This isn't only bout keeping your own browsing safe and secure—if you install it on your Android phone, you're helping other people circumvent censorship restrictions in their current location, donating part of your connection to the web so that they can get online at all.

Enabling Snowflake Volunteer on Android. Credit: Lifehacker

The Tor Browser is so effective at hiding the identity and online activities of users that certain governments would rather their citizens didn't make use of it. That takes away one of the best privacy browsers in the business for the people of those countries, and anyone who happens to be visiting them. Censoring the Tor Browser is usually done by refusing access to the relay nodes that it routes traffic around—the stops on the way to and from the internet that do the job of concealing locations and other identifiable information. However, the relay directory is public, which means it can be blocked.

That's where Snowflake comes in. The standalone Android app is new, but the idea isn't. Snowflake is an alternative way the Tor Browser can get online: A Snowflake connection is disguised as a standard video call over the WebRTC protocol, which isn't typically restricted, and from there, a connection can be made to the Tor network.

You can control when connections can be made. Credit: Lifehacker

With Snowflake on your phone, you're essentially smuggling someone in a Tor-restricted country across the border, digitally speaking. Even if these intermediate bridges are detected and blocked, they're short-lived, with new ones continually popping up, making it virtually impossible for a government to block this method of access without crippling much of the general internet in their country.

The Tor Browser runs as normal for the user who's connecting, albeit with the standard trade-offs in terms of speed and latency. Because of the rerouting and technical borrowing that goes on, Tor isn't the best option if you want to maximize your broadband upload and download speeds.

What it's like to be a Snowflake Volunteer

As a firm believer that internet users should be able to get on the web with a high level of anonymity and privacy, I installed the new Snowflake Volunteer app from the Google Play Store (it's also on F-Droid) and powered it up. The first job is to exempt it from battery management rules so it will stay available even if it's not being used, a process the app guides you through.

That done, all that's required is enabling the toggle switch on the main screen, and your phone is ready and waiting for someone else to connect. There's no setup configuration to work through, no user account to create, and everything works automatically in the background—it really is designed to be as simple as possible.

The app keeps stats of how your device has been used. Credit: Lifehacker

Tap on the settings cog (top right), and you'll find a few settings at your disposal: You can opt to only allow connections when you're on unmetered networks (such as wifi) or when your phone is charging. You can also set how many users your phone can support at any one time. This is all in the interest of limiting the impact on your device.

Across four hours or so, I saw six connections made, sending a total of 3.2 megabytes and receiving a total of 17 megabytes—hardly excessive use. My phone wasn't suddenly overrun with other users wanting to get online. Snowflake Volunteer is designed as an emergency measure for circumventing censorship, and the usage I've seen backs that up.

I didn't notice any bugs or any problems with the app or any impact on my battery life (perhaps to be expected with so little activity). I think it's something I'll keep switched on, especially overnight when I'm not using my device. It's a nice idea to be able to see the stats on how many people you've helped over time, as an encouragement to keep your device available.

Is there any risk with using Snowflake Volunteer?

You can also be a Snowflake volunteer using your browser. Credit: Lifehacker

As a Snowflake Volunteer, you're not at risk of being identified by any state that's censored the Tor project: To them, you look like a standard audio or video call connection, and there's no static list of IP addresses to block. What's more, the same multiple layers of encryption that protect the entire Tor network are still in place, so you're unable to see anything connecting users are doing, and they will go through several more nodes before doing any browsing anyway—your device is just the entry point. No one who connects to your device can learn anything about you: The app is simply not capable of any sort of surveillance. You're loaning a slice of connectivity, anonymously and securely. (There are more details of how it all works in Tor's Snowflake documentation.)

The new Android app isn't your only option for putting your hand up as a Snowflake volunteer. You can also install the desktop browser add-on or enable the Kindness Mode in the Orbot app for iOS (a VPN that enables connections to the Tor network).

And yet, Google also revealed a number of software features, as well. The Pixel Watch received much of the attention here, as the company announced that its smartwatches will soon track trends in insulin resistance, blood pressure, and sleep habits, but the Pixel wasn't left out of the conversation either. In fact, Android devices across the board are getting one new feature that seems particularly useful: Tap to Share.

How Google's new Tap to Share works 

Tap to Share appears to live up to its name. According to Google, all you need to do to use it is take your compatible Android device and place it near another compatible Android device. When you do, you'll pull up each other's contact cards, making it an easy way to share phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact info with someone new on Android.

However, the feature isn't limited to digital business cards. You can also use it to share photos, videos, and other files from your Android to another. To use it, open the file in question, then launch the Share Sheet. Then, bring your phone close to the other user's. Now, instead of your contact cards, Android will send over your file.

While Google might have announced this feature alongside the launch of the Pixel 11, it works with a lot of Google phones. The company says you'll be able to use Tap to Share on Pixel 6 and newer, which spans the entirety of Google's current supported Pixel devices. In addition, Google says Tap to Share is coming to some Samsung Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8, and will expand to even more devices by the end of 2026.

Tap to Share is, of course, similar to Apple's NameDrop feature on iOS, down to the contact card default. However, Android beat Apple to the punch originally. This is essentially an evolution of Android Beam, a discontinued feature that let you send data over NFC. And while the feature won't work with iPhones, Google and Apple do offer a quick sharing option for users trying to share from Android to iPhone, and vice versa.

If you work from home or just travel a lot for work and dread being forced to use a single screen to do your job, the solution could cost you less than $100. Right now, Amazon has discounted the Asus ZenScreen MB16AHV portable monitor by 37%, taking it down to $95—the lowest price it has ever reached, according to price tracking tools.

Asus ZenScreen MB16AHV 15.6" 1080p USB-C IPS Portable Monitor

$94.40 at Amazon

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Asus reliably produces some of the best affordable productivity portable displays, and the MB16AHV, which came out in 2023, is a solid option. It has a matte anti-glare 15.6-inch 1080p display with 250 nits of brightness, a dual USB-C port, and a Mini-HDMI port. There is a built-in foldable kickstand so it doesn't need any other accessories to do its job, and it comes with a protective sleeve that you can use to carry it or prop it up.

It's easy to use, with a plug-and-play setup: You just need a single USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, which will provide both image connectivity and power. There is a 1/4" threaded hole in the back for a tripod accessory if you want to prop it up. It will also automatically rotate from landscape to portrait if you turn the screen, which is helpful for reading long documents or doomscrolling (there is no touchscreen support, however).

Back-to-school sales are aplenty this time of year, and one of the most popular deals in recent years comes from Apple, which offers eligible customers discounts and/or gift cards with the purchase of certain Apple devices for school use. This year, students, faculty, staff, and other eligible customers can get up to a $150 Apple Gift Card when buying a MacBook Pro, or $100 for a MacBook Air, iPad Air, or iPad Pro. You can read the full terms to see who is eligible, and the product list is below.

The discount comes at a particularly opportune time: Apple recently raised prices on many of its devices by $100 or more—meaning you might be able to buy a MacBook today for what it effectively would have cost you back in June. And if you need more time, Apple extended its original Aug. 27 deadline until Sep. 24, giving us more time to shop for the right product.

Here's the bad news: The new MacBook Neo isn't part of the deal, nor are the iPad mini, the iPad (11th Generation), or any desktop Macs.

$100 Apple Gift Card

MacBook Air 13-inch

$1,199.00 at Apple

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$1,199.00 at Apple

$150 Apple Gift Card

MacBook Air 15-inch

$1,399.00

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$1,399.00

$150 Apple Gift Card

MacBook Pro 14-inch

$1,899.00 at Apple

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$1,899.00 at Apple

$150 Apple Gift Card

MacBook Pro 16-inch

$2,799.00 at Apple

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$2,799.00 at Apple

$100 Apple Gift Card

iPad Air 11-inch

$699.00 at Apple

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$699.00 at Apple

$100 Apple Gift Card

iPad Air 13-inch

$899.00 at Apple

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$899.00 at Apple

$100 Apple Gift Card

iPad Pro 11-inch

$1,099.00 at Apple

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$1,099.00 at Apple

$100 Apple Gift Card

iPad Pro 13-inch

$1,399.00 at Apple

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$1,399.00 at Apple

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The Apple products must be purchased directly from Apple to get the gift card. At the moment, that could save you double, as Apple already offers educational discounts for eligible students purchasing many of these products—and that discount stacks with this gift card offer. You must use the gift card credit on Apple products, accessories, and apps, or subscription services like Apple Music and iCloud+ storage.

Who is eligible for the gift card offer

If you're a current or newly accepted higher-education student, a faculty or staff member at a higher-education institution, a parent purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, or an employee of a K-12 institution, you are eligible. As with the educational discount, you'll need to complete verification through UNiDAYS to get your gift card.

Hackers are using malicious extensions to spread fake security updates

Some Google Chrome users have noticed aggressive pop-ups alerting them to required updates and prompting them to download the latest version of the browser. One version states that "access to websites is temporarily blocked" until the update is installed. The other is even more urgent, stating that Chrome will stop working after a certain date and require a "complete reinstallation," in which users may lose access to bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. If you click "Update Chrome," it'll download a suspicious .vbs or .exe script to your device.

The issue seems to be traceable to a handful of extensions, which are fetching malicious scripts and serving fake prompts inside the browser. In Chrome, one such add-on is “Enable Right Click & Copy Smart Unlock + OCR," which has a "Featured" tag and 70,000 downloads (though other utility tools may be culprits as well). Users on Brave and Opera, both Chromium browsers, have reported identical pop-ups. For the former, the compromised extension, called "QuickLens – Search Screen with Google Lens," was removed from the Web Store.

While some malicious add-ons do find their way onto the Chrome Web Store, it's not uncommon for threat actors to weaponize otherwise benign extensions after gaining platform approval and user trust. In campaigns identified across Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox, hackers have built extensions posing as crypto wallet and productivity apps, let them operate legitimately to rack up downloads and reviews, and then pushed updates that turned them into malware.

This is an effective strategy because malicious extensions can evade detection by antivirus software and system scans. The browser itself isn't compromised—rather, the add-on is pulling malicious scripts from a remote server, and the threat isn't picked up until you actually download and execute them on your device.

Don't download security updates from pop-ups

If you start seeing pop-ups for critical security updates in your browser, don't click on them, and don't copy or install anything from them. The alerts in this campaign have fairly convincing Chrome branding and elements like a copyright and links to a privacy policy and terms of service, but beware the sense of urgency. You can check whether your browser actually needs to be updated in the settings menu (on Chrome, click the three vertical dots or go to Settings > About Chrome).

You should also regularly check the extensions you've added to your browser and delete any that aren't essential. Click the extensions icon > Manage Extensions to see what's active and review permissions granted. If you're still getting sketchy pop-ups, try removing utility apps to see if you can identify the culprit.

Under James Gunn's tenure, the DC Universe has promised us variety, and in that spirit, we're soon getting Lanterns, a show that stars Kyle Chandler as veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as new recruit John Stewart fighting evil...in Nebraska. The two superheroes find themselves investigating a murder in a tiny town, a far cry from the typical intergalactic adventures of the Green Lantern Corps, space cops who can create just about anything with their fancy-schmancy rings. (Though it's not without precedent, as the 1970s comics saw Hal team up with Green Arrow to travel the country and see how we live here on the ground.)

It's obviously early days for the new HBO Max series, and it is as yet unclear whether it will be viewed as a clever genre twist or a too-constrained waste of potential. Either way, Lanterns won't be the first show to push the boundaries of the sci-fi and superhero genres. Here are 10 others that have arguably pulled it off.

Watchmen (2019)

A standalone sequel to the groundbreaking Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins graphic novel from the '80s, this series plays in the sandbox of that book (arguably the wellspring of all modern superhero deconstruction), with a little help from Lanterns co-creator Damon Lindelof. In an alternate Tulsa, Oklahoma, in a world where super-powered vigilantes exist and have been outlawed, the series starts with a depiction of the real-life massacre and destruction of Tulsa's Black Wall Street by white residents in 1921. Regina King plays Angela Abar, a modern cop whose grandparents were killed during those attacks, events that echo throughout the series, which focuses on the fallout from the plot of the original comic and the conspiracies that grew out of it. Like Lanterns, this show's focus is on life on the ground in a world where gods fly above. Stream Watchmen on HBO Max or buy episodes from Prime Video.

Watchmen (2019)

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Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2011 – 2013)

Almost certainly the best adaptation of Green Lantern to date, this show, from some of the people behind Batman: The Animated Series, doesn't take a grounded approach in the least, instead going in quite the opposite direction. Instead, it mines decades of comics' lore to send GL and company into deep space for some of the biggest adventures imaginable. Hal Jordan (Josh Keaton) is one of the finest Lanterns in the Corps, but his reputation for recklessness has led his superiors to distrust him. When he learns that rage-fueled Red Lanterns are murdering his compatriots in deep space, he defies orders and steals a prototype ship to help. Things get complicated on the frontier, as the show balances individual adventures with a longer storyline about the nature of the Red Lanterns, and whether their green counterparts are entirely the good guys. Buy Green Lantern: The Animated Series from Prime Video.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2011 – 2013)

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The Penguin (2024)

There's nothing new about going grim-and-gritty with stories set in Gotham City, so this is perhaps slightly less of a departure than Lanterns—still, a prestige crime drama in a superhero world was new-ish territory way back in 2024. A spin-off of the latest Batman movie (the Robert Pattinson one), the show stars Colin Farrell as the up-and-coming mobster of the title. In the wake of the killing of boss Carmine Falcone. the Penguin and the absolutely unhinged Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti, who won an Emmy for the role) are vying for control of the underworld. After decades of live-action Batman tales, it's kind of refreshing to see what's going on in Gotham City when the Caped Crusader has his back turned. Stream The Penguin on HBO Max.

The Penguin (2024)

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Superman & Lois (2021 – 2024)

It's saying quite a bit to suggest that Elizabeth Tulloch and Tyler Hoechlin are among the finest live-action Lois and Clark pairings ever, but here we are. Skipping over the will-they/won't-they of earlier takes, the show jumps ahead to find the two married and with two teenage children, Jonathan and Jordan. The couple has just moved back to Smallville to give the kids a semblance of a normal life. Good luck with that! The show balances small-town drama with big superhero stakes, never more so than in the later seasons, when community-minded crime boss Bruno Mannheim (Chad L. Coleman) uses a Bizarro-style clone to put Superman out of his way while their wives both battle cancer. Stream Superman & Lois on HBO Max.

Superman & Lois (2021 – 2024)

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Doom Patrol (2019 – 2023)

Here's an uncharacteristically bold and indescribably freaky entry in the superhero canon, including characters like the non-binary Danny the Street (a literal street), paranormal investigators the Sex Men, Imaginary Jesus, and orgasm-generating bodybuilder Flex Mentallo. All the weirdness is grounded in excellent, frequently emotional character work from the entire cast, including Brendan Fraser, Matt Bomer, April Bowlby, Diane Guerrero, Joivan Wade, Michelle Gomez, and Timothy Dalton. It’s queer and sex-positive, making it a standout among the usually chaste, straight world of superheroes on TV. Stream Doom Patrol on HBO Max.

Doom Patrol (2019 – 2023)

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Batman: Caped Crusader (2024 – )

There's a lot of Batman out there, but this one's got real style, harkening back to Batman: The Animated Series from the 1990s (no surprise, given that Bruce Timm developed this one too). With a 1940s-esque setting, the show dodges some of the more outlandish superhero tropes to focus on a Gotham City rife with crime, corrupt cops, and gang warfare. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, exactly, but it's a strong enough reimagining that it feels fresh, particularly given that every other superhero show seems to require a deep investment in crossovers and spin-offs. Stream Batman: Caped Crusader Prime Video.

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Creature Commandos (2024 – )

This animated show sees Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, reprising the role from the live-action DC movies) assembling a black-ops team to protect a foreign nation from the Amazonian sorceress Circe. Waller can't be trusted with actual humans, so her team is made up entirely of literal monsters: The Bride (Indira Varma), Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk), Eric Frankenstein (David Harbour), and aquatic mutant Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), alongside Nazi-obsessed G.I. Robot and the rodent-like Weasel (both Sean Gunn). Extremely violent and with a dark sense of humor, this show from James Gunn and company also brings an impressive amount of heart to the mix. Plus, it's set in the same relatively young universe as Lanterns, so you won't be behind on your homework. Stream Creature Commandos on HBO Max.

Creature Commandos (2024 – )

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Echo (2024)

Alaqua Cox returns to her Hawkeye role of Maya Lopez, a deaf assassin who once worked for Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk. She's now on the run from the mob boss, returning to her hometown in Oklahoma to come to terms with her past and to reconnect with her family and roots in the Choctaw Nation. The personal stakes mark a welcome shift toward the personal and away from the multiversal scale of the most recent Marvel—even as the show's scope encompasses centuries of Choctaw history. Stream Echo on Disney+.

Echo (2024)

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Andor (2022 – 2025)

They might be galaxies apart, but if you're looking for a grounded show born from a sci-fi premise, look no further than Andor. Just when I felt like I was done with Star Wars, along came this prequel series, the morally complex story of thief-turned-rebel spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) being radicalized and setting out on the road to becoming the heart and soul of the Rebellion. We witness the slow march of the Empire, as citizens of the galaxy become acclimated to rising fascism, and delve into the conflicts between various rebel factions: Genevieve O'Reilly's Mon Mothma fights from within the Galactic Senate, while Stellan Skarsgård's Luthen Rael, Andor's handler, favors dark deeds done under cover of darkness. Forest Whitaker's Saw Gerrera is content to burn the Galaxy down rather than allow it to become what he hates. The scope is grand, but the focus is very much on the people at the bottom of the ladder, and what they do or don't do in the face of tyranny. There's also a lot of dust. Stream Andor on Disney+.

Andor (2022 – 2025)

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True Detective (2014 – )

There's been a lot of talk about Lanterns being the DC universe's explicit answer to True Detective, so here we are. This crime anthology started out by taking us to Oklahoma, with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson investigating a murder that led to a broader mystery that bordered on the cosmic. The most recent season similarly sees veteran Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) face their complicated pasts while searching for missing scientists at a research station in a remote Alaskan town. Stream True Detective on HBO Max.

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As spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple TV has added 19 movies to its catalog that subscribers can watch for free, without paying a separate rental fee. The selection runs the gamut, featuring films from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s and spanning genres and subject matter. Though not all of these movies are exactly awards material, a number of them are considered classics in their own right, from older hits like E.T. and Titanic to recently lauded movies like Arrival. Each of them is free to watch with any Apple TV subscription, and you can find them in the platform's "Great Movies Available Now on Apple TV" section.

Apple TV now lets you watch the following movies for free

Here is the complete list of all the movies Apple TV just added to its catalog for free:21 Jump Street

• A Beautiful Mind

• Arrival

• The Aviator

• The Bourne Identity

• Charlies Angels

• E.T.

• Forgetting Sarah Marshall

• Gone Girl

• I, Robot

• Looper

• The Martian

• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

• The Proposal

• The Rookie

• The Sixth Sense

• Titanic

• Zodiac

• Zoolander

It's unclear how long these movies will remain on Apple TV, or whether Apple plans to add more movies to the mix in the future. As 9to5Mac highlights, it's not the first time Apple has licensed movies in this way, though it has been several years, and previously, Apple has removed the offerings from the platform in short order. All of these movies are available to rent or buy through Apple's digital store too, so if you miss out on the window, you can always pay a rental fee to view them.

Whether you’re a content creator or just looking to capture all your adventures, a 360 action camera is a must, recording all your surroundings simultaneously so that not a moment is missed. One of the best action cameras on the market is the DJI Osmo 360 Standard Combo kit, and with the brand releasing its Osmo 360 II this month, the older model is down to a record low of $349.99 (originally $467).

DJI Osmo 360 Standard Combo, 360 Action Camera

$349.99 at Amazon

$467.00 Save $117.01

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It records native 8K/30fps 360-degree video, allowing flexibility to reframe footage into horizontal to vertical content, It also has the ability to shoot single-lens ultra-wide footage at up to 4K/120fps with a 170-degree field of view, and works well in low light thanks to two square 1/1.1-inch sensors (many 360 action cameras have smaller sensors, which don’t perform as well in low lighting. The bundle comes with an extra camera,  a lens-protective cover, a USB-C cable, and a protective pouch.

It comes with 106GB of built-in storage (helpful for when your microSD card is full or misbehaving), and battery life lasts up to 100 minutes. An extra 1950mAh battery makes it last even longer. Compared to cameras like the Insta360 X5, it has better 8K endurance. At 6.5oz, it’s lightweight enough to carry, use with the camera’s invisible selfie stick, or mount to a bike. Durability is a plus, too—with an IP68 rating, it’s waterproof and safe for submersion up to 33 feet without needing an additional case. 

It has four mics to capture sound, and features like wind-noise reduction, stabilization, horizon leveling, magnetic quick-release mounting, subject tracking, and phone-motion reframing all make it a top choice for content creators, adrenaline junkies, and travelers. If you’ve been waiting for a 360 action cam that’s the perfect blend of durable, long-lasting, and lightweight, it’s worth considering the DJI Osmo 360 Standard Combo, especially with a rare price drop ahead of the new model’s launch. 

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 was announced at the Samsung July Unpacked event last month, showcasing the popular wearable’s extended battery life, improved outdoor performance, and a lighter design, putting it on the wishlists of many Samsung and Android users. Right now, Amazon has it down to $699.99 from $799.99, which price trackers show is its lowest price so far, and it also comes with a $100 gift card for a little extra value.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Bundles with $100 Amazon gift card

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The 800mAh battery is around 35% larger than its predecessor, lasting around 60 hours with the display always on and about three days on lighter settings. And while it still can’t replace a Garmin, it’s significantly more rugged than the Ultra, with features like dual-frequency GPS, trail-run tracking with elevation data, hydration guidance, a titanium build, 10ATM water resistance, IP69K protection, and EN13319 dive certification. NB-NTN satellite connectivity is also an exciting improvement, letting you send messages or make calls without a cell signal.

The 47mm face has a 5,000-nit AMOLED display (up from 3,000 nits) for superior brightness and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite chip, built for AI workloads. The design is also lighter and more comfortable; despite the bigger battery, it’s now 12% thinner with a lighter strap, but still equally rugged with its titanium case. Compared to the Galaxy Watch 9,  the Ultra 2 is more durable and has a pretty major battery advantage.  

If you spend a lot of time outdoors and want a premium LTE smartwatch that can handle all your adventures, this Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 deal is one worth considering. On the other hand, if you mostly want notifications, fitness tracking, and sleep data, the Galaxy Watch 9 might be a more sensible choice.

Samsung announced a ton of new products at its July Unpacked event, and among them is the highly anticipated Galaxy Watch 9. Amazon currently has the 40mm model for $379.99 and the 44mm version for $409.99, down from $429.99 and $459.99, respectively, with a $50 Amazon gift card included with either size, adding a little more value to the deal.

The cellular versions are discounted as well, with the 40mm down to $429.99 from $479.99 and the 44mm down to $459.99 from $509.99—these are a better fit if you often leave your phone behind on runs, walks, or quick errands, since they can handle calls, messages, music streaming, and other connected features over a mobile network without your phone nearby.

With $50 Amazon Gift Card

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (44mm, Bluetooth)

$409.99 at Amazon

$459.99 Save $50.00

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$409.99 at Amazon

$459.99 Save $50.00

With $50 Amazon Gift Card

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (44mm, LTE)

$459.99 at Amazon

$509.99 Save $50.00

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$459.99 at Amazon

$509.99 Save $50.00

With $50 Amazon Gift Card

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm, Bluetooth)

$379.99 at Amazon

$429.99 Save $50.00

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$379.99 at Amazon

$429.99 Save $50.00

With $50 Amazon Gift Card

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm, LTE)

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$479.99 Save $50.00

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The Galaxy Watch 9 has a slimmer 8.6mm case and an AMOLED screen that reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. It’s powered by the updated Qualcomm SW6100 chip for better CPU and GPU performance, with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It has an IP68 rating and can withstand depths of up to 50 meters of water, plus military durability testing that makes it more rugged than before. It also adds new AI-powered wellness features, including Vitals, Fitness Index, and an updated Running Coach, as well as the ability to start listening for instructions as soon as you raise your wrist to talk, no wake word required.

Updates include a fitness feature that claims to measure flexibility and added durability for water sports like scuba diving. Battery life is improved, too: The 40mm model has a 390mAh battery and is rated for up to 30 hours with the always-on display enabled, while the 44mm model has a 445mAh battery. That is an increase from the Galaxy Watch 8’s 325mAh and 435mAh batteries, respectively. All said, it is not a must-have upgrade for Galaxy Watch 8 owners, but its slimmer design, brighter display, newer processor, larger batteries, and expanded health and fitness tools are all noteworthy improvements.

Microsoft is ending support for older Edge extensions

Microsoft recently announced that it will begin turning MV2 extensions off by default over the next few months, and support for these add-ons will end completely for most users by the close of 2026. (The transition for enterprise is expected to be finalized in early 2027.)

Microsoft notes that 95% of MV2 extensions on Edge have already moved to MV3, leaving fewer than 60 in the Edge Add-on store still on MV2. That includes uBlock Origin, which does have an MV3 version in uBlock Origin Lite, but the latter isn't as powerful as its predecessor and hides content rather than keeping it from loading in the first place. AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, and AdGuard are other MV3 alternatives with Edge versions, though they are not perfect replacements for uBlock Origin either thanks to restrictions on how MV3 ad blockers are able to filter content.

You can switch to other browsers with ad-blocking capabilities

If you want to retain the ad-blocking features you're used to, you can move away from Edge (and Chrome) to a browser that's not Chromium-based. The alternatives also tend to be pretty decent when it comes to privacy. One is Firefox, which runs on its own Gecko engine and still allows these older ad-block extensions, including uBlock Origin. DuckDuckGo and Brave both have built-in ad-blocking capabilities. Note that Opera, which is Chromium-based, has said the platform plans to continue MV2 support for now, but that may end eventually.

At first glance, you might think Google's new Pixel Watch 5 was actually the Pixel Watch 4. That's because it has the same "Actua 360 display" at an identical 320 PPI with up to 3,000 nits of brightness. And, just like the Pixel Watch 4, you can get the Pixel Watch 5 in either 41mm or 45mm models. If not for the new colors, you might think this year's watch is just like last year's watch.

It doesn't help that many of the newest software features that Google announced along with the Pixel Watch 5 are compatible with older watches, too. Things like "Health Guardian," which tracks trends in insulin resistance, blood pressure, and sleep breathing, will be available on Pixel Watch 4 when they launch, just as they will be on Pixel Watch 5. But while the Pixel Watch 5 is a small update to the Pixel Watch 4, it is an update: There are six new features exclusive to the watch that you won't find on older models.

The Pixel Watch 5 comes with a new chip

The Pixel Watch 4 runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip; the Pixel Watch 5 runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chip. That might not sound like a big difference, and, indeed, we don't have benchmarks at this time to say just how much faster the Pixel Watch 5 is than its predecessor.

However, according to Google, the Pixel 5's "Accelerated" chip is powering on-device AI features faster than before. That includes Google's "Raise to Talk" feature, which lets you interact with Gemini by raising your wrist. The company says these features on Pixel Watch 5 now process "instantly with low latency," even when you aren't connected to the internet.

The chip also powers Gemini Intelligence Proactive Suggestions (Google previously called this Magic Cue). These are new suggestions that automatically appear based on the context of what you're doing: If someone asks you for your flight info, Gemini can use your Pixel Watch 5's chip to dig through your apps to surface that info by presenting it as an option to share with a tap. Google says the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chip has 50% more RAM than the previous generation, as well as a 12% CPU boost, which makes the whole chip 20% faster overall.

The Pixel Watch 5 has highly accurate GPS route tracking

Google has some bold claims for the Pixel Watch 5. Not only does the company claim that its newest watch has the most accurate GPS route tracking of any Pixel Watch (the company says it has double the accuracy of previous generations in the "toughest environments"), Google says its more accurate than Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro. We'll have to see how true those claims are when reviewers put the watch to the test.

To make these leaps in GPS route tracking, Google says it tapped into Google Maps to "trace satellite ray paths through 3D building models." The company also explains how Pixel Watch 5 can connect to weather reference stations around the globe in real time to adjust for local atmospheric conditions. Google claims all these steps improve route precision.

The Pixel Watch 5 has improved sleep tracking

While Pixel Watch 4 shares many of the new health features Google is rolling out in coming months, the Pixel Watch 5 does win in certain categories. Google says the newest watch has 15% more accurate sleep stage detection, which should improve sleep tracking overall. In addition, your bedtime automation on the Pixel Watch 5 can pause audiobooks automatically when you fall asleep, and there's now a dedicated bedtime watch face.

New watch faces and complications on the Pixel Watch 5

Google says Pixel Watch 5 comes with two new "stunning" watch faces, as well as 11 new "glanceable" complication styles. The company didn't highlight what those looked like in their press releases, but 9to5Google has images of the faces (Weave and Chronograph). You can also use AI to generate new watch faces if the available options aren't to your liking.

Pixel Watch 5 comes in new colors

Google says the Watch 5 has three new color options, though only two are available in both sizes. Those include Fog, Olive, and Canyon, though the latter is a 41mm exclusive. If you're set on the 45mm model, you could instead choose the Stephen Curry Special Edition, as that model isn't available in 41mm.

Breathing emergency detection (EU only)

One health feature exclusive to Pixel Watch 5 is "breathing emergency detection." Google says the Pixel Watch 5 can use on-device AI to read its PPG, accelerometer, and barometer sensors all at once, in an effort to detect if you stop breathing. That could be from drug toxicity accidents, pneumonia, or choking. The company says if your watch detects a breathing emergency and you can't respond, it will reach out to emergency services on your behalf, even sharing your live location. This feature is launching in Europe first.

With this live blog, you can keep up with the best deals the Lifehacker team finds every day—all in one place. Bookmark this page to keep an eye on what we're finding. As always, we use price-tracking tools to suss out the deals that are actually worth paying attention to, not just hype designed to instill a false sense of urgency.

Samsung announced five new products during its Galaxy Unpacked event last month. Three of those are the new flagship smartphones: the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8. Amazon had pre-order deals that were supposed to last until their launch, but the deal is still active after their release. We don't know for how long, so if you're interested, get it before it's gone. You can get an Amazon gift card up to $350, while Samsung is offering a max of $230 in Samsung credits. And if you're looking to switch to T-Mobile, you can get a Galaxy Z Fold 8 on them. You can read more details on that deal here.

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The Galaxy Z Flip8 doesn't bring much change

If you were expecting a shiny new toy from the Z Flip 8, you might be disappointed—it's not that different from the Z Flip 7. It has a 4.1-inch outer display and a 6.9-inch inner display, 12GB of RAM, and similar cameras to the Z Flip 7, including a 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultra Wide, and 10X Digital Zoom. Upgrades over the previous model include peak brightness that's 1000 nits brighter, now reaching 2600 nits; there is a new 2x optical zoom; and the processor upgrades the SoC from the Exynos 2500.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a new device

As Lifehacker Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson says, the Z Fold 8 is not the upgraded version of the Z Fold 7: It's a brand new device, which might appeal to users who want a phablet that takes up a little less space in their pocket. You can expect a 5.5-inch outer display, a 7.6-inch inner display, three rear cameras (50MP Wide, 50MP Ultra Wide, and 2x Optical Zoom), and the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip as the rest of the "Z 8" line.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7

The flagship foldable Samsung phone for 2026 is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It has the biggest and best cameras (200MP Wide, 50MP Ultra Wide, and 10MP Tele), the largest displays (6.5-inch outer display, 8-inch inner display), and the biggest battery (5,000 mAh).

Hours before its big Made by Google event, Google officially unveiled the Pixel 11 series. The new line won't come as a surprise to anyone who follows Google tech: There's the new Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, as well as the Pixel 11 Pro Fold—for anyone who can get past the $1,899 starting price.

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Each of these devices stands out in its own way: The Pixel 11 Pro XL is larger than the Pixel 11 and 11 Pro, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold can open up to reveal one large inner display. Google has set up this series to allow customers to pick the phone that best aligns with their needs, but there are also features you get no matter which phone you go with. In fact, there seem to be four such upgrades each Pixel 11 device comes with. If you're looking for preorder deals, check out our guide here.

Every Pixel 11 phone has improved cameras

Google's Pixel line might be best known for its cameras. As such, it only makes sense that the Pixel 11 series would ship with upgraded shooters. The Pixel 11 now has a 48MP main camera that Google says is 56% more sensitive to light. Plus, the 5x telephoto lens now supports Google's 30x "Super Zoom."

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL also get brand new sensors on the main cameras, while the telephoto camera gets bumped up to 48MP. Google says its new image sensor is 30% more light-sensitive than before. The Pros also support Portrait Mode at 5x zoom, and "Pro Zoom" at 120x. And when shooting in low-light conditions, Night Sight is now 4.5x faster than it was on Pixel 10 Pro. Finally, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold also comes with a new 48MP main camera that supports 30x Super Zoom.

Every Pixel 11 phone comes with upgraded charging

No matter which Pixel 11 device you choose, Google says you get upgraded charging over last year's Pixel 10. The Pixel 11 gets the fewest upgrades here, however: Google says it has the "fastest charging yet," using PixelSnap built-in, but that appears to be it.

All three "Pro" Pixel 11 devices, however, now support Qi 2.2, a faster wireless charging standard. If you use a 25W charger, you should notice quicker speeds when wirelessly charging. The Pixel 11 Pro XL might be the phone to get if charging speeds are your thing, however. With a 45W USB-C charger, Google says you can get 15 hours of use with 15 minutes of charging.

All Pixel 11 devices come with the Tensor G6

As with most smartphone upgrades, this year's series gets Google's latest chip: the Tensor G6. The company says Tensor G6 is the "fastest, most powerful" Google chip yet, and features a CPU that supports 25% faster web browsing and 15% faster app launches. The company claims the new chip can power on-device AI tasks 3.5x faster than Tensor G5, while at the same time being 3.5x more efficient than before. That should help power all of the AI features Google continues to push.

Every Pixel 11 device now start at 256GB

Say goodbye to 128GB of storage. Starting with the Pixel 11 series, all of Google's phones now start at 256GB. That news isn't as good as it sounds, though: While your base model Pixel 11 will have double the storage of a base model Pixel 10, Google still charges the same for 256GB as it did last year. That means the company effectively raised the entry price for each Pixel 11 device.

A previous version of this article reported that Pixel 11 shipped with HiLight, but that feature is only available on Pixel 11 Pro devices.

Ahead of its annual Made by Google event in New York City, Google revealed the details of its upcoming line of Pixel 11 phones, including specs of their all-important cameras. Pixel 11 phones will come in three versions: the base Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL. The Pro and Pro XL cameras have the same features, while the base model sports a slightly scaled-down photographic system.

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Pixel 11 base model camera features

The standard Pixel 11's camera setup is a step up from the Pixel 10, but not a gigantic leap. The main improvement is the brighter main sensor; the lenses are close to last year's hardware. Here's how it breaks down:

• Main: 48MP wide camera (rear) with a 1/1.56" sensor (larger than last year's model) to improve light input.

• Ultrawide: 13MP, which is identical to the Pixel 10's ultrawide camera specs.

• Telephoto: 10.8MP telephoto with 5X optical zoom and a 30x digital zoom. Also the same as the Pixel 10.

• Front camera: 10.5MP, also identical to the Pixel 10.

Pixel 11 Pro tier camera features

Google is throwing the heavy hardware improvements into its pro-level phones, bumping up both the resolution and sensor sizes across almost every lens.

• Main: 50MP wide camera, with a 1/1.3" sensor for improved light-gathering.

• Ultrawide: 48MP ultrawide camera, a big leap from the 13MP ultrawide of the base model.

• Telephoto: 48MP telephoto with 5X optical zoom and an "AI-powered" 120x Pro Zoom.

• Front camera: The Pro's 42MP selfie camera is a big step up from the 10.5MP camera on the base Pixel 11.

How does the latest Pixel compare to the newest iPhone 17 Pro?

With Apple's iPhones holding down over 50% of the U.S. smart phone market compared to Pixel's 3%, Google faces a real battle to win over buyers. Camera quality is a powerful weapon in its arsenal. Most consumers consider the camera an important choice when choosing between cell phones, and it's the most important feature for about half of younger users. Here's how Pixel 11's pro tier camera stacks up against the iPhone 17 Pro's best camera offerings.

• Main sensor: The Pixel 11 Pro edges out Apple slightly with a 50MP lens compared to the iPhone 17 Pro's 48MP, but megapixels are more complex than just "more is better." Apple's main sensor is 1/1.28," which is slightly larger than the Pixel's 1/1.3" sensor, and sensor size is more important to low-light performance and dynamic range than raw pixels. So this one's closer to a wash than the megapixel numbers suggest.

• Ultrawide: It's dead even. Both phones feature 48-megapixel ultrawide lenses.

• Telephoto: When it comes to zooming, Google is slightly ahead, offering 5x zoom to Apple's 4x, but in terms of digital zoom, the Pixel 11 Pro's 120x zoom towers over Apple's 40x zoom—in a way. Google's "pro zoom" is built on generative AI, producing plausible details for things it can't see, leading to a realistic-looking photo. Apple's approach uses AI more modestly, focusing on stacking multiple exposures to reduce noise and fill in details. The end result: Apple's extreme zoom is more grainy and noisy, but also more real.

• Front camera: The Pixel has a real advantage here with a 42MP sensor compared to Apple's 18MP selfie camera.

The bottom line: it's a draw

Both lines of smart phone cameras are roughly equal in terms of raw power. The main difference is largely a philosophical one. Apple might be losing the extreme magnification fight by capping its digital zoom to a relatively modest 40x, but it's also avoiding producing photos that are largely a product of artificial intelligence. If you want to push the boundaries of what a lens can capture with the help of generative AI, and you're not overly concerned about verisimilitude, the Pixel is the choice. If you want to keep it real (well, real-ish, anyway) the iPhone is the choice.

The "Made by Google" event will kick off tonight at 6 pm ET on YouTube, with Google officially announcing its new products, including new Pixel phones and watches—but retailers, phone carriers, and the Google website itself are already offering preorder deals for the new products. Here are the best deals you can find so far.

Preorder deals from Google

Google is offering bundle and trade-in deals for the Pixel 11 and the Pixel Watch 5. With a Pixel 11 Pro preorder, you'll get $250 off the new Google Pixel Watch 5 (originally $499.99) or $200 in Google Store credit. This deal only applies if you buy the unlocked version and not directly from Google Fi, Verizon, or AT&T. Google is also offering up to $600 back in trade-in credits.

Other models, like the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, also have similar deals. If you just want one of the Pixel phones, there are trade-in deals if you get it with Google Fi, Verizon, or AT&T. There are also extra trade-in credits for the Pixel Watch 5 and two years of data for the Pixel Watch 5 LTE.

Preorder deals from Best Buy

Best Buy is offering the best gift card preorder deal. You can get up to $350 in Best Buy e-gift cards when you pre-order a new unlocked Pixel phone.

• The Pixel 11 256GB starts at $899 and comes with a $100 gift card.

• The Pixel 11 Pro 256GB starts at $1,099 and gets you a $200 gift card.

• The Pixel 11 Pro XL 256GB starts at $1,299 and also comes with a $200 gift card.

• The Pixel 11 Pro Fold 256GB starts at $1,899 and comes with a $350 gift card.

If you want to go for trade-ins, you can bring the cost of the Pixel 11 down to $99 with qualifying products, specifically if you trade in a Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for a Google Pixel 11 Pro 256GB. For the Pixel Watch 5, Best Buy is only offering trade-in deals.

Preorder deals from Amazon

Amazon is also offering gift card deals (matching those from Best Buy) and is the only retailer to offer discounts on bundles for the Pixel Watch 5. Here are the deals:

• The Pixel 11 256GB starts at $899 and comes with a $100 gift card.

• The Pixel 11 Pro 256GB starts at $1,099 and gets you a $200 gift card.

• The Pixel 11 Pro XL 256GB starts at $1,299 and also comes with a $200 gift card.

• The Pixel 11 Pro Fold 256GB starts at $1,899 and comes with a $350 gift card.

Pixel phone with Pixel 5 Watch bundle:

• The Pixel 11 + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 41mm WiFi starts at $1,168.99 (originally $1,298.99).

• The Pixel 11 + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 45mm WiFi starts at $1,198.99 (originally $1,328.99).

• The Pixel 11 Pro + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 41mm WiFi starts at $1,248.99 (originally $1,498.99).

• The Pixel 11 Pro + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 45mm WiFi starts at $1,278.99 (originally $1,528.99).

• The Pixel 11 Pro XL + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 41mm WiFi starts at $1,448.99 (originally $1,698.99).

• The Pixel 11 Pro XL + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 45mm WiFi starts at $1,478.99 (originally $1,728.99).

• The Pixel 11 Pro Fold + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 41mm WiFi starts at $1,898.99 (originally $2,298.99).

• The Pixel 11 Pro Fold + Pixel Watch 5 Obsidian 45mm WiFi starts at $1,928.99 (originally $2,328.99).

Preorder deals from carriers

If you don't mind being tied down to a carrier contract, T-Mobile and AT&T are offering some good deals.

T-Mobile deals:

• Get the Pixel 11 or Pixel 11 Pro for free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on a 36-month Experience Beyond plan.

• Get the Pixel 11 Pro XL for free when you activate a new line on a 36-month Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in required).

• Get the Pixel Watch 5 with a $300 discount in 36-month credits when you add a line on an eligible plan.

AT&T deals:

• Get the Pixel 11 Pro for $0 when you trade in any old Google Pixel in any condition when you sign up for a 36-month eligible plan.

• Get the Pixel 11 Pro XL for $0 with an eligible trade-in when you sign up for a 36-month eligible plan.

• Get the Pixel 11 for $10.99 per month with no trade-in required when you sign up for a 36-month eligible plan.

• Get the Pixel Watch 5 45mm for 50% off when you add a line on an eligible plan.

For Garmin fans who want 24/7 data, but don't want to wear their heavy-duty sports watch 24/7, the Garmin Cirqa ($199) is an exciting new alternative to Whoop, Fitbit Air, and other screenless smart bands. This is the company’s first screen-free smart band, built to track fitness and wellness features around the clock, without needing a subscription.

Because the Cirqa has no screen, you might default to only do what Garmin's automatic detection decides for it. But when it comes to making the most of the Cirqa from the moment you unbox, there are clever hacks worth knowing. Here are five tips of my favorites—some official, and some discovered by reviewers and the community in these early weeks since the device's launch.

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Use the Cirqa as a standalone heart rate strap for other equipment

This is one of the more underrated features on paper. In Garmin Connect, go to Garmin Devices > Health & Wellness > Broadcast Heart Rate, and turn on Device Control. Once that's enabled, you can hold the side button on the Cirqa itself for three seconds until the LED flashes yellow, and it'll start broadcasting your heart rate without needing to touch the app again.

The Cirqa can broadcast over ANT+ to essentially unlimited receiving devices at once, and simultaneously over Bluetooth Smart to up to three separate connections, which means you could realistically stream your live heart rate to a cycling computer, a gym treadmill display, and an app like Zwift all at the same time. For anyone who already owns a Cirqa and was about to buy a separate chest strap for gym equipment or a smart trainer setup, this alone can save the extra purchase.

You can turn the Cirqa into a wrist-buzz clock

The Cirqa has no display, so there's no obvious way to "check the time" on it. But if you like the feel of a ticking analog reminder, you can get close. In the Garmin Connect app, go to your device, then Notifications & Alerts, and look at the alert options tied to activity and movement. Turning on Move Alert (Garmin's inactivity reminder) gives you a light buzz once an hour during your active hours, functioning like an unofficial hourly chime (even though it's technically triggered by extended sitting rather than the clock itself). It won't be perfectly precise to the top of the hour every time, but in daily use it lands close enough, especially if you're someone who deliberately avoids glancing at a phone all day.

Set Cirqa alarms to nudge you toward better habits, not just wake you up

The same Notifications & Alerts menu is where the real wellness tracking happens. You can enable alerts for stress spikes, sleep score readiness, goal completion, and general movement, effectively turning the Cirqa into a mini coach for hydration breaks, stretch breaks, or a moment of mindfulness—all depending on how you choose to interpret the buzz.

For actual wake-ups, go to Alarms > Add Alarm in the app, set your time, and toggle on Smart Wake Alarm if you want it to try waking you during a lighter sleep stage within the 30 minutes before your set time, or Quiet Start if you'd rather it ramp up gradually instead of buzzing at full strength immediately. Worth knowing upfront: In my testing (and I'm not alone here), the Smart Wake Alarm has a reputation for being less "smart" than advertised. While I've never personally experienced it going off outside its intended window, all the "smart" alarm has ever done for me is worked like a plain fixed alarm regardless of your alleged sleep stage.

Check battery life without touching your phone

Since there's no screen, most people assume the only way to check the battery is to open Garmin Connect. There's actually a faster method built into the hardware itself, as long as you go in and set it up.

In the Garmin Connect app, go to your device settings and open Power Manager, then turn on the Battery Status option. Once that's enabled, double-tapping the physical sensor module triggers a single confirmation buzz, followed by the LED flashing a color that corresponds to your remaining charge:

• Solid green = Full charge

• Flashing green = Charging in process

• Solid orange = Low battery

• Solid red = Critically low battery

Combined with the favorite activity and hold-for-broadcast button shortcuts, this reinforces the sense that the Cirqa's single button and LED light help set this smart band apart.

And on the activity side, remember to use the side button as your manual override for anything the automatic detection struggles with—which is a lot so far. And since the Cirqa has no built-in GPS chip, any distance, pace, or route data during an activity comes from your paired phone running the Garmin Connect app, so keep your phone nearby if you want a real map of your run or ride, not just heart rate and duration.

Skip the $59.99 official Cirqa armband with a cheap DIY workaround

Garmin sells an upper-arm band separately for $59.99, so if you'd rather track from your bicep than your wrist, that's an option worth exploring—especially if you do activities where a wrist-worn band gets in the way. Plus, upper arm placement might improve your heart rate accuracy overall, since it gives the sensor better contact with a meatier part of the body with less wrist-movement noise.

If you want the upper-arm placement, but don't want to pay for Garmin's official accessory band, it might look like you have no options. The Cirqa pod uses narrow, non-standard 14mm spring pins, so it seems like it won't just clip into generic 20mm bands off the shelf.

A few users have shared this type of hack, and I think this video from @ChaseTheSummit explains it best. The workaround is to buy a small 14mm-to-20mm metal adapter (originally made for Casio G-Shock watches), available for $14.99 on Amazon. That adapter bridges the Cirqa's small pod to the much wider world of inexpensive, stretchy 20mm bicep bands. It's not going to match the fit or finish of Garmin's own accessory, but it's a clever money-saving option.

If you do try this DIY option, make sure you don't just yank the stock fabric band off the pod: Use a small pin pusher tool to compress the internal spring pins inward first, then remove it. Forcing it off without releasing the pins is a good way to damage the housing.

In search of a new gaming laptop that won't bankrupt you? Look no further: The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI Gaming Laptop is now $2,199.99 (originally $2,799.99), its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. It's powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, and has a gaming speed of 240Hz. Its ultra-fast refresh rate creates scenes that feel realistic without any lag to disrupt your concentration or your gameplay.

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With its 18-inch LCD screen, 2560 × 1600 resolution, 32 GB of RAM, and 2 TB of storage, it's big and powerful without sacrificing portability—it weighs in at 7.28 pounds and measures 15.79 x 12.12 inches in size. The 500-nit display performs well, even in sunny spaces. When it comes to connectivity, this gaming laptop has ports for USB-A, USB-C, including Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, as well as Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E to keep your competition on its toes.

There's a Kensington Lock Slot to prevent theft and a headset jack for privacy. Its thermal solutions, including 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D Metal Fan, keep this laptop at a comfortable temperature even under heavy use, so as to not impact gaming performance. The 90 watt-hour battery delivers roughly five hours of user time when fully charged. 

Made by Google 2026 officially starts at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but you wouldn't know it from today's tech headlines. Some eight hours before the event was scheduled to begin, Google seemingly announced all of the new hardware and software features it plans to reveal during its main keynote. Unless the company is saving some secrets for the show, it appears all the actual news from Made by Google is already out there.

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As such, we already know all about Google's new Pixel 11 lineup, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL. We've seen the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the Pixel Watch 5, and even the Pixel Tag, Google's first AirTag competitor. Plus, Google shared some details on new features coming to these devices, as well as existing Pixel products. While we still need to wait until this evening to actually watch the full event, here's everything the company announced ahead of Made by Google 2026.

Google announced the Pixel 11 series

Credit: René Ramos/CNET Group

At first glance, Google's Pixel 11 series doesn't look all that different from the Pixel 10 series. The company chose to carry over the Pixel's current design, which means the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL all feature a large, oval camera bump on the back, and a small circular camera cutout on the front. However, Google says it reduced the Pixel 11's camera bar thickness by 40%, which it advertises makes for a "virtually bumpless" experience when using a "Made by Google" case.

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are brighter this year: Google says the displays can reach up to 3,600 nits, with an upgraded anti-scratch coating that the company claims more than doubles scratch resistance compared to the Pixel 10 Pro. All things considered, Google says the 11 Pros are the most durable Pixels yet.

It turns out the storage rumors were true: Google is dropping the 128GB models this year. All three Pixel 11 phones start with 256GB of storage, which is great for keeping large files on-device, but not so great for your wallet. While the 256GB option costs as much as last year's 256GB Pixel 10 devices, Google effectively raised the cost of entry by eliminating the cheaper 128GB option. Now, the cheapest Pixel 11 starts at $899.

All three Pixel 11 devices come with the new Tensor G6 chip, which unsurprisingly brings upgrades over last year's Tensor G5. Google says this chip's CPU supports 25% faster web browsing and opens apps 15% quicker. The TPU handles 50% more compute, which means the G6 can process on-device AI functions 3.5 times faster than before, at 3.5 times the energy efficiency.

Perhaps Google's "funnest" feature this year is "HiLight," a new LED that lives in the camera bar. Google says you can rely on the light for alerts, so you can keep tabs on important updates while your phone is face down. For example, you can assign colors to different contacts, so you know who's calling without having to pick up your phone. Plus, the light can glow in specific patterns when you talk to Gemini to indicate whether the AI is listening, "thinking," or responding to you. However, as Marques Brownlee highlights, there isn't much else you can do with HiLight, which seems like a missed opportunity—especially when other Android manufacturers, like Nothing, offer a ton of customization with their LEDs. Google says it plans to add new capabilities in the future, like message notifications from favorite contacts, but we'll have to wait to see whether the company decides to take full advantage of this fun hardware feature.

Google's Pixel line has always been known for its cameras, and this year is likely no exception. Google says all three of its Pixel 11 phones come with major camera upgrades. The Pixel 11, for instance, has a 48MP main sensor that adds 56% more light sensitivity, and the 5x telephoto lens now supports 30x "Super Zoom," thanks to the Tensor G6 chip. The Pros get some unique updates of their own: Google says the main sensor on each is brand new this year, and the telephoto sensor is now bumped up to 48MP with 30% more light sensitivity. Portrait Mode now works at 5x, and "Pro Zoom" now works up to 120x. Google says the Pixel 11's low-light photography should also look better now, as Night Sight works 4.5 times faster.

The Pixel 11 comes in four colors: "Pistachio," "Hibiscus," "Frost," and "Obsidian." The Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are available in "Canyon," "Fog," "Olive," and all-matte "Obsidian." They also come with faster charging, especially on the Pros. Those phones support Qi 2.2 charging at 25W, and you can get 15 hours of battery on the Pixel 11 Pro XL with just 15 minutes of wired charging—assuming you have the right setup.

• Preorder the Pixel 11

• Preorder the Pixel 11 Pro

• Preorder the Pixel 11 Pro XL

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is another incremental update

Credit: René Ramos/CNET Group

Google also announced the successor to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold today, but like the Pixel 11 series, it's a bit of a "blink and you'll miss it" update. These phones are quite similar, though Google touts some slight design upgrades: The new foldable is nearly 10% lighter and 1mm thinner than before. It has the same IP68 water and dust resistance as before, but now, the new glass fiber composite materials make the Pixel 11 Pro Fold "nearly impossible to crack," or so says Google. The company claims the foldable is three times more durable than the previous iteration, with improved crease performance on the hinge.

Like the Pixel 11 series, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's displays are brighter this year, also reaching 3,600 nits of peak brightness. The Fold also gets the HiLight LED, though nothing is different on the foldable's light. This phone also supports Qi2.2 at 25W, and you can get up to 50% charge in 30 minutes when using a 30W wired charger. Google says the foldable can reach up to 24 hours of battery life, so, theoretically, you should be able to make it through a full day without needing to top off.

The Fold also gets Google's newest Tensor G6 chip, this time with 16GB of RAM. Google says that powers its new "sign-to-text" feature, which it developed with the Deaf community. This feature lets you sign in Live Transcribe, which then translates your sign language into text. Google says the feature works with both one-handed and two-handed signing. This new Fold also gets a new 48MP main sensor, and the telephoto camera now supports up to 30x Super Zoom.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold comes in either Obsidian or Olive. The phone starts at $1,899.

• Preorder the Pixel 11 Pro Fold

The Pixel Watch 5

Credit: René Ramos/CNET Group

Google also announced the fifth generation of its Pixel Watch line. The new watch comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated processor, with 50% more RAM and a 12% faster CPU than last year's Pixel Watch 4. Google says the Pixel Watch 5 is its most accurate GPS route tracking ever, with double the accuracy of previous models. The company claims its tracking accuracy beats the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro.

Google says the Pixel Watch 5 has 15% more accurate sleep stage detection than before, so your sleep tracking should be more in line with reality. It also comes with a new breathing emergency detection feature that uses the watch's multimodal sensors and on-device AI to watch for "severe, persistent drops in oxygen saturation." If your watch detects a breathing emergency, it can call emergency services on your behalf and share your exact location. (This is launching in Europe first.) The company also teased a new Strength Training workout mode that will offer step-by-step directions for your exercises.

While not specific to Pixel Watch 5, Google also announced "Health Guardian," a suite of features that track changes in your health over time, including trends in insulin resistance, blood pressure, sleep breathing quality, and the aforementioned breathing emergency detection. You'll get a monthly summary in the Google Health app that points out any notable changes. This works with "qualified Pixel Watches" and Fitbit Air, though Google didn't note exactly which Pixel Watches work with these new features.

The Pixel Watch 5 has a 3,000-nit "domed" Actua 360 display with 11 new complication styles. Google also added two new watch faces, with additional generative watch face options. The watch can run for up to 30 hours off the charger (41mm) or 40 hours (45mm).

It comes in Fog, Olive, or Canyon (41mm only), and starts at $399 (41mm) and $429 (45mm). There's also a Stephen Curry Special Edition (45mm) that starts at $579.

• Preorder the Pixel Watch 5

Google Pixel Tag

Credit: René Ramos/CNET Group

As it turns out, the rumors were also right about the Pixel Tag: Yes, Google has been working on its own version of Apple's AirTag. Instead of working with Apple's Find My network, Pixel Tag uses Google's Find Hub network to achieve the same goals. Pixel Tag can connect to more than a billion Android devices across the world to update its location using end-to-end encrypted information.

Google says the Pixel Tag is IP67 water- and dust-resistant, with a built-in speaker for locating the device. It also has its own button you can press to ping your phone, something AirTags don't come with. Like AirTags, Pixel Tags last one year on a single battery, which you can replace yourself.

Setting up a Pixel Tag is identical to setting up an AirTag: You hold the device near your phone, and setup instructions appear on-screen. From there, you can choose to share a Pixel Tag with up to 10 people. When you need to find a Pixel Tag, you can use both Ultra-Wideband and Bluetooth Channel Sounding for precision finding, which provides turn-by-turn directions to locate your tracker.

You can use Left Behind alerts to know whether you forgot an item, and your phone will tell you whether an unknown Pixel Tag is following you. Like AirTags, you can pick up a Pixel Tag for $29 a pop, or $99 for a four-pack. The Pixel Tag launches Nov. 11.

Updates to Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a

While Google isn't releasing any new earbuds today, it is updating its existing models. Pixel Buds Pro 2 are getting Dynamic ANC, which adjusts noise cancellation when the buds shift in your ears. You will be able to ask Gemini to adjust audio controls, such as setting bass levels, and Pixel Watch will be able to pause your earbuds' audio when it detects you fall asleep. Live Translate will work in over 70 languages when tapping your Buds, and Pixel Buds Pro 2 now come in Olive. (The software features start rolling out in September.)

Gemini will connect to the following services

Finally, Google announced new apps that, over the coming weeks, will connect to Gemini for additional functionality. That includes the following:

• Angi

• Fever

• GetYourGuide

• Granola

• iHeartRadio

• Localiza

• OpenTable (UK)

• Otter.ai

• Pandora

• Thumbtack

• Ticketmaster

• Wix

• Zocdoc

If you’ve been wanting to get a wireless charger for your Google Pixel Phone, this Google Pixelsnap Qi2 Wireless charger with stand is now $34.99, down from $69.99, making it the lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. With its perfect angle and versatility, the stand allows you to dock your phone upright either vertically or horizontally, so you can continue to use it while it charges, including controlling your home devices. The magnetic backing holds the phone in place no matter if you’re using the dock or the charger on its own. It also reaches 25W, meaning you can get 50% of your phone’s power back in roughly 30 minutes.

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Weighing about a quarter of a pound, when the Google Pixelsnap Qi2 charger is detached from the stand, it can easily be brought anywhere and is compatible with all Google Pixel phones. It has a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

If you’re looking to upgrade your Pixel, there’s a “Made by Google” event today starting at 6 p.m. ET in which the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold are set to launch.

Whether you loved Widow’s Bay from the moment Wyck cranked the hilariously warbly horror alarm in the first episode or you only fully bought in once Patricia was running down the road in her fabulously impractical sweater boots, we can all agree that the Apple TV horror comedy was the summer streaming surprise we all needed.

Somehow, this story of a seafaring island community beset by a growing, malevolent supernatural force was simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny and legitimately scary, a balance that’s rarely been done so well, and so consistently. If you’ve watched and rewatched the show (and burned through our suggestions for similar streaming series), there’s one more movie you should check out: John Carpenter’s 1980 classic The Fog.

Like Widow's Bay, The Fog's Antonio Bay is cursed

There is no Widow’s Bay without The Fog. While the show draws on a lot of horror influences, ranging from Scream-style slashers to everything Stephen King has ever published, the key element in Widow’s Bay is the community’s isolation and seafaring history. While it’s not nearly as funny as Widow’s Bay, The Fog has all the chilling, creepy vibe you could want, and the town of Antonio Bay, California is very similar to Widow’s Bay in many ways.

Just like Widow’s Bay, Antonio Bay is superficially a sleepy, economically-challenged town whose economy and local culture are defined by its relationship with the sea. Both towns are gearing up for improvement (Antonio Bay is preparing for its centennial celebration), and both towns are haunted by sins committed long ago. There’s a local priest who discovers an old journal that reveals the founding and success of the town were won via a nefarious bargain, and the bill is coming due. Sound familiar?

While there’s no doubt the callbacks to The Fog in Widow’s Bay are intentional, what really links the two films is the tone. The Fog has the same, er, foggy sense of dread, the same sense that something is coming and the only way to stop it from destroying the entire town is to make a sacrifice no one wants to make. Visually, you can easily imagine The Fog as an extended episode of Widow’s Bay—it’s all shadowed threats, lonely boats on the water, and weird townies being, er, weird (the quirky town and its residents will also give you streamalike vibes). The film doesn’t lean into the humor quite as much, but it is pretty funny at times, so you’ll definitely see where Widow’s Bay took inspiration from the movie. Stream The Fog on Kanopy or Plex or rent it on Prime Video.

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More movies like Widow's Bay

Need more horror, comedy, and beachy, small-town stories? Here are a few more movies that catch at least some of that Widow’s Bay feeling.

Storm of the Century (1999)

The influence of Stephen King looms large over Widow’s Bay, and Storm of the Century is the closest of his works to the show in terms of theme and setting. Technically, this is a television miniseries, but at 4-1/2 hours, it’s really just a very long movie. In 1989, a powerful blizzard isolates the community on Little Tall Island, Maine, just as a mysterious stranger arrives. The stranger knows everyone’s darkest secrets, and causes havoc before presenting his reason for visiting Little Tall—and his demands for leaving without destroying the town. It’s ominous and stuffed with the same small-town desperation as Widow’s Bay. Stream Storm of the Century on Hulu.

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Jaws (1975)

If island communities beset by monsters is your jam, go to the foundational film. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 movie not only defined the modern blockbuster, but it’s also a streamalike story of another sleepy island town, Amity Island (the movie was filmed on Martha's Vineyard). When an unusually large and aggressive shark begins killing people, the police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches—but the mayor argues that this will destroy the tourist season, leading to lots of shark-related mayhem. If that sounds a little familiar, it should. Rent Jaws on Prime Video.

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The Wicker Man (1973)

If you want to immerse yourself in a strange, vaguely threatening island community that harbors a dark secret, watch The Wicker Man (the original, not Nic Cage’s delirious 2006 remake). When a police officer from the mainland travels to isolated Summerisle to investigate a report of a missing girl, he finds himself in an odd pagan community that doesn’t welcome him, but also doesn’t outright threaten him. But it’s all part of a plan, and as he explores the island, the darkness under its facade slowly envelopes him, leading to one of the most striking and horrifying final images of a film ever. Christopher Lee’s deranged performance as Lord Summerisle is like a photo negative of Matthew Rhys’ Tom Loftis, and is worth the price of admission by itself. Stream The Wicker Man on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video.

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The Frighteners (1996)

If it was the perfect balance between humor and horror that pulled you into Widow’s Bay, check out this often-overlooked 1996 film directed (and co-written) by Peter Jackson. Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) gained the ability to perceive and interact with ghosts after a tragic accident that killed his wife. Consumed by guilt, Frank uses this power to con people into paying him to exorcise their homes after his ghostly buddies “haunt” them for a while. When a spectral figure dressed like the Grim Reaper begins killing people in ways that implicate Frank, he has to overcome his self-loathing and terror to save innocent lives. It combines a goofy sensibility with real scares in a way fans of the show will love. Rent The Frighteners on Prime Video.

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Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Another film that somehow manages to be both effortlessly hilarious and legitimately scary, Shaun of the Dead tracks a zombie outbreak in a sleepy section of London. Shaun (Simon Pegg) isn’t exactly excelling at life, but when the zombies come for the people he loves, he’s all in for the fight—just not always very good at it. Filled with callbacks, brick jokes, and genuinely affecting performances, there’s a reason this movie (and Edgar Wright’s entire so-called Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, actually) is a must-watch for both horror and comedy fans. Rent Shaun of the Dead on Prime Video.

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The August Patch Tuesday release this week is no different: The update fixes 400 flaws, including three zero-days. Compare that to March, when Microsoft issued patches for just 83 bugs in total (two of which were publicly disclosed zero-days). The seemingly sudden uptick in vulnerabilities and security fixes is due, in large part, to AI.

AI is creating vulnerabilities (and discovering them)

AI is playing both sides of the field when it comes to security. Threat actors are using AI to develop and deploy hacking tools more quickly and at scale, so more flaws may be more exploitable than before. This forces tech companies to respond more quickly as well. As ZDNET notes, companies that patch vulnerabilities during regular update cycles (like Patch Tuesday) now have to rush to address bugs sooner and may begin to shorten the time between updates, as Apple did earlier this summer.

While AI is helping to exploit vulnerabilities, it is also finding them so they can be fixed. Last month, Microsoft announced that AI has allowed its engineering teams to find and analyze a larger volume of potential flaws before they can be exploited. (The company noted that this also directly contributes to the increase in security updates included in Patch Tuesday). Google, too, is using AI to discover, triage, and fix security flaws in Chrome. It's worth noting that while AI is good at identifying vulnerabilities, it is far less effective at actually patching them—and may introduce more bugs along the way.

As always, update your Windows device ASAP

Windows users should ensure security updates are installed as soon as they're available to minimize the risk of active exploits. Patch Tuesday is released around 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month, and you should receive them automatically. However, you can check the status under Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for Windows updates.

As BleepingComputer reports, the August security update addresses flaws across the following categories: 176 elevation-of-privilege vulnerabilities, 11 security feature bypass vulnerabilities, 110 remote-code-execution vulnerabilities, 86 information disclosure vulnerabilities, 21 spoofing vulnerabilities, and 12 denial-of-service vulnerabilities. Forty-two of the bugs are rated "critical" and include remote code execution and elevation of privilege flaws.

A travel router sounds unnecessary until you run into unreliable hotel wifi, device limits, or a public network you’d rather not use. The TP-Link Roam 6 is built for exactly those situations, and its AX3000 variant is currently down to $79.99 from $99.99 on Amazon, while the cheaper AX1500 is $49.98, down from $59.99, with price trackers showing both at their lowest prices so far.

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So the choice mostly comes down to whether you want to save $30 or pay more for faster networking and extra capacity—both can take hotel, Airbnb, or other public wifi and turn it into one private network for your devices, which means you can connect the router once and then join your phone, laptop, tablet, and streaming stick through it instead of signing each one in separately. They also support OpenVPN and WireGuard, so you can route those connected devices through a VPN if you want an extra layer of privacy.

The AX3000 is the one I would look at if you travel with several devices, work remotely, or simply want more headroom. It can deliver up to 2,402Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz, compared with 1,201 Mbps and 300 Mbps, respectively, on the AX1500, and it can handle up to 80 connected devices instead of 60. You also get a 2.5Gbps WAN port for faster wired internet, plus USB 3.0 for things like phone tethering, a USB modem, or file sharing. None of those upgrades will fix bad hotel internet, but they make the AX3000 better suited to heavier use once you are on a decent connection.

The AX1500, meanwhile, still gives you Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, USB tethering, and the core travel-router features, making it the easier pick if you mostly travel solo or just want a simple way to get a laptop, phone, and a few other devices online.

A three-pack of Tapo SolarCam C402 Kit is down to $119.98 from $179.99, saving you about $60, or 33%—and price trackers show this is the lowest it has ever gone. For context, a single unit is currently $47.99 on Amazon, while this bundle works out to about $40 per camera, making it the better value if you want coverage in several areas around your home. You could put one over the driveway, another near a side entrance, and a third in the backyard without buying each setup separately. 

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Each C402 camera is battery-powered and pairs with its own solar panel, so you have more freedom to position the camera where you actually need coverage instead of wherever wiring happens to reach. TP-Link says the panel can keep the battery topped up with 45 minutes of direct sunlight per day, while the built-in battery can last up to 180 days on a charge when solar power is unavailable, though actual battery life depends on how often the camera records and how you use it.

The camera—while offering broader smart home compatibility (works with Alexa and Google Assistant)—itself is a fairly simple home security camera. It records at 1080p and has a 125-degree diagonal field of view, which should be enough for keeping an eye on people approaching the house or checking whether a package is still at the door, but it will not capture fine details as newer 2K or 4K cameras. That said, you do get color night vision, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and person detection without needing a hub, notes this PCMag review. You’re also not forced into a subscription to save recordings—each camera supports a microSD card of up to 512GB for local storage, with Tapo also offering optional cloud storage (starts at $3.49 per month after a 30-day trial) if you prefer it.

Apple released the fifth beta for iOS 27 on Monday, Aug. 10. As we get closer to the update's official fall release, the number of features and changes Apple will introduce with each beta is certainly diminishing, and no one would call beta 5 a feature-filled update. However, there are some new features and changes worth noting, especially as they are things Apple didn't previously announce at WWDC.

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Before I get into what's new, a reminder: iOS 27 is not yet finished. As such, while anyone with a compatible iPhone can install it, know there are risks to running beta software on your device. Make sure to make a proper backup of your data, as you could lose everything on your iPhone in the event you need to downgrade back to iOS 26.

Apple just updated five app icons with iOS 27 beta 5

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When you update your iPhone to the latest iOS 27 beta—or, presumably, iOS 27 itself—you're going to notice new icons for some familiar apps. Some updates are quite subtle, such as Safari. You might not even notice at first, since the icon retains the same basic design as before, but with this latest beta, Safari now has fewer "ticks" in its compass than before, a slightly different blue background, and a distinct screw in its center. It reminds me a bit of iOS 7's flat design. It's the same story for Settings and the App Store icons: small adjustments that you might not notice without comparing the icons side by side.

If you've been running the beta, you'll notice the update to the Siri app right away. Instead of the colorful, looping logo Apple debuted with the app, Siri now appears as a gray, glowing orb. Preview's new app icon is also readily apparent: replacing the loupe against a blue background, the new logo places the loop in the bottom-right corner of a colorful, rounded square. I'm personally a fan of these changes, especially for Preview.

You can now choose British English for Siri's enhanced voice

If you have a compatible iPhone, you can customize how Siri AI sounds through a new feature called "enhanced voice." With it, you can change both Siri's pace and expressivity to make a voice that's a bit more unique to your iPhone than others. With the first four iOS 27 betas, enhanced voice only worked with various American English accents. But starting with iOS 27 beta 5, Apple now supports customizing British English voices as well. According to 9to5Mac, you now have 11 different voices to customize.

Settings has a new "Before Searching" section

Dive into the Settings after updating your iPhone, and you'll find a new option in the "Search Settings" menu. "Before Searching" comes with three new settings. The biggest change is "Suggest Apps," which lets you choose how many suggested apps appear in Siri Suggestions (the default is eight). There's also "Suggest App Shortcuts," which appears to let you choose whether or not iOS suggests app shortcuts, and "Show Recent Searches," which lets you hide your searches from this menu.

You can see when you last updated your iPhone

As reported by Apple Insider, iOS 27 beta 5 will tell you when you installed your current version of iOS on your iPhone. I'm not sure exactly in what scenarios this would be useful, but it's a new change.

Apple is now hiding cellular network types while on wifi

Here's a small but interesting change: Apple is no longer showing cellular network types while you're on wifi. If you check Control Center, you won't see whether you're connected to LTE, 5G, or something like 5G UWB as long as you're connected to wifi as well. You'll need to jump off the wifi to see what cellular network your iPhone is connected to. (For what it's worth, I currently can't see my cellular network type while connected to wifi on iOS 26 either, but maybe that's a carrier thing, as I'm seeing multiple reports about this change.)

Paywalls are mostly a thing with news websites, largely because relying on advertising income alone isn’t a viable strategy anymore, forcing these companies to pursue direct revenue sources like monthly subscriptions. In that sense, paywalls aren't a bad thing—it’s wonderful to support journalism you find valuable. If nothing else, I hope you support the websites that you read regularly—especially your local news outlet.

But sometimes, you just need to get around a paywall quickly. Maybe you've lost your password, haven’t saved it on your phone, are in a rush, or are strapped for cash and swear to yourself that you’ll subscribe later. If one of these exceptions applies, there are many ways to bypass paywalls on the internet—though not nearly as many as there used to be.

Many once-reliable methods of bypassing paywalls have stopped working almost entirely (pour one out for pasting the headline into Google and opening the link in a private browsing window). The methods discussed below are more robust—and thus, more likely to work. I'll start with my favorite, which has served me well for the past few years. But a word of caution: You may be able to use one of these methods successfully today, but that could change in the future as websites clamp down on bypass methods. (This article is regularly updated as some methods stop working and others pop up.)

Archive.today is the best, most reliable option for bypassing paywalls

Credit: Screenshot by Joel Cunningham

Archive.today is the fastest, most reliable way I've found to quickly bypass a paywall, and I've been using it successfully for years across a wide range of sites, even as other options have come and gone. It's a site that will create an archived version of any website you paste into the search bar. (Think of an archived version like taking a screenshot of any website, complete with a time stamp—a self-described “time capsule,” if you will.) Archive.today “saves a text and a graphical copy of the page for better accuracy” and gives you a short link to an unalterable record of any web page. Yes, yes—but as a bonus, you can often use this functionality to bypass a paywall and read an entire paywalled article without issue.

Just paste your article link into the black “I want to search the archive for saved snapshots” bar, and you'll be taken to a page where you can view earlier archived versions. If the article you’re trying to bypass isn’t already archived, then put the URL into the red “My URL is alive and I want to archive its content” bar. The site will then begin generating the archived version, which usually only takes a few minutes. You'll be sent straight to this archived version once it's ready, and you can come back to it later by copying the new URL from your browser's nav bar.

You can also add a browser extension to Chrome that will create a button in your browser toolbar you can click to instantly create an archived snapshot of any web page. The archived version will even automatically open up in a new tab.

I've only had this site fail me once or twice. Usually, there's already an existing archived version for anything I want to read, but creating a new one only takes a minute or two. Still, if it doesn't work, try the next option.

Another free, easy, AI-enhanced alternative to get around a paywall

A newer tool I found while poking around "get around a paywall" Reddit, smry.ai is a tool that works similarly to Archive.today, in that it shows you a cached version of the article page (pulled, according to the developer, from either the Internet Wayback Machine or Google cache), which allows you to read the entire thing. What sets this one apart is AI integration: Click the purple "generate" button on the results page to get an AI-generated summary of the article's key points. In practice, I found the summaries to be more akin to social media posts than an outline (for example, a 7,000-word New York Magazine article about the recent assassination attempts on the life of former President Donald Trump was trimmed to a single short paragraph), but if you're just looking for the gist—or trying to decide if you want to read the entire article at all—it's a nice little addition.

More complex solutions to your paywall problems

If you're willing to try solutions that are a little more technical than a mere copy and paste, one of these options might work for you.

Disable JavaScript in your browser

Some websites use JavaScript to hide content behind paywalls, and you can circumvent those blocks by disabling JavaScript in your browser. Note that disabling JavaScript can (and will) break most websites—some may not let you view comments, while others may not load at all. But it’s worth trying if you just need to read the content of the post.

Ideally, you’d use a separate browser for this so that you don’t have to keep enabling and disabling JavaScript. Once you’ve chosen your secondary browser, check out our guide to disabling JavaScript in various ones.

Use a VPN

Some paywalled sites, like The Washington Post, will let you read a limited number of articles for free each month, then throw up the wall once you've hit the limit. You can use a VPN to change up your IP address and trick the site into giving you more freebies. This method won't help you on sites that don't offer any free access, but it's worth trying, and will work with both paid and free VPNs.

Edit a couple of elements on the webpage

If you understand a bit of HTML and CSS, you can edit elements using your browser to go past some paywalls. Essentially, you’re editing the page to remove the banners that lock content behind a subscription. It’s a lot like opening the curtains to reveal the nice view outside your window.

It works with some websites, but others have added a hard block that reveals the article only if you’ve signed in with a paid account. Still, it’s worth trying once to see if it works:

On any website, right-click the banner just below the last visible sentence of the article and select Inspect Element. This will open up a console where you can search for the offending elements and hide or change them. The exact element varies from site to site, but it’s often labeled display, paywall, or subscribe. Here’s a neat GIF on Reddit that shows you how to get it done.

Use a paywall bypass shortcut on Android

If you are trying to read a paywalled article on an Android phone, you can get around it with the Bypass Paywalls Clean browser extension. This extension used to be available for Firefox but has been removed from the Mozilla store. However, you can add it to a different browser; Reddit users recommend trying the Kiwi browser.

Use a paywall bypass shortcut on iPhone

The last method on our list works only on iPhones: Apple’s free Shortcuts app lets you run automation routines on your iPhone, and its tools have been used to bypass paywalls on various websites. There are plenty of these shortcuts, and they may all not work with all websites. Get started by trying Bypass Paywall or Unpaywall.

Two totally legal, ethical ways to get around paywalls

Check if your local library provides access

Many libraries offer access to paid magazine and newspaper subscriptions online. Typically you'll have to go to your library's website, log in with your card number or account details, and then access different publications indirectly, via the library's portal. (For example, if you live in Marin County, Calif., you can easily read the Washington Post for free.)

There are too many library systems out there to count, so you may or may not be lucky enough to be in one that offers this perk, but it's worth a shot; since the library is paying the publication for the service, you don't even need to feel guilty. (Not sure if your system has a news portal? Ask your local librarian!)

Ask a subscriber for a "gift article"

This one isn't likely to be feasible often, but it's worth a shot for when you're trying to read that one paywalled article that's going viral: Many publications allow paid subscribers to "gift" a copy of a certain number of articles every month (The Washington Post and the New York Times each allow gifting 10 articles per month, for example). If you know your aunt subscribes to The New York Times, it can't hurt to ask if she's willing to gift you the occasional read.

The Garmin Cirqa is the company’s first screen-free smart band, built to track fitness and wellness features around the clock, without needing a subscription. For existing Garmin fans who want 24/7 data without wearing a bulky sports watch to bed, this $199 smart band is a welcome addition. If you just unboxed one, here's how to get it set up right and start making the most of it.

Garmin CIRQA™ Smart Band, No Subscription, L-XL Black

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Assign the Cirqa as your primary wearable

If you already own a Garmin watch like a Fenix or Forerunner, you can still keep your watch as your "Primary Training Device." But for round-the-clock daily health metrics, assign the Cirqa your "Primary Wearable." If you missed this during your initial set-up, here's how to manage your devices in the Garmin Connect app:

1. Select More (bottom right).

2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Settings.

3. Under Device Priority, select the Cirqa for Primary Wearable, and a different watch for Primary Training Device.

4. Sync your devices.

This setup makes sure your Cirqa’s continuous collection of recovery metrics, step counts, and sleep data flow into your profile, while preventing the smart band from conflicting with your primary sports watch during hard workouts.

Make sure you get the right fit on your Cirqa wristband

The Cirqa’s fabric wristband comes in two sizes. The small/medium fits wrist circumferences of about 120–200 mm, while the large/extra-large fits roughly 145–240 mm. A snug-but-comfortable fit matters for accurate optical heart rate readings, so take a minute to adjust the strap before you start relying on the numbers. 

Garmin sells an upper-arm band separately for $59.99, so if you'd rather track from your bicep than your wrist, that's an option worth exploring—especially if you do activities where a wrist-worn band gets in the way. Plus, upper arm placement might improve your heart rate accuracy overall, since it gives the sensor better contact with a meatier part of the body with less wrist-movement noise.

Use the Cirqa to check your baseline health metrics

The Connect app's insights can seem a bit scattered and overwhelming at first, so don't feel like you need to absorb everything on day one. The Cirqa can track training readiness, HRV status, VO2 max, heart rate, Pulse Ox, stress, sleep tracking, and more. Within sleep tracking, you can track sleep stages (although those are dubious), naps, and personalized coaching layered on top of your basic sleep score.

Your watch comes preloaded with glances, but you can customize these based on your goals. For instance, I find Garmin's Body Battery to be an overly simplified and ultimately unhelpful score. Since I'm training for a marathon, I replaced that glance with my Running Economy score, so I can readily track how I'm improving as I increase my running volume and intensity.

If it's relevant to you, this is also the moment to set up women's health tracking. The Cirqa estimates period predictions and past ovulation windows using skin temperature data gathered while you sleep, and it can sync that data to the Natural Cycles birth control app (which requires its own separate subscription).

Something to keep in mind: Some of the richer insights (like training readiness trends or sleep coaching) take several days or weeks of data to become meaningful. Give it a week or two of normal wear before you judge what it's telling you.

Change your default activity assigned to the button

Compared to other smart bands, the Cirqa's on-device button really sets it apart. The Cirqa can track more than 80 activities—running, yoga, cycling and more—either by pressing the button or through the Garmin Connect app. It allegedly detects workouts automatically, but I’ve found that to be pretty unreliable. 

To make the most of this feature, you want to assign which activity type you want to start and stop with a quick press of the button. Head to your Garmin Connect app and select the Cirqa in the top right corner. Then select Activity Options > Edit (in the top right corner) > Select your favorite activity. Now, when you press the button on your Cirqa, it'll start your favorite activity type.

And if you're heading outside, remember the band pairs with your phone's GPS for accurate location tracking during outdoor activities, since the Cirqa itself (like most smart bands) has no onboard GPS receiver—so bring your phone along if logging your route matters to you.

Explore different lifestyle notifications on your Cirqa

Beyond the headline fitness and sleep features, the Cirqa packs in a handful of lifestyle tools worth checking out. The app includes a Jet Lag Adviser, lifestyle logging and journaling, hydration and calorie tracking, daily step counts, and intensity minutes. There's also a wheelchair mode for wrist-based push tracking, if that fits your activity style.

In general, it's worth taking the time to really familiarize yourself with the Garmin Connect app. Remember, the Cirqa has no screen, so for every insight you want to see, you'll need to know where to find it in the app. And since we're in the early days of this smart band's launch, the app is where you'll want to regularly check for firmware updates.

If your time on macOS is solely spent switching between the well-known apps that everyone uses—your web browser, Notes, Apple Music—then you're missing out. There are a host of more unusual and idiosyncratic apps for Apple's desktop operating system that are well worth digging into.

MacBook Air

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The apps collected in the list below fall under that description, and while they might not have been installed on millions of Macs or be particularly complex in what they offer, they're all quite useful. Give them a try and see how they can upgrade your macOS experience.

ScrollPods

Scroll around macOS by tilting your head. Credit: Lifehacker

Scrolling isn't particularly hard on macOS, but what if it were even easier? ScrollPods teams up with a connected pair of AirPods to let you scroll up and down webpages, documents, and more with a tilt of the head. It works with anything on screen that can be scrolled.

The utility is simple to set up, and based on my testing, it works quite well. The default sensitivity is just right, with slight head tilts enough to nudge a page up or down, but you can adjust the sensitivity and set up custom gestures for the app through its settings.

• ScrollPods (free)

Slidr

You can opt to activate Slidr with a keyboard shortcut. Credit: Lifehacker

You can add some extra functionality to your MacBook trackpad with Slidr: It turns the left side of your trackpad into a brightness slider, and the right side into a volume slider, so you can quickly adjust these key settings without interrupting your typing and scrolling flow.

You're able to take advantage of a free trial before committing to the purchase, so you can see if it works for you. It couldn't be any more straightforward to use: The app runs from the menu bar, and there are options for adjusting the sensitivity and position of the slide gestures, and swapping over the brightness and volume sliders if you prefer.

• Slidr (free trial, then $4.99)

Pipiri

Pipiri comes with lots of settings to customize. Credit: Lifehacker

A picture-in-picture mode can be very useful when multi-tasking, but it's not supported in every app—something Pipiri fixes. Once you've got Pipiri installed, any window on the macOS desktop can be put into a picture-in-picture mode, running on top of your other apps.

So, for example, you can keep an AI agent window or a social media feed visible on screen while you get on with something else. There are lots of options to play around with, too, including the refresh rate of the overlaid window, app hotkeys, and adaptive resizing.

• Pipiri (free trial, then $9.70)

Haptyk

Get an authentic mechanical keyboard sound with Haptyk. Credit: Lifehacker

Haptyk takes advantage of the hidden accelerometer that's built into every Apple Silicon MacBook keyboard, figuring out how hard you're striking each key and adding appropriate audio. You get mechanical keyboard sound effects, with your existing MacBook keyboard.

I gave the app a go and it works really well: There's zero lag on the sound effects, and you get the same experience across every app. You've got 16 different keyboard sound packs to choose from, plus lots of configuration options (including volume, pitch, and gain).

• Haptyk (free trial, then $8)

Stealthy

Stealthy can jump into action automatically during video calls. Credit: Lifehacker

If you're a regular video caller, then you'll know that subtle feeling of dread that rises up whenever you're called upon to share your screen or to record something you're doing. What browser tabs do you have open? Is an embarrassing notification going to pop up?

Stealthy deals with this with the minimum of fuss, hiding your desktop icons, the desktop wallpaper, and the dock. silencing notifications, and clearing away open app windows you don't want visible on screen. It can also launch automatically when video calls start.

• Stealthy (free trial, then $12.99)

Gestimer

You're able to customize Gestimer in a number of different ways. Credit: Lifehacker

There's nothing too revolutionary about Gestimer, but it does a simple job in an intuitive way, and is likely to come in handy more often than you might think. It lets you set timers and reminders by just dragging down the app icon from the macOS menu bar.

There's no messing around with opening up other apps or digging through calendars—it's just click and drag, with the length of the drag controlling the time that's set. There's a persistent countdown in the menu bar, and you get a notification at the appropriate time.

• Gestimer (free trial, then $6.99)

Unclack

Save others from your typing sounds with Unclack. Credit: Lifehacker

Unclack is both simple and useful: It mutes your microphone when you're typing (even more helpful if you've installed Haptyk, above). That means you no longer need to worry about your aggressive typing style distracting other people during video meetings.

It runs quietly from the menu bar and you don't need to do anything to enable or disable it—it just works, and you won't even know it's there. Should you need to talk and type at the same time, you can disable Unclack with a couple of clicks until you need it again.

• Unclack (free)

Gaming laptops can get very expensive, reaching upwards of three grand for some of the best ones on the market. But not everyone is a professional gamer or has that kind of money to spend. A good option for someone looking for an entry-level gaming laptop that offers a good bang for your buck is the Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop, which is selling on Amazon for $999.99 (originally $1,199.99), reaching its lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools.

Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop

Intel Core 7 Processor 240H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU | 16" WUXGA IPS 180Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB Gen 4 SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV16-72-73EW

$1,199.99 at Amazon

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What makes this laptop stand out is what you get for the price. The Nvidia RTX 50-series GPU at this price is rare, so it's great value for the money. This RTX 5050 will handle graphics, gaming, and 3D rendering well, which is necessary for modern PC gaming. The 16-inch IPS display comes with an 180Hz refresh rate, so fast-paced games can look smooth. The extra pixels on the 1920×1080 resolution and the 16:10 (as opposed to 16:9) ratio make the screen a good productivity laptop when you're done gaming.

For the price, the Core 7 240H processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD are nice—most budget laptops often cut some of those numbers by half. This will make the Nitro V more futureproof for games that use up a lot of space. You get Ethernet, HDMI, USB, USB-C, and microSD ports, and the 76Wh battery will give you about two hours of solid gaming, so make sure you're close to an outlet.

The biggest trade-off with this entry-level laptop is the color accuracy and brightness, which are probably fine considering you can always pay to get it calibrated (or play in rooms with dimmer light). If you can overlook those aspects, this gaming laptop could be your best bet.

Download your media beforehand

Even if you get in-flight wifi, it’s going to be slower than what you would have at home or at the airport. You’re not going to be able to stream 4K, high bit-rate video from Netflix—and even if you managed it, you’d probably end up ruining the connection for everyone else.

For movies, shows, or playlists you know you’ll want to have access to on your flight, it’s best to download them ahead of time. Most streaming services have a method to download episodes of shows for local viewing while you’re offline. You can also load video or music files on your phone directly, if you have local copies on your computer or other device.

Store important documents and apps locally

Many applications will work while offline or with limited internet access, even if they’re normally online web apps. For example, Google Docs can work offline if you head to Google Drive and go to Settings > General > Offline and enable the checkbox to work offline. From there, make sure the specific documents you want to edit are downloaded locally.

This process will be different for other applications, so check the specifics of the apps you use on a regular basis. Many productivity tools have some version of airplane mode access, so even if you lose connection to the internet, you can still keep working.

Schedule posts or emails to send during your flight 

For some jobs, you need to constantly stay online—or at least seem that way. While your mileage will vary depending on your industry, you can fudge it a bit by scheduling your emails or social media posts to go up while you’re in the air. After all, waiting an hour to respond to an email from your boss can be more acceptable than waiting four.

Most email apps have a tool to schedule your replies, but so do communication apps like Slack. If you spend a lot of time posting to social media, tools like Buffer can help you space out your posts so you don’t end up leaving gaps.

Use your rewards account to get free wifi

Airlines might be pinching every penny to get by, but on some airlines, you can still get free wifi—as long as you sign up for their rewards programs. Airlines like Delta and JetBlue offer free in-flight wifi on a number of flights if you log in with your SkyMiles or TrueBlue accounts.

Other airlines like Southwest offer complimentary wifi due to sponsorships from cell carriers like T-Mobile (even if you don’t use T-Mobile for your phone service). Once again, though, you’ll likely need to sign in with your airline rewards account to make use of the perk.

Get reimbursed for wifi through your credit card

Even if an airline doesn’t offer complimentary wifi, you can sometimes still get it for free through your credit card company. Many credit card providers will either offer discounts on certain airlines’ internet access, or reimbursements after the fact.

You’ll typically see these listed as travel credits or “airline incidentals” credits, but some credit cards offer an annual allotment of fees you can get reimbursed for. In some cases, credit card companies will only reimburse you for fees from certain airlines, but in others it will apply to general travel fees. It’s worth checking your credit card’s perks before booking your travel to see which airlines you might get credit for.

Use free messaging workarounds to access the internet 

Some airlines will offer free internet access, but only for messaging or other extremely limited services. That might be sufficient for your needs, but occasionally you can also leverage that for broader access than the airline intended.

For example, some users have reported that you can access the Gemini service via the Messages app on Android to do broad searches that all get funneled through a single chat interface, without paying an extra fee. Others have claimed you can use a VPN while connected to a messaging-only network connection to open up full internet access. This will vary based on airline and the types of connections they offer, but it’s worth giving it a shot if you don’t want to shell out for full internet access.

Moderate your streaming speed 

If you do get in-flight access to wifi, it’s still probably going to be pretty speed-limited. You can make watching things easier on yourself by manually dropping your streaming speed where you can.

Sites like YouTube offer tools to limit how much bandwidth you use. On any given YouTube video, click the gear icon and choose Quality to select a lower resolution. Depending on the quality, you might not even notice that much of a hit, but still get better playback and, most importantly, fewer interruptions on other browsing while you do it. Check the other sites you use for similar features.

Limit bandwidth in your browser directly 

If you’re struggling to get solid performance with the site-specific tools, you can use speed throttling at the browser level to moderate your bandwidth and make things smoother for everything else.

For example, in Chrome, you can open up dev tools (F12 on Windows, Option+Cmd+I on Mac), then select Network. On this tab, you can click “No throttling” and instead choose a more limited option. This is usually designed to mimic slower internet connections for dev purposes, but throttling your own connection here can force more bandwidth-hungry services like Netflix to chill out, freeing up the plane’s limited bandwidth for everything else you’re doing.

Use reading modes and ad blockers to clear up more bandwidth 

You can also save some bandwidth by utilizing lower-lift modes like Reading mode to just pull the parts of the article you actually need. In Chrome, you can enable this quickly by pressing Alt+Shift+R.

Additionally, you can use ad blocker extensions to cut down on loading unnecessary data. This does mean that, if you use Chrome, it might be a bit of a headache. Whether you choose to use a different browser or live with the versions of ad blocking extensions that work today is up to you.

Protect your data when using in-flight wifi

In-flight wifi is still public wifi, so you should treat it like you’re connecting to any given Starbucks network. At this point, any website that isn’t already using HTTPS should be a little suspect, but even then, that’s not necessarily enough. For any work that’s particularly sensitive, you should enable a VPN to protect your data.

Beyond that, it’s a good idea to make sure you have updated antivirus software running, and use tools like UBlock Origin to block any data tracking. There isn’t much about connecting to in-flight wifi that’s different from any other public network, from a security perspective, but you should still take care to protect your data on any public network to begin with.

Black Mirror debuted in 2011, and in the 15 years since, the real world has been racing to outpace its unsettling vision of our technological future. Certainly in the AI era, when language models can passably recreate humans (if not human empathy), "that sounds like an episode of Black Mirror" has become an increasingly common refrain.

That's been unfortunate for the show itself, which has had to reinvent itself in later seasons, focusing as much on genre experimentation as on inventing new science-fictional ways for technology to kill us. But if you want more stories about the dark side of tech, you needn't confine yourself to Black Mirror's seven seasons (so far, as the eighth is currently in the works). Here are 10 more shows—some of them also anthologies—that share a similar sense of ambivalence about modern life and technology, and where it's taking us.

Love, Death & Robots (2019 – 2025)

Created by Tim Miller and counting director David Fincher as an executive producer, this animated anthology series is a grab bag of wildly diverse offerings: Each episode is produced by a different international studio, with the only link between them being one of the three words in the show's title. One episode deals with robotic gladiator fights in dystopian London, another finds us under the threat of sentient yogurt, yet another finds an ambitious cat learning to make use of a family's robot helper. The stories are frequently less philosophically ambitious than those of Black Mirror, but often rather more fun—its four seasons offering up a mix of tech, sex, and violence with gorgeous animation. Stream Love, Death & Robots on Netflix.

Love, Death & Robots (2019 – 2025)

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Severance (2022 – )

Having trouble finding “work-life balance”? In Severance, biotechnology giant Lumon Industries has a solution: It will split your consciousness between your life at work and your life outside, so one has no memory or experience of the other. As the series progresses, the work- and home-based consciousnesses continue to grow apart, and it becomes clear that they are essentially entirely different people—which raises a lot of questions about the ethics of essentially trapping someone in the hell of perpetual work. Inspired by office-based dark comedies as much as movies like Brazil and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the show’s take on nebulously futuristic tech, alongside its dive into the dangers of modern American-style totalitarian capitalism, makes it a serialized answer to Black Mirror’s episode-by-episode anthology format. Stream Severance on Apple TV.

Severance (2022 – )

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Years and Years (2019)

Doctor Who's Russell T. Davies crafted this miniseries following a family over the course of 15 tumultuous years, which doesn't sound terribly like Black Mirror—except that it starts in the present (well, the present as of 2019, when the show came out) and heads into the near future. The show posits the wildly improbable scenario of Donald Trump winning a second term (ahem), propelling Emma Thompson's populist Vivienne Rook into office in the U.K. on a platform of tariffs and kicking out all the immigrants (ahem). As all this is going on, the Lyons family (played by Rory Kinnear, Russell Tovey, Ruth Madeley, and T'Nia Miller, among others) are dealing with a pace of technological change so rapid that the upheaval is constant (ahem). It's a bit too prescient for comfort—a bit like every episode of Black Mirror is happening to a single family. Stream Years and Years on HBO Max.

Years and Years (2019)

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Ultra Q (1966)

What the heck is Ultra Q, you ask? Don’t look for clues in the title, which mostly has to do with the ubiquity of the word “ultra” in Japan at the time it was made. The original title, Unbalance, conveys more of a sense of the show’s ideological underpinnings. Episodes frequently deal with the idea that modern civilization has created a schism between humanity and the natural world—a disordered state that will, naturally, give rise to destructive (or misunderstood) kaiju. Pilot and amateur writer Jun (Kenji Sahara) teams up with a young newspaper reporter to investigate mysterious happenings often involving giant monsters. But the show uses kaiju in a variety of contexts, including in stories of haunted houses, possessed children, and time travel. Shortly after its end, the series would give birth to the better remembered Ultraman, which ditched the proto-X-Files vibe but kept many of the same monsters. Stream Ultra Q on Tubi.

Ultra Q (1966)

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Room 104 (2017 – 2020)

One of the most eclectic series of the past decade wasn’t afraid to tell a wide variety of stories over its four seasons. In Room 104, comedy, drama, sci-fi, and horror stories all occur within its smart, budget-conscious setting—that of a single, boring-looking motel room that could be literally anywhere. The vibe ranges from sweet, to disturbing to apocalyptic (literally, in at least a couple of episodes), with an impressive roster of guest stars: Tony Todd, Michael Shannon, Judy Greer, Brian Tyree Henry, Mahershala Ali, Cobie Smulders, Dave Bautista, and Harvey Guillén are just some of the names that have signed the guest register. What it shares with Black Mirror is a cynicism about modern American life, and a disorienting sense that you never know what’s going to happen next. Stream Room 104 on HBO Max.

Room 104 (2017 – 2020)

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The Outer Limits (1963 – 1965)

I’m talking about the original series here, not the ‘90s reboot—that one's fine, but lacks the distinct perspective of the OG. This one often gets compared to The Twilight Zone (though with more and wilder monsters), but where that Rod Serling classic excelled in its morality plays, The Outer Limits more often dealt with flawed, complicated, human characters facing existential, often technological threats. Just as dark, but less cynical in its way, its shortsighted characters are capable of growth amid technological upheaval, even if the cost is never cheap. Stream The Outer Limits on Prime Video and Tubi.

The Outer Limits (1963 – 1965)

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Alice in Borderland (2020 – 2025)

Black Mirror has dealt with augmented reality in a few episodes, most prominently in season 3's “Playtest” (the one with Wyatt Russell trapped in a not-entirely-real mansion). The Japanese series Alice in Borderland isn’t quite so philosophically ambitious, but hits some of the same notes with its story of video-game-obsessed Arisu (Kento Yamazaki), who winds up stuck in an augmented-reality game with his friends in an alternate, eerily abandoned version of Tokyo—the title’s Borderland—vividly brought to life via some clever green screen work. The three are directed to an arena and given the instructions for the game, which they’ll be playing whether they want to or not. Stream Alice in Borderland on Netflix.

Alice in Borderland (2020 – 2022)

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Electric Dreams (2017 – 2018)

If Black Mirror often feels inspired by Philip K. Dick (the author whose works inspired Blade Runner, Minority Report, and Total Recall), Electric Dreams goes right to the source, adapting ten of his stories. “Safe and Sound” deals with the encroaching convenience of the surveillance state, “Real Life” explores augmented reality as a means of handling survivor’s guilt, and several episodes consider the pros and cons of artificial intelligence and synthetic consciousness...themes and ideas that will more than resonate with Black Mirror fans. Stream Electric Dreams on Prime Video.

Electric Dreams (2017 – 2018)

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Humans (2015 – 2018)

Thematically, Humans deals with the ways in which humans always seem to find excuses to dehumanize beings with thoughts and feelings just like ours (usually, other humans). But in this near-future world, highly advanced “synths” are commonplace, doing the work that regular humans can’t be bothered with. Of course, these beings are treated as entirely disposable sources of cheap labor, despite their apparent and burgeoning humanity. That’s the type of sci-fi analogy that the best of Black Mirror is adept at exploring. Stream Humans on Peacock, Prime Video, and Tubi.

Humans (2015 – 2018)

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Tales from the Loop (2020)

A gorgeous-looking anthology (sort of), Tales from the Loop takes place in the small town of Mercer, Ohio that happens to sit upon the titular Loop, a physics lab exploring mysteries for which science has no answers. Each episode offers the story of a person or family in the town impacted by the work of the Loop—slow-burning fables set at the intersection of technology and human existence. It’s based on a conceptual art book by artist Simon Stålenhag, and successfully ports over the book’s striking look and feel. Stream Tales from the Loop on Prime Video.

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Softr began as a no-code app builder designed specifically for professionals, small businesses, and enterprises to build apps or portals to support their internal workflows. That means handling a ton of proprietary data, where security is always a big concern. The original version has gone through several updates since launch, with vibe coding now one of the platform's core features. 

Brodie spoke about the challenges that the company faced expanding into this new space and the solutions that helped get through them. We also talked about how app development platforms like Softr now suggest a hybrid approach that layers vibe coding features on top of pre-built security infrastructure like built-in database management, access control, and developer visibility. But how does this hybrid security system work on a technical level? And more importantly, does it actually hold up in practice? 

Vibe coding is easy, but simplicity makes it a target

In 2025, a security firm called Escape DAST analyzed 5,600 vibe-coded apps built using platforms like Loveable, Replit, Base44, and Bolt. More than 2,000 of these apps had security issues, totaling 2,038 critical vulnerabilities and over 400 exposed credentials. 

“The problem ultimately is that these platforms are generating raw code from scratch,” explained Brodie. Simplicity is a big part of the appeal with vibe coding, but also the thing that can create security issues down the line. “It can abstract a lot of the complexity that comes with building, but non-technical people don't know what they don't know.” 

Also in 2025, Georgia Tech researchers launched the Vibe Security Radar, a platform that pulls information directly from publicly accessible security advisories and traces them back to AI-generated coding platforms and LLMs. Researchers scanned more than 40,000 security advisories, and uncovered 43 critical vulnerabilities across eight vibe coding platforms that led to command injections, server-side request forgery, and authentication bypass. Even in the last few months of 2026, security analysts have discovered massive API leaks from Meta-owned Moltbook and the Hugging Face community. Most of these incidents stem from poorly generated code that didn’t take enough steps to secure private API keys from the open web. 

Brodie believes that the problem with vibe coding is that it leaves too much of the core infrastructure up to AI generation, even the mission-critical parts like third-party integrations and permission management systems—which is where most of these vulnerabilities originate. 

Contain the AI instead of letting it run free

Instead of letting AI models generate every new app from scratch, Softr retains the same pre-coded backend infrastructure, hosting, integrations, and permission management. Vibe coding features add more design flexibility and smarter workflow automation, but the core systems remain the same. 

For example, if you wanted to build an online portal that pulls certain information from your internal company database using an API, Claude Code or Loveable would accomplish this by asking their AI models to write an integration using custom logic, webhooks, and UI wiring. With a platform like Softr, these integrations are available as ready-made components with security best practices already built into them. You can still use vibe coding options to customize their look and functionality, but the core systems and security protocols remain intact. 

In development terms, this is called visual scaffolding. Apart from Softr, several other no-code platforms have carried forward this same model, with varying levels of success. Framer, for instance, offers an AI-enabled Workshop extension in its app marketplace. The feature has expanded into Framer’s built-in prompt-based development tool and AI agents that can handle ongoing maintenance tasks. FlutterFlow, a no-code tool designed specifically for building smartphone apps for iOS and Android, also lets you generate pages and components with established security guardrails using AI. 

“It's not an iframe,” Brodie clarified, when describing how vibe-coded elements are isolated from the security layer within Softr. Instead, AI-generated code is confined to specific component blocks that allow custom code to exist with restrictions. “These blocks are built to exist within our infrastructure,” she added.

Dealing with shadow AI and IT sprawl

Shadow AI is the AI-era version of a long-standing problem called "shadow IT." When employees put company data in a software platform without IT approval, it opens businesses to data governance and cybersecurity risks. The same goes for AI, except now, it’s no longer limited to a rogue Trello board, but an employee’s personal account running Claude Code or Gemini with full access to proprietary company databases. AI coding platforms offer generous limits even on personal accounts, making it convenient for employees to go off on their own and start building apps on company data without a centralized approval system. 

“There's no incentive to exist within company guardrails,” Brodie said. Even when employees disclose their vibe-coded apps, IT leaders are expected to maintain and troubleshoot that poorly generated code even though they’d never pass a regular security audit. 

Earlier this year, RedAccess scanned more than 380,000 vibe-coded applications built using platforms like Lovable, Replit, or Base44. They found over 5,000 of these apps publicly accessible on the open web and 2,000 of them actively leaking company data, including customers’ sensitive financial and medical information.

It isn’t enough to fix bad coding practices in large language models or vibe coding tools; instead, companies must implement better access controls and improve visibility for system administrators. If your IT team has a bird’s-eye view of who has access to what and the power to control that access, a scenario where rogue apps and portals leak company data becomes a lot less likely.

MCPs make things more complicated

Model Context Protocol—or MCP for short—is Anthropic’s open-source standard for securely connecting AI models to external applications and data sources. It’s quickly become an industry staple, more so because of convenience and the fact that it’s free to use. But the problem with MCP connectors is that they inherit the same permission structure as the database or application it’s connected to. 

Softr has its own database management system that lets you control what MCPs can see. For example, Brodie uses Claude's MCP connector to read and write directly into Softr Databases, but that only stays safe because her databases are governed by the permissions and rules implemented in Softr. Most vibe coding platforms don’t benefit from the same level of access control. 

Vibe coding tools often get blanket access to your raw databases without a permission layer in between, making breaches more likely when attackers use prompt injection attacks. Data is further exposed for companies that need to give third-party vendors and clients access to their vibe-coded applications, where controlling access to company data is a minimum security requirement. 

Beyond Softr Databases, the platform offers access to more than 60 pre-coded integrations to platforms like HubSpot, Stripe, and ClickUp. These integrations are already built with security standards in mind, making data leaks less likely. You can also connect Softr to Zapier or Make to benefit from a larger selection of pre-built automations, all of which are more secure than your standard vibe-coded MCP. 

Making security accessible to SMBs, but also enterprises

There’s a marked difference in the security requirements of a small business or early-stage startup versus a large-scale enterprise operation spanning multiple locations. Small business startups are usually content with basic permission management and data encryption standards, whereas enterprise organizations need GDPR and SOC II compliance, control over data center locations, and stronger access control with multi-factor authentication and single sign-on facilities. 

Like Softr, more startups are noticing the enterprise security gap posed by vibe coding and trying to build solutions that offer better visibility and governance options. Retool, a low-code app builder, has obtained SOC II Type 1 certification with its strict role-based access control for AI features and limitations to keep LLMs from touching important databases or infrastructure. WaveMaker promises similar security controls, with LDAP-based authentication, centralized permission management, cross-site scripting prevention, and SSO integration through platforms like Okta to woo enterprise clients.

"No organization wants to hire or train more developers just to keep one internal tool secure," Brodie said. Larger companies expect these things to be handled by an AI coding platform’s native security systems. With multiple major public security incidents rattling the AI coding space, no-code platforms are looking for options to offer users more flexibility, without being plagued by the complexity that made them turn to vibe coding in the first place.

What is the matcha filter?

TikTok is serious about keeping people from using its service to expose their parts, but the ingenuity of perverts should not be underestimated. Enter the matcha filter. Officially named "wild hearts whisper," unofficially named for the thick, hazy green wash it throws over videos, the matcha filter showed up on the 'Tok a few weeks ago and user quickly discovered it defeats the platform's nudity filters. Here's a non-nudie video of it in action:

Using the matcha filter is called out in the comments on those videos, and TikTok's moderation team works hard at the endless "prevent nudity" game of whack-a-mole, so don't be shocked if the filter is "fixed" by the time you read this. That's the rhythm of moderation: Someone discovers a gap in the algorithm; it gets famous, gets patched, and everyone moves on to the next thing.

What is UK Poo?

I love obscure musical sub-sub-sub genres, and you don't get more obscure than UK Poo. Basically, it's British hip-hop that is very, very bad. I've never heard any British hip-hop that was good, but UK Poo is next level: the very bottom of the cultural garbage heap of Brits trying to make hip hop. Think gratuitous auto-tune, way-too-complicated hi-hat patterns, and "I shot it in me flat!" style videos. Here's an example:

That's "Belfast" by D Rebal. It is not good. Here's another example, Savvy's "Slap Me Again." Also, not good.

The word was coined by X user @cashyams, and they meant it as an insult. But it seems to be morphing into something a little deeper than just bad music. People are finding DIY British hip-hop that they actually like and labeling it "UK Poo," for instance, as you can see in this video:

Then there are the people who think they're being clever by labeling music "UK Poo" when it's clearly a joke they aren't getting.

And my favorite: people who try to redeem bad art through re-mixing. Such kindness.

Did they succeed? No. But it's at least better.

What does “cortisol-coded” mean?

"Cortisol-coded" describes something that is meant to be relaxing but is actually stressful, like watching a video of the 5 a.m. yoga routine of a perfectly styled influencer surrounded by $400 candles. It comes from the "wellness" parts of TikTok, where "performative relaxation" is an epidemic.

Cortisol is one of the hormones our body uses to manage stress, both mental and physical. When your body is dealing with ongoing threats or health conditions, it's good—lifesaving, even. There are also conditions where too-high cortisol can be a problem. Because of its association with stress, “cortisol” has become a shorthand for anything stressful.

Some TikTok influencers blame almost every physical ailment on "high cortisol," leading opportunists to start selling supplements designed to lower cortisol, which either don't work, or, worse, work. You don't want to be messing around with your endocrine system unless you really know what you're doing.

Gen Z officially takes over horror

There's a lot of understandable hand-wringing over how being steeped in internet content all day, basically from birth, will affect younger people, but the early returns are coming in, and it seems to have worked out for horror filmmakers at least. The horror film genre belongs to a couple of Gen-Z directors whose talent and sensibilities were forged in the crucible of YouTube. Together, Curry Barker and Kane Parsons have made over $800 million from a couple of low-budget horror movies this summer.

Barker is 26 years old. A sketch comedian who dropped out of film school, Barker made an $800 found-footage movie for YouTube, and parlayed its success into a sub-million dollars feature, Obsession, that has so far made a staggering $474 million. It's actually good, too. You should watch it.

Parsons, aka Kane Pixels, based his first feature, Backrooms, on his YouTube series of the same name which was itself based on a 4chan creepypasta. It is also good, although Backrooms "only" made $393 million on a budget of $10 million. But then, Parsons is 20 years old, so he has some time to catch up.

Viral video of the week: "I never told you this, but"

This week's viral videos have a simple premise that leads to limitless possibilities, like the best meme formats. Here's how it works: Two friends sit next to each other. One says, "I never told you this, but I like you better with..." followed by a ridiculous request (like a weird outfit or a strange prop). The video jump-cuts to person two having made the requested change. They fire back an even more absurd demand and everything gets weirder and weirder. It is low-effort, occasionally amusing, and a stark reminder that young people have entirely too much free time. Here are some examples:

The Nothing Headphone (1) is currently down to $219 from its $299 list price, giving you an $80 discount on Nothing’s first pair of over-ear headphones. In line with the company’s design language, they feature transparent elements and bold, geometric detailing that make them stand out from typical matte-black pairs. But the appeal goes beyond the look. These IP52-rated headphones use 40mm drivers, hybrid ANC, and both USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity. They also support high-res audio via LDAC, while Nothing’s companion app gives you basic and advanced EQ controls for adjusting the sound. Battery life is impressive, too, stretching to 35 hours with ANC on and up to 80 hours with it switched off.

Nothing Headphone (1)

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But the hardware alone doesn’t define the experience—Nothing’s control scheme is what makes these wireless headphones stand out. Instead of touch panels or clunky buttons, you get a satisfying volume scroll wheel (they call it the Roller), a multi-function Paddle for track navigation, and a customizable button that can switch EQ profiles or noise modes. The tactile design takes a minute to learn, but once you do, it’s intuitive and genuinely useful. You also get spatial audio and multipoint Bluetooth support, which work well across Android and iOS.

That said, comfort may vary. The earcups aren’t the softest for long sessions, and while they’re padded, the shape might not suit everyone. Performance-wise, the ANC handles low-end noise well (think airplane engines and AC hum) but struggles with sharper, unexpected sounds like clanging dishes or chatter nearby. The sound profile is punchy, especially with a bit of EQ tweaking in the app, but you’ll need to put in some effort if you want the best results, notes this PCMag review.

Wireless charging is convenient, but it often comes with a tradeoff—phones tend to heat up, especially when you push higher charging speeds, and over time, that heat can wear down battery health. Anker Prime 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger tries to solve that problem, and it’s currently down to $139.99 (originally $229.99), its lowest recorded price, according to price trackers. This setup is clearly built for Apple users, with dedicated spots for an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

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Its main pad supports 25W Qi2 wireless charging, which is about as fast as cable-free charging gets right now, and it’s paired with a built-in thermoelectric cooling system and fan to keep temperatures under control, as noted in this ZDNET review. That cooling system actively pulls heat away from your phone while it charges, so you can charge while streaming or scrolling without the phone getting uncomfortably warm. There are three charging modes you can choose from: Boost Mode is for quick top-ups when you’re heading out, Ice Mode keeps things cooler during heavier use, and Sleep Mode slows everything down and turns off the fan for overnight charging. You can switch between these on the unit’s small on-board touchscreen or through Anker’s app, which also lets you schedule charging behavior and tweak the display.

The rest of the setup is solid as well, with the Apple Watch and AirPods pads charging at the standard 5W. You also get a 65W wall adapter and a five-foot USB-C cable in the box. Build quality feels premium, with metal accents and a clean finish that won’t look out of place on a desk, and the unit itself is heavy at about 1.4 pounds, so it stays stable even with larger phones attached. The pad also tilts up to 80 degrees, so it doubles as a stand for watching videos or taking calls.

How the unauthorized charge scam works

This campaign, described by Malwarebytes Labs, starts with a browser pop-up that appears on top of Apple's or Amazon's website. The alerts are designed to look like legitimate notifications and state that the user's Apple ID or Amazon account was recently used to make a $149.99 purchase. Targets are urged to call the support number listed—the same on both pop-ups—immediately to prevent further unauthorized activity. The scammer on the other end of the line may try to convince you to download a tool that provides remote access to your device, hand over credentials, or even pay a fee to protect your account.

If you Google the number listed in this specific campaign, you'll find a fake Amazon support website ("amazonhelp[dot]support") set up by fraudsters to make the scheme look more legitimate—of course, the real Amazon customer service site is hosted on amazon.com. Other scam hallmarks present here include manufactured urgency, technical jargon, and a dollar amount that's just enough to get your attention but not so high that it seems like an obvious fake.

Know how to identify a real fraudulent charge notification

First things first: no legitimate company will send you security alerts via browser pop-up. If there's an issue with your account, you may receive an in-app notification or an email, though you should always be wary of the latter, as it's also a common vector for scams. To confirm whether these alerts are real, log into your account by going directly to the website or app and check your message history or activity log.

It's also worth noting that you won't dispute fraudulent charges with customer support over the phone. In fact, you're far more likely to deal with your bank or credit card issuer directly for this, and you may actually get a fraud notification from a financial institution first in the event of a suspicious purchase. Calling a number from a browser pop-up is not the way. Do not give out account information to anyone over the phone unless you have verified the number, such as by clicking through the company's app, and initiated the call yourself.

Finally, these fake pop-ups may be the result of malicious ads, browser redirects, or compromised sites, all of which are used in phishing campaigns. If you're served one, exit the tab immediately and do not click or engage with it further.

What is Muse Glimmer?

According ot Meta, Muse Glimmer is a 30-billion-parameter AI model optimized for "always-on local agent workflows." What that means is Glimmer is designed to run autonomously directly on your machine, rather than outsourcing that processing to the cloud. Local AI is much more secure than cloud-based, as your data stays within your system. When you tap into cloud servers, you're at the mercy of whichever company owns that network, potentially putting your data in jeopardy.

While there are many use cases for a model like Muse Glimmer, Meta is emphasizing its use for agentic AI. AI agents can perform tasks on your behalf and are growing in popularity, as users and developers can ask their agents to do any number of functions. Running agents locally is also quite popular, as evidenced by OpenClaw's infamous year, but the most demanding models also require powerful hardware. If you're working with a laptop, you might not have the energy necessary to run AI agents.

That's part of Meta's pitch here. The company says Muse Glimmer was trained to balance performance with limited hardware. Meta says it puts Muse Glimmer through three sets of training to achieve this: a "Pre-Training," which trained Muse Glimmer on Muse Spark's outputs; "Mid-Training," which trained the model on more "agent-heavy" data; and "Post-Training," which fine-tuned the model across a number of parameters. Meta says Muse Glimmer can handle end-to-end agentic task completion, multi-step reasoning, recovery when a tool call fails, and multi-model input and reasoning, among other functions. It is also trained on data from over 100 languages. The company says the model performs "strongly for its size class" against many standard LLM benchmarks.

Credit: Meta

While Muse Glimmer isn't as demanding as other models, it likely won't run well on the average laptop. Meta says that a 30-billion parameter model would typically require more than 55GB of memory, but through "quantization techniques," Muse Glimmer can use less than 20GB. When you take its "working memory" into consideration, Muse Glimmer will likely use 24GB or 32GB of memory. If you have a "Pro" MacBook or PC, that might suit you well. But if you're like me, your laptop has 16GB or less of RAM—not quite what Muse Glimmer requires. Still, it's a step forward for local AI use. (For reference, Meta says it tested Muse Glimmer on MacBook M4 Max, M5 Max, and with an RTX-5090 GPU.)

Meta says Muse Glimmer is "open," which means Meta released the model's training weights. As such, not only can anyone use the model, but they can tune it as well. If you have specific needs for your AI model, you can tinker with Muse Glimmer to better serve your usage.

How Muse Glimmer compares to other AI models

There are a lot of AI models on the market these days, but Meta only has direct comparisons with two other models: Google's Gemma4-31b and Alibaba's Qwen3.6-27B. According to Meta's benchmarks, Muse Glimmer beats both models in the following 12 tests: MCP Atlas, DeepSearch QA, 𝜏³-banking, WildClawBench, GAIA2, SWE-Bench Pro, Sci Code, Charxiv Reasoning, IFBench, AIME 2026, AA-LCR, and Beam 128K. Gemma4-31b still has the crown in four of the benchmarks, while Qwen3.6-27B leads in eight.

Meta didn't provide similar comparisons with models from industry leaders, like OpenAI, DeepSeek, Z.ai, or Moonshot AI. However, Artificial Analysis has a ranking of all open-weight models on the market. As of this article, Muse Glimmer (high) is actually in 18th place. Moonshot AI's Kimi K3 (max) is in the lead, with Z.ai's GLM-5.2 (max) in second, DeepSeek's V4 Flash (max) in third, and Kimi K3 in (low) in fourth. For reference, Gemma4-31b is in 32nd, while Qwen3.6-27B is actually in 17th. There are many variables here, but this leaderboard gives us a quick glance at how Meta's latest model ranks amongst the competition.

How to try Muse Glimmer

You can try Muse Glimmer right now by downloading the weights from Hugging Face. Meta says the model will be available in the coming days from apps like Ollama, LM Studio, and Unsloth.

This DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Vlogging Camera is currently $499.99 (originally priced $629), marking its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. With this camera, every photo is stunning thanks to 4K resolution and its one-inch CMOS sensor technology that captures light to enhance each digital image. No matter how unsteady a surface or how active your subject, Osmo Pocket 3 stability keeps images smooth and clear.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for videos and photos

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If you’re more of an amateur filmmaker, the ActiveTrack 6.0 software lets you focus on your subject, even if you're on the move, so the footage is always clear and sharp. With 10-bit color depth, you can capture up to one billion colors for vivid photos and videos. When it comes time to add music to your production, the Osmo Pocket 3 captures high-quality sounds to match your high-quality images and footage.

With its two-inch rotatable screen, you can shoot from any angle, and this pocket-sized gimbal camcorder can be easily taken anywhere. When fully charged, you get up to 166 minutes of camera use time, and fast-charging will bring you up to an 80% charge in only 16 minutes. The portable Osmo Pocket 3 comes with a DJI Mic 2 Transmitter, battery handle, a mini tripod, wrist strap, and carrying case, making it a great option for people looking to improve their social media content or create higher quality videos than what they've been capturing on their phone.

At the upper echelon level of earbuds, there are a few options to choose from: Bose, Sony, and Apple. If you are an Apple user, I recommend going with the AirPods Pro 3. If you value audio fidelity and like to control the nitty-gritty details, Sony's XM6 earbuds are a great choice. But if you value comfort, user-friendliness, and the best ANC for the money, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) are your best option. And right now, the latter of those is $50 off, bringing them down to $249 (originally $299). (All five color options are on sale.)

Bose New QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) - Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Mic, Immersive Audio, USB-C Charging, Up to 6 Hours Battery, IPX4 Rating, Desert Gold - Limited Edition Color

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I've had my own pair of Bose earbuds for almost a year, and they're still my go-to choice for everyday listening. As much as I like the idea of being able to fine-tune every detail of my audio, something keeps pulling me towards the simplicity and user-friendliness of these earbuds, despite having so many options at my disposal as a tech reviewer.

Maybe it's because they offer the best ANC of any buds I've tested—a fact that has held true throughout the existence of the Bose QuietComfort line. Their multiple microphones pick up ambient sound and adapt the ANC accordingly, making Transparency Mode quite impressive, while Immersive Mode brings out the details in anything you're listening to and makes the lack of a full EQ more acceptable. The Bose companion app, meanwhile, is regularly updated and offers you a few options to fine-tune your sound. The main downside of these earbuds is usually their high price, but at $249, they're a good value when judged against the competition.

If you’re looking for a solar-powered smartwatch, this Garmin Solar Edition Marine GPS Smartwatch is now 50% off, making it $549, down from $1,099.99—an all-time low price, according to price trackers. When fully charged, it has 37 days of battery life and connects to other compatible Garmin marine devices. In addition to traditional buttons, this smartwatch has a highly responsive touch screen, making it quick and easy to use, and its 1.4 inch display is scratch resistant, so it can take some wear and tear.

Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition Marine GPS Smartwatch

Solar powered Garmin marine GPS smartwatch.

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Whether you’re trying to figure out the tides or navigate your way through uncharted land, this watch includes built-in sensors for three-axis compass, gyroscope, and a barometric altimeter, so you always know where you are and what the weather has in store for you. When you pair the Garmin Solar Edition Marine GPS Smartwatch with your smartphone, you can access pre-loaded activities like a variety of water and land sports, as well as training features. It also monitors your health through the wrist-based heart rate by tracking your sleep cycles and stress.

With this smartwatch, you'll have thousands of maps to various golf courses and ski resorts at the tip of your fingers and the preloaded TopoActive maps offer access to paths, trails, international borders, and even historical sites. Although not entirely waterproof, it has a water rating of 10 ATM, meaning it can withstand pressure up to 100 meters deep. It allows contactless payments and is Bluetooth enabled.

Ever since I retired my fancy G-Shock watch a decade ago, I’ve been relying on fitness watches, and what do you know, they’ve all been Garmins—for good reason: Garmin makes great fitness trackers. If you’ve never owned a Garmin watch and want to try one out, now is a good time: The best budget Garmin for runners, the Garmin Forerunner 55, is down to $129 (originally $199.99). That's its lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools.

Garmin Forerunner 55

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Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki named the Garmin Forerunner 55 the best budget fitness watch for runners—made all the better by this record-low price. It offers features that have historically only been found in the premium versions, like the Respiration Rate Tracker feature, which tracks your breathing rate. The battery life will last up to two weeks when it’s in standby mode and 20 hours when using GPS tracking.

You can use the Daily Suggested Workouts to suggest how to train to reach your running goals. If you like to run on tracks, you can choose which lane you’re in with Track Mode, which gives you exact pacing for much better accuracy, snapping your times at 100-meter intervals. Based on those numbers, you can also see the Race Predictor, which tells you how you’d fare in a marathon and other race lengths using your VO2 max and other metrics.

While the Forerunner 55 was released back in 2021, it's still a great budget option in 2026, as Garmin is known for supporting its devices with updates for several years. At this price, you can get a great running companion to keep track of your miles, and still make the rent next month.

Sugar, having just completed its second season, doesn't try to obscure or downplay its reliance on old-school Hollywood noir tropes: Its characters are driven to emulate the style of antiheroes of old, and clips from old movies even play alongside the action as a means of driving the point home. The central mystery, at the outset of the series, sees detective John Sugar (Colin Farrell) summoned to the mansion of a rich movie producer (James Cromwell), whose granddaughter has gone missing. It all plays in a very new-noir sandbox until an absolutely wild, love-it-or-hate it plot twist that drives the rest of the series.

I'm not looking to give anything away here, but Sugar's pivot makes it tough to talk about—some of these shows might represent mild spoilers, but only in the sense that they reveal that there's a bit more going on in the show than in a more traditional detective drama.

Lady in the Lake (2024)

Moving from modern-day Los Angeles to 1960s Baltimore doesn't take us as far afield as you might expect given that, after all, noir is timeless. Natalie Portman plays Jewish housewife Maddie Schwartz, who, bored with her life, locates the body of a missing child and uses the experience to get a job at the Baltimore Star. Meanwhile, Black mother Cleo Johnson (Moses Ingram) is working to protect her family and community, running up against gunrunners and racketeers in the process—the two women's lives, before long, colliding. Stream Lady in the Lake on Apple TV.

Lady in the Lake (2024)

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Perry Mason (2020 – 2022)

This addictive odd duck of a show places the Perry Mason of print, film, and television into a dark and gritty Depression-era prequel. (I'm not excessively familiar with the Erle Stanley Gardner source novels, but I gather they don't go nearly as hard into noir as this show.) Matthew Rhys is perfectly cast as the brilliant but hard-living defense lawyer, going through a divorce while still facing trauma from the his experiences during Great War. In the show's opening, he's hired to investigate the case of a kidnapped and mutilated child, one which ends up having ties to crooked cops, local business leaders, and politicians in 1932 LA. Juliet Rylance co-stars as no-nonsense legal secretary Della Street, with Tatiana Maslany as a creepy evangelist. Stream Perry Mason on HBO Max.

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Monsieur Spade (2024)

An original drama from Scott Frank (The Queen's Gambit) and Tom Fontana (Homicide, Oz), Monsieur Spade finds Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade, of The Maltese Falcon fame, living a quiet life in retirement in the South of France. It's all going very well for the rumpled former detective—until six nuns are brutally murdered at a nearby convent, the same convent that's been home to Sam's ward for some time. Naturally, he finds his past has caught up with him, and is forced to surrender his idyllic life in order to help uncover the complex mystery that endangers his (very few) loved ones. Clive Owen is great as the rumpled, emphysemic detective, and the story feels like a fitting sequel to Hammett's defining noir detective novel. Stream Monsieur Spade on Prime Video and AMC+.

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Bosch (2014 – 2021)

Many of these shows offer up twists on the noir formula, but Bosch is a more traditional crime drama, one that wears its new-noir aspirations on its sleeve—and no less effective for any of that. Titus Welliver is in the title role as LAPD detective Harry Bosch (star of the Michael Connelly novels), kicking off the series on trial for shooting a suspect in self-defense while investigating the murder of a 12-year-old. The second season even sees him investigating the murder of a film producer à la Sugar's first-season case. Stream Bosch on Prime Video.

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Cowboy Bebop (1998 – 1999)

This may seem like an odd fit here, but this iconic genre classic wears its noir influences on its sleeve, and given Sugar's now-infamous plot twist, a little sci-fi is perhaps not out of the question. Cowboy Bebop is one of the undisputed GOATs in the anime sphere, blending western, comedy, and crime genres and setting the resultant mashup to a killer soundtrack. The title's "cowboys" are bounty hunters in a near-future in which humans have been forced to colonize the solar system after Earth became uninhabitable. Former hitman Spike Spiegel leads his crew on one nearly disastrous mission after another, their standalone adventures all building to a thoroughly memorable climax. Stream Cowboy Bebop on Crunchyroll or buy it from Prime Video.

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Spider-Noir (2026)

Given that the franchise includes live-action takes on Morbius and Madame Web, I'm not sure this qualifies as the most unexpected Spider spin-off—but it's weird, no question. Nicolas Cage reprises, in live-action, the role he voiced in the Spider-Verse movies: that of Ben Reilly, a rumpled private investigator in the 1940s coming to terms with his past as superhero the Spider while being nudged into putting the suit back on. Cage is as deliciously unhinged as you'd expect, and he's clearly having fun with the classic noir-movie tropes, but there's also enough violence, mystery, and style here that it plays more as homage than parody. Stream Spider-Noir on Prime Video.

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Lucifer (2016 – 2021)

The title doesn't refer to a nickname or a euphemism: we're dealing with the literal Lucifer. Tom Ellis plays the fallen angel who, having grown bored with ruling over hell, decides to open a Los Angeles nightclub because hey, why not? When that's not quite enough entertainment, he teams up with homicide detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) to use his special skills and knowledge to help out, especially on cases involving the supernatural. As wacky as that sounds, the show deals somewhat poignantly with Lucifer's trauma, while also exploring our world as an outsider, not at all unlike John Sugar. Stream Lucifer on Netflix.

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Twin Peaks (1990 – 1991, 2017)

You want neo-noir that subverts the tropes? I'm not sure that any show does it better than this groundbreaking bit of weirdness from David Lynch and Mark Frost, in which teens and adults in the deceptively quiet Twin Peaks face tragedy accompanied by supernatural threats from outside of our normal space and time. (I think?) Kyle MacLachlan plays FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, who arrives in the title town to investigate the murder of teenager homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), precipitating a (very) long night of the soul as Cooper uncovers secrets and mysteries among the town's delightfully, and often disturbingly, weird residents. Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.

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The Expanse (2015 – 2022)

Set in a somewhat near-ish future, The Expanse (based on the book series by James S.A. Corey) imagines a colonized solar system into which we’ve carried all of our old familiar problems, and then some: Earth sits at the historical and cultural center of things, while Mars colonists, by virtue of having to survive in a challenging environment, have developed technological and military superiority, and folks living in "the Belt" have had to scrabble to survive. Greed, fear, and shortsightedness make conflict nearly inevitable, even if the series isn’t quite as cynical as it at first appears. Despite its space-opera trappings, The Expanse wears its noir influences very much on its sleeves; never moreso than when Thomas Jane's rumpled, hard-living (and hard-dying), detective Joe Miller is about. Stream The Expanse on Prime Video.

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Signal (2016 – )

Blending police procedural, mystery, and science fiction, this K-drama remains one of the most-watched dramas in South Korean TV history—enough that a second season is coming after a wait of nearly 10 years. Police profiler Park Hae-young (Lee Je-hoon) finds a discarded walkie-talkie that connects him with Detective Lee Jae-han (Cho Jin-woong), who disappeared in 2000 but who is able to communicate from an earlier time. The two detectives are able to work together, across time, to solve a very cold case—but soon discover that there are disturbing consequences in the present when they fiddle with time. Stream Signal on Netflix.

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According to Google's support document, "Send as" will be discontinued in January 2027 for Gmail's web and mobile app interfaces. You'll still be able to add third-party accounts on mobile, meaning you can check your email on iOS or Android, but not send messages from those aliases. (Third-party accounts won't sync at all on the web.) Google is also eliminating "Gmailify," which allows you to add Gmail features like spam protection and inbox organization to third-party email accounts, as well as POP fetching on the web. Current users can continue to access these features until January 2027, but new users can no longer add them.

This change does not affect "Send as" for other Gmail or Google Workspace accounts, nor does it impact Gmail access through third-party email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail if you already have these set up through IMAP or POP. You can also continue to forward messages from third-party providers to Gmail.

One workaround is to send emails directly from the service provider's dedicated website or app. Obviously, managing multiple emails within Gmail is a way to streamline and consolidate disparate addresses into one interface, so this isn't the most convenient option if you have accounts across Outlook, Yahoo, and Google. Google also cautions against third-party tools and browser extensions that promise "Send as" functionality, as these require access to your credentials and may introduce security risks.

Switch to a desktop mail client instead

If consolidation is your goal, your best bet is likely to switch to a desktop mail client and connect your third-party accounts via IMAP/SMTP. There are a handful of options that support multi-account setups, including Gmail addresses, and have "Send as" features. Our friends over at PCMag recommend the following email clients for most users:

• Apple Mail: For those in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Mail supports any email address and has solid privacy features.

• Microsoft Outlook: If you're already a Microsoft 365 subscriber and use Outlook, this is an obvious choice. Outlook is also available for free as a standalone app. It works especially well for users who want the ability to separate messages into a Focused inbox.

• Mozilla Thunderbird: This is a free and open source platform from Mozilla, makers of Firefox. It works with all major email services, but there's currently no iOS app.

These clients also have mobile apps (again, with the exception of Thunderbird on iOS) so you can keep the experience consistent across devices.

Aptoide Games is Google Play's first third-party app store

As reported by The Verge, starting today, Aug. 10, you can download the "Aptoide Games" app marketplace on your Android directly through the Play Store. Aptoide isn't necessarily new: The company has operated an unofficial app store that you could sideload on your Android before this change, helpful for accessing apps you couldn't find on Google's official store. But now, you're able to install it on your smartphone like any other app from the Play Store.

While today is newsworthy, this development could have happened any time over the past two and a half weeks. Google has actually allowed developers to create and distribute third-party app stores on the Play Store since July 22. That decision wasn't really Google's, however, as the company would likely prefer keeping the Play Store as the only official app marketplace available to most Android users. Instead, the change in policy is the result of an agreement between Google and Epic Games, following years of litigation. Epic Games, maker of Fortnite, has long fought both Google and Apple in court, claiming the companies had unfair controls over app marketplaces.

While not all of Epic Games' suits have been fruitful, the company has certainly succeeded: A judge found Google had an illegal monopoly over Android applications and needed to open up its platform to third-party options. Google fought the ruling, then tried to compromise with Epic Games to allow for third-party app stores—just not through the Play Store. The company rather abruptly changed course, however, and agreed to host third-party app stores on the Play Store.

While app marketplaces like Aptoide Games are now allowed on the Play Store, they have to operate under some specific rules set out by Google, especially as it pertains to security, privacy, and user safety. They can distribute their own apps, as well as apps found on the Play Store, but they must pay Google certain fees to maintain the overall integrity of the platform.

Aptoide might be the first, but it won't be the last. Expect Epic Games to launch its own app store imminently, seeing as it was the company leading this charge in the first place. But more app marketplaces will likely follow suit.

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ sits in the middle of Samsung’s latest lineup—and the unlocked 256GB model is currently down to $840 from $1,099.99, while the 512GB version in Sky Blue has dropped from $1,299.99 to $969.99, its lowest price so far according to price trackers. That discount makes the phone easier to consider, especially if you want a big screen and top-tier performance but don't care about every extra feature Samsung packs into its most expensive model, like the Ultra’s Privacy Display. The design feels familiar, too, with an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Armor on the front, and IP68 water resistance.

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The phone is easy to settle into day-to-day, starting with a display that stays clear and readable even in direct sunlight, so watching videos or scrolling outside doesn’t feel like a struggle. That ease carries over to performance, where everything moves at a steady, reliable pace—apps open quickly, switching between tasks feels natural, and built-in AI features run without any noticeable lag. The triple-camera setup led by a 50MP main sensor and backed by ultrawide and telephoto lenses handle most lighting conditions without much effort, including better low-light performance thanks to brighter lenses. As for its battery life, it holds up well for everyday use, with its 4,900mAh battery lasting close to 15 hours in PCMag’s testing (as highlighted in the publication’s “excellent” review of the product), which usually translates to getting through a full day without much stress, though heavier use can still mean plugging in before the night ends.

Connectivity is just as well-rounded, covering all the bases you’d expect from a modern flagship. You get full 5G support, along with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and more. In practical terms, that means faster downloads when networks allow it and more precise tracking for compatible devices. On the software side, Samsung’s take on Android 16 and its AI features add practical tools without feeling intrusive, and the experience improves once you spend some time adjusting settings and gestures to suit your routine—there’s more you can tweak and fine-tune than you might expect at first, and if you want to get a better handle on that, check out our guide, 10 Hacks Every Samsung Galaxy S26 Owner Should Know.

Google’s Pixel Buds line has long appealed to Android users who want the convenience of AirPods without paying flagship-earbud prices, and the Google Pixel Buds 2a continue that approach with several meaningful upgrades over the older Pixel Buds A-Series. Right now, they are down to $99 from $129 on Amazon—their lowest price so far, according to price trackers. That discount makes them much easier to recommend for anyone looking for everyday earbuds with “almost pro-level specs but for much less,” as our writer put it in her review.

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Part of the reason the Pixel Buds 2a stand out is that Google did not treat them like stripped-down budget earbuds. PCMag even called them the best earphones for Android users, and the hardware helps explain why. Google added active noise cancellation to the A lineup for the first time, improved the battery life, and redesigned the fit so the earbuds sit deeper in the ear canal and twist into place more securely, much like the more expensive Pixel Buds Pro 2. They also use the same Tensor A1 chip found in the Pro model, which means features like Gemini voice access, adaptive audio processing, and the customizable five-band EQ are just as good.

Sound-wise, the 11mm drivers deliver balanced sound that works especially well for podcasts, pop, hip-hop, and casual streaming, even if these are not earbuds aimed at audiophiles chasing the most detailed sound possible. Comfort is another strong point, especially since Google includes four silicone tip sizes, and getting the seal right noticeably improves both fit and noise cancellation. Speaking of, the ANC handles airplane engines, subway rumble, and traffic noise fairly well, although voices still come through more clearly than they do on premium earbuds from Sony or Bose. As for battery life, it’s respectable at up to seven hours with ANC enabled and around 20 total hours with the charging case.

There are still a few compromises, including the lack of wireless charging and the absence of a charging cable in the box. You also lose some extra sensors and a microphone compared to the Pro model, so call quality and fitness tracking are slightly less advanced.

While third-party screenshot apps are excellent on the Mac, Apple has steadily improved its default tools. Today, the Mac's built-in screenshot utility is good enough for most people. You can, of course, use it to take screenshots, but you can do so much more, such as record a video of your screen, or even create professional screencasts. If you find yourself taking screenshots on your Mac, these are the 10 best hacks you need to know.

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Clean up the clutter by saving screenshots to the clipboard

I find I only need to save around 10% of the screenshots I take. Left to its default settings, my Mac would save the other 90%, adding to an endless clutter I'd never take care of. As such, I always save screenshots to my Mac's clipboard, so I can paste it in the app of my choice without saving the image at all. Goodbye clutter. On your Mac, you can do this by using two keyboard shortcuts. Press Command-Control-Shift-3 for a screenshot of the entire screen, or use Command-Control-Shift-4 to capture an area of your screen. You can then paste these screenshots in any app or social media site.

Not only do I use these shortcuts exclusively, I've actually disabled the shortcuts to save screenshots to the Mac because I basically never use them. If you want to do the same, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen, and go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots. Here, disable "Save picture of screen as a file" and "Save picture of selected area as a file."

Change the default screenshot folder to clean up your desktop

If you are going to save screenshots to your Mac, you don't have to live with Apple's defaults. When you take screenshots on the Mac, the default save location is the desktop. This piles up fast. To avoid this mess, press Command-Shift-5, and go to Options > Other Location…. You can choose a folder or create a new one for your screenshots. Once you create this folder, you can open Finder, and drag it to the Trash side of the Dock for quick access.

Remove shadows for cleaner single-window screenshots

Your Mac allows you to capture screenshots of a single window. After you hit Command-Shift-4, you can press the Spacebar key. This will turn your cursor into a camera icon, and you can click any open app to take a screenshot of the active window. When you view the screenshot, you'll notice that macOS adds a shadow effect on all sides, along with a transparent border. However, if you want a more tightly framed screenshot, you can eliminate the shadow with a hidden shortcut.

To do this, press Command-Shift-4, hit Spacebar, and hold down the Option key while clicking an app window. You'll have to hit Option every time you want to remove the shadow, however. If you want to make shadow-free screenshots the default, you'll have to run the following command in Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true; killall SystemUIServer

To restore defaults, you can simply replace "true" with "false" in the Terminal command and run it again.

Add the Screenshot app to the dock for easier access

Keyboard shortcuts are great, but they're not necessarily easy to remember—especially for the many screenshot options on macOS. Fortunately, Apple allows you to add the Screenshot utility to your Mac's Dock. To add it open Finder on your Mac, go to the Applications folder, then scroll down and open the Utilities folder. You can now drag the Screenshot tool to the Dock for one-click access.

Use this keyboard shortcut to access all screenshot tools in one place

Credit: Pranay Parab

If there's one screenshot keyboard shortcut to remember, it's Command-Shift-5. This key combination reveals all the screenshot options you need and doesn't leave any room for guesswork about what your screenshot tool is actually doing. It shows a floating toolbar with screenshot tools, screen recording tools, and multiple capture and record options. It's slower than using Apple's various keyboard shortcuts, but I can't argue against having all options available in a single window, so I always recommend this keyboard shortcut for those who are new to screenshots on Mac.

Add a screenshot timer to set up the screen before capture

If you're trying to take a screenshot of something timely or quick, it's easy to miss the moment. Instead of trying to hit the button at just the right time, you can set a delay of five to 10 seconds to set up a screenshot or a screen recording, and avoid retakes. To set this up, press Command-Shift-5, and go to Options. Under the Timer section, you can choose your delay timing.

Reveal mouse clicks in screen recordings to show what you're clicking

I generally like to hide the mouse pointer from screenshots and screen recordings, but when my parents need help with a Mac-related issue, showing mouse clicks in screen recordings helps. That way, they can see my cursor and all of my clicks, so they can follow along. You can enable this by pressing Command-Shift-5, clicking Options, and selecting Show mouse clicks.

Record microphone audio to create polished screencasts

Your Mac's Screenshot tool lets you record your screen with microphone audio, and even supports external mics. Pair this with a five to 10-second delay in starting the recording, and you can create screencasts with audio in one go. To use this feature, press Command-Shift-5, select any of the screen recording options, click Options, and select your mic from the Microphone section.

Use your Mac to record your iPhone's screen

Credit: Pranay Parab

The iPhone ships with a great screen recording tool, but iOS doesn't allow you to record everything on your phone. In addition, some apps block screenshots and screen recordings. If you need to bypass these restrictions, you can try using a Mac to record your iPhone's screen. The easiest method is to use the iPhone Mirroring app that ships with your Mac. You can connect the iPhone wirelessly to your Mac, and use the macOS Screenshot tool instead.

QuickTime Player offers another way to do this, but you'll need to plug your iPhone into your Mac using a USB cable. Open QuickTime Player, and go to File > New Movie Recording to get started. Click the down-arrow button next to the record button, and select your iPhone to start recording.

Save space by switching your default screenshot format to JPG

Your Mac takes high-quality screenshots by default, and it uses the PNG format for these images. The drawback is file sizes, and especially on newer Macs with high-resolution displays, you can end up with dozens of megabytes per screenshot. If these screenshots are taking up too much space on your Mac, you can use the following Terminal command to switch the default screenshot format to JPG.

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg; killall SystemUIServer

Be aware that this will significantly reduce the quality of your screenshots, and in particular, it may make text illegible in these images. If that's bothering you, then you can restore PNG screenshots by replacing "jpg" with "png" in the command mentioned above.

Each device's payment plan is presented without a trade-in in mind, but you can apply a trade-in if you choose to lease. Apple will lower your payments based on the value of the device you hand over at the time of signing. The better the value of your device, the lower your payments will be. What's especially interesting given the current tech market is that Apple seems to be sweetening the pot for customers with trade-ins, which will likely only push more towards this "Apple Upgrade" program.

Apple increased the trade-in values for many of its products

As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple just increased its trade-in values for a number of products. Most of these are Apple's own devices. The company bumped up the trade-in values of many iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs, some more than others. You can now get up to $70 more for your iPhone 16 Pro than you could before, or up to $20 more for your iPhone 13 Pro Max. The actual amount depends on the device in question, and the condition you bring it to Apple in.

If you're trading in a Mac, the numbers are definitely more significant. Apple bumped some models' trade-in values up over $100, and increased Mac Studio values by $260. That said, other values were much smaller: You can only get another $25 for your iMacs, and Apple didn't change the $315 maximum for your iMac Pro.

Here's a full list of Apple's maximum trade-in values, assuming your device meets all qualifications:

iPhone trade-in values

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to $720

• iPhone 16 Pro: Up to $630

• iPhone 16 Plus: Up to $485

• iPhone 16: Up to $480

• iPhone 16e: Up to $310

• iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to $530

• iPhone 15 Pro: Up to $420

• iPhone 15 Plus: Up to $340

• iPhone 15: Up to $335

• iPhone 14 Pro Max: Up to $405

• iPhone 14 Pro: Up to $335

• iPhone 14 Plus: Up to $235

• iPhone 14: Up to $235

• iPhone SE (3rd generation): Up to $85

• iPhone 13 Pro Max: Up to $340

• iPhone 13 Pro: Up to $285

• iPhone 13: Up to $205

• iPhone 13 mini: Up to $155

• iPhone 12 Pro Max: Up to $240

• iPhone 12 Pro: Up to $195

• iPhone 12: Up to $135

• iPhone 12 mini: Up to $90

• iPhone SE (2nd generation): Up to $45

• iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $160

• iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $145

• iPhone 11: Up to $110

• iPhone XS Max: Up to $95

• iPhone XS: Up to $70

• iPhone XR: Up to $90

• iPhone X: Up to $60

• iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $40

• iPhone 8: Up to $40

Apple Watch trade-in values

• Apple Watch Series 10: Up to $165

• Apple Watch Ultra 2: Up to $305

• Apple Watch Series 9: Up to $135

• Apple Watch Ultra: Up to $205

• Apple Watch Series 8: Up to $95

• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation): Up to $60

• Apple Watch Series 7: Up to $70

• Apple Watch Series 6: Up to $45

• Apple Watch SE (1st generation): Up to $30

iPad trade-in values

• iPad Pro: Up to $720

• iPad: Up to $260

• iPad Air: Up to $490

• iPad mini: Up to $300

Mac trade-in values

• MacBook Pro: Up to $855

• MacBook Air: Up to $580

• iMac: Up to $380

• iMac Pro: Up to $315

• Mac mini: Up to $480

• Mac Studio: Up to $1305

• Mac Pro: Up to $2195

More Android devices qualify for Apple's trade-in program too

Equally noteworthy, however, is that Apple has expanded the list of Android devices eligible for trade-in values too. If you're looking to switch from Android to iPhone, there's a good chance Apple will give you some money towards a new purchase or lease.

New this week are the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, and OnePlus 13R. While that's good news for these devices owners looking to upgrade, some Android users have some bad news: Apple lowered trade-in values for the following: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Google Pixel 7 Pro, and Google Pixel 7. Apple only reduced these values by $5 or $10, so it isn't major, but it's interesting to see which devices the company feels aren't worth quite as much.

Here's the full list of Android devices and their trade-in values with Apple:

• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G: Up to $125

• Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G: Up to $85

• Samsung Galaxy S22 5G: Up to $85

• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Up to $95

• Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Up to $75

• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Up to $55

• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Up to $315

• Google Pixel 9 Pro: Up to $305

• Google Pixel 9: Up to $210

• Google Pixel 8 Pro: Up to $155

• Google Pixel 8: Up to $115

• Google Pixel 8a: Up to $105

• Google Pixel 7 Pro: Up to $90

• Google Pixel 7: Up to $60

• OnePlus 13: Up to $250

• OnePlus 13R: Up to $165

• OnePlus 12: Up to $200

• OnePlus 12R: Up to $115

Google Assistant is about to get one heck of a headstone in the Google Graveyard. The voice assistant has been a handy tool for years, but the company has finally decided to replace it with Gemini entirely. If you’re not exactly thrilled about the AI-ification of every app you use, there are a few ways to make Gemini behave a bit more like the Assistant of yore.

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The switch from Assistant has been coming for a while; it’s a seismic shift for a lot of devices. On top of deprecating Assistant on Android phones and tablets, it’s also disappearing for Wear OS devices and some Android Auto cars. Some smart home devices and TVs will still support Assistant, but you can switch to Gemini (and you might want to since the choice is likely to be made for you eventually).

Regardless of how you feel about AI chatbots, using Gemini might become unavoidable if you’re in the Google ecosystem. So, if you want to keep the functionality you had in your phone, car, or kitchen, it might take a little bit of effort. Here’s how to get started.

Set your default assistant everywhere

When September rolls around, you’re going to be pushed to Gemini on your Google-powered phone, tablet, and watch, but that might not cover all your devices. If you’re going to be reprogramming your muscle memory, you may as well do it all at once.

Depending on when you set up your Google Home or Nest devices, you might’ve gotten a prompt to upgrade to Gemini. If not, open the Google Home app, tap your profile picture, and choose “Home settings.” Here, you should find a banner that lets you set up Gemini for Home.

It might sound counterintuitive to move away from Assistant in order to make Gemini work more like Assistant, but in the next sections I’ll walk through how to rebuild your favorite Assistant commands. This step will make the whole system work more consistently, but activating Gemini on your smart speakers is technically optional. Just be aware that if you opt not to do this, you might hit some bumps if your phone and smart speaker try to compete to respond to your commands with different assistants.

Turn off personalization features you don’t need

Part of the appeal of Google Assistant was its simplicity. Turn your lights on and off, set reminders, stuff like that. No trying to plan your meals for you based on your travel itinerary and anime viewing history or whatever. If that kind of simplicity appeals to you, consider taking the opposite of our previous advice, and turn off many of the “Connected Apps” you find there.

In the Gemini app on your phone, you can find this under Settings > Personal Intelligence > Connected Apps. Here, you’ll find a list of apps you can connect (or disconnect) to affect how Gemini responds. You might want to turn off some of these to simplify your assistant’s responses, like Google Workspace or Search Services. These use data connected to your Google account to personalize your results, which might muck up what you’re trying to accomplish.

However, some of these apps should probably stay on. Google Home, for example, is used to control your smart home devices, and Utilities handles things like timers and alarms. Other functions are, in typical Google fashion, a bit convoluted. Reminders, for example, are typically handled by Google apps like Tasks (or sometimes Keep or Calendar?) so you might want to keep Workspace enabled, depending on your needs.

Use Instructions for Gemini to create custom commands

I’ve been singing the praises of this feature for a while, but if you’re frustrated with how Gemini behaves, the most powerful tool to bend it to your will is the Instructions for Gemini (previously Saved Info) tool. While ostensibly this is used to store information about yourself that you want Gemini to keep in mind, you can use it to create custom shorthand commands that work a lot more like how Assistant used to.

To access this, head to Settings > Personal Intelligence > Instructions for Gemini in the Gemini app. Here, you can add custom instructions in natural language. So, for example, let’s say you want to turn off the living room and kitchen lights with a short command, you could add the following instructions: “If a prompt consists solely of ‘good night’, turn off the lights in the living room and kitchen.” You can further tailor this command to make sure it works reliably.

This can also be a handy way to make sure that Gemini uses the right app or tool for the commands you want to run. For example, if you want to add a note to your Google Keep app, but Gemini keeps trying to set reminders via the Tasks app or whatever, you can add custom instructions to “Always use Keep to store notes and reminders” so your future commands work the way you want them to.

Use Scheduled Actions to help replace routines

Google Assistant’s routines feature has moved around over the years, and it currently lives in the Google Home app. But in keeping with Google’s long-standing strategy of “build two of everything”, you can also use Gemini’s scheduled actions to replace some of this functionality. While it’s not strictly necessary, as long as Google Home automations exist, it can be easier to do everything from the one app you’re being pushed into anyway. Especially if you’re worried that the older method will suddenly be removed.

In the Gemini app, head to Settings > Scheduled actions, and tap New Action. Here you can give your routine a name, describe what you want Gemini to do in the same natural language you can use for other Gemini commands. You can also set a time and frequency you want the action to occur.

Gemini works a little differently than Assistant, so some of these commands might not run with as much precision as you’re used to. Gemini notes in the app that scheduled actions are prepared up to an hour in advance, so keep that in mind. This tool can be handy for things like a morning routine, giving you a morning briefing at the same time as turning on your lights. But if you want very simple actions—like, say, just turning on the lights—you might still want to use the automations in the Google Home app.

Choose the fastest model (where you can)

One of the biggest annoyances with the forced switch to Gemini is that commands can take a lot longer to process. Recognizing a few key words like “turn on lights” is fast. Trying to process whole sentences is more complicated. If you preferred the speed of Assistant and don’t need more complex analysis of your instructions, changing your model can help.

In most cases, you can’t change the default Gemini model (Google, please), but in the Gemini app, you can tap the model dropdown and choose whatever the latest, lightest model is. At time of writing, that’s 3.5 Flash-Lite, but it may be different later. Typically, the fastest model will be whichever one has the oldest version number, paired with words like “Flash” or “Lite”. 

You can also find an optional toggle labeled “Extended thinking” which usually attempts more complex processing. But it also adds extra processing time, dragging out simple commands like setting alarms. Disable this, and you’ll typically get faster answers. Depending on how you invoke Gemini, you might not have the option to tweak your models, but when you can, you can find a pretty significant speed boost by making these changes.

It's tough to stay private on the internet. It's hardly an even playing field: If you use apps and websites as they're designed, your every move is almost guaranteed to be tracked so that companies can compile a profile to target you with ads. That even extends to simple tasks like sharing links with friends: You might think you're simply communicating in private, but as soon as you click "copy" on that link, trackers attach themselves to the URL and come along for the ride.

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It doesn't have to be this way. There are many steps you can take to prevent trackers from stalking you across the internet—some more intense than others. And while stripping tracking URLs from links isn't new, it isn't exactly common knowledge, either. That's why whenever a company makes it a bit easier, I'm all for it, so today I'm celebrating DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo now makes it easier to strip trackers from links on iPhone

As highlighted by fellow CNET Group site ZDNet, DuckDuckGo's iOS app now includes a feature that automatically eliminates tracking elements from links. That way, you can share links with friends, family members, and coworkers without worrying about trackers following along.

The feature, "Copy Clean Link," doesn't do anything you couldn't do yourself. As ZDNet explains, the feature cuts out everything in the URL in question from the "?" on; essentially, all of the tracking information. Without that data, you turn the URL into a "clean" link, so trackers won't necessarily know you're the user who shared that URL in the first place. You can do this yourself by opening the URL and deleting this text manually, but tapping Copy Clean Link is certainly more convenient.

Interestingly, the feature doesn't pop up when you select a link the usual way, or even when you hit the Share button. Instead, you'll need to open the link in DuckDuckGo, long-press the address bar, and choose "Copy Clean Link." You'll find the same option if you tap the three lines in the bottom right, then scroll down and choose "Copy Clean Link." If you simply select the URL and use iOS' built-in "Copy" option, you'll grab the full URL—trackers and all.

DuckDuckGo's Copy Clean Link is an iOS-only feature for now

At this time, only iPhone users can use "Copy Clean Link" in DuckDuckGo. That doesn't mean that users of other platforms are out of luck: As previously mentioned, you can manually delete all characters in a URL starting with the "?" to achieve the same effect. That's easier done on desktop than mobile, of course.

If you need an alternative, Brave has a "Copy Clean Link" option as well. It works similarly to DuckDuckGo's—you can long-press the address bar on a webpage you're already visiting or, uniquely, you can long-press any link in the browser to get the option too.

While there are plenty of new speaker releases to get excited about this summer, there’s nothing like a tried-and-true, well-rounded option from a reliable brand. The JBL Charge 6 is exactly that. Designed to survive everything from pool parties to camping trips and beach adventures, a brand-new unit is currently 35% off on Woot, bringing it to an all-time low of $129.95 (originally $199.95), according to price trackers.

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With an IP68 rating, it’s fully waterproof, dust-proof, and drop-proof (surviving up to three feet), making it nearly invincible for all kinds of shenanigans. The 34-watt-hour battery lasts up to 24 hours, and you get an extra 4 hours with its Boost mode on, though you will sacrifice a bit of bass in exchange. It also acts as a power bank for other devices, letting you charge a phone or tablet. The speaker weighs 3 pounds and has a convenient handle looped through either end for carrying, 

Controls are located on the top, and the companion app is relatively simple, with a few EQ presets and a seven-band custom EQ. PCMag, which gave the Charge 6 an "Excellent" rating, calls the sound “surprisingly punchy” with “substantial bass, even at low volume.” The review notes that it delivers booming volume while maintaining clarity and balance, and that the sound holds up well outdoors.

If you want a loud, portable speaker that doubles as a charger and delivers superior sound despite its relatively compact size, the JBL Charge 6 speaker is your best bet, and at a record-low price, it’s worthy of your attention. Keep in mind that on Woot, shipping is free for Amazon Prime members and $6 for non-members, and products come with a limited 90-day warranty.

Futurama has been one of the smartest and funniest TV shows for so long, it’s managed to get canceled and brought back several times. It’s easy to see why: Every single episode is jam-packed with jokes, and those jokes range from the incredibly stupid to jokes based on science that about four people in the world understand (and they all work in the Futurama writer’s room, apparently). Its bent vision of the future of the universe is always a delightfully deranged adventure, and if you’re looking to bring a little more of that vibe into your life (and you’ve already binged the hilarious TV shows in that category), you should absolutely watch Idiocracy immediately.

Why you should watch Idiocracy after Futurama

Idiocracy and Futurama share a fundamental premise: A man of average intelligence is frozen, wakes up in the far future, and has adventures. In Futurama, Philip J. Fry (Billy West) fits right in with the ludicrous sci-fi universe he finds himself in; but in Idiocracy, Soldier Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson) emerges from hibernation five centuries later to discover that humanity has regressed so drastically he is now the smartest man on Earth—by a long shot. And if you’re thinking that Futurama played around very specifically with that premise, you’d be right—in season 3, episode 7, “The Day the Earth Stood Stupid,” floating alien brains use a beam of energy to turn humanity stupid—but the beam doesn’t affect Fry, because—stay with me here—he is his own grandfather and thus lacks a crucial “delta wave” in his brain function, leaving him briefly the smartest human on the planet.

Idiocracy is more a tightly focused satire than Futurama, using its premise to mock modern problems and behaviors, but it’s very much on the same wavelength as the show. Just like the show, Idiocracy has loads of hilarious jokes about consumerism and how we’re all manipulated by advertising and marketing tricks, and the film is populated by the kinds of ridiculous characters fans of the show will recognize and love—like Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho (Terry Crews), the deeply stupid and incredibly violent President of the United States (whose hair is a character unto itself in this movie).

Like Fry often does, Joe finds himself responsible for saving the day despite being, well, pretty average in most ways. Exasperated by the dumbness all around him (this is a future America where the death penalty involves monster truck demolition derbies, the Supreme Court has been renamed the Extreme Court, and an energy drink called Brawndo is used for literally everything from medicine to crop irrigation), Joe plods along, doing his best, and (again, just like Fry) eventually scores a win.

For fans of Futurama, there’s no better choice for movie night. Rent Idiocracy on Prime Video.

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More movies that fans of Futurama should watch

Need more to watch? The obvious choice would be the actual Futurama films that were released—Bender’s Big Score (2007), The Beast with a Billion Backs (2008), Bender's Game (2008), and Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009). You can find them on Hulu as part of their Futurama collection, but the movies have been cut into episode-length slices. You can also buy each movie individually on Prime Video.

But if you’ve already watched the Futurama movies (and you probably have), here are a few more movies that aren’t Futurama but offer a similarly wacky sci-fi experience.

Bender’s Big Score (2007)

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Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

As a sci-fi series, Futurama has played around with actual time travel several times, so Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is the perfect movie for fans of the show. In San Dimas, California, in 1989, Bill Preston (Alex Winter) and Ted Logan (Keanu Reeves) are slacker high school students in danger of failing history—which would have dire consequences for the rather utopian future of humanity. A man named Rufus (George Carlin) is sent back in time to help by giving them access to a time machine—and hilarious shenanigans ensue. Stream Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure on Tubi or rent it on Prime Video.

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Spaceballs (1987)

Futurama’s writers love a good movie parody—they’ve hit Willy Wonka, Armageddon, Animal House, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest among many others. So one of the best parodies of one of our most cherished sci-fi franchises is the perfect follow-up to the show. It’s a Mel Brooks joint, so obviously this send-up of all things Star Wars (original trilogy only) can lean into the juvenile side, but it remains a demented takedown of a foundational science fiction universe. Plus, the long-awaited sequel is due in 2027, so a refresher is in order. Stream Spaceballs on Fubo or rent it on Prime Video.

Spaceballs (1987)

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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

In a lot of ways, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy crawled so Futurama could walk. While this film, based on Douglas Adams’ original book, isn’t as pop-culture focused as Futurama, it has the same spirit of dizzy sci-fi craziness, from poetry as a torture device to an Infinite Improbability Drive that warps and bends reality every time it’s used. There are bizarre aliens, smart observations about the nature of our existence, and a rumination on the fundamental importance of towels. Rent The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy on Prime Video.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

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WALL-E (2008)

Futurama is funny, but it’s also very sweet-natured—Philip J. Fry may not be the brightest guy, but he means well, and the Planet Express crew almost always does the right thing. WALL-E has that same spirit while also hilariously lampooning modern life, giving us both an adorable, lonely robot marooned on an environmentally ruined Earth and a vision of humanity’s very fleshy, lazy, and kind of dumb future if we don’t change our ways. Stream WALL-E on Disney+ or rent it on Prime Video.

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Megamind (2010)

If you love the rapid-fire gags in Futurama and enjoy the absurdity of wildly impractical technology, you’ll love Megamind. A parody of superhero stories, the film follows two alien babies who are sent ot Earth, Superman-style, when their worlds are destroyed. One becomes arch-villain Megamind (Will Ferrell), the other hero Metro Man (Brad Pitt), who battle each other until Megamind finally gets the drop on his rival, killing Metro Man—and deleting all meaning from his life in the process. With stuff like dehydration guns and realistic holographic disguises, Megamind riffs on sci-fi tropes in ways that Futurama fans will love. Stream Megamind on Peacock or rent it on Prime Video.

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While there are surely many paying ChatGPT customers, the vast majority are using it for free. Though it may be exciting for paid users to try out the company's latest and greatest models, the biggest impact happens whenever OpenAI makes features available free of charge. As it happens, next week, free users are getting perhaps the biggest ChatGPT update in years.

Free ChatGPT users are getting unlimited text chats

Starting next week, you'll no longer hit a wall when simply texting with ChatGPT. OpenAI says that both free and Go users now have unlimited text chats, which should mean you can send as many text-based messages as you want without running into cooldown periods. Of course, the emphasis here is on "texts." There are absolutely still limits on other ChatGPT features, including messages with files and images, as well as Voice mode and image generation. But for users who primarily use ChatGPT with text-based messages, this update should be more than welcome.

In addition, OpenAI is switching free and Go users to the company's new GPT-5.6 Luna model, which is designed for "cost-sensitive, high-volume workloads." As such, this model likely won't be as capable as OpenAI's more powerful models available to Pro users, but free users aren't totally left in the lurch: OpenAI says there's a new "Think" button that lets you push Luna further for more complex requests. The experience is much changed from the days when users could jump between different models for free, but perhaps the unlimited text chats will make up for it for most users.

ChatGPT Pro users are getting some new perks too

OpenAI says that Plus and Pro users are also getting some updates. The company says that its GPT-5.6 Sol model now delivers "more focused" responses, and may issue corrections instead of simply agreeing with the user when they're wrong. It also does away with some of the formatting we've come to expect from AI: Your answer may be more succinct in paragraph form, rather than expansive with bullet points. OpenAI says that Sol makes "fewer mistakes" too, but remember: all AI models hallucinate.

There's also a new slider to push the model from "Instant" to higher effort. The idea is to give users a sliding scale of power, rather than have them switch from distinct models. The more intense you push the model, the longer the responses may take, so OpenAI positions the slider as an option for users to tailor the model to their needs: If you need a quick answer, keep the slider towards the less intense side.

The Blink Outdoor 2K+ Wireless Floodlight Camera is down to $77.99 from $129.99 on Amazon, and price trackers show that this is its lowest price so far. For that, you're getting a battery-powered outdoor camera with a motion-activated floodlight in one package without having to run wiring through an exterior wall. The camera records at up to 2K resolution and covers a 135-degree field of view, while the floodlight adds 700 lumens when motion is detected. That combination should work well over a driveway, side entrance, or backyard where you want both visibility and a recording of whoever triggered the light. Blink also includes the Sync Module Core, two AA lithium batteries for the camera, four D-cell batteries for the floodlight, and the mounting hardware, so the basic setup is covered out of the box.

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In everyday use, the Outdoor 2K+ handles the basics you would expect from an outdoor security camera, including motion alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and Alexa support. Its sharper 2K resolution also gives you a better chance of making out a face, package, or license plate than Blink’s older 1080p cameras, and because the setup is wire-free, you are not limited to spots near an outlet. That said, while it works with Alexa and IFTTT, Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant ecosystems are not supported, which makes it a less natural fit outside an Alexa-based smart home. Blink advertises the battery life of this floodlight camera at up to two years, though your actual results will depend on how often it records and how you use it.

Beyond basic motion alerts, the camera can identify people and vehicles and generate AI descriptions of motion events, but some of those features require a paid plan—the purchase includes a free 30-day trial, after which Blink’s Basic plan costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year for one device. You can skip the subscription and save footage locally, but the included Sync Module Core does not support local storage. That means buying a Sync Module XR ($73.53) and microSD card ($29.99), so it's worth factoring that extra cost in before deciding whether this $78 deal works for you.

The LG 39GX950B-B UltraGear Evo is down to $1,599 from $1,799.99 on Amazon, saving you $200, or about 11%. It's still an expensive gaming monitor, but this is also a fairly unusual display—its 39-inch OLED has a 5K2K resolution, a 21:9 aspect ratio, and a 1500R curve. LG says it is the first 39-inch 5K2K OLED gaming monitor, and its 143 pixels per inch give it noticeably higher pixel density than LG's larger 45-inch 45GX950A-B. That should make text and smaller interface elements look sharper, so the screen makes more sense for someone splitting time between gaming and desktop work.

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You also get some flexibility depending on what you play—at its full 5K2K resolution, it runs at up to 165Hz, which is enough for most fast-paced games if your PC can push that many pixels. For competitive shooters, you can switch to a 2560-by-1080 Dual Mode that doubles the refresh rate to 330Hz. You lose a lot of resolution in the process, but someone chasing higher frame rates may prefer that tradeoff. Also, its fast response time keeps motion looking sharp in either mode, and FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC compatibility help reduce tearing.

As for connectivity, its DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 connections give newer graphics cards enough bandwidth to take advantage of the monitor’s higher resolutions and refresh rates. There is also USB-C with up to 90 watts of power delivery, so a compatible laptop can handle video, USB accessories, and charging through one connection. That said, variable refresh rate flicker can become noticeable when frame rates change quickly, and its HDR brightness is not always completely accurate. OLED burn-in is another consideration if you spend long hours with static windows, menus, or taskbars on screen, even though LG includes panel-care features and a two-year panel warranty. Console players also get less value from the ultrawide shape because current PlayStation and Xbox consoles do not natively support 21:9 output.

When is Made by Google 2026?

Usually, tech events—especially in the U.S.—are in the morning for West Coasters (and, as such, in the early afternoon for East Coasters). Many companies like Google are based in California, so a 10 a.m. PT start time is pretty common. As I'm on the East Coast, I'm quite used to starting coverage around 1 p.m. for most tech events.

This year is much different. Made by Google officially kicks off at 3 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Aug. 12. That means a 6 p.m. start time for those of us on the East Coast.

Where can you watch Made by Google 2026?

If you didn't get an invite to watch Made by Google in person, no worries: The company hosts a livestream for anyone to watch from home. Most companies run a livestream through YouTube, and as Google owns the video platform, it makes sense for its official livestream to live there, too. Even though the event doesn't start until next week, Google already has the livestream video open. You can watch from the feed below, or from the link here.

What will Google announce at Made by Google 2026?

While most companies officially keep their product announcements under wraps prior to an event, these days leaks and rumors typically spill the beans long before it kicks off. Perhaps that's why Google has gone ahead and spoiled the biggest announcements ahead of time: The company has already posted teasers for both the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro Fold on social media. While even those reveals were hardly a surprise to anyone following the Google rumors, it is funny to have confirmation about two products ahead of time.

In addition to new Pixel smartphones, rumors suggest that we'll also see the new Pixel Watch 5 on Wednesday. Perhaps the company will even announce the Google Pixel Tag, which would mark Google's first attempt at an AirTag-like product. For a full account of the leaks and rumors going into Made by Google 2026, check out our explainer here.

If you want to start tracking how many calories you eat—whether for weight loss, weight gain, or just out of curiosity—here’s a primer. Tracking your calories or macros (or both) is pretty easy once you’ve gotten the hang of it, but getting started can be confusing. With the right tools and the right habits, however, you’ll be on top of your own personal calorie numbers in no time.

Why do people count calories? 

Calories are a measure of energy. The more exercise you do, for example, the more calories you need to fuel that activity. Everything you eat has a calorie number attached to it (whether it’s on a label or not). In general, we eat about the same number of calories we burn. 

Amazingly, our bodies can keep us at a roughly steady weight by making us hungrier if we haven’t eaten enough calories today, or making us feel full if we’ve had a lot. That said, consistently eating less than you burn results in weight loss; eating more than you burn results in weight gain. 

What are macros and why do people track them?

Macros are your macronutrients: fat, protein, and calories. These are the major components of our food, and they're where calories come from. (Water and alcohol are also technically macronutrients, but they aren't conventionally part of macro tracking.)

You would track macros if you want to be sure you're getting enough protein, if you're trying to get enough carbs for athletic fuel, or if you've gotten advice from a dietitian on fine-tuning the exact balance of where your calories come from. Calorie-tracking apps will generally also tell you how many grams of each macro you're getting with each meal and throughout the day.

How do I know how many calories I should eat? 

Most of the time, you should eat roughly the same number of calories each day that your body burns. That number varies from person to person. A 4’9”, 100-pound woman who only does light exercise might burn 1,440 calories per day. A six-foot, 280-pound man who does heavy workouts twice a day might burn 4,309. Most of us are somewhere in between, in the 2,000 to 3,000 calorie range.

I discuss calorie burn a little more here. Even though food labels use a 2,000-calorie diet to calibrate their “daily values” of various nutrients, the truth is that we each burn a different number of calories, and most of us burn more than 2,000. (The average for adults was, years ago, calculated to be 2,350. The FDA ended up going with 2,000 in part because they thought a round number was easier to understand.) 

So if you would like to lose weight, you’ll want to eat slightly less than you burn. If you want to gain weight—as many people do when they’re trying to gain muscle—you’ll want to eat more calories than you burn. A good rule of thumb is to subtract 200-500 calories per day from what you burn, and that will be a good number for weight loss. Do the opposite if you’re trying to gain.

You may think of burning calories in the context of exercise, but don't forget that you also burn calories just by existing. Our bodies need somewhere around 100 calories per hour just to keep our cells alive, brain cells firing, and blood pumping. So if your watch tells you that you burned 300 calories by going for a jog, that's in addition to the 2,000-ish that you burn throughout the day.

Now that you understand the logic, you just need a starting estimate of how many calories your body burns in a typical day. If you already track calories, you can probably figure this out by what you usually eat when your weight is stable. For example, if you eat about 2,300 on average, and you haven't been gaining or losing weight, your "maintenance calorie" number is 2,300. If you don't have a starting number, plug your information into a TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) calculator like the one at tdeecalculator.net. Remember that any calculated number is only an estimate, and ultimately you’ll find out whether it’s correct by noticing what happens to your weight when you eat that number. 

If you use a Fitbit or other device that estimates your calorie burn each day, that's also a good place to get a starting number. Just remember that this is also an estimate, and could still be off by a few hundred calories in either direction.

How do I find out how many calories are in a food? 

The easiest way to get a calorie number for a food is to look at its label. Or if your food doesn’t have a label, search for the name of the food plus “calories” and pay attention to the serving size and the source of the information. For example, when I google “apple calories,” I get a result telling me that a medium apple, about 3 inches in diameter, is 95 calories. The source is given as the USDA, which maintains a database of common food items. Here’s the entry for apples. It defaults to a 100-gram serving, but you can change the “portion” dropdown to show you the medium apple.

When you’re eating at a restaurant, calorie counts are sometimes shown next to each food item. If they aren’t, check the restaurant’s website, or search the restaurant’s name plus “nutrition information.” Often there’s a PDF hidden somewhere on their website with a bunch of calorie counts—and, often, other information like protein and carbohydrate content. That said, there’s a simpler way that people usually use when tracking calories: You use a calorie tracking app.

What is the best calorie tracking app? 

There are tons of good (or at least not horrible) calorie tracking apps out there. Cronometer is my pick: It’s got all the features you need even in the free version, and it’s goal-neutral, so you can use it whether you’re trying to gain weight, lose weight, or neither. 

The most popular calorie tracking app is probably MyFitnessPal, which is baffling because it’s easily the worst one out there. The calorie information is often inaccurate, the interface is pretty in-your-face about weight loss whether you’re interested in that or not, and basic features like the barcode scanner are only available in the paid version. We have a roundup of alternatives to MyFitnessPal here. 

When you use a calorie tracking app, you’ll search within the app for the food that you just ate (or that you’re about to eat). At first you’ll find this practice clunky: You’ll have to choose the right item from the database, and then try to figure out how large a serving you just ate. Packaged foods are easiest to track, which adds an extra wrinkle if you’re also trying to eat more whole or homemade foods. Bear with this, though: Habits are skills, and as you develop all the mini-skills that make up calorie tracking, the habit becomes second nature.

Are AI apps good at calorie tracking?

Several fitness apps now include an AI-based calorie tracking feature. Often you'll take a photo of your food, and the AI decides what it is and tallies up the numbers. These apps are not the best for accuracy, but they can be better than guessing.

If you need accurate data, it's worth learning how to track properly. Learn how to measure portion sizes and create recipes with custom ingredients, which I'll describe below. Get used to looking at the numbers on food labels. The AI apps will become a lot more accurate when you can provide that extra information and when you can recognize when the numbers look wrong. For example, if the AI says that a snack was 600 calories when it was actually 300, a person who is experienced at food tracking would immediately realize something is wrong. Experience will also help you choose similar foods when the AI can't find an exact match in the database.

How do I select an accurate serving size for the food I’m tracking? 

As you gain more practice, you’ll get pretty good at eyeballing serving sizes. But as you’re getting used to it, make a habit of measuring or weighing food when you can. At this point, I can pretty accurately eyeball the difference between a cup of rice and a half-cup of rice, for example. I know that a three-ounce serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards, or a little smaller than the palm of your hand (depending, I suppose, on how big your hand is). A “serving” of peanut butter is two tablespoons; measure this out at least once so you can get a sense of whether your usual serving is more or less than that. 

To be more precise, you can start using a food scale. This makes your life easier in so many ways. For example, you can: 

• Place your toast on the scale, zero it, and then spread on the peanut butter. Weigh the peanut-buttered toast, and you’ll know exactly how many grams of peanut butter you used.

• Weigh out your desired portion of chicken, vegetables, or anything else you’re eating. 

• Portion a meal equally by weighing the whole thing, and then weighing each portion so that it contains ¼ of the total (if you’re making a four-serving meal).

• Place a container of, say, yogurt on the scale, and zero it. Then you can scoop yogurt from that container into the blender as you’re making a smoothie. This requires a “negative tare” feature, and it’s great for when you’re adding ingredients to containers you can’t weigh directly, like a blender or a pot on the stovetop. You just weigh the container the food is coming from. 

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How do I count the calories in homemade food? 

Your calorie tracking app should have a way of creating a recipe. Add in the ingredients, and make sure to say how many servings the recipe makes if you’re cooking for a group or making multiple servings for meal prep. Make sure to include all the ingredients, including cooking oil and condiments.

How do I count calories in a meal somebody else made? 

If you don’t know exactly what’s in something, you can guess. The easiest way is to look up a restaurant food that is similar and eyeball the portion. Grandma's spaghetti and meatballs might not be exactly the same as Olive Garden's spaghetti and meatballs, but maybe it's close enough.

What do I do if there’s an oil or sauce with my food and I don’t eat all of it? 

Unfortunately, there’s no easy adjustment to make here. Maybe you’re leaving a ton of calories behind, but it will be hard to separate that out mathematically from the other components that you did eat. In this case, I just pretend I ate the whole thing, sauce and all. If there’s a ton of sauce and I’m sure I’m leaving lots of calories behind, I’ll log it as 0.9 instead of one serving.

Do I need to track everything, every day? 

There are no food-tracking police (thank god), so no, you don’t have to do anything. But if you’re trying to get a roughly accurate estimate of how many calories you eat each day, you really should log everything, as much as you can. If you snack on a cookie, put a cookie into your app. 

I’ll sometimes skip an entire day of tracking, but I won’t log a partial day. If I eat 1,200 calories before dinner, and then go to a party and eat 15 different little things that are impossible to accurately track, I might say “fuck it” and delete the whole day.  But I wouldn’t leave it at 1,200, because looking back, it will seem like that entire day was only 1,200 calories. If I know I ate more than usual and I want to make sure my tracking shows it, I'll pick a placeholder like a restaurant meal (one of my apps, Macrofactor, actually has an entry for "Thanksgiving") and log whatever gets me, say, 3,000 calories of that.

Along the same lines, it’s tempting to not log things you think you “shouldn’t” be eating, but this backfires. In reality, if I’m eating 2,500 calories and only logging 2,000, I would look at my app and think, wow, I’m eating 2,000 calories and not losing weight. I would start to feel like I needed to eat even less than 2,000, and I might fall into one of those vicious cycles of restricting myself to smaller meals and then finding myself eating more untracked “cheat” meals. This is not a healthy way of eating, and tends to get worse over time. Instead, I log it all. If I know I’m eating 2,500 calories and not losing weight, I would be able to appreciate the fact that my body can put 2,500 calories to good use every day. I would then eat slightly less—maybe 2,200—and see if that might be a more effective and sustainable approach. 

Or to put it another way: if you log everything, you can be honest with yourself (and kinder to yourself). You just have to look at the numbers as neutral data, not as a judgement on whether or not you’re being “good.” 

Apple's latest macOS security patches fix a Screen Sharing vulnerability

macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.9 all contain the same, singular security patch: Tracked as CVE-2026-65400, this fix is for a Screen Sharing flaw that Apple says could allow an attacker on your network to "authenticate to Screen Sharing without valid credentials." In layman's terms, this security flaw could let hackers activate Screen Sharing without permission, which would leave the contents of your Mac's display totally open to anyone in the know.

Apple's Screen Sharing feature is complex, which is good for usability but potentially dangerous in this case. Not only can people using Screen Sharing see your Mac's display, they can, if prompted, take over your Mac as well. Typically, this requires permissions on both sides to activate, and it's not clear whether that functionality is impacted by this security flaw. But if it is, a bad actor could also theoretically take control of your computer using this flaw—accessing your files, messages, or anything else on your Mac.

The good news is Apple did not say that this flaw was previously publicly disclosed or being actively exploited. As such, chances are good that no hackers out there are currently taking advantage of it. However, that doesn't mean it's an impossibility: Certain AI models, like Claude Mythos, are adept at discovering security vulnerabilities, so hypothetically, someone out there could have found this flaw before Apple did. Luckily, the patch is now out for anyone running the latest three versions of macOS, so all you have to do to protect yourself is update your Mac.

How to install this Screen Sharing security patch on Mac

Whether your Mac is brand new or a few versions behind, there's a very good chance you can install one of these security patches. To do so, open System Settings > General > Software Update, let macOS look for the update, then follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

For competitive PC gamers who want the best experience possible, a gaming monitor with motion clarity, a zippy refresh rate, and sharp OLED image quality is a must. The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP monitor ticks all of those boxes, and it’s currently $120 off on Amazon, bringing the price down to $679 (originally $799).

ASUS ROG PG27AQDP 27 Inch 1440p 480Hz OLED Gaming Monitor

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The OLED image quality on this 27-inch display offers true blacks and no blooming, as well as a wide color gamut and anti-flicker controls. It’s brighter than traditional OLEDs thanks to an MLA+ panel, making it a solid pick for those who game in brighter rooms. The monitor is G-Sync and Freesync Premium compatible for tear-free gaming. 

It has 1440p resolution rather than 4K, prioritizing frame rate over maximum sharpness—a helpful trade-off for fast shooters or esports titles. With a 480Hz refresh rate and a 0.03 response time, it’s one of the fastest gaming monitors on the market, cutting down input latency and motion blur to the absolute minimum. Small HDR highlights are strong, though larger, bright HDR scenes may be a bit less impressive. 

A three-year warranty protects against burn-in risks, as does a custom heatsink and OLED Care+ software. If your primary goal is competitive PC gaming with next-level video processing and higher brightness than most OLEDs, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP monitor is a reliable choice.

I always feel tougher after running in the summer heat—until I look at my Garmin Forerunner and see it thinks my fitness has suddenly gotten worse. If you, too, watch your Garmin VO2max number slide down as the temperatures climb, you're not imagining it, and you're definitely not alone. Every summer, comment sections and Reddit threads fill up with people convinced their fitness is falling apart, or their expensive watch is broken, or generally panicking about a stat that's supposed to reflect their aerobic capacity. But there’s no need to panic. Your fitness almost certainly isn't going anywhere. What's actually happening is that your body is adapting to heat, and Garmin's algorithm is struggling to separate "hot weather effort" from "declining fitness."

Why it looks like your VO2max drops during the summer

VO2max estimates are built from your pace, heart rate, and effort during a run. In hot weather, your heart rate rises faster and stays higher for the same pace, because your body is diverting blood flow to your skin to help you cool down, and you're likely sweating more and dealing with some degree of dehydration. To Garmin's algorithm, a higher heart rate at a given pace looks like reduced efficiency, which it interprets as lower fitness. In reality, you're doing the same physical work; your cardiovascular system is just working harder to keep you cool at the same time.

This is why every year, so many runners see their VO2max estimate creep down every summer, only to bounce back once the weather cools off in the fall.

Some Garmin watches account for the heat

Newer Garmin models, including the Forerunner 970, do attempt to factor heat (and humidity) into the VO2max calculation, adjusting the estimate to account for the extra cardiovascular strain. Of the Forerunners, the 745, 945, 955, and 965 all have heat acclimation, along with the 245 and 255 with software updates. And if Garmin's numbering system confuses you, my colleague Beth Skwarecki has got you covered.

If you have one of these newer devices, you may notice the swings are less dramatic than what older models produce. Older Garmins generally don't make this adjustment, which is a big part of why the phenomenon is so widely discussed among long-time Garmin users.

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How to fix your VO2max trend

If you understand what's happening and you're fine ignoring or hiding the number for a few months, that's my recommendation. Your training is still working, whatever Garmin’s algorithm seems to suggest. But if you'd rather stop the swings altogether, you do have a few practical options.

The best fix is to change your activity profile settings so that specific activities don't contribute to VO2 max at all. While you can't directly turn off VO2 max tracking for the standard, default "Run" profile on Garmin watches, you can turn it off for Trail Run or Ultra Run profiles.

This means you'll let your road running profile keep contributing to VO2max, since road paces tend to be more consistent and comparable, while turning it off for trail running, where elevation, terrain, and effort variability already make VO2 max less reliable.

You can even take this a step further by creating a dedicated "hot run" activity profile. Create a new Trail Run profile, rename it something like "Hot Run," and disable VO2max calculation on that copy. Then, on brutally hot or humid days, switch to that profile before you head out. Your run still gets logged normally with pace, heart rate, and all your usual data, but now it won't skew your overall VO2max trend.

Finally, if you really want to keep your VO2 max estimate clean and consistent year-round, you might have to stick to a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym. Controlled temperature and humidity mean your heart rate response will better reflect your actual fitness rather than heat strain, giving you a more stable number to track over time. However, in pursuit of a perfect number, you'll be sacrificing all the mental and physical gains that come from training in the heat. Don't let your VO2max cause you to lose the plot here.

The bottom line

A dropping VO2 max number in the summer is one of the most common false alarms in the running world. It's always troubling to see a fitness score drop, especially for Garmin fanatics like myself. But during the summer, your body is spending energy adapting to the heat, which is its own form of fitness. Whether you decide to ignore the dip, tweak your activity settings, or move your key efforts indoors, the most important thing is not to let a single algorithm-generated number convince you that months of hard training have suddenly vanished.

Emmy Rossum and Lola Pettigrew are earning rave reviews for the twisty new serial killer drama Furious, now streaming on Hulu. It's based on the 1987 Debra Winger/Theresa Russell movie Black Widow, but where that film was a stylish but fairly by-the-numbers net-noir, the show adds depth and layers to both women at the its core: Rossum is FBI Agent Alice Black and Pettigrew is foil and serial killer Catherine Grace—in this version, she's sicker, more sly, and also more interesting, especially once her motivations are made known. If you're looking for more shows that deliver similarly delicious cat-and-mouse suspense vibes, here are 10 to add to your queue.

Killing Eve (2018 – 2022)

Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer star as the two halves of television's great cat-and-mouse narratives (a style at which Furious likewise excels), with Oh as Eve Polastri, a bored MI5 analyst who becomes obsessed with hunting down the brutal, notorious assassin known only as Villanelle. It starts as a professional compulsion before it gets personal, and it soon becomes clear that the fascination goes both ways. This is a spy drama more than a crime thriller, but the complex relationship between two women on opposite sides of the law is similarly entrancing. Stream Killing Eve on Prime Video, Paramount+, Britbox, Tubi, and Netflix.

Killing Eve (2018 – 2022)

at Prime Video

Get Deal

Get Deal

at Prime Video

Inspector Koo (2021)

The deeply messy (in all respects) Koo Kyung-yi (Lee Young-ae) is working as an insurance investigator, as being a cop didn't entirely pan out. She's got a brilliant mind for patterns and games, though, and she finds herself drawn in when she starts looking more deeply into a series of seemingly accidental deaths. It seems a young college student known as K (Kim Hye-jun) is killing creeps, making the murders look like accidents, and arranging to make off with some of the insurance money—kicking off an increasingly dangerous game between the two well-matched opponents. Stream Inspector Koo on Netflix.

Inspector Koo (2021)

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The Fall (2013 – 2016)

Jamie Dornan's attractive young serial killer Paul Spector is, outwardly, a normal guy and a family man, no one you'd suspect of being a stalker and a serial killer of professional women in Belfast. Metro Police Superintendent Stella Gibson (the never-not-brilliant Gillian Anderson) is sent from London to help with a stalled investigation that leads her on a hunt for the clever Spector through physical dangers, mind-fuckery, and bureaucratic complications. It's good stuff. Stream The Fall on Peacock and Prime Video.

The Fall (2013 – 2016)

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Get Millie Black (2024)

Booker-winning novelist Marlon James created and co-wrote this wildly acclaimed miniseries, touching on bias, discrimination, and colonialism in the context of a cracking missing-person drama. Having been "encouraged" to leave Scotland Yard following the death of a missing child she'd been searching for, Detective Millie-Jean Black (Tamara Lawrance) opts to return home to Jamaica and join the police force there. She reunites with her sibling, Hibiscus (Chyna McQueen, who received a BAFTA nomination for this, her first screen role), before being drawn into the case of a Black teenager who seems to have been groomed by a rich white family before disappearing—a case that forces her to work with a condescending colleague sent over from London. It was constructed as a miniseries, but there's talk of a revival somewhere down the line. Stream Get Millie Black on HBO Max.

Get Millie Black (2024)

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The Chestnut Man (2021 – )

Head on over to sunny Copenhagen, where Naia Thulin (Danica Curcic) is assigned to investigate the murder and dismemberment of a young woman in a playground, the best clue being a small figurine made of chestnuts found nearby. When a politician's daughter goes missing, that wee chestnut man is enough to tie the case back to the murder of an entire family on a farm nearly four decades ago. You'll find the long-awaited second season under the title The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek. Stream The Chestnut Man on Netflix.

The Chestnut Man (2021 – )

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Mare of Easttown (2021)

Kate Winslet picked up an Emmy for her performance as the thoroughly troubled Mare Sheehan, a local hero in her days as a high school basketball champ whose adult reputation as a police detective is rapidly losing its luster. She's been unable to solve the case of a missing girl even as she's confronted with a recently murdered teenage mother—and you probably won't be surprised to find that the cases are linked. Word on the street is that a second season might be in the works. Stream Mare of Easttown on HBO Max.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

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Happy Valley (2014 – 2023)

This British crime drama is as dark as they come (ironic title alert!). Sarah Lancashire is Sgt. Catherine Cawood, a police officer whose daughter died by suicide eight years before the series starts, following her rape by Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton); she's also raising a grandchild who is also Tommy's son. Royce is the villain, no question, but the narrative is complicated by Catherine's long-game quest for vengeance, complicated by her target's criminal connections and his relationship to her grandson. The series, and particularly lead Sarah Lancashire, won a number of BAFTA awards and nominations over its three seasons. Stream Happy Valley on Prime Video and Britbox.

Happy Valley (2014 – 2023)

at Prime Video

Get Deal

Get Deal

at Prime Video

True Detective: Night Country (2024)

The mystery here is a bit more esoteric, if not entirely supernatural, but it's still appropriately twisty—and the real cat-and-mouse game is between two quite different women drawn into the same case. It's also one of the better creepy-stuff-in-an-isolated location narratives of recent years, moving away from the sweaty bro energy of earlier seasons in favor of a frostier mystery involving missing scientists at a research station near a tiny and necessarily remote Alaskan town, where the dark and the cold are practically characters themselves. The resulting case ties together veteran Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis), each with a complicated past and a screwed-up present family life. Stream True Detective: Night Country on HBO Max.

True Detective: Night Country (2024)

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The Killing (2011 – 2014)

Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman play homicide detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder, initially investigating the murder of a teenager complicated by familial grief and an ongoing political campaign. Later, though, the show becomes a cat-and-mouse game involving Linden and a killer with more personal motives and ties to her past, who winds up being much closer than anyone could suspect. Stream The Killing on Hulu.

The Killing (2011 – 2014)

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Marcella (2016 – 2021)

The best of two worlds, in that it's a British crime drama created by the master of Nordic Noir, Hans Rosenfeldt (The Bridge). Marcella offers up brilliantly twisty detecting alongside some complex (just this side of dour) characters. Former London police detective Marcella Backland (Anna Friel) decides to go back to work after her husband abruptly leaves her (he's been having an affair) while threatening to use her history of mental health treatment against her in gaining custody of her children. Luckily(?), there's a distraction: A serial killer she'd chased 11 years earlier appears to be back at it, and her insights might prove invaluable. If anyone will listen to her. Stream Marcella on Netflix.

Marcella (2016 – 2021)

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Ask Maps gets an agentic upgrade

Back in March, the company rolled out “Ask Maps,” a chatbot-like interface in Google Maps that taps into Gemini to help you find relevant places on the map. For example, Google says you can “Ask Maps” to find you a restaurant with availability for six at a specific date and time, keeping in mind strict dietary requirements. It’s about what you’d expect from the combination of Gemini and Google Maps: You “chat” with the map to find what you need. 

Now, Google is expanding on these features, introducing new agentic options to reduce the work you actually have to do to pick up lunch (if not by all that much). Starting today, Google says Ask Maps can handle “complex, multi-step tasks," including functions it can handle on your behalf, and the flagship feature is ordering food for you—or, at least, starting an order.

Ask Maps can't actually order food for you

Google says you can launch Ask Maps and type something like “order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home." While you might think such a feature would handle the entire request for you, Ask Maps doesn't quite get there. It will, according to Google, look for open restaurants on your route home, and it can even take into consideration your previous orders and dietary needs. But once it floats options, you still need to choose the restaurant you want to order from. Once you do, the agentic features kick in: Google says that Ask Maps will remember your original request and will begin adding the appropriate items to your cart through services like Square and Toast (with Uber Eats support coming soon). However, Ask Maps won't actually order the food for you. You still need to manually review what's been placed in your cart and approve the order before the restaurant will receive it.

Other agentic features in Ask Maps

As part of this Ask Maps update, you can also ask about hotels and local events. Google suggests asking the feature something like “For next week’s conference in downtown Miami, find me a decently priced, top-rated hotel with an artsy vibe, within walking distance from a gym and restaurants.” That's certainly a complex request, and, according to Google, Ask Maps will be able to compare prices and availability to find an appropriate hotel. The same goes for things like concerts and comedy shows: Ask Maps will surface results based on your request, but you'll need to click through to actually buy tickets yourself.

This isn't yet the agentic future we were promised

I don't have these options on my Google Maps app yet, so I can't personally attest to how well they work, but I'm not sure I'm seeing the vision here. Companies like Google have been promising that agentic features will save us time and rescue us from having to perform tedious or menial tasks. And while this feature does save the 30 seconds or so it takes to building a restaurant order, that's about all it does. Not only do you still have to intervene in multiple aspects of the process (including the actual ordering of the food), it seems like the whole ordeal takes longer than it should. In my view, heading to the restaurant's site, building the order myself, then placing the order (as I'd have to do anyway) is likely more efficient than asking Google's AI to find a restaurant with a specific dish, have it build the order, then have me review it.

Maybe I'll feel differently once I can try it out, and maybe this is just one step into a future where you really can have Google Maps complete a whole order for you. But I'm not sure I'd ever want it to, especially when dealing with ordering multiple items for various people with potential dietary restrictions. Not only would it likely be faster to do it myself, but I'm not sure I'd trust an AI with all those complications. The last thing anyone needs is for an AI to hallucinate and forget to order something with an allergy label.

Other new Ask Maps features

This update also incorporates Google's "Personal Intelligence," which pulls info from your various Google apps to return more personalized results. As such, you could Ask Maps to find you things to do before your afternoon flight. Google Maps should be able to access Gmail and Google Calendar, where it should find that flight's time and location, in order to fulfill your request with more individualized results than a simple search would. This feature is off by default.

There's also a new live data widget for transit instructions, so you can keep tabs on public transit information in real time. You can also suggest Google Maps edits conversationally through Ask Maps, including adding photo attachments.

How Private Relay is exposing IP addresses

iCloud Private Relay, which is part of Apple's iCloud+ subscription, is supposed to keep both who you are and what sites you visit hidden when you are browsing in Safari. Without it, your network provider and the websites you view can see your IP address and DNS records, which can be used to track your location and browsing history over time. Private Relay is supposed to encrypt DNS records and generate a temporary IP address, keeping any single party, including Apple, from obtaining both.

The issue, discovered by security researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk, is related to how passkeys work. Web requests are made outside of the browser and the protections of Private Relay, meaning that websites that support passkeys can see users' real IP addresses. Obviously, this impacts Safari traffic, but researchers found the issue in Onion Browser, an iOS app that encrypts traffic through the Tor network. Both 404 Media and TechCrunch verified the issue in their own tests.

The researchers stated that they informed Apple but haven't been given a timeline for when the vulnerability will be addressed. Apple is generally pretty good on privacy issues, but this isn't the first to arise in recent months. In July, "Hide My Email," the company's email masking service, was revealed to have a vulnerability that actually exposed users' real email addresses. Apple reportedly knew about it for over a year and claimed to have patched it—but it hadn't.

While Private Relay can be a useful privacy tool—if it works as intended—it's not a true VPN (Virtual Private Network) because it only provides protection when browsing in Safari. If you want to keep your IP address hidden and your data encrypted across all apps and browsers on your device, you may want to consider a separate VPN service.

First, the app may retain recordings and transcripts of your meetings indefinitely once used. They can also reuse them for any number of internal purposes, including model training and marketing campaigns. Second, state laws often require all parties to consent before a conversation is recorded. AI note-takers argue that the onus of obtaining consent falls on the person using the recording app, aka you. So if you recorded a meeting but didn’t disclose it to the other party, they could actually sue you for violating their data protection rights. 

That’s why multiple AI note-taking platforms are now facing class-action lawsuits from users who accuse them of mishandling their data and passing the baton of consent down to customers without informing them about this properly. I'll walk through the current legal situation, as well as what steps you can take to protect your data going forward.

What the Granola lawsuit is all about

California plaintiffs have filed a class action suit against Granola for multiple CIPA violations Credit: Lifehacker

Chamberlain v. Granola, Inc. was filed on July 30, 2026, in a California district court by plaintiff Tarra Chamberlain, who says that she was recorded without her consent (or even knowledge) while on a video call with someone who was using Granola. Unlike most AI note-takers, which show up as bots that have to be visibly admitted into the video call, Granola is built around invisibility. According to the app’s own marketing copy, the app's competitive advantage is it runs locally on a user’s device so that “other people in the room won't know it's there.” Lawyers fighting for the plaintiff say that this is the textbook definition of an illegal wiretap.

Moreover, by design, no one in the meeting can turn Granola off, except for the user who has the app installed on their device. Users are also opted into model training by default, so they must manually opt out if they don’t want the company to retain the conversation records. Even if a user does opt out of model training, this setting does not apply backwards, and prior conversation records are still retained for training purposes. 

In their formal complaint, the plaintiffs’ lawyers cite multiple federal and state law violations, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and California's Invasion of Privacy Act. Granola denies these accusations by saying that it anonymizes all training data before use and that no conversation data is sent to third parties, but the plaintiffs reject this framing. 

Granola isn’t the only one with the problem

Several educational institutions have banned Read AI use because of risks to organization data security Credit: University of Washington Information Technology (UWIT)

This isn’t the only active class action against an AI note taker in Silicon Valley. In 2025, four class action lawsuits against Otter.ai were consolidated into a single case before Judge Eumi K. Lee in the Northern District of California. Like Granola, this case alleges Otter records conversations without consent from meeting participants and then uses the recordings to train their own AI models. Justin Brewer, one of the plaintiffs in the suit against Otter, says that he was recorded using the OtterPilot app during a sales call and his voice was subsequently used to train AI models without his knowledge. While the lawyers working for Otter have filed a motion to dismiss, there hasn’t been a ruling yet. 

Fireflies.ai is also facing multiple class action lawsuits for violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by harvesting voiceprints from meeting participants using its speaker recognition technology without obtaining consent from those recorded. Read AI has not faced a lawsuit, but the app is banned from multiple public and private universities, including the University of Washington, Chapman University, Tufts University, and Mississippi State University. A notice on the University of Washington website reads, “Read AI can join, transcribe, and summarize their users’ online meetings even when the users are not in attendance,” adding that it poses significant “security and privacy risks to institutional data.”

Who is responsible for obtaining consent with AI note-taking apps?

AI note takers are using written contracts to shift the onus of consent downstream Credit: Granola

In every one of these class action suits so far, AI note-takers insist that the onus of obtaining consent from other participants falls upon the user, not the company that built the app. Otter.ai has specifically stated that this is baked into the contract that new users are forced to sign, which outsources the company’s consent obligations to the user. So if you used a note-taker to record the call, Otter.ai says it’s your job to make sure your fellow participants are aware, and they all consent to the recording. 

Of course, all of this is based on a clause in the user agreement you sign when creating a new account with the note-taking app, which is no doubt buried under heaps of other text that no one bothers to read. Historically, courts don’t look favorably upon tech companies hiding behind terms of service agreements and passing accountability onto users. But that’s not granted and still subject to case-by-case determination by the presiding judge. 

Then again, all-party consent isn’t a legal requirement for call recording in every U.S. state. But at least eleven of them, including California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington, enforce similar rules to protect user privacy. Depending on the circumstances of the call and information exposed, other states might also offer certain protections. Given the confusing circumstances and the lack of a ruling on any of these lawsuits, you shouldn’t assume that you’re not responsible for obtaining consent because you use a third-party app or service. But that doesn’t mean you should let AI note takers skirt blame entirely either. 

How to protect your individual rights with AI note-taking apps

There’s no denying the convenience of AI transcriptions, plus you can’t really control what software other people in a meeting choose to run in secret. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself from privacy violations and compliance issues, both as a user and another meeting participant. 

• If you choose to run an AI note-taker during a meeting, obtain verbal consent from all participants before you start recording. 

• To that point, if anyone in the meeting is a resident of California, Illinois, or another all-party consent state, assume that you must verbally inform and ask permission before you begin recording. 

• If you are joining a meeting, ask the meeting host directly if the conversation is being recorded or if a note-taker is being used, if they did not disclose that fact ahead of time.

• Before you give an AI app access to your meetings, make sure that you’ve opted out of any model training or data sharing agreements in your app settings.

• Depending on your region of residence, you may be eligible to legally revoke permissions to access your past data using a written notice. For example, California residents can invoke their right to erasure when asking a company to delete personal data. If so, contact the app's customer service line.

None of this can fully guarantee that you’ll never be subjected to privacy violations from an AI meeting bot, but being aware and conscious helps you stand a better chance of defending your rights. If a meeting requires disclosing sensitive information and you’re unsure if you’re being recorded by an AI app, it’s best to leave the meeting entirely and obtain written confirmation from the host before proceeding.

Have you ever found yourself in the checkout line at the grocery store, shuffling through multiple credit cards, trying to remember which earns the best grocery rewards? Then, you repeat this cycle every time you get gas or dine at a restaurant. At some point, this mental math starts to cost more than any points you’re earning.

Why not simplify things and pick a single card that rewards most everyday purchases you’re already making? The Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard is designed to do just that—it’s a no-annual-fee* card that helps turn your everyday purchases into rewards you can actually use at the pump.

Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard

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Rewards that match your routine

The problem with most fuel cards is that they only really reward you for what you spend at the pump. But the Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard goes beyond what a typical fuel card offers. It rewards most everyday purchases, so you get more value from things you’re already spending money on.

You’ll earn*:

• 4% back at Shell on fuel, EV charging, and in-store purchases

• 3% back on dining and groceries

• 2% back on everything else

You can earn 2% back on travel bookings, streaming subscriptions, concert tickets, and any other purchases.* Plus, you’ll earn 3% back on dining and grocery purchases.* And because rewards are automatically applied to future Shell purchases at statement close, your everyday spending can help offset future fuel purchases, EV charging, or in-store purchases at Shell.

Zero friction, total automation

The card is designed around a digital-first experience that removes friction:

• No annual fee*: Some rewards cards require you to calculate whether the points you earn justify the annual fee. The Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard has no annual fee*, so you can earn rewards without any extra cost to carry the card.

• Automatic redemptions: Many rewards cards require cardholders to monitor points balances and choose redemption options. With this card, your rewards are automatically applied to eligible Shell purchases when your statement closes. That means you can spend less time managing your rewards and more time benefiting from them. 

• No-risk check: If you’re wondering whether you qualify, you can easily apply within minutes and receive an offer with no impact on your credit score.**

• Instant access and mobile wallet: Approved applicants can start using their virtual card immediately, if approved, to begin earning rewards. The card also integrates with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and the Shell App, making it easy to pay while you’re on the go. 

Credit: Shell

The extra wins

The reward structure alone may be enough to justify making this your everyday card, but there are a few additional perks worth pointing out:

Upfront bonus: New cardholders can earn a $50 welcome bonus after spending $500 in purchases on the card within the first 60 days of opening the account.*** For households already spending money on groceries, eating out, fuel, and everyday purchases, that spending threshold may be easy to hit in two months.

The loyalty stack: If you’re already a Shell Fuel Rewards member, you can save even more at the pump by stacking your eligible Fuel Rewards savings.**** The next time you fill up at a Shell station, you’ll just enter your Fuel Rewards Alt ID before paying with your Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard, or pay with your linked card in the Shell App, and your combined cents-per-gallon savings will be available for you to redeem.

The bottom line

The best financial systems are simple and easy to manage. Instead of shuffling through multiple rewards cards at the register, wondering which will earn you the most points, you can choose a single daily card that rewards most everyday purchases. 

The Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard does just that by helping you earn rewards on fuel, EV charging, groceries, and most everyday purchases. To learn more or apply, visit myshellcard.com.

Disclosures 

The Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard Credit Card is issued by First Bank & Trust, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, the circles design, and World Mastercard are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Shell Performance Elite Credit Card is powered by Imprint Payments.

*See Rewards Program Terms and Conditions and Credit Program Cardholder Agreement for more information. Rewards are earned as statement credits and are redeemable only toward eligible Shell purchases. Statement credits are automatically applied to qualifying Shell transactions at the close of each billing cycle and have no cash value outside of eligible Shell purchases. 
**If you accept an offer we will conduct a hard credit pull which may impact your credit score.
***Valid one time only for new cardholders. Offer cannot be combined with other promotions. Earn $50 back after $500 in net spend on the Shell Performance Elite World Mastercard within 60 days of account opening. Bonus will be credited within 8–12 weeks of qualifying and may post in multiple deposits. Account must be open and in good standing at time of fulfillment. See Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for details.
****At participating Shell stations. Limit 20 gallons. Restrictions apply. For more information, visit shell.us/fuelrewards-terms. The Shell Fuel Rewards program is not offered by or administered through Imprint or First Bank & Trust.

As Google usually launches new Pixels at this time of year—and has already dropped some pretty revealing teasers on the Google Store—we have a good idea of what's coming. Add in a recent flurry of leaks and rumors from reputable tipsters, and it's possible to generate a clear picture of what will be announced next week.

What the rumors say about the Google Pixel 11 announcement

Starting with the Pixel 11 phones, it looks like there will be four new models, just like last year: The Google Pixel 11, the higher-spec Pixel 11 Pro, the higher-spec and larger Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Google has already namechecked and teased the design of the Pixel 11 Pro and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold on social media.

You can see from those official teasers that the familiar Pixel design language is back, with the addition of a colorful notification LED on the rear camera bar. Early rumors suggested this would be called "Pixel Glow," but reputable tipster Roland Quandt has dug up some material suggesting it'll actually be called "HiLight," and will be used to indicate Gemini chats or incoming communications from priority contacts.

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For everything else, we're relying on unofficial sources. Veteran leaker Evan Blass, who has one of the best track records in the business, has shared renderings of all four expected phones, including the Pixel 11 and the Pixel 11 Pro XL that Google hasn't specifically mentioned so far.

Aside from HiLight, there aren't really any design surprises here, but Google is apparently once again tweaking the color options. A comprehensive leak published at MyMobiles lists Blue, Green, Midnight, and Pink for the standard Pixel 11; and Green, Light Green, Silver, Midnight, and Red for the Pro and Pro XL.

In terms of specs, most reports suggest the devices will have a Tensor G6 chipset, up from the Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10. Speed gains might not be huge, but it will be the first Pixel processor to be based on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, which should make it more efficient. A new modem is also expected, which should provide faster and more reliable 5G.

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A full specs list published by Android Headlines shows 12GB or 16GB as the RAM options, and storage starting at 256GB (rather than 128GB, as was the case last year). That extra storage comes with a price bump: These phones are predicted to start at $899 for the Pixel 11, $1,099 for the Pixel 11 Pro, $1,299 for the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and $1,899 for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, all $100 more than their equivalent Pixel 10 models.

As for cameras, the rumors suggest they will stay largely the same as last year, which means triple-lens cameras on the back of every model. Battery capacities are expected to be more or less the same across the board too, with slight increases or decreases depending on the model.

What the rumors say about the Google Pixel Watch 5 and the Pixel Tag announcements

Phones aren't the only new devices tipped to show up on Aug. 12. New Pixel handsets usually arrive alongside a new Pixel Watch as well, and that looks certain to be the case this year. While Google hasn't officially mentioned a smartwatch is coming, seasoned tipster Steve McFly has revealed a host of renderings for the Pixel Watch 5.

Once again, these renders show 41 mm and 45 mm variants in the standard Pixel Watch design, while slight battery capacity increases are rumored. However, the chip inside (the Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2 SoC) is believed to be the same as the Google Pixel Watch 4, with pricing is said to start at $399 for the 41 mm version and $429 for the 45 mm version (up by $50 and $70, respectively, over the Pixel Watch 4 models).

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As an added bonus, it's looking very much like Google will finally launch its own AirTag rival at this event. Images and pricing have emerged for the Google Pixel Tag, which looks like a fairly nondescript little Bluetooth tracker, and which will no doubt work through Google's Find My portal to help you recover lost gadgets.

The leaks so far haven't given any hints about a rechargeable battery or support for the ultra-wideband (UWB) tech that makes AirTags so accurate, but European pricing is expected to be €34.90 for a single Pixel Tag. That's almost exactly the price of an Apple AirTag in the region, so a $29 price in the U.S. seems likely.

Should you stretch before a workout? There was a time when stretching felt mandatory, and I felt the need to tell you guys that it’s OK not to. But the pendulum has now swung the other way, and influencers are telling you that stretching will kill your gains—but that’s not really true either. Let’s break down the pros and cons of stretching before a workout, so you can figure out what you should actually do next time you go to the gym. 

Stretching can increase your range of motion temporarily

The best reason to stretch before a workout is to prepare yourself for that specific workout. For example, many people have trouble squatting as deeply as they would like, and the reason is often that they need better ankle mobility so they can bend their knees while their feet are flat on the floor. If this sounds familiar, some stretches for your calves and Achilles tendons will make a big difference. Do these before you squat, and your squats will go a lot better.

Stretching increases your short-term range of motion, as you’ll notice if you try to touch your toes 10 times in a row. Your first attempt might not get your hands very far toward the ground, but by the 10th you’ll be reaching a lot lower than you did at first. 

That effect doesn’t last very long. Later today, you’ll be stiff again. But that’s exactly why it’s good to do these stretches right before your workout. Get the increased mobility, then use it while you have it. More flexible ankles will let you squat better, which means your legs will get a much better workout than if you hadn’t stretched.

You can also increase your long-term range of motion by stretching. Your pre-workout stretches can contribute to that, although it’s good to also do some stretching and other flexibility work after your workout (or as its own workout) if that’s your goal. 

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Stretching can slightly decrease strength in the short term

All that said, it is possible to stretch too much before a workout. Let’s keep the example of a workout where you plan to do squats. Ankle stretches are great, since they’ll help you get into a deeper squat position. But you wouldn’t want to stretch your quads (the muscles on the front of your thighs) because those are the muscles that will need to work the hardest during your squats. 

As I’ve discussed before, stretching does have a small, temporary effect where it decreases the amount of power you can get out of the muscle that was stretched. But, to be clear, this requires you to do some pretty deep stretching of the exact muscle the strength exercise will work, and to do it right before the strength work. If you do that, yeah, you might notice you can’t lift quite as much. 

But it’s important to remember two things: One is that you’re probably not stretching super deeply, immediately before your strength exercises. (If you are, I’d argue you might want to stop.) But the other is that the decrease in performance is very small. Even if you are stretching your quads right before you squat, it’s not like you’re canceling out the effects of your squats. I like to do targeted stretches before a workout (just the ankles, in our example) and save the full-body stretching for afterward.

Stretching isn’t necessary to prevent injury

There’s an old myth that stretching prevents injury. It’s been pretty thoroughly debunked, so if you’re only stretching before workouts because you think it’s necessary to stay safe and healthy, you can skip this part. We all have limited time in the gym, so it’s probably better to use this time for a few stretches that help prepare you for your workout, and then get on with the rest of the day’s training. 

Stretching by itself doesn’t warm you up

Moving your body to get into position for your favorite stretches is arguably a good way to get warmed up. But that’s because any movement helps, not because stretching is the best way to warm up your muscles and get your joints moving smoothly. 

Instead, try dynamic stretches. I’m secretly convinced the benefit of these is just that they get you moving, not that they incorporate a stretch. Jogging with high knees and butt kicks is a dynamic stretch, but regular jogging is probably almost as good. You can also do any other kind of gentle movement that helps you feel less stiff. A yoga flow, like a sun salutation, is a good way to run through warmup movements for all your body parts.

What to do before a workout

I’ve written a guide to figuring out what you need in your warmup—and it’s not necessarily going to be the same thing for every workout. Before a workout with overhead lifts, I’ll do some shoulder stretches. Before a squat workout, someone who struggles with squatting deeply enough should probably do some calf and ankle stretches, and maybe some stretches for the hips.

So, figure out if there are movements that could benefit from some extra range of motion in a given body part. Some workouts might not need mobility work, and that’s OK—for example, if you’re doing bench press and bicep curls, you might be fine without any stretches in the warmup. (That said, some stretches for your back might help you get a stronger position in the bench press, which in turn stabilizes your shoulders. Just saying.) 

For these workout-specific stretches, it’s okay to do static stretching (in which you hold a position for several seconds). It’s also fine to do dynamic stretches if you feel those work better for you, or even to foam roll for mobility. Figure out what works for you.

Hisense is discounting its 2026 U6 Pro TV lineup right now, and the 65-inch model is the easiest one to recommend for most living rooms—it's currently $598.99, down from $1,099.99, which is the lowest price we’ve seen for it so far, according to price trackers. The 75-inch, 85-inch, and 100-inch versions are also on sale, with even bigger discounts, topping out at $1,000 off for the 100-inch version. Amazon is also including free room-of-choice delivery (which usually costs $19.99), but it is worth noting that this only gets the TV to the room you choose. It does not include unpacking, setup, packaging removal, or haul-away service.

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The main reason to look at the U6 Pro over a basic 4K TV is its Mini-LED backlighting. Instead of lighting the screen in broad sections, it uses smaller lighting zones to improve contrast—so a bright sky, stadium light, or explosion can stand out without turning every dark scene gray. It's still not an OLED, and you shouldn't expect perfect black levels in a dark room, but it should look more controlled than a standard LED set. Hisense also includes Hi-QLED color, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, IMAX Enhanced, and Filmmaker Mode, so it is well covered for streaming movies and shows. Plus, Fire TV is built in, which means you do not have to add a separate streaming stick right away.

This is also a stronger gaming and sports TV than the price suggests. The native 144Hz refresh rate gives fast motion more room than a standard 60Hz panel, while variable refresh rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro help with smoother gameplay on supported consoles and PCs. The built-in 2.1-channel speaker system and subwoofer are also useful if you are not ready to buy a soundbar, though a separate audio setup will still do more for movie nights. All said, for a bright 4K TV with Mini-LED contrast, strong gaming features, built-in streaming, and better-than-basic audio, the U6 Pro makes the most sense for someone who wants a more capable TV without moving into premium OLED pricing.

Anker’s Nebula P1i Portable Projector is down to $295 on Amazon from its usual $369, and according to price -rackers, that’s the lowest it has gone so far. That makes it one of the more affordable ways to get a full HD projector with built-in streaming. The P1i is designed around convenience—it runs Google TV out of the box, so you can jump straight into apps like Netflix without plugging in a streaming stick. Setup is also simple: Anker’s Smart Instant Setup handles autofocus, keystone correction, and screen alignment, so you can place it down and get a usable image in seconds.

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At just under five pounds, it's also easy to move, although that light build comes with a small downside. If the projector gets nudged, the image can shift, which means you may need to readjust it. Using a tripod helps, especially if you’re setting it up outdoors or want something more stable at home. In terms of connections, it keeps things simple with one HDMI port, a USB-A slot, and a headphone jack. You can hook up a console or streaming device if you want, but the built-in interface already covers most use cases. The Nebula P1i can accept a 4K signal but scales it down to 1080p, which is fine for movies and casual viewing.

While the image looks good in the center with colors that come across as fairly natural, the edges soften a bit if you’re projecting at an angle. Brightness is another constraint, so it performs best at night or in a dark room—daytime viewing with ambient light washes out a lot of detail. Also, while its fold-out speakers are loud enough for a small gathering and make voices easy to follow, they lack depth, so movies do not feel as full as they should. You can pair Bluetooth speakers for better audio, but that adds to both cost and setup. There’s also no built-in battery, so it needs to stay plugged in, which takes away some of the flexibility you might expect from a portable projector.

The Series 11 is Apple's middle-of-the-pack smartwatch, sandwiched between the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 and the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 3. Right now, both versions of the Series 11 (GPS-only and GPS + cellular model) are on sale.

The GPS version starts at $299 (originally $399), and the GPS + Cellular version starts at $349.97 (originally $499), reaching a record low price after a 30% discount, according to price-tracking tools. If you're looking for the bigger 46mm size, they're both also at least $100 off in the GPS and cellular versions.