl has 15.8 million YouTube subscribers. And behind that familiar animation is an increasingly sprawling operation. Lofi Records says it has released more than 8,000 tracks by more than 500 artists across lofi, synthwave, jazz, and ambient. There's also an in-house animation studio, a gaming division, and a Discord community approaching 1 million members.

Lofi House gives that growing universe another character, another setting, and, crucially, another sound.

So, what does Lofi House actually sound like?

Despite the name, Lofi House isn't simply the familiar Lofi Girl beats with a faster tempo.

The idea partly came from the artists themselves. Many musicians on Lofi Records had roots in electronic music before making lofi, and the label wanted to give them space to return to those influences. The team experimented with chill, melodic, and jazz-influenced strains of house before settling on a sound that combines house music's groove and movement with the textured, atmospheric production associated with Lofi Girl.

This is how teacher Julien Maison unwinds. Credit: Lofi Girl A behind-the-scenes look at how Lofi Teacher came to be. Credit: Lofi Girl

The resulting compilation features exclusive releases from 19 artists, with those tracks also powering the new 24/7 stream. Artists houseverbot, Akraa, KBS, and lofi cassette played particularly significant roles in developing the project's sound.

For Akraa, who has released music with Lofi Girl since 2020, the pivot isn't much of a pivot at all. He started making EDM at 15. "Having the opportunity to combine the music I grew up producing with the music I now make for a living feels very natural," Akraa said in a statement. "To me, Lofi House is a logical next step, especially after the introduction of Synthwave."

That history makes Lofi House more than a change in BPM. It's a chance for some of the musicians who helped build Lofi Girl's sound to pull influences from their own musical lives back into it.

The launch also includes a hand-curated Spotify playlist that goes beyond Lofi Records' own catalog, as well as a collectible vinyl release.

What does "lofi" even mean anymore?

The expansion raises an interesting question: What exactly counts as "lofi" in 2026?

Lofi's online identity has become inseparable from its utility. People don't necessarily put on a lofi stream because they're following a particular artist or album. They use it to study, work, read, relax, sleep, or simply fill a quiet room. For a generation that grew up online, it has become a kind of infrastructure for everyday digital life.

Even the people behind Lofi Girl aren't convinced there's one neat definition anymore.

"We often wonder internally what the term 'Lofi' actually means to all of them," the team told Mashable. "Our humble take, especially after talking about it with our teams, is that nobody really has a super-precise definition of what 'Lofi' means."

What listeners recognize instead, they argue, is a feeling.

"Everyone seems to agree on what it brings into their lives: colour, emotion and positive energy," they said. "It offers a place to step away from routine, stress, and a world that never stops."

Lofi House is effectively testing how far that feeling can travel. The original Lofi Girl stream gave millions of people a soundtrack for the things they had to get done. Now the team is betting that those same listeners want music for the moment they finally don't. Turns out, not every hour of the day needs to be optimized.

Cordless tools are just too convenient to ignore, and they’re getting better all the time. The only problem is that this convenience comes at a cost in terms of batteries that have a shelf life, despite their rechargeable nature.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $83.44 at Amazon — provided your invite request is accepted.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $83.44 at Amazon
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The Pokémon TCG’s 30th anniversary expansion finally arrived on Sept. 16, and you can now score the Elite Trainer Box for below market price. Amazon has knocked a few more dollars off its already competitive preorder price, although actually buying something still depends on getting through the retailer’s invite system. 

As of Sept. 17, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is $83.44 at Amazon. It’s shipped and sold directly by Amazon.

This is essentially a second price drop, since its current list price matches its previous sale price after being reduced from $200+ last week, and it is far lower than its current TCGplayer market price of $168.03.

There is still no guarantee you’ll actually get one, however. Because this is a high-demand item, Amazon requires potential buyers to submit an invitation request via its "request invite" button rather than checking out normally. If you are randomly selected, you’ll then get an email letting you know that you’re now able to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration ETB for a limited time (usually 24 hours). Amazon won’t be able to grant every request, but yours will be kept registered for the foreseeable future, so you could get an invitation after a potential restock, too. 

Inside the Elite Trainer Box are nine titular Pokémon 30th Celebration boosters, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

If your priority is just getting one of these boxes right now rather than the cheapest deal possible, Pokémon’s 30th Celebration ETBs are readily available to buy right now for $167.94 at TCGplayer — much more expensive than Amazon, but still under market price. If there are any chase cards you’re after from this special anniversary expansion, including the $1,800 Mew ex, single Pokémon 30th Celebration cards are also available to shop at TCGplayer. 

As Mashable's go-to BookTok, Kindle, and e-reader expert, it's my job to vet new products and know what's a gimmick and what's actually worth your money. The Xteink X4 e-reader is a mini e-reader that supposedly fits on the back of your phone. It's a solid idea: a mini Kindle you can slap on like a PopSocket and keep in your pocket. I've seen lots of people online excited about using the device as a companion to their Kindle.

But the Xteink X4 won't be my new Kindle companion. It may be trendy, but after trying the company's e-readers for myself, I was left with one question: "What am I missing?"

I tested the Xteink X4 e-reader, read all the rave reviews about it, and downloaded firmware to make the user interface smoother, but I just don't think the Xteink X4 e-reader is worth your money. It's not because of its design or performance, both of which I think are solid. The device's limited file support is what holds it back.

Xteink X3 mini e-reader $69 at Amazon
$79 Save $10   Learn More at Amazon Learn More at Xteink Xteink X4 pocket e-reader $69 at Amazon
  Learn More at Amazon Learn More at Xteink

I read on a Kindle Paperwhite, and the books I consume are either borrowed from Libby, purchased in the Kindle Store, or advanced copies downloaded from NetGalley. None of those file types works on the Xteink X4 e-reader. To enjoy the Xteink X4 e-reader to its fullest potential, you need to be someone who exclusively reads DRM-free EPUB files.

Since I don't think that's most people, the Xteink X4 e-reader isn't going to work for most people. But I don't blame Xteink for its impracticality; instead, it's a symptom of the current state of e-books.

SEE ALSO: Where to get free e-books: Load up your e-reader without spending a dime The issue of DRM-protected files You'll be primarily reading the classics on the Xteink X4. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The main issue with the Xteink X4 e-reader is its file support. All Xteink e-readers support EPUB files, but only DRM-free ones. DRM-free EPUB files are hard to come by, as virtually all e-books are sold as DRM-protected files. That means books you purchase in the Kindle or Kobo stores will not be compatible with the Xteink X4. Even books borrowed through Libby are DRM-protected.

This greatly limits the number of books you can read on the Xteink X4, but I don't think the Xteink is entirely at fault here. E-reader users face the dilemma that any book they purchase is limited to the device on which they bought it. No longer do you have the freedom to buy an e-book and read it on any device you'd like.

Amazon used to allow users to download the books in their library to a computer, which savvy users would then decrypt of their DRM (although this is considered piracy). However, Amazon took away that feature in February 2025. There is some hope, as Amazon now offers DRM-free files, but publishers must opt in.

So if you want to read on the Xteink X4 e-reader, you'll have to seek out DRM-free EPUB files, which are pretty limited and mostly include classics in the public domain.

What could Xteink do to improve its device? Make it an Android. For a simplified user interface, I downloaded the CrossPoint firmware to the Xteink X4 e-reader. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Beyond the issue of what you can read on the Xteink X4 e-reader, I do like the idea. It's much slower and has a lower resolution than most e-readers, but I do think the device is well-designed overall. It doesn't quite fit on the back of all iPhones (the smaller X3 will), but it is the smallest e-reader I've tested that comfortably fits in my pocket. It also has incredible battery life, as I barely needed to charge it while using it.

So, how could the Xteink X4 actually be a practical e-reader for most people? Since I don't think DRM-protected files are going anywhere, the best solution is for Xteink e-readers to run on Android, like Boox e-readers. This would provide Google Play Store support, so you could access Kindle and Libby on the device.

And luckily, that appears to be coming soon. Good E-reader first reported that preorders for the Xteink S4, a 4-inch e-reader running Android 11, are now live. Unfortunately, for U.S. readers, the Xteink S4 is currently only available in China.

If you want a pocket-sized e-reader to read all the books you have on your Kindle, for now, that's just going to be your smartphone. Maybe the new iPhone Duo will be a viable option for you? Too bad it costs $1,999.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xteink Xteink X4 Classic Pocket eReader $69 at Amazon
$79 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xteink Xteink X4 Pro $99 at Amazon
$109 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $199.99
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A web page without any styling is like a blank canvas. The possibilities are endless, and it’s easy to waste time experimenting with different layouts, colors, and fonts. But the default browser styles are not ideal, so you need to put in the effort just to get started with a proper design.

Bose is fresh off its most recent audio release, but it's still coming out swinging.

On Sept. 17, the brand announced two new open earbuds models: the Bose Ultra Open (2nd gen) and the Bose Sport Open. This comes over two years after the launch of the original Bose Ultra Open, which helped raise the profile of open earbuds overall (and became a Mashable favorite).

SEE ALSO: Open earbuds guide: What they are, who should buy them, and why they're popping up everywhere

The new Ultra open earbuds will retail for $299, with the Sport Open earbuds functioning as the cheaper model at $199. Both earbuds will be available for preorder starting Sept. 19, with full availability coming Oct. 1. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about Bose's latest launch:

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open (2nd gen) $299 at Bose
  Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Sport Open earbuds $199 at Bose
  Learn More Bose Ultra Open (2nd gen): What's new The new Ultra Open earbuds come with notable improvements. Credit: Bose

The new Ultra Open earbuds come with three major upgrades over the previous generation: better battery life, better sound quality, and an improved design.

Battery life

The first change is a welcome one; Bose upped the battery life from seven hours per charge to nine hours per charge. For $299 open earbuds, most features should be at the top of the field, but the battery life was one notable area where the Bose earbuds lagged behind. Now, they're on par with the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

Sound quality

The second generation Ultra Open earbuds come packed with a new driver that addresses two areas where open earbuds commonly struggle: bass and volume. Though the original Bose earbuds were already louder than some of their main competitors' buds, the new generation will be able to reach even louder volumes and feature deeper bass. The Auto Volume feature will also automatically respond to balance streamed audio against external sounds.

Also new is the addition of Immersive Audio. This feature has been available on other Bose models, but it's the first time it'll be available on open earbuds from the brand. Bose's TrueSpatial technology will power a standard Immersive Audio and Cinema mode, meant to open the soundscape for videos and podcasts.

Finally, internal improvements on these earbuds will result in clearer calls, another area where open earbuds can notoriously falter.

Design

The design looks largely the same, but Bose elevated it with the addition of a metallic cap where it was formerly plastic. The earbuds also have a beveled finish. The case itself can now support wireless charging, stand up on its own, thanks in part to silicone feet, and open easier than the previous gen.

Bose Ultra Open (2nd gen): Specs and price

Keeping in line with the first generation model, the new Bose Ultra Open earbuds will cost $299. Spec-wise, you can expect the following:

• Battery: Nine hours per charge, plus 19.5 hours in the case

• Equalizer: Yes, three-band

• Immersive audio: Yes

• Connection: Bluetooth 5.4, SBC and AAC codecs, Google Fast Pair

• Multipoint: Up to two devices

• IP rating: IPX4

• Colors: Black, white smoke, limited-edition cherry chocolate, olive green, sky pink

Bose Sport Open: What's new The Sport Open join Bose's lineup. Credit: Bose

Technically, Bose is bringing back the Sport Open earbuds: they first hit the scene in 2021, but were pulled from the lineup while Bose's original Ultra Opens were on the market. In their initial iteration, these earbuds also featured an ear hook design, where Bose has now made a sportier version of the successful cuff style of their flagship open earbuds.

Compared to the Ultra Opens, these earbuds feature a more lightweight cuff-style design (much more similar to the aforementioned Sony buds or Shokz earbuds), with silicone designed to help keep them in place. Though you won't have access to the Immersive Audio features, these earbuds do feature a slightly better IP rating of IP54, meaning they'll handle sweat and water splashes better (both in the earbuds and the case). The case itself has a clear, textured lid to make it easy to grab, and is also compatible with wireless charging.

On the earbuds themselves, Bose included textured tactile controls for easy device-free controls, even when you're on the move.

Bose Sport Open: Specs and price

The Sport Open earbuds will be available for $199 and come with the following features:

• Battery: Seven hours per charge, plus 22 hours in the case

• Equalizer: Yes, three-band

• Immersive audio: Not available on this model

• Connection: Bluetooth 5.4, SBC and AAC codecs, Google Fast Pair

• Multipoint: Up to two devices

• IP rating: IP54

• Colors: Black, white smoke, limited-edition eucalyptus green

Bose Ultra Open (2nd gen) and Bose Sport Open: How to preorder

As mentioned above, both earbuds will be available to preorder starting Sept. 19 with a full availability date of Oct. 1. Preorders will go live at Bose's website and select other retailers — we'll be sure to keep you posted once they do.

Grand Theft Auto VI isn't coming to disc in video game form, but if you want to listen to some music from the game, you'll be able to do that on physical media.

Rockstar announced on X and its website that Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album is available for pre-order now on CD and vinyl, on the aforementioned website. You can also pre-save it on every major music streamer right now. The album itself comes out on Nov. 19, the same day as the game.

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Three versions of the soundtrack will be released on physical media:

• Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, Limited Edition on vinyl — $124.98

• Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album on vinyl — $49.98

• Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album on CD — $19.98

Rockstar's post said the album contains just 34 "original tracks" from a variety of artists, so it's definitely just a small selection of music from the game and not a full soundtrack release. It's an eclectic soundtrack with a lot of artist variety. Six singles also came out alongside the pre-order announcement, and the collection of talent here is pretty interesting:

• Yung Lean - "That's It" (Feat. Future and Metro Boomin)

• Travis Scott - "RHYNO"

• CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.., & Etienne de Crécy - "Sexy Magic"

• Morgan Wallen - "Last Thing You Need"

• Rauw Alejandro - "Macacoa 2000"

• Keith Richards - "Bright Lights, Big City"

The new GTA 6 singles are all available now wherever you listen to music. This confirms our (very obvious) theory from earlier this week that a bunch of cryptic Instagram posts from the artists in question were related to GTA 6's soundtrack. Still, Keith Richards is a get we didn't expect.

That cheap SATA SSD you installed years ago may not actually be as slow as it feels. If you have been filling it almost to capacity, the problem may have less to do with its age than with how much space you’re leaving available.

Roku is taking a cue from the likes of Disney and YouTube by tying services together The streaming platform creator is now offering Premium Subscription bundles in the U.S. that pair two services at a discount, with a single bill.

All's fair in love and War, HBO and Sky's upcoming series, with a riveting trailer out today.

Created by George Kay, the London-set series follows the high-profile divorce of actor Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) and tech entrepreneur Morgan Henderson (Dominic West), with both parties — and their rival law firms — pulling every dirty trick in the book for victory.

SEE ALSO: 2026 fall TV preview: Every show you should know about

Phoebe Fox, James McArdle, Archie Renaux, Nina Sosanya, Pip Torrens, Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed, Emma Laird, Aran Murphy, Shaheen Jafargholi, Akiya Henry, Honor Swinton Byrne, and more star.

War premieres Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max in the U.S. and Sky in the UK.

Snap Specs let me play virtual soccer, float movies in the air, and share 3D experiences. But how did these big glasses fit my face?

Read more about smart glasses and AI wearables: Apple is secretly working on smart glasses, AI pendant, and AI AirPods, report says
The best smart glasses of CES 2026

Timecode chapters
00:00 Introduction and Snap specs pricing
01:10 Key specs: AI, hand-tracking and cellular case
02:08 Waveguide lenses and display quality
03:25 Testing apps: Web browsing, games and work
04:07 Real-world mixed reality tracking
05:03 Fit, comfort and prescription support
06:04 Controls, navigation and translation features
06:45 Shared multiplayer experiences
07:08 Battery life expectations
07:28 How Snap compares to Meta, Apple and Google
08:18 Snap Intelligence AI features
08:35 Final verdict and availability

Video credits
Host: Scott Stein
Scripted by: Scott Stein
Producer: Jesse Orrall
Camera: Jesse Orrall
Video editor: Jon Gomez
Thumbnail designer: Zooey Liao

Many streaming platforms have evolved over the years, especially since almost every studio wants a stake in the market. It began with YouTube, which offered free streaming of public videos, followed by Amazon Prime digital rentals, and then Netflix adding streaming movies and shows to its DVD rental service in 2007. Netflix was the first one I used, and I used it before anyone else created their own streaming platform. I enjoyed watching my favorite 90s movies alongside newer ones and a handful of TV shows. Once I started, I couldn’t let go. Mentally, I knew that entertainment was only a few clicks away whenever I wanted.

WatchOS 27 officially launched on Monday, and some Apple Watch users have noticed a shortcut feature is missing from the new OS.

MacRumors pointed out that Apple made a change to one of the key button shortcuts on all Apple Watches. Specifically, a double-click of the Digital Crown will no longer switch between your current app and the one you were using just before it, as it has on Apple Watches for years. Instead, its behavior will be different depending on which Apple Watch model you have.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Ultra 4 Review: The smartwatch for the health-conscious

If you buy the new Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 when it launches on Sept. 18, the double-click action will activate Live Rewind, the controversial listening feature that transcribes spoken audio that the watch heard in the previous 15 seconds. It makes some sense for Apple to change the button shortcut on newer models, as Live Rewind is hardware-exclusive. But if you have an older Apple Watch that doesn't support Live Rewind, double-clicking the Digital Crown will instead bring up the app grid instead of performing the older app-switching action.

Frustratingly, there is no option in the settings for people who own either the new Apple Watch models or older ones to change this function, as MacRumors reported. It's obviously inconvenient for owners of older models because they don't even have access to Live Rewind, but if you have a newer model and don't want to use Live Rewind, you're losing out, too. We'll see if Apple ever addresses this in a software update.

Preorder the new Apple Watches

The new Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12 both launch on Friday, Sept. 18. Both devices are available for preorder now.

Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm) $399 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Walmart Apple Watch Ultra 4 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm, Black Titanium) $779.99 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon

Ryan Murphy is at it again with the latest installment of his Monster anthology series, with The Lizzie Borden Story. This season takes on the infamous case of the murder of then-32-year-old Borden's father and stepmother in 1892. While Borden (played by Ella Beatty in the show) was acquitted of the crime, no one else was ever charged, and popular opinion holds that Borden was the murderer.

In typical Ryan Murphy fashion, this true crime adaptation involves salaciousness and blurs the details of reality. Case in point: the vintage sex toy in episodes 1 and 2.

SEE ALSO: Did Lizzie Borden inspire Aileen Wuornos? Netflix's 'Monster' series says she did.

It was known as the Veedee, a mechanical vibrator (meaning you have to do the work yourself — this was pre-USB charging) and branded as a medical tool more than a pleasure device. According to the Science Museum in the UK, the Veedee was a German-made vibrator that claimed to help with a variety of conditions, from gout to head colds, through "curative vibration."

The Veedee featured a hand-crank holding a device that looks like a stiff hot dog, prompting Vanity Fair and other outlets to liken it to a dildo.

In Monster, the toy belongs to the Bordens' maid, Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps). She arrives at the Bordens' home with the Veedee, symbolizing an awakening and coming-of-age within Borden.

"The way Ryan thought of it, she's almost like a Mary Poppins that comes out of nowhere," Krieps told Vanity Fair about Sullivan. Apparently, Murphy said of the project, "It's women-driven, feminist, lesbian, dirty, unapologetic."

Indeed, there are sapphic undertones to Borden and Sullivan's relationship. There are rumors that Borden was a lesbian, but those are unconfirmed, and there's apparently no historical evidence of a romantic affair between the two women. As is typical of Ryan Murphy, he's taken a few artistic liberties in his historical retelling.

The same is true for the presence of the Veedee. According to the Science Museum, it was made between 1901 and 1930, years after the Borden murders. While Borden and Sullivan lived at a time of the emergence of the vibrator, it's unlikely that they used it — to cure gout or otherwise.

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is now streaming on Netflix.

Featured Video For You Andrew Garfield on the meaning of 'no kings' in 'The Uprising'

Apple just introduced its brand-new iPhone lineup, including the all-new iPhone Duo with its foldable form factor alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. So, as always, making sure your brand-new device stays protected is essential. ESR makes it possible to shield your phone from the bustle of daily life without sacrificing the device’s integrity or usefulness. Aside from cases and screen protectors, the brand’s new collection includes charging gear and more.

Excel has hundreds of functions, and I certainly don't know what all of them do. But every now and then, I find one that makes me wonder why I'd never come across it before. Here are seven that caught me by surprise.

Ryobi makes a little bit of everything, and it's part of the reason many DIYers and homeowners choose them over the competition. Sure, you probably have a Ryobi drill, impact driver, and maybe a sawzall, but the next tool you might want to buy is this new portable power cleaner that can replace your pressure washer.