Blogroll

Google Maps’ new 3D Immersive View is so good I’m ditching Waze

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 15:00

Google Maps for Android Auto is slowly getting a huge upgrade, and the experience is so good that I might be ditching Waze. Some of the most frustrating Android Auto navigation problems are a thing of the past, and while Waze still has several strengths, Google Maps' new 3D Immersive View is a big deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Insta360 launches X6, its flagship 360-degree 8K camera

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 15:00

Insta360 has launched the X6, its new flagship 8K 360 camera. Following last year's X5, the new X6 offers larger sensors, a higher frame rate, and 10-bit colour in an even more compact and rugged body.

The Insta360 X6 had been rumoured for a while, with an FCC filing hinting at its release earlier this year. The X5 was — and still is —  an impressive 360-degree camera, helping to cement Insta360 as a leader in the category upon its 2025 release. Now we finally know how Insta360 plans to improve upon it, with the X6 providing multiple upgrades.

SEE ALSO: Insta360 unveils cute Hello Kitty-themed action camera

Firstly, the X6 boasts larger dual Sony 1/1.1-inch sensors as opposed to the X5's 1/1.28 sensors. This allows the X6 to take in more light, improving performance in dim environments and where there is significant contrast. Like the X5, the X6 has two dedicated imaging chips and one AI chip. However, the X6's AI chip has been upgraded from 5nm to 4nm, Insta360 stating that the camera has five times more computing power than its predecessor, while also having a reduced power draw.

Credit: Insta360

The Insta360 X6 can capture 360-degree footage at resolutions up to 8K at 50fps — up from the X5's maximum of 8K at 30fps. Its flat, traditional filming mode has also received a boost, reaching 5K at 60fps as opposed to the X5's maximum of 4K on the same frame rate. Photo mode now reaches 120MP for 360-degree images, or 42MP for flat pictures, compared to the X5's 72MP 360-degree and 18MP flat photos.

Another significant change is the X6's form factor. While it is slightly wider than the X5, measuring in at 50mm as opposed to 46 millimetres, its much shorter height more than makes up for this. The X6 reduces the X5's already fairly compact build by almost 25 millimetres, measuring approximately 100 millimetres tall. While nowhere near as small as Insta360's GO action cameras, the X6 can easily fit in a jacket pocket.

Credit: Insta360

This shorter build houses a 2.32-inch OLED touchscreen which can reach up to 1200 nits brightness, making it easier to preview footage in light environments. In addition to operating as a regular touchscreen, the X6's screen can also be used as a giant button for recording. This allows users to operate the camera even wearing thick gloves, or if you're struggling with the X6's typical controls.

The X6 further adds both 10-bit colour and Dolby Vision, features that aren't available in the X5. Alongside its ability to film in I-Log (Insta360's proprietary log profile), these shooting options enable the X6 to capture a wider dynamic range and more colours, providing a richer image and more flexibility when colour grading in post. 

Insta360 states that the X6 can record 8K 30fps 360-degree video for up to 140 minutes on a single charge, surpassing the X5's runtime by 40 minutes. The X6 is also waterproof to 20 metres, an increase in depth of five metres, and has new replaceable lenses which the company claims are five-times more scratch-resistant (as well as more affordable). Mashable got to try replacing some X6 lenses, and found them not only simple to swap out, but also very satisfying.

The Insta360 X6 is available now, and comes in two colourways: Midnight Black and Arctic White. The Standard Version will set you back $699.99, and includes the X6 camera, a USB-C cable, a protective pouch, and a lens cloth. The $799.99 Essentials Bundle also includes these, but adds on an extra battery, invisible selfie stick, lens cap, fast charge case, and an extended warranty.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite dating app just released *another* safety feature

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 15:00

I love Pure for so many reasons. (It's particularly useful for anyone who's looking for no-fuss, hot AF phone sex.) But that level of sauciness isn't for everyone — and to be fair, Pure isn't the only place you'll find randos sending you unsolicited photos of their unruly trunks among the forest.

If you're a Woman on the Internet and you've used a dating app, you may have (unfortunately) received an unsolicited explicit photo, which is known as cyberflashing. According to the Pew Research Center, about four in 10 online dating users (38 percent) report receiving a sexually explicit message or image they didn't ask for. For women ages 18 to 49, that number jumps to 56 percent.

So, Pure — one of the most sex-positive dating apps I've ever tested — is stepping up to stop cyberflashing with a brand-new feature called My Media Rules.

SEE ALSO: My favorite dating app just got even cooler with a new feed redesign

Developed directly from community feedback, My Media Rules takes the anxiety out of opening your messages. The tool lets you set your own universal boundaries for the app, meaning you can choose to auto-block all nude pics, turn off media sharing completely, or keep things open. You can even toggle these permissions on a chat-by-chat basis. Plus, if a graphic image appears for the first time, Pure prompts you to adjust your filters right then and there — and lets you decide whether you want to keep talking to the person who sent it.

No consent? No nude. Pure's built-in privacy tools blur sensitive content automatically. Credit: Pure

"We love bringing fun and spontaneity to our community, but we believe that only works when it's backed by privacy, respect, and consent," Vicki Rool, Head of Trust & Safety at Pure, said in a statement. "People consistently told us they wanted more control over incoming media while keeping the spontaneity that makes Pure unique. We listened and built it. My Media Rules put that feedback into practice, giving people the choice of what type of media they receive."

This new feature adds to Pure's robust list of existing privacy tools, which includes native anti-screenshot protection, sensitive content blurring, and self-destructing photos and videos. (Which, honestly, is exactly why I recommend it for sexting!)

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 Ryobi tools DeWALT refuses to make

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:45

When it comes to power tools, all the popular brands make some of the most common and essential gear. And while there is a ton of overlap, each brand misses the mark on several items. DeWALT is an extremely popular option for a myriad of reasons, but Ryobi manufactures a bunch of niche tools you can't get from the competition. Here are four tools you might need that you can't get from DeWALT.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 essential Linux desktop features that still haven’t made it to Windows

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:30

Since its arrival on the scene, Linux has faced a persistent myth that refuses to die: it’s difficult to use for everyday people, especially compared to a more familiar operating system, like Windows. It’s endured so much that many people are unaware of Linux’s desktop benefits.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a battery-powered NAS I can take anywhere using a Raspberry Pi

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:15

I wanted to build a NAS that I could take everywhere with me that would be battery-powered and easy to use. My spare Raspberry Pi 4 B ended up being the perfect tool for the job, and here's exactly how I built my TravelPi.

Categories: IT General, Technology

House of the Dragon Season 3: Who is Tessarion, the little blue dragon?

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:01

We're well acquainted with the winged stars of House of the Dragon, past and present: the colossal Vhagar, the fierce Caraxes, the mighty Vermithor, the misunderstood Sheepstealer. But there's one dragon in Season 3 yet to receive a full sky-high introduction even after the finale.

In the military ranks of the late Lord Ormund Hightower (James Norton), there's a small blue dragon, constantly grounded. Who is she, and will we get to see more of this little cobalt gem in Season 4?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 finale: Who are the dragons at Tumbleton?

She's Tessarion, known as the Blue Queen, a dragon ridden by Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) — though whether he's alive after the Battle of Tumbleton in the Season 3 finale remains to be seen. He's Ormund's ward, Gwayne Hightower's (Freddie Fox) nephew, and the youngest son of Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and King Viserys (Paddy Considine) — all of which means, like it or not, he's a direct threat to both Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) sitting on the Iron Throne.

We first spy Tessarion in Season 3, episode 1, when we're introduced to Ormund at his army camp. Tessarion's not fully grown, standing only two humans high and wearing a small saddle. And she's so cute. But she's fenced in with spears, in a move that likely keeps the troops calm and horses uneaten more than anything (and keeps out thieves). At this point, we don't know House of the Dragon is hiding Daeron in plain sight, ready for the Hightower lord to pull the switcheroo in episode 3.

In the latter episode, we get a better look at Tessarion when she's in the front line of Ormund's troops, during his confrontation with Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). In this scene, Ormund is forced to surrender and hand over Daeron as a prisoner of war. Importantly, Ormund had the foresight to ready a decoy — not mounted on Tessarion (she would not allow this) but beside her. Just watch her little face when the decoy walks over to Daemon. Utter confusion that plays as concern.

Featured Video For You 'House of the Dragon' cast unpack Season 3, episode 2's biggest moments

Then, in episode 4, we see Tessarion get to do something, even if that thing is barbecuing and devouring Kat's brother Leo (Abhin Galeya) on Ormund's command.

Unfortunately for the Blue Queen, she has to sit tight in the Tumbleton stables until we see her again in the Season 3 finale, when Daeron's peace plan fails and he decides that riding out into the bloody battle on his baby dragon is his only choice. "I must take wing against the enemy. All these men, these boys, are here for me. I cannot let them fight alone. What are my choices? I either fight or flee," he says on the battlements. Thankfully, Gwayne stops the chirping Tessarion and Daeron leaving the stable, as Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) makes his move on Silverwing.

Alas, by the end of the finale, Daeron and Tessarion are nowhere to be seen, as Gwayne scrambles to find his nephew in the destroyed town.

Without spoiling anything from George R. R. Martin's Fire and Blood, Tessarion's plight is not to remain a grounded dragon. She'll have a part to play in the Dance of the Dragons yet.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NFC tags in your car beat Android Auto's voice controls for quick navigation

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:00

Android Auto is all about accessing the apps on your phone while driving, and Google Maps is probably the most important. It’s easy to use the digital assistant to start navigation, but for your most frequent places, an NFC tag is even better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade your movie nights with the Hisense M2 Pro projector, now $200 off at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 13:48

SAVE $200: As of Aug. 12, the Hisense M2 Pro projector is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. That's $200 off its full price of $1,299.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense M2 Pro $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200   Get Deal

If you're thinking about making the jump from a TV to a projector setup for future movie nights or marathons of a show, the Hisense M2 Pro is a model worth checking out. Our reviewer had high praise for it, saying it "proves you don't need a normal TV anymore," and it's even discounted right now at Amazon.

As of Aug. 12, Amazon has knocked $200 off the cost of the Hisense M2 Pro, dropping it from $1,299.99 to $1,099.99. This deal is only available for a limited time, so if you've been hoping to grab it, now is the time to act.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 11 Pro: Everything we know ahead of Aug. 12 Made By Google event

The Hisense M2 Pro is quite impressive when it comes to screen size, as it can adjust from 65 to 200 inches. It also has a gimbal that can move it around 360 degrees horizontally and 135 degrees vertically, so you can find the perfect viewing angle. Plus, it boasts 4K resolution for picture quality, so you can enjoy every detail of what you watch.

Writer Lauren Allain, who reviewed it, wrote that this projector is worth it "for anyone looking to break it off with a standard TV and go with a projector." She continued on to say that the "4K triple laser display is excellent, the built-in stand is convenient, and the onboard speaker is decent enough that you’re not forced to connect to an external sound system."

However, she does add that "this isn’t the right model if you don’t have space to project a display of at least 65 inches. Any smaller and you’ll end up with a blurred display." If the Hisense M2 Pro fits the bill of what you're looking for, though, don't miss out on this great deal on it at Amazon.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

ChatGPT and Gemini are overcomplicating your homelab—here's how to stop it

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 13:30

AI chatbots can help you solve technical problems you may not be able to solve by yourself. The problem is that even when a chatbot's solutions work, they can be completely overcomplicated. If you're using an AI such as ChatGPT or Gemini to help you set up your homelab, there are a few tips that can help you find the right solution for your needs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 must-watch 3D printing YouTube channels you should subscribe to

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 13:00

A lot of 3D printing video content boils down to fairly simple printer reviews that often draw very similar conclusions. While being clued in on the latest printers is all well and good, there’s a lot more to the hobby than that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sharks AV2511AE AI Ultra robot vacuum gets a massive 50% price cut at Amazon — save almost $300

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 12:56

SAVE OVER $200: As of Aug. 12, the Shark AV2511AE AI Ultra robot vacuum is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a $299.01 discount off the list price of $599.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum $299.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $299.01   Get Deal

The Shark AV2511AE AI Ultra robot vacuum has received a huge 50% discount at Amazon, but it won't be on sale for long. If you've been thinking your home could benefit from the cleaning assistance of a robot vacuum, especially if people are spending more time inside to keep out of the summer heat, you'll want to make a move fast on this limited-time deal.

As of Aug. 12, this robot vacuum has dropped from $599 to $299.99. Don't wait too long to grab it, as it has a "limited-time deal" stacker attached.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 11 Pro: Everything we know ahead of Aug. 12 Made By Google event

This Shark robot vacuum is a reliable pick for people who just want help with vacuuming around the house. Whether it's carpets, rugs, or hard surfaces, its powerful suction can pick up any dust, crumbs, or pet hair. It even comes with a Matrix Clean feature, which moves in a grid pattern to make multiple passes over areas for a deeper clean.

There's no need to worry about emptying the bagless base frequently, as it can hold up to 60 days' worth of dirt and debris. And on top of that, this robot vacuum can last for up to 90 minutes on a charge. The store page also notes that when it runs out of battery, it returns to the dock for a recharge, then resumes where it left off once it's done, which is very helpful.

Act fast to score 50% off the Shark AV2511AE AI Ultra robot vacuum at Amazon.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

This map shows how many Flock cameras are in your neighborhood

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 12:47

Flock cameras are swiftly becoming the bane of citizens' existence, with the U.S.-wide network of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) increasingly coming under public scrutiny.

Now, there's an app that can show you how many devices owned by surveillance company Flock Safety are in your neighbourhood. Reported by the New York Times, DeFlock Maps is a crowdsourced app aiming for "surveillance transparency" that pinpoints ALPRs including Flocks on a map.

SEE ALSO: What are Flock cameras and why are they so controversial?

The map uses crowdsourced data from contributors to DeFlock and is powered by open-source project OpenStreetMap. According to the app's website, "Camera locations come from volunteers and the OpenStreetMap community, not a private company or government agency."

Devices pinned include not just Flock cameras but those of Motorola Solutions, Genetec, and other unnamed tech companies. However, Flock cameras make up over 80 percent of the devices mapped.

"Mass surveillance infrastructure is expanding rapidly in our communities, often without public awareness or consent," DeFlock's user guide reads. "DeFlock makes surveillance infrastructure visible. By documenting these devices and uploading the data to OpenStreetMap, we create a transparent, searchable record of the surveillance apparatus in our communities. Knowledge is power, and transparency is the first step toward accountability."

The fleet of devices, which capture and analyse images of passing vehicles using cameras, have become controversial as "creepy surveillance", with one Minnesota city seeing all of its devices stolen. Flock says its nationwide network includes over 120,000 cameras across 49 states, "giving agencies a broader view of vehicle movement and a deeper pool of investigative leads."

As Mashable's Olivia Tauber writes, "Police departments, businesses, schools, and homeowners associations use the cameras, which can turn a passing car into a searchable record containing its license plate, location, color, model, and even details such as bumper stickers or dents."

Featured Video For You The digital tool protecting Ukrainian architecture from war

DeFlock currently has 128,988 devices tracked, 82 percent of which are marked as owned by Flock Safety, which means the site has 105,770 Flock devices pinned (just under 90 percent of Flock's stated total).

Notably, DeFlock says in its user guide that it collects no user data, stipulating that "everything stays on your device except what you choose to upload to OpenStreetMap."

You can learn more about Flock cameras in Mashable's explainer, and check your neighborhood for devices on DeFlock Maps.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

I cut my Windows boot time in half without buying a faster SSD

How-To Geek - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 12:30

Most people assume a slow boot comes down to hardware, and the obvious fix is buying a faster drive. I spent a while convinced of that too, but what actually made the difference for me wasn't new hardware at all. I didn't have to spend a dollar to make it boot faster, and you don't either.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Daily Show celebrates 30 years with a compilation of old audition tapes

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 11:42

The Daily Show is 30 years old, and what better way to celebrate than by digging out all the audition tapes of cast members past and present?

In the clip above we see everyone from Jordan Klepper and Josh Johnson to Jessica Williams and John Oliver, typically accompanied by Jon Stewart attempting to hold back laughter.

There are many, many highlights, but Ed Helms' ice-cold delivery near the end is one to stick around for.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon deal alert: The DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo drops to $369 (all-time low)

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 11:29

SAVE OVER $100: As of Aug. 12, the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo is down to its lowest-ever price of $369 at Amazon. That's $160 off its full price of $529.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo $369 at Amazon
$529 Save $160   Get Deal

Drones are a cool investment, no matter if you're a content creator or just looking to start up a new hobby. It's even better when you can snag a bundle that comes with everything you need to take to the skies, like the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo.

As of Aug. 12, this popular bundle is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Shoppers can grab the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo for $369 for a limited time. That's a 30% cut from its original price of $529. The third-party seller is reliable, with a 98% positive rating over the last 12 months.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 11 Pro: Everything we know ahead of Aug. 12 Made By Google event

The DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo is a stacked bundle, coming with the drone, three flight batteries, a two-way charging hub, a pair of propeller guards, a spare pair of propellers, four spare propeller screws, a gimbal protector, the DJI RC Motion 3, DJI Goggles N3, a screwdriver, a lanyard, and a Type-C to Type-C PD cable. With all of that in your hands, you'll be ready to capture beautiful scenes without delay.

The DJI Neo will make sure those views shine with 4K video at 30 fps and 12MP photos. Plus, with the help of DJI stabilization technology and level-4 wind resistance, footage will remain smooth. This tiny device weighs just 135 grams, so it does not require FAA registration or Remote ID.

Enjoy the views from above this summer with the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo. Don't miss out on this great deal at Amazon.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

MSIs Katana 15 gaming laptop is on a limited-time deal at Amazon — act fast to save over $300

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 11:20

TL;DR: The MSI Katana 15 HX gaming laptop is on sale for $1,869.99 at Amazon, down from its $2,199.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Katana 15 HX Gaming Laptop $1,869.99 at Amazon
$2,199.99 Save $330.00 Get Deal

Getting over $300 off a gaming laptop packing an RTX 5070 during RAMmageddon sounds more like a dream these days, but Amazon has just done exactly that with MSI’s Katana 15 HX.

As of Aug. 12, the MSI Katana 15 HX gaming laptop is available for $1,869.99 at Amazon as part of a limited-time deal. With $330 off its $2,199.99 list price, you’re getting a 15% discount on the 14th Gen Intel Core i9 configuration with 32GB of memory and 1TB of storage.

The two components that make this a major draw for us here are the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 memory. Paired with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, you’re effectively getting enough muscle for demanding games, streaming, and even multitasking between work and other bits of content creation — all without wishing you could have an even beefier drive installed. 

Plus, the Blackwell-based GPU also brings DLSS 4 and ray-tracing support for games that can make use of them — making must-plays like Cyberpunk 2077 and Marvel Rivals look more stunning than ever. 

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With its 15.6-inch QHD display, the 2560 x 1440 IPS-level panel runs at 165Hz and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut; with that, you’re getting both a sharper picture than standard Full HD alongside the higher refresh rate you’d want for faster shooters and competitive games (like Fortnite and Apex Legends) all in one powerful, portable package.

To keep all of these great games running safely at high specs, the Katana 15 HX’s Cooler Boost 5 feature uses dual fans and five heat pipes to help prevent the CPU and GPU from throttling during longer loads.

That said, there’s still some space to look stylish with its four-zone RGB keyboard — and you’ve got WiFi 6E, USB-C Gen 2, multiple USB-A ports, Ethernet, and HDMI support up to 8K for all the initial connectivity options you’ll need.

If you’re in the market for a new stylish monitor to extend your setup, LG's 32-inch 4K OLED UltraGear gaming monitor is now $750 at Amazon. Among other gaming laptop deals right now, you can also snag the Acer Nitro V 16 for under $1,000

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 igaming laptop is down to a record-low price on Amazon — save $600

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 11:13

TL;DR: The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptop is on sale for $2,199.99 at Amazon, down from its $2,799.99 list price. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI Gaming Laptop $2,199.99 at Amazon
$2,799.99 Save $600 Get Deal

An 18-inch gaming laptop loaded with an RTX 5070 Ti was never going to sit in a budget-level price bracket, but Amazon has just pushed Acer’s oversized Predator to a slightly more manageable rate.

As of Aug. 12, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI gaming laptop has been knocked to $2,199.99 at Amazon, taking a full $600 off the $2,799.99 list price. The 21% discount has brought this model to its lowest-ever price, as recorded by the price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Sold and shipped directly by Amazon rather than a third-party marketplace seller, you’ll get free delivery as soon as Aug. 13 (at the time of writing) if you’re a Prime member — and you’ll have the retailer’s free 30-day refund/replacement guarantee if there are any problems.

As for what you’re getting in terms of hardware for your money, Acer pairs Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU sporting 12GB of GDDR7 memory, alongside 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a roomy 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. Essentially, this gives you plenty of headroom for demanding games, heavier multitasking, and storing a sizeable library without immediately reaching for another drive.

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NVIDIA’s Blackwell-based GPU also brings DLSS 4, Multi Frame Generation, enhanced Ray Reconstruction, and full ray tracing support, giving newer games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced or Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls extra tools for pushing higher frame rates without sacrificing as much visual detail.

As for the display, the Predator Helios Neo 18 AI uses an 18-inch 2560 x 1600 WQXGA panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms overdrive response time, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and up to 100% DCI-P3 color coverage. In other words, the screen is built to make good use of the hardware rather than bottlenecking it with a basic panel.

Acer rounds things out with Killer WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and its 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D cooling system. There’s also a four-zone RGB keyboard, and PredatorSense controls for tweaking performance modes, fan behavior, and lighting.

If you’re looking for a laptop with touchpad functionality, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is still on sale at Amazon. You can also grab the Acer Nitro V 16 gaming laptop on offer for under $1,000

Categories: IT General, Technology

SpaceXAI launches Grok Bot, an always-on AI agent

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 11:01

Elon Musk's SpaceXAI (yes, that's the company name now) has introduced Grok Bot, a team of always-on AI agents that can accomplish tasks in the background while you work on other stuff.

There's some number confusion here: the feature is called "Grok Bot," but the introductory post keeps referring to it in the plural. In practice, it should resemble a "highly capable teammate" to which you can give tasks simply by chatting with it.

And yes, you can run several bots in parallel and even have one manage a team of bots, which can independently message each other as they work to accomplish a task. Bots can also be placed in a group chat where they can work and communicate together as a team of actual humans would. "They pass work, assign ownership, and only pull you in for judgment calls," says SpaceXAI.

Well, I prefer a bot doing that instead of doing it myself. Credit: SpaceXAI

SpaceXAI provides a couple of examples of how its own teams are using Grok Bot. In one example, a Bot sends invites and follow-ups to collect NDA signatures for beta access to a feature; in another, a bot finds open invoices across portals and email, sends follow-ups in the same voice, logs replies, and only escalates the ones that are stuck or disputed.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk’s Grokipedia reportedly hasn’t been updated since April

Grok Bot is in beta and is now available to SuperGrok Heavy, Cursor Ultra, and Cursor Teams Premium subscribers on desktop and iOS. As for Enterprise users, there's a waitlist they can join to get access in the future.

SpaceXAI's Grok Bot follows in the footsteps of other companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, which offer similar, persistent AI agents that can do work in the background and as a team.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

Mashable - Wed, 08/12/2026 - 11:01

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites from Australia is ExpressVPN.

The world of porn continues to be impacted by age-verification laws. Back in early 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub hit back by blocking users from those locations. A similar situation took place in France and the UK, and now Australians are facing the same set of challenges.

The porn blocks arrived just days before new online safety codes came into effect, requiring organizations to verify the ages of users. It's the same story we've seen before, with the same straightforward workaround.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — here's how to claim

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Australia, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Australia

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub from Australia by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (we recommend 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 a location that supports access to Pornhub

  4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Shop Now

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in locations all around the world

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

  • Strict no-logging policies so your data is always secure

  • Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

  • Multiple simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantees

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with a money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Australia with ExpressVPN.

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